Private Internet Access vs Windscribe
Windscribe has the higher grade on both axes: Safety 8.1 against 6.3, and Privacy 6.8 against 6.2.
Private Internet Access
US VPN with open-source apps; crypto is no longer listed, gift cards still are
Privacy
6.2/ 10
Fair
Safety
6.3/ 10
Fair
No ID mentioned KYC 1 Docs reviewed Full review →
Windscribe
Canadian VPN with open-source apps, a free tier and crypto payment
Privacy
6.8/ 10
Fair
Safety
8.1/ 10
Strong
No ID mentioned KYC 1 Docs reviewed Full review →
Side by side
| Private Internet Access | Windscribe | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | VPNs | VPNs |
| KYC policy | No ID mentioned | No ID mentioned |
| Custody | N/A | N/A |
| Sign-up | Email required | Email optional |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Tor onion address | No | No |
| Pay with | Card, PayPal, Gift card | Crypto, Card, PayPal |
| Fees | Subscription plans; 30-day refund window per the terms | Monthly plan $9.00 when checked |
| Founded | Not published | 2016 |
| Jurisdiction | United States | Canada |
| Incidents on record | 0 | 0 |
| Published tests (180 days) | 0 | 0 |
Only Private Internet Access
Requires email
Both
Open sourceLegal entity disclosedNo-logs policy
Only Windscribe
Independent audit5+ years operating
Where they sit among vpns
Questions
Is Private Internet Access or Windscribe safer?
Windscribe has the higher Safety grade: Private Internet Access 6.3, Windscribe 8.1, out of 10.
Does Private Internet Access or Windscribe require KYC?
Private Internet Access is KYC level 1 (no ID mentioned). Windscribe is KYC level 1 (no ID mentioned).
Which has more incidents on record?
Private Internet Access has 0 and Windscribe has 0 documented incidents in the registry.