Proton VPN vs Windscribe: which free plan to start on and which one to pay for
Proton VPN scores 6.12 and Windscribe 4.09 out of 10. Proton VPN leads overall; the table shows where each one is stronger.
Proton VPN vs Windscribe
| What we compare | Proton VPN | Windscribe |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 6.12 (better) | 4.09 |
| Privacy and jurisdiction | 6.0 (better) | 4.0 |
| Security and protocols | 7.9 (better) | 5.4 |
| Price and fair terms | 5.3 (better) | 4.8 |
| Censorship bypass | 2.4 (better) | 0.5 |
| Network and streaming | 8.7 (better) | 3.1 |
| Platforms and support | 7.1 | 7.1 |
| Cheapest price, € a month | €3.00 | €2.58 (better) |
| Renewal vs first term | 2.0× | 1.0× (better) |
| Refund window, days | 30 (better) | 7 |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Independent no-logs audit | Yes (better) | — |
| Kill switch | Yes | Yes |
| WireGuard | Yes | Yes |
| Obfuscation | Yes (better) | — |
| Crypto payments | Yes | Yes |
| Jurisdiction | Switzerland (outside 14 Eyes) | Canada (5 Eyes) |
| Platforms supported | 10 (better) | 9 |
For a free VPN that lasts a whole month of daily use, start on Proton VPN: it drops the data cap Windscribe keeps. Proton VPN leads once you pay as well, taking five areas of six on VPNRadarLab, with apps and support level. Windscribe tops no sub-score yet holds real perks: cheaper entry, renewal at the same rate, no device limit and an account opened without an email.
Starting free: data cap, locations and the sign-up email
| Free plan | Proton VPN | Windscribe |
|---|---|---|
| Data | unlimited | capped, amount not published |
| Locations | 10 countries picked at random | a limited set |
| Devices | 1 | no separate limit published |
| Sign-up email | required | optional |
| Locked for paying users | streaming, P2P, NetShield | extra data, full location list |
Proton's tier is documented openly: one device, medium speed, no ads. Windscribe's terms limit what separates the free tier from Pro to bandwidth and locations. Speed and ad handling on that tier are not published. Keep Proton for permanent use; Windscribe fits a quick test with no email handed over. Other options sit in the VPNRadarLab free VPN ranking.
Privacy: an outside audit and a neutral country against a lighter sign-up
Proton VPN's two-point privacy lead rests on three things Windscribe does not publish or have: an independent no-logs audit, a home country outside the surveillance alliances (Proton AG is Swiss, while Canada is a Five Eyes member) and a warrant canary. Proton's weak spot, per its privacy policy, is briefly holding connection IPs for abuse checks, plus the mandatory email. Windscribe earns credit by not storing the connection IP and by optional sign-up, yet its policy lists a last-activity timestamp, session time held in RAM only, a 30-day bandwidth counter and payment transaction IDs kept 30 days.
Security, bypass and servers: the three widest gaps
Both ship a kill switch, DNS leak protection, WireGuard and open-source apps. Proton adds forward secrecy, audits, a bug bounty and Secure Core routing through Switzerland, Iceland and Sweden. Windscribe's edge is RAM-only servers, a claim Proton does not make, plus IKEv2.
For bypass, Proton's Stealth protocol wraps WireGuard in TLS. Windscribe publishes no obfuscation mode, so on a network that filters VPN traffic it offers no documented fallback. On servers, Proton runs 20,000+ of its own in 140+ countries with named streaming claims (Netflix US/UK/FR, Disney+, Prime Video). Windscribe covers 69+ countries, publishing no server count or streaming promises.
What you pay: a renewal jump against a fixed price
| Plan | First payment | Covers | A month | Renews at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proton VPN Plus | $83.76 | 24 months | $3.49 | $83.88 / year |
| Proton VPN Unlimited | $191.76 | 24 months | $7.99 | $119.88 / year |
| Windscribe Pro Yearly | $69 | 12 months | $5.75 | $69 / year |
| Windscribe Pro Monthly | $9 | 1 month | $9 | $9 / month |
Two years in, Plus costs $83.76 against $138; four years in, $251.52 vs $276. Each renewed Proton Plus year costs $14.88 above a Windscribe year, so the flat plan takes the lead on total spend during year six ($419.28 vs $414). Cheapest entry is Windscribe's: Build-A-Plan charges $1 per location a month, 10 GB per location, a $3 monthly minimum, up to 7 locations. Proton still takes the price row through its 30-day refund, 10 devices and dashboard cancellation; Windscribe loses on a 7-day refund.
Devices, apps and support: why this area ends level
Both cover Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, TV apps, extensions and split tunnelling, with an ad blocker each (NetShield on paid Proton plans, R.O.B.E.R.T. on Windscribe). Proton adds live chat for paying users and a server status page; Windscribe answers with router support and an Edge extension. Ten platforms against nine: the lists cancel out.
Refunds, payment methods and ownership
Proton refunds the first direct purchase within 30 days, once per user, skipping cash and bank transfer payments. Windscribe allows 7 business days, void above 10 GB, first payment only. Cards, PayPal, crypto and cash work at both; auto-renewal is on by default at each. Proton AG of Geneva owns Proton VPN; Windscribe belongs to Windscribe Limited in Toronto.
Proton VPN or Windscribe: reader questions
What about gaming and download speed?
VPNRadarLab tests no speeds, so nothing is measured here. Port forwarding on both helps when hosting a match.
Which one suits streaming?
Proton with a paid tier; Windscribe publishes no streaming support for Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ or Prime Video.
Can the free plans be used for torrenting?
Not on Proton's; P2P needs a paid plan. Windscribe publishes no torrenting policy either way.
How do user reviews compare?
Trustpilot runs opposite to the score order: Windscribe 4.7 from over 13,000 reviews, Proton VPN 2.2 from under a thousand. Store ratings are near-identical for both.
The short version for free users and for paying users
Free and long-term: Proton VPN. Anonymous trial or a single cheap exit: Windscribe. Paying for privacy, security and streaming: Proton VPN Plus, minding the renewal jump. Monthly billing, unlimited devices or routers: Windscribe Pro.