Surfshark One Review: What’s in the Bundle and Who It Suits

Most of us have collected a little pile of security apps over the years: a VPN here, an antivirus trial there, maybe a password manager and a few email addresses for sign-ups. It gets messy fast, especially when you’re looking after the whole family’s devices or a small team. Surfshark One is Surfshark’s attempt to tidy that up by putting several tools into one subscription. In this post we look at what’s actually in the bundle, who it suits compared with just buying the VPN, and how to set it up without headaches.

What’s in the Surfshark One bundle?

According to Surfshark’s own Surfshark One page, the bundle includes these core tools:

• Surfshark VPN: encrypts your internet connection and hides your IP address, which is especially handy on public WiFi.
• Antivirus: real-time protection for your files and devices, including webcam protection. We covered it in detail in our Surfshark Antivirus review.
• Alert: notifies you if your email addresses, ID details, credit cards or other personal data turn up in a data leak.
• Alternative ID: creates a spare online identity and a proxy email address, so you don’t have to hand out your real details to every website.
• Clean Web: blocks trackers, malware, ads and those annoying cookie pop-ups.

Surfshark also offers One+, which adds Incogni, a service that asks data brokers to remove your personal information. If you’d like to compare the plans yourself, have a look at Surfshark One here. Pricing changes often, so check Surfshark’s site for current plans before you buy.

Surfshark One vs just the VPN

This is the big question. Surfshark sells its VPN on its own, but the other tools in the bundle (including Antivirus) aren’t sold separately. So the choice really comes down to what you need.

The VPN on its own suits you if…

• You mainly want privacy on public WiFi, at cafés, airports or hotels.
• You’re happy with the built-in protection on your computer (such as Microsoft Defender on Windows).
• You already have another antivirus you like and don’t want to change.

If that’s you, the standalone Surfshark VPN may be all you need. We explain why we use it in our post on simple internet security habits and Surfshark VPN.

The full bundle suits you if…

• You want antivirus, a VPN and data-leak alerts under one login and one bill.
• You look after several people’s devices, like a family or a small office.
• You’ve been caught up in a data breach before and want to know quickly if it happens again.
• You’d like to stop giving your real email address to every online shop and newsletter.

Honest pros and cons

Pros

• One app and one subscription instead of several, which means fewer passwords and renewal dates to track.
• Surfshark says there’s no limit on the number of devices for the VPN, which is great for busy households.
• Apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, browsers and TV devices, plus router setup.
• Alternative ID and Alert are useful extras that many people wouldn’t think to buy separately.
• Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Cons

• You can’t pick and choose. If you only want antivirus, you still pay for the whole bundle.
• Antivirus coverage is narrower than the VPN: Surfshark lists up to 5 devices, on Windows 10+, macOS 11+ and 64-bit Android 10+. There’s no iPhone/iPad antivirus and no Windows on ARM support.
• It isn’t a business security platform. There’s no central admin console like dedicated business products offer.
• More features means a little more to set up and understand at the start.

Setup tips for a family or small office

1. Make a device list first. Write down every computer, phone and tablet, who uses it, and what it runs. This tells you which devices get antivirus (remember the 5-device limit) and which just need the VPN.
2. Prioritise antivirus for the riskiest devices. Usually that’s the shared family PC, the kids’ laptops and any computer used for banking or invoicing.
3. Remove old antivirus first. Uninstall expired trials and old security suites before installing. Never run two real-time antivirus programs at once.
4. Run a full scan on each computer after installing, then set a weekly scheduled scan.
5. Set up Alert with the email addresses and details you want monitored, including work addresses.
6. Use Alternative ID for online shopping, competitions and newsletters to keep your main inbox cleaner.
7. Turn on the VPN for travel and public WiFi, and show everyone how to switch it on. A two-minute demo saves plenty of “it’s not working” calls later.
8. Keep the login safe. One account protects everything, so use a strong, unique password and keep it in a password manager.

When to call a pro

Surfshark One is designed to be set-and-forget, but some situations are worth handing over to someone experienced:

• A computer is already infected, running slowly or showing pop-ups before you install anything.
• Alert tells you your details have leaked and you’re not sure what to change first.
• The VPN causes trouble with work systems, printers, banking sites or streaming.
• You’re setting up a small office and want the security, backups and WiFi done properly together.
• You simply don’t have the time to set up a dozen devices yourself.

Need a hand? Geek Guru 2u comes to you

Geek Guru 2u provides mobile, on-site IT support for homes and businesses. We can set up Surfshark One across your family’s or team’s devices, remove old security software, clean up infected computers, and help with WiFi, NBN, printers, Windows and Apple devices, and data recovery. Same-day support is often available, with no extra call-out fees.

Call 1300 160 220 or book a time online. You can find out more about us on the Geek Guru 2u homepage.

Ready to bring it all under one roof? Get Surfshark One.

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