Windscribe Review: Is It Still Good & Safe in 2024?

Windscribe is a virtual private network (VPN) service that was launched in 2016 by Yegor Sak and Alex Paguis. The VPN service is based in Canada and has quickly gained popularity due to its unique features and affordable pricing. In this article, we will take a closer look at Windscribe's features, performance, and overall value for money.

Features

Windscribe offers a comprehensive set of features designed to enhance your online privacy, security, and browsing experience. With its user-friendly interface and wide range of server locations, Windscribe allows you to easily connect to VPN servers worldwide, ensuring secure and unrestricted access to content. It employs strong encryption protocols to safeguard your data and protects against DNS and IPv6 leaks. Windscribe also offers additional features like ad blocking, malware protection, and a built-in firewall to provide a seamless and protected online experience. Whether you're concerned about privacy, accessing geo-restricted content, or securing your connection on public Wi-Fi networks, Windscribe has the tools to meet your needs.

Now, let's explore some of its key features.

No-Logs Policy

Windscribe has a strict no-logs policy, which means that it does not collect any data or information about its users. This ensures that your online activity remains private and secure, even from the VPN service itself.

Ad and Tracker Blocking

Windscribe offers ad and tracker blocking, which prevents advertisers and other third-party trackers from collecting your data and tracking your online activity. This feature can help to improve your online privacy and security, as well as reduce the number of ads and pop-ups that you see while browsing the web.

Multiple VPN Protocols

Windscribe supports multiple VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2, and SOCKS5. This allows you to choose the protocol that best suits your needs, whether you prioritize speed, security, or compatibility with different devices and platforms.

Split Tunneling

Windscribe's split tunneling feature allows you to choose which apps and websites use the VPN connection and which ones use your regular internet connection. This can be useful for accessing geo-restricted content or for improving the performance of certain apps or services that do not work well with VPNs.

Stealth Mode

Windscribe's stealth mode feature is designed to bypass internet censorship and firewalls. This feature disguises your VPN traffic as regular internet traffic, making it more difficult for governments, ISPs, or other entities to detect and block your VPN connection.

Performance

Performance is a crucial factor to consider when choosing a VPN service. Here's how Windscribe performs in terms of speed, reliability, and overall performance:

Speed

Windscribe's speed is generally good, although it does vary depending on the server location and the time of day. In our tests, we found that Windscribe's download speeds were fast enough to stream HD video and browse the web without any noticeable lag or buffering. However, some users may experience slower speeds during peak usage times or when connecting to servers that are far away from their physical location.

Reliability

Windscribe is generally reliable and rarely experiences downtime or connectivity issues. However, like any VPN service, it can be affected by network congestion or server maintenance, which can cause temporary disruptions in service. Overall, we found Windscribe to be a reliable and stable VPN service that delivers consistent performance.

User-Friendliness

Windscribe is easy to use and has a user-friendly interface that is accessible to both beginners and advanced users. The desktop and mobile apps are well-designed and intuitive, with clear instructions and helpful tooltips. The settings menu is also comprehensive, allowing users to customize their VPN connection according to their needs.

Value for Money

Windscribe offers excellent value for money, with a range of affordable pricing plans that cater to different budgets and needs. Here are the pricing plans currently available:

Free Plan with 10GB Monthly Data Allowance

One of the most unique features of Windscribe is its free plan. While many VPN services offer a limited free trial or a money-back guarantee, Windscribe provides a completely free plan that includes a monthly data allowance of 10GB. This is a generous amount of data that is perfect for occasional use or for testing out the service before committing to a paid plan.

Monthly Plan

Windscribe's monthly plan costs $9 per month and includes unlimited data, access to all servers, and all of the VPN features that Windscribe offers. This plan is suitable for users who only need a VPN occasionally or who want to test out the service on amonthly basis before committing to a longer-term plan.

Yearly Plan

Windscribe's yearly plan costs $49 per year and includes all of the features of the monthly plan, as well as a significant discount compared to the monthly plan. This plan is ideal for users who need a VPN service on a regular basis and want to save money in the long run.

Build a Plan

Windscribe also offers a unique "Build a Plan" option, which allows users to customize their VPN plan according to their needs. This option allows users to choose the number of locations they want to access, the amount of data they need, and the duration of the plan. Prices start from $2 per month for a single location and 10GB of data, making this a flexible and affordable option for users with specific needs.

Security and Privacy Features

In the first part of our Windscribe review, we looked at the VPN service's features, performance, and value for money. In this part, we will take a closer look at Windscribe's security and privacy features, which are crucial factors to consider when choosing a VPN service.

Security

Windscribe offers a range of security features that are designed to protect your online activity from prying eyes. Here are some of the most notable security features of Windscribe:

Strong Encryption

Windscribe uses AES-256 encryption, which is the industry standard for secure VPN connections. This encryption ensures that your online activity and data are protected from interception and snooping by third parties.

Perfect Forward Secrecy

Windscribe also uses perfect forward secrecy, which means that a new encryption key is generated for each session. This ensures that even if one encryption key is compromised, the rest of your data remains secure.

Leak Protection

Windscribe offers DNS and IPv6 leak protection, which prevents your real IP address and DNS requests from leaking outside of the VPN connection. This ensures that your online activity remains private and secure, even if your VPN connection is disrupted.

Secure Protocols

Windscribe supports a range of secure VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2, and SOCKS5. These protocols are designed to provide strong encryption and security for your online activity.

Privacy

Privacy is another crucial factor to consider when choosing a VPN service. Here are some of the privacy features that Windscribe offers:

Anonymous Payment Options

Windscribe accepts anonymous payment options, including Bitcoin and gift cards. This allows you to pay for your VPN subscription without revealing your identity or personal information.

Warrant Canary

Windscribe publishes a warrant canary on its website, which is a statement that confirms that the VPN service has not received any government requests for user data. This provides an extra layer of transparency and assurance for users who are concerned about their privacy.

Torrent-Friendly

Windscribe is torrent-friendly and allows P2P file sharing on its servers. This is a useful feature for users who want to download or share files without being tracked or monitored by third parties.

FAQ

1. How secure is Windscribe as a VPN service?

Windscribe prioritizes security and takes multiple measures to ensure user data remains secure. It employs robust encryption protocols, including AES-256 cipher, to protect your online activities. Windscribe also has a strict no-logs policy, meaning it does not collect or store any identifiable information about your browsing history. Additionally, it offers features like firewall protection, DNS leak prevention, and a kill switch to further enhance your security and privacy while using the VPN service.

2. What features does Windscribe offer to enhance the user experience?

Windscribe provides a range of features to enhance the user experience. It offers a user-friendly interface across various platforms, making it easy to set up and use. With servers in over 60 countries, Windscribe allows users to access geo-restricted content and bypass censorship. It also offers features like ad blocking, malware protection, and split tunneling to customize and optimize your browsing experience. Moreover, Windscribe offers unlimited simultaneous connections, enabling you to protect multiple devices with a single subscription.

3. How does Windscribe perform in terms of speed and reliability?

Windscribe strives to provide fast and reliable connections to its users. While VPN speed can be influenced by various factors such as server load and distance, Windscribe's network infrastructure is designed to deliver optimal performance. With a vast network of servers strategically located worldwide, Windscribe aims to offer a stable and high-speed connection for browsing, streaming, and downloading. However, actual speeds may vary depending on individual internet connections and server locations.

Conclusion

Windscribe is a secure and privacy-focused VPN service that offers strong encryption, leak protection, and secure protocols to protect your online activity and data. Its no-logs policy, anonymous payment options, and warrant canary provide additional privacy and transparency for users who are concerned about their online privacy. If you are looking for a VPN service that prioritizes security and privacy, Windscribe is definitely worth considering.