There’s no shortage of VPN services for you to choose from. Many of these providers claim to offer the fastest speeds or the strongest security. Needless to say, it’s difficult to know what’s true and what’s just over-excited marketing. You can’t be expected to test every VPN service for yourself. This would prove to be both expensive and time-consuming! So how are you supposed to find the best VPN for your needs while making sure not to break the bank?
We regularly compare the most popular VPN services on the market in order to help make your decision easier. In this post, we’re taking a close look at ExpressVPN and Windscribe. We’ll explore every aspect of these services from features and unblocking to privacy and customer service. You’ll also see side-by-side comparison tables so you can quickly and easily find the information that’s most important to you. We’ll then conclude by determining an overall winner.
Before we deep dive into ExpressVPN and Windscribe, here’s a quick overview of what each VPN has to offer. Looking to decide between these VPNs now? If you don’t want to read any further, then ExpressVPN ultimately wins.
Highlights
ExpressVPN
- Fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth
- Over 3,000 servers in 94 countries
- Consistent unblocking of streaming services
- Quality customer support available 24/7
Windscribe
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Signup doesn’t require an email address
- Allows you to securely access Netflix
- Includes the option of a free plan
ExpressVPN vs Windscribe pricing
| ExpressVPN | Windscribe | |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription periods | One month | One month |
| Six months | One year | |
| One year | ||
| Special offer | Get 35 percent off the ExpressVPN 12 month plan (a saving of 35 percent) | Pay $5.75 a month and save 36 percent with a yearly Windscribe subscription |
| Highest price per month | $12.95 | $9.00 |
| Lowest price per month |
$8.32 | $5.75 (there’s also a limited free plan) |
| One-year price |
$99.95 | $69.00 |
| Money-back guarantee |
30 days |
3 days |
With ExpressVPN and Windscribe, you have the choice of one month and 12 month subscription plans. ExpressVPN also offers a six month subscription. The advantage of opting for a month-to-month plan is that you don’t have to commit long-term and can therefore switch providers more easily. A single month with ExpressVPN is more expensive at $12.95 (USD) while Windscribe is priced at $9.
By opting for a longer plan, you can save 35 percent with ExpressVPN and 36 percent with Windscribe. A 12 month ExpressVPN subscription costs $99.95. This works out at $8.32 a month. Windscribe’s equivalent plan is $69 annually or just $5.75 a month. While you’ll pay less each month on average, you’ll need to pay the full amount upfront in both cases.
The six month subscription option of ExpressVPN may be a good compromise between a monthly or annual plan and works out at $9.99 a month (billed every six months). Note that Windscribe also has a free plan, although you’ll be limited to 10 GB per month of data and fewer server locations.
ExpressVPN is more expensive than Windscribe, but it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. In contrast, Windscribe only has a 3-day money-back guarantee. Furthermore, you must have used less than 10 GB of data on the paid plan in order to be eligible for a refund. As such, ExpressVPN is your best bet if you want to try a VPN risk-free.
Best Deal for ExpressVPN:Save 35 percent with the ExpressVPN 12 month subscription plan and pay just $8.32 a month.
Best Deal for Windscribe:Get a 36 percent discount when you opt for the Windscribe annual subscription ($5.75 monthly).
Features
| ExpressVPN | Windscribe | |
|---|---|---|
| Simultaneous connections |
Five | Unlimited |
| Operating system apps | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV |
| Manual install devices |
Set-top boxes, routers | Set-top boxes, routers |
| Split tunneling |
Yes (Windows, Mac, Android, and routers) |
Yes (Windows and Mac) |
| Free extras |
Smart DNS service, browser extensions (Chrome, Firefox, and Edge) | Chrome and Firefox browser extensions, Double VPN servers, ad blocker |
You’ll find that ExpressVPN and Windscribe both provide desktop and mobile apps. These are available for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. While both VPNs have CLI apps for Linux, Windscribe has a new GUI app which may be preferable for users seeking a more beginner-friendly experience. ExpressVPN and Windscribe also offer apps for Amazon Fire TV and Android TV.
Both VPNs support routers and provide step-by-step instructions on how to manually configure a connection. Of the two, ExpressVPN is the best option for use with routers because it provides its own custom router firmware. The setup process is even easier too thanks to an interactive setup guide.
While you can only connect up to five devices at once with ExpressVPN, a router only counts as one device. So if you need to exceed the five device allowance, this is a good way to go about it. Windscribe allows unlimited simultaneous connections per account and may be more suitable if you’ve got a lot of devices to secure or wish to share your account with family members.
ExpressVPN and Windscribe offer plenty of free extras that make their services well worth considering. In particular, ExpressVPN comes with the MediaStreamer Smart DNS proxy service for use with devices that don’t support VPN apps (such as games consoles). The two VPNs have Chrome and Firefox browser extensions. ExpressVPN also has one for Microsoft Edge. Windscribe is the only one of the two that blocks ads, though Express does block trackers and malware.
Streaming and unblocking
| ExpressVPN | Windscribe | |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix | Yes, multiple libraries including the US, UK, Canada, and Japan | Yes, multiple countries including the US, UK, Canada, and Japan |
| Amazon Prime Video | Yes | No |
| BBC iPlayer | Yes | No |
| DAZN | Yes | No |
| Disney+ | Yes | No |
| HBO Max |
Yes | No |
| Hulu | Yes | No |
| Sky Go |
Yes | No |
| YouTube TV |
Yes | No |
When it comes to unblocking, it’s fair to say that ExpressVPN has proven to be far more reliable. First, we should acknowledge that both ExpressVPN and Windscribe work well with Netflix and are able to securely access multiple libraries including the US, UK, Canada, and Japan. This is impressive because many VPNs struggle to bypass the various anti-VPN measures that have been implemented by the popular streaming service.
However, when it comes to every other streaming platform, Windscribe struggled. This is not unusual in cases such as DAZN which the vast majority of VPNs are unable to access. In contrast, ExpressVPN worked with everything we tested it with. This includes Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and HBO Max. It even works with some versions of DAZN such as the USA and Canada. Overall, ExpressVPN is your best bet if you regularly travel abroad.
China
Many VPNs simply don’t work in China. Freedom House labeled China “the world’s worst abuser of internet freedom” due to the country’s strict online censorship. China’s internet censorship system is known as the “Great Firewall”. This uses a variety of blocking methods including IP range bans, DNS spoofing, and URL filtering. Just some of the content China blocks include messaging services, social media platforms, streaming services, and news sites.
Unfortunately, VPN IP addresses and even the websites of VPNs are targeted by this state system of censorship. The good news is that ExpressVPN and Windscribe both have servers that work in China. You don’t need to do anything too different in order to use either VPN in China. However, because the websites of ExpressVPN and Windscribe are blocked in China, you’ll need to install them on your devices ahead of traveling there.
Setup and interface
| ExpressVPN | Windscribe | |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic setup wizard |
Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, routers | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS |
| Main location selection | List-based |
List-based |
| Extra settings page |
Yes | Yes |
| Mobile-friendly | Yes | Yes |
Regardless of whether you opt for ExpressVPN or Windscribe, setup is quick and easy thanks to the automatic setup wizard which is available for their desktop and mobile apps. In both cases, you can connect to the best (fastest) available server with just one click. There’s also an option to connect to your most recent server with ExpressVPN. However, if you do need to select a specific location, you’ll be able to do so from the list-based location selection.
We prefer the apps of ExpressVPN where the UI is just better organized. The settings page is easy to access and features are clearly marked and easy to find. While they’re both quick and easy to navigate, Windscribe’s app interface is a little cluttered in comparison. However, you should still be able to find yourself around it quite quickly and it’s certainly convenient being able to switch up your settings with the various toggle options.
Servers and performance
| ExpressVPN | Windscribe | |
|---|---|---|
| Server countries |
94 | 70 |
| Total number of servers |
3,000+ | 400+ |
| Server speed | 175 Mbps | 55 Mbps |
It’s ExpressVPN that has the larger network of the two VPNs. With some 3,000 servers across 94 countries, it has one of the largest networks of any VPN service on the market. While Windscribe servers cover a respectable 70 countries, there are only a few hundred servers available.
Both VPNs have servers in popular countries including the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Japan, and more. However, ExpressVPN’s larger network means you’ll also be able to connect to countries such as Costa Rica, Myanmar, and Pakistan. This makes ExpressVPN the more useful of the two if you regularly need to unblock geo-restricted content from abroad.
In terms of server speed, it’s once again ExpressVPN that comes out on top. ExpressVPN makes our list of the fastest VPNs. It averaged 175 Mbps which makes it comfortably fast enough for streaming, torrenting, and playing online games. Windscribe averaged 55 Mbps which is still fast enough for bandwidth-intensive activities. Both VPNs offer unlimited bandwidth.
Here’s a full list of server locations for ExpressVPN and Windscribe VPN:
| ExpressVPN | Windscribe | |
|---|---|---|
| Albania |  |
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| Algeria | |
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| Andorra | |
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| Argentina | |
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| Armenia | |
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| Australia | |
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| Austria | |
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| Azerbaijan | |
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| Bangladesh | |
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| Belarus | |
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| Belgium | |
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| Bosnia & Herzegovina | |
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| Brazil | |
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| Bulgaria | |
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| Cambodia | |
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| Canada | |
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| Chile | |
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| China | ||
| Colombia | |
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| Costa Rica | |
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| Croatia | |
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| Cyprus | |
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| Czech Republic | |
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| Denmark | |
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| Ecuador | |
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| Egypt | |
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| Estonia | |
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| Finland | |
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| France | |
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| Georgia | |
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| Germany | |
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| Ghana | |
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| Greece | |
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| Guatemala | |
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| Hong Kong | |
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| Hungary | |
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| Iceland | |
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| India | |
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| Indonesia | |
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| Ireland | |
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| Israel | |
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| Italy | |
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| Japan | |
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| Kazakhstan | |
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| Kenya | |
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| Latvia | |
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| Liechtenstein | |
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| Lithuania | |
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| Luxembourg | |
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| Malaysia | |
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| Malta | |
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| Mexico | |
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| Moldova | |
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| Montenegro | |
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| Myanmar | |
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| Nepal | |
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| Netherlands | |
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| New Zealand | |
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| Nigeria | ||
| North Macedonia | |
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| Norway | |
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| Pakistan | |
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| Panama | |
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| Peru | |
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| Philippines | |
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| Poland | |
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| Portugal | |
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| Puerto Rico | ||
| Romania | |
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| Russia | |
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| Serbia | |
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| Singapore | |
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| Slovakia | |
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| Slovenia | |
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| South Africa | |
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| South Korea | |
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| Spain | |
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| Sri Lanka | |
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| Sweden | |
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| Switzerland | |
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| Taiwan | |
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| Thailand | |
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| Turkey | |
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| Ukraine | |
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| United Arab Emirates | |
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| United Kingdom | |
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| United States | |
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| Uruguay | |
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| Uzbekistan | |
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| Venezuela | |
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| Vietnam | |
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Security
| ExpressVPN | Windscribe | |
|---|---|---|
| VPN protocols | Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| OpenVPN data encryption | AES-256 |
AES-256 |
| OpenVPN control channel encryption |
RSA-4096 |
RSA-4096 |
| Cloaking technology | Yes (undisclosed) |
Yes (stealth protocol) |
| App security | Kill switch |
Kill switch, ad blocker |
| DNS status | Private DNS |
Private DNS |
You can choose from multiple VPN protocols regardless of whether you go with ExpressVPN or Windscribe. The main default protocol is where the two VPNs differ. ExpressVPN has its own open source protocol called Lightway that is particularly fast (ExpressVPN is one of the fastest VPNs we’ve tested). Windscribe has implemented the increasingly popular WireGuard protocol, which is also known for being particularly fast.
Both VPNs also support OpenVPN as well as IKEv2. OpenVPN is another popular protocol known for its versatility, security, and being highly configurable. IKEv2 establishes a quick connection and is a popular choice with mobile devices. Both VPNs offer 256-bit AES encryption which is effectively impossible to crack. As such, all data routed through the encrypted tunnel is secured from hackers and snoopers alike.
ExpressVPN and Windscribe both use RSA encryption with 4096-bit keys. When it comes to app security, a common feature is the kill switch. This cuts internet traffic if the VPN connection drops, ensuring the safekeeping of your data. It’s available on ExpressVPN’s desktop apps. Windscribe states that it doesn’t have a kill switch, instead offering a firewall on its desktop applications. However, this performs the same function.
Windscribe says it offers a Double Hop feature that allows you to connect via two locations at once for an extra layer of protection. This requires connecting via the desktop app and then the browser extension. Browser extensions only secure browser traffic and not that of apps, so you can only double-hop on Windscribe with your desktop web browser.
Privacy
| ExpressVPN | Windscribe | |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | British Virgin Islands |
Canada |
| Connection logs | Yes | Yes |
| Activity logs | None | None |
| User details for signup | Email address |
None (email optional) |
| Anonymous payment options | Cryptocurrency |
Cryptocurrency |
ExpressVPN is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands. The advantage of this is that the British Virgin Islands doesn’t have data retention laws. It’s also beyond the surveillance of intelligence alliances (Five Eyes, 14 Eyes).
In contrast, Windscribe operates out of Canada, which is a member of Five Eyes. In theory, this means that should the Canadian government obtain user data, this could be shared with other governments within the alliance. However, Windscribe states that it doesn’t keep any identifying logs of users, so there shouldn’t be anything of substance to provide anyway.
The two VPNs do keep some connection logs. In the case of ExpressVPN, this includes non-identifying data such as the date of the connection and the amount of data transferred. Windscribe logs the amount of bandwidth consumed in a one month period as well as a timestamp of your last activity. It states this is “to enforce free tier limitations”.
It’s common for a VPN to require your email address when signing up. This is the case for ExpressVPN. In this respect, Windscribe sets itself apart because providing an email is entirely optional. Both VPNs offer an anonymous payment option in the form of cryptocurrency. If you pay in Bitcoin having used a tumbler service beforehand, you can effectively sign up anonymously.
Configuration
| ExpressVPN | Windscribe | |
|---|---|---|
| Address allocation | Shared | Shared |
| Dedicated/static IP address possible | No | Yes, static |
| DDoS protection | No | No |
| NAT firewall | Yes | Yes |
Like most VPN services, ExpressVPN and Windscribe use shared address allocation. When you connect to a server, you’ll be assigned the same IP address as other users on that server. The advantage of this is that all user activity is then mixed together, making it harder to connect you with your online activity.
You do have the option of getting a static IP address with Windscribe for an extra monthly fee. Some of the static IP address locations include the US, Canada, UK, and Switzerland. While a shared IP address better protects your privacy, a static IP address provides some benefits such as avoiding blacklists of websites and services as well as irritating CAPTCHAs. ExpressVPN doesn’t provide static IP addresses.
Customer Service
| ExpressVPN | Windscribe | |
|---|---|---|
| Live chat | Yes | No |
| Ticket support | Yes | Yes |
| Email support | Yes | Yes |
| Phone support | No | No |
| Average email response time | 35 minutes |
28 hours 30 minutes |
| Searchable knowledge base | Yes | Yes |
| Video guides | Yes | Yes |
One of the main differences between ExpressVPN and Windscribe is that only ExpressVPN offers live chat support. This is a convenient way to quickly resolve any issues you might be having. However, its email support is also particularly fast. We sent out three different email enquiries at different times of the day (morning, afternoon, and evening). The average response time was just 35 minutes. All of the questions were answered to our satisfaction.
While Windscribe doesn’t have live chat support, it does have email support. Unfortunately, we found this to be slow and unreliable. In one instance, it took as much as two days to get a reply. Furthermore, we failed to receive a response with one of the email enquiries we sent out. As such, ExpressVPN is your best bet, particularly if it’s your first time using a VPN. Neither VPN has phone support, which isn’t abnormal.
Should you prefer to search for solutions yourself, ExpressVPN and Windscribe have searchable knowledge bases. This includes FAQs as well as step-by-step setup guides with screenshots so you can better follow along. Alternatively, both VPNs have YouTube channels with video setup guides. Of the two channels, the ExpressVPN YouTube channel is the more active.
Below you can see the email enquiries we sent out to ExpressVPN and Windscribe. You’ll also be able to see the response time, how many emails were required, and whether the question was successfully answered:
| ExpressVPN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Question | Response time | Number of emails | Question answered |
| Does ExpressVPN work in China? | 50 minutes |
1 | Yes |
| Will ExpressVPN slow down my internet speed? | 45 minutes |
1 | Yes |
| How do I install ExpressVPN on my router? | 10 minutes |
1 | Yes |
| Windscribe | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Question | Response time | Number of emails | Question answered |
| Does Windscribe work in China? | 9 hours |
1 | Yes |
| Will Windscribe slow down my internet speed? | 2 days |
1 | Yes |
| How do I install Windscribe on my router? | No reply received |
N/A | N/A |
The Winner: ExpressVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.ExpressVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ExpressVPN and Windscribe share some similarities. In particular, they both worked well with Netflix in testing and they provide strong security with 256-bit AES encryption used to secure your data. There are some aspects of Windscribe that we like more than ExpressVPN. Windscribe allows unlimited simultaneous connections, whereas ExpressVPN only allows up to five. We also like that you don’t have to provide an email address to sign up with Windscribe.
Despite this, ExpressVPN is the clear overall winner. It’s far more consistent when it comes to unblocking geo-restricted content such as streaming services. It has a larger server network (3,000+ servers to Windscribe’s 400+ servers) and is far faster, making it more suitable for streaming, particularly in 4K. ExpressVPN is the only one of the two VPNs to provide live chat support. It’s far faster in replying to emails as well.
ExpressVPN comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Windscribe only has a 3-day money-back guarantee in comparison. If you’re looking to try a top-rated VPN risk-free, ExpressVPN is your best bet.
See also:
L’article ExpressVPN vs Windscribe: Which wins? est apparu en premier sur Comparitech.
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