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Surfshark Antivirus scored well for protection and usability in AV-TEST’s May–June 2026 Windows 11 test, but its performance score of 4.5 out of 6 is the number to weigh before you pay. It is not sold on its own. It comes bundled with Surfshark One and Surfshark One+, so the practical question is whether the wider bundle is worth your local price, and whether the antivirus part alone justifies it for your devices.
What the independent lab test measured
AV-TEST’s report covers Surfshark Antivirus versions 6.9 and 6.11 on Windows 11 Professional (English, 64-bit), report 261317, with testing dated May–June 2026. The lab evaluated 16 home-user products using default settings and the current public versions, with updates and cloud queries allowed, and used realistic threat scenarios. As AV-TEST puts it, “We focused on realistic test scenarios and challenged the products against real-world threats.”
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Each category is scored out of 6, for a maximum of 18. Surfshark’s total is 16.5. That clears the lab’s approval level, but it does not reach the 17.5 threshold AV-TEST uses for its Top Product designation in this test. These results apply to this version, this operating system and this test only. They are not a universal guarantee of how the software will perform on your machine.
Scores by category
| Category (AV-TEST, May–June 2026, Windows 11) | Score (out of 6) |
|---|---|
| Protection | 6.0 |
| Performance | 4.5 |
| Usability | 6.0 |
Protection results
In AV-TEST’s two monthly real-world zero-day malware measurements, Surfshark recorded 99.9% in May and 100% in June. In the two monthly widespread and prevalent malware detection measurements, it recorded 100% in both May and June. Those are the lab’s figures for this test window and product version. A high detection rate in one test does not mean the product will catch every threat you encounter.
#1 Best Overall
- Stay secure and private: Secures your internet traffic in a safe tunnel. When using cellular data or public Wi-Fi at coffee shops or airports, hackers can’t see your browsing activity, passwords, or location.
- Faster, cleaner browsing without ads: Our integrated CleanWeb ad blocker stops annoying pop-ups, trackers, and distracting ads before they load. This means web pages load much faster, use less data, and give you a cleaner, safer online experience.
- Protect your identity: You shouldn't have to hand over your home address or private email to every website. Alternative ID generates a temporary name, email, and address for online sign-ups—keeping your real data safe from spammers and hackers.
- No device left behind (Unlimited connections): Install Surfshark on every device you own—MacBook, Windows PC, iPhone, Android, and Fire TV stick. Unlike other services that limit you to a handful of devices, a single subscription protects your entire household simultaneously.
- Access home content while traveling: Being away on vacation or a business trip shouldn't mean losing access to your favorite shows. Connect to servers worldwide to use your streaming services, news, and sports broadcasts exactly as if you never left home—no more regional block messages.
Performance results
AV-TEST measured how much the antivirus slowed everyday tasks on a standard PC and on a high-end PC. The figures below are the slowdowns it reported, not absolute timings.
| Task measured by AV-TEST | Standard PC | High-end PC |
|---|---|---|
| Launching popular websites | 14% slowdown | 12% slowdown |
| Launching standard software applications | 12% slowdown | 18% slowdown |
| Installing frequently used applications | 30% slowdown | 137% slowdown |
Browsing and app launches show moderate slowdowns. The installation figures are the outlier. A 137% slowdown on a high-end PC is large, and it is the reason Surfshark’s performance score falls below its protection and usability scores. If you install software often, or you are buying for a fast machine where you expect quick setups, this is the test result to read closely. Surfshark describes its protection as “lightweight”. AV-TEST’s installation numbers do not support that description for installation-heavy use.
Rank #2
- All-in-one antivirus & malware safety: Runs silently in the background to scan downloads, block threats, and protect your files. Includes webcam protection to stop unauthorized hackers from spying on your home.
- Instant alerts if your data leaks online: Your identity early warning system. Surfshark Alert monitors the web 24/7 and instantly notifies you if your emails, passwords, or credit cards leak in a breach.
- Stay secure and private: Secures your internet traffic in a safe tunnel. When using cellular data or public Wi-Fi at coffee shops or airports, hackers can’t see your browsing activity, passwords, or location.
- Faster, cleaner browsing without ads: Our integrated CleanWeb ad blocker stops annoying pop-ups, trackers, and distracting ads before they load. This means web pages load much faster, use less data, and give you a cleaner, safer online experience.
- Protect your identity: You shouldn't have to hand over your home address or private email to every website. Alternative ID generates a temporary name, email, and address for online sign-ups—keeping your real data safe from spammers and hackers.
How it compares with the previous Windows 10 test
AV-TEST also tested an earlier Surfshark release in June 2025 on Windows 10, using versions 5.15 and 5.16. That is a different version and a different operating system, so treat the comparison as directional only.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →| Category | June 2025, Windows 10 (versions 5.15 and 5.16) | May–June 2026, Windows 11 (versions 6.9 and 6.11) |
|---|---|---|
| Protection | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| Performance | 5.5 | 4.5 |
| Usability | 5.5 | 6.0 |
On these numbers, the protection score held steady, usability improved and performance fell. Whether that reflects the software, the operating system, or the test configuration cannot be determined from these two reports alone.
Rank #3
- THREAT DETECTION – Stay one step ahead. Suspicious links, risky sites, viruses, and scams, caught automatically before they reach you.
- PERSONAL INFO PROTECTION – Keep your personal info safer. Identity monitoring watches for your exposed info and tells you what to do about it.
- SECURE CONNECTIONS – Just a few easy clicks, and we'll automatically protect your info on public Wi‑Fi, every time you connect.
- GUIDED ACTION – Know what matters and what to do next. Clear alerts and simple guidance make it easy to take action.
- MORE THAN ANTIVIRUS – Scam protection, identity monitoring, VPN, web protection, and antivirus work together to protect you, all in one place.
Features and what the bundle adds
Surfshark describes its antivirus as offering real-time checks, customizable or scheduled scans, webcam protection and quarantine management. Its official antivirus page also lists web protection as a Windows feature, so do not assume every item is available on macOS or Android. Check the feature list for your platform before you buy.
The antivirus is included with Surfshark One and Surfshark One+. Surfshark Support lists the One bundle as including VPN, Alert and Search, in its article on Surfshark One updated August 3, 2026. Other official plan pages describe more features and regional variations. If you do not need a VPN, an identity alert service or Search, you are paying for services you may not use, and the antivirus should be judged on its own merits.
Rank #4
- THREAT DETECTION – Stay one step ahead. Suspicious links, risky sites, viruses, and scams, caught automatically before they reach you.
- PERSONAL INFO PROTECTION – Keep your personal info safer. Identity monitoring watches for your exposed info and tells you what to do about it.
- SECURE CONNECTIONS – Just a few clicks, and your info stays protected on public Wi-Fi every time you connect.
- PERSONAL DATA SCANS – Take your info off the market. We’ll find your personal information on sites selling it, then guide you on how to remove it.
- SOCIAL PRIVACY MANAGER – Decide what you share. McAfee finds the privacy settings buried in your social accounts and fixes them.
Platforms and compatibility
Surfshark lists antivirus support for Windows, macOS and Android. Its pages do not agree on minimum operating-system versions or on Windows on ARM support, so do not rely on a single page.
- Surfshark’s antivirus review page lists Windows 10 and later, Android 10 and later, and macOS Big Sur 11 and later.
- Surfshark’s free trial page lists Windows 10 and later, Windows on ARM, Android 6 and later, and macOS 12 and later.
- Another official product page notes a Windows ARM incompatibility.
Before you subscribe, check the exact OS version and processor architecture of each device against the compatibility information shown in Surfshark’s app or on its website. This matters most for Windows on ARM machines and for older Android phones.
Best Value
- MCAFEE TOTAL PROTECTION IS ALL-IN-ONE PROTECTION — delivering award-winning antivirus for 3 devices, with identity monitoring and VPN
- ID MONITORING — we'll monitor everything from email addresses to IDs and phone numbers for signs of breaches. If your info is found, we'll notify you so you can take action
- BANK, SHOP, AND BROWSE ANYWHERE SECURELY WITH UNLIMITED VPN — protect your online privacy automatically when connecting to public Wi-Fi
- SECURE YOUR ACCOUNTS — generate and store complex passwords with a password manager
- AWARD-WINNING ANTIVIRUS — rest easy knowing McAfee will notify you of risky websites and protect you from the latest threats
Device limits
The paid antivirus supports up to five devices, according to Surfshark’s antivirus review page. The free trial allows three devices at the same time, so a household with more devices should plan around the paid limit.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What it costs
There is no single price for Surfshark One or the antivirus bundle. Surfshark’s pricing page displays prices for the visitor’s location and currency, and it states that currency, VAT and coupons affect the amount charged. The version reviewed here showed Indonesian rupiah prices. Your checkout will show your local price.
Billing is offered on monthly, one-year and two-year terms. Compare the total charge for the term you choose, and the renewal price that applies after that term, rather than a monthly equivalent alone. A two-year term can look cheap per month while locking you into a long renewal cycle.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsA dated price snapshot
TechRadar’s Surfshark One review lists these figures: $2.49 per month on a 24-month subscription, $3.39 per month on a 12-month subscription, and $17.95 for one month. These are an editorial snapshot taken when that review was written. They may not match the price you see today, your country, the tax you pay, or any current promotion.
Trial and refund terms
- Free trial: Surfshark offers a seven-day trial on eligible 12- or 24-month One and One+ subscriptions. Payment details are required, and billing starts with automatic renewal after seven days unless you cancel.
- Refund: Surfshark’s pricing page advertises a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Verify before paying: Trial and refund conditions can change. Read the terms shown at checkout and note the cancellation steps.
Who should consider it, and who should look elsewhere
- Consider it if you want antivirus bundled with a VPN and identity services, you use Windows, macOS or Android, and you fit within five devices.
- Look elsewhere if you install software frequently on a fast PC and installation slowdown matters to you, if your device’s OS or architecture falls outside the listed requirements, or if you only want antivirus and do not need the wider bundle.
- Compare before buying: the antivirus score, the performance result, platform coverage, device count and total first-term and renewal price in your country. Those are the points where competing products should be judged. This review does not include head-to-head scores against other vendors.
Surfshark’s own product pages are the primary sources for features, platform support and pricing: Surfshark’s antivirus review, the antivirus free trial page and Surfshark’s pricing page. The independent test is AV-TEST’s May–June 2026 Windows 11 report, and the earlier comparison is its June 2025 Windows 10 report.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
