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Updated September 28, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team

PureVPN vs Surfshark Alert

PureVPN scores 9.5 and Surfshark Alert 9.0 out of 10. Compare their differences and shared features below.
PureVPN

PureVPN

Higher score in this comparison

9.5/10
Visit
Surfshark Alert

Surfshark Alert

9.0/10
Visit

PureVPN vs Surfshark Alert: the differences

PureVPN vs Surfshark Alert
ComparePureVPNPureVPNReviewVisitVisitSurfshark AlertSurfshark AlertReviewVisitVisit
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, IPadOS, Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Huawei, Chromebook, RoutersWindows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Routers, Chromebook, Smart TVs, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStation
ProtocolsWireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, SSTPDoh
Logging policyNo-log: does not store data generated by use of the service; independently audited no-log certificationNo-logs policy, independently verified by Deloitte in 2023 and 2025; RAM-only server network
JurisdictionVGNL
Price from$12.95Not confirmed
Free plan limitsNot confirmed7-day free trial, 3 devices
Open sourceNoNot confirmed
Privacy tool typeNot confirmedPrivate dns, Ad blocker, Search

Same on both: Free plan (No).

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

  • PureVPN scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.0.
  • Platforms: only PureVPN offers IPadOS, Huawei.
  • Platforms: only Surfshark Alert offers Smart TVs, Nintendo Switch, Xbox.
  • Protocols: only PureVPN offers WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2.
  • Protocols: only Surfshark Alert offers Doh.
  • Support channels: only PureVPN offers Community.
  • Founded is lower at PureVPN: 2007 vs 2018.

Our verdict on each

PureVPN

PureVPN suits households and small teams that want audited no-log privacy without the usual VPN price, with the long-term plan at $2.16 a month over 60 months. The catch sits at entry, since the monthly plan costs $12.95 and renewals stay at that rate.

Read the full PureVPN review

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.

Read the full Surfshark Alert review

Score breakdown

PureVPN vs Surfshark Alert
AreaPureVPNSurfshark Alert
Cost9.3HigherThe monthly plan's $12.95 and its $12.95 renewal sit high, though $2.16 on the long-term plan is low.9.2Monthly price of €2.49, ranked 2 of 54 brands, with a 7-day trial standing in for a free plan.
Offer9.6HigherAudited no-log policy, 10 simultaneous devices, from 65 server countries and a 31 money-back window.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.
Privacy9.5Higher8.2

How they place

PureVPN vs Surfshark Alert
RankingPureVPNSurfshark Alert
Privacy tools6 of 2818 of 281

Licences and countries

PureVPN vs Surfshark Alert
CountryPureVPNSurfshark Alert
HeadquartersVirgin Islands, BritishNetherlands

What we checked

PureVPN

  • purevpn.com: 12 facts, checked September 26, 2026

Surfshark Alert

  • surfshark.com: 12 facts, checked September 26, 2026

Every fact side by side

PureVPN vs Surfshark Alert
FactPureVPNSurfshark Alert
Pricing modelBudgetBudget
Legal entityGZ Systems LimitedSurfshark B.V.
HeadquartersVirgin Islands, BritishNetherlands
Founded2007Lower2018
Support channelsEmail, Chat, Help centre, CommunityCovers moreChat, Email, Help centre

Where each stands against the rest

PureVPN vs Surfshark Alert
FactPureVPNSurfshark AlertMedian
Price from$12.95highest quarterNot confirmed$8

Median across 83 listed providers.

Pros and cons

PureVPN

Pros

  • A logging policy that keeps nothing generated by use of the service, with the audits recorded as KPMG 2020 (second always-on audit; first audit by Altius IT).
  • The long-term plan runs $2.16 a month over 60 months, under the €3.97 median for VPN listings.
  • One subscription covers 10 devices at once, with servers in from 65 countries and kill switch in kill switch, split tunnelling and obfuscation.

Cons

  • The monthly plan costs $12.95 and renews at $12.95, placing it 104 of 133 on price.
  • A free plan is not offered, so the $12.95 monthly plan is the only way in and the low rate needs 60 months.
  • Support runs on email, chat and help centre only, so there is no phone line when a connection fails mid workday.

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

PureVPN

Who it suits

  • People ready to commit up front, since the long-term rate of $2.16 a month needs 60 months of commitment.
  • Businesses and remote teams after obfuscation and split tunnelling in kill switch, split tunnelling and obfuscation, on a service listed for the business audience.
  • Mixed-device households, since one account reaches Windows, macOS and Linux and covers phones, tablets, TVs and routers at the same time.

Who should look elsewhere

  • Apple Inc. buyers who only want Apple-side privacy, since PureVPN is a full VPN priced at $12.95 a month or $2.16 on the long-term plan.
  • ESET Brasil customers, who want device protection across 3 to 25 devices rather than a VPN reaching from 65 server countries.
  • Sinew Software Systems shoppers, who may prefer a different tool at $1.99 a month over a VPN commitment of 60 months.

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

PureVPN

Current offer

  • First period offer

    83% off + 3 extra months on 2-year plan: 83% off + 3 extra months (Standard $2.15/mo)

    2-year plan, billed $57.95 on purchase for Standard

    Source, checked September 26, 2026

  • First period offer

    83% off on 5-year plan: 83% off

    5-year plan, Standard $2.16/mo, Max $3.33/mo

    Source, checked September 26, 2026

  • Bonus

    Free 3 GB eSIM Data with Truely: 3 GB for 30 days

    free with every Max Plan purchase; 30-day validity, no roaming fees

    Source, checked September 26, 2026

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

PureVPN

What does PureVPN cost to start?+

The monthly plan costs $12.95 a month, and the starting price advertised matches at $12.95. Committing for longer is far cheaper: the long-term plan works out at $2.16 a month when bought over 60 months. Short stays cost the most per month.

What happens to the price at renewal?+

Renewals on the monthly plan are listed at $12.95 a month, which matches the entry monthly price instead of dropping below it. The low headline figure on the long-term plan depends on paying for 60 months up front, so weigh that commitment against the renewal rate before you buy.

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.

Other options to compare

PureVPN

Visit

Surfshark Alert

Visit