Head to head · Updated August 13, 2026
Private Internet Access vs Windscribe
Private Internet Access takes it by 6 points, 73.0 against 67.0. That margin is worth reading past — Windscribe wins 3 of the seven criteria outright.
The only provider here whose no-logs claim has been tested by a court rather than only by an auditor — but it is a US company.
- From
- $2.03/mo
- Based in
- United States
- Devices
- Unlimited
- Audits
- 1
We earn nothing from Private Internet Access. This link is included because the ranking says it belongs here.
Windscribe
67.0Unusually honest about its own incidents, but Canadian jurisdiction and a three-day refund window are real costs.
- From
- $5.75/mo
- Based in
- Canada
- Devices
- Unlimited
- Audits
- 1
We earn nothing from Windscribe. This link is included because the ranking says it belongs here.
Criterion by criterion
Private Internet Access wins 3, Windscribe wins 0, 4 tied. Each row shows the raw score out of ten and the weighted contribution to the total.
| Criterion | Weight | Private Internet Access | Windscribe | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent audit | 20 | 7/10 (14.0) | 6/10 (12.0) | Private Internet Access |
| Jurisdiction and ownership | 15 | 3/10 (4.5) | 3/10 (4.5) | Tied |
| Protocol and crypto stack | 15 | 9/10 (13.5) | 9/10 (13.5) | Tied |
| Leak protection | 15 | 8/10 (12.0) | 8/10 (12.0) | Tied |
| Transparency | 15 | 8/10 (12.0) | 8/10 (12.0) | Tied |
| Price and refund terms | 10 | 9/10 (9.0) | 6/10 (6.0) | Private Internet Access |
| Platform coverage | 10 | 8/10 (8.0) | 7/10 (7.0) | Private Internet Access |
| Total | 100 | 73.0 | 67.0 | Private Internet Access |
Where each one actually wins
Private Internet Access is ahead on
- Independent audit. Deloitte assured the no-logs claim in 2022, and the claim has separately survived subpoena in US court proceedings.
- Price and refund terms. Effective $2.03/month on a three-year term with unlimited devices, though that means a long lock-in.
- Platform coverage. Broad platform coverage with unlimited connections, but no Apple TV application.
Windscribe is ahead on
Nothing. Windscribe does not lead on any of the seven criteria.
Choose Private Internet Access if
Readers who want open-source clients and granular control over encryption settings.
Choose Windscribe if
Readers who need a free tier or want to pay only for two or three specific locations.
Reasons to pick neither
Skip Private Internet Access if: Your threat model includes US legal process. No amount of open-source client code changes where the company is incorporated.
Skip Windscribe if: You want a long trial period before committing. Three days and 10 GB is the tightest refund policy in this dataset.
Questions
- Is Private Internet Access or Windscribe better?
- Private Internet Access scores higher overall, 73.0 against 67.0, a gap of 6 points out of 100. The only provider here whose no-logs claim has been tested by a court rather than only by an auditor — but it is a US company.
- Which is cheaper, Private Internet Access or Windscribe?
- Private Internet Access, at $2.03/mo against $5.75/mo. Both rates require committing to the provider’s longest term; the monthly rates are considerably higher.
- Which one has been audited more recently?
- Both published audits in 2022.
- Does jurisdiction differ between them?
- Yes. Private Internet Access operates from United States and Windscribe from Canada. Both sit in the same position relative to the Fourteen Eyes agreement.
Related comparisons
Comparison generated from the same dataset as the ranking. Emphasis criterion definitions are on the rubric page. Criterion labels: Independent audit, Jurisdiction and ownership, Protocol and crypto stack, Leak protection, Transparency, Price and refund terms, Platform coverage.