Best Surfshark Alternatives in 2026

So you’re looking at Surfshark alternatives because the provider doesn’t quite cut it for you. To begin with, we consider it one of the best VPNs on the market, as it offers fast connection speeds, is loaded with features, and gives incredible value for your money. All that for a company that’s younger than most.

Still, like every other VPN, there are a few drawbacks some users simply cannot overlook. Whatever your reason for looking elsewhere, this article discusses a few other options you can opt for instead. We’ll explore each VPN and what they offer differently so you can choose the perfect fit for you.

5 Best Surfshark Alternatives On the Market

Surfshark’s issues are far from critical, as we’ll discuss later in the article. However, if you can’t get over them, the providers below are the best Surfshark alternatives to consider switching to.

That said, don’t expect each to address all of Surfshark’s drawbacks. Each contender offers unique strengths, so your ideal choice depends on your specific needs.

1. NordVPN

NordVPN is arguably the best VPN in the industry, so it makes sense that it tops this list of the best alternatives to Surfshark. The Panama-based provider offers 7300+ servers in 118 countries. That’s more than double the size of Surfshark’s haul in eighteen more countries.

Thanks to a well-optimized network, 10 Gbps servers, and a custom protocol based on WireGuard, it’s also the fastest provider around. Consequently, you can browse, download, game, and stream without worrying about buffering or lags.

In addition, NordVPN’s unblocking capabilities are exceptional. It breezes past even the toughest geo-restrictions on websites and streaming services so you can access them from anywhere.

If you’re into torrenting, you’re in luck. While it supports the activity on all servers, the VPN has dedicated servers for peer-to-peer traffic. That means faster, more secure torrent downloading and seeding.

NordVPN excels in virtually every area, but its priority is safeguarding your data and keeping you as close to anonymous as possible. Military-grade encryption scrambles your traffic so nobody else can make sense of it. The provider also comes with an automatic kill switch, DNS leak protection, and a wide range of extras you won’t find on most VPNs.

NordVPN isn’t the cheapest VPN, but it’s nowhere near the priciest. Its monthly plan is certainly a more attractive option than Surfshark’s. Each subscription covers up to 10 simultaneous device connections.

Mulling over giving NordVPN a go to replace Surfshark? You can do so risk-free, thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not impressed by the service, you can claim and receive a full refund.

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2. ExpressVPN

Next on this list of the best alternatives to Surfshark is ExpressVPN, which has around 3,000 servers in 105 countries.

While Surfshark edges it in terms of the total number of servers, ExpressVPN’s presence in more countries means you’re more likely to find one geographically close to you, potentially resulting in faster connection speeds.

But performance depends on various factors, and ExpressVPN checks most boxes. Its 10 Gbps servers mean faster internet connections for your browsing needs and faster improvements by its engineers. Even if you’re streaming in 4K resolution, you’re unlikely to run into persistent buffering or interruptions.

What’s more, we’re impressed by how effectively ExpressVPN bypasses geo-restrictions on websites and online services. For example, unblocking Netflix US was instant in our tests, and we never had to switch servers to access exclusive content on platforms like Hulu and Amazon Prime Video.

AES 256-bit encryption and an automatic kill switch offer impenetrable security — not even brute-force attacks can crack that algorithm. The VPN also prevents your DNS queries from leaking, so your data isn’t exposed to prying eyes. On top of that, ExpressVPN’s no-logs policy has undergone multiple third-party audits.

We like how easy it is to set up and use the provider’s apps. Your account covers up to eight devices at the same time. That pales compared to Surfshark’s indefinite limit, but router support means you can extend protection to many more devices.

Like the top alternative to Surfshark, NordVPN, ExpressVPN gives you up to 30 days after purchasing a plan to tinker with its apps and make up your mind.

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3. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access is the Surfshark alternative with the most extensive network and by some distance. You get to choose between 30,000+ servers across 91 countries, and while the United States enjoys disproportionate representation, there’s plenty to go around.

Connect to a nearby server, and you can expect speedy connections for your online activities. That said, we noticed some inconsistency in performance during our tests. Thankfully, ping labels attached to each server location allow you to dodge slower servers.

The provider will get you past the geo-restrictions on many online services so you can enjoy content curated for other audiences. It unblocked Netflix US (and some other libraries) and all the US TV channels we tried, for example. However, we encountered roadblocks on a few services, like BBC iPlayer.

Private Internet Access is a superb torrenting VPN. It ensures safe downloads and records faster P2P sharing than most other providers.

That said, we’re most impressed by its security and privacy arsenal. While it’s based in the United States, a 5 Eyes member country, the VPN has proven beyond reasonable doubt (in court and via third-party audits) that it stores no personally identifiable logs on its servers.

It also comes with bank-level encryption to protect your data, a regular and advanced kill switch, IP/DNS leak protection, and several advanced tools. All PIA apps are open-source, so you can inspect the code yourself.

While it’s a highly customizable VPN, PIA suits beginners and advanced users. Like Surfshark, you can simultaneously connect as many devices as you want on a single account. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee that lets you test it out risk-free.

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4. Proton VPN

Proton VPN is the fourth-best alternative to Surfshark presented here. Its network comprises over 11,700+ servers in 118 countries, significantly more than Surfshark’s collection.

They are high-speed servers offering connections up to 10 Gbps, which means you can browse, stream, and download without worrying about buffering or lags. Over long distances, its proprietary VPN Accelerator feature changes how network routes are used and calculated, effectively boosting your connection speed.

Proton VPN’s unblocking capabilities are pretty impressive. During our tests with Proton VPN, it unblocked several TV channels and streaming services, including popular platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and YouTube TV. Non-paying users aren’t left out — Proton VPN is also the best free VPN for Netflix.

Proton VPN uses advanced encryption algorithms — AES 256-bit and ChaCha20 — to protect your data when you go online. Both are virtually uncrackable with brute-force methods. An automatic kill switch ensures no exposure when the VPN connection is interrupted.

Don’t worry about compromising your identity. Not even the VPN knows what you’re doing online, and its strict no-logs policy keeps your sessions a secret from other third parties.

Proton VPN offers easy-to-use apps for various major platforms and covers up to 10 devices simultaneously. You can use all plans risk-free with the guarantee of a full refund within 30 days if you’re not impressed.

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5. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is an underrated VPN with a feature-rich service and a vast network. It comes with more than 12,000 servers dotted across 100 countries globally. However, this is not the only reason we are presenting it to you as a viable alternative to Surfshark.

Its speeds aren’t quite at the level of NordVPN or even Surfshark. That said, CyberGhost’s 10 Gbps connections provide reliable performance for your online sessions. Nearby servers offer solid speeds, and even more distant connections allow for smooth streaming with minimal buffering.

What’s more, CyberGhost offers specialized servers tailored for streaming, online gaming, and P2P activities.

You can expect optimal performance for each activity. For instance, the provider’s streaming servers unblock several streaming services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and more. In addition, you’ll enjoy faster, more secure connections from downloading and seeding with the torrenting servers.

Security and privacy-wise, the VPN is loaded with high-level features. They include AES 256-bit encryption for scrambling your data and IP/DNS leak protection. The VPN also includes a kill switch, so unplanned VPN disconnections don’t expose your information to prying eyes.

CyberGhost is headquartered in privacy-friendly Romania, outside the 5/9/14 Eyes jurisdiction. It doesn’t track, store, or sell logs of your online sessions to third parties, a claim independent auditors have confirmed.

The provider is easy to set up and use and permits up to seven device connections simultaneously. Buying a long-term plan comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee, three times the VPN’s monthly plan policy.

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What to Look For in a Surfshark Alternative

Surfshark is great, but there’s room for improvement. So, let’s explore the key features you should prioritize while considering Surfshark alternatives.

That way, you can find a competitor VPN that not only matches its strengths but also addresses any potential shortcomings based on your needs.

Larger Server Network

Surfshark’s collection includes over 3,200 servers in 100 countries, which is pretty impressive. Still, when it comes to sheer size, the provider doesn’t measure up to some competitors.

For instance, NordVPN has over 7,300 servers in its network. CyberGhost’s is even wider. And PIA completely blows Surfshark out of the water with its fleet containing upwards of 30,000 servers. If you need more servers near your location, it makes sense to consider a Surfshark alternative.

Connection Speeds

Again, Surfshark performs well in this area, enough to earn a spot in our fastest VPN rankings.

However, if raw speed is your top priority, there are even faster options in our list of the best Surfshark alternatives. NordVPN, for instance, barely dents your original internet speed, so you can expect lightning-fast connections for browsing, streaming, gaming, and downloads.

Cheaper Pricing

Surfshark is considered a budget VPN service. However, look closer, and you’ll find that its longer-term plans have done the heavy lifting to earn that tag. On the other hand, Surfshark’s monthly subscription isn’t cheap.

Suppose your budget is a top priority when choosing a VPN, and you’d rather pay for a monthly plan. In that case, you may want to consider a Surfshark alternative like Private Internet Access, which has a range of pocket-friendly pricing.

Even NordVPN, with all its benefits, costs lower if you’re paying monthly.

Can You Use a Free VPN as a Surfshark Alternative?

Surfshark has a few drawbacks, but it’s a premium VPN (one of the best, in fact) with a ton of features. And while there’s a handful of free VPNs we like, most in that category present significant security and performance risks.

For instance, they may lack robust encryption and security features, potentially leaving your data vulnerable to prying eyes. And they tend to log heavily, which defeats the purpose of using a VPN in the first place.

What’s more, they typically have smaller server networks, and that generally means congestion and slower connection speeds. Bandwidth limits and data caps are pretty standard, so expect frequent interruptions when doing anything more than casual browsing.

If you must switch from Surfshark, you’re better off using one of the five VPNs we tested and highlighted above.

Conclusion

Considering dropping Surfshark? This article discusses the worthwhile options worth switching to.

We consider NordVPN the best Surfshark alternative, as it reflects the provider’s strengths while ironing out its weaknesses. ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access are other suitable alternatives.

If you’re thinking of giving NordVPN a go, you’d be doing so risk-free, as a 30-day money-back guarantee backs all its plans. If you’re not impressed, you may contact its customer support to cancel and receive a full refund.

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FAQs

Here are a few commonly asked questions regarding Surfshark and its best alternatives.

⭐ Why is NordVPN better than Surfshark?

NordVPN’s network is twice the size of Surfshark’s, and it has servers in more countries. What’s more, the provider’s 10 Gbps servers are the fastest in the industry and guarantee smooth connections for browsing, streaming, and more.

In addition, NordVPN’s monthly plan is significantly cheaper than Surfshark’s.

That said, the latter also has points in its favor, such as its more affordable long-term plans and unlimited simultaneous device connections. If you’re curious to learn more, read the NordVPN vs. Surfshark comparison.

🥇 What are the best Surfshark alternatives?

NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access are the best Surfshark alternatives of 2026. We’ve extensively tested each provider, compared them side-by-side with the Dutch-based VPN, and concluded that they are excellent substitutes.

🆗 Is Surfshark a good VPN?

Yes, Surfshark is a good VPN. It is safe to use, ensures your online privacy, and protects your traffic and data from malicious internet actors. In addition, Surfshark offers speedy connections and allows you to attach as many devices to a single account as you want.