Windscribe VPN Free Review 2023: 3 Cons and 5 Pros

by Vít Nováček
updated July 5, 2023 (Report a bug)

1. Windscribe Free: Fast, No-Cost VPN with Up to 10 GB Data Per Month

   • A somewhat challenging app for computers
   • Lacks independent audit validation
   • Data transfer limit 10 GB per month

   • Features advanced options
   • Stealth mode for masking VPN connections
   • Allows use of VPN without registration
   • Can be utilized on 999 devices at once
   • High download speeds (average measured speed: 129 Mb/s)

   The Canadian company, Windscribe Limited, is responsible for creating Windscribe Free. Unlike other free VPNs, it provides a range of features usually found only in paid versions. The application supports split tunneling and includes anti-malware protection, ad-blocking, and automatic cookie deletion.

   One advantage of Windscribe Free is its comparatively wide selection of available protocols and ports. The transfer speeds are higher than average for free VPNs. Our testing showed average download and upload speeds of 129 Mb/s and 127 Mb/s respectively.

   Windscribe Free offers browser extensions, supports router traffic, and works on various other devices. With a single account, the VPN can be used on up to 999 devices at the same time.

   The data transfer limit is 10 GB per month, which is higher than average for a free service. However, beginners may find Windscribe Free‘s desktop app interface somewhat confusing due to its complex design and numerous features.

   Additionally, some features are only available in browser extensions, meaning that having only the desktop application installed does not provide full access to the service. The Windscribe Free operator is based in Canada, a member of the 5 Eyes alliance of countries that surveil their citizens’ Internet activities.

   Trust in Windscribe Free was undermined in July 2021 following a serious security incident. The company’s servers in Ukraine were seized and the stored data was unencrypted, enabling the Ukrainian government to track the service’s users. To regain trust, Windscribe Free could benefit from a security audit. Although Windscribe’s website claims it has undergone an audit, we could not find any information about the auditing company or its results.

   Despite these concerns, Windscribe Free is an appealing option among free VPNs, albeit with lingering doubts about the security of the service. For regular use, we suggest considering paid services like NordVPN or Surfshark, which offer unlimited data transfers, have passed security audits, and provide premium features for enhanced privacy.

2. Windscribe Free Subscription: Discount Code, Free Trial, Money Back Guarantee…

   • Your Price:  Free (999 devices)
   • Money Back Guarantee: No
   • Free Trial: No
   • Cryptocurrency payments:
     No

     Bitcoin :No
     Dash :No
     Ethereum :No
     Ripple :No

   Download For Free

   Windscribe Free can be used indefinitely at no cost. It is designed to attract users to purchase the paid Windscribe Pro. The free version offers fewer servers, sites, and lower bandwidth, with paid customers taking priority. With a single account, Windscribe Free can be used on 999 devices.

   Another limitation of the free version is the data transfer limit of 10 GB per month. However, this can be increased by recommending the VPN to friends. If the referred person purchases a subscription, you’ll receive a free subscription for the same duration.

   If the free version doesn’t suffice, you can upgrade to Windscribe Pro. The paid version offers more servers, higher bandwidth, unlimited data, and a 3 days of money-back guarantee. The most affordable prepaid subscription price begins at $4.08 per month.

3. Windscribe Free and Supported Devices: Android, iOS, macOS…

   • Device limit: Unlimited

   Platforms supported

   • Android:
     Yes

     Android is supported by 99 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Android TV:
     No

     Android TV is supported by 38 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Apple TV:
     No

     Apple TV is supported by 18 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Fire TV:
     Yes

     Fire TV is supported by 42 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Chromebook:
     No

     Chromebook is supported by 21 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Chromecast:
     No

     Chromecast is supported by 16 % of reviewed VPNs
   • iOS:
     Yes

     iOS is supported by 99 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Kodi:
     Yes

     Kodi is supported by 23 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Linux:
     Yes

     Linux is supported by 60 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Mac:
     Yes

     Mac is supported by 98 % of reviewed VPNs
   • NAS:
     Yes

     NAS is supported by 27 % of reviewed VPNs
   • nVidia Shield:
     Yes

     nVidia Shield is supported by 18 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Playstation:
     No

     Playstation is supported by 22 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Raspberry Pi:
     No

     Raspberry Pi is supported by 17 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Roku:
     No

     Roku is supported by 17 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Router:
     Yes

     Router is supported by 53 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Windows:
     Yes

     Windows is supported by 100 % of reviewed VPNs
   • xBox:
     No

     xBox is supported by 22 % of reviewed VPNs

   Browser Extensions

   • Brave :
     Yes

     The Brave browser add-on is offered by 47 % of reviewed VPNs.
   • Chrome :
     Yes

     The Chrome browser add-on is offered by 47 % of reviewed VPNs.
   • Edge :
     Yes

     The Edge browser add-on is offered by 20 % of reviewed VPNs.
   • Firefox :
     Yes

     The Firefox browser add-on is offered by 35 % of reviewed VPNs.
   • Opera :
     Yes

     The Opera browser add-on is offered by 47 % of reviewed VPNs.
   • Safari :
     No

     The Safari browser add-on is offered by 0 % of reviewed VPNs.
   • Vivaldi :
     Yes

     The Vivaldi browser add-on is offered by 47 % of reviewed VPNs.

   Windscribe Free does not limit the number of devices connected under a single account. But the terms of service state that the provider may monitor the number of connected devices to avoid account overuse or sharing. We suspect this primarily applies to the paid version, Windscribe Pro.

   For a free service, Windscribe Free offers excellent cross-platform support. VPNs can be used on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux devices. It can secure Fire TV, Kodi, nVidia Shield, and NAS devices via OpenVPN. However, native support for game consoles is lacking.

   A significant advantage is the ability to use Windscribe Free on a router, allowing all devices on the same network to be easily protected. For devices not directly supported by Windscribe Free, a proxy gateway can be created on a Windows or macOS computer using HTTP and SOCKS5 protocols.

   Extensions for Windscribe Free are available for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, and can be downloaded for browsers built upon these, like Brave.

4. Windscribe Free App: User-friendliness, whitelist, server selection…

   • App Languages: 🇺🇸 English +15 more🇩🇪 German 🇪🇸 Spanish 🇫🇷 French 🇵🇹 Portuguese 🇮🇹 Italian 🇨🇳 Chinese 🇷🇺 Russian 🇰🇷 Korean 🇵🇱 Polish 🇯🇵 Japanese 🇹🇷 Turkish 🇦🇪 Arabic 🇺🇦 Ukrainian 🇮🇩 Indonesian 🇻🇳 Vietnamese
   • Whitelisting:
     Yes

     Whitelisting is supported by 53 % of reviewed VPNs

   The Windscribe Free desktop app’s interface can be challenging for beginners due to its complexity and the number of features available. The app can be set to automatically connect to the last location, or to select the fastest server at that time.

   The app is available in 16 different languages.

   Useful features include a whitelist and blacklist for apps and sites that will connect directly to the Internet without a VPN. A list of secure Wi-Fi networks where the VPN is not needed works similarly, which is convenient considering the data transfer limit.

   Windscribe Free includes a kill switch that disconnects the device from the Internet if the VPN server connection is lost, protecting the user’s IP address and location. Additionally, the mobile app and browser extensions offer light and dark themes, and a direct link to technical support and the knowledge base.

   On the downside, the distribution of functions between the application and the browser extension is rather inconvenient. For instance, to use the Double Hop feature, which connects to two servers in sequence for increased security, both the Windscribe Free application and browser extension must be connected simultaneously.

   Browser extensions offer several interesting features:

   • Location Warp can artificially alter the GPS location of a device.
   • Time Warp can spoof a different browser time.
   • Language Warp can change the browser’s language settings artificially.

5. Windscribe Free Connection Speed: Upload, Download & Latency

   • Traffic limit: 10 GB per month

   Download speed

   Higher is better. The average download of all tested VPNs is 101 Mb/s.

   Upload speed

   Higher is better. The average upload of all tested VPNs is 71 Mb/s.

   Server latency

   A lower value is better. The average response rate of all tested VPNs is 64 ms.

   As with most free VPNs, users have a data transfer limit. The basic limit for Windscribe Free is 2GB per month, but it can be increased to 10 GB per month by entering an email address into the account. If the limit is reached, the VPN will cease to work until the start of the next monthly cycle.

   An additional one-time 5 GB can be gained by reviewing the app on Twitter, though this requires disclosing a Twitter account, thus providing additional personal information.

   In terms of connection speed, Windscribe Free performs better than average. There was minimal speed loss during downloads and uploads when connected to the nearest server compared to a connection without a VPN.

   Our tests showed average download speeds of 129 Mb/s, sufficient for downloading large files or streaming 4K video. The upload speed of 127 Mb/s is also suitable for transferring large files.

   As for latency (36 ms), Windscribe Free is not among the best, but the value is sufficient for PC gaming. The performance remained consistent across repeated tests. For latency, unlike transfer speeds, lower values are preferable.

6. Windscribe Free Server Locations

   • Number of servers:
     30

     The average number of servers for the reviewed VPNs is 1662.
   • Number of countries:
     11

     The average number of countries available for the reviewed VPNs is 39.

   Europe	🇫🇷 France 🇩🇪 Germany 🇳🇱 Netherlands 🇳🇴 Norway 🇷🇴 Romania 🇬🇧 United Kingdom 🇨🇭 Switzerland 🇹🇷 Turkey
   North America	🇨🇦 Canada 🇺🇸 USA
   South America
   Asia	🇭🇰 Hong Kong
   Africa
   Oceania

   Windscribe Free provides access to 30 servers across 11 countries. This is fairly average compared to other free VPNs.

   The number of servers isn’t explicitly stated in the app, and you can’t select a specific server, only the geographical location. There’s a signal quality indicator for each location in the list, and some entries include a “10 Gbps” label, suggesting a potential connection speed of up to 10 Gbps.

   All operational servers are physically based at their respective locations, with none of them being virtual. The majority of servers are in Europe, with additional ones in the USA, Canada, and for those dealing with internet censorship, a server in Turkey.

   Video streaming and large file downloads are supported on all Windscribe Free servers. Some specialized servers are exclusively available to Windscribe Pro subscribers.

7. Windscribe Free Security Features: DNS Leak Protection, Kill Switch…

   • DNS leak protection :
     Yes

     DNS leak protection is offered by 96% of the reviewed VPNs.
   • Kill Switch:
     Yes

     Kill Switch is supported by 84% of the reviewed VPNs.
   • Multi-Hop:
     No

     Multi-Hop connection is offered by 21 % of the VPNs reviewed.
   • Tor:
     No

     Tor support is offered by 15 % of the reviewed VPNs.

   Windscribe provides user protection tools collectively named R.O.B.E.R.T.

   R.O.B.E.R.T. features DNS leak protection and malware blocking. The tool can block entire categories of sites, including social networks, adult content or gambling sites, with the option for users to create custom filters.

   A significant security feature is the kill switch, which severs the device’s internet connection if the VPN connection drops, preventing the user’s real IP address from being exposed or data from being compromised. A firewall can further prevent data transfer outside the secure connection.

   The split tunneling feature lets you choose applications and websites that will connect to the internet without the VPN, potentially saving data and optimizing connection speed. Secure Wi-Fi networks, such as those at home, can be designated as VPN-inactive.

   Windscribe Free can be used as a secure hotspot, protecting all connected devices. However, this requires a Windows computer and a compatible router.

   The “MAC Spoofing” feature conceals the MAC address of your device from the Wi-Fi network you’re connected to. The Windscribe Free will continually change the MAC address of the device, presenting it as a new device each time you connect to the Wi-Fi network. This prevents the Wi-Fi network administrator from tracking when your device was connected.

   For enhanced account security, Windscribe Free provides two-factor authentication. Simply download the app on your phone and verify each VPN login through the app.

   The protocol and port used can be manually selected in the settings or left to the app’s discretion. IKEv2 is the default protocol, with support for OpenVPN UDP, OpenVPN TCP, and the advanced WireGuard protocol.

   Data transmission is safeguarded with state-of-the-art AES-256 encryption, SHA512 authentication, and a 4096-bit RSA key.

   Windscribe Free offers a stealth mode based on OpenVPN, making the VPN connection appear as regular HTTPS. There’s also a similar feature called Websocket Stealth that disguises traffic as a Websocket. However, Windscribe Free doesn’t support traffic on the Tor network.

8. Windscribe Free & Streaming: Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime…

   • Amazon Prime:
     Yes

     Amazon Prime streaming is supported by 53 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Disney+:
     Yes

     Disney+ streaming is supported by 55 % of reviewed VPNs
   • HBO:
     Yes

     HBO streaming is supported by 59 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Hulu:
     Yes

     Hulu streaming is supported by 49 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Netflix:
     Yes

     Netflix streaming is supported by 64 % of reviewed VPNs
   • YouTube:
     Yes

     YouTube streaming is supported by 89 % of reviewed VPNs

   Windscribe Free successfully unblocks video from multiple streaming platforms.

   During testing, we managed to access content from Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime, Disney+, HBO, and Hulu. With an average download speed of 129 Mb/s, video playback was smooth without any stuttering. Windscribe Free should be capable of handling 4K video, which requires a connection speed of at least 50 Mbps.

   The data transfer limit could pose a hurdle to regular use of Windscribe Free for video streaming. For unregistered users, the limit is 2 GB per month, which increases to 10 GB per month after providing an email address.

   Unlimited data transfer, robust security, and speeds sufficient for 4K video are offered by paid services like NordVPN or Surfshark.

   Windscribe Pro subscribers gain access to Windflix servers designed for video streaming and unblocking foreign libraries. These servers are not available in the free version of Windscribe.

   The data transfer speed is suitable for 4K video viewing. However, the data transfer limit restricts usage significantly. Therefore, it might be better to choose a paid service, like NordVPN or CyberGhost VPN, for streaming purposes, as they offer unlimited data.

9. Features of Windscribe Free: AdBlock, Static IP…

   • Blocks Ads:
     Yes

     Ad blocking is offered by 45 % of the VPNs reviewed.
   • Blocks Malware:
     Yes

     Malware blocking is offered by 36 % of the VPNs reviewed.
   • Blocks Trackers:
     Yes

     Trackers blocking is offered by 39 % of the VPNs reviewed.

   Windscribe Free can block trackers, malware, and ads, resulting in quicker website load times.

   WebRTC leak protection can also be activated. The “Cookies Go Away” feature blocks annoying pop-ups requesting legal consent to process cookies. You can also set cookies to be deleted automatically when leaving a site.

   It’s worth noting that some VPN features require the use of a separate browser extension.

   Windscribe Free doesn’t currently offer dark web data leak tracking, which alerts users when their personal data is compromised. This feature is available to NordVPN subscribers.

   A static IP address is available for an additional fee. You can choose between a data center address or a residential address that disguises itself as a regular ISP IP. Dedicated IP addresses are not provided by Windscribe Free.

10. Windscribe Free‘s CPU usage and App Performance

    VPN applications aim to be non-intensive and not hinder the user’s device usage. Windscribe Free is no exception, posing minimal burden even for less powerful devices.

    The macOS Windscribe Free app uses 40 MB of RAM. Battery consumption and CPU usage range between 0.1 and 0.2% during normal computer use.

    A slight increase in usage is observed only during the few seconds when connecting and disconnecting VPNs. The application uses a small portion of the computer’s performance even when the VPN is turned off. So, if you are not connected for an extended period, you can completely disable the app.

11. Windscribe Free Torrenting Servers

    • Torrenting servers:
      Yes

      Torrenting support is offered by 88 % of the reviewed VPNs.

    Yes, Windscribe Free supports torrenting on all servers, though none are specifically dedicated to P2P file sharing.

    The download (129 Mb/s) and upload (127 Mb/s) speeds are suitable for transferring large files. The downside is the limited data cap, where unregistered users can transfer 2 GB and registered users 10 GB per month.

    For occasional anonymous downloads, Windscribe Free can be used. For regular torrenting, a paid version like Windscribe Pro or perhaps AdGuard VPN is preferable.

12. What is the country of origin of Windscribe Free?

    • Country of origin: 🇨🇦 Canada

    Windscribe Free is operated by Windscribe Limited, established in April 2016 in Canada. The company is headquartered in Richmond Hill, Ontario, and its primary business is the development and operation of virtual private networks.

    Canada is part of the 5/9/14 Eyes alliance, a group of countries whose governments can collect and share information about internet users to ensure their citizens’ safety.

13. Windscribe Free and Privacy: Logging Policy, Security Issues…

    • No-Logs Policy:
      Yes

      The No-Logs Policy is followed by 79% of reviewed VPNs.

    Windscribe Free doesn’t store any permanent logs that could identify a user. It temporarily collects data to monitor possible abuse of the application, including data transfer amounts and the time of the last activity. During the use of Windscribe Free, the connection time, the data transferred amount, and the username for OpenVPN and IKEv2 are recorded. This data is deleted immediately after the connection is terminated.

    The terms of use for Windscribe Free are clearly written, describing all relevant aspects in a manner that even less experienced users can understand.

    The Windscribe Free website does not utilize third-party code to analyze data, ensuring user information isn’t shared with entities like Google. Data collected during web browsing may include information about the browser, screen resolution, and part of the IP address.

    Windscribe Free allows for the anonymous use of the VPN without needing an email address. However, the data limit is reduced to 2 GB. Registered users have a limit of 10 GB per month.

    Windscribe Free uniquely offers multi-hop connection support among free services. This routes the connection through two different VPN servers simultaneously, enhancing privacy and protection if one of the servers fails. To use multi-hop with Windscribe Free, you must enable VPN in both the app and the browser extension. It is not supported on mobile devices.

    The Windscribe Free provider claims on its website that both the desktop and mobile apps have been audited. In addition, the servers were audited in 2023. However, a publicly available audit report from a vetted and independent company has not been found on the internet.

    The “Transparency Report” reveals the number of requests received from government agencies to release user data. Windscribe Free asserts that no such requests have been granted.

    Windscribe participates in the bug bounty initiative, offering financial rewards to users who discover a security bug or other flaw in the application.

    In July 2014, Windscribe Free experienced a security incident in which servers in Ukraine were seized. The data stored on the servers was not encrypted, potentially leading to the identification of the service’s users. According to the founder of Windscribe Limited, this was a human error that won’t be repeated.

14. Windscribe Free Support: Chat, e-mail…

    Windscribe Free‘s technical support can be reached through a web form as live chat is not available. To access the form, you must first specify the issue from the given options.

    For simpler inquiries, chatbot Garry can be used. It employs data from the knowledge base and only understands English. If Garry doesn’t resolve your issue, simply type “Live agent” and you will be redirected to a form to contact live support.

    Windscribe Free‘s knowledge base is fairly comprehensive, including VPN installation guides for routers and other devices, in addition to solutions for common problems. You can also consult with other users on Reddit or Discord, where Windscribe Free has its own channel.

    All the options mentioned are directly accessible via a web link in the Windscribe Free mobile app.

15. Windscribe Free FAQ

    Is Windscribe Free good?

    Windscribe Free provides a variety of features, some of which are usually only included in paid services. Our review awarded the VPN an impressive 8.4/10.

    However, we did criticize the service for its cluttered app, limited choice of available locations, and 2GB data transfer limit, which can be extended to 10 GB per month with email registration.

    Is Windscribe Free secure?

    Windscribe Free includes several advanced features to protect personal data and internet privacy. It has a kill switch, split tunneling, tracker, malware, and ad blocking capabilities. The service can also block websites based on their content.

    The reliable IKEv2, OpenVPN, WireGuard protocols are available for connection. During testing, the application consistently protected our IP address and showed no DNS leaks.

    Is Windscribe Free free?

    Yes, Windscribe Free is completely free. The service does have limitations, such as a monthly data transfer limit of 2GB (10 GB per month for registered users), and only 11 server locations.

    Windscribe Pro, the paid version, removes these limitations, providing unlimited data transfer and access to 480 servers in 64 countries. The most affordable subscription starts at $4.08 per month.

    Is Windscribe Free trusted?

    Windscribe Free‘s reputation was impacted by an incident in July 2021, when its servers in Ukraine were seized. The lack of data encryption on the servers meant that user identities could potentially be traced. However, Windscribe Free vowed not to repeat a similar mistake. It has since begun transitioning to RAM servers, which delete data upon shutdown or reboot, making it irretrievable.

    Despite mention of a comprehensive audit on its website, we’ve been unable to locate the published findings, which could have improved the company’s credibility.