Surfshark

Yes. Surfshark is fully legal to use in the United States — it's a popular mainstream VPN. Only the underlying activity, if illegal, stays illegal.

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Surfshark hides your real IP address and encrypts all your traffic under an independently audited no-logs policy, and its servers run RAM-only, wiping on every reboot — so your provider and the sites you visit can't easily see what you do. As with any VPN, though, it isn't total anonymity: you can still be identified if you log into accounts, accept tracking cookies, or leave a browser fingerprint. For the strongest result, pair Surfshark with privacy-friendly browser habits and its built-in CleanWeb ad-and-tracker blocker.

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Yes. Surfshark has an independently audited no-logs policy (verified by Deloitte), RAM-only servers that store nothing to disk, and strong AES-256 encryption, and it's based in the Netherlands. In 2022 it merged with Nord Security — the company behind NordVPN — but the two continue to run as separate services with their own apps and infrastructure. It's widely regarded as a transparent, reputable provider that publishes regular independent audits. For a budget-priced VPN it's unusually well-credentialed on privacy, which is a big part of why it's our value pick.

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No, not reliably — Surfshark works well for Netflix and other streaming platforms, unblocking Netflix US and many other regional libraries. Netflix does try to detect VPNs, so if a server stops working, switching to another usually fixes it in seconds. Speeds are quick enough for HD and 4K, and there's no device limit, so you can run it on the TV, laptop and phone at once. As always, using a VPN to change your Netflix region can breach its terms, though the worst case is just the block, not a ban.

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The main one is the jump from the cheap first-term price (US$1.99/mo) to the renewal (US$6.58/mo), which more than triples — so plan around the renewal rate, not the headline. Speeds can also vary a little depending on which server you pick, and the cheapest Starter tier keeps some extras — antivirus, data-breach alerts — for the pricier Surfshark One plans. None of that really undercuts the core value, though: unlimited simultaneous devices, an independently audited no-logs policy and RAM-only servers for one of the lowest prices around.

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On the two-year Starter plan, Surfshark works out to about US$1.99/mo — one of the cheapest premium VPNs anywhere, and the standout is that it covers unlimited devices at that price. The month-to-month option costs many times more, so the long commitment is where the value is. Watch the renewal: after the first term it rises to US$6.58/mo, still reasonable but well above the intro rate. Stepping up to Surfshark One or One+ adds antivirus and identity tools for more. A 30-day money-back guarantee lets you try it risk-free — always confirm the current offer on Surfshark's official site.

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Yes. Surfshark runs its own private DNS on every server and routes all DNS requests through the encrypted tunnel, which prevents DNS leaks so your ISP can't see the sites you visit.

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