Kasm Workspaces vs Surf Security (2026): which should you pick?

Pick Kasm Workspaces if

• Fits if you want isolated browsers for your own non-commercial use
• Makes sense if your team already runs Docker or Kubernetes servers

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want a price list, since paid editions are contact-sales
• Not for you if you use it commercially on the free tier: Community is for individuals, nonprofits and non-commercial use
• Tight if you need more than 5 concurrent sessions on Community
• Watch out: paid editions require a standard support subscription
• Too heavy if you do not run servers: self-hosting means installing on a Linux server you run

Pick Surf Security if

• Fits if your company wants to control staff use of generative AI
• Makes sense if contractors on their own devices need access to a few company apps

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want a price, since the site points to a demo only
• Not for you if you work alone, as it is sold for organizations
• Watch out: no free plan or trial is listed
• Watch out: the vendor calls the agent runtime new, so check what it covers today
• Tight if you need mobile: the full browser is for desktops and phone support is listed separately

Kasm Workspaces

• No prices are published for the paid editions; Basic, Essentials and Premier are contact-sales.
• Community Edition is limited to 5 concurrent sessions and to individual, nonprofit or non-commercial use.
• Paid editions need a support subscription: the feature matrix marks standard support as required.
• Self-hosting means installing on a Linux server you run.

Surf Security

• No pricing is published; the site directs visitors to book a demo.
• The full browser is for desktops, with mobile support on iOS, iPadOS and Android as listed by SURF.
• SURF describes the agentic AI runtime as new, so check its current scope with the vendor.

Kasm Workspaces

Browser isolation

Web isolation workspaces run browsing in a container away from the endpoint, with web content filtering.

Desktops and apps

Streams Linux desktops, Windows desktops and individual applications to the browser, with no client install needed.

Workspace images

A library of images including Chrome, Firefox, Brave, Edge, Chromium and Vivaldi browsers, development tools and OSINT tools.

Admin controls

User groups, single sign-on, two-factor authentication, DLP controls and an admin console with session history.

Flexible hosting

Single-server, multi-server and Kubernetes deployments, or hosted by Kasm in the cloud.

Developer API

A REST API is listed for building custom streaming apps on the Workspaces backend.

Surf Security

Shadow AI controls

Discovers generative AI tools in use, masks sensitive data in prompts, blocks risky uploads and governs AI browser extensions.

Agentic AI runtime

A sandboxed, human-verified loop for autonomous agents, with an air gap between planning and live access and video, logs and transcripts for auditing.

Scoped remote access

Contractors, BYOD staff and acquired teams get access to specific apps, which SURF says avoids VPN and VDI.

Browser or extension

Companies can deploy the full Chromium-based browser or a lightweight extension for Chrome, Edge and other Chromium browsers.

Compliance focus

The site lists compliance officers and data protection officers among its audiences and a use case for ensuring compliance.

Kasm Workspaces

• Community$0

  Free for individuals, nonprofits and non-commercial use; up to 5 concurrent sessions, self-hosted, with community support.

• BasicCustom

  Browser-focused edition with unlimited concurrent sessions. Contact sales.

• EssentialsCustom

  Full workspace catalog with unlimited concurrent sessions. Contact sales.

• PremierCustom

  Everything included. Contact sales.

Surf Security

Pricing could not be confirmed. See surf.security.