Surfshark hands users a direct line to its developers with new beta program

Date:
Wed, 02 Sep 2026 15:42:03 +0000

Description:
Surfshark has relaunched its Beta Tester Program, giving Windows and Android users early access to unreleased features and a direct line to its dev team. Here's how to join.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Surfshark has relaunched its Beta Tester Program Testers get a direct line to the development team Joining is free but available only to Windows, Android users If you like being first in line to try new tools, Surfshark has launched an updated Beta Tester Program that gives users early access to unreleased features, design changes, and app updates.

For now, the scheme is limited to the company's Windows and Android apps. It invites everyday users to test, poke at, and help refine tools that are still works in progress, rather than waiting for a polished public release. Plenty of the best VPN services make use of beta programs to squash bugs and gather real-world feedback. What Surfshark is leaning on to stand out is the promise of a direct line to the people actually building the product.

Surfshark the best cheap VPN Surfshark is a fast, easy-to-use VPN that seriously beats the competition when it comes to subscription pricing. Its two-year Starter plan works out at $2.49 a month (plus tax), but we think Surfshark One is the best value plan as it adds an antivirus, data breach monitor, and alternative ID tool starting from the equivalent of $2.79 a month. View Deal What's new in the Beta Tester Program Enrolled testers can try upcoming features and updates before anyone else, then flag any bugs or quirks they run into. The twist is the communication channel: participants
are invited into a closed Discord hub built for direct, two-way conversation with Surfshark's developers.

The company says input from testers will directly influence feature improvements and even the development of new products. You may like IPVanish wants your help testing its next big features, and joining takes seconds Got
a bold cybersecurity idea? Surfshark's 100K advocacy fund could back it up Surfshark says its Dausos protocol will finally behave on the locked-down networks that trip up rival VPNs

"Our mission is to build the most beloved security product for everyone, but for that, we need input from our community," said Gabriele Sinkeviciute, Head of Product at Surfshark. "Oftentimes, we are buried so deep into our product that we don't see the small details or inconveniences." (Image credit:
Future) NEW : Leave No Trace A weekly newsletter on digital privacy and online surveillance.

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Subscribe now to get every edition delivered to your inbox every Friday, launching this September. Why it matters For Surfshark, the appeal is a tighter feedback loop that catches the small annoyances developers tend to miss. The company has been shipping quickly of late, recently rolling out real-time scam text protection , so a structured way to stress-test new tools makes sense. What to read next Surfshark adds category-based web filtering to its post-quantum Dausos protocol Surfsharks FastTrack now covers more than 2.000 servers your city might be on the list too Surfshark takes aim at the smishing epidemic with new real-time scam text protection

It also puts Surfshark in good company. IPVanish launched a similar beta scheme in August, and Proton VPN has been running its Proton Protocols
rewrite in beta across all major apps.

Just be aware of the trade-off. Early builds can be buggy; the program is a volunteer effort with no financial reward, and you can opt out whenever you like. How to join Quick heads-up: Surfshark has a beta tester program on Windows and Android that anyone can join. Check out the program here https://t.co/Mk6aJh1Sto August 31, 2026 Any active Surfshark subscriber can take part, regardless of plan.

On Windows , open the app and head to Settings > App settings, scroll to Beta Testing, and click Join Beta. On Android , open the Surfshark page in the Google Play Store, scroll to the Join Beta section, and tap Join.

Once enrolled, you will be invited into the private Discord hub to connect with developers and fellow testers. You can read our full Surfshark review if you want to know how the service performs today. Today's best Surfshark deals +3 months free Surfshark 24 Months $2.49 /mth View at Surfshark Surfshark 12 Months $3.39 /mth View at Surfshark Surfshark 1 Month $16.45 /mth View at Surfshark Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!



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