Surfshark vs. Overwall: Why "Unlimited Devices" Doesn't Matter in China
Surfshark is famous for being the budget option with unlimited devices. But in China, a VPN that connects 100 devices to nothing is still worth nothing.
1. The "Budget Trap"
In the world of VPNs, especially in China, you get exactly what you pay for. Surfshark's aggressive pricing (often under $2.50/mo) is tempting. They market heavily on "Unlimited Devices" and "NoBorders Mode."
However, "NoBorders" mode in China is essentially a game of whack-a-mole with the Great Firewall (GFW). It's a hit-or-miss experience. You might get a connection one day, and then spend the next three days trying every server on the list with no success. For a student or backpacker, this is an annoyance. For a professional, it's a disaster.
2. Stability vs. Features
Surfshark boasts a laundry list of 100+ features: CleanWeb, MultiHop, Whitelister, GPS Override, and more. It's an impressive spec sheet.
Overwall has one main feature: It works perfectly. While Surfshark is busy adding bells and whistles, Overwall focuses entirely on the one thing that matters in China—connectivity. We don't have a "NoBorders" toggle because our entire infrastructure is built to cross borders seamlessly by default.
3. The "Backup" Argument
Many expats in China keep Surfshark as a "backup" VPN because it's cheap. The logic is: "I'll use my main VPN, and if that fails, I have Surfshark just in case."
This mindset is obsolete with Overwall. Overwall routes through the same private network that international banks and enterprises use. These lines are prioritized and stable even during sensitive political events. You don't need a backup for a service that doesn't go down.
4. Speed Reality: Why Your Internet Slows Down at Night
The real reason every VPN gets slow in the evening:
Surfshark (Standard Route)
Routes via the standard public internet. Highly congested during peak hours (8 PM - 12 AM).
Overwall (Premium Route)
Uses premium enterprise-grade cables. Traffic is prioritized over public users.
Surfshark — like Astrill, ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and every other consumer VPN — routes your data through the same congested public cables. No matter which VPN you pick, you're stuck in the same traffic jam. Overwall pays a premium for private network access, ensuring your data takes a completely separate, uncrowded route.
5. Who is this for?
Surfshark is for:
- Students on a tight budget.
- Backpackers traveling for a short time.
- People who don't work online.
- Users who are okay with occasional downtime.
Overwall is for:
- Professionals working remotely.
- Businesses that need reliable access.
- Heavy data users (4K streaming, gaming).
- Anyone who values their time over saving $5.
6. Conclusion
Don't let a $2/month saving cost you your productivity. If you are in China to work, study seriously, or just live a normal digital life, the frustration of a budget VPN isn't worth the small savings.
"Unlimited devices" sounds great on paper, but one device that works perfectly is worth infinitely more than unlimited devices that don't connect.
See how Surfshark ranks against all competitors in our Best VPN for China 2026 full comparison.
Ready for a connection that actually works? Get Overwall