Tech Advisor Editors’ Choice 2024

The best VPN for fast speeds

Secure your browsing with lightning-fast VPN speeds
Boost your privacy across unlimited devices on one account
Stream, shop, and surf confidently in one tap

Get Surfshark30-day money-back guarantee

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What is a VPN?

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a service that creates a secure, encrypted connection between your device and the internet. It hides your real IP (Internet Protocol) address by routing your traffic through a private server, so anyone tracking your online activity sees the server’s location, not yours. VPN usage boosts your online privacy and security, protecting your data from hackers and prying eyes across multiple devices.

In-depth look: What is a VPN?

Why use a VPN?

Boost your security

Unsecured internet connections like public Wi-Fi are vulnerable to hackers and prying eyes. A VPN protects your data via an encrypted tunnel that stops unauthorized access to your online activity.

Protect your privacy

By masking your IP address, a VPN restricts online tracking from your ISP (Internet Service Provider). It also limits targeted ads, reducing the amount of personal info third parties can gather.

Access content safely

From browsing and gaming to shopping online, a VPN connection helps you access your favorite content with an added layer of defense. Nearby VPN servers let you do it all without sacrificing speed.

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Why use a VPN?

Unsecured internet connections like public Wi-Fi are vulnerable to hackers and prying eyes. A VPN protects your data via an encrypted tunnel that stops unauthorized access to your online activity.

By masking your IP address, a VPN restricts online tracking from your ISP (Internet Service Provider). It also limits targeted ads, reducing the amount of personal info third parties can gather.

From browsing and gaming to shopping online, a VPN connection helps you access your favorite content with an added layer of defense. Nearby VPN servers let you do it all without sacrificing speed.

Top Surfshark VPN benefits

User-friendly VPN app

Increase your online security in seconds with a hassle-free VPN service. Choose a Surfshark subscription plan, install and log in to the app, and connect to a VPN server that changes your virtual location via a private tunnel.

Unlimited simultaneous connections

Protect all your devices with one subscription thanks to unlimited simultaneous connections. Download our VPN app or set up Surfshark on your router to get encrypted web traffic and IP masking on your entire network.

Lightning-fast speeds

Unlock smoother streaming, browsing, and gaming with the fastest VPN on the market. Our network of 4500+ servers in 100 countries — including the world’s first 100Gbps servers — offers fast and stable connections.

Please note that using Surfshark services for any illegal activities is strictly forbidden and violates our Terms of Service. Make sure that any use of Surfshark services for your particular activities conforms to all relevant laws and regulations, including those of any service providers and websites you access using Surfshark.

Our global VPN server network

4500+ VPN servers in 100 locations across 6 continents
10Gbps+ servers with blazing-fast VPN speeds
100% RAM-only servers that keep your data private

Explore servers

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One subscription. All platforms. Unlimited devices.

Surfshark VPN lets you protect all your devices at once. Download our VPN app and shield all your internet traffic with a secure connection.

Why choose Surfshark?

See how we compare to the other VPN providers.


Connection speed*	460Mbps	220Mbps	165Mbps	176Mbps	-
Number of devices	Unlimited	10	7	12	5
Ad and tracker blocking
Complete antivirus solution
Data leak monitoring

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Date of comparison: November 21, 2025

*VPN speeds are based on Techradar research. Find the full report here.

Comparing VPN providers? Here’s how Surfshark stands out

ExpressVPN

Putting Surfshark vs. ExpressVPN side by side, both VPN services offer advanced security features and a robust encrypted connection, but Surfshark is considerably less expensive and doesn’t limit how many devices can have a masked IP address at once.

ProtonVPN

Surfshark and ProtonVPN are competitively priced VPN providers, but Proton VPN can only mask the IP address of 10 devices simultaneously. While Proton VPN offers a free VPN, it only encrypts internet traffic on a limited server network.

PIA

Analyzing Surfshark vs. PIA, you’ll see both VPN providers offer unlimited simultaneous connections. Surfshark lets you access a VPN server in more countries, giving you greater variety when seeking a secure tunnel for your online activity.

CyberGhost

Considering the advantages of Surfshark vs. CyberGhost, even though CyberGhost has more VPN servers, it still lacks advanced privacy features like a double VPN or rotating IP. Subscribing to CyberGhost’s VPN protects a maximum of seven devices — Surfshark has no such cap.

IPVanish

Weighing up the pros and cons of Surfshark vs. IPVanish, both VPN providers can mask your real IP address with an encrypted tunnel and boast VPN essentials like a kill switch, but Surfshark has more VPN servers and more advanced privacy and security features.

NordVPN

When comparing NordVPN vs. Surfshark, it’s important to note that both VPN providers are among the best. However, Surfshark is the more affordable choice and provides unlimited simultaneous connections.

Surfshark vs. a free VPN

Superior performance

Surfshark brings better performance and privacy online than a free VPN. A free VPN service typically limits you to a few server locations, meaning you’re more likely to see a slower internet connection as more users share the same congested VPN servers.

Real privacy

So-called free VPNs often come with a hidden cost — your data. These tools can make money by displaying ads or even selling user data, putting your online activity at risk of getting exposed. Surfshark prioritizes your security without cutting corners.

Trusted protection

When your privacy’s at stake, expert advice matters. Cybersecurity pros and insiders consistently recommend avoiding free VPN providers and sticking with a trustworthy, reputable paid VPN. Surfshark isn’t just the safer choice — it’s the smart choice, too.

Compare VPN plans

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What’s everyone saying about Surfshark?

At Surfshark, we strive to give every internet user a smooth, satisfying experience with our VPN service. But don’t take our word for it — see what everyone’s saying about Surfshark VPN.

“Surfshark is a highly polished and powerful VPN that competes with the very best premium providers, all while offering a seriously tempting price point.”

“The balanced offering of security-boosting features, an expansive server network, and budget-friendly prices make Surfshark a worthy contender to the throne in our overall best VPN rankings.”

“Surfshark is undoubtedly one of the best VPNs of 2025, thanks to its stellar performance in various categories and robust features.”

The statement that Surfshark is the best VPN for fast speeds is supported by various sources, including independent evaluations and media articles.

Frequently asked questions

What devices can I use a VPN service on?

You can use Surfshark VPN on phones, computers, tablets, TVs, routers, browsers, and more. For devices that don’t natively support VPN apps, we offer manual connections for all our VPN protocols, including WireGuard.

What is the best VPN service?

There isn’t one product that’s objectively the best VPN service. While we recommend trying out different options, the best VPNs offer advanced security features, robust encryption and IP address masking, and an extensive server network.

For instance, Surfshark offers enhanced privacy measures, 4500+ servers in 100 countries, fast connection speeds, and many features to upgrade your online security. You can even take our VPN for a test drive with our 30-day money-back guarantee. If our service isn’t the best VPN for you, you can request a refund within 30 days of purchasing.

How does a VPN work?

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates a secure, encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet. When you connect to a VPN, your data is routed through a VPN server, which assigns you a new IP address instead of the IP you’re assigned by your ISP (Internet Service Provider).

This process masks your real location and makes it appear as though your traffic is coming from the server's location. All data sent and received is encrypted, ensuring it remains private as it travels through the VPN tunnel. These secure connections help keep your online identity safe.

Can I use a VPN for free?

Yes, free VPNs are available, but using a VPN that’s free of charge isn’t recommended. Even the best free VPN won’t offer the same security or performance that a reliable paid VPN like Surfshark offers.

Free VPN providers frequently limit the number of servers users can access. With more devices sharing the same IP address, internet speeds tend to drop. Moreover, free VPNs frequently display ads or may even sell your data, making it possible for third parties to track your online activity.