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Surfshark vs CactusVPN – Which VPN is better?

Surfshark or CactusVPN – which VPN suits you better? We tested both providers across speed, security, and price.

Our winner

Surfshark

In this head-to-head comparison Surfshark delivers the better overall performance.

See Surfshark deal

Comparison table

Feature
Surfshark
CactusVPN
Speed
85 Mbit/s
66 Mbit/s
Servers
3.200+
36+
Countries
100+
22
Streaming
Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, BBC iPlayer
Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer
Security
No-logs policy
No-logs policy
No-Logs
Yes (audited)
Yes
Price
2,49 €/month
2,77 €/month
Apps
Unlimited
Win, Mac, iOS, Android (6 devices)
Support
24/7 Live Chat
24/7 Live Chat

Speed – Surfshark vs CactusVPN

The speed comparison shows a clear gap: Surfshark delivers 85 Mbit/s, CactusVPN reaches 66 Mbit/s. Both values are fine for everyday use.

Surfshark
Download 85 Mbit/s
Upload 72 Mbit/s
Ping 22 ms
CactusVPN
Download 66 Mbit/s
Upload 52 Mbit/s
Ping 30 ms

Security – Surfshark vs CactusVPN

The security architecture is solid on both sides: AES-256, kill switch and no-logs are standard. Surfshark adds No-logs policy and AES-256 Encryption, CactusVPN adds No-logs policy and AES-256 Encryption.

Surfshark
  • No-logs policy
  • AES-256 Encryption
  • Kill Switch
  • CleanWeb Ad blocker
CactusVPN
  • No-logs policy
  • AES-256 Encryption
  • Kill Switch
  • Smart DNS Proxy

Streaming – which VPN works better?

In our streaming test: Surfshark unblocks Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, while CactusVPN works with Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+. Surfshark performs slightly better overall.

Surfshark

Netflix
Amazon Prime
Disney+
BBC iPlayer

CactusVPN

Netflix
Amazon Prime
Disney+
Hulu
BBC iPlayer

Pricing

Surfshark

from 2,49 €/month

2-year subscription - 30-day money-back guarantee - Unlimited devices

See Surfshark deal

CactusVPN

from 2,77 €/month

2-year subscription - 30-day money-back guarantee

See CactusVPN deal

Which VPN is better for…

Streaming

Surfshark

Surfshark unblocks streaming services slightly more reliably.

Security

Surfshark

More security functions and features.

Value for money

Surfshark

Lower price with comparable performance.

Our verdict – Surfshark or CactusVPN?

Surfshark secures the win in our comparison. That said: CactusVPN is a solid VPN service and pays off depending on your requirements and budget.

FAQ – Surfshark vs CactusVPN

Is Surfshark or CactusVPN faster? +

Surfshark is a bit faster on average (85 Mbit/s vs 66 Mbit/s). Both deliver good speeds for streaming and downloads.

Which VPN is cheaper – Surfshark or CactusVPN? +

Surfshark is cheaper (from 2,49 €/month). CactusVPN starts at 2,77 €/month.

Which VPN is more secure? +

Both offer AES-256 encryption and no-logs policies. Surfshark packs a few more security features.

Which VPN is better for streaming? +

Surfshark unblocks streaming services slightly more reliably in our test. Both VPNs work with Netflix and other platforms.

Should you still go with CactusVPN? +

Yes, in some scenarios. CactusVPN convinces with its own strengths and can be the more fitting choice depending on your needs.

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