VPN Comparison: Atlas vs Surfshark

On April 24, 2024, Atlas VPN merged with NordVPN, a highly respected provider under the same parent company.

Find more details on Atlas VPN's discontinuation here: https://atlasvpn.com/blog/announcement

For a review of NordVPN, click here.

Looking for an alternative? Explore our recommended VPNs.

Understanding the best VPN for your needs means comparing key features. In this analysis, Surfshark and AtlasVPN are scrutinized by our experts.

We detail server speeds, customer support quality, and more, helping you choose the right VPN and know exactly what you're paying for.

Our team compared Surfshark and ExpressVPN. See their findings.

Surfshark and Atlas VPN both present monthly and annual subscription options. Notably, Surfshark has a two - year plan, but Atlas VPN goes a step further with a three - year plan. Usually, the longer the commitment, the greater the savings, and this holds true for these two VPNs.

For Atlas VPN's three - year plan, it offers a huge discount of 86 percent, reducing the cost to a mere $1.64 per month. Moreover, you get an additional six months for free. Surfshark also has an attractive offer with its two - year plan. There's an almost 80 percent discount and two months free, which effectively means you pay around $2.29 per month.

When it comes to the annual plans, Surfshark costs $47.88 annually, while Atlas VPN is a bit pricier at $49.21 per year. If you only need a VPN for a short period like during vacations, monthly subscriptions come in handy. Here, Atlas VPN is more expensive at $11.99 per month as opposed to Surfshark's $10.99.

Whichever of Surfshark or Atlas VPN you pick, you're safeguarded by their 30 - day risk - free money - back guarantees. If you're not satisfied, you can simply ask for a full refund.

The best deal with Surfshark is the two - year subscription where you pay only $2.29 a month, saving 79 percent. The top deal for Atlas VPN is the three - year plan with an 86 percent discount, amounting to $1.64 per month.

Both Surfshark and Atlas VPN provide essential support for major operating systems, including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. Additionally, they extend their compatibility to less common platforms such as Linux, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV. However, Surfshark distinguishes itself by offering browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox, which are not available with Atlas VPN. Another notable difference is that Atlas VPN currently lacks the ability to be installed on routers, making Surfshark a more suitable choice if you need to secure traffic from devices like gaming consoles.

When it comes to device connectivity, both services stand out by allowing an unlimited number of simultaneous connections. This makes them ideal for families or groups who want to share a single subscription. Both also offer split tunneling, a feature that lets you decide which apps use the VPN and which do not. For Surfshark, this feature is available on Windows and Android, whereas Atlas VPN only supports it on Android.

In terms of additional features, both Surfshark and Atlas VPN come equipped with an ad blocker. They also provide the option to connect to multihop (double VPN) servers, which enhance privacy by routing your internet traffic through multiple locations. Surfshark goes a step further by including a tool called Meshnet, which allows for secure connections between devices across different networks.

When traveling, especially on vacation, you might find yourself unable to access your regular websites. This can happen due to government censorship or regional copyright and licensing agreements. Whether it's a news site, an online banking account, or a streaming service, these restrictions can be frustrating. Fortunately, both Surfshark and Atlas VPN are reliable in bypassing such geographic limitations.

In our tests, both services performed well with various streaming platforms. For instance, we successfully used both to access Netflix, including multiple libraries like those in the US and UK. In particular, Surfshark stands out as one of the best options for Netflix, providing access to over 30 different libraries.

However, using a VPN in China presents a unique challenge due to the Great Firewall, which blocks a wide array of websites and applications, including the sites of Surfshark and Atlas VPN. While Atlas VPN struggles with the advanced techniques used by the firewall, such as IP blocking, Surfshark offers a solution with its NoBorders mode. This feature disguises your VPN traffic as regular web traffic, helping it avoid detection by deep packet inspection. You can easily enable this mode through a toggle in the settings menu.

It's important to note that you should download and install Surfshark before your trip to China, as its website is also blocked there.

Surfshark's user-friendly apps offer an impressive array of advanced features, ensuring that even beginners can navigate with ease. From the main screen, you can effortlessly connect to the most suitable server available. A dedicated tab on the left side allows you to select specialized servers tailored for specific needs. After establishing a connection, you can monitor various performance metrics, including your total bandwidth usage.

Atlas VPN shares a similar design to others, featuring a quick-connect button on the main interface and a detailed server list on the side.

While the menu options are fewer, users can still effectively manage their VPN connections.

Among VPN providers,

Most offer more features on desktop.

Yet, Surfshark and AtlasVPN stand out,

Maintaining their core functionality on mobile too.

Surfshark makes minor adjustments for usability,

Moving the sidebar to the bottom on mobile view.

Android users, take note,

A kill switch setup awaits you in system settings.

Surfshark and Atlas VPN are two popular VPN services, but when it comes to server locations, Surfshark has a distinct advantage. With around 3,000 servers, it has nearly double the number of Atlas VPN's 1,000 servers. This means Surfshark offers a much larger network.

Both VPNs support common server locations such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. However, if you're aiming to obtain an IP address from a less-trafficked location like Bhutan, Saudi Arabia, or Macau, Surfshark is the better choice.

Curious about the countries where Surfshark and Atlas VPN have servers? Here are the lists of countries each covers.

VPN Speed Comparison

In comparing the speeds of Surfshark and Atlas VPN, it’s clear they're both high-performing options. AtlasVPN managed an impressive 270 Mbps in our tests, while Surfshark wasn't far behind at 196 Mbps.

This places both of them among the fastest VPNs available. Each offers unlimited bandwidth, making them suitable for a variety of activities, including streaming, torrenting, and online gaming.

Both Surfshark and Atlas VPN utilize WireGuard as their primary VPN protocol, offering a balance of speed and security.

SurfsharK complements WireGuard with OpenVPN support, while Atlas VPN relies on IKEv2.

A 256-bit AES encryption ensures that your online activities remain untraceable, and both offer private DNS servers to safeguard your browsing history from prying eyes.

A kill switch is present in both VPNs' apps, protecting your data in case of a connection drop.

Only Surfshark provides advanced features like Obfuscation via its NoBorders feature, which helps bypass internet restrictions in countries like China.

Automatic ad-blocking and malware scanning are included, with IP address swapping available for added security.

AtlasVPN offers IP swapping only on its SafeSwap servers.

Surfshark is headquartered in the Netherlands, a nation recognized for its privacy laws, unlike Atlas VPN, which operates from the United States within the jurisdiction of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance.

While Atlas VPN is situated in a data-sharing region, it adheres to a no-logs policy, ensuring no identifiable user information is retained.

Like Atlas, Surfshark also follows a no-logs policy, with both VPNs maintaining basic connection records without identifying user details.

To sign up, both require minimal personal details—an email address— and offer cryptocurrency payment options, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple, enhancing user privacy.

Demonstrating commitment to transparency, both Surfshark and Atlas VPN have undergone independent audits to validate their privacy assurances.

Surfshark and Atlas VPN are both user - friendly, so beginners can easily operate them. However, you might still have some queries. Fortunately, both of them provide 24/7 live chat and email support when needed. Another option is to search their individual help centers for setup instructions, frequently asked questions, etc. What makes Surfshark special is that it has an active YouTube channel (Surfshark Academy) with fresh videos being uploaded on a regular basis. Feb 2025When it comes to choosing between Surfshark and Atlas VPN, both services offer a range of features that make them strong contenders. Atlas VPN stands out with its fast speeds, robust streaming capabilities, and an unlimited connection allowance. Its user-friendly design is also a plus, especially for beginners. However, Surfshark not only matches these features but also offers additional benefits, making it the overall winner.

Surfshark boasts a significantly larger network, with over 3,000 servers in 100 countries, compared to Atlas VPN. This extensive network means more content is accessible and potentially lower latency. Additionally, Surfshark is slightly more affordable and provides a broader array of security features. Both services offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing users to test the service risk-free.

To evaluate these VPNs, we examined several key areas:

• Network: The number and location of servers are crucial. A larger number of supported countries increases the variety of content available and reduces the distance to the nearest server.

  
  

• Performance: We conduct regular speed tests, running nine tests per service and averaging the results to ensure consistent performance.

  
  

• Cloaking Ability: We test how well the VPNs bypass restrictions, such as those imposed by Netflix and BBC iPlayer, and their effectiveness in regions like China.

  
  

• Security and Privacy: We look for industry-standard encryption, support for major protocols, kill switches, leak protection, and a no-logs policy. We also consider their audit history.

  
  

• User-Friendliness: Features like task-specific servers, 24/7 live chat, and apps for various platforms enhance the user experience.

  
  

• Price: We highlight any free plans, trials, money-back guarantees, or discounts to help keep costs low.

  
  

In our latest speed tests, Atlas VPN outperformed Surfshark, with average speeds exceeding 270 Mbps, while Surfshark averaged around 190 Mbps. These tests were conducted on a high-speed connection, so actual speeds may vary based on your internet speed. Nonetheless, both are among the fastest VPNs and can handle most tasks with ease.

Recently, Atlas VPN introduced a command-line app for Ubuntu, expanding its support to Linux users. This app maintains the same functionality as its Windows and macOS counterparts and has a simple command syntax, making it easy to use.

For streaming, Surfshark excels at accessing Netflix, including multiple libraries, and can redirect you to the US version if the local library is not supported. Atlas VPN, on the other hand, offers a free tier with limited server locations and data, which is useful for testing. Alternatively, users can opt for a one-month plan, which includes all features and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Both Surfshark and Atlas VPN are solid choices, but Surfshark's extensive network and additional security features give it the edge.

What is a Netflix VPN and How to Get One

A Netflix VPN is a tool that enables viewers to bypass geographical restrictions and access a broader range of shows and movies by routing their internet connection through servers in different countries. By using a Netflix VPN, users can effectively change their virtual location, unlocking content that is typically limited to specific regions and enhancing their overall streaming experience.

Why Choose SafeShell as Your Netflix VPN?

If people aim to access region - restricted content on Netflix through a VPN, they may want to consider the SafeShell VPN. 1. It has high - speed servers for Netflix. These servers are optimized for seamless streaming, so you can watch your favorite shows and movies without any interruptions and enjoy buffer - free playback and high - definition streaming. 2. You can connect up to five devices simultaneously with SafeShell VPN. It supports various operating systems like Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Apple TV, Android TV, and Apple Vision Pro, enabling you to enjoy content on any device you like. 3. The exclusive App Mode allows you to unlock and access content from multiple regions simultaneously, which gives you the freedom to explore different streaming services and libraries without restrictions. 4. It offers lightning - fast speeds without bandwidth limitations, eliminating buffering and throttling problems. 5. With its top - level security, the proprietary "ShellGuard" VPN protocol safeguards your private browsing sessions. You are protected by advanced encryption and robust security features while accessing Netflix unblocked .

A Step-by-Step Guide to Watch Netflix with SafeShell VPN

To begin using SafeShell Netflix VPN , start by creating an account through the service’s official website or app store page. Select a subscription plan tailored to your streaming needs, complete the payment process, and verify your credentials via email. Ensure your device meets compatibility requirements—SafeShell supports Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and more. Once registered, download the app directly from the platform’s download section or your device’s app store, then install and launch it.

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After launching the SafeShell Netflix VPN app, log in using your account details. Navigate to the server selection menu, where you’ll find global servers optimized for streaming. Choose a server located in the country whose Netflix library you want to access—for example, Japan for anime or Germany for regional exclusives. Activate the connection with a single click, and wait for the app to confirm a secure link. For smoother performance, enable the dedicated streaming mode within the app, which prioritizes speed and reduces buffering during playback.

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Once connected, open Netflix in your browser or app. The platform will automatically detect the VPN server’s location, granting access to geo-restricted content. If Netflix displays an error, refresh the page or switch to a different SafeShell server within the same region. Keep your VPN active throughout your streaming session to maintain access. With SafeShell Netflix VPN, you can enjoy HD-quality shows and movies without compromising on privacy or connection stability.