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NordVPN vs Windscribe VPN vs Buffered VPN 2023

Table of Contents
    Rated: 9.4/10
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    Rated: 8.4/10
    %s User Reviews
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    Rated: 8.2/10
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    Which VPN is better?

    Author Image Kate Richards
    Kate Richards

    Managing Editor

    NordVPN comes with many of the bells and whistles that are important to privacy fanatics. Not only does it support OpenVPN, it also keeps no logs and offers access to China through obfsproxy, while its Smart DNS technology enables access to geo-blocked sites, such as Netflix. NordVPN, however, does fall short in customer support, but this is offset by its above-average speeds and an option for Bitcoin payments. Windscribe has great offers to boot: you can try the VPN for free before committing. It supports OpenVPN and dedicated apps for cross-platform compatibility, however poor customer support puts a damp on this otherwise professional client. There is little to complain about Buffered, with its robust OpenVPN encryption and lighting fast speeds. It falls short with its lack of a kill switch, but makes up for it by supporting 5 simultaneous connections, offering servers in over 30 countries and providing excellent customer support through live chat.

    Rating

    Features 9.4/10
    Pricing 9.6/10
    Ease of Use 10.0/10
    Reliability & Support 10.0/10
    Features 8.4/10
    Pricing 8.6/10
    Ease of Use 8.4/10
    Reliability & Support 8.6/10
    Features 8.2/10
    Pricing 6/10
    Ease of Use 8.8/10
    Reliability & Support 8.4/10

    Reviews

    Review by our expert
    Author Image Kristina Perunicic
    Kristina Perunicic

    Managing Editor

    10.0/10

    On the surface, NordVPN looks like a really impressive service. It claims to have a huge global server network, the ability to unblock tons of streaming platforms, and iron-clad security and privacy features. Plus, you can get it all for just $3.49/month. That all sounds great, but is there a catch? To find out, I did an in-depth analysis of NordVPN. I tested its speeds and how well it performs...

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    Latest positive user review
    J
    John Hoy
    10.0/10
    Best documentation was easy to understand

    I came from Surfshark which never worked correctly. I had to run from the browser extension with supp... ort telling me it was my network that was causing the problem. That was rubbish. I set Nord up and had it running in a short time from the documentation. I only had to ask support about accessing more servers than just the one I saw. Great product.More

    Latest negative user review
    D
    Dax
    6.0/10
    Average service, some nice features, rubbish support

    Basic features work really well. Basically. I liked the feature that when Nord crashes (as it seems to...  do monthly) it will shut other apps so they aren't exposed. My subscription is based in Australia. Found downloads peak at about 1-1.5Mb/s, which is ok as long as you aren't playing online games. Don't go for the frills (though hard not to when they gamify them). I canceled my subscription because I added the Kill switch and then MFA. Nek Minnit I can't even log in. No way to remove the Kill switch without logging in. Uninstalled, reinstalled no joy. Went to the help page, and it redirected me to up my subscription as the only solution. No chatbot where I am. and I don't have an email app so couldn't email help. After a couple of hours of mucking around. Gave up and went to a competitor. Note: if I hadn't played with the security settings, I would still be with Nord. But if I can't log in, it's a dead service to me.More

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    Review by our expert
    Author Image Ernest Sheptalo
    Ernest Sheptalo

    Staff Writer

    8.0/10

    Windscribe claims to offer top-notch encryption and access to tons of streaming platforms at a super low price, but are these claims accurate? With so many VPNs on the market offering similar perks but at a higher cost, these features seemed too good to be true. I had to find out for myself how good it really is. To see out how it performs, I thoroughly tested every aspect of the Windscribe ap...

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    Latest positive user review
    M
    M W
    10.0/10
    Used Windscribe for years!

    I've used Windscribe for years... like 5ish. I have an unlimited pro forever plan I purchased after h... aving a sub for a few months but after I paid somewhere like 80 or 120 bucks or whatever I have it forever now. I've had some issues with slow speeds but really, overall, it's been an amazing VPN. I've used it for all... legal... purposes of course and in all that time I've never got a letter from my ISP asking me to stop doing anything I was doing which was all legal of course like I said before. I love Windscribe. I have it on a DD-WRT router and on all my computers and phones. I don't use it 100% of the time but I use it quite a lot. Would recommend 100% to anyone and everyone! If they ever sell a lifetime pro account again buy it but I'm sure they won't.More

    Latest negative user review
    M
    Mat
    2.0/10
    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.More

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    Review by our expert
    Author Image Katie Kasunic
    Katie Kasunic

    Technology Researcher

    8.6/10

    Update: Buffered VPN merged with Encrypt.me. We have thoroughly tested Encrypt.me, and you can find everything you need to know in our review. Buffered VPN has a lot to offer due to its user-friendly interface, fast connection speeds, and reliable security. One thing it can't do is unblock Netflix, you'll need a premium vendor like ExpressVPN for that. In addition to dedicated apps available f...

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    Latest positive user review
    D
    Don Bartlem
    10.0/10
    I considered a number of VPN's before going with Buffered which I find excellent.

    No issues in any aspect, On the rare occasions that I required assistance (in the initial set up stage... ), the Help Desk was outstanding. Would highly recommend Buffered to anyone considering using a VPNMore

    Latest negative user review
    T
    Trev
    2.0/10
    They are no more

    After being a customer for more than 2 years and paying a premium price for a good service. THEY DON'T...  EXIST ANYMORE.. No warning, just logged in one day and my app doesn't work and they have changed their website name. STAY AWAY, sounds dodgy.More

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    More Info

    Pricing

    Starting price $3.49/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 6 devices
    See Plans
    Starting price $5.75/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 3 Days
    Number of devices per license Unlimited devices
    See Plans
    Starting price $8.33/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 5 devices
    See Plans

    Best VPN by category

    Best VPN Overall

    Whether you’re a novice or an advanced VPN user, you will find all three VPNs very easy to use. Buffered VPN and Windscribe offer above average features and good performance. However, NordVPN effortlessly leads with an impeccable set of features, multi-layered encryption, top-notch privacy, and access to restricted websites from anywhere - not to mention the awesome coupon codes.

    Best VPN for Torrents

    Buffered VPN allows torrenting on all its servers, while NordVPN and Windscribe permit torrenting only on specific servers. However, NordVPN’s P2P servers are more secure and optimized for fast downloads.

    Best VPN for Windows

    All three VPNs have attractive and user-friendly software clients for Windows with a built-in kill switch. However, Buffered VPN and Windscribe’s apps for Windows are limited compared to NordVPN’s stellar Windows client, which is more customizable and employs separate modes for various types of internet activity.

    Best VPN for Android

    Even though Windscribe and Buffered VPN provide lightweight and reliable Android apps, NordVPN outshines both competitors with its sharp, sleek, and feature-rich client for Android users. In addition, NordVPN for Android comes with more servers, stronger security measures, and more private connections.

    Best VPN for Mac

    Both Windscribe and Buffered VPN have simple client apps for Mac with basic features. However, NordVPN provides a more intuitive, diverse and feature-packed software client for Mac users at low cost.

    Best VPN for iOS

    iPhone and iPad users will appreciate NordVPN’s innovative client for iOS. It’s very easy to set up, navigate, and can run on 6 devices at the same time. It’s more advanced, engaging, and feature-rich than those offered by Buffered VPN and Windscribe.

    Best VPN for USA

    All three VPNs are able to bypass geo-restrictions in the US and can give you access to your favorite streaming services such as Netflix. However, with 1,900+ servers in the US, stable connections, high speeds, and advanced encryption levels, NordVPN surpasses both Windscribe and Buffered VPN in the US.

    The Bottom Line

    It is hardly surprising that NordVPN comes out the clear winner in this race. This client has server coverage spreading across more than 50 countries, supports anonymous Bitcoin payments, allows up to 5 connections simultaneously and enables P2P downloading. Based in Panama, you can be assured that this client takes privacy and security seriously and indeed, it promises to keep no logs at all. Even with its strong DHE-RSA-AES256-SHA encryption, NordVPN is still able to deliver above-average speeds. With its generous 30-day money-back guarantee, NordVPN gives you plenty of opportunities to try and ensure that the client meets your needs.

    Time to decide which one is best for you

    Go with NordVPN
    Go with Windscribe VPN
    Go with Buffered VPN
    Or click here to check best VPNs, rated by {{review_count}} users

    FAQ

    Is NordVPN better than Windscribe VPN and Buffered VPN?

    Yes, NordVPN is better overall than Windscribe VPN and Buffered VPN. It has 5384 servers in 60 countries, fast speeds, and impressive security features.

    Best of all, you can take advantage of its latest discount and get it for only $3.49 a month.

    What should I keep in mind when choosing between NordVPN, Windscribe VPN and Buffered VPN?

    When choosing a VPN, you want to pay close attention to its number of servers, overall speed score, pricing, and the number of simultaneous device connections it offers. While some VPNs provide a flawless online experience, others will really slow you down.

    If you’re ready to commit, then NordVPN may be perfect for you due to its performance during the tests.

    Is NordVPN faster than Windscribe VPN and Buffered VPN?

    Yes, NordVPN is faster than Windscribe VPN and Buffered VPN. Since your VPN is your computer’s main connection to the internet, you need to use a service that won’t slow you down by more than 20%.

    If speeds are important to you, then I recommend you take a look at ExpressVPN. It’s the fastest service out there, provides unlimited bandwidth, and you won’t experience any slowdowns even when you connect to the other side of the planet. You can try it out risk-free.. It’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can get a full refund if you don’t like it.

    Do NordVPN, Windscribe VPN or Buffered VPN offer any deals?

    NordVPN, Windscribe VPN, and Buffered VPN offer deals on occasion. You can check out the current coupons and discounts here. However, ExpressVPN has the best deals. Right now, you can get a 49% discount and up to 3 months for free with a new subscription.