Surfshark and Proton VPN are two of the best virtual private networks you can buy. Based on my testing, I can confirm that each one delivers top-notch streaming capabilities, fast speeds and exceptional usability across platforms, while keeping prices cheaper than much of the competition. You can also count on either to protect you online, but privacy is where the two differ the most.
I recommend Proton VPN for privacy-critical users because of its Swiss jurisdiction and solid commitment to privacy and transparency. Proton VPN is also the only service I recommend for anyone looking for a legitimate free VPN. I recommend Surfshark for beginners, anyone looking for general privacy or innovative features like a personal detail generator. For most any other use case, it’s basically a toss-up between the two providers. Read on to find out how these two top-tier VPNs stack up.
Surfshark vs. Proton VPN compared Major features compared Surfshark Proton VPN Price $15.45 per month, $48 for the first 15 months (then $79 per year) or $54 for the first 27 months (then $79 per year) Free, $10 per month, $60 for the first year (then $80 per year) or $108 for the first two years (then $80 per year) Avg. Speed Loss 21% 16% Server Network 3,200-plus servers in 100 countries 15,100-plus servers in 126 countries Encryption AES 256-bit, ChaCha20 AES 256-bit, ChaCha20 VPN Protocols WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEV2/IPSec, Stealth Jurisdiction Netherlands Switzerland Simultaneous Connections Unlimited 10 Compatibility MacOS, Windows, Linux (GUI), iOS, Android, Apple TV, Fire TV, Android TV, Chromebook, Routers, Browsers Windows, MacOS, Linux (with GUI), iOS, Apple TV, Android, Android TV, Fire TV, Chromebook, Routers, Browsers Surfshark Latest tests No leaks detected, 21% speed loss in 2025 tests Price $15.45 a month, $48 for the first 15 months (then $79 a year) or $60 for the first 27 months (then $79 a year) Jurisdiction Netherlands Network 3,200-plus servers in 100 countries Surfshark is CNET’s pick for the best value VPN in 2025 in large part because it delivers a premium experience at a price that’s much easier on the wallet than many of its competitors. It’s a well-rounded VPN service that’s fast, great for streaming, easy to use across platforms and offers a handful of unique privacy features. Though Surfshark’s 14-Eyes (Netherlands) jurisdiction might be a dealbreaker for people with extreme privacy requirements, Dutch law doesn’t require VPN companies to log user activity and Surfshark’s no-logs policy is regularly audited. $45 at Surfshark VPN Proton VPN Latest tests No leaks detected, 16% speed loss in 2025 tests Network 12,000-plus servers in 117 countries Jurisdiction Switzerland Price $10 a month, $60 for the first year or $108 for the first two years (one- and two-year plans renew at $80 per year) Proton VPN is an excellent option for privacy-critical and casual users alike, because its airtight privacy pairs nicely with outstanding performance and usability. It’s one of the fastest VPNs we tested, has tons of server locations across the globe, works great for streaming and offers advanced features that cater to privacy purists. Proton VPN also offers the only free VPN we recommend at CNET because its free tier doesn’t compromise on privacy or put limits on bandwidth or usage, even though it limits free users to eight server locations. Proton VPN’s paid subscription plans give you access to all server locations and its full slate of premium features at a price that’s nearly as budget-friendly as Surfshark.
Speed winner: Proton VPN has a slight edge over Surfshark
Proton VPN's speeds were consistently fast during our 2025 speed tests. Screenshot by CNET
Because of things like encryption, server load and server location, connecting to a VPN will slow your internet connection to a certain degree -- sometimes by 50% or more. If you’re streaming, torrenting or gaming, losing half of your speeds can cause issues if your base internet speeds aren’t fast enough to begin with. But if you’re using a fast VPN like Proton VPN or Surfshark, it’s unlikely you’ll notice a difference in performance.
In our 2025 speed tests, we calculated an average speed loss of 16% with Proton VPN and 21% with Surfshark, both of which fall below the 25% threshold at which we consider a VPN to be “fast.” If you want the fastest possible speeds out of either provider, choose a server nearby your physical location and use the WireGuard protocol, which is lightweight and built for speed and security.
If you’re connected to a network that’s slow or unstable, Proton VPN’s VPN Accelerator feature and Surfshark’s FastTrack servers can potentially help boost your speeds. Proton VPN says that its VPN Accelerator can boost your VPN speeds by up to 400%, while Surfshark says that FastTrack servers can increase your speeds by 70%. In my testing, I didn’t notice a major speed boost with either feature, but you might notice a more pronounced difference if your internet connection is spotty.
Value winner: Proton VPN has a legitimate free plan, but Surfshark’s longer-term paid subscriptions are cheaper than Proton VPN’s
Proton VPN is the only free VPN we recommend at CNET, and even its paid subscription plans are reasonably priced and offer a lot of value for the budget-conscious VPN user. However, even though Surfshark doesn’t offer a free plan, it delivers slightly better overall value than Proton VPN if you choose its annual or two-year plan.
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