What Surfshark does

Surfshark is a Netherlands-headquartered (Amsterdam) consumer cybersecurity company founded in Lithuania in 2018 and registered as Surfshark B.V. Its core product is a VPN service built on proprietary technology including the Dausos protocol (which provides per-user dedicated tunnels with hybrid post-quantum ML-KEM/X25519 encryption, audited by Cure53), Nexus software-defined networking, and patented Everlink self-healing server infrastructure, running on a 4,500+ server, RAM-only network across 100+ countries. The no-logs policy and infrastructure are independently verified by Deloitte.

The commercial offering is a subscription-based product suite that bundles the VPN with adjacent consumer-security tools: Surfshark Starter (VPN plus Alternative ID), Surfshark One (adding Antivirus, Alert for breach monitoring, Search, and email scam checking), and Surfshark One+ (adding Incogni data-broker removal and up to $1M identity theft coverage). Add-on revenue streams include Dedicated IP (in 20 locations), the Alternative Number virtual phone service, the Saily eSIM data product, and the HeyPolo privacy-first location-sharing app. Pricing is anchored to long-term multi-year contracts (e.g., 27-month plans at $2.49-$4.49/month per tier) with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Go-to-market is product-led and direct-to-consumer, with self-serve purchase on surfshark.com and across all major app stores (iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Apple TV, Fire TV/Vega OS). Customer acquisition is layered through affiliate partnerships with major tech publications (PCMag, TechRadar, Tom's Guide, CNET), large-scale influencer placements, student and graduate discounts, a free Emergency VPN program for journalists and activists, and an emerging "VPN for Teams" B2B channel. The company was merged with Nord Security under a shared holding company in 2022 at a combined valuation of approximately $1.6 billion (unicorn status), employs more than 500 people across Amsterdam, Vilnius, Kaunas, Warsaw, and Berlin, and in March 2026 transitioned leadership from founder Vytautas Kaziukonis (now Chairman) to long-tenured COO Dovydas Godelis as CEO.

Name

Surfshark

Legal name

Surfshark B.V.

Website

https://surfshark.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Surfshark is a Netherlands-headquartered consumer cybersecurity company selling a self-serve VPN plus bundled privacy, antivirus, breach-alert, and identity-protection products to individual subscribers globally, with 40M+ app downloads across 100+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Consumer VPN & Cybersecurity Software

NAICS

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182)

akta.pro primary industry

VPN & Remote Access Gateways (HDADABAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Network Security Services (Firewall/VPN/ZTNA/SASE Integration) (BPAEAEAG), Credential Stuffing & Password Attack Protection (HDADALAC)

Keywords

• Virtual private network
• Cybersecurity software
• Antivirus protection
• Data privacy tools
• Data broker removal

Headquarters

HQ city

Amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. VPN Subscription Plans: Core revenue from three subscription tiers: Starter (VPN + Alternative ID), One (adds Antivirus, Alert, Search, Identity Theft Coverage), and One+ (adds Incogni data removal). All plans offer unlimited device connections. Revenue is recurring subscription-based with annual or multi-year billing. Additional revenue from add-ons including Dedicated IP and Alternative Number.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

Surfshark sells a consumer cybersecurity platform anchored by a VPN service that provides encrypted tunneling, IP masking, and access to 4,500+ RAM-only servers across 100+ countries for unlimited simultaneous devices. It bundles the VPN with antivirus, data-breach alerts, private search, masked identity (Alternative ID/Number), and (at the top tier) Incogni personal-data removal and up to $1M identity theft coverage, sold via subscription plans on its own website and major app stores.

Product overview

Surfshark is a cybersecurity company offering a portfolio of interconnected privacy and security products. The core offering is Surfshark VPN (a Virtual Private Network providing encrypted connection and IP masking), which can be expanded through two bundle tiers: Surfshark One (combining VPN with Antivirus, Alert, Search, and Alternative ID) and Surfshark One+ (adding Incogni data removal and identity theft coverage). Individual add-ons include Alternative Number (virtual phone), Dedicated IP (static IP address), and Saily (eSIM service). The company also offers HeyPolo as a separate location-sharing application. All products are available on unlimited devices simultaneously with a single subscription.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Surfshark VPN Encrypted Virtual Private Network service providing IP masking, secure tunneling, and online privacy protection across unlimited devices with access to 4,500+ RAM-only servers in 100+ countries; designed for individual consumers seeking personal privacy, anonymous browsing, public Wi-Fi security, and access to geo-restricted content.
• Surfshark Antivirus Lightweight antivirus protection offering real-time malware scanning, webcam protection, and scheduled scans for consumer devices; made available as part of the Surfshark One bundle and certified by AV-TEST (6/6 protection).
• Surfshark Search Ad-free private search engine delivering purely organic results with no tracking or data collection; part of the Surfshark One bundle.
• Surfshark Alert Data-breach monitoring service that alerts consumers when email addresses, IDs, credit cards, or other personal information appears in known breaches; part of the Surfshark One bundle.
• Alternative ID Identity-masking tool that generates a brand-new online persona (name, email, birthdate, address) and masked contact details to protect personal information during website registrations and data breaches.
• Alternative Number Virtual US phone number service that masks the user's real phone number from scammers and spam, supporting incoming calls/messages and outgoing text replies.
• Incogni Automated personal-data removal service that contacts 420+ data brokers and people-search sites on behalf of users to delete their personal information; included in the Surfshark One+ bundle.
• Dedicated IP Static IP address assigned exclusively to a single user, available in 20 locations worldwide; reduces CAPTCHAs, avoids IP-blocking issues, and supports stable remote network access.
• Saily Secure eSIM data service from the Surfshark group providing mobile data coverage for travelers in numerous countries worldwide.
• HeyPolo Privacy-first location-sharing app developed by the Surfshark team, positioned as an alternative to Apple's Find My; offers timed visibility, adjustable location precision, unlimited groups, smart notifications, trip history, and guarantees no selling or monetizing of user location data.

Quantifiable outcome

• Fastest VPN speeds at 1615 Mbps (TechRadar, April 2026)
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature11 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Amnesty InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 May 2026Surfshark became a supporting partner of Amnesty International's Digital Forensics Fellowship (DFF), a training program teaching human rights defenders how to conduct advanced mobile device analysis to detect sophisticated spyware and digital threats. The fellowship emerged after the Pegasus Project revelations. Surfshark's funding helps expand the advanced curriculum covering Android/iOS forensics, malware analysis, and secure helpline setup. Partnership aims to decentralize digital security expertise by building a global network of regional activists.
• CalmminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 March 2026Limited-time promotional bundle offering free 12-month Calm Premium membership with 1-year or 2-year Surfshark VPN plans. Exclusive Tom's Guide reader offer valid until March 23, 2026.
• InternewscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 February 2026Partnership provides 100 media outlets and civil society organizations in nine high-risk countries with free Surfshark One VPN subscriptions, encrypted connections, and digital security training. The collaboration protects journalists and activists from government censorship, digital surveillance, and IP-based tracking. Initiative expands Surfshark's existing Emergency VPN program supporting press freedom and humanitarian digital safety efforts.
• Bristol City FCminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2025Football club partnership for digital presence and brand visibility.
• VPN Trust Initiative (VTI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry consortium (i2Coalition) working on important issues that enhance transparency, accountability, and trust within the VPN industry. Surfshark collaborates on standards, best practices, and advocacy for VPN privacy and security. Members include NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN, Windscribe, Proton VPN, and Mullvad VPN.
• Internet SocietyminorOthersNon-profit organization advocating for open internet and digital rights. Surfshark supports their initiatives to keep the internet safe and accessible.
• Global Encryption CoalitionminorOthersCoalition advocating for encryption rights and online privacy protection globally.
• Access NowminorOthersInternational non-profit defending digital civil liberties. Surfshark supports their advocacy for open internet and against internet shutdowns.
• Fight for the FutureminorOthersDigital rights organization focused on internet freedom and privacy. Surfshark backs their campaigns.
• EDRIminorOthersEuropean Digital Rights organization working on privacy and civil liberties in the EU.
• Open Rights GroupminorOthersUK-based organization campaigning for digital rights and privacy protection.
• Project SyndicateminorOthersInternational media organization. Surfshark supports their journalism and information dissemination.
• International Press Institute (IPI)minorOthersGlobal network of editors, journalists, and media executives. Surfshark supports press freedom initiatives.
• OONIminorOthersOpen Observatory of Network Interference. Surfshark supports their internet censorship measurement research.
• I2CoalitionminorOthersInternet Infrastructure Coalition representing VPN providers and internet companies.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• NordVPN: Direct competitor in consumer VPN, sharing a holding company with Surfshark since the 2022 merger. Both target the same consumer base with similar subscription VPN services, server networks, and threat-protection bundles, making them the closest comparable peer.
• ExpressVPN: Major consumer VPN competitor with global server network and a Threat Manager suite. Competes head-to-head with Surfshark on speed, streaming, and security positioning for individual subscribers worldwide.
• Proton VPN: Privacy-focused consumer VPN from Proton AG, bundled with Proton Mail and Proton Drive. Competes directly with Surfshark's suite strategy and is recognized for strong privacy credentials and open-source clients.
• CyberGhost: Long-standing consumer VPN competitor with a large global server footprint and streaming-optimized servers. Targets the same price-sensitive consumer segment as Surfshark Starter and One tiers.
• Private Internet Access (PIA): Consumer VPN owned by Kape Technologies, competing with Surfshark on unlimited devices, low pricing, and advanced privacy features. Frequently mentioned in the same buying guides and head-to-head comparisons.
• Mullvad VPN: Privacy-focused VPN competitor known for anonymous account creation and strong no-logs posture. Overlaps with Surfshark's privacy-first positioning and competes for the same security-conscious users.
• IPVanish: Consumer VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections, similar to Surfshark's value proposition. Competes in the same mid-tier consumer segment on speed, device coverage, and bundling.
• TunnelBear: Consumer-friendly VPN owned by McAfee, positioned for less technical users. Overlaps with Surfshark's consumer-focused, design-led approach and competes for first-time VPN subscribers.
• Windscribe: Privacy-focused VPN with a free tier and strong tech-forward features. Co-member of the VPN Trust Initiative with Surfshark, competing in the same privacy-conscious consumer market.
• Hotspot Shield: Established consumer VPN competitor with proprietary Hydra protocol and a large freemium user base. Competes with Surfshark on streaming, speed, and global server coverage.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat8 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/surfshark
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCEFFKGOqb1Mtvj3g3gjc6tQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/SurfsharkPrivacy
• Instagraminstagram.com/surfshark
• TikToktiktok.com/@surfshark
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/surfshark

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Surfshark