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NordVPN vs Windscribe VPN vs Buffered VPN 2022

After comparing these VPNs, we have a winner!

Rated: 9.8/10
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Rated: 8.4/10
%s User Reviews
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Rated: 8.1/10
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Which VPN is better?

Author Image Kate Richards
Kate Richards

Cybersecurity Researcher

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 9.8/10
Pricing 9.6/10
Ease of Use 10/10
Reliability & Support 10/10
Features 8.4/10
Pricing 8.6/10
Ease of Use 8.4/10
Reliability & Support 8.6/10
Features 8.1/10
Pricing 6.0/10
Ease of Use 8.8/10
Reliability & Support 8.4/10

Reviews

Review by our expert
Author Image Kristina Perunicic
Kristina Perunicic

Cybersecurity Researcher

10/10

It’s not often that a VPN has cheap prices coupled with an excellent set of features. Yet, when my team and I looked at what NordVPN has to offer, this is exactly what we found. It offers a huge global network of servers, unblocks hundreds of streaming platforms, and has iron-clad security and privacy features — and you can get it all for just $3.30/month. I had to wonder what the catch was. ...

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Latest positive user review
M
Marc
10.0/10
For NordVPN-Android – NordVPN cannot

There is no Caveat Emptor here, nothing like that at all. Nothing to worry about because NordVPN has ... a top-notch of KillSwitch. It has never faltered in my case. Some instances that NordVPN connection is lost for like 10 seconds while I'm "incognito" in a streaming site, I immediately check with the site with regards to my interrupted connection and my real location did not register ;-) This happened a handful of times in fact. NordVPN will not leave you out in the cold so to speak ;-) Just that since this is a review, it must be noted since features are being enumerated that Split Tunneling and KillSwitch cannot be enabled at the same time. It's either you use one or the other. KillSwitch is not possible if you need to exclude an app from using VPN which means to Split Tunneling. Crypto wallet apps and apps that refuse to use VPN tunnel are such examples. "Block Connections Without VPN" being 1 of 2 conditions that must be met to be able to utilize KillSwitch, and KillSwitch will not work if Split Tunneling is enabled. Ergo, - It's either All apps are Blocked without VPN or No Apps are Blocked at all. I thought pausing the VPN from its Notification will take care of this but in all my Android devices that have NordVPN the pausing from the notification does not work which makes me wonder if pausing/disconnecting from notification is a feature that works in Android.More

Latest negative user review
A
Anonymously
2.0/10
Skip it.

Skip Nord! They make you disable the kill switch to log in. Which was not always the case. So you have...  to be careful every time you log in. You do not want to have a leak just because you forgot the kill switch was off.More

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Review by our expert
Author Image Ernest Sheptalo
Ernest Sheptalo

Cybersecurity Researcher

8/10

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
J
JTrucker
10.0/10
The best VPN for streaming

I wanted VPN primarily to access streaming content from my home country. I tried (and paid) for PIA, b... ut I can't watch Netflix and I can get only some tv channels. I tried OpenVPN and the streaming services were locating and blocking the servers so fast, I needed a new server each day, sometimes even more than one. Then I found Windsribe and I can watch unlimited Netflix, ALL tv channels I can find online, everything in HD quality, and no lags. The APP works flawlessly on Hisense Android tv as well, while PIA couldn't establish a stable connection on that tv at all. For $2 / month ($1 for my country and $1 for unlimited data) I couldn't find anything better. Thank you.More

Latest negative user review
P
Pesar
2.0/10
Poor customer service, do not buy

DO NOT BUY from them, first of all, the website support does not work properly, so I had to join the d... iscord to ask a few questions and the discord admins started insulting me on a public chat. I saved all of the screenshots and will issue a refund. I messaged all staff members on discord, no one responded to me. I talked to a website manager named "Winder" he refused to even apologize for the issue. He did not help me at all. A staff member named "winder" banned me from the server after I raised my complaints to him. He did not even take responsibility or apologize to me, he banned me from the server instead and never explained why he did that. This is outrageous, as he did not even let me talk to his supervisor when he banned me. You basically pay to get insulted. I highly recommend the website owner reconsider the staff team. UPDATE: After talking to the website manager for an hour. He called me a "petty" person. I took screenshots from his chats too.More

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Review by our expert
K
Katie Kasunic

Technology Researcher

8.6/10

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 NordVPN for that. In addition to dedicated apps available for all major platforms, Buffered VPN also offers router compatibility. There are 40+ servers available in 37 different countries, including three se...

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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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Pricing

Starting price $3.3/month
Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
Number of devices per license 6 devices
See Plans
Starting price $4.08/month
Money Back Guarantee (Days) 3 Days
Number of devices per license 0 devices
See Plans
Starting price 0.00/
Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
Number of devices per license 5 devices
See Plans

Best VPNs by category

Best VPNs 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 VPNs 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 VPNs 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 VPNs 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 VPNs 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 VPNs 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 VPNs 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

Author Image Kate Richards
Kate Richards

Cybersecurity Researcher

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 5100 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 $3.3 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 before making a long-term commitment. 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.