- Surfshark free trial: what you get
- How to start the Surfshark trial on the website
- How to start it on an iPhone
- How to cancel the Surfshark free trial
- Missed the 7 days? Use the refund guarantee
- Which devices you can try it on
- 12-month or 24-month plan for the trial?
- What to test during the trial
- My verdict
- Frequently asked questions
Yes, Surfshark has a 7-day free trial for new users on its 12-month and 24-month plans. You can use every VPN feature on up to three devices at once during the trial, and you pay nothing if you cancel before it ends. After the trial, the plan is charged and Surfshark's 30-day refund guarantee still applies.
Surfshark is one of the few VPNs that runs a straightforward trial on its own website and through the iPhone App Store. The device limit and the way the refund guarantee stacks on top are the two details worth knowing before you start.
Surfshark free trial: what you get
| Detail | What Surfshark says |
|---|---|
| Length | 7 days |
| Plans | 12-month and 24-month plans |
| Who it's for | New users |
| Devices during the trial | Up to 3 at the same time; unlimited after you subscribe |
| Payment methods on the website | Credit card, PayPal or Apple Pay |
| Price shown at sign-up | Start your 7-day free trial for $0.00, as of October 2026 |
| After the trial | Your payment is charged; you can still ask for a full refund within 30 days |
How to start the Surfshark trial on the website
- Go to Surfshark's VPN free trial page and click Start free trial.
- Choose a 12-month or 24-month plan and click Start free trial again.
- Enter your email, or continue with Google or Apple, or log in to an existing account.
- Choose PayPal or a credit card as the payment method. Surfshark's help centre says this step is the one that matters.
- Download the app on up to three devices and connect.
How to start it on an iPhone
Surfshark also runs the trial through the App Store. Search for Surfshark, tap Get, and Apple shows you the seven-day free trial before you confirm. Surfshark says Apple bills your Apple ID only if you keep it past day seven. During the trial you can protect your iPhone and two other devices at the same time.
The difference is who handles the cancel. An App Store trial is cancelled in your iPhone's Settings under your Apple ID and Subscriptions, not on Surfshark's website.
How to cancel the Surfshark free trial
- Log in to your Surfshark account on the website.
- Select your profile icon at the top right.
- Choose Subscription from the menu.
- Turn off auto-renewal to stop future payments.
Surfshark says you can cancel the trial at any time. Turning off auto-renewal before day seven is what stops the first payment.
If you started on an iPhone, the website steps won't help, because Apple owns that subscription. Open Settings, tap your name, then Subscriptions, choose Surfshark and cancel there. Either way, look for a confirmation and keep it until the date has passed. It takes a minute and it's the one piece of proof you'll want if a payment ever shows up that you weren't expecting.
Missed the 7 days? Use the refund guarantee
This is the detail that makes Surfshark's trial forgiving. Once the trial ends and your payment is taken, Surfshark says you can still request a full refund within 30 days under its refund guarantee. To do it, contact Surfshark customer support through live chat and say you're within the 30-day refund period.
That doesn't mean you should ignore the trial end date. A refund takes a conversation with support and time to come back to your account. Cancelling inside the seven days means no payment happens at all.
Which devices you can try it on
Surfshark's help centre says that once you have the trial subscription you can use the VPN on any device, and it names Windows, iOS, Android, smart TVs and Chrome. The limit is three at a time during the trial, and that cap lifts once you're a paying subscriber. If you have a work laptop, a phone and a home TV, that covers a realistic test. If your household has more devices than that, pick the three you'd use most and leave the rest until you've decided.
12-month or 24-month plan for the trial?
The trial is attached to the 12-month and 24-month plans only. You choose the length at sign-up, and that's the plan that's charged if you don't turn off auto-renewal by day seven. Look at the total on the checkout screen for both before you start, and choose the one you'd be comfortable keeping. After the trial, Surfshark says the subscription renews automatically, so the plan you pick on day one matters.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
What to test during the trial
- Speed on your normal connection, especially during video calls.
- Whether your banking, payroll or accounting logins work while connected.
- Streaming apps you use on your smart TV or laptop.
- The apps on all three devices you're allowed, so you know how it behaves on each.
- Surfshark's rules: it says using the service for illegal activity is forbidden, even on a free trial.
If you're comparing providers, see my breakdown of NordVPN vs ExpressVPN and whether ExpressVPN is safe before you decide.
My verdict
The Surfshark free trial is simple and low risk: seven days, full features, three devices, and nothing to pay if you turn off auto-renewal in time. The three-device cap only matters during the trial. If you forget to cancel, the 30-day refund guarantee is a safety net, but it's a refund you have to ask for, so cancel early if you've made up your mind.
Weighing up another VPN as well? See the ExpressVPN free trial guide.
Frequently asked questions
Does Surfshark have a free trial?
Yes. Surfshark offers a 7-day VPN free trial for new users on 12-month and 24-month plans, through its website and the App Store.
How many devices can I use on the Surfshark free trial?
Up to 3 devices at the same time during the trial. Surfshark says you can use an unlimited number of devices after the trial.
Do I need a card for the Surfshark free trial?
You need a payment method. On the website, Surfshark accepts a credit card, PayPal or Apple Pay for the trial.
How do I cancel the Surfshark free trial?
Log in on the website, select your profile icon, choose Subscription and turn off auto-renewal. If you started the trial in the App Store, cancel it in your Apple ID subscriptions.
Can I get a refund after the Surfshark trial ends?
Yes. Surfshark says that once the trial ends and payment is charged, you can still request a full refund within 30 days by contacting support through live chat.
