Proton VPN vs Surfshark: which is better? Comparison 2026
By our public methodology Proton VPN scores 85 out of 100 and Surfshark scores 73. Below: the factors and facts where they differ, each fact with its source.
Score breakdown
| Proton VPN | Surfshark | |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy & security | 83 | 85 |
| Network & features | 100 | 99 |
| Price & terms | 71 | 11 |
| User reputation | 77 | 82 |
| Transparency | 87 | 84 |
Pros and cons
Proton VPN
- No-logs policy verified by an independent audit
- Servers in 100+ countries
- Many devices on one account
- Recently audited by a third party
- Servers are not RAM-only
Surfshark
- Highly rated in the App Store
- No-logs policy verified by an independent audit
- Servers in 100+ countries
- Many devices on one account
Facts side by side
| Fact | Proton VPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| No-logs policy independently audited | Yes protonvpn.com | Yes surfshark.com |
| Any independent security audit | Yes protonvpn.com | Yes surfshark.com |
| Latest independent audit | 2026 protonvpn.com | 2026 surfshark.com |
| RAM-only servers | No protonvpn.com | Yes surfshark.com |
| Jurisdiction | Switzerland protonvpn.com | Netherlands surfshark.com |
| WireGuard protocol | Yes protonvpn.com | Yes surfshark.com |
| Open-source apps | Yes protonvpn.com | Not verified |
| Kill switch | Yes protonvpn.com | Yes surfshark.com |
| Server countries | 140 protonvpn.com | 100 surfshark.com |
| Servers | 20,000 protonvpn.com | 4,500 surfshark.com |
| Simultaneous devices | 10 protonvpn.com | Unlimited surfshark.com |
| Split tunneling | Yes protonvpn.com | Yes surfshark.com |
| Best price per month (long plan) | $3.49 protonvpn.com | Not verified |
| 1-month plan | $9.99 protonvpn.com | Not verified |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days protonvpn.com | 30 days surfshark.com |
| Free plan | Yes protonvpn.com | No surfshark.com |
| App Store rating | 4.6★ apps.apple.com | 4.7★ apps.apple.com |
| App Store ratings | 125,000 apps.apple.com | 133,000 apps.apple.com |
| Transparency report | Yes protonvpn.com | Yes surfshark.com |
| Founded | 2017 protonvpn.com | 2018 surfshark.com |
| Company | Proton AG protonvpn.com | Not verified |
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