Alternatives · VPNs
Windscribe alternatives
Windscribe compared with 11 alternatives: Proton VPN, Mullvad VPN, TunnelBear, Surfshark, Private Internet Access and 6 more.
Windscribe has a free plan. Paid plans start at $3 per month for 3 locations (Build A Plan). 5 of the 11 alternatives are free or have a free plan. One more offers a free trial.
11 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 17, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| WindscribeThis tool | Free plan · from $3/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Proton VPN | Free plan · from $83.88/yr | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Mullvad VPN | From €5/mo | No | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| TunnelBear | Free plan · from $3.33/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Surfshark | Free trial · from $79/yr | Trial only | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Private Internet Access | From $47.88/yr | No | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| AirVPN | Paid | No | macOS, Windows, Linux, Android |
| hide.me | Free plan · from $2.69/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Hotspot Shield | Free plan · from $95.99/yr | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| IVPN | From $60/yr | No | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Mozilla VPN | From $59.88/yr | No | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| PrivadoVPN | Free plan · from $1.11/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
Price against what you get
Windscribe starts at $3 a month and scores 3.0 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. None of the 10 alternatives on this chart both scores higher and starts lower.
Surfshark scores higher without starting lower. hide.me and PrivadoVPN start lower without scoring higher.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
How each one differs from Windscribe
- Free plan · from $83.88/yr
Proton VPN
Open-source Swiss VPN with a free plan that has no data cap
- Proton VPN starts at $83.88 per year at renewal (VPN Plus), after a first year for $53.88. Windscribe starts at $3 per month for 3 locations (Build A Plan).
Suits: Trying a VPN for free without a data cap
- From €5/mo
Mullvad VPN
Flat-rate Swedish VPN with anonymous numbered accounts
- Mullvad VPN starts at €5 per month, the same rate for any length paid ahead. Windscribe starts at $3 per month for 3 locations (Build A Plan).
- Windscribe has a free plan. Mullvad VPN does not.
- Only Windscribe lists a browser extension.
Suits: People who want a VPN account with no email or name attached
- Free plan · from $3.33/mo
TunnelBear
McAfee-owned VPN with a 2GB free plan and pay-once multi-year plans
- TunnelBear starts at $3.33 per month on the 3-year Unlimited plan ($120 paid once). Windscribe starts at $3 per month for 3 locations (Build A Plan).
- Only Windscribe lists a Linux app.
- Windscribe is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: Occasional users who need a VPN for a few gigabytes
- Free trial · from $79/yr
Surfshark
VPN with no device limit, sold alone or in security bundles
- Surfshark starts at $79 per year at renewal (Starter), after a first 27 months for $67.23. Windscribe starts at $3 per month for 3 locations (Build A Plan).
- Windscribe has a free plan. Surfshark does not, though it has a free trial.
- Windscribe is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: Households with more devices than a capped VPN allows
- From $47.88/yr
Private Internet Access
Open-source VPN with unlimited devices and servers in all 50 US states
- Private Internet Access starts at $47.88 per year (1 Year plan, the same price at renewal). Windscribe starts at $3 per month for 3 locations (Build A Plan).
- Windscribe has a free plan. Private Internet Access does not.
Suits: Households with more devices than a capped VPN allows
- Paid
AirVPN
VPN service with Eddie, its open-source client for desktop and Android
- Windscribe has a free plan. AirVPN does not.
- Only Windscribe lists an iOS app.
- Only Windscribe lists a browser extension.
- Windscribe also covers ad and tracker blocking.
Suits: Technical users who want full control over OpenVPN and WireGuard settings
- Free plan · from $2.69/mo
hide.me
Malaysia-based VPN with a no-signup free plan and flat renewal prices
- hide.me starts at $2.69 per month, billed $69.99 every 26 months at the same price on renewal. Windscribe starts at $3 per month for 3 locations (Build A Plan).
- Windscribe is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: People who want a free VPN without creating an account
- Free plan · from $95.99/yr
Hotspot Shield
VPN with a free Basic tier and its own Hydra protocol
- Hotspot Shield starts at $95.99 per year at renewal (Premium), after a first year for $29. Windscribe starts at $3 per month for 3 locations (Build A Plan).
- Only Windscribe lists a Linux app.
- Windscribe is open source, according to its own site.
- Hotspot Shield also covers malware protection.
- Windscribe also covers ad and tracker blocking.
Suits: Occasional users who want a free VPN on one device
- From $60/yr
IVPN
Privacy-focused VPN with no-email signup and open-source apps
- IVPN starts at $60 per year (Standard), also sold at $6 a month or $2 a week. Windscribe starts at $3 per month for 3 locations (Build A Plan).
- Windscribe has a free plan. IVPN does not.
- Only Windscribe lists a browser extension.
Suits: People who want to pay for a VPN without giving an email or card
- From $59.88/yr
Mozilla VPN
Firefox maker's WireGuard VPN, run on Mullvad's servers
- Mozilla VPN starts at $59.88 per year (Annual plan, $4.99 a month), plus tax. Windscribe starts at $3 per month for 3 locations (Build A Plan).
- Windscribe has a free plan. Mozilla VPN does not.
Suits: Firefox users who want per-site VPN rules in the browser
- Free plan · from $1.11/mo
PrivadoVPN
VPN with a 10GB free plan and ad blocking on paid plans
- PrivadoVPN starts at $1.11 per month for a first 27 months (24-month plan); renewal price not stated. Windscribe starts at $3 per month for 3 locations (Build A Plan).
- Windscribe is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: Light users who need a few gigabytes of VPN a month for free
Limits worth knowing in Windscribe
- The free plan stops at 10GB a month and needs a confirmed email; most locations are Pro only.
- Build A Plan locations each add only 10GB a month rather than unlimited data.
- Static IPs and team accounts are sold separately, and their prices are not on the plans page.
- Account sharing is prohibited by the plan terms.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Windscribe?
The alternatives to Windscribe in this directory are Proton VPN, Mullvad VPN, TunnelBear, Surfshark, Private Internet Access, AirVPN, hide.me, Hotspot Shield, IVPN, Mozilla VPN and PrivadoVPN. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Windscribe.
Is there a free alternative to Windscribe?
Yes. Proton VPN, TunnelBear, hide.me, Hotspot Shield and PrivadoVPN have a free plan alongside paid ones.
When were these prices checked?
Every listing on this page was checked on Oct 17, 2026, against the pages it cites. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.