Windscribe VPN Overview (2025): Options, Pricing, and Safety

Windscribe VPN is a good choice for these in search of a digital personal community with a completely purposeful free model. Its free plan permits as much as 10GBs of knowledge, limitless system connections, and the identical safety features because the paid tier. It additionally has a customizable Construct A Plan subscription choice, giving prospects extra account flexibility.

Nevertheless, it is probably not the only option for customers who worth having a big server community, significantly for streaming or unblocking functions. Proper now, Windscribe helps macOS, Home windows, Android, iOS, Linux, Mozilla, and Opera.

Windscribe VPN pricing

For its annual subscription, the $5.75 per thirty days falls within the center vary by way of pricing in comparison with different VPNs. In the meantime, Windscribe’s month-to-month $9.00 per thirty days plan is among the extra reasonably priced choices in the marketplace. Whereas most VPNs make their long-term subscriptions extra reasonably priced, I respect how Windscribe’s month-to-month plan is on the decrease finish of the spectrum.

Windscribe additionally affords a Construct A Plan tier that enables prospects to pick servers from totally different places. There’s a $3 minimal buy, with every server location costing $1 per thirty days, however the general choice could be very customer-friendly.

For groups of 5 or extra, ScribeForce is a plan that enables for centralized billing and crew administration with one subscription.

Lastly, Windscribe has a free model that gives a number of options discovered within the paid plan.

I’d suggest customers involved in Windscribe attempt the free model earlier than committing to a paid plan. When you’re set on accessing all the Professional options, their month-to-month plan is the way in which to go, given its lower-than-usual value.

Windscribe VPN free model

Windscribe VPN has a free model that comes with loads of the identical in-app performance as their paid plans. The primary distinction is that the free model solely offers entry to servers in 10 places.

Particularly, Windscribe VPN’s free model affords entry to servers from the US, Canada, the UK, Hong Kong, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway, and Romania.

On the flip facet, a Windscribe Professional account consists of entry to all server places in 69 international locations and 134 cities. These customers have entry to Professional servers which can be much less crowded and carry out higher. As well as, a paid subscription consists of limitless knowledge, whereas the free model solely permits as much as 10GB month-to-month knowledge. Nevertheless, new customers can solely entry 2GB of knowledge with out offering an electronic mail handle.

The choice to check out the service with out offering private data, akin to an electronic mail handle, is a plus. Just like the paid tier, the free Windscribe model permits limitless system connections. That is spectacular, contemplating that different VPNs don’t provide limitless system connections — even on their paid plans.

The free model additionally consists of an abbreviated model of Windscribe’s R.O.B.E.R.T. area and IP blocking device for malware, adverts, and monitoring safety. The total R.O.B.E.R.T. function set is included with the Professional plan.

Total, Windscribe’s free model is a stable free VPN with extra performance than anticipated. When you’re involved in different free VPNs, take a look at our rundown of the Greatest Free VPNs for 2024.

Is Windscribe VPN secure and dependable?

Sure, Windscribe VPN is a secure VPN to make use of in 2024. It affords all of the industry-standard safety protocols anticipated of a VPN: OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard. It additionally has AES-256 encryption, cut up tunneling, and a dependable Windscribe Firewall that acts as a VPN kill swap.

It additionally has a no-logs coverage stating that Windscribe doesn’t file connection logs, IP timestamps, session logs, or consumer exercise. To verify that is really the case, it’s necessary to verify if a VPN’s no logs coverage, or any side of its software for that matter, has been independently audited.

Once I first reviewed Windscribe final 12 months, the VPN supplier stated that it had been independently audited and was at the moment present process one other audit. Nevertheless, these audit outcomes have been neither revealed nor obtainable for public viewing. On this regard, I needed to dock factors off of Windscribe since they didn’t have any publicly obtainable audits then.

Now that we’re in 2024, I’m pleased to report that Windscribe has revealed full particulars of its impartial audits for each its no-logs coverage and software. In September 2021, Windscribe’s desktop app was audited by Leviathan Safety Group, which aided the VPN supplier in addressing all points that have been raised.

In 2022, each Windscribe Android and iOS purposes have been additionally audited by Leviathan. Lastly, Windscribe’s VPN stack known as FreshScribe was additionally lately audited by Packetlabs in June 2024.

WindScribe VPN additionally publishes real-time Transparency Stories that define the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and regulation enforcement requests despatched to their service.

On prime of all this, Windscribe VPN has absolutely open-sourced its purposes on GitHub, which means anybody can view their supply code and spot vulnerabilities or weaknesses. To me, this can be a significant promoting level that provides factors in direction of Windscribe within the transparency and credibility division.

Some customers could also be cautious of Windscribe’s Canada-based operations because of the nation’s inclusion within the 5-Eyes knowledge and intelligence-sharing alliance. To be honest, they aren’t the one service primarily based in these areas, however customers searching for a VPN working in a pro-privacy nation may need to look elsewhere.

Having each the mandatory safety features and impartial audits below its belt, I can say that Windscribe VPN is a secure and safe service to make use of in 2024.

SEE: Can a VPN Be Hacked? (TechRepublic)

Key options of Windscribe VPN

Along with providing a free model, Windscribe VPN has notable options that set it other than different VPNs; I’ve highlighted a number of of them under.

R.O.B.E.R.T. device

Windscribe VPN has a built-in area and IP blocking device known as R.O.B.E.R.T. It’s a customizable server-side device that may block adverts and trackers and forestall software program infections.

The device permits customers to customise blocking settings. They will choose to dam objects akin to malware, adverts and trackers, playing content material, porn, social networks, clickbait, and even faux information.

Customers may customise which IP addresses or domains they need to be blocked or allowed by way of R.O.B.E.R.T.’s Customized Entry Guidelines.

Per my testing, the IP blocking labored as marketed.

ScribeForce Staff Accounts

ScribeForce is one other identify for Windscribe Staff Accounts, which permits for centralized billing and crew administration with one subscription. This plan offers all Windscribe’s Professional options and generally is a highly effective administration device for a small enterprise.

With ScribeForce, an proprietor can generate and handle consumer accounts from a single web page. Plus, ScribeForce accounts are cheaper to spend money on in comparison with common end-user accounts.

It is a significant worth proposition for small enterprise homeowners searching for a VPN that may be simply built-in into their enterprise workflow.

Windscribe Firewall

Whereas Windscribe doesn’t have a standard kill swap like different VPNs, it does have Windscribe Firewall — firewall implementation that stops the opportunity of any packets leaking to your web service supplier in case your VPN session is disrupted.

The “All the time On” setting is noteworthy right here as it is going to solely enable an web connection to your machine if it’s by way of Windscribe VPN’s safe connection. Even when the VPN crashes otherwise you manually exit the app, your machine received’t have the ability to connect with an ISP.

Once I examined the firewall, it was capable of reliably lower off the connection even when I had closed the app or disconnected from the VPN server. It is a handy set-and-forget safety function that I can see many customers benefiting from.

SEE: Is a VPN Actually Value It in 2024? (TechRepublic)

Pace and efficiency: How briskly is Windscribe VPN?

Windscribe VPN’s speeds are on the good-to-average facet. Total, I used to be capable of keep a secure connection throughout my use. Throughout my session, I used to be ready to make use of Google Drive and Google Docs, and I had a number of Chrome tabs open to browse the web for analysis and stream movies on YouTube.

I did expertise a problem loading and enjoying a 4K video on YouTube. This will likely have been an remoted subject with my connection, nevertheless it’s nonetheless value noting for the needs of this overview. Switching servers and establishing connections additionally took a number of extra seconds than I anticipated.

For readability, I used to be utilizing Windscribe’s free model throughout my testing, however Windscribe has stated that there’s no distinction by way of pace between their free and paid variations.

To check Windscribe’s area identify system leak safety, I ran it by way of a public DNS leak device a number of instances and recorded zero leaks.

For obtain speeds, I recorded a considerably bigger proportion drop with Windscribe in comparison with different VPNs I’ve examined. Whereas the quantity itself was respectable, the distinction was nonetheless bigger than most of the VPNs I’ve used thus far. Then again, add speeds have been respectable and according to different VPN providers.

Lastly, the Windscribe app carried out properly. I skilled zero points utilizing options and located it to be intuitive. I additionally preferred the extra fashionable method it takes for its consumer interface.

Windscribe VPN servers and places

In 2024, Windscribe’s server community provides you entry to servers in 69 international locations and 134 cities. That’s a good improve in comparison with final 12 months, the place it had servers unfold out over 63 international locations and 110 cities. Whereas they don’t disclose the precise variety of servers they’ve, they’ve stated that it ranges within the a whole lot. Per my analysis, Windscribe has round 400–500 servers.

When you’re searching for a VPN with many servers to select from, Windscribe in all probability received’t be the very best match. Their server fleet is among the many lowest I’ve seen thus far. different server networks, Personal Web Entry VPN has servers from 91 international locations; CyberGhost VPN affords servers from 100 international locations; and NordVPN has servers throughout 111 international locations.

That is, maybe, WindScribe’s largest weak point, as different VPNs can present a greater number of server places for streaming, gaming, or torrenting use instances.

SEE: 5 Greatest VPNs for Streaming in 2024 (TechRepublic)

For safety, Windscribe has Double Hop, a server function that routes consumer requests by way of any two servers or places on their community. Whereas you’ll want to use each the desktop app and Windscribe’s browser extension to make use of it, Double Hop nonetheless offers elevated anonymity and privateness for the top consumer.

Windscribe buyer help

For buyer help, Windscribe VPN has a web based data base with guides and tutorials for all its VPN purposes. It additionally has an official Discord and Reddit group for extra discussion-oriented help.

Windscribe additionally has its personal AI chatbot known as Garry, which is accessible to each paid customers and most people. Once I tried it, I discovered that it may present completely correct and useful details about Windscribe. The chat additionally loaded up rapidly and gave me responses with zero lag time.

That is in distinction to different AI chatbots I’ve tried, the place a number of merely gave me tutorial hyperlinks as an alternative of straight answering my questions or had solutions that weren’t as coherent as Garry’s. I additionally respect how Garry is accessible for customers, not simply premium Windscribe subscribers. To me, this can be a consumer-friendly method for individuals to find out about Windscribe with out buying a full-fledged subscription.

Windscribe VPN execs

• Has a beneficiant free model.
• Helpful R.O.B.E.R.T. IP-blocking device.
• Unbiased audits now obtainable in 2024.
• Open-source.
• ScribeForce crew accounts for organizations.
• Limitless system connections.

Windscribe VPN cons

• Very small server community and nation unfold.
• Pace efficiency is inconsistent.
• Primarily based in Canada (5-Eyes member nation).

Who’s Windscribe VPN finest for?

Windscribe VPN is finest for potential VPN customers who need to attempt a completely purposeful, free VPN. Windscribe’s free model is among the extra beneficiant free VPNs I’ve tried thus far. With the free model, you may entry their R.O.B.E.R.T. IP-blocking device and as much as 10 GB of knowledge with out price.

In 2024, it’s additionally a sensible choice for privateness lovers who worth transparency. With its publicly obtainable impartial audits and open-source structure, Windscribe VPN is effective for customers who need credible proof that their on-line exercise is secure and guarded.

Windscribe’s ScribeForce plan additionally makes it a good choice for small enterprise homeowners searching for a VPN with administration options inbuilt. ScribeForce permits for centralized billing and handy consumer administration with only one VPN subscription.

Nevertheless, for those who’re searching for a VPN with a big and sturdy server suite, Windscribe is probably not the only option.

SEE: Every thing You Have to Know in regards to the Malvertising Cybersecurity Menace (TechRepublic Premium)

Windscribe VPN options

When you really feel that Windscribe VPN doesn’t have the options you want, I’ve listed comparable options that could be a greater match.

Surfshark

Surfshark is among the extra well-known VPN choices at present. It has zero bandwidth limitations, a seven-day free trial, and limitless system connections. It additionally comes with malware safety and advert blocker help.

To be taught extra, learn our full Surfshark overview.

TunnelBear

When you’re searching for a VPN with yearly impartial audits, TunnelBear is a best choice. They frequently bear third-party safety testing and have dedicated to yearly audits to confirm their claims.

To be taught extra, learn our full TunnelBear VPN overview.

CyberGhost VPN

For consumers who need a big server community, CyberGhost VPN is among the finest. It affords an in depth suite of servers unfold throughout 100 international locations and 125 places. It even segments these servers into streaming, torrenting, and gaming classes.

To be taught extra, learn our full CyberGhost VPN overview.

How I evaluated Windscribe VPN

My overview of Windscribe VPN concerned an in depth evaluation of its safety features, price, and real-world efficiency. I had hands-on expertise with Windscribe VPN’s free model and supplemented my findings with consumer testimonials and respected opinions for each the free and paid plans.

For pace, I examined Windscribe by way of Ookla’s public Speedtest. For DNS leaks, I ran Windscribe a number of instances by way of DNSleaktest.

Lastly, I scored Windscribe on the whole lot from its protocols to its pricing primarily based on an inner algorithm to get a rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars. This was primarily based on Windscribe VPN alone and with different VPNs obtainable at present.