Surfshark One Review: Is It a Smart Choice for 2024?

#1 Surfshark Review in 2024

Surfshark, a name that's been making waves in the VPN world since 2018, has dipped its fins into the antivirus pool. As someone who's always on the lookout for comprehensive cybersecurity solutions, I couldn't resist taking Surfshark One for a swim. In this review, I'll share my first-hand experience with this new player in the antivirus game.

You might be wondering, "Why another antivirus review?" Well, with the digital world constantly evolving, it's crucial to stay updated on the latest security offerings. Surfshark's entry into this space is particularly intriguing, given their strong reputation in the VPN sector.

Here's what you'll discover in this thorough Surfshark One review:

• How Surfshark One stands up against malware and online threats
• The extra features that set it apart from the competition
• Its impact on system performance
• How user-friendly it is for both tech-savvy and inexperienced users
• Whether it's worth adding to your digital security arsenal

So, let's plunge in and see if Surfshark One can keep your digital life buoyant in the sea of cyber threats!

In a Hurry? Here's a Quick Summary

If you're short on time, here's a quick overview of what I found out in this Surfshark One review:

What You'll Like:

• Clean, easy-to-use user interface
• Integrated VPN with extensive server network
• Unique identity protection features
• Effective real-time and on-demand scanning
• Cross-platform compatibility

What You May Not Like:

• Limited customization options for advanced users
• Relatively new in the antivirus market
• Some features require separate dashboard access

What Makes This Surfshark One Review Different?

You might have come across other Surfshark One reviews, but I promise you, this one's different. Many reviews out there are based on second-hand information or quick, surface-level testing. I wanted to give you the real scoop, so I thoroughly examined Surfshark One, testing every nook and cranny.

I spent a good two weeks with Surfshark One, putting it through its paces on my trusty Dell XPS laptop. I didn't just run a few scans and call it a day. No, I tested every feature, clicked every button, and even tried to trip it up with some tricky scenarios. I wanted to see how it would perform in real-world situations, not just in ideal conditions.

Throughout my testing, I took numerous screenshots to document every aspect of the software. These aren't just pretty pictures; they're visual proof of my hands-on experience with Surfshark One. You'll see these sprinkled throughout the review, giving you an inside look at what it's really like to use this antivirus.

So, buckle up for an honest, in-depth Sufshark One review that goes beyond the marketing hype. Whether you're a tech inexperienced or a seasoned pro, I've got insights that'll help you decide if Surfshark One is the right fit for your digital life.

Buying Surfshark One

Before I investigate the details of Surfshark One, let me walk you through my buying experience. Surfshark offers three main products: Surfshark Starter (just VPN), Surfshark One (VPN + antivirus + privacy features), and Surfshark One+ (everything in One plus data removal from databases). I decided to go all in and purchase Surfshark One+ to test the full range of features.

The deals are quite tempting, with the best offer being a 24-month plan at an 82% discount. It's a significant saving, especially considering you're getting not just antivirus, but a comprehensive security package.

The purchase process was uncomplicated. I entered my email address and chose to pay via debit card. Once the payment went through, I was prompted to set a strong password for my Surfshark account. With that done, my account was created automatically, and I could access the dashboard to download the installers for the desktop app, browser extension, and mobile app.

Installation

The installation process was effortless. I downloaded the desktop application installer from the online dashboard, agreed to the terms of service, and let it do its thing. There weren't any additional options to check before installation, which might be a relief for less tech-savvy users but could leave power users wanting more control.

The whole installation took about 3.5 minutes, which is pretty standard. At the end, I had to log into my Surfshark account. You can use your email and password or opt for Google, Apple, or Microsoft login options. I stuck with my email and password and was quickly able to access and use the software.

The Surfshark installation process is straightforward and user-friendly

Overall, the buying and installation process was trouble-free. It's clear Surfshark has put effort into making this part of the experience as smooth as possible for users of all technical levels.

Interface

First impressions matter, and Surfshark One makes a good one with its user interface. It's sleek, modern, and dare I say, even a bit stylish. But more importantly, it's easy to use and navigate, which is crucial for any security software.

Surfshark's main interface is clean and well-organized

The layout is divided into two main areas: a left sidebar and a main content area. The sidebar is where you'll find all the main features: VPN, Alerts, Antivirus, Safe Search, Alternate ID, and Settings. Click on any of these, and the main area updates to show you the relevant controls and information.

One thing I really appreciate is the flexibility of the interface. You can resize the window or even make it full-screen if you prefer a larger view. There's also a system tray icon for quick access to key features, like connecting to a VPN server.

Surfshark offers both light and dark themes to suit your preference

For those who like to personalize their software, Surfshark offers two interface themes: light and dark. I'm a fan of dark modes, so I appreciated this option. It's not just about looks either; dark mode can be easier on the eyes, especially if you're doing late-night security scans.

Language support is impressive, with 15 options available. This makes Surfshark One accessible to a wide range of users around the world. You can also configure how many notifications you receive, choosing between recommended or essential-only settings.

In my Surfshark One review testing, I found the interface responsive and easy to use. Whether I was launching a scan, checking VPN status, or tweaking settings, everything was where I expected it to be. It's clear that Surfshark has put thought into creating an interface that's both functional and user-friendly.

Major Features

Now, let’s explore the unique selling points of Surfshark One. We’ll highlight its key functionalities and discuss its potential in securing your system.

Antivirus

The heart of any antivirus software is, well, the antivirus component. Surfshark's offering in this department is solid, with a range of features to keep your device protected.

The Antivirus tab offers a range of protection options

When you first navigate to the Antivirus tab, you'll need to download and enable the antivirus component. Once that's done, you'll have access to several key features:

• Real-Time protection: This is your first line of defense, constantly checking and protecting vulnerable areas of your device.
• Scheduled scans: You can set up both quick and full scans to run at specific times, ensuring regular checks of your system.
• Webcam protection: This feature stops untrusted apps from accessing your camera, with the option to create a trusted app list.
• Virus database auto-update: The virus definitions are updated every 3 hours and at the start of each scan, keeping you protected against the latest threats.
• Exclude from scanning: You can add files or folders you want the scan engine to ignore, useful for trusted items that might trigger false positives.
• Quarantine auto-delete: An option to automatically delete infected files after 60 days in quarantine.

The Antivirus tab shows your protection status and scan history

On the right side of the Antivirus window, you can see your protection status, how many files were scanned that day, when your device was last fully scanned, and access to the quarantine list. You can also initiate a full or quick scan from here, or even drag and drop specific files or folders to scan them.

In my testing for this Surfshark One review, I ran both quick and full scans. The quick scan was indeed quick, finishing in just a few minutes without detecting any threats. The full scan, as expected, took longer - about 24 minutes on my system. It scanned 371,000 files and detected five threats that I had intentionally downloaded for testing purposes. I achieved similar or better results with robust antivirus alternatives like Bitdefender, McAfee, and Kaspersky.

Surfshark successfully detected and quarantined the test malware files

I was impressed that Surfshark successfully detected and quarantined these test malware files. It shows that the antivirus engine is capable of identifying and isolating potential threats, which is exactly what you want from your antivirus software.

Overall, Surfshark's antivirus component seems robust and effective. It offers a good range of features and performed well in my Surfshark One review tests, providing a solid foundation for the software's security offerings.

VPN

Given Surfshark's background as a VPN provider, I had high expectations for this feature, and I wasn't disappointed. The VPN service integrated into Surfshark One is comprehensive and user-friendly.

The VPN tab offers a wide selection of servers across the globe

Surfshark boasts over 3200 servers in more than 100 countries, which is impressive. The VPN interface is clean and easy to navigate. At the top, there's a search bar for finding specific countries, and a refresh button to update the server list.

You can browse servers by Locations, Static IP, MultiHop (Double VPN), and Dedicated IP. The MultiHop feature is particularly interesting, allowing you to connect through two different VPN servers for added security. Thanks to Surfshark Nexus technology, you can even manually select both servers in the chain.

On the right side of the VPN interface, you can see your connection status, location, IP address, and use a quick-connect button to connect to a recommended server.

The VPN settings offer various customization options

The VPN settings are quite comprehensive. You can configure the VPN to launch on startup, auto-connect to specific locations, and enable features like CleanWeb (ad blocker) and a kill switch. There's also a handy speed test tool to compare the performance of various server locations.

I tested the VPN speeds using fast.com, and here are the results:

• No VPN (Romania): 26 Mbps download, 29 Mbps upload, and 6 ms latency
• Boston, USA: 39 Mbps download, 19 Mbps upload, and 236 ms latency
• Berlin, Germany: 36 Mbps download, 35 Mbps upload, and 80 ms latency
• Argentina: 36 Mbps download, 39 Mbps upload, and 436 ms latency

These speeds are quite good, with some locations even showing improved download speeds compared to my baseline connection. The increase in latency is normal when using a VPN, especially for more distant servers.

For privacy testing, I used various online tools, and I'm happy to report that Surfshark passed with flying colors. My IP address and location remained hidden throughout the tests.

All in all, the VPN component of Surfshark One is robust, fast, and user-friendly. It's a strong selling point for the software, especially for users who prioritize online privacy and security.

Ad Blocker

Surfshark's ad blocker, known as CleanWeb, comes in the form of a browser extension available for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. It's designed to block ads, trackers, and even those pesky cookie pop-ups that seem to be everywhere these days.

The CleanWeb extension offers quick access to various Surfshark features

The extension's menu mirrors the desktop program's layout, allowing you to control VPN connections, create alternate email addresses, access the safe search feature, and more. It's a handy way to access Surfshark's features directly from your browser.

The cookie pop-up blocker can be enabled in the extension settings

One standout feature of CleanWeb is the cookie pop-up blocker. You can enable or disable this from the extension's settings menu. In my testing, I found this feature to be quite effective at reducing the number of cookie consent dialogs I encountered while browsing.

The ad blocker worked well in my Surfshark One review tests, successfully blocking most ads and trackers on the websites I visited. However, as with most ad blockers, you may occasionally need to whitelist certain sites if you encounter functionality issues.

Overall, CleanWeb is a solid addition to Surfshark's security suite. It enhances your browsing experience by reducing clutter and potential tracking, all while being easily accessible right from your browser.

Data Breach Monitoring (Surfshark Alert)

In today's digital age, data breaches are unfortunately common. Surfshark Alert is the company's answer to this problem, offering a data breach monitoring service to help protect your identity.

The Alert tab in the desktop app directs you to the online dashboard

To access Surfshark Alert, you need to use the online dashboard, which you can reach via the Alert tab in the desktop program. This might seem a bit inconvenient at first, but it allows for real-time updates and more comprehensive management of your monitored information.

You can add various types of personal information to be monitored

In the dashboard, you can enter various types of personal information for monitoring:

• Email addresses
• Credit card numbers
• ID information

Surfshark will then actively monitor the web for breaches involving this information. If any of your data appears in a breach, you'll be notified promptly.

Another useful feature is the option to receive breach reports via email. You can choose how often you want to receive these updates, allowing you to stay informed about potential threats to your personal information.

During my testing, I found the setup process uncomplicated, and the dashboard easy to navigate. While I didn't experience any actual breaches (thankfully), the peace of mind knowing that my information is being monitored is valuable.

Safe Search Engine (Surfshark Search)

In an era where privacy is increasingly precious, Surfshark offers its own private search engine called Surfshark Search. This organic search engine promises to provide safe and private web searches without ads, trackers, or logs of your browsing activities.

The Surfshark Search tab in the main interface

To use Surfshark Search, you simply go to its tab in the main interface, type your search query, and hit the Search button. The results will open in your default browser at search.surfshark.com. You can also add Surfshark Search as your default search engine in your browser for easier access.

Surfshark Search provides ad-free, private search results

In my testing, I found the search results to be reasonably thorough and pertinent. The lack of ads was invigorating, and knowing that my searches weren't being tracked or logged added an extra layer of comfort.

However, it's worth noting that the results may not be as fine-tuned as those from major search engines like Google. This is often the trade-off with privacy-focused search engines, as they don't have the same amount of user data to refine their algorithms.

On the whole, Surfshark Search is a solid option for those who prioritize privacy in their web searches. It's a nice addition to the Surfshark suite, complementing the VPN and antivirus features in creating a more private online experience.

Alternative ID

One of Surfshark's most unique features is the Alternative ID tool. This feature generates a brand-new online identity for you, complete with an email address. It's designed to help you maintain privacy when signing up for online accounts or newsletters.

The Alternative ID tab allows you to create and manage alternate identities

To use this feature, you simply go to the Alternative ID tab in the main interface and click on "Create Email". Surfshark will generate a random email address for you, along with other details for your alternate persona. You can see a summary of this information on the right side of the screen and copy it for use.

The alt emails created will forward everything they receive to your linked email, allowing you to use them without missing any important communications.

In my testing, I found this feature to be surprisingly useful. It's great for those times when you need to sign up for a service but don't want to use your real email address. The process of creating and managing alternate identities was effortless and user-friendly.

However, it's important to use this feature responsibly. While it's great for protecting your privacy, it shouldn't be used for any malicious purposes or to violate terms of service of other platforms.

Incogni

Incogni is another unique feature that sets Surfshark apart from traditional antivirus software. It's designed to help you take control of your personal data by automatically opting you out of data broker databases.

The Incogni feature helps remove your data from data broker databases

To use Incogni, you first need to create an Incogni account from the Surfshark dashboard. Once set up, you give Incogni permission to make official requests to data brokers to remove your information. They will then perform regular checks to ensure brokers don't reuse or resell your data.

This feature aims to reduce spam, prevent scam attacks, and generally increase your online privacy. It's particularly useful given how common it is for personal information to be bought and sold by data brokers.

In my testing, I found the setup process for Incogni to be simple. However, it's worth noting that the actual process of removing data from broker databases can take time, often weeks or months. This isn't a fault of Surfshark, but rather a reality of dealing with data brokers.

While I couldn't verify the long-term effectiveness of this feature in the scope of this review, the concept is promising. It's a proactive approach to privacy that goes beyond what most antivirus software offers.

System Performance Impact

One concern many users have when installing antivirus software is how much it will slow down their system. I'm happy to report that Surfshark One had a minimal impact on my system performance.

During a full scan, Surfshark consumed about 25% of my CPU power and 400MB of RAM. This is actually in line with the average CPU usage during a full scan for most antivirus software, which typically ranges from 20-25%. The RAM consumption is slightly above the average of 300MB, but not significantly so.

When idle, the software uses minimal CPU and about 350MB of RAM, which is quite reasonable for a program that's constantly monitoring for threats.

In my day-to-day use, I didn't notice any significant slowdowns or performance issues while Surfshark was running in the background. This is crucial for any security software, as it needs to protect you without hindering your ability to use your computer effectively.

It's worth noting that the impact on system performance can vary depending on your specific hardware configuration. However, based on my experience, Surfshark One should run smoothly on most modern systems without causing noticeable slowdowns.

Surfshark One Review: Conclusion

After spending considerable time on this Surfshark One review, I can confidently say it's a strong competitor in the antivirus market. It offers a comprehensive suite of security features that go beyond traditional antivirus protection.

Here's a summary of what I found:

• Effective Protection: Surfshark One successfully detected and isolated test malware files, showing its capability to protect against real threats.
• Powerful VPN: The integrated VPN is a standout feature, offering a vast server network and solid performance.
• Unique Features: Tools like Alternative ID and Incogni set Surfshark apart from traditional antivirus software, offering additional layers of privacy protection.
• User-Friendly Interface: The software is easy to navigate and use, making it accessible for both inexperienced and experienced users.
• Minimal Performance Impact: Surfshark One runs efficiently, with little noticeable impact on system performance.

However, there are a few areas where Surfshark could improve:

• Some features, like the data breach monitoring, require accessing a separate online dashboard, which might be impractical for some users.
• As a relatively new player in the antivirus market, Surfshark doesn't have the long-standing reputation of some competitors.
• Advanced users might find the customization options somewhat limited compared to more established antivirus solutions.

If you're looking for a solution that combines effective antivirus protection with powerful privacy tools and a top-tier VPN, Surfshark One is definitely worth considering. Its unique features and user-friendly interface make it a strong choice for those who want to enhance their digital security without compromising on usability.

However, if you're seeking antivirus options, Norton and McAfee offer reliable protection. Browse our list of the best antivirus for 2024.

Octav Fedor (Cybersecurity Editor)

Octav is a cybersecurity researcher and writer at AntivirusGuide. When he’s not publishing his honest opinions about security software online, he likes to learn about programming, watch astronomy documentaries, and participate in general knowledge competitions.