Proton VPN vs Surfshark

Compare Proton VPN and Surfshark on capabilities, jurisdiction, assurance, and fit for European buyers.

Both listed as alternatives to: ExpressVPN, Private Internet Access

Proton VPN

Switzerland· VPN Services

Needs review

Shortlist Proton VPN when you want a Swiss Proton AG VPN with open-source clients, publicly linked Securitum no-logs infrastructure audits, Secure Core/Stealth, a real free tier, and optional Business SSO/SCIM inside the Proton suite. Skip when you need anonymous numbered accounts without email (prefer Mullvad) or first-class remote port forwarding/DDNS (prefer AirVPN).

Swiss-operated (Proton AG)Open-source clientsSecuritum no-logs auditsSecure Core double-hopFree unlimited-data tierBusiness SSO / SCIM

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Surfshark

Netherlands· VPN Services

Needs review

Shortlist Surfshark when you need unlimited concurrent devices, a large RAM-only commercial VPN network, and optional Surfshark One suite tools under a Dutch legal entity. Skip when you need ownership diversification away from the Nord Security group, open-source clients, cash-only anonymous accounts, or hard EU-only account processing without US-group SaaS — consider Proton VPN or Mullvad instead.

Unlimited devicesRAM-only serversNL legal entityDeloitte no-logs (claimed)VPN + One suiteClosed source

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Highlighted rows differ between the two products.

Proton VPN vs Surfshark: Snapshot
Feature	Proton VPN	Surfshark
Country of origin	Switzerland	Netherlands
Category	VPN Services	VPN Services
Open source	Yes	No
Self-hosted	No	No
Headquarters	Switzerland	Netherlands
Legal entity	Proton AG (Route de la Galaise 32, 1228 Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva); EU rep Proton Europe sàrl (Luxembourg)	Surfshark B.V. (Kabelweg 57, 1014BA Amsterdam, the Netherlands)
Governing law	Switzerland (vendor privacy/legal framework)	Netherlands / EU GDPR as controller per Privacy Policy
US parent / control	No known US parent	No known US parent
CLOUD Act exposure (indicative)	Medium	Medium
Hosting / residency	VPN/account infrastructure: Proton-owned/controlled servers; account data stated in CH/DE/NO; Secure Core owned in CH/IS/SE; global VPN exits with full-disk encryption. Support/payments processors include US-group Zendesk, Stripe, Chargebee, PayPal (and HubSpot for sales forms) per privacy policy—not the VPN tunnel path.	Global RAM-only VPN server network (vendor: 4,500+ servers / 100+ countries). Account/support/analytics/payments subprocessors per Privacy Policy include Google (Firebase Analytics, BigQuery), Cloudflare, Zendesk, Stripe and other PSPs, AppsFlyer, Iterable, Purchasely, Telnyx, plus group companies in EEA, UK, and the United States. Transfers use SCCs or adequacy.
Summary	Swiss Proton AG VPN with open-source clients, Securitum-audited no-logs infrastructure, Secure Core/Stealth, free unlimited-data tier, and Business SSO/SCIM packaging.	Dutch-registered VPN and Surfshark One cybersecurity suite: unlimited devices, RAM-only servers, audited no-logs claims, and optional antivirus, leak alerts, and identity tools.
Tags	privacy vpn open-source no-logs swiss free-tier business	privacy vpn cybersecurity consumer gdpr

At a glance: Proton VPN vs Surfshark
At a glance	Proton VPN	Surfshark
HQ / entity	Proton AG, Plan-les-Ouates (Geneva), Switzerland	Not listed
Governance	Primary shareholder: non-profit Proton Foundation (vendor claim)	Not listed
Protocols	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, Stealth	Not listed
Network (vendor)	20,000+ servers, 140+ countries (re-check live)	Not listed
Free tier	1 device, unlimited data, limited countries, no ads	Not listed
Paid consumer devices	Up to 10 simultaneous (typical Plus packaging)	Not listed
Open source	Official clients yes; not a self-host server product	No (closed-source clients)
Business	SSO, SCIM, dedicated IPs/gateways, DPA published	Not listed
HQ / legal entity	Not listed	Surfshark B.V., Amsterdam, Netherlands
Ownership	Not listed	Merged holding with Nord Security (2022); brands operate separately
Deployment	Not listed	Cloud VPN / SaaS suite (not self-hosted)
Device model	Not listed	Unlimited simultaneous connections (paid plans)
VPN network	Not listed	4,500+ RAM-only servers, 100+ countries (vendor-stated)
Primary audits	Not listed	Deloitte no-logs 2023/2025; Cure53; SecuRing

Key capabilities: Proton VPN vs Surfshark
Key capabilities	Proton VPN	Surfshark
Swiss-operated (Proton AG)	Yes	Not listed
Open-source clients	Yes	Not listed
Securitum no-logs audits	Yes	Not listed
Secure Core double-hop	Yes	Not listed
Free unlimited-data tier	Yes	Not listed
Business SSO / SCIM	Yes	Not listed
Unlimited devices	Not listed	Yes
RAM-only servers	Not listed	Yes
NL legal entity	Not listed	Yes
Deloitte no-logs (claimed)	Not listed	Yes
VPN + One suite	Not listed	Yes
Closed source	Not listed	Yes

Proton VPN

Audited no-logs on Proton-owned VPN infrastructure
Strict no-logs policy for VPN session activity (no traffic content, destination, or session metadata that identifies a user to a server, per published Securitum infrastructure reviews). Account data lives on Proton-controlled servers in Switzerland, Germany, or Norway; Secure Core machines are Proton-owned in CH/IS/SE. Suits privacy officers who need public audit PDFs, not NDA-only claims.
Secure Core double-hop via CH, IS, or SE
Paid Secure Core routes traffic through hardened Proton-owned entry servers in Switzerland, Iceland, or Sweden before the exit country—extra hop against network-level attacks if an exit were compromised. Adds latency; best for high-threat models, not every streaming session.
Stealth protocol and free-tier censorship tools
Stealth obfuscates the tunnel (TLS-over-TCP style) to reduce DPI/VPN-block detection and is available on Free as well as paid apps. Free plan: one device, unlimited data, no ads, limited country set, kill switch; paid unlocks multi-device, streaming profiles, Secure Core, and full NetShield packaging.
Open-source clients across major platforms
Official apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and browser extensions are open source on GitHub (ProtonVPN org) with third-party app security reviews published over time. Server-side VPN stack is not a public full OSS product—inspect clients and audit reports, not the entire backend.
NetShield DNS filtering and multi-protocol stack
NetShield is Proton's DNS-based blocker for ads, trackers, and malware domains (feature depth varies by plan). Protocols include WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, and Stealth; kill switch and leak protections are first-class client features for untrusted Wi-Fi.
Business org controls: SSO, SCIM, dedicated IPs
Proton VPN for Business adds organization admin, private gateways, dedicated servers/IPs, enforced 2FA, SSO, and SCIM provisioning (docs cover Okta/Google examples). Fits SMB remote access and policy control—not a numbered-account anonymity product.

Surfshark

Unlimited simultaneous VPN connections
One subscription covers every concurrent device the account can run — phones, laptops, TVs, routers — without the 5–12 device caps common on rival plans. Best for households and multi-device freelancers; confirm current ToS limits for free trials.
RAM-only global VPN network with modern protocols
Vendor-stated 4,500+ RAM-only servers across 100+ countries; WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, and in-house Dausos. Nexus features include MultiHop, IP Rotator, Everlink self-healing, and FastTrack routing. Server counts and locations change — verify live map before region-critical use.
Surfshark One security suite (beyond the tunnel)
Optional bundling of antivirus (AV-TEST scored), Alert leak monitoring, Alternative ID (disposable persona/email/number), private Search, and Incogni data-broker removal on higher tiers. Suite tools process extra personal data by design — read the Privacy Policy scopes before enabling them.
Nexus MultiHop, IP Rotator, and CleanWeb
Dynamic MultiHop for entry/exit pairing, periodic IP rotation without full disconnect, CleanWeb ad/tracker blocking, plus kill switch and bypass controls. Useful for privacy-sensitive browsing and shared networks; not a substitute for endpoint hardening on high-risk devices.
Audited no-logs posture and public security tests
Deloitte no-logs assurance reported for 2023 and 2025 (account-gated full reports); public Cure53 and SecuRing assessment PDFs for infrastructure/apps. Treat as strong consumer-grade transparency, not automatic enterprise ISO/SOC coverage.

Assurance & compliance: Proton VPN vs Surfshark
Assurance & compliance	Proton VPN	Surfshark
Independent no-logs / security audit	Verified Multi-year Securitum infrastructure no-logs audits published with downloadable reports (see no-logs audit blog). Client app security reviews also published over time.	Vendor claimed Deloitte no-logs assurance reports for 2023 and 2025 (ISAE 3000 framing per vendor; full reports account-gated). Public Cure53 and SecuRing security/infrastructure PDFs also published on Trust Center.
ISO 27001	Vendor claimed Proton announces ISO 27001 (May 2024) and links a certificate from the Trust Center; re-validate scope/certificate for your ISMS.	Not found Not found as a primary advertised company-wide certification on Trust Center pages reviewed for this draft.
SOC 2 / SOC 3	Vendor claimed Trust Center and company blog assert SOC 2 Type II; obtain the report under your vendor process if required.	Not found Not found as a primary advertised company-wide certification on Trust Center pages reviewed for this draft.
GDPR / EU data protection	Vendor claimed Swiss operator claims GDPR alignment; EU representative in Luxembourg; Swiss FADP also applies.	Vendor claimed Dutch B.V. controller; Privacy Policy cites GDPR, DSAR rights, SCCs/adequacy for transfers. Not legal advice.
US CLOUD Act exposure (indicative)	Partial No known US parent (Proton AG / Foundation). VPN designed no-logs on Proton paths. US-group processors for support/payments (Zendesk, Stripe, Chargebee, PayPal; HubSpot sales) raise indicative exposure for account identity data. Not legal advice.	Partial EU entity / no known US parent, but Privacy Policy lists US-group subprocessors (Google analytics/storage, Cloudflare, Zendesk, Stripe, AppsFlyer, Telnyx, US group companies) for account/support/marketing/payments paths. VPN no-logs claims do not eliminate account-data exposure. Indicative only — not legal advice.
Data processing agreement (B2B)	Vendor claimed Public DPA published at proton.me/legal/dpa; confirm countersignature/process for your business SKU.	Not found No clear public self-serve B2B DPA package found on primary pages; Teams is sales/quote-driven. Confirm contract language before enterprise use.
EU AI Act	Not applicable VPN connectivity product; separate Lumo AI offering is out of scope for this VPN entry.	Not applicable Consumer VPN/security suite; AI-assisted scam-check features exist but product is not AI-centric as primary category.
VPN Trust Initiative seal	Not listed	Vendor claimed Vendor displays VTI certification/seal on About and Trust materials; confirm current listing on vpntrust.net if required.

Considerations & known limitations: Proton VPN vs Surfshark
Considerations & known limitations	Proton VPN	Surfshark
US SaaS for support and payments	Medium Privacy policy lists Zendesk, Stripe, Chargebee, PayPal (and HubSpot for sales) as processors. This is not VPN traffic logging, but billing/support identity can leave the Swiss-only path—map to your transfer assessment.	Not listed
Global exit nodes outside EU/CH	Medium Large multi-country network means traffic can exit outside the EU depending on server choice. Strict residency policies need operational controls (allowed countries, Secure Core preferences), not HQ alone.	Not listed
Free tier capacity and country limits	Low Free is one device and a limited country pool; shared free capacity can mean slower peaks. Not a full substitute for paid multi-device org rollout.	Not listed
Account identity vs numbered anonymity	Low Standard Proton account (email or external address options) is not the same threat model as cash/number-only VPN accounts. Cash/Bitcoin payment options exist for paid plans but account recovery fields may still apply.	Not listed
ISO/SOC scope verification	Low ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type II are vendor-asserted on Trust Center; procurement should confirm certificate/attestation scope covers the VPN services in use.	Not listed
Shared holding with Nord Security	Not listed	Medium After the 2022 merger, Surfshark and Nord brands sit under one industry group even if infrastructure is separate. Shortlists that need ownership diversification should not treat NordVPN as an independent alternative.
US-group SaaS in account data path	Not listed	Medium Privacy Policy names Google, Cloudflare, Zendesk, Stripe, AppsFlyer, Telnyx and US group companies among recipients. Practical impact: account, support, billing, and marketing data may be reachable via US legal process even when VPN activity is claimed unlogged.
Limited public enterprise certs / DPA	Not listed	Medium Strong consumer-facing audit marketing (Deloitte, Cure53, SecuRing) but ISO 27001/SOC 2 and a self-serve DPA were not found on primary pages. Regulated buyers need extra contract and evidence work.
Suite features expand personal data processing	Not listed	Low Alert, Alternative ID/number, email scam checker, and Incogni process additional identifiers or content by design. Enabling the full One suite widens the privacy surface beyond pure VPN tunneling.
Closed-source client applications	Not listed	Low Clients are not open source; buyers who require public code review of VPN apps should prefer peers with OSS clients.

Fit

Proton VPN

Best fit when

Privacy-conscious individuals who want Swiss jurisdiction, open-source apps, and audited no-logs packaging
Users already on Proton Mail/Drive/Pass who want one account for VPN plus suite
People under network censorship who need Stealth (including on Free) and Secure Core on paid plans
SMBs needing managed VPN with SSO/SCIM, dedicated IPs/gateways, and a published DPA
Orgs that require downloadable third-party no-logs infrastructure reports rather than NDA-only claims

Poor fit when

Teams that require anonymous numbered accounts with no email (Mullvad-style)
Workloads whose primary need is multi-port remote forwarding and Dynamic DNS (AirVPN-style)
Policies that forbid any US-group SaaS for billing or support (Zendesk/Stripe/Chargebee/PayPal listed)
Buyers who need a fully self-hosted VPN control plane rather than Proton SaaS

Consider instead when

When: You need maximum account anonymity (no email identity)
Consider: Mullvad
Numbered accounts and cash/crypto-friendly privacy posture; less suite/Business packaging.
When: You need remote port forwarding and Dynamic DNS as core features
Consider: AirVPN
Technical inbound reachability; different product emphasis than Proton Free/Plus.
When: You want a large consumer network with different brand/jurisdiction tradeoffs
Consider: NordVPN or catalog peers such as CyberGhost
Re-check ownership, audit publication model, and streaming for your regions.
When: You need enterprise zero-trust mesh rather than a privacy VPN
Consider: Tailscale, NetBird, or self-hosted WireGuard
Different product class from consumer/privacy VPN.

Surfshark

Best fit when

Households and multi-device users who need one VPN account across many concurrent endpoints
Buyers wanting a consumer privacy suite (VPN + antivirus, leak alerts, optional Incogni) rather than tunnel-only software
Travelers and remote workers needing a large country list, WireGuard/OpenVPN clients, and kill-switch/CleanWeb controls
Small teams evaluating a simple Teams admin panel for seat assignment (not full SASE/ZTNA)
EU buyers who accept a Dutch B.V. controller with published no-logs and security assessment materials

Poor fit when

Organizations requiring open-source VPN clients or self-hosted control planes
Buyers who must diversify away from the Nord Security–Surfshark ownership group (NordVPN is a sibling, not an independent alternative)
Procurement needing proven ISO 27001 / SOC 2 company certification or a self-serve public B2B DPA without sales engagement
Threat models that forbid US-group subprocessors for account, support, analytics, or payments data
Users seeking cash-only / account-number anonymity comparable to Mullvad-style signup

Consider instead when

When: You want open-source clients, a free tier option, and a privacy stack outside the Nord/Surfshark group
Consider: Proton VPN
Smaller device cap than Surfshark’s unlimited concurrent connections; stronger open-source posture.
When: You prioritize account-number privacy, minimal identity linkage, and a tunnel-focused product
Consider: Mullvad
Fewer lifestyle suite tools; different commercial and account model.
When: You want peer-reviewed AirVPN-style advanced networking features and a non-Nord ownership path
Consider: AirVPN
Different audience and ops model; check current catalog status and docs.
When: You already standardize on Nord products and only need another brand under the same holding
Consider: NordVPN
Sibling brand after 2022 merger — not ownership diversification.

Open questions for due diligence

Proton VPN

Which current Securitum no-logs PDF applies to the server regions and features you will enable?
For Business, which subprocessors apply to your SKU and will Proton countersign the published DPA without material carve-outs?
Can org policy force EU/CH-only or Secure Core-only exits for all managed devices?
Do ISO 27001 / SOC 2 Type II reports' scope statements explicitly cover Proton VPN infrastructure used by your tenants?
If policy bans US payment processors, which payment methods (e.g. Bitcoin) meet your residual-risk tolerance?

Surfshark

Will Surfshark sign a B2B DPA that lists subprocessors and clarifies controller vs processor roles for Teams seats?
Which regions host account databases and support tooling in practice, beyond the high-level Privacy Policy country list?
Can procurement obtain the full Deloitte no-logs package and latest infrastructure reports under NDA without a personal consumer account?
What is the current operational separation between Surfshark and Nord Security infrastructure for logging, staff access, and incident response?
Are company-wide ISO 27001 or SOC 2 programs in progress or available only under NDA?