Surfshark does not offer a free trial on PC, but it does offer a 30-day money-back may provide
Surfshark's approach to new users on Windows and Mac is different from a traditional free trial. You pay for a subscription upfront — usually a monthly plan at around $14.99 per month, though longer plans cost less per month — and then you have 30 days to request a full refund if you decide the service is not for you. This is not a free period where you use the software without paying. You pay first, then decide.
The distinction matters because it changes what you need to do. With a free trial, your card is not charged until the trial ends. With Surfshark's money-back may provide, your card is charged when ready when you subscribe. If you want your money back, you contact Surfshark's support team within 30 days and request a refund — you do not cancel through your account settings the way you would with a typical subscription.
Some VPN services do offer free trials on PC, usually lasting 7 days. Surfshark chose the money-back may provide model instead, which means you are taking on the small risk that you will need to request a refund rather than straightforward letting a trial expire.
Key Takeaways
- Surfshark charges your card when ready when you subscribe on PC; there is no free trial period where you pay nothing.
- You have 30 days from the date you subscribe to request a full refund through Surfshark's support team if the service does not meet your needs.
- Refunds are not automatic — you must contact support and ask for one within the 30-day window, rather than straightforward canceling your subscription.
- Monthly plans on PC cost around $14.99 per month, though longer subscription periods reduce the monthly cost.
How the 30-day money-back may provide works in practice
When you read Surfshark on your PC and create an account, you choose a subscription plan and enter payment information. Your card is charged that day. You then have 30 calendar days from that charge date to use the service and decide whether you want to keep it.
If you want your money back, you go to Surfshark's support page, start a chat or submit a ticket, and request a refund. You do not need to provide a reason, though support may ask why you are unsatisfied — this is optional to answer. Surfshark processes refunds to your original payment method, and the refund typically appears in your account within 5 to 10 business days, depending on your bank.
The 30 days is measured from your subscription date, not from when you first read the app. If you subscribe on the 15th of the month, your refund window closes on the 15th of the following month. After that date, Surfshark will not refund your payment, and your subscription will continue to renew on your regular billing date.
What happens to your subscription after the 30-day period ends
If you do not request a refund within 30 days, your subscription automatically continues. Your card will be charged again on your next billing date — either 30 days after your original charge (for a monthly plan) or 365 days later (for an annual plan). Surfshark does not send a reminder before this second charge, so you need to track the date yourself or cancel before it arrives.
To stop future charges after the 30-day period, you cancel your subscription through your Surfshark account settings. Log in on the Surfshark website, go to your account or subscription settings, and look for a cancel or manage subscription option. This stops the service and prevents the next charge, but it does not refund money you have already paid for a current billing period.
If you forget to cancel and are charged again, you can still request a refund for that new charge, but you would need to contact support again and explain that you did not intend to renew. Surfshark may honor this as a one-time courtesy, but there is no may provide.
Comparing Surfshark's may provide to other VPN services
Most major VPN services use either a free trial or a money-back may provide. ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and CyberGhost all offer 30-day money-back guarantees similar to Surfshark's, meaning you pay upfront and request a refund if you are not satisfied. ProtonVPN offers a free trial on some platforms but not others. Windscribe offers a free plan with limited data, which is different from both a trial and a may provide.
The money-back may provide is actually more consumer-friendly than it sounds, because you get to use the full service for the entire 30 days without any restrictions. A free trial often limits your speed, data, or server locations. With Surfshark's may provide, you have access to all servers and full speeds during your 30-day window.
The trade-off is that you have to remember to request the refund. A free trial expires automatically. With a may provide, the responsibility is on you to contact support before the important date passes.
Steps to request a refund within the 30-day window
Start by visiting Surfshark's support page on their website. Look for a "Contact Support" or "Help" link, usually found at the bottom of the page. Click it and choose the option to start a live chat or submit a support ticket — live chat is usually faster.
In your message, state that you subscribed on [your subscription date] and would like to request a refund under the 30-day money-back may provide. Include the email address associated with your Surfshark account. You do not need to explain why you want the refund, though you can if you want to provide feedback.
A support agent will confirm your subscription date and process the refund. They will tell you which payment method the refund will go to and approximately how long it will take to appear. Keep the refund confirmation message in case you need to follow up with your bank.
What to do if your refund request is denied
Surfshark's policy states that refunds are available within 30 days, with no questions asked. In practice, this means refunds are rarely denied if you request them within the window. However, if a support agent denies your request and claims you are outside the 30-day period, ask them to confirm the exact subscription date they have on file. If there is a discrepancy, explain when you actually subscribed.
If you subscribed more than 30 days ago and genuinely did not realize, you can explain this to support and ask if they will make an exception. Some companies honor one-time refund requests even slightly outside the window, especially if you have not used the service heavily. There is no harm in asking, but Surfshark is not obligated to refund you after the 30 days have passed.
If you paid through a third-party app store or reseller rather than directly through Surfshark's website, the refund process may be different. Contact that store or reseller's support team instead, as they handle the refund, not Surfshark.
Canceling your subscription to prevent future charges
Once you have decided to keep Surfshark or your 30-day window has closed, you can cancel anytime through your account settings to stop future charges. Log into your Surfshark account on their website, navigate to your subscription or billing section, and select the option to cancel or manage your subscription.
Canceling stops the service and prevents the next charge, but it does not refund the current billing period you have already paid for. If you cancel on the 10th of the month and your next charge is on the 30th, you will still have access to Surfshark until the 30th, then the service will stop.
After you cancel, Surfshark may send you a retention offer — a discount to keep your subscription. You can accept this, ignore it, or request a refund if you have not yet passed the 30-day window. If you do nothing, your subscription straightforward ends on your next billing date and no further charges occur.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Surfshark for free on PC before I buy it?
No, Surfshark does not offer a free trial on PC. You must pay for a subscription first, then you have 30 days to request a refund if you decide you do not want to keep it. Some other VPN services do offer free trials, but Surfshark uses the money-back may provide model instead.
What if I request a refund after 30 days?
Surfshark's policy allows refunds only within 30 days of your subscription date. If you request a refund after that period, it will likely be denied. However, you can contact support and explain your situation — they may make an exception, but they are not obligated to do so.
Do I have to give a reason when I request a refund?
No. Surfshark's money-back may provide does not require you to explain why you want a refund. You can straightforward tell support you would like one, and they will process it if you are within the 30-day window. Support may ask for feedback, but answering is optional.
If I get a refund, can I use Surfshark again later?
Yes. Requesting a refund does not ban you from subscribing again. You can sign up for Surfshark again in the future and receive another 30-day money-back may provide. However, Surfshark may flag accounts that repeatedly request refunds within the may provide period.
How long does it take to see a refund in my bank account?
Surfshark processes refunds to your original payment method within a few business days, but your bank may take an additional 5 to 10 business days to post the credit to your account. The exact timing depends on your bank and payment method. Check your bank's transaction history if you do not see the refund within two weeks.