Updated September 29, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Kaspersky vs Surfshark
Where Kaspersky and Surfshark differ
| Compare |  Kaspersky |  Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Server countries | 93 | 100Higher |
| No-logs audit | SOC 2 Type II audit by an independent accounting firm, 2026 | Deloitte 2025 |
| Jurisdiction | RU | NL |
| Protocols | WireGuard | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, DausosCovers more |
| Features | Screen time, Web filter, Location | Kill switch, Split tunnelling, Multi hop |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, Linux | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, RoutersCovers more |
| Owner | Privately owned; CEO Eugene Kaspersky | Nord Security |
| Monthly price | Not confirmed | €2.49 |
| Long-term plan price | Not confirmed | €2.49 |
| Devices | 10 | Not confirmed |
| Streaming services | Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ | Not confirmed |
| Longest plan (months) | Not confirmed | 27 months |
Same on both: Money-back period (30 days).
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Key differences
- Kaspersky scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.4.
- Server countries is higher at Surfshark: 100 vs 93.
- Protocols: only Surfshark offers OpenVPN, IKEv2, Dausos.
- Features: only Kaspersky offers Screen time, Web filter, Location.
- Features: only Surfshark offers Kill switch, Split tunnelling, Multi hop.
- Platforms: only Surfshark offers Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV.
- Support channels: only Kaspersky offers Phone, Community.
- Support channels: only Surfshark offers Chat.
- Founded is lower at Kaspersky: 1997 vs 2018.
- Surfshark is available in 203 more countries.
Our verdict on each
Kaspersky
Kaspersky suits households and small businesses who want one subscription covering antivirus, a VPN, a password manager and parental controls. Its bundles span 10 devices and Windows, macOS and Android, with server reach across 93 countries and a SOC 2 Type II audit behind SOC 2 Type II audit by an independent accounting firm, 2026.
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 | Kaspersky | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Not confirmed | 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 | 9.7Higher | 9.5The plan bundles private dns, ad blocker and search with a 7 trial and a 30 money-back window. |
| Privacy | 9.0Higher | 8.7 |
Choosing between them
Pick Kaspersky if privacy matter most.
Pick Surfshark if server countries, protocols, and platforms matter most.
How they place
| Ranking | Kaspersky | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| VPNs | 4 of 232 | 12 of 232 |
| Privacy tools | 3 of 280 | 7 of 280 |
| Ad blockers and private DNS | 3 of 63 | 6 of 63 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Kaspersky | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Streaming, Travel | No logs, Streaming |
| Audience | Business | Business |
| Pricing model | Free | Budget |
| Legal entity | AO Kaspersky Lab | Surfshark B.V. |
| Headquarters | Switzerland | Netherlands |
| Founded | 1997Lower | 2018 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre, Community | Email, Chat, Help centre |
Password managers
| Fact | Kaspersky | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | YesHas it | No |
| Family plan | Security plan licence shareable with family members in one account | Not confirmed |
| Passkeys | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Encryption | AES-256-bit, key derived from master password with PBKDF2 | Not confirmed |
Privacy tools
| Fact | Kaspersky | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan limits | Free antivirus version for Android only; premium VPN, identity protection and password manager require a paid plan | 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 | Ad blocker | Private dns, Ad blocker, SearchCovers more |
Parental controls
| Fact | Kaspersky | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Yearly price | Not confirmed | €121.23 |
Identity protection
| Fact | Kaspersky | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance amount | Not confirmed | $1,000,000 |
| Free trial length | Not confirmed | 7 days |
Data removal
| Fact | Kaspersky | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Countries covered | Not confirmed | United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Switzerland |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Kaspersky | Surfshark | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | Not confirmed | €2.49lowest quarter | €7.99 |
| Long-term plan price | Not confirmed | €2.49lowest quarter | €3.99 |
| Devices | 10at the median | Not confirmed | 10 |
| Server countries | 93above the median | 100highest quarter | 62 |
| Money-back period | 30 daysat the median | 30 daysat the median | 30 days |
| Longest plan (months) | Not confirmed | 27 monthshighest quarter | 12 months |
Median across 139 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Kaspersky
Pros
- Bundles a VPN, password manager and parental controls with antivirus in a single subscription.
- Covers Windows, macOS and Android, with VPN server reach across 93 countries.
- Password manager uses AES-256-bit, key derived from master password with PBKDF2 encryption and supports passkeys.
Cons
- The free antivirus build covers Android only, and the premium VPN, identity protection and password manager need a paid plan.
- The provider is Privately owned; CEO Eugene Kaspersky, with a AO Kaspersky Lab legal entity in a RU jurisdiction.
- Price at renewal is separate from the entry price, and long term plans sit at €3.97 a month against a €7.89 monthly median.
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
Kaspersky
Who it suits
- Households that want antivirus, a VPN, a password manager and parental controls in one place.
- Small businesses that need a single security bundle rather than separate tools.
- Travelers and streamers who value streaming and travel VPN coverage.
Who should look elsewhere
- Apple Inc., which covers Apple platforms such as iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS and watchOS and fits people already inside its ecosystem.
- Comodo (Xcitium), which runs on Windows and Linux and suits buyers who want protection on Windows and Linux only.
- ESET Brasil, whose coverage of Windows, Windows Server and macOS suits buyers in Brazil who need a local store listing.
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
Kaspersky
Current offer
Bonus
Kaspersky Safe Kids free for 1 year with Standard, Plus and Premium plans (limited time offer): Kaspersky Safe Kids 1 year free
Marked as a limited time offer; shown alongside the Standard, Plus and Premium plans; 30-day money-back guarantee applies
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Free trial
Kaspersky Standard free trial: 30 days free
Free 30-day trial of Kaspersky Standard; compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
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 | Kaspersky | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | No | Yes |
| Aland Islands | No | Yes |
| Albania | No | Yes |
| American Samoa | No | Yes |
| Andorra | No | Yes |
| Angola | No | Yes |
| Anguilla | No | Yes |
| Antarctica | No | Yes |
8 of 250 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
Kaspersky
What does Kaspersky cover in a single subscription?+
A paid plan bundles antivirus with the extras Kaspersky lists as vpn, password manager and parental controls. That means the VPN, password manager and parental controls come in the same subscription, and parental controls add screen time, web filter and location tools such as screen time and location limits.
Is there a free Kaspersky antivirus?+
Yes, but the free build is limited. The free antivirus version covers Android only, and the premium VPN, identity protection and password manager require a paid plan. The password manager does have a free plan, and passkeys are supported there.
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.
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