Surfshark Launches Its First 100Gbps VPN Server

It's a massive leap from the industry-standard 10Gbps servers.

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Tyler Graham Writer
Tyler is a writer for CNET covering laptops and video games. He's previously covered mobile devices, home energy products and broadband. He came to CNET straight out of college, where he graduated from Seton Hall with a bachelor's degree in journalism. When Tyler's not asking questions or doing research for his next assignment, you can find him in his home state of New Jersey, kicking back with a bagel and watching an action flick or playing a new video game. When Tyler's not asking questions or doing research for his next assignment, you can find him in his home state of New Jersey, kicking back with a bagel and watching an action flick or playing a new video game. You can reach him at tgraham@cnet.com.
Expertise Video gaming, computer hardware, laptops, home energy, home internet
Tyler Graham
2 min read
Surfshark logo on a phone

One of the largest VPN companies is stepping up its server hardware in a big way.

 James Martin/CNET

As part of its efforts to scale up physical infrastructure in anticipation of rising customer demand for VPN access, Surfshark just launched its first 100Gbps servers in Amsterdam. The new server offers 10 times the capacity of the industry-standard VPN hardware, which is 10Gbps.  

In a blog post about the news, Surfshark explained that this update is part of "preparing for the future and making sure that heavy internet activity by others won't slow down your internet connection."

The leap is impressive. Even if it doesn't change your internet speed today, it helps set a new standard for VPN servers that will spur technological advancement in the long run.

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The implementation of 100Gbps servers theoretically means that if you use Surfshark, you'll have smoother service with fewer interruptions, even when many people are connected to the server. 

However, the only 100Gbps server location is in the Netherlands, and you won't be able to match those speeds connecting from anywhere else in the world. Moreover, server capacity and distance aren't the only variables in the speed equation. Traffic encryption processes also introduce some level of latency.

According to Surfshark, the company is "testing this innovation with a few servers, laying the foundation for potential future rollouts." A Surfshark representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

What makes this important to you?

A single 100Gbps server in the Netherlands likely won't affect your own internet speed while using a VPN. In fact, when more people than ever before are choosing to use VPNs, it's an improvement that only extends to a small number of users at a time.

That said, Surfshark's 100Gbps server is the first step toward a new industry standard. If and when that standard is widely adopted, it will benefit all VPN users.

CNET experts often evaluate VPN services by how proactive companies are. The best VPNs constantly acquire new and improved capabilities, while others play catch-up. Surfshark's new hardware demonstrates progress toward increased speed and withstanding stress from more VPN users, which could ripple across the industry in due time.