ROOT VPN vs Surfshark

Surfshark is a genuinely good VPN, and we will say exactly where it wins. Here is an honest, side by side look at price, privacy, protocols and streaming, so you can see which one fits you, not which one we would rather sell you.

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ROOT VPN vs Surfshark at a glance

The facts that actually decide it, side by side.

	ROOT VPN	Surfshark
Price	Free, then £3.99/mo	From £1.99
Free tier	Yes	No
No activity logs	Yes	Yes
Protocols	WireGuard, REALITY, Shadowsocks, Hysteria2	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2
Devices	10	Unlimited
Streaming	Good	Good
Jurisdiction	Independent, no activity logs	Netherlands

Where Surfshark is strong, and where it is not

What Surfshark does well

Surfshark packs a lot into a cheap long-term plan: unlimited devices, CleanWeb ad and tracker blocking, and solid streaming. For a whole household on one subscription it is hard to beat on price.

Where it falls short

Speeds can vary server to server, the cheap price is a multi-year deal that renews higher, and it is now owned by the same group as NordVPN.

ROOT takes a different route. Instead of the biggest server count or the deepest add-on menu, it focuses on a genuinely free way in, four modern protocols including REALITY and Hysteria2 for networks that fight back, and a plain no-activity-logs promise. Free to start with unlimited data, four protocols including REALITY and Hysteria2 for restrictive networks, and no activity logs.

Who each one is best for

No VPN is best for everyone. Here is the honest split.

Choose ROOT VPN if

You want a genuinely free tier with unlimited data before paying anything.
You connect on networks that block VPNs and need REALITY, Shadowsocks or Hysteria2 stealth.
You want no activity logs and up to 10 devices from £3.99, with a growing server network.

Choose Surfshark if

Surfshark is best for big households or anyone who wants to cover unlimited devices on a tight long-term budget.
You value unlimited simultaneous devices, low long-term pricing, CleanWeb ad blocking and a friendly app.

ROOT VPN vs Surfshark, answered

Is ROOT VPN better than Surfshark?

Neither is simply "better", it depends on what you need. ROOT is the better pick if you want a genuinely free tier, stealth protocols for networks that block VPNs, and no activity logs from £3.99. Surfshark is the better pick for big households or anyone who wants to cover unlimited devices on a tight long-term budget.

Is Surfshark or ROOT VPN cheaper?

ROOT VPN is free to start with unlimited data, then £3.99 a month for every location. Surfshark starts from £1.99, with no free tier, only a money-back window. For starting at zero cost, ROOT wins; compare renewal prices before you commit.

Does Surfshark keep logs?

Surfshark runs a no-logs policy (Independently audited no-logs policy, based in the Netherlands.). ROOT VPN also keeps no activity logs, so neither records the sites you visit.

Can I try ROOT VPN before switching from Surfshark?

Yes. ROOT VPN has a free forever plan with unlimited data and no card required, so you can run it alongside Surfshark and see how it performs on your own connection before you decide.

More ROOT VPN comparisons

See how ROOT stacks up against the rest, or read the full list of comparisons and the best free VPNs.

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