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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 — Can You Trust This Free VPN?

Our Score: 7.9/10
Ranked 51st out of 305 VPNs
Doris Muthuri Updated on 22nd March 2024 Fact-checked by Matthew Amos Senior Writer

After its security breach, many people aren't sure if they can trust Windscribe — one of the most popular free VPNs. If it couldn't protect its servers, can you really rely on it to keep you safe, especially without a subscription?

I tested every feature Windscribe has, including performing leak tests and speed checks and testing it for torrenting, gaming, and more. I also thoroughly investigated its no-logs claim to see how it's improved since the breach.

After my tests, I can confirm that Windscribe is safe and decent overall. It has strong security features and takes your privacy seriously. Its free version is one of the best available, but the paid version is lacking in a few areas. You can check out one of the best premium VPNs available in this list.

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 Bot support
📥 Supports torrenting Yes

Streaming — Great With the Paid Version

9.4

Our global team could safely stream during all their tests with Windscribe. My team members even reported streaming HD quality videos with both Windscribe premium and its free version.

However, the 10GB data limit per month with the free version will only let you stream for around 7 hours max. So, it’s a decent way to test out Windscribe, but it’s not substantial enough for regular viewing.

You could theoretically use this VPN to access content from different regions, but this would likely cause a copyright violation. My team and I only connected to servers in our respective countries during streaming tests.

Important. At vpnMentor, we strongly oppose copyright infringement. Windscribe adheres to a no-logs policy, so it won’t monitor your online activities. Therefore, it’s your responsibility to use the service ethically. We recommend that you always comply with the terms and conditions of any streaming platform you use.

Works With: Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Max, Peacock, BBC iPlayer, ESPN+, Channel 4, and ITVX

Windscribe let my international team safely stream all of their local platforms. This was quite the feat since nearly every streaming platform uses anti-VPN technologies. These can prevent you from watching your favorite content, even if you’re in an approved location using a VPN server in your own country. Impressively, this never happened to any of our testers with Windscribe.

In the first test, our colleague in New Jersey could securely view his full US Netflix library without any issues. Most videos loaded almost instantly with no buffering.

Our testers in Australia, Japan, Canada, Brazil, France, and the UK could also safely stream their complete Netflix libraries using servers in their respective countries.

Screenshot of Hulu player streaming The Bachelor while connected to a Windscribe Las Vegas serverVideos loaded quickly and played back without any buffering

Our US-based tester also had no problems loading videos on Max with Windscribe. He could also safely stream all his other favorite local platforms like Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, and more.

Screenshot of Max player streaming The Big Bang Theory while connected to an Windscribe Atlanta serverOur tester didn’t experience buffering, long load times, or any dips in quality

Similarly, our tester in the UK could securely watch videos on ITV, BBC iPlayer, and other local channels without issues.

Overall, Windscribe is a great choice for streaming, and I’m impressed you can watch your local platforms for a brief amount of time with a free account.

Speed — Very Fast on Free and Premium Servers

9.0

Windscribe has some of the fastest free servers I’ve tested, and paid servers are impressive too.

My teammate and I tested multiple servers purely to gauge the overall performance of the service. As I mentioned, we don’t condone copyright infringements, so be sure to use Windscribe responsibly.

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 your results from the premium servers. However, we got comparable speeds with free servers. All tests were done with the WireGuard protocol since it gave us the best results.

Screenshot of a speed chart showing rates on a variety of Windscribe's international serversOur speeds fell 4% on servers nearby and 30% on distant ones

Servers nearby 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 and while connected to WindscribeSpeeds were just a little slower with IKEv2 and OpenVPN UDP

The only issue is some protocols are very slow. I wanted to check out the speeds for myself, so I tested several servers using different protocols and noticed significant differences in speeds.

For instance, OpenVPN TCP and Wstunnel dropped my speeds by more than 15% when connected to my local server in Kenya. And, the Stealth protocol lowered my speeds by 45% or more each time.

I also noticed that it has a few select 10GBPS servers, but when I tested them, my speeds weren’t significantly different from normal servers.

I also tested all the free servers, and I wasn’t disappointed. Despite the nearest server being roughly 7,000 km away, my speed only fell 27%. That’s good because even the best VPNs can slow you down by up to 45% over similar distances. Overall, you won’t easily find a faster free VPN than Windscribe.

Gaming — Smooth Gameplay On Nearby Servers

8.4

When I played Roblox on nearby Windscribe servers, everything went smoothly. My ping rates were under 85ms, which you need for responsive gameplay. Even servers far away, like one in Germany, gave me a low ping of just 18 ms, which is great for gaming. But I was surprised that my character froze randomly when I tried playing Roblox using this server.

Screenshot of Steam running Counter Strike 2 while connected to Windscribe's Best Location server in Dallas He could enjoy smooth gameplay since his ping only raised 9ms

Ping is crucial in gaming because it shows how quickly the network reacts to your commands. When ping is high, the delay between pressing buttons and your character's actions can make games unplayable.

Overall, I think Windscribe is pretty good for gaming, but only with its paid version. While I got similar results with the free version, its data limit will be used up quickly while you’re gaming.

Server Network — Good Coverage for a Small Network

7.0

Windscribe doesn’t have the largest network, but it gives you 177 servers in 69 countries. 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.

Screenshot of Windscribe's Windows app highlighting the list of serversThe list also displays 10GBPS and P2P-optimized servers

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 aren’t physically in the location listed.

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. Windscribe also makes use of RAM-only servers, which are more private since everything on them is deleted with each reboot.

I also like that Windscribe lets you access several countries that many VPNs neglect, like Ecuador and Turkey, and they even have servers in Antarctica. 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. Western Europe and North America have the most coverage for free and premium apps. I had no issues at all connecting to any server — both near and far away.

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. It includes an auto-enable feature for public networks. For remote home network access, you can use port forwarding. Although this requires an additional fee for a static IP ($2/month for a Datacenter IP and $8/month for a Residential IP).

I also like that Windscribe provides advanced features like Perfect Forward Secrecy, Time Warp, split tunneling, and Location Warp for added privacy. There are even more rare features like double VPN and secure hotspot. In addition to supporting all the major protocols, it also has unique settings like packet size adjustment and API resolution.

Screenshot of Windscribe's customization options on its Windows appThe default settings work fine if you don't want to customize

These technical details might not matter to everyone, but they're a nice touch for those deeply interested in technology. Finally, its browser extensions offer a GPS-spoofing feature, and all of its desktop apps are open-source. So, Windscribe certainly isn’t lacking in this department.

Encryption

Windscribe secures your internet connection using the AES-256 cipher encryption, which is the same standard used by banks and many worldwide militaries. This means that the data you send and receive is encrypted in a way that makes it virtually impossible for anyone to decode.

Security Protocols

Windscribe lets you choose between the industry's best protocols, such as WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN, and even its proprietary protocol, WStunnel. As you could see from our speed tests, WireGuard is the fastest. But, OpenVPN is often considered the most secure since it’s open-source and constantly checked for vulnerabilities.

Additionally, Windscribe includes SOCKS5 proxy support, which is useful for torrenting by masking your IP address, though it doesn't encrypt data like the other protocols.

Firewall (Kill Switch)

Windscribe calls its dedicated kill switch Firewall, and it works as advertised. This feature will disable the network if your VPN connection drops. 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.

IP & DNS Leak Protection

Windscribe also offers reliable IP and DNS protection features that prevent leaks.

Screenshot of tests done on ipleak.net while connected to a Windscribe's Mexico serverMy true IP stayed hidden across tests on a dozen locations

I was confident that Windscribe would keep my data private.

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. The paid version lets 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.

Privacy — A Great Policy With a Few Minor Issues

7.0

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 rare and makes its free option one of the safest.

Windscribe also offers transparency reports that 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.

My main complaint is that Windscribe hasn’t undergone any independent audits, which is surprising, especially after a government body seized a portion of its servers.

Does Windscribe Keep Logs? No

Windscribe doesn’t log any unnecessary data. This is nice to know since Windscribe is one of the VPNs whose servers have been seized by the government before. In 2021, two Windscribe servers were seized in Ukraine as part of an investigation by local authorities.

However, the authorities weren’t able to recover any information since Windscribe does not store session logs or timestamps. It doesn’t collect your IP address, or the sites you’ve visited either.

Screenshot of Windscribe's privacy policy showing the data it collectsIt doesn't log any data while you're connected

Like most top VPNs, Windscribe only stores anonymous data that’s necessary for maintaining the service. While you're connected, the server's memory will have your OpenVPN/IKEv2 username, the time of connection, and the amount of data transferred. The privacy policy also clearly states that all of this is deleted as soon as you disconnect.

Was Windscribe Audited? No

Windscribe hasn’t undergone any third-party audits. When I asked this question through chat support, the chatbot confirmed that the privacy policy has gone through regular internal audits but hasn’t undergone a public third-party audit. I do hope they get an independent and transparent audit 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? Maybe

Windscribe’s support claims it’s possible to use the VPN in China. However, they warn that you’ll probably have to access different features and protocols to get it working.

Screenshot of a live chat response where Windscribe agent confirming that it does work in ChinaMost VPNs I have tested struggle to work in China

The agent recommended trying Stealth and WStunnel protocols as these are the most efficient in highly restricted countries like China. This was a bit disappointing because, in my experience, these protocols are the slowest. If you’re looking for a faster option in China, you can check out these VPNs that have all been proven to work in the country.

The Chinese government has banned many VPNs, but there have been no publicly-reported cases of it going 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 — Slow Downloads on Most Servers

5.0

You can torrent on nearly every server, but Windscribe slowed down my download speeds significantly. It took almost 1 hour to complete a 1.62GB file; I could download the same torrent in 15 minutes without the VPN. This happened even though I was on my local server in Nairobi.

To be sure, I tried downloading the same file at different times of the day and had similar results. The only servers you can’t use for P2P are located in India, Lithuania, Russia, and South Africa.
Windscribe offers port forwarding, which should facilitate slightly faster downloads. However, it only shortened my download waits by a few minutes.

If you want to download copyright-free files fast, check out these VPNs. Just be aware that torrenting is legal in most countries, but accessing copyrighted files isn’t. We ask that you please only download torrents in the public domain to be sure you don’t break any laws.

Installation & Apps

8.8

Installation & Apps — Easy to Install and Use

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 appThere are 4 settings tabs and 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.

 Screenshot of windscribe's download pageFor your mobile device, you'll install it from your 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 also like that the free version is available for Linux 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 allows you to connect game consoles and smart TVs easily. Plenty of options exist 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 whitelisting, split tunneling, the Stealth protocol, or the “Always On” option. Neither phone version lets you access proxy settings either.

Browser Extensions for Chrome, Firefox, & 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 was 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 also offer “Auto Pilot”, a best location feature that also changes servers depending on the sites you visit.

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 and 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.

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, Tomato, and some builds of ASUSWRT/ASUSWRT-Merlin 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 laptop, iPad and 3 Android phones, and my speeds weren’t affected.

Pricing

8.6
Free Plan
$ 0 / month per month
Yearly Plan
$ 5.75 / month per month
Monthly Plan
$ 9 / month per month

Pricing — Affordable With a Quality Free Plan

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. I tried getting a refund after using the service for 2 days, but I couldn’t qualify because I had used more than 20GB.

You can also pay for a personalized plan, but it gets expensive fast. For example, you can purchase servers for $1 each or just purchase additional bandwidth for your free plan. 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

6.0

Reliability and Support — I Could Never Get Answers From Humans

There is 24/7 live chat support, but you will have to settle with talking to Garry — the bot. It’s certainly not useless, but I’d much prefer having access to a customer service agent I can have a conversation with. Unfortunately, there are no live agents. On the plus side, the bot always answered my questions in less than a minute.

Screenshot of a live chat with Windscribe's bot Garry where I asked for the limitations of its free appIt can't replace a human, but it's good for basic queries

I also sent an email with some questions but never received a response. Thankfully, the knowledge base is decent, with over 100 FAQs. There’s also a ticketing system, and you can try to get answers from its Reddit thread, but I wouldn’t rely on it.

If you want a VPN that prioritizes 24/7 chat support with real humans, check out this list of my favorite VPNs with great customer support.

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 Good VPN With The Best Free App

Windscribe offers one of the best free VPN options. It grants you excellent speeds, trustworthy security measures, and a commitment to privacy. My only complaint is that the free plan limits you to only about 12 servers and 10GB 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 and it’s not great for torrenting. 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.

  • Great for secure streaming
  • Fast speeds on most servers
  • Tons of customizable security features
  • Strict no-logs policy
  • Excellent free app

FAQs on Windscribe

Is Windscribe really free?

Yes, Windscribe has a great free app. It’s one of the fastest VPNs 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 my data safe with Windscribe?

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 Windscibe better than NordVPN?

No, NordVPN is better than Windscribe in a few areas. It offers a larger server network, an audited no-logs policy, better support for torrenting, and 24/7 live chat with a human. NordVPN also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee that doesn’t have any data restrictions, while Windscribe only offers refunds if you use less than 10GB while testing it.

Is Windscribe pro worth it?

Yes, Windscribe pro is a good VPN. It lets you use its full server network, and it doesn’t come with any data limits. Since the free version only lets you use 10GB of data a month, it won’t be sufficient for anything more than light testing.

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

Doris is a tech writer and a cybersecurity researcher for vpnMentor. She is enthusiastic about educating people about their rights to online freedom and provides actionable ways to protect their data.

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