Compare Windscribe VPN and Pocket: Which App is the Best?

Pocket was a popular read-it-later app with 20 M+ registered users. Now, it's shut down in July 2025.
Windscribe VPN is a privacy-focused VPN service with 10M+ downloads and 4.7/5 rating, offering a generous free tier with 10GB monthly data, strong security features, and court-proven privacy protection, though it has faced some recent connection issues and billing concerns.
Key Features
  • Save web pages for later reading
  • Organize saved pages into collections
  • Read articles offline
  • Sync across devices
  • Customizable reading experience
  • AI-powered article summaries
  • Social sharing
  • 10GB free monthly data – Generous free tier with no time limits
  • Court-proven privacy protection – No-logs policy backed up in real legal cases
  • Tracker & threat blocking – Block advertisers and filter malicious sites
  • Split tunneling – Route only selected apps through the VPN
  • Multiple VPN protocols – WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, Stealth, and Wstunnel
  • DNS leak protection – Keep your browsing history private
  • Firewall kill switch – Block all traffic if VPN connection drops
  • Multi-platform support – Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, browsers
  • Open-source and audited – Transparent security practices
Our Rating
7.0
7.9
Total users
0
0
Total ratings
0
0
Average rating
— ⭐
— ⭐
Entry Level PriceFreeFree
Android
Google Play Store
Downloads
Google Play Store
Downloads
iOS
Apple App Store
Apple App Store
Features
7.0
Not available anymore.
8.0

Windscribe VPN offers a comprehensive set of features that justify its privacy-focused positioning. The service includes military-grade encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and advanced security protocols. The generous free tier with 10GB monthly data, tracker blocking, and split tunneling provide comprehensive security options for different use cases.

What sets Windscribe VPN apart is its unique approach to free VPN services, offering 10GB of monthly data with no time limits and access to core global server locations. Unlike Turbo VPN with ads, Windscribe offers a cleaner 10GB free tier. The service also includes advanced features like tracker blocking, threat protection, and split tunneling for enhanced security and privacy protection.

However, the service lacks some advanced features found in newer VPN providers, such as specialized servers for specific use cases and some cutting-edge privacy features. The service also doesn't offer some advanced features like obfuscated servers or specialized streaming servers that some competitors provide.

Compared to other free VPNs like Proton VPN or Thunder VPN, Windscribe VPN offers significantly more features, but the connection stability issues make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives. The service provides good value for users who need comprehensive VPN features.

Performance
7.0
Not available anymore.
6.5

Windscribe VPN's performance is inconsistent, with good speeds when working but frequent connection issues that significantly impact usability. The service offers decent connection speeds and server coverage, but the frequent disconnections and connection problems make it difficult to use reliably.

The service works well for basic geo-blocking and content access when connected, but many users report frequent connection drops and the need to manually reconnect multiple times per day. The connection stability issues are particularly concerning given the privacy-focused positioning.

The service's performance issues are particularly concerning given the privacy-focused positioning. Users expect reliability and performance from a privacy-focused service, but Windscribe VPN's connection problems make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives that offer similar features with better performance.

Compared to other privacy-focused VPNs like Proton VPN or NordVPN, Windscribe VPN's performance is below average. The connection stability issues make it difficult to justify the privacy-focused positioning, and users might find better value with alternatives that offer similar features with better reliability.

Design
7.0
Not available anymore.
8.5

Windscribe VPN's interface strikes an excellent balance between functionality and user-friendliness. The main screen provides quick access to connection controls, server selection, and key settings. The server selection process is intuitive and visually appealing, making it easy to choose servers in different countries.

The app's design is clean and professional, with a modern interface that's easy on the eyes. The connection status is clearly displayed, and the kill switch toggle is easily accessible. The settings menu is well-organized, allowing users to customize their experience without feeling overwhelmed.

The interface is generally user-friendly and doesn't overwhelm users with complex options. The server selection process is straightforward, and the connection process is smooth and reliable. The app provides clear feedback about connection status and server performance.

Compared to other privacy-focused VPNs like Proton VPN or NordVPN, Windscribe VPN's design is competitive and well-polished. The interface is functional and professional, with good attention to detail and user experience. The design reflects the privacy-focused positioning of the service.

Value for Money
7.0
Not available anymore.
8.0

Windscribe VPN's value proposition is strong, with a generous free tier and comprehensive security features for a competitive price. The service offers excellent value for money compared to other VPNs, with the ability to get 10GB of monthly data for free being a significant advantage.

The service's pricing is competitive with other VPNs, and the generous free tier makes it particularly attractive for users who want to try the service before committing to a paid plan. Unlike Turbo VPN with ads, Windscribe offers a cleaner 10GB free tier. The comprehensive security features and privacy protection add value beyond basic VPN functionality.

However, the service's value is impacted by recent connection stability issues and billing concerns. Many users report frequent disconnections and the need to manually reconnect multiple times per day. The connection stability issues make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives like Proton VPN.

Compared to other free VPNs like Proton VPN or Thunder VPN, Windscribe VPN offers more features but at a significantly higher cost. The connection stability issues make it difficult to recommend over free alternatives that offer similar performance with fewer limitations.

Ease of Use
7.0
Not available anymore.
7.5

Windscribe VPN is generally easy to use for basic VPN functionality, with a simple one-tap connection process that requires no technical knowledge. The app's interface is intuitive, and most users can get connected quickly without any setup or configuration.

The service offers automatic server selection and connection, making it accessible to users of all technical levels. The app doesn't require complex configuration, and the connection process is straightforward. The service works well for most use cases and provides good performance when functioning properly.

However, the service's ease of use is compromised by recent connection stability issues. Many users report frequent connection drops and the need to manually reconnect multiple times per day. The app can be slow to connect, and some users experience issues with the auto-connect feature not working reliably.

Compared to other privacy-focused VPNs like Proton VPN or NordVPN, Windscribe VPN's ease of use is similar but not significantly better. The connection stability issues can be frustrating for users who expect reliability from a privacy-focused service, and the premium pricing doesn't translate to a significantly better user experience.

Security & Privacy
7.0
Not available anymore.
9.0

Windscribe VPN takes security and privacy seriously, with military-grade encryption and a strict no-logs policy that has been independently audited. The service uses AES-256 encryption and supports multiple VPN protocols. The kill switch protection ensures that internet traffic is blocked if the VPN connection drops.

The service's no-logs policy is comprehensive and has been verified by independent security firms. Windscribe VPN is based in Canada, which provides some legal protection for user privacy. The service also includes advanced features like tracker blocking and threat protection for enhanced security and privacy protection.

However, Windscribe VPN has faced some security concerns in the past, particularly around its data collection practices. While the company has maintained its privacy commitments, some users remain concerned about the service's data practices. The service also lacks some advanced privacy features found in newer VPN providers.

Compared to other privacy-focused VPNs like Proton VPN or NordVPN, Windscribe VPN's security practices are solid but not exceptional. The service provides good protection for most users, but those with high security requirements might want to consider alternatives with more advanced privacy features.

Conclusion

Pocket changed how we save and read content, but its story is coming to a close. The service was shut down in July 2025. If you're searching for a new way to save articles, don't miss our picks for the best Pocket alternatives.

Windscribe VPN is a privacy-focused VPN service that offers excellent value with a generous free tier and court-proven privacy protection, but its value proposition is compromised by recent connection stability issues and billing concerns. The service provides good security and privacy protection, but the connection problems and billing issues make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives. For users who prioritize privacy and are willing to work within the free tier limitations, Windscribe VPN offers a solid feature set with good performance when working. However, those seeking unlimited data or experiencing connection issues might find better value with alternatives that offer more reliable performance with fewer limitations. Ultimately, Windscribe VPN's privacy-focused approach and generous free tier make it a good choice for privacy-conscious users, but the connection stability issues and billing concerns make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives like Proton VPN that offer similar features with better performance.
Our Recommendation