Surfshark and Proton VPN differ above all in their usage model. Proton VPN offers a permanent Free plan with no traffic limit, but with one connection and a limited choice of countries. Surfshark has no permanent free plan, but you can test the full VPN for seven days and, after paying, connect an unlimited number of devices.
On paid plans, Proton VPN offers a larger server network, while Surfshark is currently cheaper over the long term and doesn't limit the number of devices you can connect.
Surfshark and Proton VPN in Numbers
| Parameter | Surfshark | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Starter: $16.45/mo; from $2.49/mo for 2 years | Free — $0; Plus — $9.99/mo; from $2.99/mo for 2 years |
| Free / trial access | 7-day trial, up to 3 devices | Permanent Free with no traffic limit |
| Network | 4500+ servers, 100 countries | Plus: 20,000+ servers, 140+ countries |
| Devices | No fixed limit after payment | Free — 1; Plus — up to 10 |
| Protocols | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, Dausos (macOS) | WireGuard, Stealth, Smart Protocol, and others |
| Features | Dynamic MultiHop, CleanWeb, Rotating IP, Alternative ID | Secure Core, NetShield, VPN Accelerator |
The data and prices were verified in September 2026 against the official Surfshark and Proton VPN websites and may change.
Surfshark vs Proton VPN: Free Access
Proton VPN Free can be used permanently without a traffic limit. The plan supports one simultaneous connection and provides access to free servers in 10 countries.
Instead of a permanent Free plan, Surfshark offers a 7-day trial with the full set of VPN features. A payment method is required to start it; you can test the service on three devices at once. After payment, the number of connections is unlimited.
So Proton VPN is a better fit for permanent free use, while Surfshark is better for a brief test of the full version before paying.
Surfshark vs Proton VPN: Prices, Servers, and Devices
With monthly billing, Proton VPN Plus is cheaper: $9.99 versus $16.45 for Surfshark Starter. Over the long term the situation is reversed: Surfshark costs from $3.39 per month for a year and $2.49 for two years, Proton VPN from $3.99 and $2.99 respectively.
In terms of server network scale, Proton VPN Plus has the advantage: 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries versus 4500+ servers in 100 countries for Surfshark.
In terms of devices, Surfshark has the advantage: the paid subscription supports an unlimited number of simultaneous connections, Proton VPN Plus up to ten.
Surfshark and Proton VPN: Privacy and No-Logs
Both services claim no-logs and back this policy with independent audits. Deloitte audited Surfshark's no-logs compliance in 2023 and 2025, and in 2026 Proton VPN passed its fifth annual Securitum audit.
The technical approach differs. Surfshark uses RAM-only servers, whose data is wiped on reboot. Proton VPN deliberately uses servers with full disk encryption, and its apps are open source.
Which to Choose: Surfshark or Proton VPN?
Surfshark is worth considering if unlimited devices, a lower long-term subscription price, Dynamic MultiHop, Rotating IP, or Alternative ID matter to you.
Proton VPN is a good fit if you need a permanent Free plan, a larger server network, open-source apps, or Secure Core.
Need an Alternative to Surfshark or Proton VPN?
Surfshark's trial requires a payment method, while Proton Free is limited to one connection and a selection of free countries. If you want to try a full VPN without a bank card, you can consider VolnaLink: the service provides 8 hours of full access and locations in 100+ countries.
In that time you can select the country you need, test the VPN with your usual sites and apps, and only then decide whether you need a subscription.
See also: NordVPN vs ExpressVPN · NordVPN vs Proton VPN · Proton VPN vs ExpressVPN · NordVPN vs CyberGhost · NordVPN vs Surfshark · Surfshark vs ExpressVPN · Surfshark vs CyberGhost · Proton VPN vs Mullvad