SurfShark VPN Review with Dedicated IP – Bypassing ID checks with domain-based routing and speed tests

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

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

It’s a ridiculous legislation that doesn’t simply block porn however casts a large web, blocking something deemed grownup. My associate 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 studies about it blocking entry to different medical and psychological well being assets. 

Then, it is rather straightforward to bypass with a  VPN, or for different individuals, they will web sites that skirt this legislation, which is extra more likely to cause them to way 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 bundle with Virgin, and the height speeds I pulled down had been simply 75Mbps. Now I’m on 1000Mbps and ready for a CityFibre 2500Mbps connection, so 75Mbps on VPN wouldn’t actually minimize it in 2025.

So, for this overview, I received’t rehash what I beforehand wrote. As a substitute, I’ll concentrate on 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 way to route particular domains and gadgets by means of the VPN utilizing a Unifi gateway.

Ordering a devoted IP

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

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

Then, when you will have ordered the service, once you go to the Surfshark web site, below VPN > Devoted IP, you may choose your location.

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

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

I ultimately settled on the Netherlands – Amsterdam.

Devoted IP velocity checks vs normal servers

For velocity checks, I examined varied places and completely different choices, to see how issues had improved since my final overview. Fortunately, the speeds have improved considerably.

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

The next checks had been all carried out 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?

After I initially added SurfShark to my Unifi router, I routed my associate’s cellphone by means of it for every little thing, 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, after I use one of many normal places, I persistently get requested if I’m a robotic, and I’ve discovered that the Google reCAPTCHA system has develop into more and more difficult to cross, 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 it will likely be excellent, as I don’t route all my site visitors by means of this, however my restricted testing has proven a big enchancment.

Bypassing ID checks for the On-line Security Act

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

Nonetheless, this casts a large web and blocks all types of content material, together with medical data, or, for my associate, 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

When you have a Unifi gateway, and certain different prosumer/enterprise routers, you may route site visitors by means of the VPN primarily based on particular circumstances.

For Unifi, you will 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 means of my devoted VPN IP. So, all of Reddit now goes by means of this.

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

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

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

Every time I arrange a brand new VPN in Unifi, I’ll add speedtest.web and iplocation.web 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 residence 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, always 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 had been exhibited to me when viewing VPN web sites in incognito mode.

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

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

For a devoted IP, that’s a further £2.78 per 30 days or £75.06+ VAT. So the whole value for 27 months can be £151.31, together with VAT

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

Mullvad is among the best-regarded VPNs for its privateness. They don’t complicate issues with reductions; it’s simply 5-Euros per 30 days, or round £4.35. So, considerably costlier, and they don’t supply a devoted IP.

CyberGhost is £ 49.92 for 26 months, they usually supply a devoted IP at £2.25 per 30 days. The ultimate value, together with VAT can be £ 124.70 for 26 months.

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

Total

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 very good. It doesn’t match my Web speeds, however I persistently recover from 500Mbps obtain speeds with respectable latency, making it viable to make use of as a full-time connection (if you need).

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 may’t change it. So, whereas I can provide the devoted IP a robust advice, you must also take into account if you’ll take advantage of 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. Captivated with all issues expertise, my experience spans from computer systems and networking to cell, wearables, and good residence gadgets.

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

In my educational pursuits, I earned a BSc in Info Techniques 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 expertise curve.

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