Windscribe vs ProtonVPN: What's the Better Free VPN?
The main difference between Windscribe and ProtonVPN is that while both VPNs have a free option, Windscribe’s free plan gives its users access to all the same features as paid users, including connections on unlimited simultaneous devices. Meanwhile, ProtonVPN’s free access only allows 1 device at a time and does not provide access to servers that support streaming and P2P.
Additionally, there have been complaints from users that the servers available to free users suffer from slow speeds.
When selecting a VPN, it's essential to consider factors such as Pricing, Privacy Tools, User Experience, Speed, Reviews, and Customer Support. In this comparison, we will assess how Windscribe and ProtonVPN measure up across these important categories, helping you decide which VPN best meets your needs.
Keep in mind, ProtonVPN is one of several products under the Proton umbrella, including ProtonMail, ProtonCalendar and ProntoDrive. ProtonMail faced criticism in 2021 when it had to comply with a Swiss legal order to log the IP address of a French climate activist. While ProtonMail has a strict no-logs policy, Swiss law required ProtonMail to comply in this case, which raised concerns about how private the service truly was under certain legal pressures.
Rest assured that Windscribe has never shared customer logs. You can even check out our detailed transparency report here - it shows how many DMCA and Law Enforcement data requests we have received (a lot): exactly zero requests were complied with due to lack of relevant data.
Windscribe vs. ProtonVPN: A Deep Dive into Features, Pricing and More
Let's dive into the main distinctions between Windscribe and ProtonVPN, beginning with a comparison of their pricing structures.
Pricing
Windscribe offers one of the most flexible pricing structures in the VPN market. It provides a free plan with up to 10GB of monthly data when you verify your email (and 5GB more if you post on X), giving access to servers in 9 countries. The Pro plan unlocks unlimited data and access to servers in over 69 countries. Windscribe’s standout feature is the Build a Plan option, allowing users to pick individual server locations for just $1 per month, making it highly customizable and cost-effective for light users. Both free and paid users can connect on unlimited personal devices simultaneously.
ProtonVPN also offers a free plan but without a data cap. However, the free plan limits users to servers in only five countries (Netherlands, Japan, Romania, Poland, and the United States) and offers lower speeds compared to the paid tiers. ProntonVPN picks the location for you automatically and you are limited to how often you can change servers. Plus, you can only connect on one device at a time. Windscribe has none of these limitations.
ProtonVPN’s paid tiers include Basic, Plus, and Visionary plans, which progressively unlock access to more servers, higher speeds, and additional features like Tor over VPN.
Privacy Tools
Windscribe provides a wide range of powerful privacy tools, including its highly customizable R.O.B.E.R.T. system, which blocks ads, malware, and trackers at the DNS and IP level. This system allows users to adjust what types of content they want to block, making it an excellent feature for privacy-conscious individuals.
Windscribe also offers a standalone browser extension with advanced privacy features designed to protect against tracking and fingerprinting. Key features include:
- Location Warp: Spoofs your GPS to make it appear like you're browsing from a different country.
- Cookie Monster: Automatically deletes first- and third-party cookies when you close your browser tabs.
- WebRTC Slayer: Prevents your IP address from leaking during browsing sessions.
- Language and Time Warp: Alters your browser's language and time settings to match the VPN location.
- Split Personality: Randomly rotates your user agent, giving the impression that you're using different browsers.
Moreover, Windscribe is open-source, supports various VPN protocols, including WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2, and follows a strict no-logs policy that has been independently audited to ensure user data is never logged or stored.
ProtonVPN, is known for its strong focus on privacy. ProtonVPN’s key privacy feature is Secure Core, a multi-hop VPN system that routes traffic through multiple servers in privacy-friendly countries before it reaches the internet. ProtonVPN also integrates Tor over VPN, allowing users to route their traffic directly through the Tor network for added anonymity.
User Experience
Windscribe is well-regarded for its user-friendly interface that appeals to both beginners and advanced users. The app is available on all major platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and offers browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox and Edge, plus routers, AndroidTV, FireTV and Apple TV. Windscribe’s Network Whitelisting and Secure Hotspot features make it versatile, and its clean interface is easy to navigate.
ProtonVPN also has a clean and straightforward interface. Its apps are available for all major platforms, and the design is minimalistic, making it easy for users to connect quickly without needing to dive into advanced settings. However, ProtonVPN doesn’t offer as much customization as Windscribe, which might make it less appealing to power users.
Speed
Windscribe generally delivers solid speeds, especially when using the WireGuard protocol. The VPN performs well for streaming, gaming, and P2P. Windscribe’s performance is also aided by its widespread server network, covering over 69 countries.
Plus, Windscribe continually enhances its infrastructure by upgrading server hardware, with over 75 locations featuring 10 Gbps connections. These high-capacity servers are designed to handle significant data transfers, ensuring faster performance, especially for users with high-speed internet connections (such as 1 Gbps or more).
ProtonVPN tends to offer slower speeds on the free plan due to limited access to servers and lower bandwidth. However, ProtonVPN’s Plus and Visionary plans deliver better speeds than the free tier with access to high-performance servers and WireGuard support. Secure Core, while offering enhanced privacy, can slow down the connection slightly because of the multiple server hops involved.
Reviews
Windscribe receives positive reviews for its flexible pricing, privacy tools, and ease of use. Users appreciate the free plan, clear and comprehensive Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, advanced privacy tools like R.O.B.E.R.T. and ability to connect in geographic regions facing censorship and internet filtering.
ProtonVPN also garners positive reviews, especially for its strong privacy stance and integration with ProtonMail. Users value the unlimited data on the free plan, as well as the Secure Core and Tor integration on higher-tier plans. However, some reviews criticize ProtonVPN for its slower speeds on the free plan and the higher cost of the Plus and Visionary tiers.
Customer Support
Windscribe offers support through tickets, a super-brained chatbot named Garry, and community engagement via Reddit and Discord. It also provides an extensive knowledge base and FAQs for self-service. Windscribe’s active community forums often offer quick solutions to common issues.
ProtonVPN provides email support and has a detailed knowledge base with setup guides and troubleshooting articles. It lacks 24/7 live chat support, but users appreciate the comprehensive resources available online. ProtonVPN’s support is solid but not as immediate as some competitors that offer real-time help.
What It's Like to Use Windscribe VPN
Conclusion
Both Windscribe and ProtonVPN are strong contenders in the VPN space, offering excellent privacy and security features.
Windscribe stands out with its flexible pricing, user-friendly design, and customizable privacy tools, making it ideal for users who want a more tailored experience.