ProtonVPN vs Windscribe

Introduction

Welcome to VPN AdWiser, your trusted tech blog for VPN reviews, comparisons, and guides. Today, we’re diving deep into ProtonVPN vs Windscribe—two leading VPN services with compelling free and paid options. Whether you’re seeking privacy, streaming performance, torrenting ease, or an intuitive app experience, this comparison will help you choose the right VPN in 2025.

We’ll cover:

• Features & free tier limits
• Speed & performance
• Streaming & torrenting capabilities
• Privacy, security & logging policies
• Ease of use & support
• Pricing & value
• Final verdict and recommendation

Let’s get started.

Overview of Both Services

What Is ProtonVPN?

• Developed by Proton AG—the team behind Proton Mail
• Offers OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard, and a custom Stealth protocol
• As of mid‑2025, has over 13,000 servers across 122 countries
• Free plan includes unlimited bandwidth and no ads, though only limited free server location

What Is Windscribe?

• Canadian VPN provider launched in 2016 by Windscribe Limited
• Supports OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, and WireGuard protocols
• Free tier offers 10 GB/month by default, extensible to 15 GB via email or social verification
• Allows unlimited simultaneous connections and runs powerful privacy tools like R.O.B.E.R.T. ad‑blocker

Speed & Performance

ProtonVPN: Fast & Reliable

• Ranked among the fastest VPNs in 2025, with WireGuard speeds up to 1,198 Mbps
• Average real-world speeds around 320 Mbps—ample for 4K streaming and rapid downloads
• Some performance dips occur when using Secure Core multi-hop servers

Windscribe: Good Speeds, Especially on Paid Plan

• Free users may see slower speeds due to traffic prioritization, but paid users often enjoy high consistency
• Speeds in tests of up to 496 Mbps and consistent support for streaming and torrenting
• Some comparisons show average speeds around 55 Mbps, significantly lower than ProtonVPN

Summary Speed Table

VPN Service	Paid Plan Speed	Free Plan Speed
ProtonVPN	Avg ~320 Mbps, up to 1,198 Mbps (WireGuard)	Moderate speeds; variable
Windscribe	Up to ~496 Mbps (paid users)	~55 Mbps typical (free)

Privacy & Security

ProtonVPN

• Based in Switzerland, under strict Swiss privacy laws with a no‑logs policy independently audited in 2024
• Advanced security features:
  • Secure Core routing through hardened servers
  • Optional VPN over Tor mode
  • Open‑source apps audited transparently
  • AES‑256 encryption with RSA‑4096 key handshake

Windscribe

• Based in Canada, a Five Eyes jurisdiction—though logs are minimized to no personally identifying data
• Strong security:
  • AES‑256 encryption, RSA‑4096 handshake, SHA‑512 hashing
  • Built‑in R.O.B.E.R.T. ad and malware blocker
  • RAM‑only servers minimize persistent data; no‑logs policy audited in 2024
• Known past incident: Ukraine servers seized in 2021—no user impact concluded, but reflects transparency

Quick Comparison

• Data logging: ProtonVPN is headquartered in a privacy‑friendly jurisdiction; Windscribe minimizes logs but is Canadian.
• Security features: ProtonVPN offers Secure Core, Tor over VPN; Windscribe offers R.O.B.E.R.T. and split tunneling.
• Transparency: Both have open‑source apps; ProtonVPN has multiple audits; Windscribe’s audit was more limited but ongoing.

Streaming & Torrenting

Streaming: Who Unblocks More?

• ProtonVPN’s Plus tier consistently unblocks Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and supports torrenting via port forwarding
• Windscribe Free and Pro can also unblock major services, though streaming access can be more hit‑or‑miss in certain regions

Torrenting & P2P Support

• ProtonVPN supports torrenting on paid plans; free tier limited but unlimited data lets you torrent heavily if allowed
• Windscribe allows P2P activity on many servers; its split tunneling and firewall approach make torrenting straightforward

Free Plan Comparison: ProtonVPN vs Windscribe Free

ProtonVPN Free Plan

• Unlimited bandwidth, clean interface, strong privacy guarantee
• But limited to three server locations, fewer features, and no streaming/unblocking in most cases

Windscribe Free Plan

• Default 10 GB/month, upgradeable to 15 GB via verification
• Unlimited simultaneous devices, ad/malware blocking, split tunneling, and better access to streaming services than Proton Free
• More servers available—up to 10 countries—though still limited regionally

Verdict on Free Tiers

• ProtonVPN Free wins on privacy and unlimited data but restricts options heavily.
• Windscribe Free wins on flexibility, device support, and streaming access—though capped by bandwidth.

Interface, Usability & Support

Interface & Apps

• ProtonVPN apps are polished, intuitive, and beginner-friendly across desktop and mobile
• Windscribe offers extensive configuration options; desktop apps are robust but UI can feel cluttered

Customer Support

• ProtonVPN offers email support plus a detailed knowledge base—no live chat but solid documentation
• Windscribe includes support tickets, a chatbot “Garry”, and a vibrant community on Reddit/Discord

Pricing & Value

ProtonVPN Pricing

• Paid plans from ~$9.99/month; two‑year subscriptions drop to ~$3.59/month
• Feature‑rich: Secure Core, Tor mode, high-speed servers, unlimited bandwidth

Windscribe Pricing

• Paid plans from around $5.75/month annually; pay‑as‑you‑go ‘Build‑a‑Plan’ option available
• Strong value for money with unlimited devices, ad‑blocking, lots of servers—even on free tier

Value Summary

• ProtonVPN best for highly privacy‑conscious users and heavy bandwidth use.
• Windscribe offers better overall flexibility and device support, especially for casual users or budget-minded folks.

Pros & Cons Summary

ProtonVPN

Pros

• Unlimited free data (free plan)
• Robust privacy features (Swiss jurisdiction, Secure Core, Tor)
• High-speed performance on paid plans
• Certified open-source apps and audited architecture

Cons

• Free plan limited server access and streaming options
• Paid plans cost more than Windscribe
• No live‑chat support

Windscribe

Pros

• Generous and flexible free tier (up to 15 GB/month, unlimited devices)
• Built-in ad & malware blocker (R.O.B.E.R.T.), split tunneling
• Excellent device coverage and unlimited simultaneous connections
• More affordable paid plans

Cons

• Based in Canada (Five Eyes)
• Free plan caps data; speeds can vary
• UI can feel cluttered; chatbot support less responsive than live chat

Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?

• Choose ProtonVPN if:
  • Your top priority is maximum privacy and no-logs assurance
  • You want unlimited free data, with minimal compromise
  • You test for streaming and torrenting and are okay paying a bit more
• Choose Windscribe if:
  • You want flexibility on devices and streaming even on a free tier
  • You prefer a lower-cost paid plan with unlimited simultaneous connections
  • You appreciate ad‑blocking and extra tools like split tunneling

FAQ

Q1. Can I use ProtonVPN Free for torrenting unlimited data?
A: Yes—ProtonVPN Free offers unlimited bandwidth, so torrenting is possible. However, free plan servers are limited and may throttle speeds.

Q2. Is Windscribe safe to use in India or other restrictive regions?
A: Windscribe offers Stealth connections and its R.O.B.E.R.T. tools can help. However, ProtonVPN’s Secure Core and open-source audits make it stronger for high-risk regions.

Q3. Does Windscribe’s free plan support streaming Netflix or Disney+?
A: It can unblock streaming services on some servers, though access can vary. Paid users generally get better streaming compatibility.

Q4. Which VPN is easier to use for beginners?
A: ProtonVPN’s clean interface and straightforward design is more beginner-friendly. Windscribe offers more features but can feel overwhelming initially.

Q5. What happens if I exceed Windscribe’s 15 GB free data?
A: Your connection will cut off when data is used up. You can upgrade to a paid plan or wait until the next cycle.

Conclusion

Both ProtonVPN and Windscribe are solid VPN choices in 2025—whichever aligns best with your priorities. ProtonVPN shines in privacy, unlimited data, and robust features; Windscribe excels in flexibility, affordability, and device coverage. At VPN AdWiser, we suggest ProtonVPN for users prioritizing secure and unrestricted usage, and Windscribe for budget-savvy users who need maximum device protection and extra tools.