How is the value for money of Surfshark?
Surfshark’s value for money has drawn a split response from users, with sentiment gradually tilting downward over time. Among 712 mentions, 356 were negative and 317 positive, close to even, but with a noticeable bias toward disappointment. In early 2025, ratings stayed low, averaging between 2.3 and 3 stars, as users voiced frustration over high prices, unexpected auto-renewals, and inconsistent performance. But something changed around mid-2026. By May, the score had climbed to 3.56 stars, then surged to a high of 4.04 in September. This turnaround hints that while many still find the cost and renewal system off-putting, a growing number are seeing the service as increasingly justified, especially as speed, stability, and ease of use seem to have improved. The real shift happened late in 2025 and into early 2026: satisfaction began rising despite ongoing gripes about billing and pricing. ⟦0000⟧
What customers praise
People keep coming back to Surfshark, and a big reason is how it lets you use the service on as many devices as you want, no limits. It’s simple to set up, connects quickly, and stays stable no matter where you are in the world. Many users say the cost feels fair, especially when they compare it to other options on the market. Privacy is taken seriously here, with solid policies in place and dependable security when you're on public Wi-Fi. ⟦0000⟧
What customers said:
- „gives you unlimited devices.“
- „all on an unlimited number of devices“
- „the price was very reasonable“
Common complaints
A lot of people are unhappy with how the service is priced, especially for premium perks such as dedicated IP addresses. The cost feels steep to many. There's also frustration over the auto-renewal system, it’s not clear how it works, and some users feel it’s set up to make them pay full price without realizing it. Several reviewers point out consistent connectivity problems: the service keeps dropping, speeds lag badly, or just won’t work with specific apps. Some say the way it’s advertised made them believe things that didn’t pan out, and when problems come up, getting help from support is a pain. ⟦0000⟧
What customers said:
- „not going to buy a router to get it“
- „Renewing process is convoluted and designed for you to auto-renew at full price.“
- „not worth it tbh“
How it has changed over time
Surfshark’s reputation has seen a clear uptick since mid-2026. Early that year, user ratings hovered under 2.5 stars, but by September, they’d climbed past 4. The improvement lines up with tangible changes, fewer gripes about connections dropping or sluggish performance, and more users praising how smooth the app feels and how fast it runs. Still, two issues haven’t budged: people keep raising eyebrows over the price, and the auto-renewal system continues to frustrate customers. So while the product itself is clearly getting better, the cost side of things remains a sticking point.
What customers said:
- „When you finally change your subscription to a basic plan they get you by directing you…“
„When you finally change your subscription to a basic plan they get you by directing you to another page prompting you to purchase an extension at a discount that appears to be a purchase confirmation.“
- „Why do I pay for a vpn if not to bypass the restrictions?“
- „Not worth the money“
Practical takeaways
If you need to connect unlimited devices and care deeply about privacy, Surfshark still delivers solid value, even with its shortcomings. That said, keep an eye on auto-renewal, it can catch you off guard. A lower-tier plan might be smarter if you’re trying to dodge surprise fees. Performance and stability have come a long way, particularly after mid-2026, when the service started feeling much more dependable than it did earlier. If you’re worried about price hikes, watching your renewal dates and making changes ahead of time can help you stay in control and avoid paying more than you should.
What customers said:
- „The VPN service works well“
- „Best VPN by far, it works with all sites and has very fast servers.“
„Best VPN by far, it works with all sites and has very fast servers.“
Original„Miglior VPN per distacco, funziona con tutti i siti e ha server molto veloci. Super consigliata.“
- „Surfshark is a very reliable and affordable provider.“
Over time
Data as table
| Month | Avg. rating | Count |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-10 | 2.78 | 18 |
| 2025-11 | 2.94 | 18 |
| 2025-12 | 2.25 | 16 |
| 2026-01 | 2.29 | 24 |
| 2026-02 | 2.13 | 23 |
| 2026-03 | 2.90 | 31 |
| 2026-04 | 2.98 | 59 |
| 2026-05 | 3.56 | 57 |
| 2026-06 | 3.05 | 56 |
| 2026-07 | 3.33 | 84 |
| 2026-08 | 3.48 | 114 |
| 2026-09 | 4.04 | 24 |
Sentiment over time
Data as table
| Month | Positive | Neutral | Negative | Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-10 | 39% | 11% | 50% | 18 |
| 2025-11 | 50% | 6% | 44% | 18 |
| 2025-12 | 6% | 19% | 75% | 16 |
| 2026-01 | 29% | 4% | 67% | 24 |
| 2026-02 | 22% | 4% | 74% | 23 |
| 2026-03 | 32% | 10% | 58% | 31 |
| 2026-04 | 44% | 3% | 53% | 59 |
| 2026-05 | 60% | 5% | 35% | 57 |
| 2026-06 | 48% | 9% | 43% | 56 |
| 2026-07 | 54% | 4% | 43% | 84 |
| 2026-08 | 54% | 4% | 41% | 114 |
| 2026-09 | 67% | 4% | 29% | 24 |
Customer voices
Short excerpts - full reviews are available at the original source.
„Why do you pay much more upon automatic renewal“
„A static IP address is way too expensive at 92 Euros“
„This app is not free“
„Because of that, I'm only giving you one star.“
„They have the ability to make it better but they put the features customers want behind a pay wall.“
„very good value“
„The price is good“
„they do sales through the y, so you can pick up a few extra months“
What Reddit users discuss
Below are extracts from Reddit which discuss value for money in more detail - each linked to the original thread.
„It is on the cheap side.“
„I paid €43 for 25 months with a deal from Youtube video (Sam Chui channel).“
Cite this page
Citatio (2026). Surfshark Value for money: customer reviews September 2026. Retrieved 8 September 2026 from https://citatio.ai/surfshark-reviews/value-for-money/
Data verifiable via our public audit log: Methodology · Transparency