Surfshark vs Windscribe: Side-by-Side Overview
Surfshark
Founded 2018 · Netherlands HQ · CJ affiliate
A full-featured commercial VPN that competes primarily on price and breadth. 3,200+ servers in 100 countries, unlimited simultaneous devices, WireGuard/OpenVPN/IKEv2 protocols, CleanWeb ad blocker, MultiHop double VPN, and a Deloitte-audited no-logs policy. At $2.19/mo on the 2-year plan, it's among the most affordable premium VPNs available.
Windscribe
Founded 2016 · Canada HQ · No affiliate program
A privacy-focused VPN with a genuinely useful free tier (10GB/month, no credit card). Paid plans range from Build-a-Plan ($2/location) to the full Pro ($5.75/mo annual). Around 700+ servers in 69 countries. Supports WireGuard, OpenVPN, Stealth, and IKEv2. R.O.B.E.R.T. DNS-based ad/malware blocker included. No independent audit of no-logs policy as of 2026.
Who should choose Surfshark?
- Anyone paying for a VPN — Surfshark's 2-year price ($2.19/mo) undercuts Windscribe's annual plan ($5.75/mo).
- Households with many devices — unlimited simultaneous connections vs Windscribe's no hard device limit (but account-based).
- Streamers — Surfshark reliably unblocks Netflix US, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.
- Users who want an audited no-logs policy — Deloitte confirmed Surfshark's infrastructure in 2023.
Who should choose Windscribe?
- Budget users who don't want to pay — the free tier (10GB/month) is one of the best in the industry.
- Build-a-Plan users — pay only for the server locations you actually need, starting at $2/month per location.
- Privacy advocates who want flexibility — month-to-month pricing with no long-term commitment at ~$9/mo.
- Users in restrictive countries — Windscribe's Stealth protocol is specifically designed to bypass deep packet inspection.
| Feature | Surfshark | Windscribe |
|---|
| Lowest paid price | $2.19/mo (2-year) | $5.75/mo (annual) |
| Free plan | 30-day money-back | 10GB/month free |
| Server count | 3,200+ in 100 countries | 700+ in 69 countries |
| Simultaneous devices | Unlimited | Unlimited (account) |
| No-logs audit | Deloitte (2023) | None published |
| Streaming | Netflix, Disney+, BBC | Inconsistent |
| Obfuscation | NoBorders mode | Stealth protocol |
| Jurisdiction | Netherlands | Canada (Five Eyes) |
Pricing: Surfshark vs Windscribe
Surfshark pricing (2026)
| Plan | Price | Best for |
|---|
| Starter 2-year | $2.19/mo | Best value for most buyers |
| Starter 1-year | $3.99/mo | Medium-term commitment |
| Starter monthly | $15.45/mo | Short-term use |
| One 2-year (+ antivirus) | $3.19/mo | VPN + security bundle |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | Risk-free trial |
Windscribe pricing (2026)
| Plan | Price | Best for |
|---|
| Free | $0/month | Light users, 10GB/mo cap |
| Pro (monthly) | ~$9/mo | Flexible no-commitment |
| Pro (annual) | ~$5.75/mo | Full features, best value |
| Build-a-Plan | $2/location + $1/GB | Minimal footprint users |
Bottom line on pricing: If you're paying anything, Surfshark's 2-year plan is significantly cheaper ($2.19/mo vs $5.75/mo). Windscribe wins only if you're on the free plan — which is genuinely useful for light VPN use.
Features: Surfshark vs Windscribe
Security & Privacy
Both VPNs support WireGuard and OpenVPN. Surfshark adds IKEv2 and a proprietary Nexus routing layer. Windscribe adds Stealth (obfuscated protocol for censorship resistance) and SOCKS5 proxies. Surfshark's no-logs policy was audited by Deloitte in 2023; Windscribe has not published a third-party audit as of August 2026, though its privacy policy is detailed and transparent.
Ad Blocking
Surfshark includes CleanWeb, which blocks ads, trackers, and malware-serving domains at the DNS level. Windscribe includes R.O.B.E.R.T., a highly configurable DNS-based blocker that lets you block specific categories (ads, malware, social networks, porn, etc.) with more granularity than CleanWeb. Edge: Windscribe for power users who want granular control; Surfshark for simplicity.
Server Coverage
Surfshark operates 3,200+ servers in 100 countries. Windscribe has 700+ servers in 69 countries. Surfshark's server count gives it better load distribution and more geo-options for streaming — especially US city-level servers for Netflix regional libraries.
Device Support
Both support Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and browser extensions. Surfshark supports unlimited simultaneous connections; Windscribe also has no hard device limit in practice but manages by account. Both offer router firmware support for whole-home coverage.
Streaming Performance
Surfshark consistently unblocks Netflix US, UK, and regional libraries, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. Windscribe's streaming reliability varies — it works for some services but has inconsistent results with Netflix due to its smaller server fleet. If streaming is a priority, Surfshark is the safer bet.
| Feature | Surfshark | Windscribe |
|---|
| WireGuard | Yes | Yes |
| OpenVPN | Yes | Yes |
| Obfuscation | NoBorders | Stealth protocol |
| Ad / tracker blocker | CleanWeb | R.O.B.E.R.T. (granular) |
| Double VPN | MultiHop | Yes (some servers) |
| Kill switch | Yes | Yes |
| Split tunnelling | Yes | Yes |
| Static IP | Yes (add-on) | Yes (add-on) |
| SOCKS5 proxy | No | Yes |
Final Verdict: Surfshark vs Windscribe
This comparison has a clear split by use case rather than a straightforward winner-takes-all result:
- Choose Surfshark if you're paying for a VPN. At $2.19/mo on the 2-year plan, it undercuts Windscribe's annual price significantly, has more servers, delivers reliable streaming, and carries a Deloitte-audited no-logs policy. Unlimited devices means one subscription covers your entire household. The 30-day money-back guarantee makes it risk-free to try.
- Choose Windscribe if you want a free or near-free VPN. The 10GB/month free plan is among the most generous in the industry, and the Build-a-Plan model lets serious privacy users pay only for the locations they need. If you're specifically in a country with heavy censorship (China, Iran, Russia), Windscribe's Stealth protocol may outperform Surfshark's NoBorders mode.
For privacy-first users who want an audited no-logs policy without paying $9/mo, Mullvad at $5/mo flat is worth considering alongside Surfshark — see our Surfshark vs Mullvad comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Surfshark better than Windscribe?
For most paid VPN buyers, yes — Surfshark scores 9.1/10 vs Windscribe's 8.0/10. Surfshark is cheaper on the 2-year plan ($2.19/mo vs Windscribe's $5.75/mo annual), has more servers (3,200+ vs 700+), and reliably unblocks Netflix and Disney+. Windscribe beats Surfshark on the free tier — it offers 10GB/month at no cost, which Surfshark doesn't match (it has a 30-day money-back guarantee but no permanent free plan).
How much does Windscribe cost per month?
Windscribe's free plan provides 10GB per month at no cost. The Pro plan is approximately $9/month billed monthly, or $5.75/month on the annual plan. The Build-a-Plan starts at $2/month per server location with $1/GB add-ons. Compare that to Surfshark at $2.19/month on the 2-year plan — if you're paying at all, Surfshark is the better deal for most users.
Does Windscribe have a no-logs policy?
Yes — Windscribe has a published no-logs policy and doesn't log browsing activity, connection timestamps, or IP addresses after sessions end. However, as of 2026, Windscribe has not published an independent third-party audit of its infrastructure. Surfshark's no-logs policy was audited by Deloitte in 2023. If third-party verification matters to you, Surfshark has a stronger evidence base.
Which VPN is better for streaming — Surfshark or Windscribe?
Surfshark is meaningfully better for streaming. It reliably unblocks Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. Windscribe's smaller server count (700+ vs 3,200+) means less consistent unblocking, particularly for geo-restricted Netflix libraries. If streaming is your primary use case, Surfshark is the safer choice.
Is Windscribe safe to use?
Yes, Windscribe is safe for general VPN use. It's a legitimate provider based in Canada with a published privacy policy and transparent incident history. Its apps use WireGuard and OpenVPN. The main caveats: no independent no-logs audit (unlike Surfshark), Canadian jurisdiction (part of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance), and the free tier's 10GB monthly cap. For higher-assurance privacy, Surfshark's Deloitte-audited policy and Netherlands jurisdiction give a stronger guarantee.