We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
Learn more
vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
Advertising Disclosure

vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

Private Internet Access vs Windscribe VPN 2024

Table of Contents
    Our Score: 9.5/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Our Score: 7.9/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, Cyberghost and Expressvpn are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.

    Which VPN is better?

    Author Image Daniel Krohn
    Daniel Krohn

    Cybersecurity Researcher

    Both PIA and Windscribe provide advanced security features to protect your online data. Both use excellent encryption, have solid no-logs policies, and include a kill switch (Firewall for Windscribe), as well as ad blocking. While Windscribe has roughly 177 servers in 69 countries, PIA has over 29,650 servers across 90 countries, which is more than most VPNs. They both work with some of the most popular streaming platforms, and offer affordable plans, with Windscribe being a little more expensive. Windscribe also offers a free VPN service, while Private Internet Access gives you a 30-day money-back guarantee on all subscriptions.

    Our Score

    Features 9.5/10
    Pricing 9.5/10
    Ease of Use 9.6/10
    Reliability & Support 9.8/10
    Features 7.9/10
    Pricing 8.6/10
    Ease of Use 8.8/10
    Reliability & Support 6.0/10

    Reviews

    Review by our expert
    Author Image Angela Jovanoska
    Angela Jovanoska

    Cybersecurity Researcher

    Our Score: 9.5/10

    Private Internet Access has one of the cheapest VPN subscriptions available — you can sign up for as little as $2.03/month. With such a low price, I wondered whether PIA could really stand out against its higher-priced competitors. It’s been around for 10+ years, so it could be one of the best-value VPNs out there. I decided to find out just how good it is by looking into the company’s lo...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    E
    Ez
    10.0/10
    Best VPN Out on The Market

    I like PIA VPN the best for the following reasons: ● It's a reliable and trustworthy policy; they don... 't record anything harmful to you; strict no logs. ● I've been using it for one month and there are specific times when it speeds up my internet speed (varies by internet) ● It's a distinctive feature of DIP (dedicated IP) - I think not many popular VPNs have this feature, I also purchased this feature to avoid getting the captcha verification and it never showed up ever since. It's only been a month using this VPN but as I gain more experience with this client, I'm pretty sure I will find more good features and utilize them. Thanks for having read my review:)More

    Latest negative user review
    M
    Mike Johnson
    2.0/10
    PIA no longer works on Amazon Fire devices.

    I have used PIA for several years with no issues. Currently, amazon fire devices can no longer sign i... n to the account. Used on 3 TVs with 3 different fire devices with the same result. There is no way to resolve the issue.More

    Read the full review
    Review by our expert
    Author Image Doris Muthuri
    Doris Muthuri

    Senior Writer

    Our Score: 7.9/10

    After its security breach, many people aren't sure if they can trust Windscribe — one of the most popular free VPNs. If it couldn't protect its servers, can you really rely on it to keep you safe, especially without a subscription? I tested every feature Windscribe has, including performing leak tests and speed checks and testing it for torrenting, gaming, and more. I also thoroughly investiga...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    P
    Pedro
    8.0/10
    Maybe not the best but for the price I am happy with them

    Maybe it is not the best but for the price, I am very happy with them. I have been using them for year... s. Usually, I am streaming sports from national TV channels abroad. In all fairness, I can recommend their service.More

    Latest negative user review
    T
    Tom
    2.0/10
    Slimey Company and DARK past

    The companies CEO ran ADULT WEBSITES. He is in an interview saying exactly this about his past, but ... he does not seem transparent with this today. Would you say making and running adult sites is a respectable or professional career? No. I would never trust them with my data, ever. They are slow, overpriced and unprofessional company that attacks people on reddit or discord who leave truthful feedback about this. They do not honor lifetime promises. Do not support this VPNMore

    Read the full review

    Pricing

    Starting price $2.03/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license Unlimited devices
    Starting price $5.75/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 3 Days
    Number of devices per license Unlimited devices

    Best VPN by Category

    Best VPN Overall

    PIA outshines Windscribe with its commitment to providing its users with many customization options. It's one of the most versatile VPNs on the market. It also offers robust privacy and security and has a large number of servers worldwide. Windscribe also provides sturdy encryption but falls short with its number of servers. Additionally, Windscribe doesn’t offer a live chat feature.

    Best VPN for Torrents

    PIA wins because it allows torrenting on all its servers and has better overall speeds. However, both are good options, as both allow P2P sharing, and have good speeds and trustworthy privacy policies.

    Best VPN for Windows

    PIA comes forward with its highly customizable interface packed in a user-friendly Windows app. Both VPNs include advanced security tools, but PIA’s Windows app is more versatile and also comes with the MACE ad blocker.

    Best VPN for Android

    Windscribe's Android app looks good but PIA has one of the best Android mobile apps with great security features (more advanced than many desktop apps). Yet, the VPN doesn’t compromise on simplicity and gives you an intuitive interface. Similar to its iOS app and desktop apps, it has a lot of quick settings on the main screen too, plus information about your connection, which is quite helpful.

    Best VPN for Mac

    Both VPNs offer good-looking and intuitive macOS apps, but PIA comes with much more customization options. It lets you change the level of encryption and it has 2 kill switches. One is regular and the other is advanced, which is rare for a VPN.

    Best VPN for iOS

    PIA is the winner. You can pick between OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IPsec (IKEv2) protocols. Also, there are many other configuration options, but the interface remains easy to adjust and navigate. On the main interface, it offers quick settings and a quick connect feature, so you have the most important settings on 1 screen.

    Best VPN for USA

    With a substantial server network in the US, PIA surpasses Windscribe. Although Windscribe operates with a considerably smaller number of servers, it nevertheless demonstrates impressive performance in bypassing restrictions on major US streaming platforms.

    The Bottom Line

    See Plans & Pricing

    Both VPNs are affordable, highly secure, and reliable. They both perform well with torrents and offer compatibility with the most popular devices.

    However, PIA wins over Windscribe with its ability to bypass heavy restrictions, diverse and responsive support channels, higher server count, and faster speeds. PIA also provides more attractive software clients, higher encryption levels, dedicated IPs, and many customization options.

    Time to decide which one is best for you

    Go with Private Internet Access
    Go with Windscribe VPN
    Or click here to check best VPNs, rated by {{review_count}} users

    FAQ

    Is Private Internet Access better than Windscribe VPN?

    Yes, Private Internet Access is better overall than Windscribe VPN. It has 29650 servers in 90 countries, fast speeds, and impressive security features.

    Best of all, you can take advantage of its latest discount and get it for only $2.03 a month.

    What should I keep in mind when choosing between Private Internet Access and Windscribe VPN?

    When choosing a VPN, you want to pay close attention to its number of servers, overall speed score, pricing, and the number of simultaneous device connections it offers. While some VPNs provide a flawless online experience, others will really slow you down.

    If you’re ready to commit, then Private Internet Access may be perfect for you due to its performance during the tests .

    Is Private Internet Access faster than Windscribe VPN?

    Yes, Private Internet Access is faster than Windscribe VPN. Since your VPN is your computer’s main connection to the internet, you need to use a service that won’t slow you down by more than 20%.

    If speeds are important to you, then I recommend you take a look at ExpressVPN. It’s the fastest service out there, provides unlimited bandwidth, and you won’t experience any slowdowns even when you connect to the other side of the planet. You can try it out risk-free. It’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can get a full refund if you don’t like it.

    Do Private Internet Access or Windscribe VPN offer any deals?

    Both Private Internet Access and Windscribe VPN offer deals on occasion. You can check out the current coupons and discounts here. However, ExpressVPN has the best deals. Right now, you can get a 49% discount and up to 3 months for free with a new subscription.

    We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
    Learn more
    vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

    About the Author

    Technical writer with a passion for online privacy.