Compare Windscribe VPN and Readwise Reader: Which App is the Best?
Readwise Reader is a powerful read-it-later app that consolidates web articles, newsletters, PDFs, and ebooks into one platform. With advanced highlighting, AI assistance, and seamless note-taking integrations, it's designed for serious readers who want a distraction-free, feature-rich reading experience. | 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 A summary of the most important features offered by each app. |
|
|
| Our Rating Prod Apps's expert review score for each app, based on hands-on testing and research. | 7.6 | 7.9 Winner in this category |
| Total users Total active users across all major browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. | 0 | 0 |
| Total ratings Total number of user ratings received across all supported browsers. | 0 | 0 |
| Average rating Average user rating across all browsers, calculated from available store ratings. | — ⭐ | — ⭐ |
| Entry Level Price The minimum price required to start using the app. "Free" means a free tier is available. | Free | Free |
| Android User rating and stats for the app on Android browser. |  Downloads | Downloads |
| iOS User rating and stats for the app on iOS browser. |  | |
| Features Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Features' aspect of each app. | 8.5 This is where Readwise Reader really shines. The features are genuinely impressive - not just marketing fluff, but stuff that actually makes reading online better. What we love:
The rough spots? Search is surprisingly bad for such a polished app. Some stuff doesn't work great on e-readers. We hit bugs that shouldn't exist in a paid app. But the core features solve real problems and do it well. Winner in this category | 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 Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Performance' aspect of each app. | 7.0 Performance presents a tale of two experiences - the core reading functionality works smoothly and reliably, but recent updates have introduced stability issues that affect the overall user experience. The strong points are evident during daily use. Reading feels responsive with smooth scrolling and quick page navigation. Content synchronization across devices works consistently, and importing articles, PDFs, and RSS feeds processes efficiently. The basic reading, highlighting, and annotation functions that form the app's foundation operate reliably. Recent developments tell a different story though. The significant drop from a 4.3 overall rating to 3.78 for recent reviews signals genuine stability problems with newer versions. Android users report more issues than their iOS counterparts, including navigation problems and functionality regressions. Some users have experienced critical issues like being unable to add new content after updates, while others consistently note that search performance remains poor. Device compatibility also varies, with particular issues reported on e-ink devices and certain Android configurations. While active development appears to be addressing these concerns, the reliability issues prevent the app from achieving the stability users expect from a paid service. Winner in this category | 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 Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Design' aspect of each app. | 7.5 The design philosophy centers on creating a distraction-free reading environment, and it largely succeeds. Users consistently describe the app as "gorgeous," and the overall aesthetic genuinely supports focused reading with clean typography and thoughtful spacing. Design strengths that impressed us:
The cross-platform execution reveals some inconsistencies though. The app clearly prioritizes iOS, and this shows in the Android experience. Navigation elements don't always follow Android design conventions, and gesture interactions occasionally feel foreign to the platform. While the core reading experience remains visually appealing, the iOS-first approach creates noticeable polish differences that affect the overall experience on Android devices. | 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. Winner in this category |
| Value for Money Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Value for Money' aspect of each app. | 7.5 The value proposition is complex and heavily depends on your reading habits and tolerance for subscription models. The subscription approach generates polarized reactions - some users find it completely worthwhile while others strongly prefer one-time purchases. For power users, the comprehensive feature set justifies the cost. AI assistance, advanced highlighting, deep integrations, and reliable infrastructure create genuine productivity benefits. The 30-day trial period (with no credit card required) provides ample time to evaluate whether the app fits your workflow, and active development means you're paying for ongoing improvements. The subscription model does create barriers though. Unlike competitors, there's no permanently free tier with basic features, and the recurring cost adds up over time. Some users feel the subscription requirement should be more prominently displayed upfront, and occasional bugs or missing features (like robust search) can impact the perceived value when you're paying monthly. For serious readers who can utilize the full feature set and don't mind subscription costs, the value proposition is solid. Casual users or those preferring one-time purchases will likely find better alternatives elsewhere. | 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. Winner in this category |
| Ease of Use Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Ease of Use' aspect of each app. | 7.0 The usability picture is mixed - while the core reading experience feels intuitive once you're up and running, several barriers can frustrate new users during the initial setup and exploration phases. Where the app excels in usability:
The friction points become apparent early on though. The mandatory account creation before even testing the app frustrates many potential users, and Android users face additional hurdles with gesture navigation that doesn't behave as expected. The wealth of features also means there's a genuine learning curve - power users eventually find everything intuitive, but newcomers need time to discover and understand all capabilities. These initial barriers prevent the app from being truly accessible to everyone, despite its strong foundation once you're familiar with it. | 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. Winner in this category |
| Security & Privacy Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Security & Privacy' aspect of each app. | 8.0 Readwise Reader handles security and privacy reasonably well for a cloud-based reading service, though the nature of the product requires some data collection and account management that privacy-conscious users should be aware of. Privacy and security strengths:
Areas of privacy consideration:
For a service that fundamentally requires cloud sync and AI processing, Readwise Reader handles privacy appropriately. However, users seeking maximum privacy might prefer local-only solutions. We rate security and privacy at 8.0 out of 10. | 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. Winner in this category |
| Conclusion A summary of our findings and final thoughts for each app. | After weeks of actually using Readwise Reader, we're impressed. It's not perfect, but it genuinely solves the "reading stuff scattered everywhere" problem that drives us crazy. The highlighting works great, the AI assistant is actually useful (shocking!), and having everything sync to your notes automatically is pretty amazing. The downsides are real though. The subscription model will annoy people, you can't try it without making an account first, and if you're on Android, it's going to feel a bit clunky. Plus, for a paid app, it crashes more than we'd like. But here's the thing - if you read a lot online and you're tired of managing content across multiple apps, this might change how you work. The 30-day trial is long enough to really test it out. Just don't expect perfection, expect a really good tool that keeps getting better. | 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 | ||
