Are you a Surfshark user thinking about canceling your virtual private network (VPN) subscription? With over 1 million users and counting, Surfshark is one of the fastest growing VPN services out there. But it may no longer meet your needs and budget.
Fortunately, Surfshark doesn‘t lock you into long contracts. You can cancel renewal or even get a refund within 30 days. This detailed walkthrough covers everything you need to know about managing your Surfshark subscription:
- Step-by-step instructions to cancel on all devices
- Getting refunds when eligible
- Changing to a different plan
- Alternatives to switch to
- The risks of free VPNs
- And much more
Let‘s start with answering the big question on your mind…
How Do I Cancel My Surfshark Subscription?
Surfshark makes it relatively easy to cancel your account no matter how you initially subscribed. But the method does vary slightly between platforms.
Canceling on a Desktop
If you purchased directly from the Surfshark website, then canceling involves contacting their customer support team. Here are your options:
Live Chat:
- Go to the Surfshark support page.
- Click the round chat icon in the bottom right corner.
- When prompted, type "representative" to be connected with a real person.
- Tell the agent you wish to cancel service.
Live chat is typically the fastest way to get account cancellation assistance. According to Surfshark‘s website, wait times average about 1 minute.
Email:
You can also email Surfshark‘s customer support team at [email protected] with your account details and request to cancel service.
Response times are slower via email. Surfshark aims to reply within 24 hours, but allow for up to 72 hours. Sending an email avoids talking to someone directly.
Uninstall the App:
Don‘t forget to actually uninstall the Surfshark VPN application from your computer once canceling. This fully removes the program and stops connections.
On Windows, locate Surfshark and select Uninstall from within your apps list.
On Mac, drag and drop the Surfshark app icon into the Trash bin, then choose Empty Trash.
Canceling on Mobile
If you signed up for Surfshark on your iPhone or Android device, use these steps:
iPhone
- Open the Settings application.
- Tap your Apple ID banner > Subscriptions.
- Select the Surfshark subscription entry.
- Choose Cancel Subscription.
Per Apple, you‘ll lose subscription access at the end of your current billing period after cancellation.
Android Phone
- Launch the Google Play Store app.
- Tap the hamburger menu ≡ icon.
- Select Subscriptions.
- Choose Surfshark > Cancel subscription.
The Play Store will notify you when the subscription expires.
Canceling App Store Subscriptions
If you subscribed to Surfshark via an app store like Google Play or Amazon, use these instructions:
Google Play
- Open the Google Play Store app.
- Tap the hamburger menu ≡ and choose Subscriptions.
- Select the Surfshark subscription.
- Tap Cancel subscription.
Amazon Appstore
- Visit www.amazon.com and login to your account.
- Click Account & Lists > Memberships & Subscriptions.
- Locate the Surfshark subscription box and choose Cancel subscription.
For both stores, you‘ll lose subscription access at the end of the current billing period once canceled.
Can I Get a Refund from Surfshark?
Canceling within the money-back guarantee period? Here‘s what to know about getting a Surfshark refund:
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Surfshark offers 30 days to try the service and request your money back if unsatisfied.
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Contact Surfshark support via live chat or email for all refund requests.
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Provide your transaction details like receipt ID and original payment method.
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Refund timeframe is 5-7 business days after approval.
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App store purchases must be refunded through those stores, not Surfshark.
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No guarantees for refunds outside the 30 day window unless the service itself was unusable.
Surfshark‘s standard advice is contacting support as your first step for help with refunds or managing your subscription in any way. Agents can check your account status and process cancellations and refunds directly.
Changing Your Surfshark Subscription Plan
Do you want to modify your existing Surfshark subscription instead of outright canceling? You have options:
- Downgrade from a 2 year plan to an annual plan.
- Reduce from a monthly subscription to a yearly one to save money.
- Remove add-on services to lower your costs.
To make account changes:
- Initiate a live chat or email Surfshark‘s support team.
- Explain exactly what modification you want to make.
- Provide relevant account details like plan types and billing information.
- An agent can then update your subscription as requested.
Just keep in mind refunds are not given when switching subscription levels mid-billing cycle. You‘ll still owe the remainder of your current term. Choose plan changes carefully.
Surfshark Alternatives: Paid VPNs Worth Trying
If cancelling Surfshark, you may want to compare some alternative paid VPN services. Top-rated options include:
ExpressVPN
Known for blazing fast network speeds, ExpressVPN is great for streaming, gaming, and everyday browsing. It unblocks Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more.
Some key features:
- 10 Gbps server connections for ultra-fast streaming
- Apps for all major devices – Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux
- Easy one-tap Quick Connect feature to get started
- Over 3,000 VPN servers located in 94 countries
- Plans start around $8/month for 5 device connections
NordVPN
NordVPN has industry-leading security via features like Onion over VPN and split tunneling. It‘s also ideal for torrenting.
Key perks include:
- Military-grade encryption with latest VPN protocols
- Zero logs policy and Panama-based jurisdiction
- Malware/ad/tracker blocking with CyberSec
- 5770+ servers in 60 countries to access content
- Affordable plans starting around $3/month
Based on third-party speed tests, both ExpressVPN and NordVPN consistently outperform Surfshark‘s network speeds. Their large global server networks help avoid congestion. All provide easy-to-use apps, 24/7 live chat support, and a 30 day money-back guarantee.
Think Twice Before Using Free VPNs
You may be tempted to try free VPN services like ProtonVPN, TunnelBear, or Hola VPN. But free options come with big downsides:
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Slower speeds – Networks are congested due to limited infrastructure. Paid services lease dedicated servers. Surfshark‘s average speed is 67 Mbps vs. just 10 Mbps for free competitor Hoxx VPN.
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Data harvesting – Free VPNs sell your anonymized internet activity and personal information to third parties in order to profit. Some like HolaVPN had major controversies around this.
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Lack of features – You‘ll only get bare bones functionality with free VPNs. Paid options have the resources to build robust apps with many customizable settings. Surfshark offers split tunneling, whitelisting, multi-hop connections and other premium features.
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Ads everywhere – Expect constant pop-up and banner ads with free VPNs disrupting your browsing experience. Some ads might be malicious links as well.
Ultimately, avoid "free" options if you truly care about security and performance. Paying a fair price is worth it for privacy peace of mind.
Answers to Common Surfshark Questions
Here are detailed answers to frequently asked questions when managing a Surfshark VPN subscription:
How many different ways can I contact Surfshark support?
You have two options – live chat through their website or emailing [email protected]. Live chat is best during business hours for instant cancellation help. Email any time, but allow 24-72 hours for a reply.
Does Surfshark offer a free trial I can use to test the service?
Yes, Surfshark provides 7-day free trials when signing up through the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Download the mobile app to start your free trial. Just remember to cancel before 7 days if unsatisfied to avoid billing.
What happens when my Surfshark subscription is cancelled?
Your access and service ends on the final day of the billing period you‘re currently in. For example, if you had 1 month remaining on an annual plan, you‘ll retain access for that final month after cancellation, then service stops.
Can I change from a monthly billing plan to a yearly plan?
Absolutely. Contact support to switch subscription levels at any time. Keep in mind you will need to pay the full yearly cost upfront. Unused months from your monthly subscription are not refunded when changing plans.
Is Surfshark compatible with my device like Apple TV or Chromebook?
Yes! Surfshark offers native apps for all major platforms – Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, Android TV and Fire TV. You get unlimited connections, so can install on all household devices with one account.
The Bottom Line
We hope this guide covered everything you need to know to cancel your Surfshark VPN subscription through their website, mobile apps, or third party app stores. While Surfshark is feature-rich, changing needs or costs may necessitate switching providers.
Carefully consider alternatives like ExpressVPN and NordVPN. Both offer excellent global server coverage, fast connection speeds, watertight security, and easy-to-use apps. Avoid "free" VPNs, as paid services are vastly superior for protecting your privacy.
Wherever you take your online security next, use this guide to painlessly cancel or modify your Surfshark VPN subscription. Stay secure!
