One of the biggest advantages of Surfshark over many competing VPN providers is its unlimited simultaneous device connections. While most VPNs cap you at 5–10 devices, Surfshark lets you run the VPN on every device you own—all under one subscription.

For people with multiple laptops, phones, tablets, and even smart TVs, this means no juggling accounts or logging in and out. But to take full advantage of this feature, you need to know the best ways to install, configure, and share Surfshark across different platforms.

This guide will walk you through the most effective setups—whether you want Surfshark on each device individually or secure your entire home network at once.

1. Understanding Surfshark’s Unlimited Device Policy

When Surfshark says “unlimited devices,” it means:

• You can connect as many devices as you want at the same time using the same login.

• There is no device limit per account, unlike VPNs such as ExpressVPN (8 devices) or NordVPN (10 devices).

• The only limiting factor is your internet bandwidth—running 20+ devices through a VPN can slow things down if your connection isn’t fast enough.
  
  

2. Install Surfshark on Each Device Directly

Surfshark offers native apps for:

• Windows (7, 8, 10, 11)

• macOS (High Sierra and newer)

• Linux (Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora—CLI-based)

• iOS (iPhone, iPad)

• Android (phones, tablets, Android TV)

• Smart TVs (via native apps or sideloading)

• Amazon Fire TV / Fire Stick

• Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browsers (extensions)
  
  

Steps for direct installation:

1. Download the Surfshark app from the official site or app store.

2. Log in with your Surfshark account credentials.

3. Choose a location or enable features like CleanWeb (ad blocking) or MultiHop (double VPN) if needed.

This is the fastest way to protect each device individually while customizing settings per device.

3. Use a Router to Protect Every Device at Once

If you want Surfshark to cover devices without VPN apps—like older smart TVs, game consoles, or IoT devices—the best option is to install it directly on your router.

Benefits of the router method:

• One VPN connection covers your entire network.

• Works for devices that don’t support VPN apps.

• Counts as one device connection no matter how many devices are behind the router.
  
  

Supported router setups:

• AsusWRT (for Asus routers)

• DD-WRT (open-source firmware for compatible routers)

• OpenWRT

• GL.iNet travel routers

• pfSense (advanced firewall/router OS)
  
  

Basic OpenVPN router setup steps:

1. Log in to your router’s admin panel.

2. Upload Surfshark’s OpenVPN configuration files (available in your Surfshark account dashboard).

3. Enter your Surfshark username and password.

4. Save and connect.
   
   

Tip: Use a router with a dual-core CPU or better to handle VPN encryption without bottlenecks.

4. Create a VPN Hotspot from Your Computer

If you don’t have a VPN-compatible router, you can still share your Surfshark connection via a VPN hotspot:

• Windows:
  
  

  1. Connect to Surfshark using the Windows app.

  2. Enable “Mobile Hotspot” in Windows settings.

  3. Share the VPN-protected connection with other devices over Wi-Fi.
     
     

• macOS:
  
  

  1. Set up Surfshark using the macOS app.

  2. Go to “Internet Sharing” in System Preferences.

  3. Share your VPN connection via Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
     
     

This is ideal for quickly sharing VPN protection with a smart TV or game console in the same room.

5. Use Manual Configurations for Advanced Devices

Some devices don’t support the Surfshark app but allow manual VPN configuration. This is useful for:

• NAS systems (Synology, QNAP)

• Linux distributions not officially supported

• Older operating systems
  
  

Surfshark provides OpenVPN and WireGuard configuration files for manual setup.

Advantages of manual setup:

• Minimal resource usage compared to running a full app.

• Full control over connection parameters (encryption strength, DNS, etc.).

6. Optimize Performance When Sharing Surfshark

Running Surfshark on multiple devices can impact speed, especially if you’re using heavy encryption (AES-256) or MultiHop. Here’s how to keep things fast:

• Choose the nearest VPN server to reduce latency.

• Use WireGuard protocol for the best speed-to-security ratio.

• Avoid connecting 10+ devices to streaming simultaneously over the VPN.

• If using a router, pick one with at least 256MB RAM and a strong CPU.
  
  

7. Maintain Security Across All Devices

Sharing Surfshark across devices is about convenience, but security should remain consistent:

• Enable Kill Switch on all apps to prevent IP leaks if the VPN disconnects.

• Turn on CleanWeb to block malicious sites and ads.

• Use MultiHop on sensitive devices for extra privacy.

• Keep apps and firmware updated to patch vulnerabilities.

Final Thoughts

Surfshark’s unlimited device connections make it one of the most flexible VPNs for families, remote workers, and tech enthusiasts. You can go the direct app route for per-device control, the router installation for full-home coverage, or even use hotspot sharing for quick one-off setups.

For maximum convenience and minimal management, installing Surfshark on your router is the most efficient way to share it across all devices. But for speed and customization, running Surfshark individually on each device gives you better control over features and performance.

Either way, Surfshark makes it simple to keep every device—from smartphones to gaming consoles—secure under one account, without worrying about connection limits.