Updated October 17, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Proton Pass vs Surfshark
Proton Pass
Surfshark
Higher score in this comparison
Proton Pass vs Surfshark: the differences
| Compare | Proton PassReviewVisitVisit | SurfsharkReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | YesHas it | No |
| Free plan limits | Unlimited logins, notes, credit cards and devices; 10 hide-my-email aliases; passkeys on all devices; no vault or item sharing | 7-day free trial, 3 devices |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Web app, Chrome extension, Safari extension, Firefox extension, Edge extension, Brave extension, Command line interface | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Routers |
| Logging policy | No permanent IP logs by default; temporary IP logs kept to combat abuse and fraud; authentication logging off by default; Proton states it has no technical means to access encrypted passwords or notes | No-logs policy, independently verified by Deloitte in 2023 and 2025; RAM-only server network |
| Jurisdiction | CH | NL |
| Price from | $4.99 | Not confirmed |
| Protocols | Not confirmed | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, Dausos |
| Open source | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Privacy tool type | Not confirmed | Private dns, Ad blocker, Search |
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
- Surfshark scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.0.
- Free plan: only Proton Pass.
- Platforms: only Proton Pass offers Web app, Chrome extension, Safari extension.
- Platforms: only Surfshark offers Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV.
- Support channels: only Proton Pass offers Community.
- Support channels: only Surfshark offers Email, Chat.
- Founded is lower at Proton Pass: 2014 vs 2018.
- Pricing model: only Proton Pass offers Free.
- Pricing model: only Surfshark offers Budget.
Our verdict on each
Proton Pass
Proton Pass’s listed free-plan features include unlimited logins, notes and credit cards, unlimited devices, 10 hide-my-email aliases, and passkey support. The provider also lists apps for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux, and says all fields, including usernames and web addresses, are encrypted. These are provider descriptions, not an independent security assessment.
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 | Proton Pass | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.0 | 9.6HigherSurfshark'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 | 9.1 | 9.5HigherThe plan bundles private dns, ad blocker and search with a 7 trial and a 30 money-back window. |
| Privacy | 9.0Higher | 8.7 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Proton Pass | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Switzerland | Netherlands |
How they place
| Ranking | Proton Pass | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy tools | 12 of 281 | 7 of 281 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Proton Pass | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Budget |
| Legal entity | Proton AG | Surfshark B.V. |
| Headquarters | Switzerland | Netherlands |
| Founded | 2014Lower | 2018 |
| Support channels | Help centre, Community | Email, Chat, Help centre |
Secure email
| Fact | Proton Pass | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| End-to-end encryption | All fields end-to-end encrypted: passwords, usernames, web addresses, credit cards, note contents and metadata; 256-bit AES-GCM vaults; only the user can decrypt, Proton cannot | Not confirmed |
| Custom domains | Yes | Not confirmed |
Identity protection
| Fact | Proton Pass | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | Not confirmed | €2.49 |
| Insurance amount | Not confirmed | $1,000,000 |
| Free trial length | Not confirmed | 7 days |
| Money-back period | Not confirmed | 30 days |
Data removal
| Fact | Proton Pass | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Yearly price | Not confirmed | €121.23 |
| Countries covered | Not confirmed | United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Switzerland |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Proton Pass | Surfshark | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | $4.99below the median | Not confirmed | $8 |
Median across 83 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Proton Pass
Pros
- The listed free-plan features include unlimited logins, notes and credit cards, plus unlimited devices.
- The provider lists 10 hide-my-email aliases and passkey support.
- Apps are listed for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux.
Cons
- Vault contents cannot be unlocked by the company, so a lost route to the account leaves no fallback
- Built around a single account holder, so unlocking the vault depends on that person's own care
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
Proton Pass
Who it suits
- People who want a password manager with listed apps across desktop and mobile platforms and passkey support.
Who should look elsewhere
- People who want a password manager that the provider can unlock for them
- Anyone wanting a tool limited to one type of device
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
Proton Pass
Current offer
Discount code
40% off Pass Plus: 40% off
Offer link points to the yearly-billing Pass Plus signup; discount applied at signup
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 | Proton Pass | 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
Proton Pass
Which platforms are listed for Proton Pass apps?+
The provider lists Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux.
Can outside experts check how the software works?+
The code behind the software is publicly available, so people outside the company can review it. This openness is part of its approach to transparency. Anyone who wants to understand how vault contents are protected can look at the encryption design, since only the account holder can read stored items.
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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