About Surfshark
Surfshark is a European VPN service and digital privacy tool founded in Lithuania in 2018. Headquartered in Amsterdam, it has quickly grown to become a significant player in the cybersecurity industry. Surfshark provides a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service that encrypts internet activity, hides IP addresses, and allows users to access geo-restricted content.
Beyond the VPN, the brand offers a full security suite, known as Surfshark One, which includes Antivirus, Alert (for data leak monitoring), and Search (a private search engine). A key distinguishing feature is its offering of unlimited simultaneous connections per account, making it highly competitive.
Surfshark Affiliate Program Overview
The Surfshark Affiliate Program allows partners to earn commissions by promoting their award-winning VPN and other online security tools. It is known for offering a competitive commission structure and providing necessary marketing materials to affiliates. The program is flexible, utilizing multiple affiliate networks for tracking and management.
| Factor | Detail |
| Industry | Software, Cybersecurity, Digital Privacy, VPN (Virtual Private Network) |
| Product Type | Digital Products (Software Subscriptions, Security Suite) |
| Affiliate Program Type | Cost Per Sale (CPS) / Revenue Share (RevShare) and Cost Per Action (CPA) on agreement |
Surfshark Affiliate Program Offers
Surfshark provides affiliates with the tools and terms necessary for effective promotion. The cookie duration is standard for the industry, and they generally accept a wide array of promotional channels, though certain content types are explicitly prohibited to maintain brand standards.
| Factor | Detail |
| Promotional Materials | Unique affiliate links, banners, logotypes, marketing assets, promotional calendars, and training (often provided via affiliate platform/dedicated account manager). |
| Affiliate Cookie Duration | 30 days |
| Accepted Traffic Source | Websites, blogs (especially tech/privacy), social media (Facebook, X, YouTube), newsletters, educational content, video tutorials, and webinars. |
| Accepted Countries | Worldwide reach. The program is available to affiliates globally, but some individual affiliate networks may have specific exclusions (e.g., Turkey, China, India, Russia, Belarus, Syria, North Korea may be restricted on some networks). |
| Explicit Content | Not accepted (Prohibited: Adult, indecent, obscene, or vulgar content). |
| Religious or political content | Not accepted (Prohibited: Political, controversial, or racially/ethnically objectionable content). |
Surfshark Affiliate Commissions & Payments
The program offers a strong commission rate on new sales, emphasizing a recurring revenue model for long-term earning potential. Payouts are made monthly, provided the minimum threshold is met.
| Factor | Detail |
| MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) | Single-tier commissions only. Affiliates earn commission only on sales they generate; no referral commission is offered for recruiting other affiliates. |
| Commission Rate | Starts at a competitive 40% revenue share on new sales. (Some sources cite up to 45% or higher rates based on volume/negotiation). |
| Commission Structure | Revenue Share on new sales and subsequent renewals (for long-term plans). CPA (Cost Per Action) structure may be available upon discussion/volume. |
| Payout Frequency | Monthly (or upon request, often within 30 days after the end of the 30-day money-back guarantee period). |
| Payout Methods | PayPal, Wire Transfer, ACH (Direct Deposit), Check (depending on the specific affiliate network used). |
| Minimum Payout | $100 |
Suitable Affiliates for Surfshark Affiliate
The Surfshark Affiliate Program is most suitable for content creators and professionals who focus on technology, online security, digital privacy, and related fields.
- Bloggers: Especially those running technology blogs, cybersecurity blogs, VPN review sites, or digital privacy-focused websites. They can write in-depth comparisons and reviews.
- YouTubers / Video Editors / Livestreamers: Ideal for creating product reviews, step-by-step setup guides, security comparisons, and video tutorials that demonstrate the product’s use and benefits.
- KOL (Key Opinion Leaders) / Influencers: Those with an audience interested in tech, online gaming, streaming, digital nomadism, or general internet safety.
- KOC (Key Opinion Consumers): Individuals who genuinely use and trust the product and can create authentic, trust-building content.
- IT Specialists & Educators: Professionals who run courses, webinars, or consulting on digital security and can recommend Surfshark as a proven tool to their audience.
Surfshark Affiliate Software
Surfshark uses multiple well-known, third-party affiliate management software platforms to manage its program. This allows them to leverage established tracking and payment systems.
The brand’s program is primarily available through networks like:
- Tunes (HasOffers) (often their main platform)
- Impact Radius
- AvantLink
- CJ (Commission Junction)
- Awin
This means they do not rely solely on in-house affiliate management software, but rather utilize and integrate with these industry-leading networks.
3 Alternatives for Surfshark Affiliate Program
Surfshark’s program can be compared to other top-tier VPN affiliate programs. The main alternatives are often NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and CyberGhost, as they operate in the same competitive space. The comparison below highlights key differences in their offerings.
| Comparison Factor | Surfshark | NordVPN | ExpressVPN | CyberGhost VPN |
| Average Bill | Generally lower long-term price than NordVPN/ExpressVPN. | Generally mid-range pricing. | Generally higher pricing. | Generally lower pricing, similar to Surfshark. |
| Entry Fees | None (Standard for the industry) | None | None | None |
| Withdrawal Threshold | $100 | Varies by network, often around $10 – $100. | Varies by network, often around $50 – $100. | Varies by network, often around $100. |
| Payment Frequency | Monthly (upon request/threshold met) | Monthly | Monthly | Monthly |
| Commission | 40% Revenue Share (on new sales and renewals) | Up to 100% on first sign-up; 30% recurring on renewals. | Flat rates per plan (e.g., $13 to $36 per signup). No recurring commission. | Up to 100% on first sign-up; Recurring commission (percentage varies). |
| Conversion | High (due to competitive pricing and unlimited connections feature). | High (due to strong brand recognition). | High (due to excellent reputation and performance). | Good (due to strong features and price). |
| Marketing Materials | Unique links, banners, assets, dedicated support. | Unique links, banners, assets, dedicated support. | Unique links, banners, assets, dedicated support. | Unique links, banners, assets, dedicated support. |