Proton VPN vs Surfshark: Complete VPN comparison

In this Proton VPN vs Surfshark comparison, we’ll help you choose the best option for travel abroad.

If you travel for study, remote work, or leisure, you already know this. You must protect your connection on public networks. Think hotels, airports, and cafés. Also, VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) rank among the best privacy tools online.

However, you might feel unsure about your choice. Hundreds of providers exist, so the choice feels tricky. Among them, Proton VPN and Surfshark rank highly for security, speed, and compatibility. Yet, key differences still matter before you decide.

So, keep reading, and find the right VPN for your needs.

Comparison table: Proton VPN vs Surfshark

To start, we’ll introduce today’s two contenders. First, both providers lead the market and deliver reliable VPN services.

Proton VPN is a Swiss service linked to the team behind Proton Mail. It focuses strongly on privacy with a growing global server network. It also adds advanced anti-censorship features on paid plans. Plus, it supports up to 10 simultaneous devices on some plans. Also, its free plan stands out as one of the best.

Surfshark targets travellers and households, with global coverage, unlimited connections, and strong streaming performance across devices.

Both VPN providers offer excellent service. However, you should know a few key differences between them:

Comparison table: Proton VPN vs. Surfshark

Reputation and reviews: Proton VPN vs. Surfshark

When you choose a VPN, features matter, and trust matters too. Here, both Proton VPN and Surfshark have strong reputations in cybersecurity. However, each brand earned respect through different paths. So, let’s compare awards, audits, and user feedback.

Recognition in security and privacy

Proton VPN comes from the same team that built Proton Mail, a well-known encrypted email service. So, you’ll see privacy focus in every detail. It operates from Switzerland, a country with strict data-protection laws. Also, it has passed external audits that support its no-logs claims. Plus, specialist outlets like PCMag have highlighted its transparency.

Surfshark has earned its place thanks to its excellent value for money. It won “VPN of the Year” at the CyberSecurity Breakthrough Awards. Also, it has passed privacy audits, including one by Deloitte. However, it targets a broader audience than Proton. Even so, it keeps security strong and adds features for demanding users.

What do users say?

Proton VPN scores highly with people who prioritise total privacy. Many users praise its transparency, Swiss base, and the confidence that audits provide.

On forums like Reddit, users often say: “Proton VPN is one of the few you can truly trust”. So, travellers who handle sensitive data often feel calmer.

Surfshark, instead, appeals to people who want a practical VPN with no fuss. Users often praise unlimited device use without extra fees. Also, they praise solid speeds and strong geo-unblocking abroad.

On platforms like Trustpilot, most comments praise ease of use and fast support. However, some users mention minor connection glitches or confusing billing steps.

And for travel?

Both VPNs work well when you travel abroad. If you prioritise public Wi-Fi privacy, Proton VPN fits well. However, if you travel with many devices and want reliable streaming, Surfshark may suit you better.

Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 170 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍

Customer service: Proton VPN vs. Nord VPN: Surfshark

Both Proton VPN and Surfshark support their users, but key differences exist. They differ in channels, hours, and supported languages. Below, you’ll find a comparison table and a traveller-focused breakdown.

Customer support comparison table

Customer support comparison: Proton VPN vs. Surfshark

If you travel and need occasional help, Proton VPN offers solid basics. It includes email, forms, and detailed guides. However, note the chat limits. It works only for paid users and follows European hours (09:00-24:00 CET). Also, the provider doesn’t clearly list supported languages. So, this can slow help for non-English users.

For travellers, Surfshark offers more flexibility with 24/7 support and live chat. It also lists many languages, including Spanish, which helps anywhere. So, you can get quick help on unknown networks abroad.

So, if you want instant help, language support, and flexible hours, Surfshark fits better. However, if you prioritise maximum privacy and feel fine with email support in English, Proton VPN remains a strong choice. Still, it limits traveller support.

Streaming and online gaming: Proton VPN vs. Surfshark

When you travel, you often face one big question. Will your VPN let you stream and game without lag? Will it unlock geo-blocked services? So, let’s compare Proton VPN and Surfshark in these scenarios.

With Proton VPN Plus or Unlimited, you can stream from almost anywhere. These plans offer streaming servers across more than 110 countries. However, the company warns that Secure Core doesn’t suit streaming. It can reduce speed a lot.

Meanwhile, several independent reviews say Surfshark unlocks Netflix in many regions. These include the US, the UK, Australia, Canada, and Japan. Reviews also mention Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer access. In WireGuard speed tests, Surfshark reached about 90-95% of base speed. So, it suits smooth streaming.

Therefore, for trips where streaming matters most, Surfshark has a clear edge in unblocking and speed.

What about online gaming? Here, latency becomes crucial, because it affects response time. Again, Surfshark shows a slight edge over Proton VPN. Reviews often report strong speeds with some latency swings. Still, they call it acceptable.

Also, when you travel, local Wi-Fi quality can matter far more than the VPN. So, connect to the nearest game-region server to reduce latency.

Server network: Which one is bigger?

Another key factor is the server network, including size and location. Why is that? When you travel, nearby servers can boost speed. They also cut latency and reduce congestion.

So, let’s compare Proton VPN vs Surfshark with a table: Holafly Surfshark through an table

Server network comparison

At a glance, Proton VPN has a larger server network than Surfshark. It also offers specialised servers for Secure Core and Tor over VPN. Plus, it supports streaming and torrent servers. It also provides options that strengthen security. So, this scale can help on uncommon routes.

Although Proton has more servers, Surfshark still covers around 100 countries, which suits travel well. Also, its network looks broad enough for common destinations. Plus, Surfshark uses RAM-based servers, so it wipes data on every reboot.

Speed and latency impact analysis

When you travel and connect from a hotel, café, or airport, you’ll use several devices. You might use a laptop, tablet, or phone. So, here’s what you can expect from each service:

Downloads and streaming

Proton VPN keeps download speed impact fairly moderate (around 8% average loss in several tests). So, with a 100 Mbps baseline, you might still get about 92 Mbps. That suits streaming, work, and browsing without noticeable slowdown.

For Surfshark, data suggests very small speed loss (around 7.8%). It also has reports of very high peak speeds (950 Mbps) in ideal conditions. So, it gains a slight edge for 4K streaming or large travel downloads.

Latency (ping) and gaming / video calls

Here, things become more critical. Latency measures the time data takes to travel there and back. In online gaming or video calls, this can change the whole experience.

In tests, Proton raised latency from 3 ms to 78 ms in a standard run. That still suits video calls, but competitive gaming may feel it. Surfshark shows very low latency on nearby locations (for example 1 ms in a local test). However, long routes can raise latency a lot (for example 231 ms to Japan). So, this can affect gaming.

For travellers who don’t play competitively, both services work well. However, choose the closest server to reduce latency.

So… So, which one performs better? Surfshark has a slight edge if you prioritise raw speed and demanding streaming. It also suits many devices while travelling. Proton VPN fits well if you want strong speed, wide coverage, and solid privacy. However, far-away routes can raise latency.

In both cases, most travellers won’t feel a dramatic difference. So, pick a nearby server and use strong local Wi-Fi.

Dedicated IP for digital nomads

A dedicated IP, or static IP, is an internet address that only you use. So, you don’t share it with other VPN users. This can reduce CAPTCHAs and lower blocks from banks or streaming sites. It can also provide steadier access to location-checked services. However, it usually costs extra.

With Surfshark, it offers Dedicated IP as an add-on to the regular subscription. You can use it with all connection protocols. It also works on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and as a browser extension.

Proton VPN, however, doesn’t offer a dedicated IP for individual users. It only provides this for business customers or corporate dedicated servers. So, if you want a personal dedicated IP, Proton won’t cover it on standard plans.

So, if you travel often and depend on stable access, a dedicated IP can help. As we said, Surfshark clearly offers it at an accessible cost.

However, if you prioritise maximum privacy, Proton VPN can still fit well. Also, you won’t need a dedicated IP for many travel tasks.

Proton VPN vs. Nord VPN: Proton VPN vs Surfshark: Jurisdiction and no-logs policy

If you use a VPN while travelling, you won’t want activity records. So, a strong no-logs policy matters. Here, Proton VPN and Surfshark stand out for privacy, although their approaches differ slightly.

Proton VPN is based in Switzerland, a country known for strong data-protection laws. It says it stores no information about user activity. Also, independent audits support this claim. It doesn’t use RAM-only servers, but it encrypts disks and limits linkable data.

Surfshark is registered in the Netherlands and also applies a strict no-logs policy. Its infrastructure includes RAM-only servers, so it stores nothing permanently. Also, Deloitte audited and validated its policy in 2025.

Why mention headquarters? The registration country can create legal duties around records. In this sense, both services sit in privacy-friendly locations. However, Switzerland often feels traditionally stronger on data protection.

In summary:

• Both VPNs are reliable for privacy.
• Proton VPN stands out for transparency and Swiss legal strength.
• Surfshark relies on RAM-only technology and a globally optimised user experience.

For most travellers, either option provides a secure, log-free environment. So, your choice depends on jurisdiction (Proton) or infrastructure (Surfshark).

Security quality: Proton VPN vs. Nord VPN: Surfshark

Finally, we’ll close this comparison with security features in both VPNs. This matters because a VPN does more than change your IP. It also helps you bypass geo-blocks. You must ensure real protection on public networks. Also, you must handle sudden dropouts safely.

In security, encryption, protocols, obfuscation, and a kill switch all matter. So, let’s compare Proton VPN vs. Surfshark.

Security comparison: Proton VPN vs Surfshark Surfshark

Now, let’s clarify the table:

• Encryption and protocols: Both services use top standards (AES-256, WireGuard/ChaCha20). So, your traffic gets bank-level protection on public Wi-Fi. Therefore, eavesdropping risk stays extremely low.
• Obfuscation protocols / hidden servers: If you visit heavily censored countries, this helps. It makes VPN traffic harder to detect and block. Proton offers Stealth, while Surfshark offers obfuscated servers. So, this becomes crucial under restrictions.
• Kill switch: This is essential on public Wi-Fi. Why is that? If your VPN drops, you won’t browse unprotected without noticing. Both providers include it, so your travel security improves.
• Server protection / RAM-only: Proton protects servers with disk encryption against physical risks. Surfshark runs RAM-only servers, so data disappears after reboot or shutdown. So, this adds another barrier against pressure.

In summary, both services deliver high security quality. Proton may lead on transparency and Stealth obfuscation. However, Surfshark combines strong security with a setup for many devices.

Proton VPN vs. Nord VPN: Which one should you choose for travelling abroad?

If you’re a digital nomad, remote worker, or frequent traveller, the right VPN can change everything. It can mean a secure connection instead of a frustrating one.

Proton VPN and Surfshark rank among the best options, but each has different strengths. So, below you’ll find common travel scenarios and which brand fits best.

Final analysis and comparison

So, our conclusion is this:

• If you want a simple VPN with strong streaming, an optional fixed IP, and long-term value, choose Surfshark for daily travel.
• If you prioritise privacy, want stronger protection against state blocks, and value Swiss legal backing and audits, choose Proton VPN.

Both brands offer secure, multi-platform apps with good speeds. So, your final choice depends on travel style, priorities, and desired control.

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