Many people use a variety of devices and would naturally want a VPN that ensures privacy across all their devices. This makes both Surfshark and Windscribe strong contenders. The best VPNs provide robust cybersecurity and excellent speed, but some limit the number of concurrent connections. Consequently, I decided to compare Surfshark and Windscribe to determine which offers a better solution.

Technical Details

Pricing Levels

When choosing a VPN to connect multiple devices, the cost per device could be significantly low. However, it’s crucial to be mindful of the cost as subscription fatigue is a common concern.

Surfshark’s monthly fee is $15.45, considered pricey. But, you can save over $100 annually with a longer-term plan. It’s $48 per year or $56 for two years, plus new subscribers get four bonus months. The cost increases to $60 each year to renew either long-term subscription.

To get the best deal on a VPN, you need to subscribe for a year or more. However, you can test Surfshark for free with a seven-day trial, and a 30-day money-back guarantee provides a chance to get a refund if it’s not the right fit.

For unrestricted use, Windscribe’s best plan is the $69 annual subscription with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Two monthly plans are available: a fully-featured VPN for $9 and a unique customizable subscription that starts at $3 per month.

The most economical option, Windscribe’s customizable plan is limited to 30GB of data and a selection of three server locations. You can add more server locations and 10GB of data for $1 each. For $1 more, you can get unlimited data.

Windscribe also offers a free app that starts with a 2GB data cap, but can be boosted to 15GB by giving your email address and posting about the service on social media. You can access free servers in 10 countries at no extra cost.

If you’re seeking a free VPN, Proton Free is an excellent choice. It offers an unlimited VPN, secure email, encrypted cloud storage, and more.

Key Features

Surfshark stands out for its ease of use and is one of the top and fastest streaming VPNs available. Its almost instant connection and high-speed downloads at various global locations are highly commendable.

A U.S. server reached 728Mbps while routing traffic through a secure server that encrypts data. This is 81% of my unprotected Ethernet speed, a minor loss compared to other VPNs that reduce internet speeds by half to ensure privacy.

Surfshark also performed well in global speed tests, exceeding 579Mbps in European countries and reaching 306Mbps when connected to an Australian server.

Windscribe’s user-friendly interface is likely to attract gamers. It’s sleek, compact, and efficient. The app is smart and alerted me to a software conflict causing a CPU slowdown.

It offers stable connections and hundreds of servers in 69 countries. While the list isn’t as extensive as Surfshark’s, I was able to connect to all my preferred servers.

In my Windscribe review, I found that the fastest speeds were with a U.S. server that measured 451Mbps. As expected, overseas connections were slower, with Windscribe averaging 190Mbps for Europe and 136Mbps for Australia.

Both VPNs support obfuscation, making them suitable for use in schools. Since administrative firewalls often block VPNs, obfuscation helps conceal usage.

Customer Assistance

Surfshark provides 24/7 live chat support to its customers. In my experience, an AI initially responded and offered useful suggestions. When I requested a human, I was promptly connected to a live agent who assisted with account issues and provided more personalized assistance with technical queries.

Windscribe also has an informative chatbot, but live agents weren’t readily available. Email support is relatively fast, but it could take up to 24 hours to get a response.

With both services, you can browse or search the support center to find your own solution.

Data Protection

The primary role of a VPN is to protect your privacy. Both Surfshark and Windscribe take this responsibility seriously and only collect what’s necessary to provide the service you pay for.

Windscribe is an open-source app, allowing you to scan the code for potential privacy loopholes or activity logging routines.

Both Surfshark and Windscribe have independent audits to confirm their no-log claims are accurate and that their security systems are efficient enough to protect your data.

Best Unlimited Device VPN?

While some services limit the number of devices you can connect, the best multi-device VPNs let you protect them all. Both Surfshark and Windscribe allow you to share your account with your family, ensuring great value from either service.

Windscribe has a lower monthly cost, but a more expensive $69 annual plan. The Build-A-Plan option is quite unique, but you’d probably want to pay the extra dollar to get unlimited data, raising your monthly cost to $4.

Surfshark’s annual plan starts at $48 and comes with a four-month bonus, an equivalent monthly cost of $3. You must pay in advance, but it’s worth the expense to get access to one of the best VPNs available.

Our top recommendation for a VPN for a home with numerous devices is Surfshark. It’s faster than Windscribe, offers a plethora of features, costs less, and provides 24/7 support.