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vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover 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 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.
vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover 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 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.
NordVPN is one of the bigger names in the VPN industry today, but is it worth the cost against the budget-friendly Windscribe? After all, popularity doesn’t always mean quality — and if you can get a similar or better quality service for cheaper with Windscribe, why wouldn’t you?
For this comparison, I tested each VPN for speed, streaming, gaming, security, and other essential features. I also reviewed their subscription plans, privacy policies, and customer support.
So, what’s the verdict? Sadly, Windscribe did not live up to the challenge — NordVPN is the faster and more reliable option. I also found that it offered more robust security and privacy protection, and that it provided more consistent access to my streaming accounts. To know more about how these two VPNs compare, keep reading.
Best alternative to NordVPN
Our Score:9.9
I’d also consider ExpressVPN. It offers similarly fast speeds and robust security to NordVPN, but its server network extends across significantly more countries, giving you more options. You can try it risk-free since it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Streaming and Netflix Access — NordVPN Offers More Reliable Access to Streaming Platforms
NordVPN and Windscribe could provide me with access to popular streaming platforms. However, using Windscribe, I had to try a couple of different servers before I could access some of my accounts.
Streaming Platform
NordVPN
Windscribe
Netflix
✅ Yes, including popular Netflix libraries like the US,
UK, Canada,Japan, South Korea, and Switzerland
☑️ Yes, but not all servers could provide reliable access
Disney+
✅ Yes
☑️ Yes, but not consistently
ESPN
✅ Yes
✅ Yes
HBO Max
✅ Yes
✅ Yes
Hulu
✅ Yes
☑️ Yes, but not consistently
Sky
✅ Yes
✅ Yes
Amazon Prime Video
✅ Yes
☑️ Yes, but not consistently
BBC iPlayer
✅ Yes
✅ Yes
ABC
✅ Yes
✅ Yes
CBS
✅ Yes
✅ Yes
NBC
✅ Yes
✅ Yes
Accessing my streaming accounts with NordVPN is a breeze. I could easily log in to various streaming services, including my Netflix US account, without having to search for a working server. I could watch my favorite shows in UHD quality without experiencing any buffering or sudden disconnects.
I had no errors or disconnects watching Netflix US
I didn’t find Windscribe very reliable at accessing streaming services, even though all servers are supposedly optimized for streaming. I got on my Netflix account, but the quality was inconsistent, and I constantly experienced buffering (especially when watching UHD videos). Besides, platforms like Amazon Prime Video frequently blocked the VPN.
I couldn’t access my Hulu and Disney+ subscriptions with this Windscribe server either
Both VPNs have SmartDNS functionality. This feature lets you stream content through the VPN on devices that generally do not support VPN apps. However, to get SmartDNS on Windscribe, you must pay for a different service (called ControlD). NordVPN’s SmartDNS solution is built into the app and doesn’t require additional fees. I easily set it up on my Smart TV and gaming consoles.
Thankfully, neither VPN enforces any data caps, so I could stream Twitch and watch YouTube videos without limits.
Winner
NordVPN offers consistently buffer-free streaming and more dependable access to popular platforms like Netflix and Hulu. Also, its SmartDNS is included without an extra fee, unlike Windscribe.
Server Network — NordVPN Has a Larger Server Network
NordVPN
Windscribe
Total Countries With Servers
111
69
Number of Servers
6,800+
134
NordVPN’s network is massive. The service has servers on most continents, including Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and Africa. The number of servers is also impressive. I had no problems accessing my local content when traveling to various parts of the world.
In addition, NordVPN provides a variety of specialized servers with unique features such as double encryption, Onion Over VPN, obfuscation, and torrenting. Dedicated IP addresses are also available.
In comparison, Windscribe’s server network covers a slightly larger amount of countries. The number of servers is lower, meaning you are more likely to encounter overcrowding (although this didn’t happen during my tests). What’s interesting, both VPNs have entirely physical server networks — the only exception is Windscribe’s Fake Antarctica location.
Winner
Even though Windscribe covers more countries, NordVPN makes it up with its higher server count and useful specialized connections.
Speed — NordVPN Is Significantly Faster Than Windscribe
All VPNs slow your connection due to encryption, but Windscribe and NordVPN offer speeds suitable for most online activities. My base connection speed was 100 Mbps download and 90 Mbps upload. For reference, to stream 4K content, 25 Mbps is required.
NordVPN’s speeds on short and long-distance servers were excellent. Thanks to its proprietary NordLynx protocol, which is designed for secure high-bandwidth activities, my speeds were fast enough to watch UHD videos.
NordVPN is several times faster than what’s recommended for UHD streaming
Using Windscribe’s nearby servers, my speeds dropped by a small margin (London and Amsterdam locations). I had to wait roughly 3-5 seconds for the stream to load, but there were no delays.
Windscribe’s WireGuard protocol is significantly faster than IKEv2
However, connected to Windscribe’s Hong Kong server, my speeds dropped by a whopping 98%. This makes it suitable only for light web browsing, as such a severe drop in performance isn’t fast enough even for SD streaming.
Speed Tests
NordVPN Average Download Speed
Windscribe Average Download Speed
NordVPN Average Upload Speed
Windscribe Average Upload Speed
Connected to a US server
72.84 Mbps
55.48 Mbps
58.06 Mbps
48.36 Mbps
Connected to a UK server
74.12 Mbps
61.01 Mbps
90.42 Mbps
85.44 Mbps
Connected to a Hong Kong server
58.89 Mbps
3.74 Mbps
86.28 Mbps
12.12 Mbps
Connected to a Netherlands server
88.62 Mbps
89.74 Mbps
84.46 Mbps
88.14 Mbps
Winner
Both VPNs support high-quality streaming without issues. However, NordVPN is significantly faster on long-distance servers due to its custom tunneling protocol, allowing 4K interruption-free streaming no matter what server you choose.
Torrenting — Both VPNs Have Good P2P Capabilities
You can use Windscribe and NordVPN with most P2P clients, including uTorrent, Deluge, and qBittorrent. Both services offer strong encryption to prevent ISPs from detecting P2P activity and throttling your torrenting speeds.
However, Windscribe supports port forwarding, which can improve your download speeds. It does this by bypassing NAT firewalls, which results in fewer delays. Just keep in mind that you need to pay extra for this feature.
NordVPN doesn’t allow torrenting on all its network but offers dedicated P2P connections. These servers are specifically designed to provide fast and secure connections for file sharing.
Winner - draw
/
Both VPNs have suitable torrenting speeds and robust security features. NordVPN showed slightly better performance, but not significant enough. It’s a tie.
I had no problems playing League of Legends, CS:GO, and Fortnite on nearby servers using NordVPN and Windscribe. However, the two services didn't deliver low ping rates on long-distance connections, resulting in significant lag and frequent disconnects.
NordVPN (NordLynx)
Windscribe (WireGuard)
Quick Connect
17ms
44ms
Connected to a US server
160ms
215ms
Connected to a UK server
127ms
157ms
Connected to a Hong Kong server
327ms
401ms
When testing the services with GeForce Now, NordVPN delivered a better cloud gaming experience thanks to its faster speeds. The response time was consistent, and image quality didn’t drop below HD resolution, even in fast-paced games.
NordVPN let me play Fortnite competitively without lag
Comparatively, Windscribe isn’t fast enough for cloud gaming. My entire gaming session was full of delays and pixelated image quality.
Winner
NordVPN has lower ping and faster speeds on nearby servers, making it more suitable for online gaming. Unlike Windscribe, it also supports stutter-free cloud gaming in HD.
Security — NordVPN Offers More Security Features
Your online data is well-guarded by both providers. However, NordVPN has a few additional security features, making it the better choice.
Security Feature
NordVPN
Windscribe
Encryption level
AES-256-GCM with 4096-bit DH key, SHA2-384 HMAC authentication
AES-256-GCM with 4096-bit DH key, SHA2-384 HMAC authentication
Kill Switch
All operating systems
All operating systems
DNS/IP Leak Protection
Yes
Yes
Protocols
OpenVPN UDP/TCP, IPSec/IKEv2, IPSec/L2TP, and NordLynx
WireGuard, OpenVPN (UDP/TCP), IKEv2, Stealth, and WSTunnel
Split Tunneling
Yes
Yes
Private DNS servers
Yes
Yes
Tor Over VPN servers
Yes
Yes
RAM-only servers wipes data
Yes
No
Ad & malware blocker
Yes (Threat Protection)
Yes (R.O.B.E.R.T)
Double hop servers
Yes
Yes
Dedicated IP addresses
Yes
Yes
Obfuscation technology
Yes
Yes
Both services support security-focused OpenVPN and mobile-friendly IKEv2 protocols. Windscribe gives access to a speedy WireGuard, while NordVPN has its own NordLynx protocol (which is based on WireGuard technology). They’re similar in terms of speed, but NordLynx employs a double NAT system that ensures your real IP address is never stored on the server. WireGuard unfortunately lacks this.
Each VPN has a reliable kill switch — it disconnects your device from the internet if your VPN connection fails. Plus, IP/DNS leak protection prevents your actual IP from exposure. However, in both cases, the connection was rock solid.
Streaming platforms didn’t detect my real IP address
There were no WebRTC leaks, either
These providers use AES 256-bit encryption (the strongest available) to protect your information. Additionally, both have Perfect Forward Secrecy that changes your encryption keys every 15 minutes, making it even more difficult for hackers to decrypt your data.
Windscribe and NordVPN come with Double Hop/Double VPN features that route your traffic through 2 VPN servers for enhanced security. But to use it on Windscribe, you need to install a browser proxy, whereas NordVPN has it built in. Besides, NordVPN goes even further by offering Onion Over VPN, which lets you securely access .onion domains on any browser.
NordVPN’s Threat Protection and Windscribe’s R.O.B.E.R.T blocks ads and malware. Interestingly, Windscribe’s R.O.B.E.R.T service is customizable — you can switch on and off curated block lists for content such as ads, gambling, misinformation, or even create your own custom block list. On the other hand, NordVPN’s Threat Protection cannot be customized, so you cannot control exactly what it blocks.
Winner
While Windscribe’s R.O.B.E.R.T is a nice extra, NordVPN offers far more features that allow you to more easily secure your connection and data.
Privacy — NordVPN Reliably Protects Your Information
The two VPNs let you buy a subscription anonymously with cryptocurrency. However, both require an email to sign up. I had no problems registering for either VPN using a throwaway email.
Thankfully, both services employ a zero-logs policy that’s further enforced by RAM-only servers. These ensure that your personal data is inaccessible and wiped with every server reboot.
However, Windscribe is based in Canada, part of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances. This is an agreement between several countries to collect and share data on their citizens. In the past, the company also had its unencrypted servers seized by Ukrainian officials. However, Windscribe has since audited its desktop application and made it open-source.
In contrast, NordVPN is based in Panama, which doesn’t have strict data sharing or retention laws. Its compliance with its no-logs policy has also been independently audited by the firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). You also get a nifty Dark Web Monitor feature that automatically scans the dark web for any malicious leaks of the credentials tied to your NordVPN account.
Winner
NordVPN is based outside the reach of international surveillance networks and offers additional free privacy protection services, making it the winner of this section.
Works in China — Both Do, But with Some Downsides
At the time of writing, both VPNs work in China. Windscribe offers Stealth and WSTunnel protocols to make it possible, but they both slow down your speeds. NordVPN requires turning off location services and Threat Protection to work.
Ensure you install the VPN before visiting China, as most VPN websites are blocked in the country. I strongly recommend that you also check the local laws and regulations to avoid getting penalized by mistake.
Winner - draw
/
The two VPNs should let you access Google, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and other websites in China. However, both require you to give up something in exchange.
Installation & Ease of Use — NordVPN Provides a Better User Experience
Both VPNs offer intuitive and straightforward user interfaces that are easy to navigate. I had no issues connecting to servers or setting up security features in either of the services.
NordVPN comes with an interactive map for server connections. You can also use the Quick Connect button to find nearby fast servers automatically. And the VPN has shortcuts for P2P-enabled servers, dedicated IPs, and more.
You can zoom in to connect to a specific city
Windscibe’s user interface is minimalistic. The VPN lets you enable Firewall (a kill switch) without the need to access the settings menu. There’s also a quick connect feature, but it’s hidden in the server options.
It’s possible to tweak more advanced settings in the debug menu
You can install the VPNs on popular operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. After downloading the installers from their websites, it took me less than 5 minutes to get both services running on multiple devices.
Winner
Both VPNs are easy-to-use, but NordVPN provides a slightly more streamlined experience. I found I could more quickly access my desired servers, while Windscribe required me to go into my settings more often.
Reliability & Support — NordVPN Has Better Customer Support
Customer Support Features
NordVPN
Windscribe
24/7 Live chat
Yes, responds very quickly
No, only a limited chatbot
Email support
Yes
Yes
Phone support
Yes
Yes
Step-by-step setup guides
Yes, with video tutorials
Yes
Searchable knowledge base
Yes
Yes
Exhaustive FAQ section
Yes
Yes
NordVPN and Windscribe offer a wide range of support options. Each service provides access to an extensive knowledge base full of FAQs and step-by-step guides. Additionally, you can contact customer support using the web form or email.
However, NordVPN has a significant advantage over Windscribe by delivering a 24/7 live chat. Using it, I never had any trouble connecting to an agent, even in the middle of the night. The staff was very friendly and answered all my queries.
Windscribe does have a chatbot called Garry, who can answer some basic queries. But it didn’t offer the tailored help a human support agent could provide. In addition, it would quickly become confused when I asked more technical questions.
Winner
Even though Windscribe provided good customer support, NordVPN won the round by letting me solve my issues during irregular hours with its 24/7 live chat.
Tips on Choosing Between NordVPN and Windscribe
NordVPN and Windscribe are both complex products, and without taking time to really break their features down, it can be hard to pick between them. The best option for you depends on what you want to achieve with a VPN.
Below are the essential features I looked for during my tests, if you’d like to test these two VPNs yourself:
Ability to access streaming services — A VPN with reliable bypassing capabilities lets you access your favorite streaming platforms (like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+) while on vacation.
Fast speeds — Quality VPNs make it almost impossible to notice that your speeds are slower due to encryption.
Server networks — The more extensive your server network is, the less likely you’ll run into slowdowns or sudden disconnects.
Robust security features — AES 256-bit encryption, multiple security protocols, and a kill switch feature should be the minimum when looking for a VPN.
Respectable privacy practices — Choose a VPN with a zero-logs policy and RAM-based servers, so your data isn’t collected and shared with third parties.
Easy to use — Pick a VPN with intuitive apps for most operating systems to use the service on your preferred device.
Trustworthy money-back guarantee — It’s important that a VPN provides a refund policy that actually pays out if it doesn’t meet your standards.
Our Score
Features
Pricing
Ease of Use
Reliability & Support
Features
9.4/10
Pricing
7.5/10
Ease of Use
10.0/10
Reliability & Support
9.5/10
Features
8.0/10
Pricing
8.0/10
Ease of Use
8.8/10
Reliability & Support
8.5/10
Reviews
Review by our expert
Latest positive user review(User reviews are not verified)
Latest negative user review(User reviews are not verified)
On the surface, NordVPN looks like a really impressive service. It claims to have a huge global server network, a speedy and reliable connection, and iron-clad security and privacy features. Plus, you can get it all for just $2.99/month. That all sounds great, but is there a catch?
To find out, we did an in-depth analysis of NordVPN. The team and I tested its speeds and how well it performs whe...
I simply tested all VPNs looking for cutting-edge online security, I tested the most expensive and the... most talked about virtual anonymity, none made me as happy as NordVPN, it stands out for several reasons that the much more expensive ones it doesn't have, its double encryption, dedicated IPs, onion VPN, makes NordVPN unique, with almost 6,000 servers around the world and 12 million customers like me, you can see that NordVPN is not playing games with its customers and their online security , it always innovates to keep you more secure day after day, for a fair price in the long term and without sacrificing the speed of your connection, recently Nord is developing a new VPN protocol, Nordlynx a version still under construction derived from the Wireguard protocol, if you want to have a VPN of last security that think how it will make you more secure in the next month NordVPN is the right choice, I am completely thankful for being a customer and for finding what to me is the perfect VPN.More
Latest negative user review
S
SAM
2.0/10
BUYER BEWARE!
BUYER BEWARE! If you purchase NordVPN, it will throttle your interned speed/connectivity by 50%, like ... it did to mine. I pay $100/month to get speeds of nearly 600mbs. With NordVPN turned on, my speeds decrease to 250mbs.
Nord’s “customer support” is useless and unprofessional, and, after nearly 3 weeks of endless “try this, try that”, they were unable to resolve the issue and blamed it on everything under the sun except their product, when it is OBVIOUS that, since I have zero speed issues with Nord turned off, and ONLY experience the issues with Nord turned on, it is NordVPN that is causing the issue.
When I asked them for a refund of my one year subscription paid in advance and in good faith, they refused, and have now decided to ignore me.
So, YOU’VE BEEN WARNED. Their VPN will devastate your internet speeds, their “support” is ridiculous, they are in denial, and they will not refund your money, even if their product is a failure…More
My team and I tested everything Windscribe offers, including speeds, streaming performance, security, and more. We also thoroughly investigated its privacy policy to see how it's improved since the breach.
After our 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...
I see a fair amount of misinformation about Windscribe's features, pricing, etc.. I have zero complain... ts. You can build a custom plan for as low as $3 monthly, and if you want pro you can usually buy a year's worth for about the same if you wait for one of their promotions. Promotions are usually around the holidays, and are about $29-30/year.More
Latest negative user review
E
Eclipse
2.0/10
Windscribe = Unprofessional
If you are looking for a new synonym of the word unprofessional there you go you found it! Windscribe ... is not a company is just a joke that makes money from scamming people thinking they getting VPN services... Even after all these years they still do silly pranks on their supposedly customers by tricking them with a fake 1 year of free PRO service and days later telling it was just a joke as everything they do are for them...
The only positive thing you can take from all of this is that if they can run a joke company and make money so can you... But will you still sleep at nights... That's up to you...More
Even though NordVPN is a bit expensive, the service frequently runs generous discounts. For instance, if you opt for a long-term plan as a first-time user, NordVPN’s monthly price is just $2.99/month. It lets you buy monthly, yearly, or 2-year subscriptions using crypto, credit cards, PayPal, AmazonPay, and cash (via retail stores).
Each plan has multiple levels: Standard, Plus, and Complete. All levels come with an ad, malware, and tracker blocker. The latter two are more expensive and offer a cross-platform password manager, data breach scanner, and cloud storage.
NordVPN is backed by a 30 money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free. To get a refund, just contact the support team.
Windscribe has a free plan, but most features require payment anyway. It includes 2GB of data and 11 server locations. However, you can get 15GB by providing your email and tweeting about the service. Besides this, Windscribe offers monthly and yearly subscriptions that don't offer as much value for money as NordVPN.
You can pay via crypto, credit cards, and PayPal. The VPN allows you to build your own plan where a single server costs a $1 flat monthly fee. For an extra dollar, it’s possible to add unlimited bandwidth and the R.O.B.E.R.T. feature. There’s also the option to add static IPs and team-based accounts, which cost $3 per person.
When buying Windscribe, you only have 3 days to request a refund if it doesn’t meet your expectations. To make things worse, it’s only possible to apply for it if you use less than 10GB of data.
Winner - draw
/
If you’re a first-time VPN user, NordVPN is an excellent choice, but the renewal price is a bit expensive. Windscribe is cheaper and offers customizable plans, but the refund policy is stringent, so the winner depends on your personal preferences.
Best VPN by Category
Best VPN Overall
NordVPN wins thanks to its consistently fast speed and reliable privacy features. Plus, the service could access more streaming platforms and also offers 24/7 live chat.
Best VPN for Torrents
Both services support torrenting and have split tunneling functions. However, NordVPN provides P2P-optimized servers for fast and reliable torrenting.
Best VPN for Windows
NordVPN is a bit better since its app offers more customization options than Windscribe.
Best VPN for Android
NordVPN’s Android app has more features. It’s optimized for mobile devices and has a kill switch, Dark Web Monitor, and Threat Protection to boost your online security.
Best VPN for Mac
NordVPN has better optimization on macOS, offering customizable profiles for browsing, downloads, and speed.
Best VPN for iOS
NordVPN takes the lead in this category as its iOS app is built to ensure maximum convenience.
Best VPN for USA
Thanks to NordVPN’s 17 US locations, accessing the content in and out of the country is easy.
Both VPNs provide good speeds, global server networks, and reliable security features. Windscribe is a slightly more wallet-friendly option if you're on a budget. But it has slow long-distance connections, making it unsuitable for streaming and torrenting.
You are better off using NordVPN. Despite costing a bit more, the VPN has consistently fast speeds and specialty servers. It’s also a far more reliable option for streaming. Plus, NordVPN’s privacy policy is rock solid, so you know your data isn’t collected.
FAQ
Is NordVPN better than Windscribe?
Yes, NordVPN is the better option. It provides more security features and a more reliable privacy policy that you can trust. NordVPN is suitable for lag-free online gaming and can consistently access more streaming platforms. Plus, it has a more extended money-back guarantee period (30 days vs Windscribe 3).
If you’re looking for a VPN with impressive speeds, I suggest you also take a look at ExpressVPN. It’s the fastest service I’ve tested, with a proprietary Lightway protocol and unlimited bandwidth. You can try ExpressVPN without risk as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Do NordVPN or Windscribe offer any deals?
Both services occasionally run deals. To get the most out of your money, check out the latest VPN discounts. You can get 74% off your NordVPN subscription and 3 extra months for free when signing up for long-term plans.
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 to review VPN services and cover 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 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.
Ernest Sheptalo is a Senior Writer at vpnMentor, and an expert in the field of VPNs. Ernest creates detailed reviews, comparisons, and guides that assist people in navigating the web safely, protecting their online data from theft.