ProtonVPN scores 4.2/5 overall in our tests, against 3.8/5 for Windscribe. That 0.4-point gap is decisive in one direction, but the right pick still depends on what you actually need.
| Criteria | ProtonVPN | Windscribe |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 4.2/5 ★ | 3.8/5 |
| Jurisdiction | Switzerland | Canada |
| 14-Eyes / 5-Eyes | No | Five |
| No-logs policy | Audited 5/5 ★ | Not audited 2/5 |
| Speed score | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Protocols score | 5/5 ★ | 4/5 |
| Streaming score | 3/5 | 3.5/5 ★ |
| Leak protection | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| RAM-only servers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Encryption score | 4/5 ★ | 3/5 |
| Security subtotal | 4.8/5 ★ | 3.4/5 |
| Trust subtotal | 3.7/5 | 3.7/5 |
| Price (monthly) | $9.99/mo | $9.00/mo |
| Price (1-year total) | $47.88/yr | $69.00/yr |
| Price (2-year total) | $71.76/yr | N/A |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes, 30 days | Yes, 3 days |
| Pricing score | 5.0/5 ★ | 4.0/5 |
Where ProtonVPN wins
Where ProtonVPN pulls ahead: privacy and security (4.8/5 vs 3.4/5), value for money (5.0/5 vs 4.0/5). If those criteria matter most to you, ProtonVPN is the stronger pick.
Where Windscribe wins
Windscribe’s strongest argument is streaming (3.5/5 vs 3/5). It also leads on features (3.7/5 vs 3.4/5).
Who should pick what
Both VPNs cover the basics well. ProtonVPN is the stronger pick for speed, while Windscribe makes more sense if you need speed. When in doubt, check our VPN quiz for a personalised recommendation.
Want to compare all VPNs side by side? Check our full VPN comparison table with scores across 18 criteria.
For most users, ProtonVPN (4.2/5) is the better pick. Its advantage over Windscribe (3.8/5) comes from stronger privacy performance. The only reason to go with Windscribe is if speed matters most to you. Get ProtonVPN risk-free.
For more context, check our full VPN comparison table or the best cheap VPN guide. Read our full ProtonVPN review for a complete breakdown. See our Windscribe review for more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
ProtonVPN scores 4.2/5 vs 3.8/5 for Windscribe. ProtonVPN leads on speed. That said, Windscribe may be the better fit if speed is your main priority.
In our speed tests, ProtonVPN scores 5/5 and Windscribe scores 5/5. Both score equally on speed.
ProtonVPN costs $9.99/mo month-to-month, or $47.88/yr for a 1-year plan. Windscribe is $9.00/mo monthly, or $69.00/yr per year. Both offer a money-back guarantee.