In today’s digital world, using the internet is not an option but a necessity for accessing all kinds of everyday tools and services. However, using the internet comes with several security and privacy challenges, including data breaches and ransomware attacks. Using a reliable VPN like Surfshark is one of the best ways to browse the internet safely, as it hides most of your sensitive personal data when you use online apps and websites.
VPNs encrypt your data and send it through a secure tunnel to prevent it from being tampered with during transit. Surfshark VPN is one of the most reliable services due to its focus on security features like AES-256 GCM encryption and its policy of not keeping user logs. It is also fairly priced compared to VPNs with similar features and capabilities.
In this Surfshark VPN review, we will share all the information you need to know if this VPN is right for you. To get started, let’s discuss the key features of Surfshark VPN.
Surfshark VPN Features
These are the core features of Surfshark VPN
Security Features
- Encryption Protocols: Surfshark uses AES-256 GCM encryption, which is a strong standard for keeping your data safe.
- Kill Switch: This feature automatically disconnects you from the internet if your VPN loses connection. This prevents any data leaks.
- No-Logs Policy: Surfshark implements a non-logs policy that ensures none of the records of your online activity are stored on their servers.
- Private DNS & Leak Protection: Each server has its private DNS to prevent DNS leaks, and IPv4 leak protection ensures your data stays secure.
Privacy Features
- IP/Location Masking: Surfshark hides your real IP address and location, making it harder for anyone to track you online. With this feature, your ISP and all the websites and apps you use will not see your real IP address.
- Multi-Hop Connections: This feature involves routing your traffic through several servers to further enhance privacy.
- Camouflage Mode: With this feature, your ISP (internet provider) and the website you access will not be able to tell that you are using a VPN.
- Change Your IP: This feature allows you to change your IP address at any time.
- Dedicated IP: Surfshark offers private static IP addresses, which can help bypass CAPTCHA prompts and access services that are sensitive to IP changes.
User Experience
Surfshark has VPN apps for a wide range of platforms, including major desktop, mobile, and TV platforms. They also support browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. It also allows setting the VPN right into your router. All their apps have intuitive interfaces that make them easy to use regardless of the platform. The overall user experience of Surfshark can be summed up by their 4.4/5-star rating on Trustpilot by over 22,000 users. Many of the reviewers recommend Surfshark not only for its good performance but also for its reliable support team that resolves issues promptly.
Additional Features of Surfshark VPN
- Unlimited Connections: Surfshark allows you to connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously.
- Split Tunneling: Also known as the “Bypassed” feature. It allows you to select when to use a VPN and when not to. For instance, you may choose to only use the VPN when streaming geo-locked content and then use regular internet for the rest of your browsing activities.
- Streaming Optimization: Surfshark is optimized to work with streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, and Max.
- Pause VPN: This feature lets you pause the VPN connection for any amount of time, allowing temporary access to local services without disconnecting completely.
Surfshark VPN Pros & Cons
Pros
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Supports all popular device platforms, including iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, and more.
- Large global server network to ensure optimum performance in all regions
- Multi-hop and split tunneling tools
- Intriguing potential in Surfshark Nexus
- Reliable customer support services
Cons
- Above average monthly price
- Some issues with the IP rotator feature in testing
- Privacy policy needs clarification
- Limited support for VPN routers
Surfshark VPN Performance
Surfshark offers some of the fastest speeds among VPN services. On US servers, the average speeds are 250.81 Mbps and 139.19 Mbps for downloads and uploads respectively. These speeds are about 20-30% slower than regular internet speeds, but this trade-off comes with the benefit of enhanced security and privacy.
It should also be noted that Surfshark does not impose any limitations or throttling on specific activities, including torrenting or streaming content online. Users can enjoy unrestricted access to all types of online services without any direct throttling by the VPN. In some cases, SurfShark can actually increase speeds if your ISP throttles access to some specific services online.
Surfshark VPN Pricing
Surfshark offers three major plans that vary in pricing based on the subscription period you choose. Let’s explore the details of these plans;
Surfshark Starter
- 24-month plan at $2.19/month
- 12-month plan at $2.79/month
- One-month plan at $15.45/month
Key Features
- VPN
- Alternative ID
Surfshark One
- 24-month plan at $2.69/month
- 12-month plan at $3.19/month
- One-month plan at $15.95/month
Key Features
- VPN
- Alternative ID
- Antivirus
- Alert
- Search
Surfshark One+
- 24-month plan at $4.29/month
- 12-month plan at $5.09/month
- One-month plan at $17.95/month
Key Features
- VPN
- Alternative ID
- Antivirus
- Alert
- Search
- Data removal by Incogni
Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for all pricing plans.
Surfshark Pricing vs the Competition
- Monthly Plans: Surfshark is on the cheaper side at $15.45/month, while ExpressVPN is cheaper at $12.95/month and NordVPN at $12.99/month
- Long-Term Plans: Surfshark shines here. Their 2-year plan comes down to $2.19/month, while NordVPN is $3.69/month and ExpressVPN doesn’t even offer a 2-year option (their best deal is a 1-year plan at $8.32/month).
Who Should (and Shouldn't) Use Surfshark
Good fit for:
- Tech-Savvy Users: Those who want advanced features like multi-hop connections and split tunneling will find Surfshark appealing.
- Streaming Enthusiasts: Users who enjoy streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, and Max will benefit from Surfshark’s streaming optimization that allows choosing server location.
- Users with Multiple Devices: Those who need to connect many devices at once will benefit from Surfshark’s unlimited simultaneous connections.
- Gamers: Surfshark offers fast connection speeds and features to optimize gaming performance and access geo-restricted games.
Not ideal for:
- Users needing dedicated IP addresses: While Surfshark offers them for an additional fee, some competitors include it in their base plans.
- Users in certain restricted countries: Surfshark uses obfuscation techniques to bypass VPN restrictions, but it’s not guaranteed to work in all cases.
- Those needing absolute top speeds: While Surfshark is generally fast, some other VPNs might offer slightly better speed depending on your location and server.
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those looking for the cheapest VPN option might find Surfshark’s above-average monthly price a bit high. It also has no free version
- Privacy-Conscious Users: Individuals who prioritize privacy and security will appreciate features like AES-256 GCM encryption, a no-logs policy, and Camouflage Mode.
Conclusion
Surfshark VPN is a secure and feature-rich VPN if you can afford it. It boasts robust privacy and security features such as encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and various functionalities to shield your online activity. Its unlimited simultaneous connections make it perfect for families and users with multiple devices. Streamers and gamers will appreciate its speed optimization and ability to bypass geo-restrictions.
However, Surfshark might not be the ideal choice for everyone. Users requiring a dedicated IP address or those in countries with significant VPN restrictions may want to consider alternatives. While Surfshark offers a money-back guarantee, it doesn’t have a free version that several other VPNs offer. It only has a 7-day trial period that you will get when you choose to subscribe to one of their plans. But overall, their paid versions are worth it if you’re in the position to pay the premium.
Considering Surfshark VPN Affiliate Programs
You can also earn some extra money if you refer your friends and family through the Surfshark VPN affiliate program.
Affiliate Program Overview
- Commission Rates: Surfshark offers commission rates to its affiliates of up to 40%.
- Cookie Duration: The cookie duration of Surfshark is 30 days.
- Payout Thresholds: Their payout for their commission’s threshold is $100.
Benefits of Joining the Program
Here is why you should consider joining Surfshark’s affiliate program
- Promote a Trusted VPN service: By joining the Surfshark affiliate program, you can promote a reliable and reputable VPN service that prioritizes security and privacy, making it easier to recommend to others.
- Earning Commissions: Affiliates can earn commissions for each sale generated through their referral links, providing a potential source of passive income.
- Easy onboarding process: The process of becoming a Surfshark VPN affiliate is also straightforward.
Requirements and Steps to Become an Affiliate
- Application Process: Interested individuals need to sign up for the Surfshark affiliate program, a process that takes less than five minutes. This involves filling out an application form on their affiliate program page with relevant details about your marketing platform or website.
- Approval: Once the application is reviewed and approved, affiliates receive access to marketing materials, tracking links, and other resources needed to start promoting Surfshark.
- Promotion: Affiliates can start promoting Surfshark using the provided links and materials, sharing it through blogs, social media, or other channels where they have influence.
Introducing BK8 Affiliate Program: Another Profitable Affiliate Program
If you don’t have an audience that is into VPNs, you can consider joining an online casino affiliate program. There are thousands of people online searching for reliable online casino platforms. The BK8 Affiliate Program offers a great opportunity for those looking to earn lucrative commissions by promoting a well-known online casino and sportsbook platform. This program is straightforward to join and offers lucrative bonuses that you can leverage to earn some extra income.
Benefits of Joining the BK8 Affiliate Program
- Competitive Commission Rates: Affiliates can earn substantial commissions based on the traffic and conversions they generate. You can earn up to 45% in commission, which is one of the highest offered by online casinos.
- Robust Marketing Tools: After signing up, BK8 will give you access to several useful tools and marketing materials. This makes it easier to invite your referrals and track your commissions. One crucial marketing tool is Postback trackers. BK8 is the first Asian brand that supports Postback trackers, which enable affiliate marketers to accurately track conversions and ensure they get credited for their efforts.
- Reliable Payouts: The program ensures timely and reliable payouts, making it a trustworthy option for affiliates. BK8 also has a minimum payout of $100.
- Promote a Popular Platform: BK8 is a well-known name in the online casino and betting industry. Most of the people you will refer to will likely know the brand, making it easier to attract and convert potential users.
- One tracking link to recruit worldwide members: BK8 offers its affiliates a single web address that can be used anywhere to sign up new members. It automatically tracks where people click the link from, allowing affiliates to see which marketing efforts are most effective in different regions.
- Seasonal campaign: This is a temporary marketing campaign that gives affiliates the chance to win a digital gadget and a trip to see the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Anyone who joins the BK8 affiliate program will have a chance to be the winner.
Who should you target?
According to research, many Singaporeans frequently look for bookies to bet on or buy lottery tickets online. By promoting the BK8 casino platform, affiliates can tap into this market and introduce BK8 as a reliable platform for online betting. This can be a highly profitable venture, as the demand for online betting services in Singapore is substantial. You can also target people in other Southeast Asian countries, including Malaysia and Thailand.
How to Join the BK8 Affiliate Program
Follow these straightforward steps to get started with the affiliate program:
- Visit the Registration Page: Go to the BK8 Affiliate Program registration page.
- Complete the Application Form: Fill out the required information in the application form, including your details like name, email, phone number, and more.
- Agree to Terms and Conditions: Review and accept the terms and conditions of the affiliate program.
- Submit the Application: Once the form is completed and terms are accepted, submit your application for review.
- Await Approval: The BK8 team will review your application. This process might take a few days.
- Access Affiliate Dashboard: Upon approval, you will receive login details to access the affiliate dashboard. You can use the provided marketing tools and tracking links to start promoting BK8 to your prospects.
There a lot of affiliate marketing program available in the market. The important thing is you should always choose the best affiliate marketing program such as BK8 Affiliate that offer highest commissions to members and better features!
