Updated October 14, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Privacy Badger vs Surfshark Alert
Surfshark Alert
Privacy Badger
Higher score in this comparison
Privacy Badger vs Surfshark Alert: the differences
| Compare | Privacy BadgerReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | Surfshark AlertReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | YesHas it | No |
| Free plan limits | No usage limits and no paid tiers; free for all users, funded by donations | 7-day free trial, 3 devices |
| Platforms | Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera, Brave, Firefox for Android, Edge for Android | Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Routers, Chromebook, Smart TVs, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStation |
| Logging policy | No browsing data collected or shared; data is only sent if the user chooses to file a broken site report | No-logs policy, independently verified by Deloitte in 2023 and 2025; RAM-only server network |
| Jurisdiction | US | NL |
| Privacy tool type | Ad blocker, Browser | Private dns, Ad blocker, Search |
| Protocols | Not confirmed | Doh |
| Open source | Yes | Not confirmed |
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.
Key differences
- Privacy Badger scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 9.0.
- Free plan: only Privacy Badger.
- Platforms: only Privacy Badger offers Microsoft Edge, Opera, Brave.
- Platforms: only Surfshark Alert offers Windows, MacOS, Linux.
- Support channels: only Privacy Badger offers Community.
- Support channels: only Surfshark Alert offers Chat.
- Founded is lower at Privacy Badger: 2014 vs 2018.
- Pricing model: only Privacy Badger offers Free.
- Pricing model: only Surfshark Alert offers Budget.
- Privacy tool type: only Privacy Badger offers Browser.
Our verdict on each
Privacy Badger
Privacy Badger is a browser extension created by the Electronic Frontier Foundation. It algorithmically blocks trackers, receives periodic learning updates from Badger Sett by default, can replace blocked social or media widgets with click-to-activate placeholders and sends the Global Privacy Control signal.
Surfshark Alert
Surfshark Alert ranks 2 of 54 brands on monthly price, with entry costs of €2.49 a month. It suits readers who want identity alerts, private DNS and ad blocking inside a single budget account rather than a large insurance payout after fraud.
Score breakdown
| Area | Privacy Badger | Surfshark Alert |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1 | 9.2HigherMonthly price of €2.49, ranked 2 of 54 brands, with a 7-day trial standing in for a free plan. |
| Offer | 9.3Higher | 9.2Insurance of $1,000,000 sits 10 of 45 brands, held up by private dns, ad blocker and search extras and chat, email and help centre support. |
| Privacy | 9.1Higher | 8.2 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Privacy Badger | Surfshark Alert |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States | Netherlands |
How they place
| Ranking | Privacy Badger | Surfshark Alert |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy tools | 74 of 281 | 8 of 281 |
| Ad blockers and private DNS | 25 of 63 | 7 of 63 |
| Private browsers and search engines | 15 of 55 | 4 of 55 |
Sources behind this comparison
Privacy Badger
- privacybadger.org: 9 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- eff.org: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Surfshark Alert
- surfshark.com: 12 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Privacy Badger | Surfshark Alert |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Budget |
| Legal entity | Electronic Frontier Foundation | Surfshark B.V. |
| Headquarters | United States | Netherlands |
| Founded | 2014Lower | 2018 |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre, Community | Chat, Email, Help centre |
Pros and cons
Privacy Badger
Pros
- Privacy Badger uses an algorithmic tracker-blocking approach.
- It can replace blocked widgets with click-to-activate placeholders and sends a Global Privacy Control signal.
Cons
- Periodic tracker-learning updates from Badger Sett are enabled by default.
Surfshark Alert
Pros
- Monthly price of €2.49 places Surfshark Alert 2 of 54 brands in our data, near the floor of the monthly prices we compare
- Deloitte has independently audited the no-logs policy, and the server network runs in RAM rather than writing anything to disk, which is the main privacy claim to weigh
- The same Surfshark subscription covers private dns, ad blocker and search alongside identity alerts, and it runs on Windows, macOS and Linux from phones to routers and consoles, so a single vendor covers monitoring and browsing
Cons
- Phone support is not among its support channels (chat, email and help centre), which matters most when a fraud alert needs an answer the same day
- Insurance of $1,000,000 ranks 10 of 45 brands, so a bigger payout means a bigger bill, as at Norton or LifeLock
Who each suits
Privacy Badger
Who it suits
- Users seeking a browser extension with tracker controls and Global Privacy Control signaling.
Surfshark Alert
Who it suits
- Readers who mainly want alerts on their personal details rather than a large insurance payout, and who weigh the entry price before anything else on the plan
- People already paying for Surfshark who want alerts, private DNS, ad blocking and private search in a single account instead of separate tools
- Households that treat an audited no-logs policy and a RAM server network as part of identity protection, and who are comfortable starting on a short trial
Who should look elsewhere
- LifeLock and Norton readers who rank the insurance payout first, since LifeLock runs $10.42 to $34.99 a month and Norton $34.99 a month
- Allstate Identity Protection readers who want identity monitoring sold on its own at $3 a month rather than bundled with DNS and search
- Readers who want a standing free tier, since the free plan is no and the trial is limited to 7-day free trial, 3 devices, so testing is short
Current offers
Surfshark Alert
Current offer
Bonus
3 extra months on 24-month plans: 27 months for the price of 24 (Starter €67.23, One €75.33, One+ €121.23)
24-month Starter, One or One+ subscription; sale price applies to the first 27 months; VAT may apply
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Free trial
7-day free trial: 7 days free, then automatic paid renewal
New users only, 12- and 24-month plans, payment details required (credit card, PayPal or Apple Pay), 3 devices during trial; plus 30-day money-back guarantee
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Questions about each
Surfshark Alert
How much does Surfshark Alert cost each month?+
Surfshark Alert runs at €2.49 a month and ranks 2 of 54 brands on monthly price. A budget entry price draws most readers here, and the renewal figure is worth reading before you commit to a term.
Is there a free plan or a free trial?+
There is no free plan. The free trial lasts 7 days, and 7-day free trial, 3 devices sets the terms of that look. It is a short taste of the alerts rather than a free tier you can keep.
What does the insurance cover if fraud happens?+
Insurance stands at $1,000,000, which puts Surfshark Alert at 10 of 45 brands on our data. That works as a safety net for a bad month rather than a reason to buy the plan.
Which devices can I use with one account?+
The same account covers Windows, macOS and Linux, from phones and desktops to streaming boxes, browsers and routers, including the TV boxes and consoles. Alerts and privacy tools travel with that login across every screen in the house.
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Surfshark Alert
Privacy Badger