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vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering 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 the independent, 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.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering 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 the independent, 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.

Surfshark vs Windscribe VPN 2024

Table of Contents

    Which VPN is better?

    Author Image Kennedy Otieno
    Kennedy Otieno

    Cybersecurity Researcher

    Surfshark and Windscribe are very similar on the surface, so it’s initially tricky to choose between them. Both Surfshark and Windscribe are reliable, secure and allow unlimited simultaneous connections. However, if you look deeper, there are some significant (and important) differences between them.

    I tested each VPN to find its strengths and shortfalls. My side-by-side feature comparison shows how Surfshark and Windscribe perform regarding streaming, gaming, and torrenting. I also found out which of the two VPNs provides the best security features, privacy protection, and customer support.

    Surfshark is my top recommendation as it offers better value for money. It has impressive speeds and broader server coverage to easily access your favorite content. Both VPNs provide ample online security, but Surfshark is more pocket-friendly and does a better job of keeping your data private.

    Best alternative to Surfshark

    Our Score: 9.9

    ExpressVPN consistently offered even faster speeds in my tests than Surfshark, perfect for high-quality streaming and speedy torrenting. It also managed to be more consistent at bypassing geo-restrictions, all while offering watertight security and privacy protection.

    Short on Time? Here Are My Key Findings

    Surfshark Windscribe VPN
    ⭐ Overall Rating Our Score: 9.3/10

    www.surfshark.com

    Our Score: 7.9/10

    www.windscribe.com

    💲 Lowest Monthly Price $2.89/month with a two-year plan Starting at $0/month
    🗓️ Price on Renewal $59.76 per year(subject to change) $69 per year(subject to change)
    🤑 Coupons Surfshark 81% Off (24-month plan) Windscribe 43% Off (12-month plan)
    💸 Money Back Guarantee 30 days 3 days
    📺 Streaming & Unblocking Can access Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Sky services, and more Can access Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and more
    🌍 VPN Servers 100 countries with 3,200 servers 69 countries with 177 servers
    ⚡ Speed Max 34% speed drop, ideal for 4K streaming Max 46% speed drop, but can still support high quality streaming
    🎮 Gaming Performance Fast speeds and low ping on most servers High ping on most servers, even those closeby
    🧑‍🤝‍🧑 P2P Support Yes, on all servers Yes, on all servers
    🔐 Security Protocols WireGuard, OpenVPN (UDP/TCP), and IKEv2 WireGuard, OpenVPN (UDP/TCP), IKEv2, Stealth, WSTunnel
    🔌 Kill Switch Yes Yes
    ✅ IP/DNS Leak Protection Yes Yes
    🏢 Based in Country Netherlands Canada
    ⚠️ Does VPN Keep Logs No No
    Works in China Yes Yes
    #️⃣ Number of Device Connections Unlimited Unlimited
    💻 Device Compatibility Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV Stick, routers, and browsers (Chrome, Edge, and Firefox)

    Free Smart DNS service to easily set up the VPN with Smart TVs and game consoles

    Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV Stick, routers, and browsers (Chrome, Edge, and Firefox)
    🔧 Customer Support 24/7 live chat, knowledge base, FAQs, and email Support chatbot, knowledge base, FAQs, email, Reddit and Discord communities

    See More Surfshark Features

    Streaming and Netflix Access — Surfshark Makes it Easier (and Cheaper) to Stream Netflix on the Big Screen

    Both Surfshark and Windscribe proved reliable for bypassing geoblocks. Both VPNs generally worked well with popular streaming services — I could access most on the first try. However, Windscribe could not unblock Sky streaming services whatsoever, while Surfshark had no issues doing so.

    Streaming Platform Surfshark Windscribe VPN
    Netflix ✅ Yes, including popular Netflix libraries like the US, UK, Canada, South Korea, and Japan ✅ Yes, including popular Netflix libraries like the US, UK, Canada, South Korea, and Japan
    Disney+ ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
    ESPN ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
    HBO Max ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
    Hulu ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
    Sky ✅ Yes ❌ No
    Amazon Prime Video ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
    BBC iPlayer ✅ Yes ✅ Yes

    Surfshark did well with Netflix, which is convenient if you’re frequently traveling so that you don’t miss your favorite shows. I could access most of the popular libraries across Europe, North America, and Asia.  Windscribe’s regular servers could access a similar number of Netflix libraries without issues, too.

    Interestingly, only Surfshark offers a free SmartDNS service. This is one of the few methods that lets you bypass geoblocks on devices that don’t natively support VPNs, like most Smart TVs and gaming consoles. While Windscribe does offer a SmartDNS, named ControlD, it must be purchased for an additional ongoing subscription.

    Winner
    Surfshark is more reliable at bypassing geoblocks and comes with a free SmartDNS to easily watch your favorite shows on the big screen.

    Server Network — Surfshark Has Better Global Coverage

    Surfshark Windscribe VPN
    Total Countries With Servers 100 69
    Number of Servers 3,200+ 69

    Surfshark’s network is several times bigger than Windscribe and covers more countries. This gives you many more options for bypassing global geoblocks in regions like the Americas (including 25 US locations), Europe, and the Asia Pacific.

    Also, Surfshark’s Static Servers in 6 countries provide you with the same IP address every time you connect. This lets you avoid repeat user verification online. Some servers, like India, are virtual (marked with V).

    Although Windscribe’s 177 servers are only a fraction of what Surfshark offers, it still has almost the same presence across Africa and the Asia Pacific. Windscribe can even provide you an Antarctica IP via a virtual server if you can manage to find a use for it. It also offers dedicated IP addresses, but only for an added fee.

    Nicely, both Surfshark and Windscribe offer P2P support on all of their servers. You can choose to torrent on whatever server works best for your needs.

    Winner
    Surfshark easily wins this category thanks to its vast number of servers and geographic locations. Windscribe has decent network coverage but too few servers to compete.

    Speed — Surfshark Provides Faster Speeds on Long-Distance Servers

    There isn't much difference in terms of speed between Surfshark and Windscribe over short distances — they both were consistently fast in my tests, ideal for torrenting and high-quality streaming. However, huge differences emerged when I used distant servers, with Surfshark performing much better.

    Notably, both VPNs have generally great download and upload speeds in many locations. You can stream high-quality YouTube videos with either (UHD streaming requires only 25Mbps). However, Surfshark did better than Windscribe on Japan, Hong Kong, and Australia servers.

    It’s also worth noting that Surfshark and Windscribe offer unlimited data, meaning that you’re able to stream and torrent as much as you like.

    I used WireGuard during my tests since both VPNs provide it. The protocol is known industry-wide for fast speeds and good security. My base download speed was 125.02Mbps, and my base upload speed was 19.08Mbps.

    Speed Tests Surfshark Average Download Speed Windscribe VPN Average Download Speed Surfshark Average Upload Speed Windscribe VPN Average Upload speed
    Connected to a UK server 121.48Mbps
    (3% drop)
    120.55Mbps (3% drop) 18.10Mbps
    (5% drop)
    17.72Mbps (7% drop)
    Connected to a US server (New York) 115.96Mbps
    (7% drop)
    95.47Mbps (23% drop) 12.96Mbps
    (32% drop)
    17.75Mbps (7% drop)
    Connected to a US server (Los Angeles) 97.33Mbps (22% drop) 93.08Mbps (26% drop) 17.13Mbps (10% drop) 13.36Mbps (30% drop)
    Connected to a Canada server 112.57Mbps
    (10% drop)
    120.47Mbps (3% drop) 14.44Mbps (24% drop) 17.63Mbps (8% drop)
    Connected to an Australia server 83.61Mbps (33% drop) 68.03Mbps (46% drop) 11.37Mbps (40% drop) 10.22Mbps (46% drop)
    Connected to a Japan server 82.50Mbps (34% drop) 73.89Mbps (41% drop) 10.21Mbps (46% drop) 8.32Mbps (56% drop)
    Winner
    Surfshark wins this round. Its speeds are consistently fast on most servers, whereas Windscribe commonly experiences huge dips on long-distance connections.

    Gaming — Surfshark Offers a Smoother Experience

    Surfshark is more reliable for online gaming than Windscribe. This is because Surfshark servers have comparatively low ping and fast speeds. A playable online gaming experience requires ping of less than 100ms and 10Mbps/1Mbps download/upload speeds, respectively. My test results for both VPNs are as follows:

    Surfshark Windscribe VPN
    Quick Connect 6ms 5ms
    Connected to a UK server 7ms 8ms
    Connected to a US server (New York) 83ms 93ms
    Connected to a Canada server 95ms 137ms
    Connected to a France server 20ms 20ms
    Connected to a Japan server 239ms 307ms

    When I connected to a closeby UK server with Surfshark to play Roblox, I didn’t experience any lag. Even the long-distance New York server offered a playable experience with only a small increase in lag. While Windscribe offered similarly low ping from closeby servers, long-distance connections were considerably more laggy.

    A screenshot of online gaming with SurfsharkConnect to a low ping server for a better online gaming experience

    Winner
    Surfshark had a lower ping than Windscribe on most servers during my tests. I experienced less lag, and could play online even on long-distance servers without much choppiness. 

    Security — Surfshark Offers Slightly Stronger Security Across Most Devices

    It’s hard to choose the winner here since both Surfshark and Windscribe offer robust security features. They encrypt traffic using military-grade AES 256-bit encryption (with Perfect Forward Secrecy key exchange). This makes it virtually impossible for anyone to snoop on your connection. Surfshark also offers an antivirus tool, but it requires an extra fee.

    Security Feature Surfshark Windscribe VPN
    Encryption level AES-256-GCM algorithm with SHA512 and ChaCha20 encryption (on the WireGuard protocol) AES-256 with SHA512 authentication
    Kill Switch Yes Yes (only on Windows and Mac)
    DNS/IP Leak Protection Yes Yes
    Protocols WireGuard, OpenVPN (UDP/TCP), IKEv2/IPsec WireGuard, OpenVPN (UDP/TCP), IKEv2, Stealth, WSTunnel
    Split Tunneling Yes, a Bypasser feature on Windows and Android Yes, on Windows, Mac (10.15), and Android
    Private DNS servers Yes Yes
    Tor Over VPN servers No No
    RAM-only servers wipes data Yes Yes
    Ad & malware blocker Yes, CleanWeb Yes, R.O.B.E.R.T.
    Double hop servers Yes Yes
    Dedicated IP addresses No Yes (residential and data center IPs available)
    Obfuscation technology Yes Yes

    Evidently, these two have a lot of similarities. Besides the VPN essentials like AES 256-bit encryption and secure protocols, both also have obfuscation tools to disguise your VPN traffic, a selection of secure VPN protocols, and malware/tracker blockers. The list goes on, including leak protection, split tunneling (app, URL, and IP), and multihop functionality.

    However, Windscribe offers a kill switch only on Windows and Mac, whereas Surfshark includes an automatic kill switch for every supported device.

    A screenshot of Surfshark security featuresSurfshark lets you toggle on and off all of its security features

    Thankfully, both VPNs keep your IP address hidden. I ran several IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak tests on multiple servers, and my actual location was never revealed with either VPN.

    A screenshot of Surfshark security featuresIt’s safe to browse websites with Windscribe VPN

    Winner
    Both Surfshark and Windscribe compare toe-to-toe on most security parameters. However, Surfshark’s kill switch offers a last line of defense with most devices that simply isn’t present with Windscribe.

    Privacy — Surfshark’s Policy Is More Trustworthy

    I found Surfshark the easier to trust of the two, thanks to its audited no-logs policy. This means it doesn’t store any data that can be linked to you, like an IP address, location, and browser searches. An independent third-party found that Surfshark was 100% compliant with this policy during an audit.

    Windscribe too has a no-logs policy, but no third party has been invited to check it for transparency. Worryingly, its free service collects info to monitor usage data, like bandwidth and connection stamps.

    Surfshark is based in the Netherlands, a member of the 9 Eyes Alliance (an international intelligence network that surveils and shares pdata). Windscribe is also located within the Alliance as it’s Canada-based. However, your sensitive data should be safe since both VPNs use RAM-based servers that automatically delete your data with every server reboot. You can also sign up anonymously using a throwaway email address, which I recommend.

    Winner
    Surfshark has verified claims that it doesn’t collect user data, which makes it more trustworthy than Windscribe.

    Works in China — Surfshark and Windscribe Can Be Used in China

    Both VPNs claim to be working in China, but with a reservation that there might be some issues. For example, Windscrbe says: “The answer is not really straightforward. Lots of factors go into VPN blocking, so in actuality, while Windscribe might work for some people in a restricted country, other people might not be able to use it.”

    The VPNs integrate special obfuscation features to bypass restrictive blocks. Surfshark has both Camouflage Mode and NoBorders Mode, which disguise your VPN connection as normal traffic, helping you bypass VPN-blocking firewalls. You can also get instructions on how to set up the service to work in China.

    Windscribe also boasts of 2 specialized protocols, Stealth VPN and WSTunnel, which also achieve the disguising of VPN traffic. Keep in mind that not every server and protocol might work in China, and choosing a working one can take some time.

    Remember, we do not condone the breaking of the law, so please check the local laws of your current country before using a VPN. While there has never been a case of a tourist being penalized by the Chinese government for using a VPN, non-government approved VPNs are still illegal by local law.

    Winner - draw
    /
    Both offer multiple strong tools to get around restrictive VPN-blocking firewalls.

    Installation & Ease of Use — Both Have Easy-To-Use Apps

    Surfshark and Windscribe come with user-friendly apps. You'll find them appealing even if you haven’t used a VPN before. I installed both VPNs in under 5 minutes and used their Quick/Smart Location features to find the best servers for my location.

    Whether you’re using Surfshark or Windscribe, you can easily access the server list from your app’s home screen. It’s also possible to save the servers you frequently use in the “Favorites” list for easy access later. Both VPNs also offer plenty of customizable settings to fine-tune your experience.

    There are high chances that most of your devices are compatible with both VPNs. Each offers native apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux PCs, as well as Android and iOS smartphones. They also work on routers and Smart TVs.

    Winner - draw
    /
    It's hassle-free to use Surfshark and Windscribe apps. They’re straightforward to navigate and connecting to a VPN server is quick and easy.

    Reliability & Support  — Surfshark’s Support Team Responds Better

    Customer Support Features Surfshark Windscribe VPN
    24/7 Live chat Yes, responds almost immediately Yes, but it’s a chatbot (Garry)
    Email support Yes Yes
    Phone support Yes Yes
    Step-by-step setup guides Yes, with video tutorials Yes, with video tutorials
    Searchable knowledge base Yes Yes
    Exhaustive FAQ section Yes Yes

    Surfshark’s 24/7 live chat support is more reliable. That's because a team of human reps is behind it to answer your questions. I was instantly connected to an agent when I wanted to configure my app’s settings.

    Windscribe uses a chatbot called Garry to generate answers, which can be annoying if you need quick assistance with a complex issue. The response is fast but not as accurate as talking to a human agent. Still, you can speak to the team by submitting a support ticket, though it might take up to 24 hours to get a response.

    Winner
    Surfsharks’ support is much more helpful since you can interact with real people via the responsive live chat, alongside other channels like email and phone.

    Tips on Choosing Between Surfshark and Windscribe

    Everyone has their own preferences when selecting a VPN, but there are some very essential features to consider no matter what your main intent is. This list can help you decide when choosing between Surfshark and Windscribe.

    • Bypassing geoblocks — Pick a VPN that’s effective at bypassing geo-restrictions. This allows you to easily access your local accounts and services (like Netflix) from anywhere, especially if you’re fond of traveling overseas.
    • Fast speeds — Choosing a VPN that won’t significantly compromise connection speeds means that you will be able to stream in high-quality and game online with minimal lag. Only 3Mbps is needed for standard streaming, but UHD requires 25Mbps.
    • Server networks — A VPN with many worldwide servers gives you more options for bypassing geoblocks. You’re also less likely to experience slow speeds due to server congestion.
    • Robust security features — AES 256-bit encryption is a must, but also look out for features like a kill switch, leak protection, and safe tunneling protocols.
    • Respectable privacy practices — The VPN shouldn’t log records of your online activities, and the privacy policy must be clean and verifiable.
    • Easy to use — The app interfaces have to be straightforward whether you’re using the VPN on a PC or a smartphone. It’s convenient when support is easily reachable on live chat too.
    • Trustworthy money-back guarantee — There should be a way to test the service risk-free before committing for the long term.

    Our Score

    Features 9.3/10
    Pricing 8.7/10
    Ease of Use 9.4/10
    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 Keira Waddell
    Keira Waddell

    Senior Writer

    Our Score: 9.3/10

    With VPNs, you tend to get what you pay for. So when I saw Surfshark’s low prices, I was skeptical about its rave reviews. To see if it could actually live up to these claims, I tested every aspect of Surfshark, including its speeds, security features, unblocking abilities, network reliability, and device compatibility. I also took a closer look at Surfshark’s privacy policy to verify its ...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    L
    Lucas Pinto Ricardo
    10.0/10
    Fast, reliable and unlimited

    This VPN is fast and reliable. It has a lot of servers in different countries and can be used in an un... limited amount of devices (it supports Linux, which is something very important for me). The software and app get updated regularly: note that I experienced some bugs with the auto-connect feature on Android that have been solved since then. With this competitive pricing, I would definitely recommend it. IMPORTANT NOTE: I am not including the customer support in this review, because I never had to use it. If I use it in the future, I will update this review with my experience. I recommend you to see other reviews that include it if it is important for you.More

    Latest negative user review
    D
    David
    6.0/10
    A Mixed Bag...

    There's much good to say about Surfshark. Pricing, especially when they're running a 'special', is gre... at. Speeds for most of their servers are quite good. The app works well (I mostly use it on a desktop), but has some bugs that never seem to be addressed. One is that the connection protocol has a habit of changing on its own out of nowhere, even though I have it set to use a particular protocol. Since it changes to a protocol where I can't connect this is a bit of a pain. Reported this, (it's going on for months) but never gets fixed. Also with the app, sometimes it will put up a notice within the app that you have a connection problem but it's not clear if you are or are not still protected when this occurs. The "notice" may or may not be seen by you unless you have the app on top of everything else you're running at the time. It's a bit disturbing when you see this, have no clue how long the 'notice' was up, and are wondering if you've been surfing protected or not! Another issue is even more concerning; I hit a lot of websites that won't allow you to proceed while connected to this VPN! The site immediately recognizes you're masking your IP and won't let you use the site. I guess you're still anonymous, which is good, but what good is it when they know you're on a VPN and won't allow you access? Not sure if this is something with Surfshark's system, or just that there are so many people on this VPN that the sites see IP addresses coming up too frequently and know you're masking. Have been on 3 other VPN's over the last 7 years, have not seen this difficulty before, not really happy about it since if a site blocks you while being on a VPN it doesn't do you much good. So, it's kind of a mixed bag. I signed up on a 2-year deal, not sure I'll continue with them when it expires. There's a lot of promise with Surfshark, but they need to fix and flesh out parts of their service.More

    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

    Pricing

    Surfshark Windscribe VPN
    Starting Price $2.89/month $0/month
    Price (On Renewal) $59.76 per year
    (subject to change)
    $69 per year
    (subject to change)
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 days 30 days
    Number of devices per license Unlimited Unlimited
    Router Setup (for Unlimited Devices) Manual Manual
    See Plans See Plans

    Surfshark has budget-friendly long-term plans. Windscribe is cheaper than Surfshark if you’re subscribing monthly, but this isn’t economical in the long run. The VPN also has a customizable plan, which allows you to pay $1 per server. Payment methods with both VPNs include credit cards, PayPal, and cryptocurrencies.

    Besides, Windscribe has a very rigid money-back policy — in order to receive a refund, you must have used less than 10GB on the paid plan, and it must be 3 days or less since the purchase. Otherwise, you’re not eligible for a refund. Surfshark lets you test all its features for up to 30 days for free.

    You can use Windscribe for free (as opposed to Windscribe Pro), but it’s a very limited option. With a confirmed email address, you get 10GB of monthly data and access to a significantly more limited server network that spans only 10 countries.

    Winner
    Surfshark provides multiple wallet-friendly plans, giving you some flexibility. Windscribe’s offer is more limited — it lacks affordable long-term subscriptions and has a very short money-back period. Its free plan is too limited to be worth considering, too.

    Best VPN by Category

    Best VPN Overall

    Surfshark is a better choice than Windscribe, thanks to its more impressive server coverage and excellent streaming and online gaming speeds. It keeps your data private with a trustworthy audited no-logs policy and is more budget-friendly in the long run.

    Best VPN for Torrents

    Surfshark is a more secure option for torrenting, due to its more trustworthy no-logs policy. It also offers fast speeds for quick downloads and a larger server network for more reliable connections.

    Best VPN for Windows

    Surfshark works better on Windows. While both offer similar features, Surfshark supports more Windows versions — from 7 to 11. Windscribe says it will no longer make other builds for Windows 7 and also doesn’t provide assurance whether the app works on Windows 11.

    Best VPN for Android

    Surfshark offers much more for Android users, like better gaming speeds and privacy features. You can try all its premium smartphone features for up to 7 days because there’s a free trial.

    Best VPN for Mac

    Surfshark offered me faster speeds on my Mac, alongside a more extensive server network and a trustworthy no-logs policy. It was especially faster on long-distance connections.

    Best VPN for iOS

    Surfshark offers a free trial for iOS users (alongside a generous money-back guarantee). This gives you more opportunities to test all the premium features. Windscribe has a free version, but you don’t get as many features as with Surfshark’s trial. Plus, only Surfshark has a kill switch for iOS.

    Best VPN for USA

    Surfshark is better for the US, primarily because the server network across 25 US locations is a few times bigger than what Windscribe offers. It's easier to find a server for accessing your US services, like Netflix and Disney+.

    The Bottom Line

    While Surfshark clearly wins this contest, the two VPNs have a lot in common. If you overlook the areas where Surfshark can’t be disputed, like server network, speed consistency, and privacy, other categories only have slight differences. For example, Windscribe has robust security features and works in China too.

    You can test Surfshark yourself and see all it has to offer. It's backed by a trustworthy 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to get a refund if the service isn’t satisfactory.

    FAQ

    Is Surfshark better than Windscribe?

    Surfshark performs better than Windscribe on most fronts. To start with, Surfshark’s global server coverage and distribution are bigger. While both can reliably bypass geoblocks, Surfshark has consistent speeds on distant servers. This gives you good connections for heavy browsing activities, like streaming and torrenting.

    Windscribe offers robust online protection, the same as Surfshark. The latter, however, has better privacy because independent third parties have vetted its no-logs policy. Both VPNs come with easy-to-use apps for PCs, smartphones, and other devices.

    Is Surfshark faster than Windscribe?

    Both are fast, but Surfshark performs better on long-distance servers. Several factors may affect your speeds when using a VPN, including server congestion. Surfshark’s impressive server network helps to minimize user traffic, so you’re unlikely to experience slowdowns. The servers also support online gaming, thanks to low latency.

    ExpressVPN is another excellent service worth trying if speed is your top priority. It’s the fastest VPN I’ve tested — excellent for 4K streaming, lag-free gaming, and reliable torrenting.

    Do Surfshark or Windscribe offer any deals?

    Surfshark frequently offers generous deals and promotions. You can get as much as 81% off your subscription. Check out if there are any promotions currently available.

    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 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering 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 the independent, 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

    Kennedy is a Cybersecurity Researcher and Writer at vpnMentor. He tests VPN software to give legit user experiences that help people make informed choices. Kennedy also puts together detailed setup and troubleshooting guides for mobile, PC, and router devices.