Windscribe vs TorGuard: A VPN Showdown
The main difference between Windscribe and TorGuard are the privacy enabling features and the pricing of their subscription options. Windscribe is generally more affordable, and comes with a more comprehensive suite of modern and secure VPN protocols, alongside robust ad-blocking and malware protection.
TorGuard does offer their own less powerful ad blocking tools, but at a higher price. The company has also been involved in several controversies in recent history, such as:
- Straight up copying another extension and doing so in an insecure fashion, leaving user credentials in clear-text (among other big no-no's)
- Suing NordVPN for disclosing a vulnerability (directly to TorGuard leadership) within the TorGuard app.
- They actually sued the wrong company at first and had to amend their lawsuit
Despite these giant red flags, some of you may be curious to see how Windscribe compares when placed head to head with TorGuard. Today we're going to be looking at Pricing, Privacy Tools/Features, User Experience, & Reviews.
Windscribe vs TorGuard: Feature Comparison Table
Windscribe vs TorGuard: Pricing
Windscribe offers a uniquely flexible pricing model that stands out in the VPN market. One of the standout features is the "Build-a-Plan" option, where users can select individual server locations for as little as $1 per location, making it cost-effective for those who only need access to certain regions. Windscribe’s regular pricing starts at $9 per month or $69 annually with unlimited devices per plan. There is also free tier with a generous 10GB monthly data limit for users who sign up with their email (you can also earn more data by referring a friend).
TorGuard, on the other hand, takes a different approach with more specific packages based on the amount of devices you want to connect. The cheapest option starts at $10.99 per month for 8 devices. If you want up to 30 devices, it'll be $16.49 per month. Go the annual route and you're looking at $65.99 to $142.99 depending on how many connected devices you want.
Privacy Tools
Windscribe is well-known for its strong commitment to privacy, offering advanced features that go beyond basic VPN protection. The VPN software includes a kill switch, DNS/IPv6 leak protection, and split tunneling for better control over internet traffic. R.O.B.E.R.T, a unique privacy tool, blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites, further enhancing user privacy. Windscribe also offers features like Double Hop, which allows users to route their traffic through two different servers for added security.
TorGuard offers OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols, but its no-logs policy has been questioned in the past due to some confusion over whether it collects any metadata. Their blatant copying and poor implementation of another VPNs web extension also earns them serious demerits in this section.
User Experience
Windscribe has been praised for its clean and intuitive interface across all its platforms—Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Browsers, and even Smart TVs. Features like Network Whitelisting, which allows users to set trusted networks where the VPN auto-connects, and split tunneling offer excellent customization options. Windscribe’s browser extensions are also highly regarded for adding an additional layer of privacy and security.
TorGuard offers desktop and mobile apps are functional, but that lack the polish feature set, and ease of use that Windscribe provides. TorGuard’s interface might feel dated compared to Windscribe’s modern, user-centric design.
Speed
Windscribe delivers strong performance across most servers, with particular praise for its implementation of the WireGuard protocol, which enhances both speed and security. In general, users experience fast download speeds, especially on nearby servers, though performance can be somewhat inconsistent on more distant servers or under heavy encryption settings like Double Hop.
TorGuard is also known for delivering consistently fast speeds, especially for users who engage in torrenting or need a VPN for streaming. Its use of WireGuard and OpenVPN ensures fast and secure connections, and its global server network is optimized for speed.
TorGuard is particularly popular among users who need dedicated IPs for streaming, and it can sometimes outperform many competitors in this area. However, speed can sometimes vary depending on the server and location, much like Windscribe.
Reviews
Windscribe has garnered a loyal following, with users and experts praising its privacy features, pricing flexibility, and user-friendly interface. Users appreciate its ease of use and the fact that it offers excellent value for money.
TorGuard gets both positive and negative reviews, depending on what people are using the service for. In the aftermath of their VPN extension plagiarism fiasco, many of their users were (rightly so) quite upset with them and moved on to better alternatives.
Conclusion
Windscribe is a market leader when it comes to a flexible pricing structure, and feature-rich experience. For privacy-conscious users looking for flexibility and customization, without breaking the bank Windscribe is the better option over TorGuard.