B
BESET vs Surfshark
Pricing, features, platforms and who each one suits — side by side.
E
Choose ESET if…
- you want to trial it before paying
- you're in its core audience: home users, families
S
Choose Surfshark if…
- you work on iOS, Chrome
- you're in its core audience: privacy-conscious individuals, families
Side by side
Feature ESET Surfshark
Pricing modelPaidPaid
Starting price—$2.49/mo
Free plan
Free trial
API
Open source
Data retention—Does not log online activity; servers RAM-only, wiped on restart
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Android, LinuxWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome
CategoryAntivirusVPN
CompanyESETSurfshark B.V.
Full feature lists
E ESET
- Real-time AI-powered malware and ransomware detection
- Anti-phishing and safe banking browser mode
- Firewall, Wi-Fi and router vulnerability testing
- Unlimited VPN data with router VPN option
- File and USB encryption
- Ransomware file recovery with automatic backups
- Dark web scanning and credit report monitoring
- Scanning AI chat responses for malicious links
S Surfshark
- 4500+ servers in 100 countries at 10 Gbps
- Unlimited simultaneous devices
- Split tunneling, rotating IP and double VPN
- Ad and cookie pop-up blocker
- Antivirus with real-time scans and webcam protection
- Scam text detection and AI email scam checker
- Data leak alerts for email, ID and credit cards
- Masked email and persona generator
Their home pages
What each vendor shows first: the pitch, the plans and the sign-up.
ESET · eset.com
Surfshark · surfshark.comWhat you'd pay
The cheapest plan that fits, per month, billed yearly where the plan offers it.
ESET
EssentialVaries by device count
PremiumVaries by device count
UltimateVaries by device count
Surfshark
Surfshark Starter$2.49/mo ($67.23 for first 27 months), or $2.99/mo on 12-month plan ($44.85 for first 15 months), or $18.95/mo billed monthly
Surfshark One$2.49/mo ($67.23 for first 27 months), or $3.09/mo on 12-month plan ($46.35 for first 15 months), or $19.95/mo billed monthly
Surfshark One+$3.99/mo ($107.73 for first 27 months), or $6.99/mo on 12-month plan ($104.85 for first 15 months), or $22.85/mo billed monthly
Price changes we've recorded
We re-read each pricing page every month and log what changed.
ESET
No changes since we started tracking.
Surfshark
- Nov 7, 2026Starting price: none → $2.49/mo; Surfshark Starter: £1.79/mo (£48.33 for first 27 months) → $2.49; Surfshark One: £1.79/mo (£48.33 for first 27 months) → $2.49; Surfshark One+: £2.89/mo (£78.03 for first 27 months) → $3.99
Strengths and limitations
ESET
- Vendor-reported 99.9% malware protection rate
- Small system footprint
- Higher home plans include unlimited VPN data
- Ultimate includes identity recovery with $1M insurance
- Ultimate plan requires at least 5 devices
- Premium includes only 3 VPN connections for 1–10 devices
- Identity protection features are only in the top tier
Surfshark
- Unlimited devices on one account
- 4500+ servers in 100 countries with RAM-only, audited no-logs setup
- Antivirus certified by AV-Test
- 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 support
- No free plan
- Identity theft coverage limited to US residents, excluding New York State
- Incogni data removal only for US, UK, EU, Swiss and Canadian residents
- Scam call protection not yet available
More comparisons
Other options to consider
BB
Freemium
B
Antivirus and security suites for homes, small businesses and enterprises
AntivirusFree plan
N
NN
From $1.67/mo
N
NN
Free trial
M
M
See site
A
AA
Freemium
A
AA
Free trial
Facts from each vendor's public pages, prices checked Nov 7, 2026. Editorial policy