Security & Cybersecurity · head to head
Private Internet Access vs Windscribe
Private Internet Access
Security & Cybersecurity
Long-standing VPN service with a large server network and flexible multi-year plans
- From
- $11.99/month
- Rated
- -
Windscribe
Security & Cybersecurity
VPN and firewall service with a generous free data tier and a customizable Build-A-Plan option
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Windscribe has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Private Internet Access monthly plan is priced noticeably higher than the discounted multi-year commitments, penalizing short-term users.; Windscribe free tier's 10GB cap still requires email confirmation and social sharing to unlock, unlike some no-strings-attached competitors.
- They diverge on capability: Private Internet Access covers Split tunneling, Windscribe covers Firewall / default block.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Private Internet Access and Windscribe actually diverge.
| Attribute | Private Internet Access | Windscribe |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $11.99/month | Free |
| Pricing model | subscription | freemium |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | windows, mac, linux, ios, android | windows, mac, linux, ios, android, web |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Security & Cybersecurity).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Private Internet Access
- Split tunneling
- Kill switch
- Ad and tracker blocking
- Dedicated IP add-on
- Bundled antivirus add-on
Only in Windscribe
- Firewall / default block
- Unlimited simultaneous devices
- Build-A-Plan
- R.O.B.E.R.T. content blocker
- Static IP and port forwarding add-ons
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Private Internet Access
- Encrypting traffic on public Wi-Fi with a kill switchnot Windscribe
- Blocking ads and trackers network-wide via MACEnot Windscribe
- Maintaining a consistent connection identity with a dedicated IP add-onnot Windscribe
- Committing to a long-term plan for a lower effective monthly ratenot Windscribe
Windscribe
- Running a free VPN across unlimited personal devicesnot Private Internet Access
- Buying access to just a few specific server locations cheaplynot Private Internet Access
- Blocking ads and trackers at the DNS level while browsingnot Private Internet Access
- Preventing IP leaks with a default-block firewall rulenot Private Internet Access
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Private Internet Access
- Monthly plan is priced noticeably higher than the discounted multi-year commitments, penalizing short-term users.
- Dedicated IP and antivirus are paid add-ons rather than included features.
- Headquartered in a jurisdiction whose privacy reputation some competitors market against, despite audited no-logs claims.
- App interface is less streamlined than some higher-priced premium VPN competitors.
Windscribe
- Free tier's 10GB cap still requires email confirmation and social sharing to unlock, unlike some no-strings-attached competitors.
- Build-A-Plan's low cost only covers selected locations, so broad global coverage still requires the full Pro plan.
- Server speeds and streaming reliability are inconsistent compared to larger premium VPN providers.
- Customer support is primarily ticket/community-based rather than live chat for lower tiers.
Pricing, plan by plan
Private Internet Access
$11.99/month- Monthly$11.99/month
- Billed month to month
- Full server network access
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 1-Year$3.1/month
- Billed annually at $37.19
- Full server network access
- 2-Year$2.19/month
- Lowest advertised rate, billed every 2 years
- Full server network access
Windscribe
Free- FreeFree
- 10GB of data per month with confirmed email
- 10 server countries
- Unlimited devices
- Build-A-Plan$3/month
- Pay per selected server location ($1/location)
- $3 minimum purchase
- Unlimited data on selected locations
- Pro$9/month
- Unlimited data
- 69+ countries
- $69/year on annual billing
Which should you pick?
Choose Private Internet Access if
- You need split tunneling.
- You work on windows, mac, linux, ios, android.
- You also want kill switch.
Choose Windscribe if
- You need firewall / default block.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on windows, mac, linux, ios, android, web.
- You also want unlimited simultaneous devices.
Questions people ask
- Is Private Internet Access or Windscribe better?
- Neither clearly leads. Private Internet Access starts at $11.99/month and Windscribe at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Private Internet Access or Windscribe?
- Windscribe has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $11.99/month for Private Internet Access and Free for Windscribe.
- Does Private Internet Access or Windscribe run on more platforms?
- Private Internet Access runs on windows, mac, linux, ios, android. Windscribe runs on windows, mac, linux, ios, android, web.
- Can I use Windscribe for free?
- Yes. Windscribe has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Private Internet Access starts at $11.99/month.
- What is Private Internet Access best used for?
- Private Internet Access is most often used for encrypting traffic on public wi-fi with a kill switch, blocking ads and trackers network-wide via mace, maintaining a consistent connection identity with a dedicated ip add-on, committing to a long-term plan for a lower effective monthly rate. Of those, encrypting traffic on public wi-fi with a kill switch and blocking ads and trackers network-wide via mace are not what Windscribe is typically brought in for.
- What can Private Internet Access do that Windscribe cannot?
- Private Internet Access covers Split tunneling, Kill switch, Ad and tracker blocking, Dedicated IP add-on. Windscribe covers Firewall / default block, Unlimited simultaneous devices, Build-A-Plan, R.O.B.E.R.T. content blocker.
Related pages
More on Private Internet Access
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