Most independent tests give Surfshark the edge on speed and unlimited connections, while ProtonVPN wins on privacy reputation and a genuine free plan — though real user experiences on this exact comparison are genuinely mixed, not unanimous.
What Real Users Say — A Genuine Split
This comparison is worth approaching honestly because real user sentiment is genuinely divided, not lopsided. One Reddit user in r/ProtonVPN describes a direct negative experience with Surfshark, including an actual IP leak, concluding that Proton is “way, way better and trustworthy” and that they’ll never use Surfshark again. On the other side of the ledger, a discussion thread on Privacy Guides specifically states that Surfshark is not a recommended VPN service, naming Proton, IVPN, and Mullvad as the preferred alternatives among privacy-focused users.
That said, this negative sentiment toward Surfshark on privacy-focused forums coexists with a strong technical reputation for speed across nearly every independent lab test referenced below — a reminder that “best” depends heavily on what you’re optimizing for.
Speed and Performance
On raw performance, independent testing is unusually consistent in Surfshark’s favor. vpnMentor found Surfshark performed better than ProtonVPN in most tests, citing faster speeds and more reliable unblocking. CyberInsider confirms Surfshark is faster, with more simultaneous connections and broader device support. Even Security.org’s comparison, while crediting ProtonVPN with faster speeds in some categories, ultimately gives Surfshark the edge on lower long-term prices, unlimited connections, and its Camouflage Mode feature.
Pricing and Value
CNET frames the value question clearly: ProtonVPN has a legitimate free plan, but Surfshark’s longer-term paid subscriptions are cheaper overall. 01net’s detailed scoring comparison concluded Surfshark wins 8 to 3 across the criteria they tested — a fairly decisive technical result, even if it doesn’t capture the privacy-trust dimension some users prioritize more heavily.
Privacy Reputation
This is where the picture genuinely diverges from the speed/value numbers. Privacy-focused communities specifically and repeatedly favor ProtonVPN over Surfshark — the Privacy Guides discussion referenced above isn’t an isolated opinion, and the Reddit IP leak account, while a single incident, is a real reported experience that shouldn’t be dismissed. Even Surfshark’s own comparison blog concedes that Proton’s RSA key implementation provides slightly better protection in certain respects, while still arguing for its own speed advantages overall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is actually faster, Surfshark or ProtonVPN?
Surfshark, according to the clear majority of independent tests referenced here — vpnMentor, CyberInsider, and 01net all give it the edge on raw speed.
Is ProtonVPN really more trustworthy for privacy?
Many privacy-focused communities and at least one detailed user account (including a reported IP leak with Surfshark) favor ProtonVPN — though this isn’t universal, and Surfshark maintains its own audited no-logs policy.
Which has better value for freelancers on a budget?
Surfshark, according to CNET’s direct comparison — its long-term pricing beats ProtonVPN’s paid tiers, though ProtonVPN’s free plan has no direct equivalent from Surfshark.
Should I trust a single reported IP leak as representative?
Treat it as one data point among many, not a definitive verdict — but it’s a real account worth weighing alongside the otherwise positive speed test results.
Verdict
If raw speed and unlimited device connections at a lower long-term price matter most, the independent test data clearly favors Surfshark. If your priority is the strongest possible privacy reputation — backed by both audit history and a notably free plan — ProtonVPN is the safer choice, and some real user accounts specifically prefer it after negative Surfshark experiences. Compare both directly with our tool →