Intro & Overall Ratings
Our Ratings
From a user’s perspective, PIA appears to be the better VPN option. PIA offers more affordable pricing, with a monthly cost of $11.95 compared to Windscribe’s $12.00. PIA also provides a much cheaper long-term subscription option at $1.98 per month, while Windscribe’s 12-month contract is priced the same. In terms of jurisdiction, both VPNs are based in 14-Eye Alliance countries, which may raise concerns about data privacy. However, PIA has a larger server network with over 5,000 servers worldwide, ensuring better performance and lower latency. PIA also offers a more generous 30-day money-back guarantee, giving users ample time to test the service. Ultimately, users should consider their specific needs and preferences when choosing a VPN.
About Our VPN Rating Systems
Our reviews delve deeply into each VPN service, scrutinizing aspects such as privacy, customer feedback, pricing, and usability to provide well-rounded insights.
Ratings are based on our comprehensive research of 96 VPN companies. Out of 96 VPNs we reviewed, only 11 surpass the 75% threshold in our evaluation, while half of the reviewed services score below average (54.1%).
Why Read Our VPN Guide?
- Our VPN reviews are unbiased and data-driven. We are not affiliated to any of the VPN companies listed on this website.
- Our rating system covers diverse user needs. We delve deeply into each VPN service, scrutinizing aspects such as privacy, customer feedback, pricing, and usability to provide well-rounded insights.
Specifications: Windscribe vs PIA
| VPN Company | Windscirbe | PIA |
|---|---|---|
| Jurisdiction Country | Canada | United States |
| Cheapest Price | $5.75/mo over 12-month subscription | $1.98/mo |
| Monthly Price | $12.00 | $11.95 |
| Money Back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
| No Logging Policy? | Yes | Yes |
| Encryption | AES-256, and ChaCha20 | AES-128, AES-256, and ChaCha20 |
| Protocols | OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2/IPSec | OpenVPN, and WireGuard |
| Servers | 120 | 10,000 |
| Servers Countries | 69 | 91 |
| Simultaneous Connections | Unlimited devices | Unlimited devices |
| Works in China? | Unlikely | Likely |
| Smart DNS | No | Yes |
| Kill Switch | Yes | Yes |
| Browser Extension | Yes | Yes |
| Double VPN | Yes | Yes |
| Ads Blocking | Yes | Yes |
| Split Tunneling | Yes | Yes |
| Third Party Audit | – | 0 |
| Customer Support | 24/7 Live Chat & Email | 24/7 Live Chat |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Unblock Streaming | Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Netflix, Hulu, and HBO | Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, and HBO |
| Learn More | Visit Online | Visit Online |
Cruical Features & Key Differences
Plans & Pricing: PIA Better
PIA positions itself as an affordable option. The VPN charges $11.95/mo for month-to-month contract and a much cheaper $1.98/mo for those who are willing to subscribe in long term.
In comparison, Windscribe sets its price higher at $12/mo for monthly subscribers and $1.98/mo for those who are willing to commit to a 12-month contract.
Based on our market research, the average cost of VPN is $3.56/mo with a commitment period of 21 months. You should consider whether the additional features and services offered by Windscribe justify the higher cost, especially when comparing it to other available options that might offer similar services at a more economical rate.
PIA Plans
Windscribe Plans
Jurisdiction: Tie (Equally Bad)
Both Windscribe and PIA are based in 14-Eye Alliance countries – which means the company may be obligated to retent your data and share them with gorvenment bodies. If you are handling sensitive information or require maximum data privacy – you should avoid both companies and look for VPNs in countries with a lower risk of government-led surveillance and data sharing
Understanding the 14-Eyes Alliance and Its Privacy Implications
The 14-Eyes Alliance, an expansion of the Five- and Nine-Eyes intelligence collaborations, includes countries like the USA, UK, Canada, and several European nations. These member states are known for their extensive surveillance activities, as highlighted by disclosures from figures like Edward Snowden (watch video below). Such surveillance extends to the sharing of collected data among member countries.
The presence of a VPN provider in a 14-Eyes country could mean legal obligations to surrender user data to government entities, with the potential for this data to circulate among the alliance members. This surveillance culture not only compromises personal privacy but also raises concerns about digital security, particularly with the push for encryption backdoors.
Servers Count & Geographical Coverage: PIA Better
The size of a VPN’s server fleet plays a crucial role in determining user experience. A larger fleet generally provides faster speeds, greater reliability, wider geographical coverage, lower latency, and potentially enhanced privacy. On the other hand, a smaller server fleet might lead to slower speeds, higher latency, limited content access, and potential privacy concerns.
In term of server counts, PIA stands out with its impressive network, hosting over 5,000 servers worldwide. This extensive coverage ensures that users almost anywhere can find a reliable and fast server connection.
In comparison, Windscribe maintains a more modest server presence, with only 120 servers across 69 countries. If you live in regions with fewer servers from Windscribe, this might translate to slower speeds and potentially less stable connections. The vast server network of PIA not only provides broader geographic reach but also typically allows for better performance and lower latency.
Money Back Guarantee: PIA Better
PIA offers a substantial sense of security to its users through a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. This affords new users plenty of time to comprehensively evaluate its services.
Conversely, Windscribe proposes a shorter duration (just 3 days!) for its money-back guarantee. Although this briefer period still presents a chance to test the service, it could be a factor for those users who favor an extended trial to thoroughly ascertain the VPN’s suitability for their specific requirements.
* According to our market study, the average money-back guarantee period in the industry is approximately 25.68 days.
Simultaneous Connections:Tie
Both PIA and Windscribe offer a respectable large number of simultaneous connections – which makes both VPNs particularly advantageous for larger households or businesses where numerous devices require VPN protection.
Bottomline
In conclusion, if you are looking for a VPN with better plans and pricing, PIA is the recommended choice. However, if you prioritize server count and geographical coverage, PIA is also the better option. Ultimately, it is important to assess your personal requirements and select a VPN that aligns with your unique needs to ensure you get the most out of your VPN service.
Pick What You Need
Our VPN recommendations and ratings are just a general guide and may not match your personal needs. Know what you need and pick a VPN that fits. It’s crucial to assess your personal requirements, whether it’s enhanced security, better privacy, faster speeds, or access to specific content. Use ourWindscribe and PIA comparison as a starting point, but ultimately, select a VPN that aligns with your unique needs. This approach ensures you get the most out of your VPN service.
About Windscribe & PIA
PIA
Private Internet Access, established in 2010, is a service of London Trust Media, Inc. While specific details about the founders are not widely publicized, PIA has made a name for itself in the VPN industry. The company is known for its strong commitment to privacy and transparency, offering features like AES-256 encryption and a strict no-logging policy. PIA is compatible with various platforms, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux. The company is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, USA.
To learn more, read our PIA review.
Windscribe
Windscribe is a cross-platform, commercial VPN provider based in Canada. The company was founded by Yegor Sak and Alex Paguis in 2016. It offers unlimited, simultaneous connections, and its privacy policy promotes the service as a no-log VPN. Windscribe is known for its exceptional commitment to social responsibility, particularly around issues of censorship in authoritarian regimes. For example, it provided expanded bandwidth free accounts to everyone affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Windscribe has also offered free and unlimited service to all journalists in the region, and subsequently combatting Russian blocks that aimed to render these efforts fruitless.
To learn more, read our Windscribe review.