SurfShark VPN Overview with Devoted IP – Bypassing ID checks with domain-based routing and velocity exams

I reviewed SurfShark again in 2018 when instances appeared easier and happier.

Issues have modified loads since then. Particularly, this 12 months, the UK has carried out ID checks for any web site content material that’s deemed grownup materials beneath the On-line Security Act.

It’s a ridiculous regulation that doesn’t simply block porn however casts a large internet, blocking something deemed grownup. My companion complained that she was unable to entry the true crime subreddit, and I used to be unable to entry the UK medical hashish subreddit. There have additionally been loads of reviews about it blocking entry to different medical and psychological well being assets. 

Then, it is vitally simple to bypass with a  VPN, or for different folks, they will web sites that skirt this regulation, which is extra prone to make them rather more dangerous content material, which the federal government was attempting to dam within the first place. 

Again in 2018, I used to be on a 350Mbps package deal with Virgin, and the height speeds I pulled down have been simply 75Mbps. Now I’m on 1000Mbps and ready for a CityFibre 2500Mbps connection, so 75Mbps on VPN wouldn’t actually lower it in 2025.

So, for this assessment, I received’t rehash what I beforehand wrote. As an alternative, I’ll deal with seeing if the speeds have improved, the devoted IP choice and if that makes a distinction to each speeds or the captchas from web sites. Then, I’ve documented the right way to route particular domains and gadgets by the VPN utilizing a Unifi gateway.

Ordering a devoted IP

Whenever you order a devoted IP from SurfShark, it’s important to choose a location, and that may’t be modified (as a result of it’s devoted).

You possibly can order a devoted IP whenever you enroll, or after. You may be charged for a similar variety of months as your current subscription.

Then, when you might have ordered the service, whenever you go to the Surfshark web site, beneath VPN > Devoted IP, you possibly can choose your location.

Earlier than selecting my location, I examined some nations to see how briskly the velocity and latency have been.

I had hoped to pick out Eire, as that is probably the most logical alternative, with it being near England and an English-speaking nation, however this was not obtainable beneath the devoted IP choices.

I finally settled on the Netherlands – Amsterdam.

Devoted IP velocity exams vs normal servers

For velocity exams, I examined numerous areas and totally different choices, to see how issues had improved since my final assessment. Fortunately, the speeds have improved considerably.

I’m presently on a Virgin Media gigabit line, which may peak at round 1100Mbps obtain with 105Mbps add and pings of 25ms  with a latency of 28ms down and 69ms add

The next exams have been all accomplished utilizing the SurfShark Home windows app and a wired connection.

For the devoted IP:

The upper quantity was the day after I added the VPN to my Unifi.

Does a devoted IP scale back CAPTCHAs?

Once I initially added SurfShark to my Unifi router, I routed my companion’s cellphone by it for the whole lot, just for her to complain that Google wasn’t working.

That is what led me to get the devoted IP, with claims that it’s going to scale back “are you robotic” CAPTCHAs.

Utilizing the SurfShark Home windows app, once I use one of many normal areas, I constantly get requested if I’m a robotic, and I’ve discovered that the Google reCAPTCHA system has grow to be more and more difficult to go, usually requesting you to finish a number of image-based duties earlier than permitting you thru.

Thus far, with the devoted IP, I’ve seen only a few CAPTCHAs. I can’t assure will probably be good, as I don’t route all my site visitors by this, however my restricted testing has proven a major enchancment.

Bypassing ID checks for the On-line Security Act

The growth in customers downloading VPNs within the UK is fully as a result of ridiculous On-line Security Act, which introduces age verification for something perceived as grownup or probably dangerous content material.

Nonetheless, this casts a large internet and blocks all kinds of content material, together with medical data, or, for my companion, the true crime subreddit.

Utilizing a VPN can bypass this restriction. I initially used Eire as my exit level, and this labored completely properly, and may hopefully scale back the chances of getting web sites change the language on you whereas additionally sustaining respectable speeds and latency in comparison with different English-speaking nations.

Coverage-Primarily based Routing with Unifi – Use your VPN for particular domains

In case you have a Unifi gateway, and certain different prosumer/enterprise routers, you possibly can route site visitors by the VPN based mostly on particular circumstances.

For Unifi, you might have the mixture of particular gadgets and/or domains.

For me, I routed any area that introduced up the confirm your age pop-up by my devoted VPN IP. So, all of Reddit now goes by this.

There have been reviews that providers like Spotify will roll out related checks, so in some unspecified time in the future, I’ll find yourself routing most site visitors by the VPN.

Moreover, I run YouTube by Andorra to keep away from adverts.

I’ve coated establishing policy-based routing in Unifi in additional element.

Every time I arrange a brand new VPN in Unifi, I’ll add speedtest.internet and iplocation.internet to the domains so I can check it’s working as anticipated.

Thus far, the outcomes have been nice. I can browse web sites freely at dwelling with out having to fireplace up a VPN intermittently simply to have a look at some random subreddit.

Value and Different Choices

SurfShark, like all VPNs, continuously has some kind of sale on, and the costs soar round loads. So, I can’t assure these costs will probably be 100% correct for everybody however they’re what have been exhibited to me when viewing VPN web sites in incognito mode.

For SurfShark on a 2-year plan with 3 months further free (27 months), the worth is £51.03 or £61.24 together with VAT.

In case you are an current account holder needing to assessment, it’s price going by the cancellation course of. I paid simply £35.49 in 2025 after attempting to cancel and receiving a reduction provide.

For a devoted IP, that’s a further £2.78 per thirty days or £75.06+ VAT. So the full value for 27 months can be £151.31, together with VAT

NordVPN appears to be the preferred different to SurfShark. That’s £64.53+VAT for 27 months then £2.89+vat PCM for a devoted IP. This is able to be £171.07 together with VAT for 27 months.

Mullvad is likely one of the best-regarded VPNs for its privateness. They don’t complicate issues with reductions; it’s simply 5-Euros per thirty days, or round £4.35. So, considerably dearer, and they don’t provide a devoted IP.

CyberGhost is £ 49.92 for 26 months, and so they provide a devoted IP at £2.25 per thirty days. The ultimate value, together with VAT can be £ 124.70 for 26 months.

Categorical VPN expenses $251.32 for 28 months with a devoted IP. This works out at round £187.98.

General

Thus far, SurfShark has been a implausible funding to keep away from all the problems with ID checks for UK customers. For the usual VPN choice, the worth could be very engaging, and the efficiency has been excellent. It doesn’t match my Web speeds, however I constantly recover from 500Mbps obtain speeds with respectable latency, making it viable to make use of as a full-time connection (if you would like).

The devoted IP works brilliantly, speeds are higher, and there are considerably fewer CAPTCHAs displayed. Nonetheless, it greater than doubles the worth of the bottom subscription, and as soon as you choose a location, you possibly can’t change it. So, whereas I may give the devoted IP a powerful suggestion, you also needs to contemplate if you’ll benefit from it to justify the associated fee.

I’m James, a UK-based tech fanatic and the Editor and Proprietor of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Enthusiastic about all issues know-how, my experience spans from computer systems and networking to cellular, wearables, and good dwelling gadgets.

As a health fanatic who loves working and biking, I even have a eager curiosity in fitness-related know-how, and I take each alternative to cowl this area of interest on my weblog. My numerous pursuits permit me to carry a novel perspective to tech running a blog, merging way of life, health, and the most recent tech tendencies.

In my tutorial pursuits, I earned a BSc in Data Methods Design from UCLAN, earlier than advancing my studying with a Grasp’s Diploma in Computing. This superior examine additionally included Cisco CCNA accreditation, additional demonstrating my dedication to understanding and staying forward of the know-how curve.

I’m proud to share that Vuelio has constantly ranked Mighty Gadget as one of many high know-how blogs within the UK. With my dedication to know-how and drive to share my insights, I intention to proceed offering my readers with participating and informative content material.