Proton VPN vs Windscribe (2026)
Head-to-head on price, speed, privacy posture and features - based on our independent reviews of both providers.
Score comparison
| Proton VPN | Windscribe | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 9.3 | 8.5 | Proton VPN |
| Speed & reliability | 9.1 | 8.4 | Proton VPN |
| Privacy & trust | 9.8 | 8.6 | Proton VPN |
| Features & coverage | 9.4 | 9.3 | Proton VPN |
| Value for money | 9.2 | 9.2 | Tie |
| Ease of use | 8.8 | 8.2 | Proton VPN |
Side by side
| Proton VPN | Windscribe | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $3.59/mo | $1/mo |
| Service types | Consumer VPN, Free VPN | Consumer VPN, Free VPN |
| Jurisdiction | Switzerland outside 5/9/14 Eyes | Canada in the 5 Eyes |
| Logging policy | No-logs, independently audited | No-logs claimed, no public audit |
| Independent audits | Securitum (2025) Securitum (2024) | None published |
| Network | 12K servers | 1.3K servers |
| Country coverage | 117 | 69 |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 3 days |
| Free tier | ✓ | ✓ |
| Support | tickets, email, knowledge-base | tickets, email, knowledge-base |
| Pay with crypto | ✓ | ✓ |
Which should you pick?
Choose Proton VPN if this fits: best vpn for privacy, and the best free tier anywhere. Proton VPN is the strongest overall package for anyone who cares why they are buying a VPN: open-source audited apps, Swiss jurisdiction, and a free tier with no data cap and no catch.
Choose Windscribe if this fits: best flexible pricing and best paid-tier free plan. Windscribe is the enthusiast's value pick: a genuinely useful 10 GB free tier, a pay-per-location plan nobody else offers, deep controls, and a company that talks to users like adults.
Overall, our scores favor Proton VPN (9.3 vs 8.5) - but the right choice depends on which trade-offs matter to you. Read the full Proton VPN review and Windscribe review.