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Windscribe vs Semgrep

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
Semgrep logo

Semgrep

Software

Open-source static analysis tool for finding security bugs and enforcing code standards.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • 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.; Semgrep free tier caps out at 10 contributors and 10 repositories.
  • They diverge on capability: Windscribe covers Firewall / default block, Semgrep covers Static code scanning.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Windscribe and Semgrep actually diverge.

Attributes where Windscribe and Semgrep differ
AttributeWindscribeSemgrep
Platformswindows, mac, linux, ios, android, webweb, api, linux, mac, windows

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), 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 Semgrep

  • Static code scanning
  • Supply chain scanning
  • Secrets detection
  • Cross-file analysis
  • AI-powered triage and remediation
  • CI/CD integration

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 Semgrep
  • Buying access to just a few specific server locations cheaplynot Semgrep
  • Blocking ads and trackers at the DNS level while browsingnot Semgrep
  • Preventing IP leaks with a default-block firewall rulenot Semgrep

Semgrep

  • Scanning code for security vulnerabilities in CI/CDnot Windscribe
  • Detecting vulnerable open-source dependenciesnot Windscribe
  • Finding hardcoded secrets before code shipsnot Windscribe
  • Enforcing custom code standards with rule setsnot Windscribe
  • Prioritizing findings with AI-assisted triagenot 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.

Semgrep

  • Free tier caps out at 10 contributors and 10 repositories.
  • Secrets scanning is priced as a separate module ($15/contributor) from Code and Supply Chain.
  • Self-managed repositories and custom CI/CD require the Enterprise tier.
  • AI credits are limited per tier and additional usage requires upgrading.

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

Semgrep

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Up to 10 contributors
    • Code and Supply Chain scanning
    • 60 AI credits total
  • Teams$30/month
    • Code, Supply Chain, or Secrets scanning per contributor
    • Pro rules
    • AI-powered triage and remediation
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • On-prem support
    • Custom CI/CD
    • 50 AI credits per developer/month

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 Semgrep if

  • You need static code scanning.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on web, api, linux, mac, windows.
  • You also want supply chain scanning.
Semgrep review

Questions people ask

Is Windscribe or Semgrep better?
Neither clearly leads. Windscribe starts at Free and Semgrep at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Windscribe or Semgrep?
Windscribe starts at Free and Semgrep at Free.
Does Windscribe or Semgrep run on more platforms?
Windscribe runs on windows, mac, linux, ios, android, web. Semgrep runs on web, api, linux, mac, windows.
Can I use Windscribe for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Semgrep is typically brought in for.
What can Windscribe do that Semgrep cannot?
Windscribe covers Firewall / default block, Unlimited simultaneous devices, Build-A-Plan, R.O.B.E.R.T. content blocker. Semgrep covers Static code scanning, Supply chain scanning, Secrets detection, Cross-file analysis.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Semgrep: What does Semgrep cost?

The Free edition covers up to 10 contributors; Teams starts at $30/contributor/month for Code scanning (Supply Chain also $30, Secrets $15); Enterprise is custom-priced.

Source
Semgrep: Is there a free plan, and what are its limits?

Yes, the Free edition supports up to 10 contributors and 10 repositories with Code and Supply Chain scanning plus 60 AI credits total.

Source
Semgrep: How is usage metered?

Pricing is per contributor, defined as someone who made at least one commit to a scanned private repository in the past 90 days.

Source
Semgrep: Is there special pricing for startups?

Yes, Semgrep offers special startup pricing upon request for early-stage companies.

Source
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