Surfshark VPN
A lightweight Surfshark extension that protects browser traffic and adds ad, tracker and breach-alert tools. The 7-day trial needs payment details first.
Key fact: a browser extension is not a device-wide VPN. Surfshark describes the extension as a lightweight tool that protects your browser traffic. Other apps on your computer keep their normal connection.
Why it's a strong pick
Surfshark's extension packs more than a connection button. Surfshark lists a tool for blocking ads and trackers, a split-tunneling option and an alternative email address for sign-ups, all in the extension. Surfshark also says one subscription covers unlimited simultaneous connections. The trade-offs: the trial asks for payment details up front, and the extension covers the browser only.
What it does
The extension protects your browser traffic and lets you change your virtual location. Surfshark's help center also describes a feature set called Clean Web, which blocks ads and pop-ups and offers data breach alert and malware alert options. You need a Surfshark account to use it.
Key features
- Clean Web. Surfshark lists ad and pop-up blocking, plus breach alert and malware alert options. Surfshark also says it blocks cookie pop-ups and helps against fingerprinting. Those are Surfshark's claims.
- Bypasser. Split tunneling, so chosen sites skip the VPN.
- Alternative ID. An alternative email address you can use when you sign up to sites, with an auto-fill function.
- Unlimited connections. Surfshark says one subscription covers unlimited simultaneous connections.
- Browsers. Surfshark lists Chrome (also Brave and Opera), Firefox and Edge.
Who it's for
Surfshark suits people who already use Surfshark, or want a browser tool with ad blocking and an alternative email in one place. It is a poor fit if you want a free option with no payment details. See Proton VPN for a free plan. It also will not cover apps outside the browser.
Is the Surfshark extension a full VPN?
No. Surfshark says the extension protects your browser traffic. It does not cover other apps on your device. For that you need Surfshark's own app. Think of the extension as a lightweight browser tool, and do not expect device-wide coverage from it.
How does the Surfshark free trial work?
Surfshark offers a 7-day free trial on up to 3 devices, but it collects payment details up front. After the trial you move onto a paid subscription. If you do not want to pay, set a reminder to cancel before day 7. Check Surfshark's trial page for current terms.
What does Surfshark say about logs?
Surfshark says its no-logs policy was assured by Deloitte (2023 and 2025, in an ISAE 3000 report) and that Cure53 also audited it. It says the reports are on its trust center. These are Surfshark's statements. We have not tested them, so read the reports yourself.
What permissions does Surfshark ask for?
We could not read the Chrome Web Store permissions for this review, so check the install prompt before you add it. A VPN extension that manages browser traffic is likely to ask for broad access, so read the prompt carefully. Permissions can change between releases.
FAQ
Who makes Surfshark? Surfshark was founded in 2018 and merged with Nord Security in 2022, per both companies. It still runs as a separate brand. See NordVPN, from the same group.
Do I need an account? Yes. The trial needs an email address and payment details.
Good to know
Set a cancel reminder before day 7 of the trial. Remember too that the extension covers the browser only. Compare more options in our VPN and Privacy Tools guide, or see best Chrome extensions for privacy. Another VPN extension to compare: ExpressVPN.
Other vpn & privacy tools to compare
Surfshark VPN is one of 12 picks in our VPN & Privacy Tools guide, which compares them side by side and explains how to choose. The other picks:
- ExpressVPN: A browser extension with two modes: a browser-only proxy, or a remote for the ExpressVPN desktop app. It needs a subscription.
- NordVPN: A proxy extension that routes your browser traffic through NordVPN. It needs a NordVPN subscription.
- Proton VPN: A browser VPN extension from Proton AG, the company behind Proton Mail. It has a free plan and covers browser traffic only.
- Privacy Badger: A tracker blocker from the EFF that learns which third parties track you as you browse.
- Ghostery: An open-source tracker and ad blocker that also removes cookie pop-ups and shows tracker info for each site.
- DuckDuckGo Search & Tracker Protection: Tracker blocking and HTTPS upgrades from DuckDuckGo. It also makes DuckDuckGo your default search engine.
- I Still Don't Care About Cookies: An open-source community fork that removes cookie banners on most sites. It hides or accepts them. It does not reject them.
- ZeroOmega: Open-source proxy switcher for proxies you supply. Not a VPN: it provides no servers.
- FoxyProxy: Open-source proxy switcher with per-site rules for proxies you supply. Not a VPN: it provides no servers.
- JShelter: Browser privacy hardening: limits what sites can read from your browser APIs and helps against fingerprinting. Not a VPN and does not hide your IP address. Open source.
- NoScript: An open-source script blocker that stops JavaScript, embedded objects and media until you allow a site.
This is a third-party extension, not built or maintained by Xplorekit. We link to the official Chrome Web Store listing — install and permissions are entirely between you and the extension's own publisher.