Updated September 29, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
PureVPN vs Surfshark
What sets them apart
| Compare |  PureVPN |  Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $12.95 | €2.49 |
| Long-term plan price | $2.16 | €2.49 |
| Server countries | from 65 | 100 |
| No-logs audit | KPMG 2020 (second always-on audit; first audit by Altius IT) | Deloitte 2025 |
| Money-back period | 31 daysHigher | 30 days |
| Jurisdiction | VG | NL |
| Protocols | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, SSTP | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, Dausos |
| Features | Kill switch, Split tunnelling, Obfuscation | Kill switch, Split tunnelling, Multi hop |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, IPadOS, Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Huawei, Chromebook, RoutersCovers more | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Routers |
| Owner | Uzair, Umair and Aqib (founders) | Nord Security |
| Longest plan (months) | 60 monthsHigher | 27 months |
| Devices | 10 | Not confirmed |
| Renewal price | $12.95 | Not confirmed |
| Streaming services | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Foxtel, HBO Max, ESPN, Fox, Kayo, ITVX, BT, NBC | 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.
Key differences
- PureVPN scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.4.
- Protocols: only PureVPN offers SSTP.
- Protocols: only Surfshark offers Dausos.
- Features: only PureVPN offers Obfuscation.
- Features: only Surfshark offers Multi hop.
- Platforms: only PureVPN offers IPadOS, Huawei, Chromebook.
- Longest plan (months) is higher at PureVPN: 60 months vs 27 months.
- Support channels: only PureVPN offers Community.
- Money-back period is higher at PureVPN: 31 days vs 30 days.
- 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.
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 | PureVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3The monthly plan's $12.95 and its $12.95 renewal sit high, though $2.16 on the long-term plan is low. | 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 | 9.6HigherAudited no-log policy, 10 simultaneous devices, from 65 server countries and a 31 money-back window. | 9.5The plan bundles private dns, ad blocker and search with a 7 trial and a 30 money-back window. |
| Privacy | 9.5Higher | 8.7 |
How they place
| Ranking | PureVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| VPNs | 11 of 232 | 12 of 232 |
| Privacy tools | 6 of 280 | 7 of 280 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | PureVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Features | No logs, Streaming | No logs, Streaming |
| Audience | Business | Business |
| Pricing model | Budget | Budget |
| Legal entity | GZ Systems Limited | Surfshark B.V. |
| Headquarters | Virgin Islands, British | Netherlands |
| Founded | 2007Lower | 2018 |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Help centre, CommunityCovers more | Email, Chat, Help centre |
Privacy tools
| Fact | PureVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $12.95 | Not confirmed |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free plan limits | Not confirmed | 7-day free trial, 3 devices |
| Logging policy | No-log: does not store data generated by use of the service; independently audited no-log certification | No-logs policy, independently verified by Deloitte in 2023 and 2025; RAM-only server network |
| Open source | No | Not confirmed |
| Privacy tool type | Not confirmed | Private dns, Ad blocker, Search |
Identity protection
| Fact | PureVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance amount | Not confirmed | $1,000,000 |
| Free trial length | Not confirmed | 7 days |
Data removal
| Fact | PureVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Yearly price | Not confirmed | €121.23 |
| Countries covered | Not confirmed | United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Switzerland |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | PureVPN | Surfshark | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devices | 10at the median | Not confirmed | 10 |
| Server countries | from 65above the median | 100highest quarter | 62 |
| Renewal price | $12.95above the median | Not confirmed | $12 |
| Money-back period | 31 dayshighest quarter | 30 daysat the median | 30 days |
| Longest plan (months) | 60 monthshighest quarter | 27 monthshighest quarter | 12 months |
Median across 139 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
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
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
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
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
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 | PureVPN | 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
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
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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