Surfshark vs. PureVPN Which One Is Better in 2025?

Surfshark and PureVPN are both excellent VPN services. They have easy-to-use apps for all major devices and offer strong support for streaming, downloading, and gaming. Both VPNs have important security features like 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy that has been checked and confirmed by an independent party. 

They also have advanced security features like:

• Protection against leaks.
• Perfect forward stealth.
• Confusion or masking of information.
• Help for Tor (The Onion Router).
• Dedicated IP numbers.

However, there are important differences between them. Surfshark has over 3,200 servers in 100 countries, offers reasonable plans, lets you connect as many devices as you want at the same time, and provides many additional features. PureVPN has 6,075 servers in 66 countries, but it only supports torrenting on over 1,000 servers in more than 35 countries and has limited additional features.

In this piece, I will compare Surfshark and PureVPN based on several factors: security, additional features, privacy, server locations, speed, support for streaming, torrenting, gaming, bypassing restrictions, ease of use, pricing, and customer service. Surfshark and PureVPN each have their pros and cons, but I like Surfshark more because it gives better value. I suggest reading the whole review to help you choose the best VPN for your needs.

Surfshark and PureVPN — Quick Overview

	Surfshark	PureVPN
💸Starting Price	Starts at $2.19 / month	Starts at $2.14 / month
📱 Number of Devices	Unlimited	10
🔐Security	256-bit AES encryption,No-logs policy (audited).Kill switch,DNS leak protection,Perfect forward secrecy,RAM-only servers	256-bit AES encryption,No-logs policy (audited).Kill switch,Full leak protection,Perfect forward secrecy
🌍 Number of Servers	3,200+ servers in 100 countries	6,075 servers in 66 countries
⚡️ Speeds	Fast on nearby servers, but noticeable slowdowns on distant servers	Fast on nearby servers, but noticeable slowdowns on distant servers
🎥Streaming Support	Works with Netflix, Max, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer	Works with Netflix, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+
🔽P2P Support	✅ (3,200+ servers in 100 countries)	✅ (1,000+ servers in 35+ countries)
💻 Apps	iOS,Android,Windows,macOS,Linux,Android TV,Fire TV,Chromebook	iOS,Android,Windows,macOS,Linux,Android TV,Fire TV,Chromebook
❓Customer Support	24/7 live chat,Email support,In-depth support library	24/7 live chat,Email support,In-depth support library
💰 Money-Back Guarantee	30 days	31 days

Security — Both VPNs Are Pretty Secure Surfshark and PureVPN

	256-bit AES Encryption	No-Logs Policy	Kill Switch	Leak Protection	RAM-Only Servers	Perfect Forward Secrecy
Surfshark	✅	✅	✅	✅(DNS leak protection)	✅	✅
PureVPN	✅	✅	✅	✅Full leak protection against DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks)	❌	✅

Surfshark and PureVPN servers have industry-standard security features, including:

• 256-bit AES security. It scrambles your data so it’s useless, stopping anyone, including your internet provider, from seeing what you do online.
• We do not keep any logs. Neither provider keeps records of your web data or IP address, so they can’t share this information, even if the law requires them to.
• An emergency shut-off button. It will turn off your internet if you lose your VPN link. This stops unexpected leaks. I like that both VPNs let you choose if the kill switch will stop all internet data unless you’re connected to the VPN. This is helpful if you want to make sure your internet activity is safe before going online.

Only PureVPN offers complete leak protection, preventing DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks. Surfshark only stops DNS leaks. I tested both VPNs and didn’t find any leaks. I connected to servers in over 10 places with each VPN, and I only saw the VPN’s IP address. 

It’s good that Surfshark and PureVPN offer perfect forward privacy. This function updates the encryption key for every VPN session. So, if a hacker gets one key, they won’t be able to access your data from past or future sessions. Both providers use safe methods, including OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and WireGuard, which is the quickest VPN option available.

Extra Features — Surfshark Takes the Win

	Split-Tunneling	Obfuscation	Blocks Ads	Blocks Malicious Sites	Tor Support	Smart DNS	Other Features
Surfshark	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	Dynamic MultiHop, NoBorders, IP Rotator, Override GPS Location, dedicated IPs
PureVPN	✅	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌	Shortcuts, dedicated IPs, port forwarding

PureVPN offers helpful tools, but it doesn’t have as many features as Surfshark.

Both VPNs have a feature called split tunneling. This lets you choose which apps use the VPN and which ones connect to the internet directly through your local network. I like that Surfshark allows you to choose which apps and IP addresses use the VPN. This is helpful if you want to access certain websites, like bank sites, that usually don’t allow VPNs.

PureVPN offers helpful tools, but it doesn’t have as many features as Surfshark.

Both VPNs have a feature called split tunneling. This lets you choose which apps use the VPN and which ones connect to the internet directly through your local network. I like that Surfshark allows you to choose which apps and IP addresses use the VPN. This is helpful if you want to access certain websites, like bank sites, that usually don’t allow VPNs.

Both providers also hide data and allow Tor traffic. Obfuscation makes your VPN traffic appear like regular internet traffic, helping you avoid restrictions. Tor support lets you use the Tor browser to access the dark web for extra privacy while connecting to their servers.

Only Surfshark has a very effective ad blocker. Surfshark’s CleanWeb stops annoying ads, tracking, and harmful websites. PureVPN does not have an ad blocker.

Surfshark provides a few unique features that PureVPN lacks:

• SmartSmart DNS. Lets you use a VPN on devices that typically don’t support them, like game consoles and certain smart TVs.
• Double VPN. Surfshark has a double VPN feature called MultiHop that sends your internet traffic through two different servers for extra protection. It also allows you to pick where your link starts and ends, giving you better control over your connections.
• GPS Override. This function makes sure your GPS location is the same as your IP location. It’s only for Android devices.

PureVPN also has some extra features that Surfshark doesn’t:

• Shortcuts. You can create easy shortcuts to your favorite websites and VPN services with just one click. After you click the shortcut, PureVPN will connect you to the chosen VPN server and open the app you picked.
• Port transfer. Lets you connect to more users, resulting in quicker file downloads. PureVPN charges a small additional fee for this function.

Privacy — Each VPN Is Privacy-Friendly Surfshark and PureVPN

	Logs User IP Addresses	Logs User Traffic	Audited No-Logs Policy	Headquarters	Open-Source Apps
Surfshark	❌	❌	✅	The Netherlands (inside the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances)	❌
PureVPN	❌	❌	✅	The British Virgin Islands (outside the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances)	❌

Both Surfshark and PureVPN offer great privacy protection. Both Surfshark and PureVPN have a tight no-logs policy, meaning they do not keep a record of your IP address or what you do online, like the websites you visit or the files you download. I like that both VPNs have been checked by independent auditors and proven to have a no-logs policy. 

I also really like that PureVPN has an “always-on” audit policy, which means its no-logs policy can be checked by the hired security firm at any time without prior notice. It’s good that Surfshark had its browser plugins and server setup checked and approved by an outside company.

PureVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, where there are no rules requiring data to be kept. It’s not covered by the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances, which is a group of countries that share surveillance info with each other.

Surfshark is based in the Netherlands, a member of this union, but because it has a strict no-logs policy, it does not keep data to share.

Winner (Privacy): It’s a tie

Both Surfshark and PureVPN are great for privacy, with strong no-logs rules that have been reviewed by independent auditors. I really like that PureVPN has a policy of always being audited. Even though Surfshark is based in a country that is part of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances, its no-logs policy means it doesn’t have any data to share. 

Servers — Both VPNs Have Great Server Networks

	Number of Servers	Number of Countries	Virtual Locations	P2P Servers	Obfuscated Servers	Dedicated IP Addresses
Surfshark	3,200+	100	✅	✅(3,200+ servers in 100 countries)	✅(3,200+ servers in 100 countries)	✅(5+ locations)
PureVPN	6,075	66	✅	✅(1,000+ servers in 35+ countries)	✅(6,075 servers in 66 countries)	✅(5+ locations)

Surfshark and PureVPN have large networks of servers. PureVPN has more servers than Surfshark, with 6,075 servers compared to Surfshark’s over 3,200. Surfshark has servers in 100 countries, while PureVPN has servers in 66 countries. This means Surfshark offers more options for world coverage. 

For P2P traffic, all VPNs are good choices, but Surfshark is the only one that lets you download on every server and location. PureVPN has 1,000+ P2P-friendly servers in just 35+ countries—this is still a good number of locations, and they’re spread out all over the world.

Surfshark and PureVPN use both real and virtual servers. Virtual servers give you an IP address from a selected country, but the actual servers are based in a different place. I ran over 10 tests with each VPN and was pleased to find that they always gave me the right IP address. I think it’s great that both VPNs name their virtual servers clearly. Both physical and virtual servers are secure, so it doesn’t matter much which one you use, but I like the openness.

PureVPN has special servers called Quantum Resistant servers that are made to protect against possible future risks from quantum computers. You don’t need this right now, but it’s nice to see that PureVPN is working to improve privacy for its users. Both VPNs provide obfuscation on all servers, which is useful for hiding your VPN data.

Both Surfshark and PureVPN provide dedicated IP addresses in over 5 places for a small extra charge. PureVPN offers private IP addresses in the US, UK, Singapore, Malta, Germany, Australia, and Canada. Surfshark has servers in three places in the US and also in the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Speeds — Surfshark Edges Out PureVPN

	Website Load Time	HD Video Load Time	4K Video Load Time	Time to Download a 20 GB File
Surfshark	Instantly	1–2 seconds	2–3 seconds	15–17 minutes
PureVPN	Instantly	1–2 seconds	3–4 seconds	20–25 minutes

Surfshark and PureVPN offer pretty fast speeds, but Surfshark is slightly faster.

I was very pleased with how well Surfshark worked on close servers. I connected to nearby servers, and all the websites and HD movies loaded quickly without any buffering. When I downloaded a 20 GB file using a nearby server, it took about 13 minutes, which was acceptable.

I noticed that my internet speeds have dropped significantly when connecting to sites far away in the US, since I am in Macedonia. Web pages loaded quickly, but HD movies took 2–3 seconds to load and 4K videos took around 5 seconds with a little buffering. It took me about 22 minutes to download a 20 GB file from a computer that was far away.

PureVPN worked well with close servers too. Websites and HD movies loaded very quickly, and 4K videos took just 1-2 seconds to load without any delays. The download speed for torrenting was a bit slower than Surfshark’s. It took about 20 minutes to download a 20 GB file.

PureVPN’s speeds decreased a lot on its US sites. My web pages loaded in 4 to 5 seconds, and HD movies took about 5 to 6 seconds to start. It took about 8 seconds for 4K movies to load, and there was clear buffering when trying to skip ahead. The pirate download speed decreased, and now it takes about 31 to 35 minutes to download the same 20 GB file.

Winner (Speeds): Surfshark

Both VPNs have good speeds, but Surfshark is a bit faster. Surfshark offers faster speeds on far-away computers, resulting in less buffering and quicker torrenting. PureVPN works well with fast speeds on nearby servers, but I noticed it gets much slower when I connect to servers that are farther away. 

Apps & Ease of Use — Both VPNs Have Great Apps Surfshark and PureVPN

	iOS App	Android App	Windows App	macOS App	Linux App	Smart TV App	Router Support	Other Apps
Surfshark	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅(Android, Fire TV)	✅(Manual setup)	✅(Chromebook)
PureVPN	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅(Android, Fire TV)	✅(Manual setup)	✅(Chromebook)

Surfshark and PureVPN offer easy-to-use apps for all major operating systems like iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android TV, Fire TV, and Chromebook.

I like the mobile apps for both VPNs. They have a simple style that makes it very easy to use all their features. I really like how well the app settings are explained. The Quick-Connect button and the ability to mark sites as Favorites make it easy to use.

Their desktop apps are user-friendly and have many useful features. I prefer Surfshark because it’s easier to use. It shows the last 3 servers you linked to, places your favorites at the top, and lets you choose which server to connect to with the Quick-Connect button. PureVPN lets you easily find and connect to any of its server places, and I enjoy the straightforward design of its main menu.

Both VPNs let you set up your router manually and work with many famous router brands. Each one comes with simple guides for setting up the VPN on your computer, which took me about 10 minutes to finish for each one.

Winner (Apps & Ease of Use): It’s a tie

Each VPN has well-developed and user-friendly apps for all major OSs, including Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS. They are simple to set up and use, making them a great choice. Both VPNs can be set up manually on a computer. 

Plans & Pricing — Both VPNs Are Very Affordable Surfshark and PureVPN

	Starting Price	Free Plan	Simultaneous Connections	Payment Options	Money-Back Guarantee
Surfshark	$2.19 / month	❌	Unlimited	credit/debit cardsPayPalGoogle PayAmazon Paycryptocurrencies	30 Days
PureVPN	$2.14 / month	❌	10	credit/debit cardsPayPalGoogle Paycryptocurrencies	31 Days

Customer Support — Surfshark Provides Better Support

	Live Chat	Email Support	FAQs	Tutorials	Troubleshooting Guides	Phone Support
Surfshark	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
PureVPN	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌

I like Surfshark’s customer service better than PureVPN’s because it’s more helpful.

Both Surfshark and PureVPN have 24/7 live chat help. However, with Surfshark, I connected to a live chat agent in under 10 seconds, and their representatives always gave me clear and correct answers. With PureVPN, I sometimes waited 2 to 3 minutes to talk to a representative, and some of them didn’t seem very knowledgeable. I also don’t like that PureVPN only offers live chat support. 

Conclusion

In 2025, Surfshark and PureVPN both provide good VPN services, but Surfshark is the better option for most people. Surfshark is great because it lets you use it on any number of devices, is fast, and is easy to use. This makes it perfect for watching, especially on Netflix. Its strong security features, like good encryption and a tight policy of not keeping any logs, make it more attractive. PureVPN has a good number of sites and reasonable speeds, but it can be a bit less dependable at getting past some geo-blocks. Overall, Surfshark provides a better and more reliable experience, making it the best choice for anyone wanting privacy, good speed, and ease of use in 2025.

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