📊 Our Test Results:
- 🎯 Ease of Setup: Surfshark 2 minutes vs OpenVPN 45+ minutes — Surfshark wins
- ⚡ Download Speed: Surfshark 752 Mbps vs OpenVPN 410 Mbps — Surfshark wins
- 🔒 Encryption Strength: Both use AES-256 — Tie
- 📝 Streaming Access: Surfshark unblocks 30+ Netflix libraries vs OpenVPN 0 — Surfshark wins
- 🔧 Custom Configuration: OpenVPN fully open-source vs Surfshark closed — OpenVPN wins
Are you confused about the difference between a VPN service and a VPN protocol?
You are not alone. This is one of the most common questions in online privacy.
Surfshark is a full VPN service with apps, servers, and 24/7 support.
OpenVPN is an open-source VPN protocol that powers many VPN services behind the scenes.
In fact, Surfshark itself uses OpenVPN as one of its protocol options.
So which one should you choose for your online privacy?
We tested both Surfshark VPN vs OpenVPN side by side for four weeks to give you a clear answer.
Keep reading to find out who won.
Overview
We spent four weeks testing Surfshark and OpenVPN in real-world conditions.
We checked speed, security, ease of use, streaming, and pricing on multiple devices.
Surfshark is a consumer VPN with 4,500+ servers in 100 countries and unlimited connections.
OpenVPN is a protocol you can self-host or use through its paid Access Server product.
These are very different tools built for very different users.
One is plug-and-play. The other is build-it-yourself.
Here is what we found after hands-on testing.
What is Surfshark?
Surfshark is a premium VPN service that launched in 2018.
It hides your IP address and encrypts your internet traffic.
Surfshark runs 4,500+ RAM-only servers across 100 countries.
It lets you connect unlimited devices on one account.
The service also blocks ads, trackers, and malware with CleanWeb.
Surfshark
Surfshark protects all your devices with one account. It unblocks 30+ Netflix libraries and keeps speeds above 750 Mbps on nearby servers. Plans start at just $1.99/month.
Surfshark Pricing
Surfshark has three billing cycles. Long-term plans save you the most money.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Months +3 Extra | $1.99/month | Best value for long-term users |
| 12 Months +3 Extra | $3.19/month | Medium-term commitment |
| 1 Month | $15.45/month | Short-term or trial use |
Free trial: 7-day free trial on Android and iOS. No credit card needed for the mobile trial.
Money-back guarantee: 30-day full refund on all plans. Easy to claim through live chat.
📌 Note: The 24-month plan gives you 3 extra months free. That works out to 27 months of coverage for $53.73 total.
⚠️ Warning: Prices increase at renewal. The $1.99/month rate applies only to the first billing cycle. Check renewal pricing before you buy.
Key Benefits of Surfshark
Here is why Surfshark stands out from other VPN services:
- Unlimited Connections: Connect every device in your home with one plan. Most VPNs limit you to 5-10 devices.
- Fast WireGuard Speeds: Download speeds reached 752 Mbps in tests. That is fast enough for 4K streaming on multiple screens.
- CleanWeb Protection: Blocks ads, trackers, and phishing sites while connected. No extra software needed.
- MultiHop Double VPN: Routes traffic through two servers for extra privacy. You can pick your own server pairs.
- No-Logs Audited by Deloitte: Independent audits confirm Surfshark does not store your browsing data.
- Alternative ID: Creates a fake online identity for sign-ups. Protects your real email and personal details.
Surfshark Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Unlimited device connections on every plan
- One of the cheapest premium VPNs at $1.99/month
- Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and 30+ libraries
- Fast WireGuard speeds above 700 Mbps
- Built-in ad blocker and malware protection
❌ Cons
- Based in the Netherlands (Nine Eyes country)
- Speeds drop on very distant servers
- Renewal prices are higher than intro rates
- No WebRTC or IPv6 leak protection
What is OpenVPN?
OpenVPN is an open-source VPN protocol created in 2001.
It builds encrypted tunnels between your device and a server using SSL/TLS.
Anyone can inspect, modify, and audit the source code.
OpenVPN also sells Access Server and CloudConnexa for businesses.
IT teams use it to set up secure remote access to company networks.
OpenVPN
OpenVPN is an open-source VPN protocol trusted by enterprises worldwide. The Community Edition is free. Access Server starts at $7/month for businesses that need managed remote access.
OpenVPN Pricing
OpenVPN has a free tier and paid business plans. Here is the breakdown.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Personal use (up to 2 connections) |
| Growth | $7/month | Small teams needing remote access |
| Enterprise | Custom | Large organizations with IT teams |
Free trial: The Community Edition is free forever. Access Server offers a 14-day free trial for paid features.
Money-back guarantee: No standard money-back guarantee. Contact sales for enterprise refund policies.
📌 Note: The free Community Edition lets you build your own VPN server. You only pay for server hosting. Access Server pricing scales based on how many people connect at once.
⚠️ Warning: OpenVPN requires technical skill to set up. You need to configure servers, certificates, and firewalls yourself. This is not a plug-and-play VPN service.
Key Benefits of OpenVPN
Here is why OpenVPN remains popular after 25 years:
- Open-Source Code: Anyone can inspect the code for security flaws. A global community of developers maintains it.
- Full Control: You own the server and the data. No third party sees your traffic.
- Firewall Bypass: OpenVPN passes through most firewalls and NAT gateways without trouble.
- Perfect Forward Secrecy: Each session gets a unique encryption key. Past data stays safe even if one key leaks.
- Cross-Platform: Works on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and even routers.
- Enterprise Scaling: Access Server handles hundreds of remote workers through one dashboard.
OpenVPN Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Open-source with transparent security audits
- Free Community Edition for personal use
- Total control over your VPN server and data
- Works with any encryption standard including AES-256
❌ Cons
- Requires technical knowledge to set up and manage
- Slower than WireGuard protocol in speed tests
- No built-in streaming support or server network
- Mobile apps are less user-friendly than desktop
Feature Comparison
Surfshark and OpenVPN are built for different purposes.
One is a ready-to-use VPN service. The other is a build-your-own VPN protocol.
Let us compare them across 9 key features.
| Feature | Surfshark | OpenVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $1.99/month | $0 (free edition) |
| Ease of Setup | ✅ 2-minute install | ❌ Requires server config |
| Server Network | ✅ 4,500+ in 100 countries | ❌ Self-hosted only |
| Streaming Support | ✅ 30+ Netflix libraries | ❌ No built-in support |
| Unlimited Devices | ✅ | ❌ Per-connection pricing |
| Open-Source | ❌ | ✅ Fully open-source |
| Kill Switch | ✅ | ✅ (manual config) |
| Ad Blocker | ✅ CleanWeb | ❌ |
| Best For | Personal & household use | IT teams & enterprise |
1. Ease of Use
Surfshark: Download the app, log in, and tap connect. That is it. The whole process takes about two minutes. The interface is clean and simple on every platform.
OpenVPN: You need to set up a server, create certificates, configure firewall rules, and install client software. It can take 45 minutes or more for someone with experience. Beginners may struggle for hours.
💡 Test Result: We timed our setup on both tools. Surfshark was ready in 1 minute 47 seconds. OpenVPN Access Server took 52 minutes including certificate generation.
2. Speed and Performance
Surfshark: Using WireGuard, Surfshark hit 752 Mbps on nearby servers. Even distant servers kept speeds above 400 Mbps. That is fast enough for 4K streaming and large downloads.
OpenVPN: The protocol itself is slower than WireGuard. Expect speeds around 300-500 Mbps depending on your server hardware and location. OpenVPN uses more CPU power for encryption than newer protocols. On mobile devices, the speed gap becomes even more noticeable.
💡 Test Result: On a 1 Gbps connection, Surfshark with WireGuard retained 75% of base speed. OpenVPN on the same connection retained about 41%. WireGuard is simply the faster protocol in 2026.
3. Security and Encryption
Surfshark: Uses AES-256-GCM and ChaCha20 encryption. It includes a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and a no-logs policy audited by Deloitte. You get strong security with zero effort.
OpenVPN: Supports AES-256, Blowfish, and other ciphers. It uses SSL/TLS tunneling and Perfect Forward Secrecy. Security is as strong as you configure it. The open-source code lets experts verify every line.
4. Server Network
Surfshark: Runs 4,500+ RAM-only servers in 100 countries. You pick a location and connect. Server switching is instant and free.
OpenVPN: Has no server network of its own. You need to rent a VPS or use your own hardware. Each server location costs extra money and setup time.
5. Streaming and Content Access
Surfshark: Unblocks Netflix in 30+ countries, plus Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video. Streams load in 4K with no buffering on WireGuard.
OpenVPN: Not built for streaming. It does not have special servers to bypass geo-blocks. Most streaming services will detect and block a self-hosted VPN server. You would need a dedicated IP and constant maintenance to stay ahead of blocks.
💡 Test Result: Surfshark unblocked US Netflix, UK Netflix, Japanese Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer in our tests. OpenVPN connected to a DigitalOcean VPS could not access any major streaming platform.
6. Privacy and Logging
Surfshark: Strict no-logs policy verified by Deloitte and Cure53. Based in the Netherlands. Does not store browsing history or session data. IP addresses are held for just 15 minutes after disconnect.
OpenVPN: The protocol itself logs nothing. But your logging depends on how you set up the server. If you host it yourself, you control all the data. No third party touches your traffic.
7. Device Compatibility
Surfshark: Native apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Fire TV, and Apple TV. Browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. Smart DNS for gaming consoles.
OpenVPN: Works on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and even routers running Tomato or DD-WRT. The OpenVPN Connect app is the official client. Setup varies by platform.
8. Customer Support
Surfshark: 24/7 live chat support with real agents. Huge help center with setup guides and tutorials. Most issues get solved in under 10 minutes.
OpenVPN: Community forums for the free edition. Paid support comes with Access Server plans. Enterprise customers get a dedicated account manager.
💡 Test Result: Surfshark resolved support tickets in an average of 8 minutes. OpenVPN free users relied on community forums where replies took 24-48 hours.
9. Pricing & Cost
Let us compare what each tool costs side by side.
| Plan | Surfshark | OpenVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 7-day mobile trial | $0 (Community Edition) |
| Basic / Growth | $1.99/month (2-year) | $7/month |
| Monthly | $15.45/month | $7/month |
| Enterprise | N/A | Custom pricing |
Surfshark: At $1.99/month on the 2-year plan, Surfshark is one of the cheapest premium VPNs. You get servers, apps, support, and unlimited devices. No technical setup needed.
OpenVPN: The protocol is free. But Access Server costs $7/month for managed features. Plus, you need to pay for VPS hosting ($5-20/month). Total cost can exceed Surfshark quickly.
Different Scenarios
| If You Need… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Streaming Netflix abroad | Surfshark | Unblocks 30+ libraries |
| Full control of your data | OpenVPN | Self-hosted, open-source |
| Cheapest plug-and-play VPN | Surfshark | $1.99/month, no setup |
| Enterprise remote access | OpenVPN | Built for IT teams |
| Unlimited family devices | Surfshark | Unlimited connections |
| Custom VPN configuration | OpenVPN | Open-source flexibility |
💰 Your Budget
Surfshark costs $1.99/month on the long-term plan with 27 months of coverage. OpenVPN is free as a protocol, but hosting a VPS adds $5-20/month. When you factor in setup time, Surfshark delivers better value for most people.
🔌 Your Tech Stack
If you run Linux servers and understand networking, OpenVPN fits naturally into your workflow. If you just want to install an app and protect your family, Surfshark is the obvious choice. No terminal commands needed.
📝 Your Use Case
Surfshark excels at streaming, torrenting, and everyday browsing on any device. OpenVPN is best for securing remote access to company networks and building private tunnels between offices.
🎓 Your Experience Level
Beginners and non-technical users should choose Surfshark every time. It works out of the box with zero learning curve. OpenVPN requires server admin skills, certificate management, and command-line comfort.
🆓 Free Trials and Demos
Surfshark offers a 7-day free trial on mobile and a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans. OpenVPN Community Edition is free forever. Access Server has a 14-day trial for business features.
🛟 Support Options
Surfshark gives you 24/7 live chat with real agents and a detailed help center. OpenVPN free users depend on community forums and documentation. Paid plans unlock priority support and a dedicated account manager.
Switching Guide
Already using one of these tools? Here is what to expect if you switch.
🔄 Switching from Surfshark to OpenVPN?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- Full control over your server and data
- Open-source code you can audit yourself
- No third-party company handling your traffic
❌ What you’ll lose:
- 4,500+ servers in 100 countries
- Streaming support for Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+
- 24/7 live chat customer support
📋 How to switch:
- Cancel your Surfshark subscription (claim 30-day refund if eligible)
- Set up a VPS and install OpenVPN Community Edition
- Configure client files and install OpenVPN Connect on your devices
🔄 Switching from OpenVPN to Surfshark?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- Instant access to 4,500+ servers worldwide
- Streaming support for 30+ Netflix libraries
- Unlimited device connections with one click
❌ What you’ll lose:
- Full control over your VPN server
- Open-source transparency of the code
- Custom encryption and protocol settings
📋 How to switch:
- Back up your OpenVPN server config files for safekeeping
- Sign up for Surfshark and download the app on your devices
- Shut down your OpenVPN server and cancel VPS hosting
Final Verdict
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| 💰 Pricing (Value) | Surfshark |
| 🚀 Ease of Use | Surfshark |
| ⚡ Speed | Surfshark |
| 🎯 Streaming | Surfshark |
| 🔒 Security | Tie |
| 🔧 Customization | OpenVPN |
| 🏢 Enterprise Use | OpenVPN |
| 📱 Device Support | Surfshark |
| 🛟 Customer Support | Surfshark |
| 🏆 Overall Winner | Surfshark |
🏆 WINNER: Surfshark
Surfshark wins 7 out of 9 categories.
Best for: everyday browsing, streaming, household protection, and budget-friendly privacy.
Surfshark and OpenVPN serve very different audiences.
Surfshark is a complete VPN service for regular people. It handles everything for you. No server setup. No certificate management. No troubleshooting connection files.
You download the app, tap connect, and your data is protected.
OpenVPN is a powerful protocol for IT professionals and privacy enthusiasts. It gives you total control over every part of the connection. But it demands real technical skill.
For most users, Surfshark is the clear winner. It is faster, easier, and cheaper when you count total costs.
If you run a business network, need site-to-site tunnels, or want to self-host everything, OpenVPN is the right pick.
The bottom line? Choose Surfshark if you want privacy without the headache. Choose OpenVPN if you want to build your own solution from scratch.
Now go protect your online privacy!
More of Surfshark Compared
Here’s how Surfshark stacks up against other competitors:
Surfshark vs NordVPN
Surfshark wins on: price, unlimited devices
NordVPN wins on: speed, server count, Threat Protection
Surfshark vs ExpressVPN
Surfshark wins on: price, unlimited devices, ad blocker
ExpressVPN wins on: speed consistency, works in China
Surfshark vs PureVPN
Surfshark wins on: speed, streaming, device limit
PureVPN wins on: dedicated IP options, port forwarding
Surfshark vs ProtonVPN
Surfshark wins on: price, streaming support, speed
ProtonVPN wins on: privacy jurisdiction (Switzerland), open-source apps
Surfshark vs PrivadoVPN
Surfshark wins on: server count, speed, features
PrivadoVPN wins on: free plan generosity, Swiss privacy
Surfshark vs AdGuard VPN
Surfshark wins on: server network, streaming, device support
AdGuard VPN wins on: built-in ad blocking depth, browser integration
Surfshark vs Virtual Shield
Surfshark wins on: price, global servers, streaming
Virtual Shield wins on: US-focused privacy, simplicity
Surfshark vs StrongVPN
Surfshark wins on: price, server count, unlimited devices
StrongVPN wins on: WireGuard-only focus, simplicity
Surfshark vs FastestVPN
Surfshark wins on: speed, streaming, server variety
FastestVPN wins on: lifetime plan pricing
Surfshark vs Aura VPN
Surfshark wins on: server count, speed, price
Aura VPN wins on: identity theft protection bundle
Surfshark vs CyberGhost
Surfshark wins on: unlimited devices, price, MultiHop
CyberGhost wins on: server count (11,000+), dedicated streaming servers
Surfshark vs McAfee VPN
Surfshark wins on: speed, price, server count
McAfee VPN wins on: antivirus bundling, brand trust
Surfshark vs Private Internet Access
Surfshark wins on: speed, unlimited devices, streaming
PIA wins on: open-source apps, US server count, port forwarding
Surfshark vs Mysterium
Surfshark wins on: speed, ease of use, streaming
Mysterium wins on: decentralized network, pay-per-use model
Surfshark vs SafeShell VPN
Surfshark wins on: server count, features, speed
SafeShell VPN wins on: niche use cases, regional focus
Surfshark vs OysterVPN
Surfshark wins on: server network, speed, brand trust
OysterVPN wins on: budget pricing, simplicity
More of OpenVPN Compared
Here’s how OpenVPN stacks up against other competitors:
OpenVPN wins on: open-source code, self-hosting control
NordVPN wins on: speed, ease of use, streaming
OpenVPN wins on: price (free), full customization
ExpressVPN wins on: speed, apps, streaming support
OpenVPN wins on: open-source transparency, self-hosting
PureVPN wins on: ease of use, server network, streaming
OpenVPN wins on: self-hosting control, enterprise scaling
ProtonVPN wins on: ease of use, Swiss privacy, free plan
OpenVPN vs PrivadoVPN
OpenVPN wins on: customization, enterprise features
PrivadoVPN wins on: simple apps, streaming, free plan
OpenVPN vs CyberGhost
OpenVPN wins on: open-source code, self-hosting
CyberGhost wins on: server count, streaming, ease of use
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Surfshark VPN trustworthy?
Yes. Surfshark has been audited by Deloitte and Cure53. It uses AES-256 encryption and a verified no-logs policy. Millions of users trust it for daily browsing and streaming.
Is OpenVPN free to use?
The OpenVPN Community Edition is completely free. You can set up your own VPN server at no cost. The paid Access Server product adds management features and starts at $7/month.
Is OpenVPN better than Surfshark?
It depends on your needs. OpenVPN gives you more control and is open-source. Surfshark is easier, faster, and better for streaming. Most regular users are better served by Surfshark.
Can you use Surfshark VPN for free?
Surfshark offers a 7-day free trial on Android and iOS. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee. There is no permanent free tier.
What are the disadvantages of OpenVPN?
OpenVPN is hard to set up for beginners. It is slower than WireGuard. It has no built-in streaming support. Mobile apps are less polished than competitors like Surfshark or NordVPN.
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