SurfEasy VPN Review – Is It Too Basic to Compete in 2025?

SurfEasy VPN, a lesser-known player in the VPN world, comes with a big-name connection—it’s owned by Norton, a giant in online security. But don’t confuse it with Norton VPN; SurfEasy stands on its own with its unique features and approach.

Given its ties to a cybersecurity powerhouse, I was curious to see if SurfEasy lives up to the reputation or gets lost in the shadow of its parent brand.

In this detailed SurfEasy VPN review, I’ll walk you through my hands-on experience with SurfEasy VPN. From performance and security to ease of use, we’ll cover it all so you can decide if this VPN is worth your trust. Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up:

• The real deal on SurfEasy's speed and security
• How well it handles streaming and torrenting
• Its user-friendliness and device compatibility
• The truth about its privacy features
• Whether it's worth your hard-earned money

Let's discover SurfEasy VPN's features!

In a Hurry? Here's a Quick Summary

If you're short on time, here's a quick overview of my findings for this SurfEasy VPN review:

What You'll Like:

• Simple, jargon-free user interface
• Decent speeds for streaming and torrenting
• Dedicated torrenting servers
• Easy-to-use Wi-Fi protection feature
• Ad tracker blocking functionality

What You May Not Like:

• Lack of advanced features like kill switch and split tunneling
• No support for Android devices
• Outdated interface design
• Limited protocol options
• No third-party privacy audits

What Makes This SurfEasy VPN Review Different?

You might be wondering, "Why should I trust this review?" Well, I'll tell you. Many VPN reviews out there are just repeating information from the company's website. That's not how I roll. For this SurfEasy VPN review, I went all in.

I purchased a subscription, installed the software on my devices, and put it through rigorous testing. We're talking weeks of use across different scenarios - streaming, torrenting, casual browsing, you name it. I used it on my trusty Dell XPS laptop, my MacBook Pro, and even tried (unsuccessfully) to get it working on my Android phone.

Throughout this SurfEasy VPN review, you'll find numerous screenshots I took during my testing. These aren't just marketing images; they're real, unfiltered looks at what you can expect when using SurfEasy VPN.

My goal? To give you an honest, detailed account of what it's like to use SurfEasy VPN day in and day out. No fluff, no embellishment - just the real deal. So, let's get into it and see if SurfEasy VPN is the right choice for you.

Buying SurfEasy VPN

When it comes to getting your hands on SurfEasy VPN, the process is pretty uncomplicated. They keep things simple with just one package, but you've got options on how long you want to commit.

You can go for a 1-month plan or save some cash with the 1-year subscription. Whichever you choose, you're getting the same features: unlimited data, the ability to pick your server location, ad tracker blocking, torrent compatibility, and dedicated customer support. Not bad, right?

Now, here's where it gets interesting. If you're eyeing that 1-year plan (which, let's be honest, is the smarter choice if you like what SurfEasy offers), you're looking at a whopping 75% discount. That's a pretty sweet deal in my book.

But here's the catch - there's no free trial. Yep, you read that right. SurfEasy wants you to commit before you try. They do offer a money-back guarantee, but it's only for 14 days. That's a bit frugal compared to the 30-day standard you'll find with many other VPNs.

So, how do you actually buy it? It's simple:

1. Head over to their website and pick your plan.
2. Enter your email address and create a password for your new account.
3. Choose your payment method - you can use a credit/debit card or PayPal.

One thing that caught my eye - and not in a good way - was the lack of anonymous payment options. If you're hoping to pay with cryptocurrency for that extra layer of privacy, you're out of luck with SurfEasy.

After I made my purchase, I got a confirmation email from Norton (remember, they own SurfEasy). It included a download link for the installer and my product key. They also kindly reminded me when my subscription would renew. No surprise upsells or hidden fees - what you see is what you get.

In my opinion, if you're sold on SurfEasy, go for the 1-year plan. The discount is too good to pass up. Just make sure you're ready to commit, given the short refund window.

Installation

Getting SurfEasy VPN up and running on my computer was effortless. I grabbed the installer straight from the download link in my confirmation email, which took me to the website's download page. The whole process was over in about 20 seconds - talk about quick!

What I really appreciated was the simplicity. There were no choices to make during installation, no extra software to deal with. It was a straightforward, no-nonsense process. Just my kind of thing when I'm setting up a new program.

Once the installation was done, all I had to do was open the app and log in with my newly created account. After that, I had full access to all the features. It couldn't have been easier.

The only downside? As I mentioned earlier, SurfEasy VPN doesn't support Android devices. So while I could install it on my Windows laptop and MacBook without a hitch, my Android phone was left out in the cold. It's something to keep in mind if you're an Android user looking for comprehensive protection across all your devices.

Overall, though, I'd give the installation process two thumbs up for its speed and simplicity. It's clear SurfEasy has designed this with user-friendliness in mind, which is always a plus in my book.

Interface

When I first launched SurfEasy VPN, I was greeted with an interface that, well, let's just say it won't be winning any design awards anytime soon. It's functional, sure, but it looks a bit outdated compared to some of the more polished VPNs out there.

The main interface of SurfEasy VPN is simple but outdated

The app sits in the bottom right corner of your screen. But let's talk about what you can do with this interface. The main screen is pretty uncomplicated:

• There's a big connect/disconnect button (can't miss it)
• You can choose your server location
• There's a tab for the Ad tracker blocking feature (more on that later)
• When you switch to a new location, the map on the interface updates to show you exactly where you're connected

One thing that caught my eye was the country icon. Click on that, and you'll see a menu where you can pick your desired country.

Now, as far as languages go, I've got some bad news. The UI is only available in English. No themes to choose from either - what you see is what you get.

Is it the most attractive or customizable interface out there? Definitely not. But I'll give credit where it's due - it's dead simple to use. Even if you've never used a VPN before, you'll figure out SurfEasy in no time. Sometimes, simplicity trumps style, and that might just be SurfEasy's saving grace in the interface department.

VPN Servers

When it comes to server coverage, SurfEasy VPN doesn’t mess around. With over 2,000 servers spread across 31 countries, it boasts a solid network. While impressive, it doesn’t quite match the scale of PIA or NordVPN, which both offer over 6,000 servers.

Whether you're looking to connect to a nearby server for speed or a distant one for geo-unblocking, SurfEasy's got you covered. 

The server selection interface offers a variety of options

Now, let's talk about how you actually choose these servers. It's pretty straightforward - you just click on the country icon in the main interface. This opens up a menu where you can pick your desired country. Easy peasy.

But here's something interesting - SurfEasy has this "SurfEasy Optimized" server option. It's basically their automatic server selection feature. If you're not sure which server to choose, or you just want the fastest connection possible, this option will pick the best server for you based on your current location. 

Note that Surfeasy is based in Canada, which is part of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance. If you're super concerned about privacy, this might give you pause. But for most users, it shouldn't be a deal-breaker, especially given SurfEasy's no-logs policy (more on that later).

Overall, I found SurfEasy's server network to be robust and reliable. The inclusion of a dedicated torrenting server is a definite plus, and the automatic server selection feature is great for those who just want to connect and go without worrying about the technical details.

Gaming

As a casual gamer, I was curious to see how SurfEasy VPN would handle my gaming sessions. I fired up a few rounds of Overwatch and and Counter-Strike to put it to the test.

The good news? I was able to play without any major issues. The connection was stable, and I didn't experience any frustrating disconnects mid-game. That's always a relief when you're in the middle of an intense match!

However, here's where things get a bit tricky. The ping was hovering around 70 ms, which is... okay. It's not terrible, but it's not great either, especially if you're into competitive gaming where every millisecond counts.

For casual gaming, this level of performance is perfectly fine. You'll be able to enjoy your favorite games without much issue. But if you're a serious gamer looking for that extra edge in competitive play, you might find SurfEasy's performance a bit lacking.

So, what's the verdict on gaming with SurfEasy? It's decent for casual play, but hardcore gamers might want to look elsewhere. If you're just looking to protect your privacy while gaming or access geo-restricted game content, SurfEasy will do the job. But if you're aiming for the lowest possible ping and the best competitive edge, you might want to consider other options.

Torrenting

When it comes to torrenting, SurfEasy VPN has a trick up its sleeve - a dedicated torrenting server. This is a feature that sets it apart from many other VPNs, and I was eager to test it.

First things first, let's talk about why you'd want to use a VPN for torrenting. It's all about privacy and security. A good VPN will mask your IP address, encrypt your traffic, and help you avoid potential legal issues or throttling from your ISP.

Surfeasy's torrenting server is located in the US, and here's the cool part - as soon as I started torrenting, the app automatically switched to this optimized server. No manual selection needed. It's a nice touch that shows SurfEasy has put some thought into the user experience for P2P activities.

To test it out for this SurfEasy VPN review, I downloaded a few Linux installers and other open-source software (always keeping things legal, of course). The speeds were pretty good - I was hitting around 350 Mbps. Now, that's not the fastest I've seen, but it's certainly respectable. For most users, this speed will be more than adequate for their torrenting needs.

One thing to note - while SurfEasy does offer this dedicated torrenting server, they don't have specific features like port forwarding or a SOCKS5 proxy that some advanced users might be looking for.

Overall, I'd say SurfEasy performs well for torrenting. The dedicated server is a nice touch, and the automatic switching makes things easy for users who just want things to work without adjusting settings. The speeds are good, if not mind-blowing. If you're a casual torrenter looking for a VPN that'll get the job done without any fuss, SurfEasy is definitely worth considering.

Streaming

In today's digital age, many of us use VPNs not just for security, but also to access geo-restricted streaming content. So, how does SurfEasy VPN fare in this department? Let's examine.

I put SurfEasy to the test with several popular streaming platforms, focusing mainly on Netflix since it's often the toughest nut to crack. Here's what I found:

• Netflix US: Success! The US server worked like a charm, unblocking the American catalog without a hitch.
• Netflix UK: Another win. I was able to access British content without any issues.
• Netflix Germany, France, and Spain: Unfortunately, no luck here. SurfEasy couldn't bypass the geo-restrictions for these countries.

So, what does this mean for you? If you're primarily interested in US and UK content, SurfEasy's got you covered. But if you're hoping to explore Netflix libraries from other countries, you might be left wanting.

It's worth noting that SurfEasy doesn't offer any special features specifically for streaming. Some VPNs have optimized streaming servers or smart DNS services, but SurfEasy keeps things simple. You just connect to a server in your desired country and start streaming.

In terms of performance, I didn't notice any significant lag or quality drops while streaming. The connection remained stable throughout my viewing sessions, which is crucial for an enjoyable streaming experience.

However, remember that streaming performance can vary depending on factors like your internet speed, server load, and the streaming platform's own restrictions. While my experience was generally positive, your results may vary.

Overall, I'd say SurfEasy is decent for streaming, especially if you're mainly interested in US and UK content. It's not the most extensive solution out there, but it gets the job done without any complicated setup or features.

VPN Speed and Performance

For my speed tests for this SurfEasy VPN review, I used my Dell XPS laptop with an Intel i7-1065G7 CPU @ 1.30GHz and 16 GB of RAM, running Windows 11. My network setup was Wi-Fi 5 protocol with a theoretical speed of 866 MBps.

Throughout my SurfEasy VPN review testing, I found SurfEasy VPN to be pretty consistent in terms of speed and stability. To get some hard numbers, I used Ookla's Speedtest. Here's what I found:

• No VPN (Romania): 441 Mbps download, 355 Mbps upload, and 14 ms latency
• USA 1: 177 Mbps download, 273 Mbps upload, and 133 ms latency
• Germany: 234 Mbps download, 263 Mbps upload, and 51 ms latency
• France: 217 Mbps download, 261 Mbps upload, and 53 ms latency
• Spain: 238 Mbps download, 279 Mbps upload, and 74 ms latency
• Italy: 237 Mbps download, 273 Mbps upload, and 40 ms latency
• UK: 252 Mbps download, 278 Mbps upload, and 52 ms latency
• Brazil: 187 Mbps download, 219 Mbps upload, and 260 ms latency

So, what do these numbers tell us? Well, SurfEasy's performance is pretty solid. The European servers, in particular, maintained speeds over 200 Mbps, which is more than enough for most online activities including streaming and torrenting.

As expected, connecting to more distant servers (like the USA and Brazil) resulted in some speed loss and increased latency. However, the speeds were still respectable and should be sufficient for most users.

What impressed me was the consistency of the speeds. There weren't any dramatic changes during my testing period, which suggests good server reliability.

In conclusion, while SurfEasy might not be the fastest VPN I've ever tested, its speeds are more than adequate for everyday use. Whether you're browsing, streaming, or downloading, you shouldn't experience any significant slowdowns that would impede your online activities.

VPN Privacy Features

Turning our attention to privacy, we’ll analyze the SurfEasy's encryption capabilities, check the reliability of its secure protocols, and confirm the validity of its no-logs claim. 

VPN Protocols and Encryption

When it comes to VPN protocols, SurfEasy keeps things simple - perhaps a bit too simple for some users' tastes. Depending on your device, you'll either get OpenVPN or IKEv2 protocols.

• OpenVPN is available on macOS and Windows
• IKEv2 is the only option for iOS users

OpenVPN is widely considered the gold standard in VPN protocols. It's open-source, which means it's constantly being examined and improved by security experts worldwide. IKEv2, while a bit older, is known for its stability and is particularly good for mobile connections.

As for encryption, SurfEasy uses what they call "bank-grade encryption". In practical terms, this means at least 128-bit AES encryption. Now, the industry standard is typically 256-bit, so Surfeasy is falling a bit short here. That said, even 128-bit AES is still considered very secure and nearly impossible to crack with current technology.

One downside I noticed is the lack of configuration options. You can't choose which protocol to use or adjust encryption settings. It's a one-size-fits-all approach, which might frustrate more tech-savvy users who like to tweak their settings.

No-Logs Policy and Transparency

SurfEasy claims to have a strict no-logs policy. According to their website, "We don't retain any logs related to your online, browsing or downloading activity, so even we don't know what you're up to."

That sounds great on paper, but here's where things get a bit unclear. SurfEasy hasn't undergone any third-party audits to verify their no-logs claim. Many top-tier VPNs these days are subjecting themselves to independent audits to prove their privacy claims, so this lack of verification is a bit disappointing.

Without an audit, we're essentially taking SurfEasy at their word. For casual users, this might not be a big deal. But if you're someone who needs absolute certainty about your privacy, the lack of third-party verification might give you pause.

DNS and IP Leak Protection

When it comes to DNS and IP leak protection, SurfEasy is... well, a bit quiet. Their website doesn't mention anything about having private DNS servers, IPv6 leak protection, or DNS leak protection. This silence is a bit concerning, as these are important features for maintaining privacy.

However, I didn't just take their silence at face value. I ran some tests to see how SurfEasy performed in practice:

• IP Leak Tests: I used ipleak.net and perfect-privacy.com, and I'm happy to report that SurfEasy passed both tests. My real IP address wasn't exposed.
• DNS Leak Test: Using dnsleaktest.com, SurfEasy again passed the test. No DNS leaks were detected.

So, while SurfEasy doesn't talk much about these protections, they seem to be in place and working effectively. It would be nice to see them be more transparent about these features in their marketing materials.

Wi-Fi Protection

SurfEasy offers a "Wi-Fi Protection" feature, which you can enable or disable from the settings menu. The idea behind this is to protect you while you're connected to public Wi-Fi networks, which are infamous for being insecure.

The settings menu where you can enable Wi-Fi protection

However, I found the description of this feature to be a bit imprecise while writing this SurfEasy VPN review. They don't really explain what exactly it does beyond the general idea of protection on public networks. Is it automatically connecting the VPN? Is it using a stricter encryption protocol? It's not clear.

That said, having any kind of additional protection for public Wi-Fi use is a good thing. Public networks are often hunting grounds for hackers looking to intercept data, so using a VPN in these situations is always a smart move. I also recommend using an individual antivirus solution like Bitdefender and Norton for the extra peace of mind.

Ad Tracker Blocker

One feature that SurfEasy does highlight is its Ad Tracker Blocker. This feature is designed to block tracking cookies used by advertisers to follow you online.

The Ad Tracker Blocker interface showing blocked trackers

You can enable or disable this feature from the main UI, in the ad tracker blocker tab. When enabled, it shows you how many ad trackers were blocked while you were browsing the web.

In practice, I found this feature to work reasonably well. It did block a number of trackers during my browsing sessions. However, it's worth noting that this is a pretty basic ad blocker. If you're looking for more comprehensive ad and tracker blocking, you might want to consider using a dedicated browser extension alongside SurfEasy.

Device Compatibility

When it comes to device compatibility, SurfEasy VPN keeps things... well, let's say focused. Here's the breakdown:

• Windows: Check
• Mac: Check
• iOS: Check
• Android: Nope, sorry Android users

That's right, SurfEasy doesn't support Android devices. In today's mobile-first world, this is a pretty significant limitation. Many users want a VPN that can protect all their devices, including their smartphones, so the lack of Android support might be a deal-breaker for some.

On the plus side, SurfEasy does allow up to 5 devices to be connected simultaneously with a single subscription. This is pretty standard in the VPN industry and should be enough for most individual users or small families.

For the devices that are supported, the installation process is straightforward, as I mentioned earlier in the review. The apps are designed to be user-friendly, so you shouldn't have any trouble getting set up on your Windows PC, Mac, or iPhone.

However, if you're looking for more specialized device support - like for smart TVs, gaming consoles, or routers - you're out of luck. SurfEasy doesn't offer any solutions for these devices.

In the grand scheme of things, SurfEasy's device compatibility is quite limited compared to many of its competitors. If you're an all-Apple household, you might be fine. But for users with a mix of devices or those who primarily use Android, SurfEasy's limited compatibility could be a significant drawback.

SurfEasy VPN Review: Conclusion and Recommendations

After spending considerable time writing this SurfEasy VPN review, I've got a pretty good handle on its strengths and weaknesses. Let's break it down:

The Good:

• Simple, easy-to-use interface
• Decent speeds, especially on European servers
• Good for streaming US and UK content
• Dedicated torrenting server
• Ad tracker blocking feature

The Not-So-Good:

• No kill switch or split tunneling
• Limited protocol options
• Outdated interface design
• No support for Android devices
• Lack of third-party privacy audits

My final take? SurfEasy VPN is a decent choice for casual users who prioritize simplicity and ease of use over advanced features. It gets the job done for basic VPN needs like securing public Wi-Fi, streaming, and light torrenting.

But if you need more advanced features or support for Android devices, you might want to explore other options. I recommend CyberGhost and ExpressVPN, which offer robust VPN features. See our complete list of the best VPNs for 2025.

FAQs

1. Is SurfEasy VPN safe to use? While SurfEasy uses strong encryption and passed our IP and DNS leak tests, the lack of a kill switch and third-party audits might be concerning for users with high security needs.
2. Can SurfEasy VPN unblock Netflix? Yes, SurfEasy successfully unblocked Netflix US and UK in our tests. However, it didn't work with Netflix libraries from other countries like Germany, France, and Spain.
3. Does SurfEasy VPN work in China? SurfEasy doesn't advertise any specific features for bypassing strict censorship. If you need a VPN for use in countries with heavy internet restrictions, you might want to look for a provider that specializes in this area.
4. Is SurfEasy VPN good for gaming? While SurfEasy VPN works for casual gaming, the lack of gaming-specific features and the higher ping times we experienced (around 70 ms) make it less ideal for competitive gaming.
5. How many devices can I use with SurfEasy VPN? SurfEasy VPN allows up to 5 devices to be connected simultaneously with a single subscription.

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.