Surfshark has no free plan, but it does let new customers try the full VPN for seven days before paying. You sign up for a paid plan to get the trial, so it pays to know how cancelling works. Everything below comes from Surfshark's trial page, help center, terms and US pricing data, checked on November 4, 2026. For plans, prices and our verdict on the service, see our Surfshark listing.
What the trial includes
The trial lasts 7 days and costs $0.00 up front. Surfshark offers it on all of its 12-month and 24-month plans, which means Starter, One and One+. The monthly plan has no trial.
During the trial you get every VPN feature, on up to three devices at once. Once the trial turns into a paid plan, the device limit goes away and you can connect as many devices as you like. Surfshark lists Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, smart TVs and Chrome among the places you can use the trial.
You do have to enter payment details. Surfshark accepts a credit card, PayPal or Apple Pay for the trial and says it uses them to confirm you are a first-time customer.
What you pay when the trial ends
When the seven days are up, Surfshark charges you for the plan you picked, and the subscription renews automatically after that. You pay for the whole first term at once. These are Surfshark's US prices on November 4, 2026, before tax:
| Plan | 1-year plan (first 15 months) | 2-year plan (first 27 months) | Then renews at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $44.85 | $67.23 | $79 a year |
| One | $44.85 | $67.23 | $99 a year |
| One+ | $104.85 | $107.73 | $119 a year |
Both longer plans currently include three extra months. Starter is the VPN on its own; One adds Surfshark's antivirus and breach alerts; One+ adds Incogni data removal. Surfshark labels One as its Black Friday deal, which is why One and Starter cost the same right now.
The renewal prices are Surfshark's standard yearly rates, and its pricing terms say it may test different prices. Surfshark says it emails you 30 days before a 1-year or 2-year plan renews. The monthly plans cost $18.95 (Starter), $19.95 (One) and $22.85 (One+).
How to start the trial
- Open the free trial page on Surfshark's website and click Start free trial.
- Choose a 12-month or 24-month plan and click Start free trial again.
- Enter your email address, or continue with Google or Apple, or log in to an existing account.
- Choose your payment method and enter the details. You pay $0.00 today.
- Download the Surfshark app on each device you want to test, sign in and connect. Remember the three-device limit.
Surfshark's trial page says that on iPhone and Android, too, you get the trial by subscribing on its website first, then signing in to the app.
Before you close the tab, put a reminder in your calendar for day six. The trial converts automatically, and the reminder costs you nothing.
How to cancel before you're charged
You can cancel at any point in the seven days and pay nothing. Log in to your account on Surfshark's website, click the profile icon at the top right, choose Subscription and turn off auto-renewal. If you subscribed through an app store, turn off the renewal in your app store's subscription settings instead.
Getting a refund after the trial
If you miss the deadline, the 30-day money-back guarantee starts when the trial ends and the first payment goes through. Surfshark counts that as 37 days to decide: seven free, then 30 with a refund available. To claim it, contact Surfshark on live chat and say you are within the 30-day period, or use the refund request in your account.
Surfshark's terms set some limits on that guarantee:
- It covers the first purchase only. Renewal payments are non-refundable.
- Payments made with prepaid cards or gift cards are not refunded.
- The Alternative Number add-on isn't refundable, and neither is an anonymous Dedicated IP once you have it.
- If you bought through a reseller other than Paddle, Google Play or Cleverbridge, Surfshark can't refund you.
What to test in seven days
A week goes quickly, so test the things you bought a VPN for:
- Your streaming apps, on the devices you watch them on. Our guides to setting up Surfshark on a Fire TV Stick and the Surfshark extension for Chrome cover two common setups.
- Speed at home and on the move, at the times you usually use the internet, with the server you would pick day to day.
- Sign-in on the devices that matter most, such as your TV, keeping in mind the trial allows three at once.
- Support, with a real question on live chat, which Surfshark runs around the clock.
How it compares with other trials and free VPNs
ExpressVPN offers a shorter 3-day free trial on iOS and Android when you sign up in its app, paid through your App Store or Google Play account. Its 30-day money-back guarantee applies to sign-ups on its website, and App Store and Google Play purchases follow Apple's and Google's refund rules instead.
Proton VPN takes a different route with a free plan that has no data or speed limits, on one device. Streaming, peer-to-peer downloads and its ad blocker are paid features. If you only need a VPN now and then on one device, it's worth trying before you hand over card details anywhere.
For more choices, see our best VPN software guide and our page of current VPN deals.
