Surfshark vs Proton VPN
Surfshark is cheaper up front and allows unlimited devices. Proton has a real free plan, cheaper monthly billing and port forwarding for torrents.
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Quick answer
Choose Surfshark for the lowest long-term intro price (Starter about $2.49/month on a 27-month plan) and unlimited simultaneous devices for a big household. Choose Proton VPN if you want to start free, pay month-to-month ($9.99 vs Surfshark’s $18.95), or need port forwarding on P2P servers.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Check Surfshark pricing (opens in a new tab)Check Proton VPN pricing (opens in a new tab)
Key facts at a glance
| Surfshark | Proton VPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest long plan | Starter: $67.23 for 27 months (~$2.49/mo) | Plus: $83.76 for 24 months (~$3.49/mo) |
| Renewal (yearly) | About $79/yr | About $83.88/yr |
| Monthly plan | $18.95 | $9.99 |
| Free plan | No | Yes (unlimited data, 1 device) |
| Simultaneous devices | Unlimited | 10 |
Prices below come from each provider’s pricing page and are intro rates in USD (October 2026). Renewals are higher. See our Surfshark review and Proton VPN review for more.
Surfshark vs Proton VPN: side-by-side
| Surfshark | Proton VPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest long plan | Starter: $67.23 for 27 months (~$2.49/mo) | Plus: $83.76 for 24 months (~$3.49/mo) |
| Renewal (yearly) | About $79/yr | About $83.88/yr |
| Monthly plan | $18.95 | $9.99 |
| Free plan | No | Yes (unlimited data, 1 device) |
| Simultaneous devices | Unlimited | 10 |
| Port forwarding | No | Yes (paid, P2P servers) |
| Jurisdiction | Netherlands | Switzerland |
How much do they cost?
Surfshark plans
| Plan | Notes |
|---|---|
| Starter | ~$2.49/mo on 27-month intro; VPN + ad blocker |
| One / One+ | Adds antivirus, alerts, data removal |
Proton VPN plans
| Plan | Notes |
|---|---|
| Free | Unlimited data, 1 device, 10 countries |
| VPN Plus | ~$3.49/mo on 2-year; 10 devices |
| Proton Unlimited | Adds Mail, Drive, Pass |
What are the pros and cons?
Surfshark: pros
- Unlimited devices
- Lowest long-term intro price
- Bundles with antivirus and data removal
Surfshark: cons
- Very expensive month-to-month
- No free plan
- No port forwarding
Proton VPN: pros
- Generous free plan
- Port forwarding for torrents
- Cheaper monthly plan
- Swiss privacy brand
Proton VPN: cons
- 10-device cap
- Higher long-term intro price
Which should you choose: Surfshark or Proton VPN?
For a family with lots of devices on a long plan, Surfshark is the value pick. For privacy-minded users, torrenters who need port forwarding, or anyone who wants to try before buying, Proton VPN is the better choice. Still deciding? Compare NordVPN vs Surfshark and NordVPN vs Proton VPN.
Choose Surfshark if…
- You have many devices
- You’ll commit to a 2-year-plus plan
- You want antivirus/data removal bundled
Choose Proton VPN if…
- You want to start free
- You pay monthly
- You torrent and need port forwarding
Frequently asked questions
Is Surfshark cheaper than Proton VPN?
Which is better for torrenting?
How many devices can I use?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- Surfshark pricing (surfshark.com)
- Proton VPN pricing (protonvpn.com)
- Proton port forwarding (protonvpn.com)
Related
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reviewSurfshark Review: Is It Worth It in 2026?
Unlimited devices and a low intro price — with the usual VPN caveat that renewal costs more than the headline rate.
reviewProton VPN Review: Is It Worth It in 2026?
Swiss privacy branding, a real free tier and transparent intro pricing — with the usual VPN caveat to check renewal math.
comparisonNordVPN vs Surfshark: Which VPN Should You Pick?
Sister companies since 2022, but still separate products. Surfshark is cheaper and allows unlimited devices; NordVPN has the bigger security bundle.
best ofThe Best VPN for Torrenting and Privacy
Look for audited no-logs, a kill switch, explicit P2P permission — and know that port forwarding is rarer than marketing implies.
comparisonExpressVPN vs Surfshark
Both are PCMag Editors’ Choice VPNs. Surfshark is cheaper and allows unlimited devices, plus multi-hop. ExpressVPN covers more countries, has post-quantum protection, and PCMag calls it an especially good pick for frequent travelers.