ProtonVPN vs Windscribe
A detailed comparison to help you choose between ProtonVPN and Windscribe.
ProtonVPN Swiss privacy-first VPN | Windscribe VPN with 10GB free data and built-in ad blocker. | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5 (15000 reviews) | 4.1 (541 reviews) |
| Pricing Model | freemium | freemium |
| Starting Price | From $0/mo | From $0/mo |
| Best For | Best free VPN and privacy-first option | Best for budget-conscious users needing affordable VPN protection |
| Free Tier | ||
| API Access | ||
| Team Features | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Tags | — | — |
ProtonVPN
Pros
- + Open-source VPN apps with public code
- + Repeated independent no-logs infrastructure audits
- + Unlimited data on the free plan
- + Stealth protocol and alternative routing for censorship
- + Secure Core double-hop routing option
- + Port forwarding support on paid plans
Cons
- - NetShield ad/tracker blocking is paid-only
- - Tor over VPN is only on paid plans
- - Exact pricing hard to cite without JS account page
- - Real-world speeds vary by route and server load
Windscribe
Pros
- + Stealth and WStunnel help bypass VPN blocking
- + R.O.B.E.R.T. provides server-side ad and malware blocking
- + Open-source clients and extension on GitHub
- + Build A Plan offers flexible, low-cost customization
- + Firewall kill-switch blocks traffic outside the tunnel
- + Wide protocol and port selection for connectivity
Cons
- - Refunds limited to 7 business days and under 10GB
- - Stealth/WStunnel can be slower than WireGuard
- - 2021 incident: seized servers lacked disk encryption
- - Audit claims can be confused with no-logs attestation
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