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Proton VPN vs Surfshark

Proton VPN has the higher grade on both axes: Safety 7.3 against 5.2, and Privacy 6.4 against 5.8.

Proton VPN

Swiss VPN with a free tier; paid plans payable in Bitcoin or cash

Privacy

6.4/ 10

Fair

Safety

7.3/ 10

Strong

No ID mentioned KYC 1 Docs reviewed Full review →

Surfshark

Netherlands-based VPN with crypto checkout on desktop and a 30-day refund window

Privacy

5.8/ 10

Fair

Safety

5.2/ 10

Caution

No ID mentioned KYC 1 Docs reviewed Full review →

Side by side

Proton VPNSurfshark
Category VPNs VPNs
KYC policy No ID mentioned No ID mentioned
Custody N/A N/A
Sign-up Email required Email required
Open source Yes No
Tor onion address No No
Coins BTC Not published
Pay with Crypto, Cash, Card, PayPal, Bank transfer Card, PayPal, Crypto
Fees Not published Subscription plans; 30-day money-back guarantee on the first purchase
Founded 2017 Not published
Jurisdiction Switzerland Netherlands
Incidents on record 0 0
Published tests (180 days) 0 0

Only Proton VPN

Accepts cashOpen source5+ years operating

Both

Legal entity disclosedRequires email

Only Surfshark

No-logs policyClosed source

Where they sit among vpns

2 2 4 4 6 6 8 8 10 10 PRIVATE AND SAFE SAFE, ASKS MORE PRIVATE, LESS PROVEN PRIVACY GRADE → SAFETY GRADE → Windscribe Privacy 6.8 · Safety 8.1 Mullvad VPN Privacy 9.7 · Safety 7.6 AzireVPN Privacy 7.2 · Safety 7.4 Proton VPN Privacy 6.4 · Safety 7.3 IVPN Privacy 9.4 · Safety 7.2 Amnezia VPN Privacy 6.9 · Safety 7.2 NymVPN Privacy 8.8 · Safety 6.3 Meile dVPN Privacy 8.2 · Safety 6.3 Sentinel dVPN Privacy 7.8 · Safety 6.3 Safing SPN Privacy 7.4 · Safety 6.3 Private Internet Acc Privacy 6.2 · Safety 6.3 hide.me Privacy 6.8 · Safety 6.2 Xeovo VPN Privacy 8.9 · Safety 6.1 cryptostorm Privacy 8.7 · Safety 6.0 AirVPN Privacy 6.8 · Safety 6.0 Obscura VPN Privacy 8.8 · Safety 5.8 RiseupVPN Privacy 8.4 · Safety 5.8 nVPN Privacy 7.0 · Safety 5.2 OVPN Privacy 6.5 · Safety 5.2 NordVPN Privacy 5.8 · Safety 5.2 Surfshark Privacy 5.8 · Safety 5.2 TorGuard Privacy 5.8 · Safety 5.2 Mysterium VPN Privacy 6.0 · Safety 5.0 uncensore.net Privacy 8.9 · Safety 4.6 PonVPN Privacy 6.8 · Safety 4.6
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Questions

Is Proton VPN or Surfshark safer?

Proton VPN has the higher Safety grade: Proton VPN 7.3, Surfshark 5.2, out of 10.

Does Proton VPN or Surfshark require KYC?

Proton VPN is KYC level 1 (no ID mentioned). Surfshark is KYC level 1 (no ID mentioned).

Which has more incidents on record?

Proton VPN has 0 and Surfshark has 0 documented incidents in the registry.

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