- Commission
- Product/term dependent: current Proton partner table includes up to 100% on selected new subscriptions…
- Attribution
- 30 days
- Model
- Recurring
Privacy, security, email, VPN and technology publishers with international audiences.
First-party source checked · September 8, 2026VPN, privacy, technology and creator audiences with product-comparison intent.
First-party source checked · September 8, 2026Open the current program pages side by side.
Use the comparison to narrow the choice, then confirm the current qualifying event, attribution and promotion rules on each program before publishing a recommendation.
Privacy, security, email, VPN and technology publishers with international audiences.
Visit ProtonVPN, privacy, technology and creator audiences with product-comparison intent.
Visit SurfsharkSome outbound links may be affiliate links. If you sign up or purchase through one, this site may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Where the two offers actually diverge.
Only material fields that differ are shown here. Equal fields are left out so the page is easier to scan.
sale-and-renewal-revshare
sale
Product/term dependent: current Proton partner table includes up to 100% on selected new subscriptions and 30% on renewals
40% revenue share on new sales at the starting rate; custom payouts can be offered based on performance
30% on qualifying subscription renewals while the referred subscription remains eligible under current partner terms.
The published 40% starting rate applies to qualifying new sales; the standard program does not promise renewal-recurring commission.
Partner application and compliance review
Affiliate signup; website not required, but program policies apply
Paid search is permitted only within current partner rules; Proton brand/trademark bidding and direct brand-capture tactics are restricted, so ads should lead through compliant publisher content rather than impersonating Proton.
Follow the current affiliate terms and network-specific promotional regulations before paid search; the public program page does not summarize every keyword restriction.
Global-facing partner program, subject to local product, legal and payment availability.
Multi-network global program; network and offer availability can vary by market.
New-sale commission differs by product and billing term
Custom payouts are performance-dependent
Side-by-side research table.
“Not published” means the reviewed first-party source did not expose that field clearly enough to state it as fact.
| Factor | Proton | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Current status | Active | Active |
| Category | Privacy & Security | VPN Programs |
| Commercial model | Recurring | Sale |
| Commission | Product/term dependent: current Proton partner table includes up to 100% on selected new subscriptions and 30% on renewals | 40% revenue share on new sales at the starting rate; custom payouts can be offered based on performance |
| Attribution | 30 days | 30 days |
| Recurring duration | 30% on qualifying subscription renewals while the referred subscription remains eligible under current partner terms. | The published 40% starting rate applies to qualifying new sales; the standard program does not promise renewal-recurring commission. |
| Payout timing | Current partner terms provide scheduled direct payouts after validation; exact timing/method should be confirmed in the active partner account for the affiliate’s region. | Purchases must clear Surfshark’s refund/validation period; the public affiliate page says payout is made on request and steady earners can arrange a monthly invoice flow. |
| Minimum payout | Current public partner materials use a $100 threshold for direct payout in the applicable affiliate terms/account flow; confirm the active regional terms. | $100; smaller balances roll over until the threshold is reached. |
| Paid search / PPC | Paid search is permitted only within current partner rules; Proton brand/trademark bidding and direct brand-capture tactics are restricted, so ads should lead through compliant publisher content rather than impersonating Proton. | Follow the current affiliate terms and network-specific promotional regulations before paid search; the public program page does not summarize every keyword restriction. |
| Geography | Global-facing partner program, subject to local product, legal and payment availability. | Multi-network global program; network and offer availability can vary by market. |
| Approval | Partner application and compliance review | Affiliate signup; website not required, but program policies apply |
| Approval difficulty | Moderate — partner application and compliance review apply. | Low-to-moderate — affiliate signup is available and a website is not mandatory, but traffic and compliance are reviewed. |
| Source reviewed | 2026-09-08 | 2026-09-08 |
| Best fit | Privacy, security, email, VPN and technology publishers with international audiences. | VPN, privacy, technology and creator audiences with product-comparison intent. |
Strengths and checks
Reasons to consider it
- Current first-party commission table is public
- 30% renewal revenue share is published
- Global privacy-product portfolio creates multiple relevant intents
Verify first
- New-sale commission differs by product and billing term
- Paid-search promotion has explicit brand-bidding restrictions
- Use the current product table rather than one headline maximum
Strengths and checks
Reasons to consider it
- 40% starting revenue share is publicly documented
- 30-day cookie and $100 payout threshold are published
- Program can be accessed through several supported networks
Verify first
- Custom payouts are performance-dependent
- Refund/clearance periods affect payment timing
- Privacy/security marketing should avoid absolute guarantees
Open a nearby alternative.
These suggestions come from category, audience and existing comparison relationships—not an opaque ranking.
NordVPN
Privacy, VPN, cybersecurity and technology publishers with readers actively comparing subscription security tools.
Compare with ProtonExpressVPN
VPN comparisons, travel-security content and privacy-focused publisher audiences where a paid VPN is already relevant to the reader.
Compare with Surfsharkhide.me
VPN, privacy and cybersecurity publishers.
Open profileCyberGhost VPN
VPN roundups, privacy-software comparisons and travel-tech publishers with readers already evaluating paid VPN services.
Open profile