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.
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!
Stop guessing which VPN is best. Choose ProtonVPN, the Swiss-based provider with over 15,000.
Pricing: It has a free plan. Paid plan starts at $4.49/month
Key Features:
- Email Aliasing.
- Encrypted Vault.
- Open Source.
Enhance your online experience with Windscribe and enjoy an ad-free internet. Explore it today!
Pricing: Free plan available. Premium Plan Starts at $5.75/month
Key Features:
- R.O.B.E.R.T. (ad blocker)
- Split Tunneling
- WireGuard Support
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…
Our Take
Join over 100 million users who choose Proton VPN for ironclad online security. With 13,000+ servers spanning 120+ countries and speeds boosted by up to 400% with VPN Accelerator, you can browse, stream, and game with unparalleled privacy and performance.
Key Benefits
- Strong focus on privacy: Based in Switzerland with a strict no-logs policy.
- Secure core servers: Adds an extra layer of protection.
- Free version available: Try it out before you buy.
- Open-source apps: Transparency and community-driven development.
Pricing
- Proton Free: $0.00/month.
- VPN Plus: $4.99/month.
- Proton Unlimited: $7.99/month.
Pros
Cons
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…
Our Take
Enhance your online experience with Windscribe and enjoy an ad-free internet with enhanced privacy. Choose your plan and reclaim control over your digital life today!
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
- Custom Plan: $1.00/Location/month
- Yearly Plan: $5.75/month
- Monthly Plan: $9.00/month
Pros
Cons
Feature Comparison
This comparison evaluates two strong vpn providers with distinct approaches to privacy: Proton VPN, known for its audited security and robust vpn servers, and Windscribe, which offers a reliable free vpn option and advanced customization.
This analysis will help clarify which vpn server network provides the best security, features, and overall value for your internet connection.
1. Security Infrastructure and Core Servers
- Proton VPN: Operates its own fleet of vpn servers enhanced by vpn accelerator technology. It features secure core servers, routing vpn tunnel traffic through multiple hardened locations with proton vpn servers (like Switzerland) before connecting to the external vpn server.
- Windscribe: Manages a reliable vpn servers network and offers specialized obfuscation protocols. While it relies on external vpn server infrastructure, windscribe servers have a strong focus on customizability and transparency.
2. Privacy Policy and Audits
- Proton VPN: Has a strict no-logs policy that has been independently verified and audited, affirming its commitment to user privacy and digital rights, as highlighted in the proton vpn review.
- Windscribe: Maintains a strict no-logs policy and publicly reports transparency information. It focuses on limiting the data it collects, making it a trustworthy choice among vpn providers.
3. Connection Speed and Protocol
- Proton VPN: Uses its vpn accelerator to enhance speeds, often achieving a rapid vpn connection in a few seconds. It supports industry-leading vpn protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN.
- Windscribe: Also supports secure vpn protocols and has invested in high-capacity infrastructure. Its connection speeds are generally fast, but performance can vary more widely across long-distance servers.
4. Advanced Feature Set and Split Tunneling
- Proton VPN: Offers advanced features like split tunneling with private internet access on its clients, allowing users to choose which apps use the encrypted vpn tunnel. The proton vpn app is feature-rich across platforms.
- Windscribe: Offers split tunneling across its desktop and mobile apps, along with R.O.B.E.R.T., a highly customizable DNS-level ad and malware blocker.
5. IP Address Management
- Proton VPN: Protects the user’s ip address by assigning a dynamic, shared one. It focuses on ensuring anonymity by mixing user traffic and does not offer dedicated or static ip addresses.
- Windscribe: Provides dynamic ip address masking by default. It also offers the option to purchase dedicated static ip addresses for specific needs for users, such as accessing remote worksites or banking services.
6. Free Service Offering and Unlimited Usage
- Proton VPN: It offers one of the most generous permanent free vpn services on the market, providing unlimited data (though limited in server locations), which is a key value proposition of proton services.
- Windscribe: Also offers a generous free vpn tier, providing a sizable monthly data cap (typically 10GB or more) and allowing access to a smaller network of vpn servers.
7. Application Support and Browser Extensions
- Proton VPN: Provides high-quality, fully featured clients, including the proton vpn app, but its browser extensions are less emphasized, often functioning primarily as simplified clients.
- Windscribe: Excels in its app ecosystem, offering excellent browser extensions (for Chrome, Firefox, etc.) that include unique privacy tools absent in the main desktop clients.
8. Privacy Commitment and Jurisdiction
- Proton VPN: Based in Switzerland, outside of the 5/9/14 Eyes surveillance alliances. The proton vpn passed audit enhances trust, making it ideal for users concerned about their internet service provider data sharing.
- Windscribe: Based in Canada, a Five Eyes member. While it maintains a strong no logs policy, its jurisdiction is less privacy-friendly than Proton’s, which is noted in the windscribe vpn review.
9. Overall User Experience
- Proton VPN: The proton vpn app is highly secure but can feel dense with advanced features. It appeals to users who prioritize security over extreme simplicity and who value audited transparency.
- Windscribe: Is generally easy to use, and its interface, while sometimes quirky, offers a high degree of customization, appealing to both new users and advanced tinkerers alike.
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: ProtonVPN prioritizes privacy with its Swiss base and open-source apps, while NordVPN focuses on speed and a vast server network.
- ProtonVPN vs ExpressVPN: It is often faster and more reliable for streaming, while ProtonVPN provides strong security features and a transparent open-source approach.
- ProtonVPN vs PureVPN: It is generally considered better overall with faster speeds and stronger security, while PureVPN boasts a larger server count.
- ProtonVPN vs SurfsharkVPN: It is often more affordable and allows unlimited connections, while ProtonVPN is known for slightly faster speeds and stronger privacy features.
- ProtonVPN vs PrivadoVPN: It 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: It’s strength is its ad-blocking integration, while ProtonVPN is a more comprehensive VPN that focuses on security and privacy.
- ProtonVPN vs Virtual Shield: It offers more advanced security features and better performance than the simpler Virtual Shield.
- ProtonVPN vs StrongVPN: It 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: It 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: It has a massive server network and consistently faster speeds for streaming.
- Windscribe vs ExpressVPN: It is consistently faster and better for streaming. Windscribe is more affordable and has a free version.
- Windscribe vs PureVPN: It 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: It is typically faster, allows unlimited connections, and has more features. Windscribe is user-friendly and has a free plan with unlimited connections.
- Windscribe vs ProtonVPN: It focuses on strong security and privacy, and often provides faster speeds on paid plans. Windscribe is known for its simple interface and free option, which has more server locations and data than ProtonVPN’s free plan.
- Windscribe vs PrivadoVPN: It 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: It 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: It is known for its robust encryption and reliable connections. Windscribe is simpler to use and has a free plan.
- Windscribe vs FastestVPN: It is a budget-friendly option. Windscribe offers a free plan and a user-friendly interface.
- Windscribe vs AuraVPN: It includes identity theft protection. Windscribe focuses on providing a simple, user-friendly VPN with a free option.
- Windscribe vs CyberGhost: It offers user-friendly apps and specialized servers. Windscribe is simpler but has a smaller server network.
- Windscribe vs McAfee VPN: It 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: It is a decentralized VPN. Windscribe uses a traditional server network known for its user-friendly interface and free option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ProtonVPN’s free plan good enough, or should I go for paid?
ProtonVPN’s free plan is decent for basic browsing, but it has limitations. Paid plans offer more server locations, faster speeds, and extra features like secure streaming for Netflix. If you need a VPN for regular use, a paid plan is better.
Which VPN is better for streaming, ProtonVPN or Windscribe?
ProtonVPN is generally better for streaming. It consistently unblocks popular platforms like Netflix, where Windscribe sometimes struggles. If accessing streaming content is your main reason for using Proton VPN, it’s the way to go.
Does Windscribe offer a free plan?
Yes, Windscribe provides a best free VPN service with a generous free plan! It offers unlimited data and access to servers in 10 countries, making it a strong contender in the VPN space.
What’s the main advantage of ProtonVPN over Windscribe?
ProtonVPN offers stronger security features. For example, Proton VPN allows you to use Tor over VPN for increased anonymity, and they have double VPN servers. Windscribe has none of these.
Can I trust both ProtonVPN and Windscribe with my privacy?
Both are reputable VPN providers with a strong commitment to protecting your privacy. They don’t log your VPN traffic as regular internet service providers do. However, ProtonVPN offers more advanced security features for those who need them.
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