Atlas VPN vs. Surfshark: Which One is Better? (2024)

Atlas VPN works with Windows, macOS, and Linux PCs, and besides, there are apps for Android and iOS devices. It also supports Android TV and Amazon Fire TV.

Unfortunately, it is not compatible with routers and gaming consoles.

The company says it’s in the process of bringing routers and other devices on board. But one good thing about Atlas VPN is that it allows unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can connect as many devices as you want.

On the other hand, Surfshark supports the major PC platforms, talk of Windows, macOS, and Linux.

There are also browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. Besides PCs, Surfshark has apps for mobile devices using Android and iOS alongside routers, gaming consoles, Smart TVs, Fire Sticks, and so on.

This is one area where Surfshark beats Atlas VPN hands down. When it comes to the number of devices you can connect simultaneously, Surfshark allows for unlimited connections.

AtlasVPN free version is easy to get started with. All you have to do is download the free software version, and that’s it. However, the process is a bit complex for the paid plans.

First, hit the Get Premium button, redirecting to the plans page, where you must select a preferred plan. Then, proceed to Checkout, enter your email address, add a payment method and complete the purchase.

Then, set up an account, download the software, and log in. It’s that simple. The Atlas VPN interface is straightforward and intuitive, so finding your way around is easy.

Surfshark is also a user-friendly VPN with an easy registration process.

The first step in the registration process is clicking the Get Surfshark button, which redirects to the plans page. Here, you need to select a plan and continue to the checkout page.

The next step is entering a valid email address, adding the preferred payment method, and completing the order.

After completing the purchase, set up your account, download the software and log in. You are all set now. The interface is equally user-friendly, just like Atlas VPN’s.

One of the shortcomings of Atlas VPN is that it supports just 2 protocols; IKEv2/IPSec and WireGuard.

IKEv2/IPSec is a stable protocol supported across several devices and offers excellent security and a seamless internet experience even against network changes.

On the other hand, WireGuard is a modern protocol optimized for speed and security.

Surfshark has the edge in terms of protocols as it supports 3 protocols; IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN, and WireGuard.

If you want stable connections across different networks, IKEv2/IPSec will be the best choice, while for a balance between speeds and security, WireGuard is the best choice.

One addition is OpenVPN, which is considered the industry standard. OpenVPN is open source and a lightweight protocol that offers airtight security.

Unfortunately, Atlas VPN is based in the United States, a country with a tight grip on its citizens’ online activity.

Besides, it is the founding member of the 5 Eyes alliance. So, to say the least, the United States can’t be trusted when it comes to your online privacy.

Surfshark is not any good either, as it is based in the Netherlands, a country that is part of the 9 Eyes alliance.

This means the Dutch government has an obligation to share data with other members of the surveillance alliance.

Atlas VPN has a no-log policy. It does not collect or store personally identifiable information such as your real and assigned IP address, browsing activity, connection logs, timestamps, etc.

However, the company admits that it collects your billing information and address but doesn’t share this information. When it comes to audits, Atlas VPN’s log policy has not been audited yet.

Surfshark, too, is a no-log VPN that doesn’t collect or store any personally identifiable information that could be used to track you.

It states clearly that it doesn’t log your IP address, browsing history, bandwidth, session information, network traffic, or connection timestamps. One great thing about Surfshark is that its log policy has been independently audited by Cure53.

Atlas VPN may be a good VPN, but there is room for improvement when it comes to its server network and distribution. As of 2022, the company has around 750 servers in 45 locations in Europe, the Americas, and Asia Pacific.

Just to note, you get access to all the servers with a paid plan, but on the freemium version, you can only access US and Netherlands servers.

These highly specialized servers offer decent speeds and allow P2P activity, streaming, and gaming but can’t match Surfshark’s.

We like that they are privacy-pro servers engineered for security courtesy of SafeSwap and MultiHop+. However, note that these two features are not available on all servers.

Surfshark is the best option in terms of server network and distribution. The provider has over 3,200 servers in 65 countries in Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East.

The servers boast top-of-the-line hardware for reliability. Surfshark is the best option if you want high speeds, as all servers come with a 1Gbps port, while daily updates add 10GBps ports.

One thing that sets Surfshark apart from the rest is the fact that all these servers are RAM-only servers that wipe out all data after every reboot, so your privacy is on another level. Also worth mentioning are the specialized servers.

There are obfuscated servers that give you an extra layer of anonymity, virtual servers for faster speeds and content access, and private DNS servers that further enhance security by bypassing your local DNS.

Atlas VPN is a good VPN for streaming. We tried unblocking several Netflix libraries, and it worked perfectly. Besides Netflix, we tried several other sites, including Amazon Prime Video, HBO, Hulu, Apple TV, Crunchyroll, DAZN, and BBC iPlayer, and it worked perfectly.

AtlasVPN also performed exceptionally in P2P sharing and torrenting on all the servers. We launched several torrenting sessions, and it got the job done, only that the speeds were rather slow now that we were 100Mbps connections, and speed losses were up to 50%.

On gaming, Atlas VPN is a reliable VPN that can prevent DDoS attacks and other threats in the online gaming scene. You can also count on Atlas VPN to access geo-restricted content and discount. However, the speeds were not that good, and so was the latency (35ms).

Surfshark is also a reliable VPN for streaming. In our tests, we managed to unblock several Netflix libraries with a high success rate. Besides Netflix, Surfshark works with other streaming sites, including Hulu, Apple TV, BC iPlayer, Popcorn Time, Paramount+, and Kodi.

The high success rate can be attributed to the fact that Surfshark has streaming-friendly servers. When it comes to torrenting, it was also exceptional. We launched several torrenting sessions and managed to get our files faster than when using Atlas VPN.

At no time did the speeds drop because of bandwidth throttling. There are P2P-friendly servers, and besides, Surfshark doesn’t prohibit torrenting, so you are safe as long as torrenting is allowed in your country. Last, on gaming, Surfshark is very secure, so you are protected from DDoS attacks and other threats.

It’s also possible to access geo-restricted gaming content and discounts. Regarding speed, Surfshark is better than Atlas VPN, so you can enjoy smooth and lag-free gaming. In our tests, the speeds were decent, and the latency averaged 26ms.

Atlas VPN Has robust multichannel support. The best option is live chat, available 24/7. However, you must enter your email and verify it before getting in touch with a live chat support agent.

We find this quite tedious. You can also send an email or use the email ticketing system, but feedback is not immediate here.

Other options include detailed guides and the FAQ section that answers all the common questions users ask.

Surfshark, too, understands the importance of reliable customer support as it also has multichannel customer support.

The best option here is the 24/7 live chat which offers instant feedback. We are glad the agents are knowledgeable on all matters.

Besides live chat, Surfshark has an email ticketing system, but unfortunately, response takes a while. You can also take advantage of the detailed user guides, tutorials, or FAQ section.