Surfshark

Surfshark VPN for Crypto Trading-Top Features 

Surfshark is a VPN service that was launched in 2018. Despite being in the market for only six years, it has set up over 3,200 servers in over 100 countries. And the best part is that all these servers are RAM-only. 

That means you don't have to worry about any information lingering after you end your session. Besides that, according to our in-house VPN testing tool, it has proven to be one of the fastest VPN services in 2024. This VPN delivers top-notch performance regardless of the country you're connecting from. 

All in all, here are some of the great features it offers: 

• CleanWeb Antimalware Tool

Surfshark's CleanWeb, especially its 2.0 version that was introduced in late 2022, is a robust ad-blocking feature. It comes integrated with their VPN browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. This was one of the things I loved the most. CleanWeb acted as an impeccable ad and tracking blocker, effectively detecting and shielding me from malware, phishing attempts, and even data breaches. 

As a crypto trader, this comprehensive protection is crucial - you can rest assured that your personal information is safeguarded. I also noticed that Surfshark CleanWeb significantly boosted my browsing speeds by blocking resource-heavy ads and pop-ups across all websites and apps.

• Bypasser 

Surfshark's Bypasser is a feature that most other VPNs call 'Split Tunneling.' It helps you choose apps you'd like to function outside the VPN tunnel. I found this feature particularly helpful when you want to protect some activities while running others at full speed. For instance, I used it to protect my trading activities without masking the IP when accessing Netflix on my smart TV.

• Unlimited Simultaneous Connections 

Unlike most other VPNs I have tested, Surfshark is compatible with desktop and mobile apps. VPNs often tend to limit use based on the number of simultaneous connections you have. 

But what I saw with this feature is that you can run all your devices with Surfshark VPN without worrying about limits. So, if you need to connect multiple devices simultaneously, Surfshark has got you covered on that front. 

• Kill Switch 

Every VPN that claims to be secure and reliable should have a Kill Switch. Surfshark has one, too, making it a good choice for anyone looking for water-tight privacy. The Kill switch automatically deactivates your internet connection if there's an unexpected drop in your connectivity. 

• MultiHop

Surfshark server also offers a double VPN known as MultiHop. This very impressive feature allows you to connect to multiple servers simultaneously. It worked just as well as marketed. Thanks to the double encryption, I got much higher security. 

I found this quite helpful when connecting to my crypto hot wallets. But as good as this feature is, I have one complaint. It made my internet considerably slower, so I wouldn't recommend using MultiHop for day-to-day surfing needs. 

• Camouflage and No Borders Mode 

Just as the name suggests, Surfshark's Camouflage mode disguises your VPN traffic. In that, it makes your traffic look like it's coming from a regular connection. This is a handy feature, as sometimes I've noticed some websites tend to block VPNs.

Also, some countries have laws that restrict the use of VPNs. As for the No Borders mode, it unlocks every online source- including geo-blocked content or anything that the government has banned. The fact that it's so good at scrambling your traffic, it's impossible to detect where your traffic is coming from, even with Deep Packet Inspection. 

• Wide Server Locations

As stated above, another major selling point for me was Surfshark's server locations across countries in Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa. Some leverage virtual locations for better speeds thanks to robust internet infrastructure. 

Yet, with a Surfshark subscription, I could access any of these servers without restrictions or extra fees. They ensure no data collection, support various protocols, enable private browsing, and impose no device or bandwidth limits. Surfshark's server network provides top-notch security and privacy for everyday internet use, not for creating personal VPN servers.

• Security and Privacy

Surfshark supports a range of top-tier VPN protocols, including the lightning-fast and highly secure WireGuard, the reliable and mobile-friendly IKEv2, and the widely trusted OpenVPN. I found that each protocol delivered excellent performance, with WireGuard in particular offering a noticeable speed boost.

What really sealed the deal for me, though, was Surfshark's commitment to privacy. The company has undergone multiple independent audits by reputable firms like Deloitte and Cure53, all of which have verified their strict no-logs policy. This means Surfshark doesn't store any of my activity or connection data, giving me peace of mind as a crypto trader.

Even though Surfshark is based in the Netherlands, which is part of the Nine Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, their use of RAM-only servers that wipe data upon reboot significantly reduces the risk of my sensitive information being accessed. This, combined with their transparent privacy policies, made me feel confident that my crypto activities were well-protected.

• Performance and Reliability

When it comes to performance and reliability, Surfshark VPN has proven its mettle. Here's a breakdown of the speeds we experienced from various geographic locations:

• In Los Angeles, USA, Surfshark delivered an impressive download speed of 653 Mbps, outperforming even NordVPN in the same location.

• Speeds were even faster in Seattle, USA, with Surfshark hitting 752 Mbps - a testament to its excellent service.

• New York, USA also saw great results, with Surfshark managing a download speed of 637 Mbps, again outperforming competitors.

• From London, UK, Surfshark's speed was recorded at 556 Mbps, showcasing reliable performance even over long distances, though slightly slower than some competitors in this specific test.

• In the United Arab Emirates, where internet censorship and VPN blocking are active, Surfshark still managed download speeds of 78.16 Mbps and upload speeds of 67.37 Mbps, with a ping of 234 ms.

• Connecting from Paris, France, download and upload speeds were 77.69 Mbps and 56.89 Mbps respectively, with a consistent ping of 200 ms, demonstrating reliable performance in the European Union.

• In the Netherlands, one of the safest jurisdictions, Surfshark showed download speeds of 80.17 Mbps, upload speeds of 61.28 Mbps, and a reduced ping time of 165 ms, indicating efficient connectivity and speed retention.

• Compared to Windscribe, Surfshark's average connection speeds were significantly faster at 188.8 Mbps, making it well-equipped to handle high-bandwidth activities like 4K streaming and fast-paced online gaming.

Surfshark Plans and Pricing

When it comes to Surfshark VPN, the company offers a range of plans to cater to different user requirements and budgets. Let's take a closer look at the Surfshark pricing and plan options available:

Surfshark Starter vs Surfshark One: Comparing the Plans

The key differences between the Surfshark Starter and Surfshark One plans lie in their feature sets. Both offer a secure VPN, unlimited devices, ad blocker, and cookie pop-up blocker. However, the Surfshark One plan adds more advanced security features, including 24/7 anti-virus protection, webcam protection, real-time alerts for email and credit card breaches, a personal detail generator, a masked email generator, and a personal data security report.

For users on a tighter budget who only need basic VPN features, the Surfshark Starter plan is a great choice. It provides secure VPN access, ad blocking, and cookie pop-up blocking at a lower cost. However, if you require more robust security and privacy protections, the Surfshark One plan is the better option, even though it comes at a slightly higher price point.

Surfshark VPN Free Trial: Try the Service Risk-Free

Regardless of the plan you choose, all Surfshark options come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try the service risk-free. This makes it easier to determine which plan best suits your individual needs and budget. 

For smooth and privacy-focused payment, I recommend using cryptocurrencies to claim your subscription. They have rolled out support for several cryptos, from Bitcoin to altcoins, but the best option may be USDT or DAI (you want to save the volatile assets for the long-term bull run, don't you?).

What I Liked

• Surfshark implements state-of-the-art AES-256 encryption. This is what military uses, meaning it’s impenetrable. Even if you try to break it, it will take you thousands of years.
• Surfshark has an ID leak protection feature for added privacy. It routinely scans leaked databases and notifies you if your email or passwords appear anywhere. 
• Unlike most VPNs, Surfshark allows you to make a purchase anonymously. You can pay using Bitcoin, Ethereum, or any other crypto available on CoinGate. 
• The VPN has an IP rotator that automatically switches between IP addresses every minute or hour for additional online security. 
• Being based in the Netherlands, Surfshark is held to high privacy standards. Therefore, it has an independently-audited no-logs policy. 
• I also loved that Surfshark is very transparent with its data collection policy. Their Privacy and Policy section is written in easy-to-understand plain English. You don't have to get lost in legal jargon. 

What I Didn't Like 

• Although Surfshark has fast browsing speed and stable network connectivity, for the most part, I experienced connectivity issues from time to time. 
• When I contacted the customer support team to help me set up Surfshark on Linux, they took more than 48 hours to respond. Considering it was on a weekday, I expected a faster response from the Surfshark customer service. 
• Is Surfshark free? Unfortunately, Surfshark has no free version. Although they have a 7-day trial period, it's only available via Google or App Store. Plus, to cancel your subscription, you have to schedule with customer support in advance.