Adding my experience to the avoid surfshark voices

VPN
1

For the TLDR folks: the only way to reliably access either websites on my Linux desktop or stream on my Nvidia Shield AndroidTV is with SurfShark disconnected. There’s no point in having a VPN if you have to keep it turned off. Their “technical support” sucks.

Now for the specifics: I’ve had SurfShark for 5 months, but most of that time I’ve kept it disconnected because no matter what I do most sites on my browser or streaming apps on my TV with Nvidia Shield know I’m using a VPN and won’t allow access.

SurfShark does have a bypass feature, but there are two problems: First, at least with my Nvidia Shield, every app still recognizes I’m using a VPN so will not let me stream. Second, even if it worked, no point of having a VPN is you have to bypass it 100% of the time.

LINUX APP PROBLEMS: I use Debian Linux on my laptop and since I tend to distro hop I regularly reinstall apps. The SurfShark linux app won’t install AT ALL on any distro based on Debian 12. While it does install on Debian 11, on some distros the app won’t connect to any server. On others, the app said it was connected, but turns out app was showing my actual IP instead of the virtual one. Eventually resolved that issue by disabling IPv6. Still, many sites won’t allow access, particularly shopping sites. Forget about features like CleanWeb. To the extent I’m able to visit websites at all with the VPN connected, it’s impossible with CleanWeb activated. So I am able to use the Linux SurfShark app at all is on a distro I don’t want, and with crap results.

CUSTOMER SERVICE/TECH SUPPORT ISSUES: Have used both chat and email. Both are all-but useless. Of course the email folks didn’t bother to read my email and gave me suggestions that a) were not applicable to the problem, and b) I’d already tried. Without exception those hired to respond to emails either don’t read or can’t. Don’t know if it’s a zendesk issue or a provider one. But I have found that to be true of every place that uses zendesk. In this case, I emailed about my Nvidia Shield issues with EVERY app recognizing I’m using a VPN. Let’s just say the responses clearly were out of a troubleshooting book, but one that had nothing to do with Nvidia. For example, it talked about issues I might have while traveling. Since even an idiot wouldn’t think I’m taking my 55" TV from place to place, can only mean the agent didn’t read the Nvidia Shield part or doesn’t know what that is. Either way, the advice was useless. Another suggestion involved opening my browser and copying certain info to the clipboard. Again, ON…MY…TV??? While it is may be doable, it is not practical. Not to mention the information requested would only tell if I was connected. I already know I’m connected bc EVERY app tells me I can’t stream BECAUSE I’m connected to a VPN. I also now bc while disconnected, my speed tests at 470 Mbps, but when connected it drops to 100 Mbps. Enough to stream even 4K, except for the fact apps won’t allow it.

CHAT TECH SUPPORT: Used chat for the issues with Linux app on my laptop. Similarly asked for information already provided. After spending an hour chatting we finally got to the point they suggested disabling IPv6. I immediately ended the chat, and searched for how to do that. Wasn’t interested in spending god knows how long getting the agent to explain it. While disabling IPv6 did allow SurfShark to “work”, as I said, many sites still recognize I’m connected to a VPN and block me from surfing there.

Have figured out how to cancel my autorenew, which is all I can do at this point.

My advice, don’t wait like I did. Test the hell out of this during your 30-day window and get a refund if it doesn’t work for you.

Better still don’t use it at all on an Android TV or Linux. You’re wasting your time, as much as your money.

UPDATE: I got an email today suggesting I switch to a static IP. Turns out my ethernet won’t connect using a static IP. Obviously if I’d preferred wifi I wouldn’t be using ethernet on my TV. More importantly, the wifi using a static IP plus surfshark reduces my speed by 97% from my ethernet on DCHP IP without Surfshark. Down from 460 Mbps to 13.6 Mbps.

Seems as far as SurfShark is concerned I get to choose between internet speed and privacy.

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I have none of the problems you experienced. Been using them for years at the most I have to switch servers every now and then. Some government websites block them entirely. Even those I can usually get around by allowing it to install a cookie and then turning it back on but that’s it. This shit hating posts are mostly useless. You have a very specific setup that doesn’t work for you for who knows what reason. This kind of complaint is similar to shitting on Microsoft for having less stable systems then Apple that makes 90% of it’s hardware and extremely limits what you can do with their OS. No shit a more complicated environment has more issues. Buyer beware that’s why they give you a money back guarantee figure it out before the 30 days is up.

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That’s all I want from SurfShark, too. To be able to get my entertainment, but it doesn’t do that on a 4K TV using Nvidia Shield. As I said, EVERY streaming app recognizes I’m using a VPN.

Even if I had a spare laptop, I’d be running Linux on it, and, as I said, it isn’t working on Linux either, despite their claims.

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Don’t know who he is but he is right. Surfshark has become as useless as a vpn server as a condom for a man with a fear of other people…

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SHE is someone who has been using computers since the 1980s. I go back to DOS, plain old DOS, not even DOS 3.1, I used to build my own computers, piece by piece. I’d take my sons with me to computer shows 30+ years ago.

You may have used Surfshark for years, on Windows, no doubt. I said my issues are specific to Android TV and a Linux desktop. Regardless, just because someone else’s experience isn’t yours, Max, can’t just assume it isn’t valid.

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That’s nice for you. I’m recounting MY experiences.

My experience is both the app and so-called service are crap, and a waste of money. I was specific about the issues I have with SurfShark, including that the linux app will not install at all on Debian 12-based distros due to unmet dependencies. Hardly general “shit hating”. “Who knows why” isn’t good enough when you’re selling a service to the public. It either works as advertised, or it does not.

Since this, apparently, is not your experience with SurfShark, write your own post with your glowing review, so folks have some basis for comparison. But stop discounting my experience.