Windscribe VPN Review

Is There a Windscribe Free Trial?

Windscribe offers a comprehensive free version that includes access to a large range of servers across 11 countries, a generous offer of 10GB of bandwidth (however this drops to just 2GB of data per month if you fail to sign up to the service with a valid email address), and unlimited device connections, meaning that you can protect all of your devices for free.

How Much Does Windscribe Cost?

To get the most out of Windscribe’s service, it will be necessary to sign up for a paid subscription plan. With a paid version you will gain access to the complete server network across 110 locations, create personalized OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2 configurations, unlimited data, and full access to the provider’s malware blocking tool R.O.B.E.R.T, to protect your private web activity from tracking services.

There is also the option to avail of Windscribe’s flexible Build a Plan option. This plan allows you to choose and pay for only the locations you need, for $1 each. Users are required to select a minimum of 2 server locations, and each server added increases your allocated bandwidth limit by 10GB. However, you are likely better off opting for a regular subscription plan, but if you cannot afford more than $2 per month and you only need access to 2 server locations and 20GB of bandwidth, it is relatively cost-effective.

Windscribe offers a range of payment options including credit or debit cards, PayPal, cryptocurrencies including, gift cards, Paymentwall, and more.

How Private is Windscribe?

Windscribe offers a range of powerful security tools to ensure your private information and online activity remain anonymous and secure. The VPN operates on military-standard AES-256 bit encryption and SHA512 authentication as standard. It also used a 4096-bit RSA key and commits to a single-time use of every key.

Your information is also securely protected from data leaks with a range of security techniques in place. There is a kill-switch to ensure your internet connection is cut if your VPN fails so that no unencrypted data or your real IP address ever become exposed. There is a limit on IPv6 data traffic and the VPN ensures that DNS traffic is rerouted through the VPN server too. Reassuringly, the VPN prevented all information leaks when tested.

The app also offers R.O.B.E.R.T technology which is an advanced IP, domain, and ad-blocking tool. This ensures your device is protected from browser ads and trackers whenever you are connected to the internet. It also enables faster browsing.

Does Windscribe Keep Logs?

When it comes to information logging, Windscribe is highly transparent about the data that it does collect and what it doesn’t. There is a clear explanation of its logging processes in Windscribe’s privacy statement.

The app does store a minimal amount of information so as to measure data usage over a period of time. Timestamps of users’ most recent sessions are also stored in order to identify inactivate VPN accounts. Also, data regarding VPN connection times and devices used are temporarily stored although deleted at the end of every VPN session.

Despite that the provider’s openness when it comes to data logging is reassuring, we would like to see its privacy claims evidenced by an external security audit of its system and servers. Many premium VPNs have undergone such audits and we would like to see Windscribe do so too.

Is Windscribe Good for Streaming?

Many users choose to download a VPN for the sole purpose of accessing geo-restricted streaming content on services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer. Despite that Windscribe’s free plan may not provide the optimal streaming experience as it only offers access to servers in 11 countries, its paid subscription plans are excellent if you want to unblock geo-restricted television shows and movies across the globe.

The free Windscribe plan may enable access to YouTube and Netflix from certain server locations, however, this is not guaranteed.

Upon testing, Windscribe’s web servers were successful at accessing the United States, British, Canadian, and Japanese Netflix from a range of locations. It also had no issues in unblocking BBC iPlayer, United States YouTube, Disney+, or Amazon Prime Video.

Is Windscribe Good for Torrenting?

Windscribe is a great option for torrenting fans thanks to its excellent privacy tools. The provider is transparent about its torrenting capabilities and the Status page of its website offers a list of web servers that are compatible with P2P sharing and torrenting. This honesty is also seen in Windscribe’s apps which clearly identify server locations that are not compatible with P2P.

Also, if you want to use a Virtual Private Network to torrent privately and anonymously for security reasons, you can access the free Windscribe plan without entering identifying information such as an email address. Also, you could opt for the paid-plans with anonymous payment options such as Bitcoin or gift cards.

Is Windscribe Compatible with Desktop?

When it comes to the design of Windscribe’s apps, the interface is clean and minimal. However, there is a wide range of configurable settings and tools on offer.

Accessing the default location list will reveal a list of countries. If you click on a country, you can expand the option to show all available servers in that location. You can also choose to add countries to your Favorites list and a helpful latency marker reveals the quickest server locations in real-time. If your geolocation is activated, the app will send instant notifications regarding, connections, VPN status, and changes.

Windscribes Windows application is successful at importing custom OpenVPN files from third-party websites. These files are then displayed alongside Windscribe’s default options. Thus, Windscribe could act as a management panel for all of your free VPN plans, allowing you to alternate between them if you run out of data.

Users can also select their favorite VPN protocol in the Preferences section of the Windscribe desktop application. There is the option to choose between IKEv2, OpenVPN TCP/UDP, Stealth, and WSTunnel. There is also the option to use an API Resolution system and activate a SOCKS or HTTP proxy too.

If your operating system supports it, you can even utilize the technology to set up a wireless hotspot or a proxy gateway. There is a range of useful Windscribe browser extensions too.

Is Windscribe Compatible with Mobile?

When compared to Windscribe’s Windows and desktop apps, its mobile versions are relatively simple. However, they do operate on the latest features and offer support for WireGuard.

The Android VPN app reveals a status panel that includes a large Connect button, server connection, IP and protocol information, and location lists. You can configure the Favorites and Custom configuration lists to view specialized Streaming servers. The Preferences panel offers a range of configurable features including the option to connect to IKEv2, OpenVPN UDP and TCP, Stealth, or a bespoke port. Users can also activate split tunneling, to choose which apps run through the VPN connection and those that bypass it.

You can also activate the VPN’s Android Always-On feature to ensure the Windscribe is always connected. This means that you do not need to worry about remembering to manually activate the VPN server connection every time you use the internet. There is an integrated kill-switch too, to cut the transfer of information if your VPN connection fails. This ensures that your private, unencrypted data or your real IP address and geo-location never become compromised.

There is also a GPS spoofing feature, to enable you to mask the fact that you are using a VPN. This feature can be useful in accessing geo-restricted websites or those that utilize strong VPN blocking technology. The Network Whitelisting open allows you to set the VPN to automatically activate when you connect to an unknown or unsecured WiFi network.

Unlike many VPN services, Windscribe’s iOS version is just as powerful as the Android offering. The only limitation is the lack of a split tunneling feature, however, this is due to an issue with Apple rather than Windscribe itself.

Does Windscribe Offer Good Customer Support?

Unfortunately, when it comes to Windscribe’s customer support, there is room for improvement. There is no 24/7 live-chat support option available which is disappointing. Windscribe does offer a dedicated support website that offers a range of setup guides for a wide range of operating systems and devices. However, its guides are not as comprehensive or helpful as those offered by some of its competitors.

There is a ticket system that can be accessed through the website, however, this does mean that you are not guaranteed immediate response to your queries, which can be frustrating.

How Does Windscribe VPN Work?

Windscribe VPN works to secure your browsing traffic by passing it through an encrypted tunnel to a remote VPN location. This ensures that no one, including your Internet Service Provider (ISP), or tracking services, can access or decipher your private browsing activity.

When you use a VPN and connect to a remote server, you effectively mask your real IP address, making it appear as if your internet connection is originating in an entirely different GPS location. This means that you can trick streaming services into believing you are located in the same country as the content you are trying to access, enabling you to stream geo-restricted content, no matter your actual location.

If you utilize public WiFi networks, which are often unsafe and unsecured, a VPN will ensure that your data is not at risk of becoming exposed to hackers or cyber criminals that often prey on such networks. Windscribe is compatible with all major operating systems including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, and offers a range of browser extensions too.

Author Cliff Durward

Hi, I'm Cliff. I'm based in Cleveland, Ohio, with my wife and two kids. I have a keen interest in cybersecurity and have been writing about it for around a decade now. Due to my background in computer science, I am familiar ...
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