Comparison

Surfshark VPN vs DocLib Vault

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Surfshark VPN

This app provides secure and private internet access with powerful encryption and fast servers. It includes tools like an ad blocker and an email generator to enhance online safety and protect personal information across unlimited devices.

Highlights
  • Private and secure internet access
  • Fast 10 Gbps servers
  • Ad blocker
  • Email generator (Alternative ID)
  • Unlimited device connections
  • Data leak detector
  • No-logs policy
Features
Read full description

Surfshark is a VPN and online security app for iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac that helps everyday users browse privately, stay safe on public Wi-Fi, and reach the content they pay for while traveling. One subscription covers unlimited devices. Encryption, ad blocking, and identity protection run quietly in the background — set it once and forget it. — WHY CHOOSE SURFSHARK — • Unlimited devices on one subscription — your iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, and everyone else at home • 4,500+ servers in 100+ locations, so you can change location and still get a fast connection • More than a VPN app: ad blocker, data leak monitoring and personal data masking included • Built for people who are not tech experts — one tap connects you, no setup to learn • No-logs policy: Surfshark doesn't monitor, track, or store what you do online — PRIVACY AND SECURITY THAT RUNS ITSELF — • VPN encryption hides your traffic and IP address from your internet provider, network owners, and trackers • Wi-Fi security on hotel, airport, and cafe networks, so checking your email or bank on public Wi-Fi stays private • Ad blocker stops ads and trackers, so pages load faster and fewer companies profile you • Data leak monitoring warns you if your email, ID or card details turn up in a breach, while there's still time to act • Personal data masking and phone number masking let you sign up with stand-in details, keeping your real inbox and number out of company databases • Text message protection filter scam texts before they reach you • Email scam checker flags phishing attempts you might otherwise open • Identity theft coverage helps you recover if the worst happens — SPEED, STREAMING, AND TRAVEL — • A fast VPN built on post-quantum WireGuard and our own protocol, tuned for HD streaming and video calls • Connect to servers in the USA, UK, Japan, Canada, and 100+ locations to reach home content while abroad • Everlink reconnects you automatically if your connection drops, so protection doesn't quietly lapse • Unlimited bandwidth, no data caps, no speed throttling • For the tinkerers: Multi Hop, rotating IP, and dedicated IP — QUESTIONS PEOPLE ASK — Is Surfshark a good VPN for iPhone in 2026? Yes. It runs natively on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac, connects in one tap, and covers unlimited devices on a single plan. What privacy and security features does Surfshark include? Surfshark pairs a no-logs VPN with ad blocker, data leak monitoring, personal data masking, and scam protection. Most VPN apps stop at the VPN. Can I change my location to the USA or another country? Yes. Pick from 100+ locations, including fast US servers, and get a new IP address in seconds. Is it good for streaming while traveling? Yes. Connect to a server back home and keep watching your usual streaming platforms at full speed. Does one subscription cover my whole family? Yes. Unlimited devices means one plan protects every iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac in the house — real value, not a per-device bill. WORKS ON: iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac. Backed by 24/7 human support over live chat and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Manage or cancel your subscription anytime in your App Store settings. Take back your privacy. Download Surfshark and connect in one tap. AUTO SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL: • Surfshark is a paid VPN service, so you need a subscription to use it. • You will be billed through your Apple ID Account when you confirm the purchase. • The subscription renews automatically unless the auto-renewal is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current billing period. • We will charge your account for renewal within 24 hours before the end of your subscription. • You can manage subscriptions and turn off auto-renewal by going to your App Store Account Settings. • Any remaining portion of the trial will expire when you buy a subscription. Privacy Policy: https://surfshark.com/privacy-policy Terms of Service: https://surfshark.com/terms-of-service/

About

DocLib Vault

Securely store and organize photos, videos, documents, and notes locally on your device. Offers robust import options, advanced file management, and built-in viewers for various media types. Pro version unlocks deeper features like OCR and enhanced multi-play.

Highlights
  • Local-first private vault
  • Import from multiple sources
  • Folder and tag organization
  • Built-in viewers for various file types
  • Markdown and PDF editing
  • Encrypted backup and restore
  • Passcode and Face ID protection
Features
Read full description

DocLib is a local-first private vault for photos, videos, files, audio, and notes. Import from Photos, Files, Camera, document scan, direct HTTPS links, the Share Sheet, clipboard, Private Browser, or your computer over local Wi-Fi. No account required. Your content stays on your device by default unless you choose to export, share, or create a backup. Keep everything organized with folders and subfolders, tags, favorites, smart folders, filters, search, and Recently Deleted. Create secure Markdown or plain-text notes, convert supported PDFs and text files into Markdown, view Markdown with rich formatting, preview code files with syntax highlighting and line numbers, search inside PDFs, and mark up PDFs right in the app. Choose from built-in themes and app icons to make the vault feel like yours. DocLib is built for private everyday use: - Passcode and Face ID protection - Built-in viewers for photos, videos, audio, PDFs, Markdown, code, and common document types - Photo slideshows with interval controls - Photo and video Randomizer with folder selection, adjustable tile counts and timing, fit/fill, and optional automatic changes - Photo grids with up to 32 tiles - Custom browser homepages and startup tabs - Mute media for saved media and browser playback, with an info button explaining browser and system audio limitations - Video playback speed controls, mute, loop, mini-player behavior, and swipe-down actions - Multi-Play for watching multiple videos at once with shared controls for play/pause, mute, playback speed, filters, orientation, reordering, and add/remove - Video and audio trim tools, plus compression to save space - Fast import from the Share Sheet, Private Browser, clipboard, and local Wi-Fi Transfer - Encrypted backup and restore with reminder scheduling DocLib Pro adds deeper power features: - Deep Vault with separate passcode, biometrics, and reveal controls - Up to 12 video tiles in Multi-Play and Randomizer, plus duplicate Multi-Play tiles - Resume playback, background audio, and Picture in Picture - On-device OCR and full-text indexing for documents, PDFs, images, and many code/text formats - Selective restore from encrypted backups - Larger link downloads up to 5 GB - Video merge - Per-type library layouts, custom backgrounds, more app icons, and advanced privacy controls Private by default. Fast to use. Built for the things you actually want to keep. Have an idea? Send a feature request from the app. DocLib keeps getting better through real user feedback.

Screenshots

Surfshark VPN4 screens
DocLib Vault4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Surfshark VPN at 133K against DocLib Vault's 2. Surfshark VPN also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 3 weeks) and chart position (#50 vs unranked). DocLib Vault's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.7). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Surfshark VPN sells 19 in-app purchases, starting at $10.99 per month and DocLib Vault sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

DocLib Vault holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Surfshark VPN has 133K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Surfshark VPN ships an update every 5 days, DocLib Vault every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Surfshark VPN versus DocLib Vault: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSurfshark VPNDocLib Vault
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (133K ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews43.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings133K — better2
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
Best chart rank#50 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size503 MB216 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperSURFSHARK LTDTyler Mattingly

Customer experience

Surfshark VPN

All ratings132,745 ratings
Positive92.4%
Neutral2.6%
Negative5.0%
Written reviews4,566 reviews
Positive43.5%
Neutral8.1%
Negative48.4%

DocLib Vault

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Surfshark VPN

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • VPN blocks access to banking and financial apps
  • Inability to log in or access account after subscription cancellation
  • Inconsistent server locations and IP addresses
  • VPN causing internet connectivity issues on some devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to exclude specific apps from VPN
  • More customization options for the VPN settings
  • Improved compatibility with older devices and operating systems
  • Automatic VPN reconnection when network changes

DocLib Vault

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

19 purchases

Surfshark VPN

Subscriptions19
  • 1 Month$10.991 Month
  • 1 Month of Unlimited VPN!$12.991 Month
  • 1 Months of Unlimited VPN!$12.991 Month
Show 16 more
  • 1 Months of Unlimited VPN!$13.991 Month
  • 1 Month of Unlimited VPN!$13.991 Month
  • Surfshark One Subscription$17.991 Month
  • 6 Months of Unlimited VPN!2 variants$29.996 Months
  • 6 Months of Unlimited VPN!$39.996 Months
  • 12 Months of Unlimited VPN!7 Days trial$46.991 Year
  • Annual VPN Subscription$47.991 Year
  • 12 Months of Unlimited VPN!7 Days trial2 variants$47.991 Year
  • 12 Months of Unlimited VPN!$47.991 Year
  • 12 Months of Unlimited VPN!7 Days trial2 variants$49.991 Year
  • 12 Months of Unlimited VPN!7 Days trial$52.991 Year
  • Surfshark One Subscription$64.991 Year
  • Surfshark One Subscription7 Days trial2 variants$64.991 Year
  • Annual VPN Subscription7 Days trial$69.991 Year
  • VPN Subscription1 Year trial$79.991 Year
  • Surfshark One Subscription1 Year trial$96.991 Year
2 purchases

DocLib Vault

Subscriptions2
  • DocLib Pro Monthly$2.991 Month
  • DocLib Pro Yearly3 Months trial$19.991 Year

Questions

Is Surfshark VPN free?
Surfshark VPN is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is DocLib Vault free?
DocLib Vault is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Surfshark VPN or DocLib Vault?
DocLib Vault is rated higher. Surfshark VPN averages 4.7 out of 5 from 133K ratings, while DocLib Vault averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Surfshark VPN or DocLib Vault have ads?
Neither Surfshark VPN nor DocLib Vault shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Surfshark VPN or DocLib Vault?
Surfshark VPN ships an update every 5 days, and DocLib Vault every 3 weeks. Most recently, Surfshark VPN was updated on October 31, 2026 and DocLib Vault on October 24, 2026.

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