Finding a reliable and affordable Virtual Private Network (VPN) for long-term use is crucial for maintaining your online privacy, accessing geo-restricted content, and enhancing your cybersecurity. Both Surfshark and VPN Unlimited offer appealing long-term subscriptions, but which one provides the best value? This article compares these two VPN providers, examining their pricing, features, support, and security to help you make an informed decision.
Pricing and Subscription Options
Surfshark’s pricing structure favors longer commitments. While the monthly subscription is relatively expensive at $15.45, the annual plan drops to $48. An even better deal is the two-year subscription for $56. For new subscribers, Surfshark sweetens the deal with an additional four months free, effectively lowering the monthly cost to $3 for the annual plan and an impressive $2 for the two-year plan. However, it’s important to note that this bonus is exclusively for new customers.
SurfsharkSurfshark’s long-term plans offer significant savings.
VPN Unlimited offers a unique lifetime subscription for a one-time payment of $200. While the monthly subscription costs $10 and the annual subscription is $60, the lifetime option presents significant long-term savings potential. The equivalent monthly cost for the annual plan is $5. With the lifetime plan, your average monthly cost decreases over time, starting at $16.67 in the first year and dropping to $5 about three years and four months in.
VPN UnlimitedVPN Unlimited offers a compelling lifetime subscription.
Performance and Features
A competitive price isn’t enough; a VPN must also deliver robust performance and essential features. Surfshark boasts impressive speeds, reaching 728Mbps in tests, with a native connection speed of 900Mbps. Even when connected to overseas servers in the U.K., France, and Germany, download speeds remained consistently high, averaging around 620Mbps.
Surfshark Speed TestSurfshark demonstrated impressive speeds, especially on nearby servers.
VPN Unlimited performed well, achieving a download speed of 595Mbps on a U.S. server. However, international server speeds were notably lower, with the U.K. at 278Mbps, France at 205Mbps, and Germany at only 79Mbps. While Surfshark outperformed VPN Unlimited in speed tests, VPN Unlimited still offered adequate speeds for streaming.
VPN Unlimited Speed TestVPN Unlimited offered good speeds on local servers.
Both services demonstrated low latency on local servers and acceptable latency on international servers. However, Surfshark connected significantly faster, typically within five seconds, compared to VPN Unlimited’s connection time of up to 30 seconds. Both VPNs offer advanced features such as kill switches, split tunneling, and more.
Customer Support
Surfshark provides 24/7 live chat support, initially connecting you with an AI chatbot before seamlessly transferring you to a human agent upon request. This provides quick and efficient assistance.
Surfshark SupportSurfshark offers convenient 24/7 live chat support.
VPN Unlimited offers 24/7 email support, with response times varying. While email support can be effective, it often lacks the immediacy of live chat, especially for complex issues requiring back-and-forth communication.
Privacy and Security
Both providers claim to protect user privacy by not sharing or selling personal data to third parties. Surfshark’s no-log policy has undergone independent auditing, providing further assurance of their commitment to privacy. While VPN Unlimited also claims a no-log policy, it lacks independent verification. Neither service has experienced any known security breaches, demonstrating a strong track record in cybersecurity.
The Verdict: Which VPN Reigns Supreme?
Surfshark offers superior performance with faster speeds, lower latency, and quicker connection times. Combined with its 24/7 live chat support and independently audited no-log policy, Surfshark emerges as the top choice for a long-term VPN solution. While VPN Unlimited’s lifetime subscription offers attractive long-term value, its performance and support fall short of Surfshark. Ultimately, the best VPN depends on your individual needs and priorities. Thorough research is crucial to find the perfect fit.
