Windscribe

windscribe.com
Cybersecurity
Few Days

VPN service that's fast, reliable, & effective

How to Replace Windscribe

Overview

Windscribe is a self-funded, privacy-focused VPN service that protects users' online activity with advanced encryption and security tools. It offers a comprehensive suite of features including ad blocking, anti-fingerprinting, and access to servers across 69+ countries. The service is open source, maintains a strict no-logs policy, and offers both free and premium plans with flexible pricing.

Features

35 features across 11 categories

Administration(3)

Network Options

Easily manage how Windscribe connects to different networks

ScribeForcePremium

Team accounts with centralized billing and management

Update Channels

Keep Windscribe up to date with automatic updates

Also in: Notion, Airtable, Smartsheet

Billing(1)

Price Lock Guarantee

The price you signed up for is the price you pay forever with no unexpected increases

Also in: Insightly, Airtable, Obsidian

Compatibility(1)

Cross-Platform Support

Available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Fire TV, and routers

Connectivity(10)

Auto Pilot

Automatically picks the best location for you

Config Generators

Generate OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard configurations

Multiple VPN Protocols

Offers up to 6 connection protocols including WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN, and Stealth

Port ForwardingPremium

Access services on your computer or home network from anywhere while connected to Windscribe

Proxy GatewayPremium

Create a proxy server on your network for other devices

Proxy Settings

Configure Windscribe to use a LAN proxy server

Secure HotspotPremium

Share your secure Windscribe connection wirelessly with other devices

Split TunnelingPremium

Allows users to choose which apps and websites connect through the VPN and which ones don't

Static IPsPremium

Use the same IP address every time you connect

Unlimited Device Connections

Access Windscribe on unlimited devices simultaneously

Network(1)

Global Server Network

Real servers in 69+ countries and 115+ cities with no virtual servers

Performance(2)

Packet Size Tweaking

Tweak your packet size to improve performance

Streaming OptimizationPremium

Servers optimized for streaming to unblock geo-restricted content without lag or buffering

Also in: Jira Service Management, Hugging Face, WordPress.com

Pricing(1)

Free Plan

Free plans available for those on a tight budget with 10GB data per month

Privacy(6)

Anti-Censorship ModePremium

Circumvent censorship and connect to VPN in hostile environments with obfuscation technology

Anti-Fingerprinting ToolsPremium

Browser extensions that block ads, rotate user agent, spoof timezone, language settings, GPS location, and more

Double HopPremium

Routes connection through two VPN servers for extra anonymity

MAC SpoofingPremium

Spoof your device's physical address (MAC address) on public networks for privacy

No-Logs Policy

Strict no-logs policy that does not store browsing history, connection timestamps, or personally identifiable information

RAM Disk Infrastructure

Infrastructure stores no identifying data anywhere, keeping online activity private from everyone including Windscribe

Also in: RescueTime, Google Ads, 1Password

Security(7)

Ad and Tracker Blocking

Powerful network-level blocker that filters out ads, trackers, malware, and unwanted websites

AES-256 Encryption

Military-grade AES-256 encryption for securing user connections

Firewall with Leak ProtectionPremium

Blocks all types of leaks including traffic leaks, DNS leaks, and IPv6 leaks

Flexible DNSPremium

Secure protocol support, split DNS, or use customizable server-side ad-blocker

LAN Traffic Controls

Controls blocking of LAN traffic when connected to Windscribe

R.O.B.E.R.T.Premium

Customizable adblocker that blocks IPs and domains of your choice on all devices

TCP Socket TerminationPremium

Terminate all existing TCP sockets when connecting to the VPN

Transparency(2)

Open Source

Windscribe is completely open source, allowing users to see exactly what they're signing up for

Security Audits

Independent security audits to ensure integrity of infrastructure and policies

User Experience(1)

Simple Clients

Feature-rich clients that don't require a PhD degree to use

Pricing

Free

Free
  • 10GB data per month
  • Email confirmation required
  • Unlimited devices
  • Access to all platforms

Build-a-Plan

$3/month
  • Customizable subscription
  • $1 per location
  • $1 for unlimited data
  • Flexible pricing

Pro

Popular
$5.75/month (billed annually)
  • Unlimited data
  • Access to all servers
  • Advanced features like R.O.B.E.R.T.
  • Unlimited devices

Team

$3/month per seat
  • Minimum 5 seats per team
  • Centralized billing
  • Team management
  • Unlimited devices per team member

Cost Calculator

Keep Paying Windscribe

Monthly$3/mo
Yearly$36/yr
5-Year Total$180

Build It Yourself

Est. Build Time~4 hrs
Hosting$20/mo
DifficultyEasy

Total Cost Comparison

1 Year
SaaS
$36
DIY
$240
3 Years
SaaS
$108
DIY
$720
5 Years
SaaS
$180
DIY
$1.2k

DIY hosting estimate based on Vercel + Supabase free/pro tiers (~$20/mo). Build time estimated from 35 features at easy complexity.

Build vs Buy

Should you build a Windscribe alternative or buy the subscription? Estimate based on 35 features.

Buy Windscribe

Better Value
Monthly cost$30/mo
3-year total$1,080
Time to deployDays

Build Your Own

Development cost$24,000
Maintenance$360/mo
3-year total$36,960
Dev time~2 months

Buying Windscribe saves ~$35,880 over 3 years vs building.

Estimates based on 35 features and a BuildScore of 4/5. Actual costs vary.