Surfshark VPN Review: SafeShell Offers Better

Let's face it - choosing a VPN in 2025 feels like picking a flavor at an ice cream shop with 100 options. Everyone claims to be the fastest, most secure, and best for streaming. I've been testing Surfshark for the past month, and wow, what a rollercoaster! One minute I'm impressed by its features, and the next I'm wincing at that renewal price increase. 

At a Glance: Surfshark's Strengths and Weaknesses

The Good :

• Fast connection speeds (21% speed loss in tests)
• Unlimited simultaneous connections
• Great for streaming multiple services
• Robust security features
• User-friendly interface across platforms

The Not-So-Good :

• 33% price increase on renewals ($79/year)
• Based in the Netherlands (14-Eyes jurisdiction)
• Monthly plan is ridiculously expensive ($15.45/month)

Speed Performance: Fast But Not the Fastest

Surfshark has maintained consistent speed performance over the years, with only a 21% speed loss in 2025 tests. That's respectable and more than enough for streaming, gaming, and torrenting. However, during my testing, I found that SafeShell VPN actually outperformed Surfshark in several key metrics .

While testing both VPNs on my 500 Mbps connection, SafeShell consistently delivered speeds around 450 Mbps - that's only a 10% loss compared to Surfshark's 21%. For streaming enthusiasts, this difference is noticeable when loading 4K content or when multiple devices are streaming simultaneously.

Pricing: Surfshark's Value Proposition Is Changing

Surfshark used to be the budget darling of the VPN world, but that's changing. Their renewal price jumped 33% to $79/year, which is still cheaper than ExpressVPN ($117-150/year) and NordVPN ($140/year), but definitely not the bargain it once was.

Their monthly plan at $15.45 is laughably expensive. If you're looking for a better deal, SafeShell VPN offers comparable features at a more competitive price point, especially for streaming-focused users.

One thing I appreciate about Surfshark is their 30-day money-back guarantee, which allows you to test the service risk-free. But wait - isn't that standard for most premium VPNs nowadays? 🤔

Streaming Capabilities: A Key Battleground

This is where things get interesting. Surfshark works with Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Max, and Amazon Prime Video. During my tests, it successfully unblocked 30 different Netflix libraries - impressive!

But here's where I found SafeShell VPN pulling ahead: not only does it unblock all the same streaming services, but its specialized streaming optimization delivers a smoother experience. While testing both VPNs with 4K content on Netflix, SafeShell loaded content faster and experienced fewer mid-stream quality drops.

SafeShell's "App Mode" feature is particularly innovative, allowing users to access multiple regional libraries simultaneously - something Surfshark doesn't offer. For sports streaming enthusiasts who might want to access different regional broadcasts at the same time, this is a game-changer.

Security Features: Both Are Comprehensive

Surfshark offers solid security features including:

• 256-bit AES encryption
• Kill switch
• MultiHop servers
• CleanWeb (ad and malware blocker)
• NoBorders mode for restricted regions

SafeShell matches these core features and adds its proprietary "ShellGuard" VPN protocol, which I found particularly effective at maintaining connection stability while ensuring top-level security.

One area where I think Surfshark still has an edge is its Antivirus feature (available in higher-tier plans). It's quite effective and frequently updated, though it does come at an additional cost.

User Experience: Sleek and Simple

Both VPNs offer intuitive, user-friendly interfaces. Surfshark's recent UI tweaks make it even more accessible, displaying enabled settings directly on the main screen.

SafeShell's interface is equally polished, with the added benefit of being slightly more streamlined for streaming-specific use cases. Its server selection process is optimized for finding the best streaming servers quickly - a small but meaningful difference for those primarily using a VPN for content access.

The Privacy Question: Where Are They Based?

Here's a sticking point for Surfshark - it's based in the Netherlands, which is part of the 14 Eyes intelligence alliance. This isn't ideal for privacy purists.

SafeShell operates from a more privacy-friendly jurisdiction, giving it a slight edge in this department. Both claim strict no-logging policies, though neither has undergone as many independent audits as some competitors like NordVPN.

Connection Reliability: A Personal Story

Last weekend illustrated the difference between these services perfectly. I was hosting a watch party for the championship game, streaming through a VPN to access the international broadcast. Initially connected to Surfshark, we experienced two disconnections during crucial moments. After switching to SafeShell, we watched the remainder without interruption.

This anecdotal experience aligns with my broader testing: SafeShell's connection stability for streaming-specific applications is exceptional, likely due to their focus on optimizing specifically for media consumption.

The Verdict: Which VPN Should You Choose in 2025?

If you're primarily looking for a streaming-focused VPN with blazing speeds and specialized features for accessing global content, SafeShell VPN takes the crown. Its superior performance for streaming services, innovative App Mode feature, and competitive pricing make it the better choice for entertainment enthusiasts.

However, Surfshark remains a solid all-around VPN with an impressive feature set. If you value their additional security tools like Antivirus and Alert, and don't mind the price increase, it's still a quality service worth considering.

For most users in 2025 looking to access global streaming content with minimal buffering and maximum reliability, SafeShell VPN offers the more specialized solution at a better value.