ProtonVPN vs Windscribe: The Ultimate Showdown in 2025

Choosing the right VPN can feel like trying to pick a superhero for your online life.

You want one that’s strong, reliable, and keeps your identity secret, right?

That’s where ProtonVPN and Windscribe come in.

These two popular VPNs are like the heavyweights of the internet privacy world, both promising to keep your data safe and secure. But which one comes out on top in 2025?

In this showdown, we’ll compare ProtonVPN vs Windscribe head-to-head, looking at their features security, and pricing to help you decide which one is the perfect VPN.

Overview

To give you the most accurate comparison, we’ve spent weeks testing both ProtonVPN and Windscribe.

We’ve used them for everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and torrenting, and we’ve run speed tests to see how they perform under pressure.

Now, let’s dive into what we found!

What is ProtonVPN?

Want a VPN that’s serious about privacy? Check out ProtonVPN.

They’re based in Switzerland. This means that they have strong privacy laws. 

They also have some unique security features. They offer a free version.

Also, explore our favorite ProtonVPN alternatives…

Key Benefits

• Security-focused features: Secure Core servers and strong encryption.
• Privacy-conscious: Strict no-logs policy.
• NetShield ad-blocker: Blocks ads and malware.
• Open source apps: Transparency and community audits.
• A free version is available: Test it out before you commit.

Pricing

ProtonVPN offers a free plan with limited features. Want more? They have paid plans to suit your needs.

• 1 Month Plan: €9.99/month
• 2-Year Plan: €4.49/month
• 1-Year Plan: €4.99/month

What is  Windscribe?

Okay, now let’s talk about Windscribe. This VPN is all about online freedom and privacy.

They have a really cool feature called R.O.B.E.R.T. that blocks ads and trackers.

Plus, they have a free plan! It’s pretty awesome for those on a budget.

Also, explore our favorite Windscribe alternatives…

Key Benefits

• Strong privacy focus: They have a strict no-logs policy. They don’t track your activity.
• R.O.B.E.R.T. is awesome: This tool blocks ads, malware, and even social media trackers.
• Free plan available: Get 10GB of data each month for free. Not bad, right?
• Secure and reliable: They use strong encryption to keep your data safe.

Pricing

Windscribe has a free plan. But you can upgrade for more features.

• Monthly Plan: $9.00/month
• Yearly Plan: $5.75/month
• Build A Plan: $0.00/month

Feature Comparison

Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty and see how these VPNs stack up against each other feature by feature.

This is where we see which one truly shines!

1. Free VPN Options

• ProtonVPN: This popular VPN service offers a free VPN service with servers in 3 countries. However, unlike some other VPN providers, ProtonVPN doesn’t offer unlimited data to free users on their free tier. If you’re looking for a free VPN with unlimited data, you might consider Windscribe. This is an important factor when selecting a VPN, especially if you’re on a budget.
• Windscribe: Windscribe is a best free VPN that offers a generous free plan with servers in 10 countries and unlimited data to free users. This makes it a strong contender in the best free VPN list and a great VPN option for those who need a VPN for basic browsing and privacy.

2. VPN Protocols

• ProtonVPN: Proton VPN utilizes OpenVPN and WireGuard, both known for their privacy and security. These are considered some of the best VPN protocols in the VPN space. Using ProtonVPN ensures your VPN traffic is well-protected.
• Windscribe: Windscribe offers OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard, providing a wider range of protocol options. This flexibility makes Windscribe a solid choice for users who need a VPN that can adapt to different network environments.

3. Streaming and Torrenting

• ProtonVPN: ProtonVPN is praised for its ability to unblock popular streaming services like Netflix. This makes Proton VPN a good VPN for streaming. Many VPN providers struggle with consistent streaming access, but Proton VPN works reliably. We recommend Proton VPN if streaming is a priority for you.
• Windscribe: Windscribe can unblock some streaming platforms, but reviews criticize ProtonVPN for being more consistent. While Windscribe is a decent VPN for torrenting, it might not be the best VPN for streaming compared to ProtonVPN.

4. Number of VPN Servers

• ProtonVPN: Proton VPN offers a larger network of VPN servers, giving users more options for bypassing geo-restrictions and finding a fast, reliable VPN connection. This is a key advantage in the Proton VPN vs Windscribe debate.
• Windscribe: Windscribe has a smaller server network than ProtonVPN, which could mean slower speeds on the free plan or more difficulty finding a server in a specific location. This is something to keep in mind when considering Windscribe vs ProtonVPN.

5. Tor over VPN

• ProtonVPN: ProtonVPN provides Tor over VPN servers. This feature routes your VPN traffic through the Tor network, adding an extra layer of anonymity and making it much harder to trace your online activity. This is a unique feature that makes Proton VPN stand out in the VPN list.
• Windscribe: Windscribe doesn’t offer Tor over VPN. If you need this level of anonymity, ProtonVPN is the better choice between Windscribe and Proton VPN.

6. Split Tunneling

• ProtonVPN: Proton VPN includes split tunneling, although it may be limited on the free plan. This feature allows you to route some of your internet traffic through the VPN while other traffic goes through your regular internet connection.
• Windscribe: Windscribe also offers split tunneling, potentially with limitations on the free plan. This is a useful feature for those who want more control over their VPN traffic.

7. Customer Support

• ProtonVPN: ProtonVPN primarily offers email support. While their support team is known to be helpful, some users might prefer a faster option like live chat.
• Windscribe: Windscribe offers a live chat option for customer support, which can be helpful for quick questions or troubleshooting. This can be a deciding factor for users who value immediate assistance.

This detailed comparison, including features, pricing, and security, should help you decide whether Proton VPN or Windscribe is the best VPN for your needs. 

Whether you prioritize a free option, streaming capabilities, or a large number of VPN servers, you can now make an informed choice between these two popular VPN services.

What to Look for When Choosing a VPN?

• Speed: How fast can you download and upload while connected? This is crucial for streaming and gaming.
• Security: Look for strong encryption (like AES-256), a kill switch, and a no-logs policy.
• Server Network: A larger network means more options for bypassing geo-restrictions and finding a fast connection.
• Device Compatibility: Make sure the VPN works on all your devices (phones, computers, routers).
• Ease of Use: The app should be simple to navigate, even for beginners.
• Customer Support: If you have problems, you want reliable and responsive support.
• Price: VPNs range from free to quite expensive. Find one that fits your budget.
• Streaming Support: Some VPNs are better than others at unblocking streaming services like Netflix.

Final Verdict

In the clash of the VPN titans, both Windscribe and ProtonVPN prove themselves as worthy contenders. But for us, ProtonVPN emerges as the victor. Why?

While Windscribe’s free plan gives you more locations and data, ProtonVPN’s overall performance and features give it the edge.

ProtonVPN consistently excels at unblocking streaming platforms like Netflix, which is a major win for entertainment lovers.

Plus, with its strong security features, including double VPN servers and the option for Tor over VPN.

ProtonVPN provides that extra peace of mind when you’re using a VPN.

Don’t forget, ProtonVPN also offers a secure email service, Proton Mail, further enhancing your online privacy.

Ultimately, whether you’re a casual browser or a security-conscious streamer, we believe ProtonVPN is the best VPN for most people in 2025.

This Proton VPN review clearly shows why it’s a top choice among many VPN providers.

More of ProtonVPN

We’ve explored alternatives to ProtonVPN, so how does ProtonVPN stack up directly against them?

• ProtonVPN vs NordVPN: NordVPN generally offers faster speeds and a larger server network, while ProtonVPN focuses more on privacy and has a free plan with no data limits.
• ProtonVPN vs ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN is often faster and more reliable for streaming, while ProtonVPN provides strong security features and a transparent open-source approach.
• ProtonVPN vs PureVPN: ProtonVPN is generally considered better overall with faster speeds and stronger security, while PureVPN boasts a larger server count.
• ProtonVPN vs SurfsharkVPN: Surfshark is often more affordable and allows unlimited connections, while ProtonVPN is known for slightly faster speeds and stronger privacy features.
• ProtonVPN vs PrivadoVPN: ProtonVPN offers a wider server network and a stronger focus on privacy, while PrivadoVPN provides a decent free plan and good speeds.
• ProtonVPN vs AdGuard VPN: AdGuard VPN’s strength is its ad-blocking integration, while ProtonVPN is a more comprehensive VPN that focuses on security and privacy.
• ProtonVPN vs Virtual Shield: ProtonVPN offers more advanced security features and better performance than the simpler Virtual Shield.
• ProtonVPN vs StrongVPN: ProtonVPN generally has better speeds and a larger server network, while StrongVPN is known for strong encryption.
• ProtonVPN vs FastestVPN: ProtonVPN is typically faster and offers stronger privacy features compared to the budget-friendly FastestVPN.
• ProtonVPN vs AuraVPN: ProtonVPN focuses on VPN security and privacy, while AuraVPN includes identity theft protection.
• ProtonVPN vs CyberGhost: CyberGhost is user-friendly with specialized servers, while ProtonVPN emphasizes security and privacy with features like Secure Core.
• ProtonVPN vs McAfee VPN: ProtonVPN is a dedicated VPN service with stronger security and privacy features than the basic VPN included with McAfee.
• ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access: PIA is known for customization and a large server network, while ProtonVPN focuses on strong privacy and a transparent approach.
• ProtonVPN vs Mysterium: ProtonVPN uses a traditional server network known for security and speed, while Mysterium is a decentralized VPN.

More of Windscribe

We’ve explored alternatives to Windscribe, so how does Windscribe stack up directly against them?

• Windscribe vs NordVPN: NordVPN generally offers faster speeds and a larger server network. Windscribe is known for its user-friendly interface and free plan with limited data.
• Windscribe vs ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN is consistently faster and better for streaming. Windscribe is more affordable and has a free version.
• Windscribe vs PureVPN: PureVPN has a larger server network. Windscribe is known for its ease of use, especially for beginners, and offers more features on its free plan.
• Windscribe vs SurfsharkVPN: Surfshark is typically faster, allows unlimited connections, and has more features. Windscribe is user-friendly and has a free plan with unlimited connections.
• Windscribe vs PrivadoVPN: PrivadoVPN often provides more consistent speeds and a stronger focus on privacy. Windscribe has a smaller server network but a user-friendly free plan.
• Windscribe vs AdGuard VPN: AdGuard VPN excels in ad and tracker blocking. Windscribe is a general-purpose VPN that focuses on ease of use and offers ad-blocking through its R.O.B.E.R.T. feature.
• Windscribe vs Virtual Shield: Windscribe offers a more established brand and a slightly larger server network than the very basic Virtual Shield. Windscribe also has a more extensive free plan.
• Windscribe vs StrongVPN: StrongVPN is known for its robust encryption and reliable connections. Windscribe is simpler to use and has a free plan.
• Windscribe vs FastestVPN: FastestVPN is a budget-friendly option. Windscribe offers a free plan and a user-friendly interface.
• Windscribe vs AuraVPN: AuraVPN includes identity theft protection. Windscribe focuses on providing a simple, user-friendly VPN with a free option.
• Windscribe vs CyberGhost: CyberGhost offers user-friendly apps and specialized servers. Windscribe is simpler but has a smaller server network.
• Windscribe vs McAfee VPN: Windscribe generally offers a more feature-rich VPN experience than the basic VPN from McAfee.
• Windscribe vs Private Internet Access: PIA offers a significantly larger server network and allows unlimited connections. Windscribe is known for its ease of use and free plan.
• Windscribe vs Mysterium: Mysterium is a decentralized VPN. Windscribe uses a traditional server network known for its user-friendly interface and free option.

Frequently Asked Questions