Mozilla Vs. Surfshark

You’ve no doubt heard of Firefox.

It’s the browser that appears toward the top of “Alternatives to Chrome” lists. Many people try it when Google makes silly updates that affect ad blockers, automatically opt you in to new privacy settings, or start displaying nonstop ads for Hulu just because you searched “When is ‘The Bear’ coming back?”

Mozilla, the company behind Firefox, also offers a VPN for anyone looking for an alternative to popular options like Surfshark. While Firefox is the fourth-most-preferred browser for desktops in the U.S.,1 does its VPN have enough to knock off Surfshark as one of the best VPNs of 2024?

Sadly, it doesn’t. Here’s what Surfshark does better.

Head-to-Head

About Mozilla VPN

While Firefox has existed since 2004, Mozilla VPN is a new kid on the block that arrived in 2020. As such, it’s made some rookie errors that might turn off some people.

The first is that its headquarters are in the U.S. We’re as patriotic as the next person, but as a founding member of the Five Eyes Alliance, it means Mozilla could share information about your usage. Fortunately, it has a no-logging policy.

Mozilla VPN also doesn’t use recognized protocols such as OpenVPN and IKEv2. But it does use WireGuard, which is considered a faster alternative. To its credit, Mozilla has been audited by the renowned organization Cure53 and addressed privacy issues raised in its findings.2

>> Read About: Mozilla VPN Review

About Surfshark

Surfshark’s headquarters are in the Netherlands, where VPN companies aren’t required to retain data. It also has a no-logging policy despite the apps locking user IDs and IP addresses. However, these are deleted within 15 minutes of disconnection. Cure53 also audited Surfshark to reveal these steps are being adhered to.3

Its VPN also uses WireGuard in addition to OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols. It even uses AES-256-bit encryption, which is considered unhackable.

>> Check Out: Surfshark VPN Review

How Much Do They Cost?

So, how much do these options cost? More importantly, how far does your dollar go?

While Mozilla VPN is the cheaper alternative, it lacks features such as unlimited connections. Surfshark also includes additional security tools that provide further value for money.

Mozilla VPN

Mozilla VPN really wants you to get an annual subscription. It’s discounted by 50%, and there is a 30-day money-back guarantee if you change your mind. However, this is only available once per user.

Surfshark

Surfshark offers you more than a VPN. On the Surfshark One and Surfshark One+ plans, you’ll gain access to other digital security tools, including a masked email generator, webcam protection, and spyware shields. If you don’t have these apps already, Surfshark could be the all-in-one solution you’ve been searching for.

The checkout process is seamless, as both services accept PayPal and credit cards. Surfshark also lets you pay via Sofot, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, and cryptocurrency.

Verdict on Plans and Pricing: Mozilla VPN is cheaper, but Surfshark offers a lot more value for money. Both have 30-day money-back guarantees in lieu of free trials, so there is no risk in trying either option.

Comparing Vital Features

Verdict on Features: Sadly, Mozilla VPN doesn’t compare to Surfshark. In terms of the number of servers and simultaneous connections, you have more to gain with Surfshark. While Mozilla VPN does have a kill switch, be warned that you can’t turn this feature off, which is another negative against the app.

Speed Test Results

While we want a VPN to protect our privacy, it still needs to deliver network speeds that are on par with our existing connection. We tested Mozilla VPN and Surfshark from our headquarters in Brooklyn on a Macbook M1 Pro 2021 to see if one of those caused videos to take longer to load.

Baseline

Here’s what we’re currently working with on a good day. Streams are smooth, and the quality is usually at 4K resolution.

Mozilla VPN

I chose to use a server in the U.K. to perform the test. Mozilla VPN chose the best option but halved the download and upload speeds. The latency also increased, which isn’t ideal for streaming videos. Every few minutes, it would stop and start due to buffering.

Surfshark

The Surfshark VPN also chose the best U.K. server, which happened to be in Manchester. The reduction in speeds was minimal, and there was no impact to the video I was watching. However, the ping was high, which can be an issue for gamers looking for multiplayer matches.

Verdict on Speed: I liked that Mozilla VPN and Surfshark chose the fastest server in the country I wanted to connect to. But Surfshark managed to keep download and upload speeds relatively similar to my existing connection, which makes it a winner in my book. It isn’t as user-friendly as Mozilla VPN, but once you know how to navigate the app, it’s easy to choose your preferred server locations.

How Well Do They Protect Your Privacy?

After performing a speed test, we highly recommend checking what information, if any, your VPN is leaking. Several tools are available, including DoILeak, dnsleaktest.com, browserleaks.com, and ipleak.net. Each one provides the information you need to help you pick the safest option.

Mozilla VPN

I tested the same U.K. server as the one used for the speed test and found no leak issues. Despite fewer protocols and a different encryption, Mozilla VPN kept my IP address, DNS, and location hidden.

Surfshark

Sadly, Surfshark leaked my original DNS for the U.K. server I used previously. My IP address remained hidden, but my location was detected based on the DNS address.

Verdict on Privacy: Mozilla VPN provided a more secure and private connection even without using some of the industry’s most recognizable protocols and encryptions.

Streaming, Gaming, and Torrenting From Other Countries

One of the main reasons we connect to U.K. servers is to take a peek at the country’s streaming catalogs. Netflix U.K. offers several TV shows and films that are unavailable on the U.S. platform. Plus, there are services you can’t get here, such as BBC iPlayer and Channel 4.

With many sites blocking VPNs, can Mozilla VPN and Surfshark provide us with the access we want in addition to torrent sites and global gaming servers?

Streaming

Surfshark had no trouble streaming TV shows and movies from Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video. The resolution was excellent, and there were no buffering issues. Sadly, Netflix detected the Mozilla VPN and wouldn’t let me watch my favorite episode of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.”

Another advantage of Surfshark is that it has an Apple TV app. Mozilla VPN can be used only on laptops, desktops, and mobile devices.

>> Read About: Best Apple TV VPN in 2024

Torrenting

Instead of using Mozilla VPN for streaming, you can use it for torrenting. But the download speeds will be slower. However, both VPNs offer P2P servers, reducing the wait times for large files despite network speeds.

An additional benefit of Surfshark is that it automatically switches to a P2P server when it detects torrent use. If you use a VPN for torrenting only, you can connect to it instantly in the menu instead of waiting for the app to change servers.

>> Learn More: How to Use a VPN for Torrenting

Gaming

Mozilla VPN and Surfshark will protect gamers’ privacy on servers. However, I recommend using a U.S. server if you plan on using Mozilla VPN. It won’t reduce your network speeds as significantly as those in other countries.

I discovered this while playing “Helldivers 2” on my PlayStation 5. The gameplay was smooth when I was connected to another U.S. server, and I didn’t experience any lag. But once I jumped into a server in the U.K., it was tough to dispense peace with the ultimate weaponry.

When I connected to a U.K. server through Surfshark, there was some lag during intense battles when lots of action was happening on screen. However, I could still call in air support and decimate enemies, so I didn’t feel like a weak link.

Verdict on Streaming, Gaming, and Torrenting: Both VPN services will support your torrenting and gaming needs, even though the results will vary. But Surfshark gains the victory, as you can also stream international catalogs and access services that are not available in the U.S.

>> Find Out: Best VPNs for Gaming in 2024

What Devices Are Compatible?

Both VPNs are compatible with multiple devices. They’re also easy to set up. It’s as simple as downloading a browser extension or an app for Windows or Mac. You can get them for:

• Chrome
• Firefox
• iOS
• MacOS
• Android
• Windows
• Linux
• Edge

Surfshark also has apps for smart TVs, including Apple TV. You can even set it up on your router and protect any device connected to your Wi-Fi. Mozilla VPN doesn’t support these options.

However, it does have a cool feature for Firefox we didn’t know we needed. In the settings, you can set up different containers and change the VPN country to get unique experiences. For example, if you need to stay on top of events in London, you can set up a news container to VPN through the U.K. You can then continue to perform personal browsing through a U.S. network.

Verdict on Compatible Devices: Despite this cool feature we’d like to see incorporated into more browsers, Surfshark lets you install its VPN on more devices to keep you safe online.

What Customers Say

Thousands of customers have left reviews for Mozilla VPN and Surfshark on Google Play and the Apple App Store. Here are some of the things they’ve praised and some of the issues they have.

Mozilla VPN

There are close to 3,000 reviews of Mozilla VPN on Google Play. It has a rating of 3.8 out of 5. The score is similar to that of the iOS version, but only 430 people have left a review.

Surfshark

Considering Surfshark has been around since 2018, it’s expected to have thousands more reviews. On Google Play, it has close to 100,000 reviews and a rating of 4.4 out of 5. Meanwhile, on the Apple App Store, it has more than 15,000 reviews and a rating of 4.9 out of 5.

Verdict on Customer Reviews: Surfshark has received thousands of reviews and has significantly higher ratings. But Mozilla VPN is still relatively new, and if it continues improving the product and listening to customer feedback, its score might rise.

Customer Support Options

If you ever need assistance, Mozilla VPN and Surfshark have 24/7 live chat support on their websites. But it could be easier to access.

For Mozilla VPN, you need to log in to your account. It offers many guides and FAQs that anyone can access. But to speak to someone, you must enter your username and password.

Surfshark is easier. It has a support page with plenty of articles about common issues. If you can’t find what you need, there is a button that will connect you to live chat. You can also send an email if that’s easier.

Verdict on Support Options: Surfshark is easier to contact than Mozilla VPN. While both offer plenty of content to support troubleshooting, it should be simple to speak to customer service, and Mozilla doesn’t allow this unless you log in to your account.

Verdict: Mozilla VPN or Surfshark?

Mozilla has a loyal fanbase that wants to support its noble cause. But, unfortunately, its VPN product is just not as good as Surfshark’s. While it appears to be more secure and has a user-friendly interface, it halves download and upload speeds and doesn’t work with overseas streaming services.

Surfshark also offers more bang for your buck. It has unlimited simultaneous connections and is part of a digital security suite featuring antivirus and ad-blocking software. So, if you’re going to spend money on a VPN subscription, we recommend going with Surfshark.