Proton VPN vs Surfshark
Choose Proton VPN if you want public audit evidence, open-source apps or port forwarding. Choose Surfshark if RAM-only servers and a post-quantum option matter more to you than those developer tools.
| Criterion | Proton VPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 7.9 | 6.9 |
| Latest VPN audit | Securitum, May 2026 (public report) | Cure53, 30 Mar 2026 (gated or summary only) |
| Owner group | Proton | Nord Security |
| Cheapest 3-year cost (USD) | $168 | $135 |
| Port forwarding | Yes | No |
| Open-source apps | Yes | Unknown |
| RAM-only servers | No | Yes |
| Refund window | 30 days | 30 days |
| Servers (provider-reported) | 20799 | 4500 |
Providers change prices often, and we regularly verify prices against their own pricing pages, though small differences from current prices are possible. Prices checked 11 Oct 2026. Three-year costs in US dollars at a fixed exchange rate.
Choose Proton VPN if
- Public reports from repeated no-logs assurance engagements.
- Open-source apps and a verified Linux CLI.
- Port forwarding for workflows that need inbound connections.
Choose Surfshark if
- RAM-only servers are a purchase requirement.
- You want an available post-quantum option.
Our take
Proton is our stronger fit for readers who want to inspect the evidence behind privacy claims. Securitum's no-logs assurance engagement dated May 2026 covered its production VPN server infrastructure, and the report is public. Surfshark's Deloitte engagement dated Jun 2025 covered adherence to its no-logs policy across server configurations, deployment, privacy settings and procedures, but the report requires a customer account. That access difference makes Proton easier to assess before buying. Surfshark's public infrastructure assessment adds useful security evidence, but its scope answers a different question from a no-logs engagement.
Ownership also gives you a meaningful choice. Proton AG's primary shareholder is the non-profit Proton Foundation; Surfshark B.V. shares a holding company with Nord Security, which also owns NordVPN. Buying Surfshark alongside NordVPN therefore does not diversify your choice across independent corporate groups. Ownership alone does not establish security: Proton offers open-source apps and full-disk encryption, while Surfshark offers RAM-only servers and a post-quantum option. For developers, Proton's port forwarding and Linux CLI are more concrete reasons to choose it. Surfshark suits users who prioritize its server design and protocol options.
Budget around renewal rather than the introductory monthly equivalent. Proton's VPN Plus 24 months plan starts at $3.49 a month and renews at $6.99; its modeled total over the table's cost horizon is $168. Surfshark's Starter, 24 months + 3 bonus months plan starts at €2.49 and renews at €5.88, with a modeled total of €120. The currencies differ, so these totals do not establish a direct savings claim. Compare checkout totals in your payment currency, then decide whether Proton's evidence access and developer features justify any difference.
FAQ
Is Proton VPN better than Surfshark for privacy?
We favor Proton when your priority is examining privacy evidence before subscribing: its latest Securitum no-logs assurance report is public, while Surfshark's latest Deloitte report requires a customer account. Those engagements support an assessment of their stated scope, not a guarantee about all future behavior.
Does Surfshark's RAM-only setup make it more secure than Proton VPN?
RAM-only servers give Surfshark a specific design advantage if avoiding persistent server storage is your requirement. Proton uses full-disk encryption and offers open-source apps, so server storage alone does not settle the broader security comparison.
Can I use either VPN to reach my home server?
Proton supports port forwarding, which can help with inbound connections; Surfshark does not support it. Port forwarding does not create a private network between your machines, so start with Tailscale vs WireGuard if private server access is your main goal.
Has either VPN had a security incident?
A Proton group-wide outage in 2026 followed a data-centre cooling failure, but the incident report does not state the VPN impact or establish a VPN security breach. For Surfshark, none found is our incident-search result, which does not prove that none happened.