Windscribe VPN review: Comprehensive analysis of features, pricing, and performance

Our Verdict

Our Verdict

Windscribe VPN offers a comprehensive range of features that cater to both personal and business users. Its generous free plan is a standout feature, making it accessible to users on a budget. For personal use, Windscribe provides standard and advanced security features to protect your identity and privacy. It allows you to access restricted content and offers a good balance of security and usability. However, users looking for a large network of servers or live customer support may find Windscribe lacking.

Pros

• Includes a 10GB free plan
• Abundant advanced features and settings/li>
• Open-source desktop apps and browser extensions
• Effective blocking of trackers, ads, and malicious domains
• Turbo-charged speeds with WireGuard (OpenVPN is also fast)
• Unblocks US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Prime Video, and Disney Plus

Cons

• Priced above the average
• Absence of a security audit
• No 24/7 or live chat support
• Unable to bypass Amazon Prime's restrictions
• Apps may appear complex and could be overwhelming for beginners

4.8

Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Starting price

$9.00 per month

Free version

Yes

Money-back guarantee

3 days

What is Windscribe VPN?

Windscribe VPN is a virtual private network designed to enhance your online privacy and security. It offers both free and paid VPN services through apps and browser extensions. With Windscribe VPN, you can disguise your GPS location to access the internet freely, without monitoring or restrictions.

Additionally, Windscribe blocks ads and explicit content, protects your device from malware and phishing attempts, and includes features to optimize download and upload speeds while keeping you safe from cyber attacks.

What makes Windscribe stand out?

Like other VPN providers, Windscribe provides online privacy, security, and access to geo-restricted content. However, Windscribe VPN distinguishes itself with features such as a static IP address and a dedicated kill switch. These features allow you to manage your online presence and stay secure while bypassing restrictions that other VPNs may not be able to handle.

Windscribe VPN core features

Windscribe offers various features to protect you from third-party interference:

• Anonymous browsing: Windscribe safeguards your online activities and data from network administrators, ISPs, and hackers, especially on public Wi-Fi or unsecured connections. It also ensures your anonymity during setup, as you don’t need to provide personal information, and offers payment options with bitcoin for maximum privacy.
• DNS protection measures: With R.O.B.E.R.T., Windscribe's customizable DNS tool, you can block malware, ads, trackers, and other categories like fake news, clickbait, crypto news, gambling, and porn sites at the DNS level. You can also customize lists of IP addresses and domains to block or allow.
• Kill switch: Windscribe features a dedicated kill switch, Firewall, which is more robust than standard kill switches. It blocks all connections outside of the VPN tunnel upon detecting a connection drop, preventing data leaks. You can manually activate it, set it to remain on, or configure it for automatic activation. Note that this feature is not available on Android devices.
• Split tunneling: Windscribe's split tunneling feature allows you to select which applications, addresses, or devices connect through the VPN and which connect directly to your ISP. This feature enables you to use applications like banking apps that may not be compatible with VPNs while simultaneously streaming content without disconnecting from the VPN.

Windscribe pricing and plans

Windscribe Free offers a top-notch free VPN service, with no ads and unlimited connections. It provides access to servers in 11 countries, including the United States and Canada. Upon signup, you get 2GB of bandwidth per month, which can be increased to 10GB by confirming your email address. You can earn more bandwidth through Windscribe's referral program.

For Windscribe Pro, the cost is $9 per month, but you can save with a yearly subscription at $69, which is $5.75 per month. This plan grants full access to all of Windscribe's security and privacy features. Payment options include debit/credit cards, American Express, PayPal, Paymentwall, and bitcoin. Additional fees apply for features like a static IP address.

ScribeForce, Windscribe's Teams plan, is priced at $3 per seat per month, offering centralized billing and simplified team management. Users can merge billing and control multiple accounts from a single panel. If one team member purchases a static IP address add-on, it becomes available to all users.

With the Build A Plan option, you can customize a plan to fit your business needs and budget, starting at $1 per location per month, selecting only the locations you require.

Windscribe's refund policy is somewhat restrictive, allowing only a three-day refund window and no refunds if you've used over 10GB of data. Refunds can take up to 30 days to process.

Setting up Windscribe is quick and easy. Simply visit the Windscribe website, create an account, and download the app or browser extension. Installation is straightforward, taking less than two minutes on devices like iPhones and Macs.

Windscribe VPN ease of use

Windscribe VPN offers a user-friendly experience, with the ability to customize settings. You can pin Windscribe to your system tray and configure it to launch automatically on startup, providing convenient access to secure browsing and streaming. The server list displays all countries and server locations, and you can connect to the "Best Location" with a single click.

Finding server locations is easy with the search bar or Windscribe's "favorite" feature, allowing you to bookmark specific servers. The server list can be customized based on geography, latency, or alphabet. Windscribe VPN's expanded server list provides latency rates in milliseconds or bars, but it lacks a load percentage indicator, which would have been a helpful addition.

Unlike some VPNs like Proton, which require you to log in to their website for support, Windscribe allows you to access support directly from the app.

Windscribe VPN servers and locations

Windscribe provides servers in over 69 countries and 112 cities. Users on Windscribe's free plan can access 11 servers located in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and other countries. While Windscribe does not disclose the exact number of servers due to constant changes, some countries have more server locations based on their population and VPN demand. For instance, the U.S. has over 35 server locations, Canada has nine, and the United Kingdom has six.

Windscribe VPN speed and performance

Windscribe VPN employs two primary protocols, OpenVPN and the newer WireGuard, known for its faster performance compared to both OpenVPN and IKEv2. The VPN also includes ad and tracker blocking features that can improve internet speed. In our tests using a Mac, we experienced varying speeds depending on the protocol and server location. Download speeds ranged from as low as 2.19 Mbps to as high as 206.94 Mbps, while upload speeds varied between 2.22 Mbps and 17.98 Mbps.

For optimal speed with Windscribe VPN, it's advisable to choose server locations closer to your physical location, as distant connections tend to result in slower speeds. Connecting to closer locations or using Windscribe's "Best Location" server can significantly improve speed. Additionally, utilizing Windscribe VPN's Auto Pilot feature can automatically select the best location for maximizing speed.

Windscribe VPN’s security and privacy

During our testing of Windscribe, we found the VPN to be highly secure. It features an advanced kill switch to protect your online activity and passed our DNS leak test. Windscribe utilizes industry-standard encryption protocols and offers additional security features such as Firewall and perfect forward secrecy to safeguard your privacy.

Encryption protocols

Windscribe employs strong encryption protocols to ensure your internet privacy. This includes AES-256 encryption with SHA512 authentication and 4096-bit RSA key. Additionally, on a Pro account, you can generate configuration files for OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard for added security.

No-logs policy

Windscribe adheres to a strict no-logs policy, meaning it does not store your connection logs, browsing history, or IP timestamps. However, Windscribe does monitor your most recent connection and monthly data consumption to identify inactive accounts and enforce free tier limitations. While Windscribe does not have your personal information to share, its membership in the 14 Eyes alliance raises some privacy concerns. Additionally, there has been no third-party audit or verification of Windscribe's privacy policy.

Multifactor authentication

To enhance security, Windscribe offers multifactor authentication. This requires you to enter a newly generated code, received through an authenticator app or SMS, each time you connect to the VPN. This adds an extra layer of protection against hackers accessing your account.

Windscribe VPN’s privacy concerns

Our main privacy concern regarding Windscribe VPN relates to an incident in June 2021 when Ukrainian authorities seized its servers. These servers were unencrypted, allowing the government to find a key to create fake Windscribe servers. Windscribe has since made improvements to its encryption settings to prevent a recurrence of this incident. 

It's important to note that no identifiable information belonging to Windscribe VPN users was found by Ukrainian officials. Nevertheless, this incident may be concerning for some users.

Customer service and support on Windscribe VPN

Windscribe offers a range of helpful resources, including setup guides, FAQ answers, and a searchable knowledge base. Additionally, there are Discord and subreddit communities for discussing with other users. We found Windscribe's support ticket system effective, even as a free user. Although we were advised to expect longer response times, we typically received responses within three to seven hours. The answers provided were helpful, indicating a knowledgeable and supportive team.

However, Windscribe VPN's automated chatbot, Garry, is less useful. It provides outdated responses and only understands English. It often fails to interpret questions correctly and frequently directs users to the knowledge base. While Windscribe provides effective support methods, including Garry, implementing a live chat feature would greatly improve the support experience and save users time.

Windscribe VPN’s device compatibility

Windscribe VPN is compatible with a wide range of devices, including iPhones, Android devices, Windows Mobile, tablets, TVs (such as Amazon Fire TV, NVIDIA SHIELD, Kodi), routers, and network-attached storage (NAS). You can download the Windscribe VPN app for Windows, macOS, and Linux devices, as well as install browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, or Opera. Additionally, the VPN allows simultaneous connections to an unlimited number of devices on all available plans.

Windscribe VPN for streaming

While Windscribe VPN successfully unblocks many streaming services, not all services are accessible. For example, we were unable to access Netflix U.S. using Windscribe Free. However, we were able to unblock Netflix libraries from Canada, the U.K., and Germany. Additionally, we successfully accessed Amazon Prime, HBO Max, Disney+, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. We were impressed with the unblocking capabilities even with Windscribe Free.

During our testing of Windscribe VPN's streaming capabilities on both a laptop and an iPhone, we found that videos took slightly longer to load, but the streaming quality never dropped below HD. We also experienced buffer-free streaming. To optimize streaming, we recommend starting a streaming app only after connecting to the VPN or restarting the app when switching between servers.

Alternative VPN services to Windscribe: A comparative analysis

Comparing Windscribe VPN to PIA VPN, Private Internet Access VPN is a preferred choice for individuals or small businesses seeking dedicated IP features or 24/7 support. PIA VPN boasts over 35,000 servers, whereas Windscribe has fewer than 1,000. However, Windscribe stands out for offering unlimited simultaneous connections, a free version, and a lower monthly access fee of $9 compared to PIA VPN's $11.95. PIA's annual rate is cheaper, though.

In comparison to Bitdefender, both Windscribe and Bitdefender offer free versions. However, Bitdefender's basic plan is more affordable and comes with a better money-back guarantee for premium subscribers. While Windscribe only offers a three-day trial for its premium features, Bitdefender provides a 30-day trial and refunds the subscription fee if the service is not satisfactory. Bitdefender also offers more servers and 24/7 customer support, which Windscribe lacks.

Windscribe and CyberGhost both offer discounted rates for yearly subscriptions, but CyberGhost VPN is more cost-effective. CyberGhost also provides a 14-day money-back guarantee for monthly subscribers and a 45-day guarantee for annual subscribers, compared to Windscribe's three-day guarantee. While Windscribe offers a free version and unlimited simultaneous connections, CyberGhost offers more servers (over 10 times more), 24/7 support, and a dedicated IP add-on, which Windscribe offers to Pro users for an additional fee.

Is Windscribe VPN the right choice for your needs?

Windscribe VPN offers features that cater to a wide range of users, making it a suitable choice for many. Its generous free plan is particularly appealing for individuals and businesses looking to save on costs.

For personal use

Windscribe provides both standard and advanced security features to protect your identity and privacy, allowing you to access restricted content. However, if you require a large server network, live customer support, or have concerns about the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance due to sensitive data, you may want to consider alternative VPN providers.

For business use

Windscribe's advanced security features, ScribeForce option, and Static IP address add-on make it well-suited for businesses and remote workers. Static IPs can provide small businesses and remote workers with added reliability, especially when using specific applications like teleconferencing or VoIP programs.