Surfshark vs Proton VPN: Which VPN for Many Devices?
Surfshark vs Proton VPN: Which VPN for Many Devices? If you protect a whole household, we recommend Surfshark: its pricing page states unlimited devices on one subscription, and it has its own page with us for cashback. Proton VPN is the pick if you want a free plan to start with and prefer open-source apps, but its paid plan names 10 devices. Both give 30 days to change your mind. Offers move, status October 2026.
Device limits decide this pair
Most VPN comparisons start with speed or server counts. For families the first question is simpler: how many gadgets do you have? Surfshark's pricing page says you can protect as many devices as you like at the same time. Proton's table gives VPN Plus ten devices at once and the free plan one device at a time.
Available here with cashback
Ten places are plenty for one person and a couple of phones. With children, a tablet drawer, a smart TV and a work laptop you may pass that line, and the unlimited option saves you from logging devices out.
What each plan contains
Surfshark sells Starter, One and One+. The pages list a VPN with ad blocking, a cookie pop-up blocker, split tunnelling (called Bypasser) and a double VPN route, plus Alternative ID for masked e-mail addresses, scam protection, an antivirus and breach alerts. The network is given as 4500+ servers in 100 countries, and Surfshark describes its no-logs policy as audited.
Proton offers Free, VPN Plus and Proton Unlimited. The step from Free to Plus brings the choice of servers in 140+ countries, higher speed, streaming, P2P and priority support; Unlimited folds in Proton's mail, calendar, drive and password tools. Proton describes its apps as open source and checked by independent auditors.
Cashback with Surfshark
Surfshark is listed here: Surfshark at daily cashback. The page is in German and shows today's rate. Proton VPN has no page with us, so nothing is credited for a Proton order.
The route matters more than the rate. Click through from the shop page and buy in the same session. If you turn on a browser extension that inserts discount offers, switch it off first, as it can take over the attribution at checkout. The order sits as pending in your free account until the provider confirms it.
The refund rules in detail
Surfshark's refund policy is stricter than the headline suggests. The 30 days run from the first purchase, one refund per service, and renewals are not covered. Orders paid by prepaid or gift card are excluded, and so are purchases through resellers other than Paddle, Google Play and Cleverbridge. Two extras, the Alternative Number and an anonymous Dedicated IP, cannot be refunded at all. Proton's pricing page states a 30-day guarantee on its paid plans and describes the renewal terms next to the offer.
For cashback the rule is blunt: a refunded order brings no cashback. Decide before day 30 whether the service suits you.
Price and the second year
Surfshark advertises its 2-year offers with extra months on top and notes that VAT may apply. What you pay once that term ends is a new decision, and the renewal price can differ from the entry price, so check it on the plan page before you sign. Proton does the same in a smaller way: the offer box tells you the amount for the first 24 months and what the plan renews at afterwards. Put the two renewal figures side by side before you pay for the long term, because that is where the real difference sits.
Comparison table
| Point | Surfshark | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Cashback with us | yes, shop page at daily cashback | no page with us |
| Plans | Starter, One, One+ | Free, VPN Plus, Proton Unlimited |
| Devices | unlimited | 10 on Plus, 1 on Free |
| Servers | 4500+ in 100 countries | 20,000+ in 140+ countries |
| No-logs claim | audited, per Surfshark | independently audited, per Proton |
| Free option | none | Free plan |
| Guarantee | 30 days, first purchase | 30 days on paid plans |
Who should pick what
Families and shared flats: Surfshark, because nobody has to count devices and the shop page gives you cashback.
Single users with a laptop and a phone: either works. Here the free Proton plan is a legitimate way to see whether a VPN fits you, though it is slower and picks the server country for you.
Privacy readers: Proton's open-source statement and Swiss base are its selling points; read its audit reports and weigh them against Surfshark's.
Our recommendation
Surfshark through the shop page is our pick for many devices. If Proton's free start or open-source code is what you want, take Proton on its own terms and expect no cashback from us.
Quick takeaways
- Surfshark states unlimited devices, Proton VPN Plus 10.
- Cashback exists for Surfshark, not for Proton VPN.
- Surfshark's refund covers the first purchase only; renewals are excluded.
- Our Surfshark renewal guide explains what happens at the end of the first term.
Available here with cashback