Surfshark vs PureVPN: security audits, connection logs and the cost of staying

The overall score is a dead heat at 5.30 for each, and the winner depends on what you value. PureVPN wins privacy (no connection IP in its policy, company in the British Virgin Islands) and network (6,000+ servers, port forwarding). Surfshark wins security (RAM-only servers, independent audits, two-factor sign-in) and price with fair terms. Censorship bypass and platforms with support finish level.

Two areas each, two draws: what sits under the level score

Surfshark takes security and protocols plus price and fair terms. PureVPN answers with privacy and jurisdiction plus network and streaming. The bypass and support areas finish identical, so ignore them when choosing.

PureVPN's privacy edge: no connection IP and a BVI address

Surfshark's privacy policy says it stores your user ID, the IP you connect from and timestamps, then deletes them within 15 minutes of the session ending. Fifteen minutes is short, but a record exists. PureVPN states it does not collect the connection IP, but it does keep a connection date for support and per-account bandwidth totals.

Jurisdiction reinforces this. Surfshark B.V. sits in Amsterdam, and the Netherlands falls under the Nine Eyes alliance. GZ Systems Limited (PureSquare) runs PureVPN from Road Town, Tortola, outside every Eyes alliance. Surfshark partially compensates by publishing a transparency report, which PureVPN does not. Both hold an independent no-logs audit (Deloitte for Surfshark, KPMG for PureVPN), both require an email to register, and neither runs a warrant canary.

Audited servers and account lockdown: Surfshark's security lead

Here Surfshark lists facts PureVPN does not publish: memory-only servers that wipe everything on reboot, security audits by Deloitte and Cure53 (details), two-factor sign-in, and Dynamic MultiHop double-VPN routing for chaining two servers. PureVPN's counter-offer is post-quantum encryption on quantum-resistant servers plus DNS leak protection, which Surfshark does not mention, but it publishes no security audit and no RAM-only statement. Kill switch, WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2 ship with both; neither has developed its own protocol.

A lower PureVPN entry price and the renewal Surfshark keeps quiet

In euros the cheapest month is €2.14 for Surfshark and €1.85 for PureVPN. The published renewal amounts for PureVPN show the Standard plan renewing at $47.95 a year, which works out to 1.86 times its intro monthly rate, and that disclosure drags its price score below Surfshark's, whose renewal amount stays hidden. PureVPN is honest about the second bill; Surfshark gives you no number to budget for. Tier extras differ: antivirus and Alert on Surfshark One with Incogni on One+, a password manager on PureVPN Plus and an eSIM with data removal on Max.

Server list, port forwarding and the device cap

PureVPN's network lead rests on 6,000+ servers and port forwarding as an add-on; seedbox users and game-server hosts need that port. PureVPN also claims 20 Gbps ports, though both services run fast servers. Surfshark covers 100 countries against PureVPN's 65+, lists 4,500+ servers and has 10 Gbps servers. PureVPN permits torrenting only on its P2P servers, while Surfshark marks P2P-capable servers in its list.

Devices change the household math. Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections under fair usage; PureVPN caps at 10, extendable by 10 more for $1.49 a month. The app and support lists match except for Surfshark's Smart TV app, which gives it 12 platforms against PureVPN's 11. Neither names Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ or Prime Video in its streaming claims.

What the refund does not cover and how the 7-day trial bills

Surfshark refunds within 30 days of the first purchase; the guarantee excludes recurring payments, gift and prepaid cards, Alternative ID and anonymous dedicated IPs. PureVPN gives 31 days but excludes renewals and anything paid via CoinPayments crypto or the app stores. Both run a 7-day trial that converts to a paid plan automatically, and Surfshark's trial only works with 12- and 24-month plans, needs a card, PayPal or Apple Pay, and covers 3 devices. Auto-renewal is switched on by default at both.

Surfshark vs PureVPN: questions before you pay

Is there a speed or streaming winner?

No, and there cannot be one here: VPNRadarLab scores what providers publish and does not run speed, streaming or blocking tests. Neither service commits to a named streaming catalogue in its claims.

Which one suits torrenting with open ports?

PureVPN, and only if you pay the port forwarding add-on. Surfshark marks its P2P servers but does not publish port forwarding.

Do I lose the refund if I pay in crypto?

With PureVPN, yes: CoinPayments purchases are excluded. Surfshark's exclusion list does not name its Coingate crypto payments.

Matching each service to the buyer

• A household full of gadgets: Surfshark, since connection count is unlimited under fair use.
• Minimal session records and a jurisdiction outside all alliances: PureVPN Standard.
• Hosting or seeding through an open port: PureVPN with the port add-on.

Equal totals, different strengths. Choose Surfshark for audited, memory-only infrastructure and 2FA; choose PureVPN for leaner logging, an offshore base, port forwarding and the cheaper entry, accepting the published renewal jump.