Head to head · Updated August 13, 2026
Proton VPN vs Windscribe
Proton VPN takes it by 23 points, 90.0 against 67.0. That margin is worth reading past — Windscribe wins 6 of the seven criteria outright.
Proton VPN
90.0The best-documented security stack in this dataset, and the only free tier we consider safe to recommend.
- From
- $4.49/mo
- Based in
- Switzerland
- Devices
- 10
- Audits
- 2
We earn a commission if you subscribe through this link. It does not change Proton VPN’s score.
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
Proton VPN wins 6, Windscribe wins 0, 1 tied. Each row shows the raw score out of ten and the weighted contribution to the total.
| Criterion | Weight | Proton VPN | Windscribe | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent audit | 20 | 10/10 (20.0) | 6/10 (12.0) | Proton VPN |
| Jurisdiction and ownership | 15 | 9/10 (13.5) | 3/10 (4.5) | Proton VPN |
| Protocol and crypto stack | 15 | 9/10 (13.5) | 9/10 (13.5) | Tied |
| Leak protection | 15 | 9/10 (13.5) | 8/10 (12.0) | Proton VPN |
| Transparency | 15 | 9/10 (13.5) | 8/10 (12.0) | Proton VPN |
| Price and refund terms | 10 | 7/10 (7.0) | 6/10 (6.0) | Proton VPN |
| Platform coverage | 10 | 9/10 (9.0) | 7/10 (7.0) | Proton VPN |
| Total | 100 | 90.0 | 67.0 | Proton VPN |
Where each one actually wins
Proton VPN is ahead on
- Independent audit. Both the no-logs policy and the apps on every platform were audited by Securitum with public reports.
- Jurisdiction and ownership. Switzerland sits outside the Fourteen Eyes agreement, and the parent company is majority-owned by a non-profit foundation.
- Leak protection. Kill switch across all platforms, with a permanent mode on desktop that blocks traffic before the app starts.
- Transparency. Every client is open source with published audit reports; signup still requires an email address.
- Price and refund terms. Mid-market pricing with a genuinely usable free tier, offset by prorated rather than full refunds.
- Platform coverage. Native apps including Apple TV and Android TV, plus router support and 10 simultaneous devices.
Windscribe is ahead on
Nothing. Windscribe does not lead on any of the seven criteria.
Choose Proton VPN if
Readers who want auditable software and a free option to test before paying.
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 Proton VPN if: You want the cheapest possible long-term plan. Proton is priced as a security product, and the 2-year rate is still above the budget tier.
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 Proton VPN or Windscribe better?
- Proton VPN scores higher overall, 90.0 against 67.0, a gap of 23 points out of 100. The best-documented security stack in this dataset, and the only free tier we consider safe to recommend.
- Which is cheaper, Proton VPN or Windscribe?
- Proton VPN, at $4.49/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?
- Proton VPN, most recently in 2024 against Windscribe’s 2022.
- Does jurisdiction differ between them?
- Yes. Proton VPN operates from Switzerland and Windscribe from Canada. Proton VPN is outside the Fourteen Eyes agreement; the other is not.
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.