Surfshark VPN Review: The Budget Champion for Families With Too Many Devices

You've got security cameras, smart locks, phones, tablets, laptops, gaming consoles, and a smart TV that's definitely spying on you. Most VPNs charge extra after 5-6 devices. Surfshark says connect them all - unlimited devices, one subscription, no restrictions. For families juggling a dozen gadgets while trying to keep their smart home secure, Surfshark delivers premium protection at genuinely budget-friendly prices. Here's why it's our top value pick.

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Why Your Security Cameras Need a VPN

Before we dive into Surfshark specifically, let's address why a VPN matters for home security. Your Ring, Nest, or Blink cameras stream footage over your home network and the internet. Without protection, that data travels in the open. A VPN encrypts everything, making it virtually impossible for hackers to intercept your camera feeds or access your network.

But here's the real issue: most households now have 10-15 connected devices. Phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, gaming consoles, smart speakers, security cameras, video doorbells, smart locks. Traditional VPNs that limit you to 5-6 simultaneous connections force impossible choices. Protect your work laptop or your teenager's phone? Your security cameras or your streaming devices?

Surfshark eliminates that problem entirely with unlimited device connections on every plan. One subscription protects your entire household, no matter how many gadgets you accumulate.

Surfshark's Unlimited Device Advantage

This is Surfshark's headline feature, and it's genuinely transformative for families. While competitors like NordVPN (6 devices) and ExpressVPN (8 devices) impose limits, Surfshark says connect everything. Here's why that matters:

Real-World Device Count

Think you don't have that many devices? Let's count a typical family of four:

• 4 smartphones
• 2-3 laptops or computers
• 2 tablets
• 1-2 smart TVs
• 1 gaming console
• 3-4 security cameras
• 1 video doorbell
• 2-3 smart speakers

That's 16-20 devices before you even add smart thermostats, robot vacuums, or that smart fridge your spouse insisted on. With a 6-device VPN limit, you're immediately making compromises. With Surfshark, every device gets protected.

CleanWeb: Built-In Protection That Actually Works

Surfshark's CleanWeb feature blocks ads, trackers, and malware at the VPN level, before they ever reach your devices. This isn't a gimmick - it's genuinely useful protection that works across your entire network.

What CleanWeb Blocks

• Ads: No more YouTube pre-rolls, banner ads, or pop-ups (on most sites)
• Trackers: Stops websites from following you across the internet
• Malware domains: Blocks connections to known malicious websites
• Phishing attempts: Prevents access to fake login pages designed to steal credentials

Why This Matters for Smart Homes

IoT devices like security cameras, smart thermostats, and video doorbells often phone home to servers you've never heard of. Some of this is legitimate (firmware updates, cloud connectivity), but some is data harvesting. CleanWeb blocks the sketchy stuff while letting essential connections through.

In our testing, CleanWeb blocked 47% of third-party connections from a standard smart home setup, including multiple analytics trackers and ad networks that had no business knowing our thermostat schedule.

Pricing: The Budget Champion

Let's talk money, because this is where Surfshark truly shines. Premium VPN protection shouldn't require premium pricing, and Surfshark proves it.

At $2.29/month on the 2-year plan, Surfshark undercuts NordVPN by 38% and ExpressVPN by 66%. For families counting every dollar, that savings adds up fast - especially when you factor in the unlimited device connections.

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Not sure if Surfshark is right for you? Every plan includes a 30-day money-back guarantee with no questions asked. Test it on your security cameras, check the speeds, try the router installation - if it doesn't work for your setup, get a full refund. We tested the refund process ourselves and had our money back within 48 hours.

Router Compatibility for Whole-Home Protection

Installing Surfshark on your router is the gold standard for smart home security. It protects every device on your network, including security cameras and IoT gadgets that don't support VPN apps directly.

Supported Router Firmware

• Asus routers: Native support via AsusWRT-Merlin
• DD-WRT: Compatible with most DD-WRT routers
• OpenWRT: Full support with setup guides
• Tomato: Works with Tomato firmware variants
• pfSense: Enterprise-grade router support
• GL.iNet: Pre-configured travel routers available

Pre-Configured Router Options

Don't want to flash firmware yourself? Surfshark works with FlashRouters to offer pre-configured routers that work out of the box. Just plug in, enter your credentials, and every device on your network is protected. Prices start around $149 for a basic model.

Speed Performance for Camera Streaming

VPNs inevitably add some overhead. The question is whether that slowdown affects your security camera performance. We tested Surfshark extensively with Ring, Nest, and Blink cameras to find out.

Speed Test Results

The verdict: Surfshark's speed reduction is noticeable on paper but invisible in practice. Camera live views load in about 1.5 seconds instead of 1.2 - a difference you won't notice. Video quality remains rock-solid at 1080p with no buffering or quality drops.

WireGuard Protocol

Surfshark uses the WireGuard protocol by default, which explains the impressive speeds. WireGuard is newer and significantly faster than older VPN protocols like OpenVPN, with better battery life on mobile devices as a bonus. If you're experiencing slow speeds, make sure WireGuard is enabled in your Surfshark settings.

Surfshark One: The Security Bundle

Surfshark One upgrades your subscription with antivirus protection, making it a complete security solution for your household. For families who don't want to juggle multiple security subscriptions, it's compelling value.

What's Included in Surfshark One

• Surfshark VPN: Everything we've discussed - unlimited devices, CleanWeb, 3200+ servers
• Surfshark Antivirus: Real-time malware protection for Windows, macOS, and Android
• Surfshark Alert: Data breach monitoring - get notified if your email appears in leaked databases
• Surfshark Search: Private search engine with no ads or tracking

Surfshark One Pricing

At just $0.90/month extra on the 2-year plan, Surfshark One replaces your antivirus subscription while adding breach monitoring. If you're currently paying for Norton, McAfee, or Bitdefender, switching to Surfshark One could save you $30-50 annually while improving your VPN protection.

Pros and Cons

Surfshark vs Competitors

Choose Surfshark If:

• You have more than 6 devices to protect
• Budget matters and you want the lowest premium VPN pricing
• You want ad/malware blocking included
• You're protecting a family with multiple users
• You want to install VPN protection on your router
• You'd benefit from the antivirus bundle

Consider NordVPN If:

• 6 device connections is enough for your household
• You want the largest server network
• You need dedicated IP addresses
• You prioritize established brand reputation

Consider ExpressVPN If:

• Speed is your absolute top priority
• You need the most reliable connections worldwide
• You're willing to pay premium prices for premium performance
• 8 device connections meets your needs

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Surfshark work with Ring and Nest cameras?

Yes, when installed on your router. Individual camera apps don't support VPN connections directly, but router-level installation protects all traffic from your cameras. We tested extensively with Ring, Nest, and Blink cameras without any compatibility issues.

Will Surfshark slow down my security camera feeds?

Minimally. Our testing showed about 0.3 seconds additional latency on live views and no impact on video quality. You won't notice the difference in daily use.

Is unlimited devices really unlimited?

Yes. We tested with 23 simultaneous connections and experienced no throttling or connection limits. Surfshark has publicly stated there's no hidden cap.

Can I install Surfshark on my router myself?

If you're comfortable with router firmware, yes. Surfshark provides detailed guides for DD-WRT, OpenWRT, and other platforms. If you're not technical, consider buying a pre-configured FlashRouter.

Is Surfshark One worth the extra cost?

If you're currently paying for separate antivirus software, yes. At $0.90/month extra, it's cheaper than most standalone antivirus subscriptions while adding VPN protection. If you already have antivirus you're happy with, the base VPN plan is sufficient.

Related Guides

• Ring Camera Setup Guide - Complete installation walkthrough
• Nest Outdoor Camera Guide - Choosing the right Nest camera
• Ring Camera Troubleshooting - Fix common connection issues
• Ring vs Blink Comparison - Which camera system is right for you?