Windscribe Review
The only free VPN worth recommending.
Windscribe is where most free VPN conversations should end. The free tier is 10 GB/month, 11 server locations across multiple continents, unlimited devices, and a network firewall — no other free VPN comes close. The paid Pro tier runs $5.75/month annually — mid-pack pricing, though Build-A-Plan can bring the cost down for users who only need 1-2 regions.
Our scores
Windscribe
Overall score — April 2026
Windscribe's free tier gives you 11 servers, 10 GB/month, and a firewall — more than any free VPN competitor. The paid Pro tier runs $5.75/month annually. Build-Your-Own-Plan pricing (from $1/month for limited locations) is unique in the category.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Best free tier in the category: 10 GB/month, 11 server locations, no device limit
- Build-A-Plan starts from $1/month if you only need 1-2 regions
- ROBERT (custom blocklist) is the most configurable ad/tracker blocker we've tested
- Stealth protocol works in China and UAE
- Build-a-Plan: pay only for the server locations you actually need
Cons
- Free tier speed is throttled and server options are limited
- Streaming reliability is inconsistent on both free and paid tiers
- Smaller company — support and server infrastructure less reliable than NordVPN
- Annual pricing is confusing — several tiers with unclear value differences
Speed
590 Mbps
Download
360 Mbps
Upload
14 ms
Latency
77%
Speed kept
590 Mbps on the paid tier — 77% speed retention. The free tier is noticeably slower and more variable, particularly during peak hours. Paid performance is adequate for all use cases except professional-grade needs.
Tested: . 1 Gbps base connection.
Privacy & Security
No-logs policy has not had a full server-infrastructure audit, though PacketLabs reviewed Windscribe's infrastructure code (June 2024) and its no-identifying-logs claims have held up under real seizures — including a 2025 Greek court case where the company had zero user data to hand over. Still a gap compared to NordVPN, ProtonVPN, or PIA's formal no-logs audits. Canadian jurisdiction (5 Eyes member) adds risk.
Streaming
Inconsistent. Netflix US and UK work most of the time (80% in testing). BBC iPlayer and Disney+ are unreliable. Not the right choice if streaming is a primary use case.
Pricing
$9/mo
Monthly
$5.75/mo
Annual plan
billed annually
The Build-a-Plan model is unique: you pay for server locations rather than a flat tier, starting from $1/month. For users who only need 1-2 regions, this can mean paying $2-3/month for exactly what they use. No other VPN offers this.
Cancellation & Refund
Windscribe offers a 3-day money-back guarantee on every plan. Cancel within that window and you're entitled to a full refund.
How to cancel Windscribe
- Log in to your account on the Windscribe website (not just the app) with the email you signed up with.
- Open your account or subscription/billing settings.
- Select “Cancel subscription” (or “Manage plan” → “Cancel”) and confirm.
- Still within the 3-day window? Contact Windscribe support directly to request your refund — most providers process it within 5–10 business days.
Subscribed through the Apple App Store or Google Play instead? Cancel there — deleting the app alone won't stop billing.
User Ratings
4.3/5
Trustpilot
5k reviews
4.0/5
Google Play
40k ratings
4.3/5
App Store
18k ratings
78%
Community
Reddit sentiment
Ratings sourced from Trustpilot, Google Play Store, and Apple App Store. Community score is derived from Reddit/r/VPN sentiment analysis. Scores are aggregated periodically and may not reflect real-time data.
Verdict
Windscribe is the right choice if you want to try a VPN without paying, or if your use case is limited enough that the Build-a-Plan model makes sense — at full Pro pricing ($5.75/month) it no longer undercuts most competitors on price. For full-service privacy and reliability, upgrade to NordVPN or ProtonVPN.
Frequently asked questions
Is Windscribe safe to use?
Windscribe claims a no-logs policy but has not been independently audited. It uses WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, Stealth protocols and includes a kill switch to protect your IP if the connection drops. Privacy score: 8.5/10.
How much does Windscribe cost per month?
Windscribe costs $9/month on a monthly plan and $5.75/month on an annual plan. All plans include a 3-day money-back guarantee.
How many devices can I use with Windscribe?
Windscribe allows unlimited simultaneous connections — you can use it on as many devices as you like at the same time.
Does Windscribe work with Netflix?
Yes. Windscribe reliably unblocks Netflix, BBC iPlayer and other major streaming services. Streaming score: 7.5/10.
How do I cancel Windscribe and get a refund?
Cancel Windscribe anytime from your account's subscription or billing settings on its website. Cancel within 3 days of purchase to qualify for a full refund under its money-back guarantee. If you subscribed through the Apple App Store or Google Play, cancel there instead — deleting the app alone won't stop billing.
Windscribe vs. Alternatives
| Feature | Windscribe8/10 | NordVPN9.2/10 | ExpressVPN8.6/10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Our Score | 8 | 9.2 | 8.6 |
| Monthly Price | $5.75/mo | $3.09/mo | $2.79/mo |
| Servers | 500+ | 9,300+ | 3,000+ |
| Countries | 69 | 137 | 105 |
| Simultaneous Devices | Unlimited | 10 | 10 |
| Speed (tested) | 590 Mbps (77%) | 730 Mbps (96%) | 755 Mbps (98%) |
| No-Logs Policy | |||
| Independently Audited | |||
| Kill Switch | |||
| Ad Blocker | |||
| Streaming | |||
| Torrenting / P2P | |||
| Port Forwarding | |||
| Obfuscation | |||
| Double VPN | |||
| RAM-Only Servers | |||
| Jurisdiction | Canada (5 Eyes member) | Panama (outside 5/9/14 Eyes) | British Virgin Islands |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 3 days | 30 days | 30 days |
All data verified September 2026.