Windscribe VPN Review – Is It Safe in 2024

Each VPN possesses a unique functional set for providing its service. From an outside view, all of them share the ideas of online privacy and web freedom. However, the realizations of these concepts vary in performance.

Our task is to provide competent basic knowledge about specific Windscribe VPN so you can understand what is better to cover your needs. If the goal is only to reach the content that is restricted in the region of your domicile, then you barely need a provider with superior privacy protection. But if the point is to achieve strong confidentiality, you will know exactly who can furnish it.

By reading this Windscribe VPN review, you will save time and effort. We transmit all the technical data in a clear form so that you can realise the ongoing context. We explored Windscribe VPN in distinctive aspects to give you a holistic picture of its possibilities. Enjoy it.

Pros

• Strict privacy policy
• Flexible security options for all distributives
• Original interface
• Multiple devices connected simultaneously 

Cons

• Incredibly low speed  for the US server on browser’s extension
• Tangible speed downgrade while connected to the US server both for desktop and mobile apps 

Windscribe VPN Features

Our attention is stuck on Windscribe VPN in this review. As we have read from their website, the current provider tends to perform at its best and proposes a wide scope of options. Except for general features, you may set up more precisely Windscribe VPN extension for browsers and desktop apps because they contain adjustments intrinsic to them.

Their servers’ network covers over 63 countries and 110 cities. If you use free VPN Windscribe on several devices, they have a technology called R.O.B.E.R.T. that enables you to set particular single preferences for all devices. They consider the opportunity to manage not only personal accounts but also team accounts, which is a convenient option for corporations.

The security system was fortified with strong encryption of the AES-256 cipher with SHA512 authentication and a 4096-bit RSA key. The ability to create individual configurations for OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard® can be useful for technically knowledgeable users. Also, the Split Tunneling function makes consumers able to select apps that will not be connected through the Windscribe VPN. The port forwarding feature comes in handy when you decide to route traffic to a specific destination.

This is not all; the Windscribe VPN company possesses a really solid bunch of options, which we are going to observe. And we will see what possibilities are opened for users with a lack of budget.

Privacy and Logging

Providers try to position themselves as high level security suppliers, but the real state of affairs is revealed after exploration of their privacy policies, where you can find statements that you will never see on the main pages. We have studied Windcsribe’s Privacy Policy and other explanations of their workflow to realize the actual situation.

Here is the first state that we have found.

Good start! The information presented above inspires confidence: no connection and session logs, an absence of IP timestamp storage, and your activity on the web stays private. Windscribe stores the last date you entered the application and the bandwidth volume, but this data is purely technical and does not entail a threat.

 But it is not enough to be sure about their strict no-log position. Let us see our next detections on this account. 

We have faced a lot of examples when VPNs cooperated with third parties that could record sensitive data such as a credit card number, a country of residence, a ZIP code, and more. We assess no-third-party practice as a valuable trait of the current provider.

You can use their software even without an account.

We have tested that their distribution works even without sharing your email for account creation purposes. Without an account, the bandwidth is only 2 GB per month, but, anyway, the condition is very loyal. We are used to sharing our email address plenty of times to engage with various services; it is an ordinary action to create an account and provide the email.

At least, we have discovered some information about the data they store; however, it is not critical at all.

All the description is going about technical information, which is not related to private valuable assets.

And one more statement about the stored data.

And again, the stored data has only technical characteristics that do not disclose privacy.

We have meticulously explored privacy policy, terms and conditions, and other pages where there can be security provisions; nonetheless, we did not expose facts that compromise Windscribe’s safeguarding strength. We appreciate the approach they have chosen and think that the liability they offer is true.

Speed Tests – How Fast is Windscribe VPN

Connection speed is an important factor of convenience and comfort while working with the web. Virtual private networks usually impact this property by downgrading the speed in the majority of cases, and rarely, the architecture of the Windscribe VPN may increase the indexes.

We have conducted a couple of tests to check the behavior of Windscribe VPN download. Desktop, mobile, and browsers’ applications participated in the investigation. Each segment was connected to two locations: the US and one randomly selected European country from the list of available servers.

PC Test

The measurements for the desktop apps were made for Windows and macOS, utilizing a single internet service provider. The Windows OS will be first on the go, then macOS.

Windows

The vertical image shows the results of the ISP. The indexes are:

• download speed is 90.32 mbps;
• upload speed is 89.85 mbps;
• ping time is 2 ms.

The top-right image shows the performance of the US server. The indexes are:

• download speed is 51.36 mbps;
• upload speed is 67.49 mbps;
• ping time is 148 ms.

The download speed fell 43% below the ISP speed, and the upload speed was downgraded by 25%. Ping time has increased from 2 ms to 148 ms.

The bottom-right image shows the performance of the French server. The indexes are:

• download speed is 78.6 mbps;
• upload speed is 35.63 mbps;
• ping time is 44 ms.

The download speed is 13% lower than the ISP speed, and the upload speed has lost 61% from the original speed. The ping time has increased from 2 ms to 44 ms.

The performance of this VPN obtains moderate results. Of course, the deterioration of indexes is not too significant but will cause unhandy conditions, especially in regions where the ISP supplies a slow connection or if the user is connected to a cellular network.

MacOS

The vertical image shows the results of the ISP. The indexes are:

• download speed is 83.3 mbps;
• upload speed is 84.4 mbps;
• ping time is 3 ms.

The top-right image shows the performance of the US server. The indexes are:

• download speed is 47.1mbps;
• upload speed is 46.9 mbps;
• ping time is 185 ms.

The download speed fell 43% below the ISP speed, and the upload speed was downgraded by 46%. Ping time has increased from 2 ms to 185 ms.

The bottom-right image shows the performance of the Swiss server. The indexes are:

• download speed is 70.4 mbps;
• upload speed is 67.9 mbps;
• ping time is 48 ms.

The download speed is 15% lower than the ISP speed, and the upload speed has lost 20% from the original speed. The ping time has increased from 2 ms to 44 ms.

The US location results showed tangible losses for upload and download speed, and the ping time has also increased palpably. However, the Swiss location performed much better, including all the rates.

Speed performance of our provider is not near the floor but is also not superior. The Swiss location on macOS demonstrated satisfying indexes and was considered by us as a good achievement. The US server for both operating systems produced a moderate outcome and definitely desires better adjustment.

Browsers’ Extensions Test

Windscribe VPN Chrome extension was issued for three browsers: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. We proceeded with tests only for the Chrome browser, seeing that it is the most popular; it will definitely be enough for general understanding.

The top image shows the results of the ISP. The indexes are:

• download speed is 89.93 mbps;
• upload speed is 83.33 mbps;
• ping time is 4 ms.

The central image shows the performance of the US server. The indexes are:

• download speed is 3.02 mbps;
• upload speed is 1.85 mbps;
• ping time is 204 ms.

The download speed fell 97% below the ISP speed, and the upload speed is nearly 99% below. Ping time has increased from 3 ms to 204 ms.

The bottom image shows the performance of the Romanian server. The indexes are:

• download speed is 48.26 mbps;
• upload speed is 6.76 mbps;
• ping time is 45 ms.

The download speed loss is 52% lower than the ISP speed, and the upload speed is 90% lower. The ping time has increased from 2 ms to 45 ms.

The US location performed incredibly badly. The results are near zero, so they are not worth talking about. The European region demonstrated significant losses, especially for the upload speed, so you will not enjoy any activity on the web.

Mobile Test

Nowadays, mobile devices account for a significant portion of overall internet traffic. Windscribe VPN has issued applications for Android and iOS systems, and we made tests for either platform for consumers’ understanding of what to expect from it.

IOS

The vertical image illustrates the results of the ISP. The indexes are:

• download speed is 43.1 mbps;
• upload speed is 49.1  mbps;
• ping time is 156 ms.

The top-right image shows the performance of the US server. The indexes are:

• download speed is 16 mbps;
• upload speed is 38.6 mbps;
• ping time is 135 ms.

The download speed fell 63% below the ISP speed, and the upload speed is nearly 21% lower. Ping time has increased from 3 ms to 156 ms.

The bottom-right image shows the performance of the French server. The indexes are:

• download speed is 42,7 mbps;
• upload speed is 48.9 mbps;
• ping time is 40 ms.

The download speed loss is 1% lower than the ISP speed, and the upload speed received less than 1% of the loss. The ping time has increased from 2 ms to 40 ms.

The results of the iOS system present a significant downgrade for the US server, while the French location practically did not fail. 

Android

The first image shows the results of the ISP. The indexes are:

• download speed is 86.9 mbps;
• upload speed is 74.8 mbps;
• ping time is 3 ms.

The central image shows the performance of the US server. The indexes are:

• download speed is 40.4 mbps;
• upload speed is 73.3 mbps;
• ping time is 153 ms.

The download speed fell 54% below the ISP speed, and the upload speed is nearly 2% below. Ping time has increased from 3 ms to 153 ms.

The right image shows the performance of the Dutch server. The indexes are:

• download speed is 43 mbps;
• upload speed is 55.8 mbps;
• ping time is 40 ms.

The download speed loss is 51% lower than the ISP speed, and the upload speed fell by 25%. The ping time has increased from 2 ms to 40 ms.

The download indexes of the US server decreased twice, and upload speed almost did not have any impact. The Netherlands as well performed two times lower download speed and a quarter worse upload connection.

About Safety – How Secure is Windscribe VPN?

In many regions, Windscribe VPN is only an instrument to achieve confined content, and the mind about secure data transmission is far behind. We believe in a serious attitude toward privacy protection and focus on the security possibilities that providers give to the customers.

Depending on the platform on which you use the Windscribe VPN, the security measures may also differ. For the desktop application, a set of features may be distinctive to a mobile app or a browser’s extension. We will investigate in this block Windscribe VPN extension for different operating systems, both desktop and mobile, as well as browsers’ extensions.

Windscribe Protocols

Here you will meet the protocols that are built into Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS’s apps. Browsers’ extensions are not included in this list. 

• Stealth protocol
  • It is a modern technique designed to disguise VPN traffic. And advanced encryption and obfuscation provide consumers with the ability to reach blocked sources and to be confident that the outer entities will not monitor their activity. The efficiency of this protocol may depend on different adjustments. Well-settled providers will show impressive speed rates and privacy protection while you are surfing the internet.
• Wireguard protocol
  • This protocol is recognized for its superior performance and negligible overhead costs. It encompasses modern and the most enhanced cryptographic algorithms and protocols: Noise protocol framework, Curve25519 for key exchange, and ChaCha20Poly1305 for encryption and authentication. It is prepared for Linux, Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. It ensures sustainable connectivity while switching between WiFi and mobile networks.
• IKEv2 protocol
  • It is an effective protocol that involves solid encryption methods. As well, it is compatible with mobile devices, performs network address translation (NAT), and supports different authentication (EAP) approaches. It has prospective reconnection values, which efficiently work with frequently changing networks or connection disruptions.
• UDP protocol
  • User datagram protocol is fast, but its mechanism does not have error-checking. You will get fast data transfers; however, it may entail occasional data loss. This protocol is well set up for live applications like online meetings, gaming, or streaming because of its low overhead and short latency. It is not suitable for cases where the integrity of data is crucial, but it is excellent when speed matters.
• TCP protocol
  • Transmission control protocol includes the opposite properties of the UDP protocol. It delivers the data in the correct order, without errors. This technique is a good solution for secure data transmission, web surfing, or email. However, the protocol involves increased overhead and higher latency. Hence, the real-time applications may work badly under TCP.
• WStunnel
  • This protocol envelopes VPN traffic through websocket connections, disguising traffic for network filters. When other protocols are blocked or restricted, here comes WStunnel. It is able to skirt censorship and achieve blocked content, preserving a high level of security, and can effectively act in different network milieus. Also, it is very valuable for its adaptiveness and resistance.

We made sure that all the protocols were available for the free version.

Now we will go step by step, application by application, looking at the individual security characteristics.

Windows
We have prepared for you the screenshots from the application and organized them in a convenient form. Every option is going along with a short description in order to give you an idea of it.

The first image of the screenshot is also going to be described first. We have six items:

• Network Options
  • Here you are able to mark the networks that your devices are connected to with the “secur” label and to assign a specific protocol to every network. The VPN auto-disconnects a network badged as ‘unsecured’. For example, you can assign your home WiFi and cellular network as “secured” and set different protocols for diverse goals.
• Split Tunneling
  • With this feature, consumers can select what traffic to pass through the VPN and what should connect to the ISP. It means that you are able to choose the exact apps or websites that will be supported by the VPN’s security measures and to allow other items to work as usual. It is a convenient appliance for maintaining a balance between speed and safety.
• Proxy
  • Within this option, you can choose ‘HTTP’ or ‘none’. Proxy stands for an intermediate server linking your device with the internet. This feature is designed to conceal a real IP address and bypass geo-restrictions by routing traffic through servers in various locations.
• Auto-Connect
  It is just auto-connect.
• Firewall Mode
  • This remedy protects the user’s device or network against the surrounding internet. In simple words, it is a barrier that strains incoming and outgoing traffic and is configured by specific rules. These regulations focused on hindering possibly harmful data and permitting lawful traffic to be transmitted. Firewall mode enhances safeguard, controlling that the traffic transmission is running under the strict security rules.

The central image of the screenshot contains five items, but only MAC spoofing is related to security.

• MAC Spoofing
  • It is an additional layer of privacy that helps to sustain a better level of anonymity and security while utilizing a VPN. The MAC spoofing feature obfuscates the real identity of a network device by tampering with the Media Access Control address, which in its order makes it difficult for network administrators or unfriendly outer entities to monitor the real address of a hardware.

We moved to the third image of the screenshot and will commence with the second item:

• Terminate Sockets
  • The purpose of the current feature is to ensure that no traffic is routed behind a VPN. Such a mode blocks potential leaks of data. But we recommend using the option only if you are an experienced user and know how to treat it. It can infringe on network activities; some apps rely on a sustainable network.

• Secure Hotspot
  • The feature is available only for Windows systems, with the condition that the hardware possesses a compatible wireless adapter. It enables you to create a secure WiFi hotspot on your computer. You can permit other users to connect to you and enjoy the secure network without installing Windscribe on their devices. 

• Proxy Getaway
  • This feature is available for Windows and macOS and works exclusively for your LAN. Devices that do not support the VPN protocol can connect to your device and use Windscribe’s secure connection.

It was the first part of the security options available for Windows OS, and we are moving on to the second. 

The first image of the screenshot presents the functionality of a system produced by Windscribe. Not all functions are directly related to security, but their work in combination increases the reliability of protection. 

In short, this complex feature prevents you from accessing potentially malicious sources and blocks trackers and ads. One more benefit is that you can individually customize it and set rules in one place for all your devices.

The central image contains four items:

• Advanced Parameters
  • It is an option designed for tech-savvy users who are aware of the internal mechanisms of VPN and can create a customized configuration.
• TAP driver
  • It is an important constituent for creating a virtual network interface on a client’s device. TAP drivers strengthen privacy and security by establishing encrypted data transmission. Here you are provided with two TAP driver’s options.
• IPv6
  • It is a newer variation of the IP with some advantages compared to standard IPv4, but entails some vulnerabilities in maintaining user privacy and security while connected to a VPN. This toggler ensures that all IPv6 traffic transfers securely. 
• API Resolution
  • {API resolution within the VPN is essential for maintaining comprehensive online privacy and security, as it extends the VPN’s protective capabilities to all network-related interactions, safeguarding against data leaks and ensuring consistent anonymity across various applications and services.}
  • It is a vital parameter in terms of VPN for retaining strong online security. API resolution assures anonymity, expands protection possibilities, and strengthens safeguards for data leaks. 

The third image of the screenshot encompasses three options that we have not described:

• Ignore SSL Errors
  • From time to time, SSL/TLS certificate errors may appear, which can thwart a sustainable connection. When this feature is on, users are enabled to access the resources, ignoring the issue. But be careful while using it because of the possibility of compromising security.
• Client-side Keep Alive
  • This feature guarantees a more stable connection by regularly pinging the server, preventing disconnection because of client inactivity.
• App Internal DNS
  • It is an option allowing the utilization of custom DNS servers with individual DNS settings on a user’s machine. Advanced control over DNS resolution while using the VPN fortifies security and privacy.

MacOS

The application designed for Apple’s PC contains exactly the same functionality scope as for Windows. We will not duplicate the same information twice because all that is written in this section about Windows OS is identically true for macOS. Only one distinction is that Apple technic does not have ‘Secure Hotspot’.

The desktop’s subsection is over, and our focus is switching now to the security measures of iOS and Android’s mobile devices.
Android

• Network Options
  • Here, you are able to mark the networks that your devices are connected to with the “secure” label. The VPN auto-disconnects a network badged as ‘unsecured’. 
• Split Tunneling
  • With this feature, consumers can select what traffic to pass through the VPN and what should connect to the ISP. It means that you are able to choose the exact apps that will be supported by the VPN’s security measures and to allow other items to work as usual. It is a convenient appliance for maintaining a balance between speed and safety.
• Always VPN On
  • Always on VPN allows Android to control the VPN connection and ensure that no data can leave the device unless the VPN tunnel is up.
• Packet size is not related to the security options, so we will not characterize it.
• Allowing LAN traffic is also not related to security
• Auto-connect On Boot  is not related to security too
• GPS spoofing
  • This is an Android feature that enhances your privacy by masking the real geographical location of your machine. 
• Decoy Traffic
  • Even if the connection is encrypted, the ISP can define the size of the uploaded or downloaded traffic. This experimental feature was developed to cover such gaps.

IOS

The bundle of safety measures for iOS differs from Android.

• Firewall
  • This remedy protects the user’s device against the surrounding internet. It is a barrier that strains incoming and outgoing traffic and is configured by specific rules. The regulations focused on hindering possibly harmful data and permitting lawful traffic to be transmitted. Firewall mode enhances safeguard, controlling the traffic transmission that is running under the strict security rules.
• Connection mode is not a security measure.
• Kill Switch
  • While the VPN connection drops, for any reason this mechanism cuts you off from the internet to prevent data from transferring through an unprotected environment.
• Allow LAN Traffic is not a security measure
• Circumvent Censorship is not a security measure

We have introduced to you the safeguard stuffing of all Windscribe’s distributions. The opportunities this company implemented into the free plan are impressive and generate a strong, secure environment for users.

Browsers’ Extensions
On the sample of Google Chrome browser, you will meet the security capabilities designed for extensions.

In total, on the screenshot, we can see 14 items that respond to privacy and security:

• Ad Crusher
  • Indiscriminately annihilate all annoying ads with extreme prejudice
• Cookie Monster
  • Delete cookies when the tab is closed
• Do Not Disturb
  • Block all sites from spamming you with notifications
• WebRTC Slayer
  • WebRTC is technology configured for real-time communication, such as online calls directly in the browser; you do not need to install any additional plugins. But this feature can accidentally disclose a real IP address. So WebRTC Slayer prevents the data leak, but it can break some applications.
• Location Warp
  • Fakes your real GPS location
• Social Network Distance
  • Blocks Facebook “Like” buttons, Twitter “Tweet” buttons, Google+ and LinkedIn widgets, all of which collect your browsing history.
• Language Warp
  • It fakes your real language and local settings
• Split Personality
  • Windscribe will rotate your user agent between the most common ones out there to reduce the chance of basic fingerprinting.
• Worker Block
  • This feature will disable web and service workers inside your browser. This can break some websites.

Desktop Apps

This section is devoted to the general functionality of Windscribe’s software issued for PCs. Windows and macOS’s software have an identical design and the same functionality. Considering that, we will show you an instance of Windows’s VPN in order not to repeat the same information twice.

The general thing for either operating system is a login pop-up. You are able to skip this step and use the program; however, with this condition, only 2 gb of traffic is available. To pass the registration, you need to provide an email address; there are no passwords or confirmation mails. After the registration has been passed, the amount of free traffic increases to 10 gb.

The visual interface is original and simple for exploitation. 

The left picture illustrates the main screen, which, as you can see, is quite compact and has six interactive elements and one informational component:

• Turn on/off button;
• A field with a selection of protocols;
• Firewall feature toggler;
• Fast entrance to the ‘Network Options’ that is marked as a Wifi icon;
• Locations field;
• Hamburger menu icon;
• Indicator of left traffic.

The second image shows how the application with the opened locations’ bar. 21 locations in a count of 11 countries are accessible for the unpaid plan.

Windscribe’s developers supplied the app with the valuable feature of adding individually customized config. Hardly, it is very useful for common consumers; nevertheless, technically aware users may find it practical.

Mobile Apps

As well as for the Desktop Apps section, we are going to demonstrate the application of one mobile operating system because of the identical design and basic functionality of Android and iOS’s VPNs.

On the main screen, we can observe six main interactive components and one informational element:

• Turn on/off button;
• A field with a selection of protocols;
• Dropdown on the right to IP address with two security preferences inside;
• Fast entrance to the ‘Network Options’ that is marked as a WiFi icon;
• Locations field;
• Hamburger menu icon;
• Indicator of left traffic.

There are 21 locations within 11 countries that are accessible for the unpaid plan.

The hamburger menu icon contains a list of general and security settings.

Browser Extensions

Three browsers are compatible with the Windscribe VPN extension: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. Either extension is stuffed with equal configurations and possesses a uniform design. The Chrome browser will serve as an example of what you can get from the extension.

The common traits of a united design can be seen across all apps and extensions. The visual representation of the extension is compact and holds five main interactive elements and one informational component:

• Turn on/off button;
• Two icons above the turn on/off button with technical adjustments inside;
• Network icon with a locations’ list inside;
• Hamburger menu icon;
• Indicator of left traffic.

Under the hamburger menu icon, you will see a screen with a set of fields related to security and general settings. The free plan offers 21 locations within 11 countries, as well as for all previous cases.

Work in Highly Restricted Countries

We did not find information regarding this topic on their website or applications.

Server’s locations

Each application contains 65+ countries and 90+ servers. A limited part of this volume is opened for free plan:

• USA – 3 locations;
• Canada – 2 locations;
• France – 2 locations; 
• Germany – 2 locations;
• Netherlands – 3 locations;
• Norway – 1 location;
• Romania – 1 location;
• Switzerland – 2 locations;;
• United Kingdom – 2 locations;
• Turkey – 1 location; 
• Hong Kong – 2 locations.

What Bonuses Does the Paid Version Offer, and How Much Does It Cost?

The paid version of Windscribe VPN provides you with 65+ locations, a team account feature, the ability to achieve a static IP, and unlimited bandwidth.

About Support

The support system for Windscribe is well built and convenient. Each application contains a question mark that leads to the support menu, where you can select a required option.

Observe in short each point:

• Knowledge Base refers to the website’s specific page with plenty of in-depth prepared question-answers, divided into logical groups;
• Talk to Garry –  refers you to the website’s specific page where you can communicate with a smart chatbot;
• Send a ticket –  refers you to the website’s specific page where you can select your operating system, type of issue or question, and write a message;
• Community Support refers to the chosen communication platform where you can ask other users a question in live mode.

We have tested the ‘Send a Ticket’ option and received an answer on our email within one day.

All of the offered options work, including live support, so we believe you can solve an existing query.

Windscribe VPN Review: Final verdict

This Windscribe VPN review shows that this software is a skilled competitor among other VPNs. A generous set of security options in combination with strict privacy makes this provider a very decent variant. However, Windscribe free VPN has its drawbacks; the Windscribe VPN Chrome extension speed indexes show very low results for the US location, almost near zero. If you are looking for a reliable and secure VPN, then this vendor will satisfy your expectations, but be ready to meet issues with speed connection.