Updated September 29, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
FastestVPN vs Surfshark
FastestVPN vs Surfshark: the differences
| Compare |  FastestVPN |  Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $5 | €2.49 |
| Long-term plan price | $0.83 | €2.49 |
| Server countries | 49 | 100Higher |
| No-logs audit | Altius IT | Deloitte 2025 |
| Money-back period | 31 daysHigher | 30 days |
| Jurisdiction | KY | NL |
| Protocols | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP, PPTP, OpenConnect | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, Dausos |
| Features | Kill switch, Split tunnelling | Kill switch, Split tunnelling, Multi hopCovers more |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Fire TV, Xbox, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Router | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Routers |
| Longest plan (months) | 24 months | 27 monthsHigher |
| Devices | 10 | Not confirmed |
| Renewal price | $5 | Not confirmed |
| Streaming services | Netflix, Hulu, HBO | Not confirmed |
| Owner | Not confirmed | Nord Security |
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- FastestVPN scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.4.
- Server countries is higher at Surfshark: 100 vs 49.
- Protocols: only FastestVPN offers L2TP, PPTP, OpenConnect.
- Protocols: only Surfshark offers Dausos.
- Features: only Surfshark offers Multi hop.
- Platforms: only FastestVPN offers Xbox, Router.
- Platforms: only Surfshark offers Android TV, Apple TV, Routers.
- Longest plan (months) is higher at Surfshark: 27 months vs 24 months.
- Money-back period is higher at FastestVPN: 31 days vs 30 days.
- Features: only FastestVPN offers Travel.
Our verdict on each
FastestVPN
FastestVPN suits readers who want a plain privacy tool at a budget price and will commit to a long subscription. It sits in Cayman Islands, covers 10 devices on one plan and has had its no-logs policy reviewed by Altius IT, which few budget rivals can match.
Surfshark
Surfshark suits households and small teams that want a wide network at a modest rate, and it reaches further than most rivals at this price. Its long-term plan price is €2.49, under the site median for long-term plans, €3.97, and every purchase carries a 30 money-back window.
Score breakdown
| Area | FastestVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.6Long-term plan at $0.83 a month with a money-back period of 31 days keeps entry cost low. | 9.6Surfshark's long-term plan price of €2.49 undercuts the site median €3.97, while the monthly plan at €2.49 keeps entry low. |
| Offer | 9.3One plan covers 10 devices, with a no-logs review by Altius IT and servers in 49 countries. | 9.5HigherThe plan bundles private dns, ad blocker and search with a 7 trial and a 30 money-back window. |
| Privacy | 9.8Higher | 8.7 |
By the numbers
| Fact | FastestVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Server countries | 49 | 100 |
| Money-back period | 31 days | 30 days |
| Longest plan (months) | 24 months | 27 months |
Which one suits you
Pick FastestVPN if privacy and money-back period matter most.
Pick Surfshark if server countries, features, and longest plan (months) matter most.
If neither fits
NordVPN has server countries at 150, against 49 for FastestVPN and 100 for Surfshark.
NordVPN reviewHow they place
| Ranking | FastestVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| VPNs | 10 of 232 | 12 of 232 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | FastestVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Features | No logs, Streaming, TravelCovers more | No logs, Streaming |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Business |
| Pricing model | Budget | Budget |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Surfshark B.V. |
| Headquarters | Cayman Islands | Netherlands |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2018 |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Help centre | Email, Chat, Help centre |
Privacy tools
| Fact | FastestVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Not confirmed | No |
| Free plan limits | Not confirmed | 7-day free trial, 3 devices |
| Logging policy | Not confirmed | No-logs policy, independently verified by Deloitte in 2023 and 2025; RAM-only server network |
| Privacy tool type | Not confirmed | Private dns, Ad blocker, Search |
Identity protection
| Fact | FastestVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance amount | Not confirmed | $1,000,000 |
| Free trial length | Not confirmed | 7 days |
Data removal
| Fact | FastestVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Yearly price | Not confirmed | €121.23 |
| Countries covered | Not confirmed | United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Switzerland |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | FastestVPN | Surfshark | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devices | 10at the median | Not confirmed | 10 |
| Server countries | 49below the median | 100highest quarter | 62 |
| Renewal price | $5below the median | Not confirmed | $12 |
| Money-back period | 31 dayshighest quarter | 30 daysat the median | 30 days |
| Longest plan (months) | 24 monthsabove the median | 27 monthshighest quarter | 12 months |
Median across 139 listed providers.
Pros and cons
FastestVPN
Pros
- Long-term plan at $0.83 a month, the lowest entry price among the brands compared
- The no-logs policy has been reviewed by Altius IT, and the company sits in Cayman Islands
- One plan covers 10 devices and servers in 49 countries
Cons
- Renewal returns to $5 a month, well above the long-term rate
- Server spread is modest, with servers in 49 countries
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre only, with no phone line
Surfshark
Pros
- Servers in 100 countries, ranking 7 on coverage among 62 brands compared.
- The no-logs policy is independently verified by Deloitte, with the current audit listed as Deloitte 2025.
- A single subscription covers Windows, macOS and Linux.
Cons
- There is no free plan, so the 7-day free trial, 3 devices is the only way to try Surfshark before paying.
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre only, with no phone line for urgent problems.
- Price-first readers have cheaper options: MEGA lists $1.67 and Sinew Software Systems lists $1.99 for a long-term plan.
Who each suits
FastestVPN
Who it suits
- Households that want a reviewed no-logs policy at a budget price
- People who need a router app alongside desktop and mobile apps
- Readers who will commit to the long-term plan to get the low monthly rate
Who should look elsewhere
- Apple Inc., if you want a plan priced lower each month
- Sinew Software Systems, if you want a password manager rather than a VPN
- ESET Brasil, if covering more devices on one plan matters most
Surfshark
Who it suits
- Households covering several device types, with apps across Windows, macOS and Linux.
- Small teams priced for business, with 100 server countries and privacy extras of private dns, ad blocker and search in one subscription.
- Readers who put audit evidence first, since the no-logs policy is verified by Deloitte and the current audit is Deloitte 2025.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers chasing the lowest long-term rate, where MEGA at $1.67 and Sinew Software Systems at $1.99 sit lower.
- Buyers looking for antivirus rather than a network, where ESET Brasil is the comparison to read, with 40 to 70 server countries in its coverage.
Current offers
FastestVPN
Current offer
First period offer
Lifetime plan 93% off: $40 one-time lifetime plan, save 93%
With a 31-day money-back guarantee for new purchases
Source, checked September 26, 2026
First period offer
1 Year + 1 Year Free, save 83%: $19.95 billed biennially ($0.83/mo)
Recurring biennial plan, 31-day money-back guarantee for new purchases
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
93% off plus 2TB Internxt Encrypted Cloud Storage and FastestPass Password Manager free: 93% off + 2TB Internxt storage + FastestPass password manager free
Site-wide offer banner; deal page linked as
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Surfshark
Current offer
Bonus
+3 EXTRA months, Save 85% on Surfshark Starter: Starter EUR 2.49/mo., sale price EUR 67.23 for the first 27 months (old price EUR 444.15)
24-month plans, VAT may apply, 30-day money-back guarantee
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Free trial
7-day free trial: 7 days free on 3 devices
Available on all 12-month and 24-month plans; payment by credit card, Apple Pay or PayPal
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | FastestVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | No | Yes |
| Aland Islands | No | Yes |
| Albania | No | Yes |
| Algeria | No | Yes |
| American Samoa | No | Yes |
| Andorra | No | Yes |
| Angola | No | Yes |
| Anguilla | No | Yes |
8 of 250 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
FastestVPN
How much does FastestVPN cost at the start and at renewal?+
The long-term plan runs at $0.83 a month and can run for 24 months, while the month-to-month rate is $5. Renewal sits at $5 a month, so the low headline rate holds while you stay on the long-term plan.
Has the no-logs policy been checked by anyone?+
Yes. The no-logs policy has been reviewed by Altius IT, and the company is registered in Cayman Islands. That gives the claim more weight than a policy stated without review, though the review covers the logging promise rather than every part of the service.
Surfshark
What does Surfshark cost month to month and on a long commitment?+
Surfshark's monthly plan is listed at €2.49 and the yearly plan at €121.23. The longest plan runs 27 months, which brings the monthly rate to €2.49, below the site median for long-term plans, €3.97. A 30 money-back window sits behind the longer commitments.
Is there a free plan, or only a trial?+
The free plan is no, so nothing runs indefinitely at no cost. What is offered is a 7 trial, and the stated free plan limits read 7-day free trial, 3 devices. After that trial ends, the 30 money-back window is the route to a full refund if the service does not fit your setup.
Other options to compare
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