Head to head · Updated August 13, 2026
Proton VPN vs Surfshark
Proton VPN takes it by 14.5 points, 90.0 against 75.5. That margin is worth reading past — Surfshark wins 2 of the seven criteria outright.
Proton VPN
90.0The best-documented security stack in this dataset, and the only free tier we consider safe to recommend.
- From
- $4.49/mo
- Based in
- Switzerland
- Devices
- 10
- Audits
- 2
We earn a commission if you subscribe through this link. It does not change Proton VPN’s score.
Surfshark
75.5The cheapest credible option per device, weakened by a Nine Eyes jurisdiction and common ownership with NordVPN.
- From
- $2.49/mo
- Based in
- Netherlands
- Devices
- Unlimited
- Audits
- 2
We earn nothing from Surfshark. This link is included because the ranking says it belongs here.
Criterion by criterion
Proton VPN wins 4, Surfshark wins 2, 1 tied. Each row shows the raw score out of ten and the weighted contribution to the total.
| Criterion | Weight | Proton VPN | Surfshark | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent audit | 20 | 10/10 (20.0) | 8/10 (16.0) | Proton VPN |
| Jurisdiction and ownership | 15 | 9/10 (13.5) | 5/10 (7.5) | Proton VPN |
| Protocol and crypto stack | 15 | 9/10 (13.5) | 9/10 (13.5) | Tied |
| Leak protection | 15 | 9/10 (13.5) | 8/10 (12.0) | Proton VPN |
| Transparency | 15 | 9/10 (13.5) | 5/10 (7.5) | Proton VPN |
| Price and refund terms | 10 | 7/10 (7.0) | 9/10 (9.0) | Surfshark |
| Platform coverage | 10 | 9/10 (9.0) | 10/10 (10.0) | Surfshark |
| Total | 100 | 90.0 | 75.5 | Proton VPN |
Where each one actually wins
Proton VPN is ahead on
- Independent audit. Both the no-logs policy and the apps on every platform were audited by Securitum with public reports.
- Jurisdiction and ownership. Switzerland sits outside the Fourteen Eyes agreement, and the parent company is majority-owned by a non-profit foundation.
- Leak protection. Kill switch across all platforms, with a permanent mode on desktop that blocks traffic before the app starts.
- Transparency. Every client is open source with published audit reports; signup still requires an email address.
Surfshark is ahead on
- Price and refund terms. Lowest effective monthly rate here at $2.49 on a 2-year term, with unlimited devices and a 30-day refund.
- Platform coverage. Native apps on every major platform including TV, and unlimited simultaneous connections.
Choose Proton VPN if
Readers who want auditable software and a free option to test before paying.
Choose Surfshark if
Households or shared accounts covering many devices on one subscription.
Reasons to pick neither
Skip Proton VPN if: You want the cheapest possible long-term plan. Proton is priced as a security product, and the 2-year rate is still above the budget tier.
Skip Surfshark if: Jurisdiction matters to your threat model, or you want a provider independent of Nord Security.
Questions
- Is Proton VPN or Surfshark better?
- Proton VPN scores higher overall, 90.0 against 75.5, a gap of 14.5 points out of 100. The best-documented security stack in this dataset, and the only free tier we consider safe to recommend.
- Which is cheaper, Proton VPN or Surfshark?
- Surfshark, at $2.49/mo against $4.49/mo. Both rates require committing to the provider’s longest term; the monthly rates are considerably higher.
- Which one has been audited more recently?
- Proton VPN, most recently in 2024 against Surfshark’s 2023.
- Does jurisdiction differ between them?
- Yes. Proton VPN operates from Switzerland and Surfshark from Netherlands. Proton VPN is outside the Fourteen Eyes agreement; the other is not.
Related comparisons
Comparison generated from the same dataset as the ranking. Emphasis criterion definitions are on the rubric page. Criterion labels: Independent audit, Jurisdiction and ownership, Protocol and crypto stack, Leak protection, Transparency, Price and refund terms, Platform coverage.