I've actually had mixed results with silicone caulk, to be honest. It's true that it doesn't leave behind the sticky mess tape does, but I found it can sometimes crack or peel if your frames shift a lot with temperature changes. My house is older, and the window frames expand and contract quite a bit throughout the year. Last winter, I tried silicone caulking around my living room windows, and while it initially seemed great—no drafts, everything sealed up nicely—by springtime, I noticed tiny gaps forming again. Maybe it was my application technique, but I'm pretty sure the seasonal shifts just did their thing.
One alternative I've had better luck with is rope caulk (some people call it caulking cord). It's basically like putty, comes in strips, and it's super easy to press into place. The best part is that it stays flexible, so it moves with the frame a bit better than silicone. Plus, when warmer weather hits, you can just peel it off without damaging paint or leaving residue. It's not perfect—definitely not as sleek-looking as silicone—but it does the job, especially if you're dealing with drafty old windows like mine.
Another point I'd raise about foam weatherstripping: it does degrade pretty quickly, especially if exposed to direct sunlight or moisture. I replaced mine almost every year until I got tired of it. Tape isn't ideal either, but I do think it gets a bad rap. If you use decent quality sealing tape and prep the surface well, I've found it can last longer than people give it credit for. Yeah, it's a bit ugly, but if you're looking purely at effectiveness, it can hold its own.
Anyway, just my two cents... silicone is fine in certain situations, but if you're dealing with older frames or a lot of temperature swings, something more forgiving might be worth considering.
I've seen rope caulk work pretty well too, especially in older homes. Silicone can be tricky if your frames move a lot. Have you ever tried window film kits? They're not the prettiest, but I've heard good things about them for seasonal drafts.
Window film kits are alright, but honestly, I found them more hassle than they're worth. Tried one last winter—ended up wrestling with plastic wrap and double-sided tape for an hour, only to have my cat poke holes in it within days. If your windows move a lot, foam weatherstripping tape might be easier. It's cheap, forgiving, and doesn't turn your living room into a giant shrink-wrap project... just my two cents.
I totally get the frustration with those window film kits. I tried one myself last year, and while I didn't have a cat poking holes (lol), it was still a pain getting it smooth without wrinkles everywhere. Foam weatherstripping tape is definitely easier to handle, especially if your windows shift around a bit. Another thing that worked pretty well for me was rope caulk—it's like this putty stuff you press into gaps. Super forgiving, easy to remove in spring, and no wrestling matches involved.
Also, if you're feeling adventurous, you might wanna check out thermal curtains. I grabbed some on sale last winter and they made a noticeable difference in keeping drafts out. Plus, they're kinda cozy-looking too... bonus points for style, right? Anyway, good luck—drafty windows are no fun at all.