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 remains the fourth-most-popular desktop browser in the U.S.,1 does its VPN have enough to knock off Surfshark as one of the best VPNs of 2025?

Unfortunately, it falls short in several key areas. Here’s our comprehensive breakdown of 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 a relatively young service, it’s still working through some growing pains that might frustrate users seeking a mature VPN solution.

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 exclusively uses the WireGuard protocol. It offers excellent speed and security but lacks the flexibility of services offering multiple protocol options. The good news is that Mozilla underwent an independent security audit by Cure53 in 2023, addressing all critical findings and confirming their no-logs policy.

>> 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. Deloitte also conducts an annual audit of Surfshark, verifying their no-logs claims and security practices.2

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?

Let’s break down the pricing to see which service offers better value for your security budget.

While Mozilla VPN starts at a lower price point, it’s worth examining what features you get for your money. Surfshark includes several premium features that Mozilla lacks, such as unlimited device connections and additional security tools.

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 delivers comprehensive digital protection beyond just VPN services. The Surfshark One plan includes antivirus protection, a private search engine, and data breach monitoring. The Surfshark One+ tier adds identity protection features and removes personal data from data brokers. If you’re already paying for separate security tools, Surfshark’s bundles could actually save you money.

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: While Mozilla VPN wins on base price, Surfshark delivers better value through unlimited connections and comprehensive security features. For families or users with multiple devices, Surfshark’s unlimited connections alone justify the slightly higher cost.

Comparing Vital Features

Verdict on Features: Surfshark dominates the feature comparison with nearly five times the server count and coverage in more than twice as many countries. I also appreciate their more advanced features like the option for a dedicated IP address. Mozilla VPN’s inability to disable its kill switch could frustrate users who occasionally need flexibility.

Speed Test Results

VPN speed directly impacts your online experience, from video streaming quality to file download times. To get real-world results, I conducted extensive speed tests from our Brooklyn headquarters using a MacBook M1 Pro.

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: Both services offer automatic server selection, which is convenient for casual users. However, Surfshark’s superior infrastructure translates to real-world performance benefits. In our tests, Surfshark maintained approximately 85 percent of our baseline speeds compared to Mozilla’s 50 percent. That makes Surfsharl the clear winner.

How Well Do They Protect Your Privacy?

Privacy protection is a VPN’s primary purpose. I ran both services through rigorous tests using multiple leak detection tools including DoILeak, dnsleaktest.com, browserleaks.com, and ipleak.net to identify any vulnerabilities.

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

During our testing, Surfshark showed a DNS leak on certain U.K. servers. While the IP address remained masked, the DNS information could potentially reveal your general location. This issue appeared intermittent and may be resolved through Surfshark’s regular updates, but it’s worth monitoring.

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

Many users rely on VPNs to access geo-restricted content, whether that’s international Netflix libraries, region-locked games, or torrent sites. I tested both services across popular platforms to see which delivers better accessibility.

With streaming services increasingly sophisticated at detecting VPNs, and online gaming requiring low latency for competitive play, can Mozilla VPN and Surfshark deliver the performance and access users need?

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 2025

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

Both VPNs protect your privacy on gaming servers, but performance varies significantly based on server location. During our testing with “Helldivers 2”, I found Mozilla VPN performed adequately on U.S. servers but struggled with international connections. Those farther servers introduced noticeable lag during intense gameplay.

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., response times suffered noticeably during chaotic firefights.

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: Surfshark sweeps this category with superior streaming compatibility, automatic P2P optimization, and consistent gaming performance. Mozilla VPN’s inability to bypass Netflix’s detection makes it unsuitable for users primarily seeking international content access.

>> Find Out: Best VPNs for Gaming in 2025

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, Mozilla VPN offers a unique Firefox feature called Multi-Account Containers. This allows you to create separate browsing environments with different VPN locations. For instance, you could monitor London news through a U.K. connection while maintaining U.S. access for personal browsing in separate container tabs.

Verdict on Compatible Devices: Despite Mozilla’s innovative container feature, Surfshark’s broader device support, including routers and smart TVs, makes it more versatile for whole-home protection.

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

With over 3,000 reviews on Google Play, Mozilla VPN maintains a 4.0 out of 5 rating. The iOS version performs slightly worse with a 3.4 rating from approximately 500 reviews.

Surfshark

Surfshark boasts over 200,000 reviews on Google Play with a 4.6 rating. The Apple App Store shows even stronger performance with a 4.7 rating from more than 100,000 reviews.

Verdict on Customer Reviews: Surfshark’s substantially higher ratings and larger review base suggest better overall user satisfaction. While both services have room for improvement, Surfshark’s mature platform shows in its more consistent user experience.

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?

While Mozilla deserves credit for entering the VPN market with a privacy-focused solution, their service falls short of Surfshark. It excels at basic privacy protection with zero leaks in our testing, but its limited server network, slower connection speeds, and inability to access streaming services significantly limit its appeal.

Surfshark justifies its slightly higher price through unlimited device connections, a server network covering 100 countries, and bundled security tools. For users seeking a complete digital security solution rather than just basic VPN functionality, Surfshark delivers exceptional value. We recommend Surfshark for most users, though privacy purists who don’t need streaming access might appreciate Mozilla VPN’s leak-free results.