PureVPN vs Surfshark: which should you choose?
Quick answer: PureVPN is built for budget, while Surfshark suits budget. For most users PureVPN is the stronger default, but Surfshark can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case. PureVPN has the lower entry price.
Both PureVPN and Surfshark get recommended a lot, but they solve the job differently. Below we compare them on pricing, strengths and the use cases each one fits, then give a clear verdict.
Side-by-side
| PureVPN | Surfshark | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | VPN | VPN |
| What it's known for | Large country coverage, always-on audit, and dedicated IP / port-forwarding add-ons. | Unlimited simultaneous devices on one subscription, low long-term price and CleanWeb ad/tracker blocking. |
| Pricing | ~$2.14/mo on 2-year plan, ~$11.95/mo monthly | ~$2.19-2.99/mo on 2-year plan, ~$15.45/mo monthly |
| Best audience | Budget users wanting wide country coverage and add-on flexibility. | Budget-conscious users and large households needing to cover many devices at once. |
| Best for | budget, wide-coverage | budget, families |
| Entry price | ~$2.14/mo | ~$2.19-2.99/mo |
| Biggest strength | 'Always-on' KPMG no-logs auditing with public reports. | Unlimited devices is rare at this price point. |
| Main caveat | 2017 incident: supplied connection logs to the FBI despite a no-logs claim. | Netherlands base sits within the Nine Eyes alliance. |
Features compared
Where they really diverge is in the day-to-day feature set:
PureVPN key features
- Always-on KPMG audit of its no-logs policy
- Wide country coverage
- Dedicated IP and port-forwarding add-ons
- Split tunneling and kill switch
Surfshark key features
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections on one subscription
- CleanWeb ad, tracker and malware-domain blocking
- MultiHop double-VPN routing
- Camouflage/obfuscation mode and NoBorders
Pricing tiers side by side
PureVPN plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| 2-year plan | ~$2.14/mo | Billed upfront |
| Monthly | ~$11.95/mo |
Surfshark plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| 2-year plan | ~$2.19-2.99/mo | Billed upfront |
| Monthly | ~$15.45/mo |
Tiers compiled from the vendors' published plans and independent reviews; prices are approximate and change often, so confirm current figures (and your region's taxes) on each vendor's site.
Strengths compared
Where PureVPN wins
Moved to an 'always-on' KPMG audit arrangement with publicly published no-logs reports.
- 'Always-on' KPMG no-logs auditing with public reports.
- Broad country coverage.
That makes it the stronger pick for budget users wanting wide country coverage and add-on flexibility.
Where Surfshark wins
Unlimited simultaneous connections at a budget long-term price.
- Unlimited devices is rare at this price point.
- Very low long-term pricing.
That makes it the stronger pick for budget-conscious users and large households needing to cover many devices at once.
Verdict: choose by fit
Both are good at the job, so let your priorities decide.
- Choose PureVPN if you fit its core audience — budget users wanting wide country coverage and add-on flexibility.
- Choose Surfshark if you fit its core audience — budget-conscious users and large households needing to cover many devices at once.
FAQ
Is PureVPN better than Surfshark?
PureVPN is the stronger default for most users, but Surfshark can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
What is the main difference between PureVPN and Surfshark?
PureVPN is moved to an 'always-on' KPMG audit arrangement with publicly published no-logs reports. Surfshark is unlimited simultaneous connections at a budget long-term price.
Which is cheaper, PureVPN or Surfshark?
Entry pricing differs: PureVPN starts at ~$2.14/mo, while Surfshark starts at ~$2.19-2.99/mo. Compare the tiers above against your usage.
Sources
Facts above are drawn from these independent reviews and the vendors' own pages for PureVPN and Surfshark: