Before subscribing, you might wonder if Surfshark offers a no-cost way to test their VPN service on your computer. So, does Surfshark have a free trial on PC? The short answer is yes, but it operates differently than a traditional, unlimited free trial. This article explains exactly how to access Surfshark’s trial on Windows, what you get with it, and explores all your options for trying the service risk-free.
Does Surfshark Have A Free Trial On Pc
Surfshark provides a free trial for PC users, but it’s important to understand its specific structure. Unlike some services that offer a 30-day trial with full access, Surfshark’s primary free trial is a 7-day period available through mobile app stores. However, you can absolutely use this to test the core VPN service on your Windows PC. The process involves signing up on a mobile device first and then using your account credentials on the PC app.
This method gives you complete access to all Surfshark’s premium features for one week. It’s a full-featured trial, not a limited or throttled version. After the 7 days, you will be charged for the subscription plan you selected unless you cancel. The other primary method for trying Surfshark risk-free is their 30-day money-back guarantee, which we will detail later.
How To Get The Surfshark Free Trial On Your Windows PC
Follow these step-by-step instructions to activate your 7-day Surfshark free trial and use it on your Windows computer. The process begins on a mobile device.
- On your iOS (iPhone/iPad) or Android device, visit the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
- Search for “Surfshark VPN” and download the official app.
- Open the Surfshark app and begin the sign-up process. You will see an option to start a free trial, usually tied to selecting a subscription plan.
- Choose your preferred plan. You will need to provide payment details, but you will not be charged until after the 7-day trial ends.
- Complete the registration. Your trial period starts immediately.
- Now, go to your Windows PC. Visit the official Surfshark website and download the Windows application.
- Install the application and open it. Click on “Log in” instead of “Sign up.”
- Enter the same account credentials you just created on your mobile device.
- Once logged in, your PC client will reflect your active free trial status. You can now use all features for the remainder of your 7-day window.
Important Considerations For The Mobile-Initiated Trial
This method works seamlessly because a Surfshark subscription is account-based, not device-based. When you create an account via the mobile app trial, you are creating a full Surfshark account. This account can then be used to log into the VPN on any supported device, including your PC, Mac, or even your router. Just remember that the trial timer starts the moment you confirm it on your phone.
Also, ensure you cancel before the 7 days are up if you do not wish to continue. You can cancel directly through your mobile app store subscription settings to prevent auto-renewal.
Understanding Surfshark’s 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
For many users, especially on PC, the 30-day money-back guarantee is a superior and more flexible way to test Surfshark. This is a full refund policy, not a trial. You pay for a subscription upfront, but you have a full 30 days to request a complete refund if you’re not satisfied.
This method offers several advantages for PC testing. First, you sign up directly on the Surfshark website from your computer, so there’s no need to use a mobile device as an intermediary. Second, you get a full month to test the service, which is much more thorough than one week. You can test speeds during different times of day, try all the special features, and check compatibility with various applications.
- Go to the Surfshark website on your PC.
- Choose your subscription plan and sign up directly, providing payment information.
- Download and install the Windows app immediately and start using the service.
- Use Surfshark extensively for up to 30 days.
- If you decide it’s not for you, contact Surfshark’s customer support within the 30-day window to request a refund. The process is generally straightforward, and refunds are typically processed promptly.
The guarantee is honored no questions asked, making it a truly risk-free way to evaluate the VPN. It’s the recommended path if you want a comprehensive testing period directly from your desktop.
Features You Can Test During The Trial Or Refund Period
Whether you choose the 7-day trial or the 30-day guarantee, you get access to Surfshark’s entire suite of features. Here’s what you should test on your PC to evaluate its performance.
- Connection Speed: Use speed test websites like Speedtest.net to check your download and upload speeds with the VPN connected and disconnected. Try servers in different countries.
- Server Network: Test servers in various locations to see which ones offer the best performance for your needs. Surfshark has a large network, so try a few.
- Streaming Service Access: Check if you can access geo-restricted libraries on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Disney+. This is a key use case for many users.
- Security Features: Activate the CleanWeb feature to block ads and malware. Test the kill switch by manually disconnecting your internet while the VPN is on to ensure your IP address doesn’t leak.
- MultiHop Functionality: Try the Double VPN (MultiHop) servers that route your traffic through two locations for extra privacy, and note the impact on speed.
- Bypasser Feature: This is Surfshark’s split-tunneling tool. Configure it to allow certain apps or websites to bypass the VPN tunnel, which is useful for banking apps or local devices.
Why Doesn’t Surfshark Offer A Standard PC-Only Free Trial?
You might be curious why Surfshark uses this mobile-app-store model for its main free trial. There are a few practical reasons behind this strategy. Primarily, it helps manage abuse. Offering a simple, no-payment-details free trial directly on a website can lead to widespread abuse where users repeatedly sign up with different email addresses. The mobile app store infrastructure adds a layer of verification through your Apple ID or Google Account.
Furthermore, it simplifies the cancellation process for users. Since the subscription is managed through the app store, you can cancel the auto-renewal directly in your device’s subscription settings, which many people find easier than contacting a company’s support. It also potentially reduces support requests related to billing. From Surfshark’s perspective, it’s a secure and efficient way to offer a genuine trial while protecting their service.
Comparing Surfshark’s Offer To Other VPN Free Trials
It’s useful to see how Surfshark’s approach stacks up against other popular VPN providers. This context helps you understand the market standard.
- ExpressVPN: Does not offer a standard free trial. It relies solely on a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is very reliable.
- NordVPN: Similar to Surfshark, NordVPN occasionally offers short trials (like 7 days) primarily initiated through mobile app stores. They also have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Proton VPN: Offers a truly free, unlimited tier with no payment required. However, the free version has limitations like slower speeds, fewer servers, and no streaming support. Their premium plans come with a prorated money-back guarantee.
- Hotspot Shield: Has a basic free version with a daily data cap and limited server options. Its premium trial is usually a 7-day offering through app stores.
In this landscape, Surfshark’s combination of a 7-day app trial and a 30-day guarantee is competitive and provides two solid avenues for testing.
Step-By-Step Guide To Canceling The Free Trial
If you use the 7-day free trial and decide not to continue with a paid subscription, you must cancel before the trial ends to avoid charges. Here is how to do it correctly.
- For iOS Users: Open your device’s Settings. Tap your name at the top, then select “Subscriptions.” Find the Surfshark subscription in the list and tap it. Select “Cancel Free Trial” or “Cancel Subscription.” Confirm the cancellation.
- For Android Users: Open the Google Play Store app. Tap your profile icon, then go to “Payments & subscriptions” > “Subscriptions.” Select Surfshark from the list and tap “Cancel subscription.” Follow the prompts to confirm.
After canceling, you can continue to use the service until the trial period officially expires. Your access will then stop automaticaly. Remember, canceling the trial is different from deleting the app. Deleting the app alone will not stop the billing cycle.
Tips For Maximizing Your Surfshark Trial Experience
To get the most accurate assessment of Surfshark during your trial or refund window, follow these practical tips.
- Test Early and Often: Don’t wait until the last day. Start testing different features and servers right away to identify any potential issues.
- Simulate Real Usage: Use the VPN for activities you normally would, such as browsing, streaming video in HD, downloading files, and online gaming if applicable.
- Check for IP/DNS Leaks: Use free online tools like ipleak.net while connected to Surfshark to ensure your real IP address or DNS requests are not leaking.
- Contact Support: If you encounter a problem, test their customer support. The quality of support is a crucial part of any service. You can use live chat during your trial.
- Read the Refund Policy: If using the money-back guarantee, familiarize yourself with the official terms on Surfshark’s website so you understand the process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I Get A Surfshark Free Trial Without A Credit Card?
For the standard 7-day trial initiated through mobile app stores, you typically must provide a payment method linked to your Apple ID or Google Pay account. However, these stores may have alternative payment options like PayPal or carrier billing. The 30-day money-back guarantee requires an upfront payment method, but you get a full refund if requested within 30 days, effectively making it a no-cost trial.
Is There A Surfshark Free Trial For Mac?
The process is identical for Mac users. The 7-day free trial is accessed via the Mac App Store on macOS devices. You download the Surfshark app from the App Store, select the trial offer during sign-up, and your account will be active for use on any device, including Windows, after that.
What Happens After The Surfshark Free Trial Ends?
If you do not cancel, the subscription plan you selected during the trial sign-up will automatically begin, and your payment method will be charged the applicable fee. Your service will continue uninterrupted but as a paid subscription. If you canceled, your access to premium servers and features will cease at the end of the 7-day period.
Does Surfshark Offer A Free Version?
No, Surfshark does not have a permanent free version of its VPN service. It is a premium-only provider. The closest options are the time-limited 7-day free trial or the 30-day risk-free guarantee period. Some other VPNs, like Proton VPN, do offer a free tier with limitations.
Can I Extend My Surfshark Free Trial?
Officially, Surfshark does not extend the 7-day free trial period. The trial is intended as a one-time, short-term test. If you need more time to evaluate, your best option is to use the 30-day money-back guarantee, which gives you a full month of testing.
Final Verdict: Testing Surfshark On Your PC
So, does Surfshark have a free trial on PC? Absolutely. You have two robust, legitimate methods to test it without financial risk. The 7-day free trial initiated via mobile app stores is perfect for a quick, full-featured check. For a more thorough, month-long evaluation directly from your computer, the 30-day money-back guarantee is an excellent choice. Both options provide complete access to Surfshark’s fast servers, strong security tools, and streaming capabilities.
When testing, focus on performance metrics that matter to you, such as connection stability for video calls, speed for streaming, and ease of use. Remember to mark your calendar for cancellation if you choose the trial, and don’t hesitate to contact support with any questions during your test period. This approach will give you all the information you need to decide if Surfshark is the right VPN for your Windows PC.