Contributor, Benzinga
November 15, 2022
Surfshark
Overall Rating:
securely through Surfshark's website

Surfshark started in 2018. Less than a decade later, the company has over 300 employees. While the company first began by creating a virtual private network(VPN), it has since expanded to cover many security-minded tools. Surfshark now has products such as VPN, antivirus and data breach detection services. Benzinga reviewed Surfshark in terms of product offerings, customer service, pricing, mobile application and user experience. 

Pros
  • Offers service for an unlimited amount of devices
  • Allows two-factor authentication
  • Maintains a no-log policy
  • Has servers in over 100 countries
Cons
  • Pricing can increase after the initial subscription

Surfshark Ratings at a Glance

Products
Customer Service
Pricing
Mobile App
User Experience
Review

Surfshark Products

Surfshark offers a wide selection of products. The company has five distinct products intended to cover various cyber usage concerns and preferences. Product options include VPN, antivirus protection, ad-free internet usage, data breach detection and personal information removal services. Each product strives to enhance the safety of customers interacting with the virtual world.  

The antivirus program uses timely scans that can be scheduled for convenience. The application was designed to be agile to prevent unnecessary computer slowdowns.

Surfshark’s search product helps prevent targeted ads. It claims to stop all advertisements from appearing when using Surfshark search.  

The data breach detection service safeguards a customer’s key data points such as email addresses, passwords and credit cards.

Surfshark’s personal data removal service called Incogni is designed to retrieve personal information from big data companies. It works to collect a customer’s personal data to ensure that big data companies cannot as easily aggregate and combine an individual’s personal information collected from the web. 

The company remains well-known for its excellent VPN that uses a wide range of both safety and security features in order to protect users. It’s designed to guard against hackers and potential data thieves. Surfshark’s VPN aims to protect privacy, safeguard a user’s identity and prevent tracking. VPN security includes strong encryption, a kill switch, two-factor authentication and a no-log policy. A no-log policy indicates that the VPN does not keep connection logs, which means it does not retain details such as session information or browsing history. With over 3,000 servers, users can access features such as multi-hop to connect devices to multiple servers at once to improve connection and better shield an individual’s location. 

The bypasser feature lets users select which websites and applications can navigate around the VPN. A bypass feature often proves useful when attempting to access bank-related content. Customers can use the VPN on as many devices as needed. Keep in mind that the legality of a VPN depends on the jurisdiction.

Surfshark One is a type of subscription that allows the VPN, antivirus, search tool and data leak alerts to operate from single account. Individuals interested in maximizing their cybersecurity will likely benefit from this all-encompassing subscription package. 

As noted at the bottom of the company website, products have the potential to work with macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Linux, Edge, and Windows.

Overall, Surfshark provides a competitive selection of offerings within the cybersecurity field. Products have intelligent privacy and security features designed to accommodate and more effectively protect customers. 

Surfshark Customer Service

In terms of customer service, Surfshark provides several methods of communication designed to promote interaction between the company and customers. The website has useful communication methods such as an array of social media platforms, a contact page, a designated help center, an email address, and an interactive chat. The company doesn't have an easily visible phone number. Fortunately, the company’s outpouring of additional methods of customer support manages to cater to a varied customer base. Surfshark has 24-hour support that’s intended to assist whenever and wherever in the world a customer experiences a problem. 

The customer support section allows individuals to craft personalized requests. If a customer prefers a more expedited response then they also have the option of speaking with a company representative using the support chat box.

The streamlined help section within the website encourages customers to type their concerns into a search bar to troubleshoot. The search section of the website has a simplified list of frequently asked questions at the bottom of the page. The help center is divided into three main sections such as VPN, Surfshark One, and my account. 

Customer reviews placed on third-party websites such as Trustpilot reveal a sense of satisfaction with the company. Many customers mentioned prompt and capable customer service representatives. However, some reviewers noted problems with the app. When researching various cybersecurity companies, it’s often recommended to read reviews placed on third-party websites to have a more comprehensive understanding of the company. 

In terms of account assistance, Surfshark has divided help into two sections that focus on the broader account and billing. Both sections include frequently asked questions. 

The company maintains an active presence on multiple social media platforms such as TikTok, Youtube, Twitter, Reddit and Instagram. As the use of social media continues to expand with younger generations, it’s become increasingly important for companies to become active across such platforms. 

The customer support section of the website assists with troubleshooting how to implement Surfshark on a wide range of applications including Firefox, Android, and iOS.

Surfshark has a section of its website that’s dedicated to providing resources designed to convey information, offer knowledgeable blog posts, include useful research, and ultimately create an informative help center. The blog posts cover topics such as VPN and internet censorship. Posts include information that can help a user to become better informed about cybersecurity by creating engaging content intended to demystify often confusing topics. The research section provides statistics about data breaches to show a more concrete understanding of the inner workings of the internet.

Surfshark places accessibility at the forefront of its website design by having multiple methods of communication available for customer use. The company’s strong attention to customer needs crafts an environment that produces noticeable customer service.

Surfshark Pricing

When comparing top cybersecurity applications and technologies, the price often poses a significant barrier to entry. Fortunately, Surfshark offers relatively competitive pricing designed to effectively entice a potential customer. One subscription allows a customer to protect an unlimited amount of devices. This feature is financially beneficial when safeguarding several phones and computers. Surfshark has a money-back guarantee. The guarantee typically lasts for a total of 30 days. 

Depending on the subscription, pricing can be broken down and examined as both a monthly and lump sum amount. Make sure that the currency converter is set to the proper currency to have an accurate understanding of the prices. Indicated prices might be subject to taxes depending on a customer’s location. It’s possible to pay less than $13 for a one-month subscription. A single month will be billed monthly.

Annual subscriptions cover 12 months of service for a total of less than $60. A single-year subscription breaks down to a monthly fee of less than $4.

A two-year subscription can cost less than $55. The two-year subscription includes an additional two months of service so a customer receives coverage for a total of 26 months. The fees can be broken down so that each month of service costs just above $2. Once expired, the plan is billed annually.

Every VPN subscription includes useful features such as the ability to use two servers at once, search the internet without dangerous advertisements, and bypass the VPN for selected websites and applications. 

Accepted payment methods include PayPal, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, and Sofort. Surfshark also accepts credit cards. The company even accepts nontraditional methods of payment such as cryptocurrency. 

Before selecting a package, it’s important to note that subscriptions automatically renew. Surfshark claims that the automatic renewal ensures customers are continuously protected and secured. Customers are allowed to cancel a subscription at their own convenience. 

Surfshark Mobile App

Surfshark offers mobile apps for a variety of phones. The mobile applications can be downloaded from the Google Play Store as well as the Apple App Store. The mobile applications are compatible with various devices and technology to more accurately address specific safety and security needs. The mobile applications are able to be downloaded for free but have in-app purchases. 

Reviews placed on both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store speak highly of the applications. The VPN app by Surfshark has a score of 4.8 with over 25,000 reviews within the Apple App Store. 

Some customers noted difficulty canceling the subscription. Many customers mentioned a sense of satisfaction in terms of the sense of safety that the VPN app provides. 

Surfshark User Experience

Surfshark creates a positive user experience by placing an emphasis on meeting and addressing customer needs. It’s designed with accessibility in mind thanks to an intuitive layout. The layout is intended to work with individuals that have varying levels of technological comprehension.

One detail that allows Surfshark to stand out is that it provides a wealth of knowledge to customers by having a wide selection of learning tools. The website has multiple resources dedicated to sharing information about the current cybersecurity climate. 

Current customers can log into their accounts from the website to view subscription and billing information. Customers can access their accounts by entering their password or a given code. Surfshark recognizes that maintaining the security of your account is a top priority. Keep in mind that a code expires after a few minutes. The code is typically given to an already logged-in device such as a currently active phone or computer. 

The website remains easy to use thanks to clear headers and descriptions. Website content is placed into logical categories to promote seamless navigation between sections. 

Surfshark vs. Competitors

Surfshark remains a notable candidate for cybersecurity when compared to competitors such as ExpressVPN and NordVPN. All three companies have strong VPNs that include useful features such as encryption to protect data. While both ExpressVPN and NordVPN offer strong VPNs, the two companies do not have a wide range of products. Compare and contrast the companies to know which option would work best for you. 

Overall Rating 5 out of 5

Surfshark Review

Surfshark earns a 5 out of 5. The company has excellent product offerings, helpful customer service, reasonable pricing, useful mobile applications and a strong user experience. 

Surfshark manages to shine by placing the needs of its customers first. The company strives to provide both the latest privacy and security tools. The comprehensive user experience remains approachable and encourages individuals to search the website at leisure for product information.

The company offers outstanding customer service by allowing customers to select from multiple methods of communication. The frequently asked questions placed in several areas around the website allow customers to attempt to troubleshoot questions. For individuals that prefer a more engaged approach, the interactive chat box provides more direct assistance. The combination of both direct and indirect assistance works well for both introverted and extroverted customers. The website lacks an easily visible phone number. A vast social media presence helps the company interact with younger generations. A company’s social media presence is becoming increasingly important to attract a younger demographic that tends to increasingly engage with social platforms. 

Surfshark has top cybersecurity products designed to enhance web navigation. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q

Is Surfshark VPN legit?

A

Yes. Surfshark VPN is a legitimate virtual private network provider.  

Q

Does Surfshark work with Netflix?

A

Yes, it is possible to use Surfshark in combination with Netflix. The VPN allows individuals to securely watch Netflix.

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