Surfshark vs Windscribe (2026)
Surfshark and Windscribe both offer unlimited connections at budget prices, but Surfshark leads on speed and streaming while Windscribe's free plan and SOCKS5 proxy give it a unique niche among browser-first users.
Windscribe
Privacy tools for a fair price
9.1
Get Deal
Choose Surfshark if you:
- Want faster speeds (9.4 vs 8.4) and far better streaming scores
- Need 100 countries vs Windscribe's 69 for a wider global reach
- Prefer Double VPN, CleanWeb, and Netherlands jurisdiction together
- Value a 30-day money-back guarantee and polished cross-platform apps
Choose Windscribe if you:
- Want a 10 GB free monthly plan to test before any subscription
- Need SOCKS5 proxy and best-in-class browser proxy extensions
- Prefer unlimited devices at an even lower annual price
- Value a Canadian provider with a transparent no-logs policy
Bottom line
Surfshark is the better paid VPN in performance and features. Windscribe earns consideration as a free-tier-first option and a strong proxy layer for browser-centric users.
Frequently Asked Questions
Surfshark is faster in our tests, scoring 9.5/10 versus 9/10 for Windscribe. Both use WireGuard-class protocols.
Surfshark is cheaper on the annual plan at $3.99/month, versus $5.75/month for Windscribe.
Surfshark has 3,200 servers in 100 countries, compared to 800 servers for Windscribe.
Surfshark leads on streaming with a score of 9.5/10 versus 9/10 for Windscribe.
Surfshark scores 9.5/10 on privacy and has an independently audited no-logs policy, compared to 9/10 for Windscribe.
Surfshark scores 9.7/10 on ease of use versus 9/10 for Windscribe. Both offer one-tap connection apps for all major platforms.