We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

Windscribe Review 2024 — Is This the Best Free VPN?

Our Score: 8.5/10
Ranked 15th out of 306 VPNs
Matthew Amos Updated on 6th March 2024 Fact-checked by Anneke van Aswegen Senior Editor

Windscribe claims it’s not like other VPNs. It takes pride in being self-funded and avoiding paid ads and affiliate deals. Plus, its free plan is one of the most popular, but does its premium subscription compare to the top VPNs?

To find out, I tested every feature Windscribe has. That included performing leak tests, speed checks, and exploring its streaming capabilities with free and paid plans. I also thoroughly investigated its no-logging claims.

After my tests, I highly recommend trying the free app. It’s one of the fastest and safest free VPNs available. However, the paid version isn’t perfect. This is because support is a little tough to get a hold of, and the server network is a bit small. You can check out one of the best VPNs available today in this list.

Try Windscribe Risk-Free >>

Short on Time? Here Are My Key Findings

Pros

Cons

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Windscribe VPN Features — 2024 Update

8.6
💸 Price 0 USD/month
📆 Money Back Guarantee 3 Days
📝 Does VPN keep logs? No
🖥 Number of servers 177+
🛡 Kill switch Yes
🗺 Based in country Canada
🛠 Support Email support
📥 Supports torrenting Yes

Streaming — Its Paid Version is One of the Best

9.4

Windscribe unblocked every streaming platform I tested, and the playback was always excellent. I was especially impressed that this was true even while using the free version. It works so well because Windscribe uses a proprietary spoofing technology (called Location Warp) that helps mask your IP, so you can access geo-restricted streaming platforms.

However, the data limit means you won't be able to stream for long if you have a free account. You can get 10GB of data monthly if you confirm your email address (and an extra 5 Mbps when tweeting about the VPN). Still, this will only get you around 7 hours of HD streaming. So, if you want a VPN for binge-watching your favorite shows, Windscribe's paid account is difficult to beat.

Unblocked: Netflix, Disney+, Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer

Windscribe can access several entire Netflix libraries. I only found one server (Tokyo Kaiju) that couldn't unblock more than just Originals. Netflix Originals is a version of the site that only has the content Netflix owns, so there are many region-blocked movies and shows you can't watch.

Screenshot of Netflix player streaming Mindhunter while connected to Windscribe's Dallas BBQ serverI could also access entire libraries in Australia, Brazil, Japan, the UK, France, and Canada

Most videos loaded almost instantly, with no buffering or quality issues. The longest I had to wait for a video to start was with the Sao Paulo server, which is far from where I live. However, it only took 8 seconds, so it wasn’t a big deal.

Max can be tough to unblock, but Windscribe did it easily. I was able to watch it on my first attempt with no troubleshooting. I never had to switch from the default protocol (WireGuard) in my tests.

Screenshot of Max player streaming X-Men: Days of Future Past while connected to Windscribe's Bend Oregon Trail serverIt loaded in a few seconds and playback was perfect, even when I skipped around

I was also able to access Disney+ and Hulu. After testing around for a while, I did find one server that was blocked by Hulu (Dallas BBQ). But that’s very impressive. It’s rare I use a VPN where I have to search around to find a server that gets detected.

Screenshot of Hulu player streaming The Last Unicorn while connected to Windscribe's Bend Oregon Trail serverI didn’t experience buffering, long load times, or any dips in quality

Amazon Prime Video worked too, but it took a while to load my movie. I had to wait 20 seconds for Three Thousand Years of Longing to get started. I also got blocked by BBC iPlayer with the Edinburgh server, but a London location unblocked it in my next test.

In addition, I could unblock All 4, ITV, DAZN, and even use it with Kodi. Overall, Windscribe is a great choice for streaming, and I’m impressed you can watch each of these platforms for a brief amount of time with a free account.

Speed — Very Fast on Free and Premium Servers

9.0

Windscribe has the fastest free servers I’ve tested, and paid servers are impressive too. You’ll get great speeds on the vast majority of Windscribe’s servers even when they’re far away.

We use a dedicated speed tester to get our results. That way, all of the tests are done from the same location with the same connection. The chart below shows you results from the free servers. However, we got comparable speeds with paid servers.

Screenshot of a speed chart showing results from all of Windscribe's free serversI lost 4% of my speed on nearby servers and 29% on distant ones

There is also a Best Location option, but Windscribe is so fast it doesn’t really make a difference. In our tests, just about every server under 4,000 km away dropped our speeds less than 5%. That’s a great result because most VPNs lower your speeds by 15% at least in that range.

Screenshot of Ookla speed tests done with no VPN connected and while connected to Windscribe's New York serverSpeeds were just a little slower with IKEv2 and OpenVPN UDP

The only issue is some protocols are very slow. Our tester even lost 100% of her speed with several servers using OpenVPN TCP, Wstunnel, and Stealth. My tests weren’t as bad, but I did lose 93% of my speed while testing my closest location with TCP. And the Stealth protocol lowered my speeds by 75% or more each time.

It also has a few select 10GBPS servers, but there wasn’t much difference in our tests. There were even a few cases where regular servers were faster.

Since there was only 1 free server over 6,000 km from our tester, I did a few more tests with distant servers. Auckland, New Zealand is almost 12,000 km from where I live, but it only dropped my speeds by 24%. Most VPNs drop your speed by around 70% or more when the server is that far away, so Windscribe has some of the best long distance speeds I’ve seen.

Overall, you won’t easily find a faster free VPN than Windscribe. It could even be one of the fastest premium VPNs someday, but for now, there are just too many slow protocols.

Gaming — Too Much Lag for Online Play

6.0

Even though my ping was low, I still had glitchy gameplay while connected to Windscribe. Ping is very important during gaming. It tells you how long it takes the network to respond to your commands. When it’s high, the lag between your button presses and your character’s actions makes games unplayable.

Screenshot of Steam running Counter-Strike: Global Offensive while connected to Windscribe's Dallas BBQ serverI’ve never tested a VPN that lets you game on long-distance servers

I only had a ping rate of 27 ms during my test. That’s great because you can usually play with minimal lag if you’re at 85 ms or under. But despite that, the game kept on freezing and stuttering. There was such a long gap between clicking the mouse and seeing my character fire that I continuously lost.

There are several VPNs that can keep you safe while you’re enjoying games. Check out this list of the best VPNs for gaming to find one that lets you play without lag.

Server Network — Good Coverage for a Small Network

7.4

Windscribe doesn’t have the largest network, but it gives you locations in 69 countries with 112 cities. Actually, all of Windscribe’s servers are city-level, and there are 45 different locations in the US, which tops what many of the most popular VPNs offer.

All of Windscribe’s servers are physically located as well. That means they’re actually in the city you connect to. Some VPNs offer virtual servers, which are located somewhere else.

It also uses some rented servers while it owns others. Unfortunately, the company doesn’t disclose a lot about its network, including the exact number of servers it owns. It did claim to have 177 in the past.

Screenshot of Windscribe's Windows app highlighting the server network and its search functionThe list also displays which servers are 10GBPS and which are recommended for P2P

I also like that Windscribe lets you access several countries many VPNs neglect, like Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Turkey. You can also purchase static IP addresses, which are helpful if you need a consistent, encrypted IP to operate a website.

The free service lets you use the Hong Kong location, 10 US servers, and 8 European countries. For free and premium apps, Western Europe and North America have the most coverage. One small issue is it can take a while to connect on distant servers. But overall, Windscribe’s network is slightly above average due to its features.

Security — Plenty of Solid Features That Keep You Safe

9.4

Windscribe is very safe, and it comes with military-grade AES 256-bit encryption which makes your data virtually unreadable.

Screenshot of leak test done on ipleak.net while connected to Windscribe's Helsinki Sauna serverIt also lets you turn on IPv6 and WebRTC leak protection

Its whitelisting feature can automatically activate the VPN. I love this because I often forget to turn on a VPN when using public networks. You can also access your home network remotely with port forwarding, but only if you pay extra for a static IP ($2/month for Datacentre and $8/month for Residential) .

In addition to the features listed below, it offers some additional obfuscation options like Time Warp and Location Warp. There’s also double hop, secure hotspot, all the protocols mentioned in the speeds section, and tons of highly technical options. These are things like packet size, API resolution, and more. They’re not especially important for most people, but big time tech nerds will appreciate them.

Split Tunneling

Split tunneling lets you choose which apps or websites move through the VPN tunnel. This can be helpful if you want to stream foreign content while still being able to access local services (like your banking app).

R.O.B.E.R.T. (Ad Blocker)

This is a very customizable tool that serves as Windscribe’s ad and malware blocker. It does even more with the premium app. It will let you block social networks, porn, gambling, clickbait, and more. It’s a nice addition, although some things like native banner ads would still show up occasionally even with it activated.

Firewall (Kill Switch)

Windscribe calls its dedicated kill switch Firewall, and it works as advertised. This feature will disable the network when your VPN connection drops, so you don’t leak any data. To test it, I tried to open a tab while the VPN was connecting. It always blocked the page until the connection was complete. This is a necessary feature every VPN needs to have.

Privacy — A Great Policy With a Few Minor Issues

9.0

I can recommend Windscribe as a private VPN because it follows a strict no-logs policy. You’re not even required to enter your email address when signing up. This is pretty rare and makes its free option one of the safest around.

Windscribe also offers transparency reports which verify its policy. These let you see any time there have been DMCA requests for its data, and they show that Windscribe has never shared anything.

Does Windscribe Keep Logs? No

Your IP address, the sites you’ve visited, and timestamps for your VPN sessions aren’t collected. Windscribe only stores anonymous data that’s necessary for maintaining the service. While you're in a session, the server's memory will have your OpenVPN/IKEv2 username, the time of connection, and the amount of data transferred. All of this is deleted as soon as you disconnect.

This was actually put to the test when Windscribe’s servers were seized in Ukraine in 2021. Thankfully, there was nothing on any of the servers, which showed Windscribe backs up its privacy claims.

Was Windscribe Audited? Yes

According to Windscribe’s website, the VPN’s desktop app has been audited and open-sourced, along with the mobile apps. However, Windscribe didn’t state who performed the audits. I hope it will be more transparent about this in the future, following the example of the best premium providers.

Based in Canada

Canada is not the best location for a VPN’s headquarters because it’s in the 5 Eyes Alliance. This is an agreement between several countries to share data on their citizens. Luckily, the VPN doesn’t store any data that could compromise its users. Still, if privacy is crucial to you, there are many VPNs headquartered in more privacy-friendly countries.

Does Windscribe Work in China? Yes

You can use Windscribe in China. Support has claimed that it will work in just about any country.

Screenshot of a conversation with Windscribe support that confirmed it works in ChinaThe Hong Kong server is slow, so you may need to try another one

The only issue here is it’s recommended that you use the Stealth protocol, which seriously reduces speeds. If you’re looking for a faster option in China, you can check out these VPNs that can all get past the Great Firewall.

The Chinese government has banned many VPNs, but it rarely goes after people for using them. However, my team and I don’t condone any illegal activities. I suggest you read the laws before deciding to use a VPN in China.

Torrenting — Fast Downloads on Most Servers

9.0

You can torrent on nearly every Windscribe server, and it hardly slowed me down at all. The only servers you can’t use are located in India, Lithuania, Russia, and South Africa.

I tested it out with uTorrent (it works with all major torrenting clients), downloading a 1.62 GB file. I can finish this in about 5 minutes with no VPN connected. While on Windscribe’s Bend Oregon Trail server, I could complete the file in only 7 and a half minutes. That’s impressive as some VPNs increase my wait time with this file by up to an hour.

While Windscribe does offer support for port forwarding, it is not a mandatory requirement. Although this feature can potentially facilitate slightly faster downloads, it doesn't make a significant difference due to Windscribe's inherent speed. Furthermore, it's worth noting that Windscribe is compatible with TOR, despite the absence of mention on its official website.

Just be aware that torrenting is legal in most countries, but accessing copyrighted files isn’t. You should only download torrents in the public domain to be sure you don’t break any laws.

Installation & Apps

9.0

Windscribe is easy to use although its interface isn’t the most attractive. I never had any issues connecting to servers or accessing the settings, but it’s missing some of the eye candy its competitors offer like interactive maps.

Screenshot of Windscribe's Windows app highlighting the tabs for the general settings and the R.O.B.E.R.T. featureThere are 4 settings tabs along with tabs for your account and tips

However, it makes up for this with tons of customization options. You’ll have a tough time finding a VPN that lets you tweak more aspects of your app, so that’s a big plus if you’re a techie.

Setup & Installation

It only took me a few minutes to install Windscribe, no matter what device I was using. You can download it from Windscribe’s website for desktop, and you’ll use the proper store on mobile devices.

Screenshot of Windscribe's download page from its website highlighting installation files for Windows, Mac, Linux, and ChromeThis can also be done on a phone by visiting your device’s app store

The Linux app can be downloaded just as fast too since it offers a full GUI. That means you won’t have to control it through the command line, which can be a little clunky. I like that the free version is available for Linux too since many VPNs don’t offer that.

Device Compatibility

Windscribe gives you a way to connect to its servers on nearly any device. There are native apps for every popular OS. Its proxy gateway feature also gives you an easy way to connect game consoles and smart TVs. There are plenty of options for setting it up on a router, so you can use it on anything connected to your network. So, it rivals the best VPNs in this category.

Desktop — Apps for Windows, Mac, and Linux

Each desktop app is similar with a few key differences. The Windows app comes with everything Windscribe offers except for the Network Whitelisting feature. The Mac app is missing the always on feature, and split tunneling.

Android and iPhone (iOS)

Mobile apps are almost the same as desktop versions, but they each lose a few features. The Android app misses out on the very crucial kill switch. You’ll get that on iOS, but that app doesn’t come with network white listing, split tunneling, the Stealth protocol, or the always on option. Neither phone version lets you access proxy settings either.

Browser Extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge

Overall, I’m impressed by Windscribe’s browser extensions. These come with many features other VPNs don’t offer. You can use all of the same servers you use on the other apps, plus double hop. It can also automatically pick the best server for you, block ads, and prevent WebRTC leaks.

What I liked most is the Cookie Monster feature that automatically deletes all the cookies you’ve accepted as soon as you close the tab. Another unique Windscribe feature is Split Personality, which randomly rotates your user agent to hide your OS and browser version.

These extensions are very popular, especially because they can easily be used for free. However, you just need to remember they’re only proxies. That means they don’t fully encrypt your connection, so you’re always safer using the full app.

Apps for Amazon Fire TV & Nvidia Shield

You can download native apps for Fire TV and Nvidia Shield. These don’t look quite the same as the other apps, but they get the job done and even offer split tunneling. This lets you choose which of your televisions’ apps use the VPN tunnel.

There are no apps for game consoles, but you can connect them easily. This can be done with the proxy gateway feature. Basically, this lets you connect any device with proxy settings through your computer. It’s easy to set up, but it can be a little slower than smart DNS due to the rerouting.

Windscribe does offer smart DNS, but it charges extra. Since many VPNs offer this along with your subscription, I don’t recommend paying for it.

Router Compatibility

You can install Windscribe on DD WRT, Asus, and Tomato routers. It also sells its own Invizbox pre-configured routers. Setting it up on a router lets you connect any WiFi-enabled device in your household. However, you can find VPNs that offer more robust router options here.

Simultaneous Device Connections

You can connect as many devices as you want with a free or paid account. This is a great feature; almost no free VPNs offer Unlimited simultaneous connections. I tested it out by connecting it to my Fire TV Stick, 2 laptops, and my Android phone. Its speeds were just as fast even when I streamed on all 4 devices.

Pricing

8.6
Build A Plan
$ / month per month
Yearly Plan
$ 5.75 / month per month
Monthly Plan
$ 9 / month per month

The free version is excellent, but there are also 2 paid options — monthly and yearly. If you want to upgrade to a premium version, I recommend the long-term plan as you save more. However, with the free plan, you can test out most of what Windscribe offers without getting an account.

However, the money-back guarantee is much shorter and more restrictive compared to other VPNs. You only have 3 days to ask for a refund, and you can’t use more than 10GB of data. I understand why they do this since the free version is so robust. But most VPNs give you at least 30 days of unlimited use risk-free.

Screenshot of the cancellation page you can access through your Windscribe accountYou just log in, find the “Claim Voucher” menu, and click “Cancel Subscription”

There’s also a build-a-plan option which lets you purchase servers for $1 each. But I don't recommend it since it can easily get as expensive as a full sub.

You can purchase an account with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Paymentwall, Bitcoin, or PayPal.

Reliability & Support

8.0

There is no 24/7 live chat, but the email support staff is knowledgeable. Windscribe has a chatbot, which can be helpful. For example, it was able to let me know if the VPN works in China. However, it can’t answer more complicated questions.

Screenshot of an email response from Windscribe support with information on its serversWhen I got answers to my questions, it was always within 24 hours

In the above email, I received a great answer to my question. Unfortunately, some of my emails were never given a reply. For example, when I asked if I was eligible for a refund, no one ever got back to me. Thankfully, the knowledge base is pretty robust, and you can get answers to most of your questions in Windscribe’s list of over 100 FAQs.

You can try a VPN with 24/7 live chat in this list.

Compare Windscribe VPN With The Top Alternative VPNs
Our Score: 9.9
Our Score: 9.7
Our Score: 9.5
Our Score: 9.4

The Bottom Line

Final Verdict — A Solid VPN With The Best Free App

The finest free VPN option is provided by Windscribe. It grants you rapid speeds, an array of servers, robust security measures, and a commitment to privacy. The sole limitation lies in the fact that you're restricted to utilizing 10 GB of data each month.

The premium VPN is very good too, but it has a few drawbacks. Compared to its top competitors, the server network is small, there is no 24/7 live chat option, and it’s not great for gaming. It’s also a little expensive for what’s offered. You can get any of our highest ranked VPNs in this list that all come with much longer money-back guarantees.

GWsN-b_kPUA
  • Great for streaming
  • Fast speeds on most servers
  • Tons of customizable security features
  • Audited no-logging policy
  • Great P2P support
  • Compatible with tons of devices
  • Excellent free app

FAQs on Windscribe

Is Windscribe really free?

Yes, Windscribe has a great free app. It’s one of the fastest I’ve tested and lets you use servers in 10 different countries. You don’t even need to sign up to download it and get started. Just be aware you only get 2 GB of data per month (or 10 GB if you confirm your email).

Is Windscribe Safe?

Yes, Windscribe will keep you safe. It uses AES 256-bit encryption, which is nearly unbreakable. On top of that, it passed all of my leak tests on 10+ servers (both free and paid). There’s also a kill switch you get with most versions of the app that blocks your internet connection if the VPN ever disconnects.

Is Windscribe’s Chrome extension good?

Yes, but it won’t fully encrypt your connection. The Chrome extension can be used for free, and it comes with several unique features, like double hop and an ad blocker. But it’s still just a proxy, and it can’t protect you like the app will.

Money Back Guarantee (Days): 3
Mobile app:
Number of devices per license: Unlimited
VPN Plans: windscribe.com
We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
Learn more
vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
Windscribe VPN User Reviews (User reviews are not verified)
7.7
Based on 290 reviews in 15 languages

Write a Review on Windscribe VPN

Please rate VPN.

All Speed Streaming Security Сustomer service
Tom
Tom
2/10
Slimey Company and DARK past

The companies CEO ran ADULT WEBSITES. He is in an interview saying exactly this about his past, but he does not seem transparent with this today. Would you say making and running adult sites is a respectable or professional career? No. I would never trust them with my data, ever. They are slow, overpriced and unprofessional company that attacks people on reddit or discord who leave truthful feedback about this. They do not honor lifetime promises. Do not support this VPN

Pedro
Pedro
8/10
Maybe not the best but for the price I am happy with them

Maybe it is not the best but for the price, I am very happy with them. I have been using them for years. Usually, I am streaming sports from national TV channels abroad. In all fairness, I can recommend their service.

Mat
Mat
2/10
Buyer Beware

They just went ahead and charged my CC without prior notice. I haven't even used this service in over a year. I asked for a refund for a service that I am not even using and they refused. Now I am dealing with a credit card dispute. Worse customer service. Buyer Beware and if you use this service keep an eye on your credit card.

About the Author

Matthew is a writer and editor for VPNMentor with a proven track record of providing in-depth analysis of the most highly regarded VPNs, including ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. His unparalleled expertise has enabled him to consistently deliver cutting-edge insights on the most sought-after (and newest) VPN services.

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