Surfshark: Secure VPN service

Been using this for over 3 yrs and just renewed a couple of months ago. However, I've been getting more and more "access denied" for the sites I've frequent. It's kind of annoying and I need to switch off the VPN to go to those sites which defeats the reason I got a VPN in the first place. A couple of times after "reporting" the sites I was able to access the those sites but lately even that hasn't helped. It sucks that I'm stuck for another couple of years since I'm signed up for another 3 yrs.

I just bought a year's subscription (non-refundable). When Surfshark is connected, my emails often end up in the outbox for hours until I notice they're stuck. The only fix Is to disconnect Surfshark, then they go out immediately. Also, it's quite common for a web page to never load until I change the VPN location. Both of these are super annoying. Neither ever happened with other VPNs. I cancelled my account, but I can't get a refund.

The only gripe I would have is the constant "how was your connection?" question or buy something else from us in app ad. (extremely disappointing that I've paid as much as I have and still have to be bombarded by that). Once my sub is up I'll be searching for another service. Other than that the service does what I need it to do for now, until they minimize that amount of service and peace meal it out for even more money. It's all about the endless quest for more while providing less. So sad.

Surfshark seems ok but the interface makes me nervous. It apparently *reconnects* each time I check the connection, then flashes a quick short red message. So fast I cannot read it. The interface doesn't give me confidence at all, and connection info is minimal. I finally changed to a more advanced VPN and turned off Surfshark, letting the contract run out. Wasted $ but feel more secure.

I'm very upset. I installed this app and opted for the 7 day free trial. But anytime I try to turn the VPN, it keeps not connecting. every time I click connect, it tells me to "set up VPN". Which I have done. I've also made sure all the right settings are enabled on the app, and that I've given the app every permission available. I don't understand why the app won't let me set up the VPN or connect to it. I haven't been able to successfully use it even once. Please help.

I have been using Surfshark for about 5 or 6 years and since 2024 it has gotten steadily worse. I get so many CAPTCHA requests and blocks on the web that are always solved when I pause SS. Some of my apps get buggy and its due to SS servers being detected. i also DONT know why they changed their previous UI. It was easy and intuitive, now common features are more hidden.

It works for what I need, BUT - 1. The VPN it shows you is not the same as when you check your VPN with this on. Not sure why, but weird. It isn't YOUR VPN but not the one the app displays 2. For some reason, going to fastest location never works. Even after doing latency check and seeing a location that is by far the fastest, app still gets a random close one, not the fastest

Watch for automatic renewal. I didn't know I was at up for automatic renewal. I let the app expire because I didn't need it right now and when I got charged again for a renewal, I tried to cancel and get a refund within 2 days of it happening. Asking for a good faith credit or even a prorated credit for the couple days and received a hard no. Make sure you turn off auto renew. Will not be back.

Absolute trash as far as VPNs are concerned. I also use the desktop version, and every few weeks it will become unable to connect to any server. The reason? Some sort of coding error makes the app unable to detect your license. Restarting the app will not fix it. You must re-login so that it can detect your license. There's no way for it automatically or even manually refresh. What this says to me is that the dev cares more about your money than keeping your connection stable. Avoid.

It has disrupted usability on every device. I've tried it on fire stick, fire TV, pixel 7a, and a high end laptop. Since original review, I have worked extensively (IMO) with SurfShark's very good support group, solving a few issues but ultimately falling behind an ever increasing set of problems. SurfShark folks were more than willing to keep chasing them down, but I could no longer justify the amount of time I was spending on this.

One year into 2-year sub, regretting this purchase more by the day. Interferes with too many websites (on both chrome and firefox) on both laptop and phone, even when I add the sites as exemptions (which is not only a pain but defeats the purpose), as well as email. I've just about reached the point where it's less help than hindrance, might just write it off as a failed experiment...

online reviews said this was good for gamers, but if you're running older operating system (such as Win10), your device slows to a crawl even when doing a quick scan. no browsing the internet, no gaming, nothing. Not trying to tear thos product down but I hope this gets seen but given EOL with Win10 at most we will get hot fixes. Works great on Android and mobile though. and is a must to help protect against ad-served malware out in the wild.

Connection and loading issues constantly after it was installed for over 1 month. As this is the second time over the last few years I've purchased it, I swear this is how they make their money. Before you start nagging about protocols, you "automatically" choose the best, most reliable, and fastest protocol. Despite that, you never give the reviewer info on how to choose protocols, or even which to choose, nor is their help in your app under protocol. I ran out of room.

DO NOT UPDATE! THE APRIL UPDATE IS BROKEN Otherwise a positive experience with the app for multiple family members on multiple devices. But, since the last update, the connection does not work right. The issue is not fixed by uninstalling and reinstalling. Our normal use is on tablets, phones and computers. So, our issue cannot be device specific. The machines that haven't updated work fine. The machines that have have terrible connection issues.

GO ANOTHER ROUTE! I am extremely disappointed in their performance. For a product that is supposed to promote safety and privacy, they do a terrible job of it. First, the intermittent connectivity is definitely an issue, but reliability is the main problem. The kill switch either just doesn't work or randomly just turns itself off. I have received multiple copy rights warnings, and if I'm getting those, what does that mean about my personal info being compromised? I WILL NOT BE RENEWING!

100% would not recommend. I have had the VPN for over 2 years and realised it doesn't actually do the job it's intended to do. I have tried multiple ways to get it to work and still no success. In addition to that, the apps constantly disconnect you from staying logged in which is terrible if you're looking for consistent security. I have had to log back into my PC and mobiles numerous times, at one point I just uninstalled them. Avoid if you can, I actually found more success from free apps.

Original review: 4 Stars 2/6/22 It works. It definitely takes a toll on the internet speed. It does not play well with several other apps. Updated review: 3 Stars 4/5/22 It still works. However after many troubleshooting steps (with the exception of customer service because no one has time to waste on that) I still cannot get several apps (Amazon, mostly. Chrome has also started acting up recently) to load data half the time. It usually takes multiple refreshes and restarts to load completely.

It started to disconnect when using Google chrome via the "fastest location" option. I reached out for help, they couldn't figure it out. Told me "use other locations." Then it started to drop connection frequently even when using other locations. Reached out for help again, they couldn't figure it out again. Not to mention the chats were disappearing after they asked me to go to the app and change settings. The answer from them: "I don't know why the chat disconnected." All in all-lousy service

Update; Regardless of my effort to contact customer support, they are not able to offer any real solution. In fact, the issue is now worse. I am not able to access the internet when connected to the vpn. "Of recent, I have been having issues with this VPN. Especially with Geo blocking on so many apps. Even though I chose a server in the location of the app, it still detects my true location and blocks my connection. I wonder if every other app can see my real IP."

Surfshark made the experience better with a discounted rate for One. Got hoodwinked. I used this app for 18months and had full access to all functionality. I renewed my plan and all was well for a few months then lost the search and antivirus options. Thses are now extra add-ons to pay for. Not a good experience and now the app is more expensive when they charge for the "extra" features.