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Windscribe vs ExpressVPN

Windscribe logo

Windscribe

Software

VPN and firewall service with a generous free data tier and a customizable Build-A-Plan option

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ExpressVPN logo

ExpressVPN

Software

High-speed, secure, and anonymous VPN service

From
$6.67/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Windscribe has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Windscribe free tier's 10GB cap still requires email confirmation and social sharing to unlock, unlike some no-strings-attached competitors.; ExpressVPN the App Store listing (seller Expressco Services, LLC) states subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the billing period, and that any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited on purchase
  • They diverge on capability: Windscribe covers Firewall / default block, ExpressVPN covers Lightway protocol.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Windscribe and ExpressVPN actually diverge.

Attributes where Windscribe and ExpressVPN differ
AttributeWindscribeExpressVPN
Starting priceFree$6.67/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
Platformswindows, mac, linux, ios, android, webWeb, Desktop, Mobile, Api
FoundedUnknown2009

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 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

Only in ExpressVPN

  • Lightway protocol
  • TrustedServer technology
  • Network Lock kill switch
  • Split tunneling
  • No activity logs
  • Private DNS
  • Speed test
  • MediaStreamer

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Windscribe

  • Running a free VPN across unlimited personal devicesnot ExpressVPN
  • Buying access to just a few specific server locations cheaplynot ExpressVPN
  • Blocking ads and trackers at the DNS level while browsingnot ExpressVPN
  • Preventing IP leaks with a default-block firewall rulenot ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN

  • Vpnnot Windscribe
  • Privacynot Windscribe
  • Streamingnot Windscribe

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

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.

ExpressVPN

  • The App Store listing (seller Expressco Services, LLC) states subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the billing period, and that any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited on purchase
  • The same listing caps a single ExpressVPN subscription at 14 simultaneous device connections

Pricing, plan by plan

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

ExpressVPN

$6.67/month
  • 1 Month$12.95/month
    • 8 devices
    • 94 countries
    • Unlimited bandwidth
  • 12 Months$6.67/month
    • All features
    • 3 months free
    • Best value
  • 6 Months$9.99/month
    • All features
    • 30-day guarantee

Which should you pick?

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.
Windscribe review

Choose ExpressVPN if

  • You need lightway protocol.
  • You work on Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api.
  • You also want trustedserver technology.
ExpressVPN review

Questions people ask

Is Windscribe or ExpressVPN better?
Neither clearly leads. Windscribe starts at Free and ExpressVPN at $6.67/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Windscribe or ExpressVPN?
Windscribe has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Windscribe and $6.67/month for ExpressVPN.
Does Windscribe or ExpressVPN run on more platforms?
Windscribe runs on windows, mac, linux, ios, android, web. ExpressVPN runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api.
Can I use Windscribe for free?
Yes. Windscribe has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. ExpressVPN starts at $6.67/month.
What is Windscribe best used for?
Windscribe is most often used for running a free vpn across unlimited personal devices, buying access to just a few specific server locations cheaply, blocking ads and trackers at the dns level while browsing, preventing ip leaks with a default-block firewall rule. Of those, running a free vpn across unlimited personal devices and buying access to just a few specific server locations cheaply are not what ExpressVPN is typically brought in for.
What can Windscribe do that ExpressVPN cannot?
Windscribe covers Firewall / default block, Unlimited simultaneous devices, Build-A-Plan, R.O.B.E.R.T. content blocker. ExpressVPN covers Lightway protocol, TrustedServer technology, Network Lock kill switch, Split tunneling.
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