Windscribe VPN 2026 評測：我測試過最全面的 VPN 之一

Windscribe/CNET

9.2

Best Overall

Pros & Cons

• Top-notch privacy
• Open source and audited
• Highly customizable
• Jam-packed with features
• Budget-friendly with no price hikes
• Fast speeds
• Independently owned

• Restrictive refund policy
• No in-app double hop functionality yet
• Relatively small server network

Windscribe just became my new personal go-to VPN. It’s like Frankenstein’s VPN monster, embodying the streaming prowess of ExpressVPN and NordVPN, the budget-friendliness of Surfshark, the privacy of Mullvad, the versatility of Proton VPN and a malleability all its own. 

Windscribe is an extremely well-rounded service that excels in a VPN’s most important aspects. Sure, it doesn’t have the vast selection of server locations that some other VPNs do, and it doesn’t offer fancy bundled options that include additional cybersecurity tools, but Windscribe makes up for that by delivering a standalone VPN product that easily rivals the biggest names in the industry — and in most areas, outpaces them.     

I put Windscribe through a rigorous set of tests in 2026 to see how it performs across multiple criteria and how it holds up against the competition. I evaluated its speed performance, tested for leaks, scrutinized its streaming performance, tested all features across platforms, assessed its overall value, pored over its privacy policy, researched the company’s background and kept in contact with its CEO and other company representatives throughout the process.

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Based on my experience, I’d wholeheartedly recommend Windscribe to both casual and critical VPN users. If you’re on a budget, want to unblock streaming content, live in a region with heavy internet censorship or have heightened privacy needs, Windscribe is an excellent choice. 

And all of that adds up to Windscribe taking the crown as CNET’s new top-rated VPN service, with the highest rating I’ve awarded in my time here.  

Value (8/10): Budget-friendly with no price hikes and ultimate flexibility 

Key takeaway: Windscribe delivers premium features and performance that rivals the big dogs while charging considerably less and skipping renewal price hikes. 

• Free plan available
• $9 a month, $69 a year, as low as $3 a month with the Build a Plan option
• Payment options: Credit card, PayPal, crypto, Alipay, FasterPay, Mint

While other VPN prices are going through the roof and venturing into the absurd with skyrocketing renewal price increases, Windscribe has remained impressively steady.

Windscribe is a great budget choice at $9 a month or $69 a year — $10 less than what Surfshark charges upon renewal (after cheaper introductory prices), and about the same as Mullvad. NordVPN’s introductory price is marginally less at $66 for the first year, but shoots up to a ridiculous $139 annually afterward. ExpressVPN costs $75 for the first year, then a steep $100 annually upon renewal.

For a cheaper price — and without sneaky renewal price hikes — Windscribe performs just as well and offers more useful features than most others. Windscribe also runs several sales throughout the year (including an anniversary sale every April, a back-to-school sale and a Black Friday sale), where the annual price can drop to as little as $29 a year for the lifetime of the subscription. 

Windscribe’s free plan gives you access to most of the VPN’s features, but doesn’t offer streaming or torrenting support and limits you to 10 server locations and up to 15GB of data per month if you sign up with an email and post about Windscribe on X. 

You don’t get unlimited usage and bandwidth like you do with Proton VPN’s free plan, so it’s not a great option for streaming, but it’s a decent choice if you’re not going to use a ton of data and want to use some of Windscribe’s unique features or protocols. Otherwise, Proton VPN is a better choice overall if you’re looking for a free VPN because of its unlimited allowance. 

The one major downside is Windscribe’s restrictive money-back guarantee. As outlined in its terms of service and a knowledge base article, you’re eligible for a refund only if it’s requested within the first seven days of your initial purchase, and only if you’ve used less than 10GB of data during that time. Most competitors offer a 30-day window, no strings attached.

I get it, Windscribe doesn’t want people taking advantage by demanding their money back after using the service a ton. But considering that Windscribe’s free plan doesn’t support streaming or torrenting, people may want to test the premium version to see how it performs for those situations. Proton VPN offers a free plan and a 30-day money-back guarantee without restrictions.

Windscribe also lets you build your own plan

Windscribe’s Build a Plan option is unique and lets you build an à la carte plan and pay for only the server locations you need. You can choose from any server location for $1 a month, giving you access to any premium location and 10GB per month per location. If you want unlimited data and access to Robert, Windscribe’s ad blocker, you can add it for an additional $1 a month. 

The minimum amount permitted is $3 a month, which you can hit with three server locations alone, or two server locations and unlimited data and Robert. So if you only need access to a couple of premium servers, Windscribe’s Build a Plan is a great option. You can swap out server locations or toggle unlimited data on or off at any time. And even with the Build a Plan option, you still have access to the free servers and the additional 10GB per month that comes with them.

Speed (10/10): The second fastest VPN we tested in 2026

Key takeaway: Windscribe’s speed performance gives other VPNs a run for their money, even with a much smaller server network.

• 23.8% speed loss in 2026 tests
• Number of servers: Exact number undisclosed, but thousands
• Number of countries: 71

Windscribe is the runner-up among the fastest VPNs we tested in 2026. As a team, we registered an overall average speed loss of 23.8% with Windscribe in our 2026 speed tests, a close second behind ExpressVPN’s 20.8% speed loss and edging out NordVPN’s 27.2%.

We tested speeds through WireGuard over both Wi-Fi and Ethernet on Windows and MacOS to six different server locations across the globe. Over Wi-Fi, we calculated a miniscule 6.6% speed loss on MacOS and 16.1% on Windows. Windscribe’s speed performance over Ethernet was worse, but still good enough for impressive overall results. Over Ethernet, we registered a 40.6% speed loss on MacOS and a 32% speed loss on Windows.       

Speeds were largely consistent across our tests, and in line with expectations. Speeds to nearby locations, such as New York, were generally the fastest, while distant locations, such as Australia and Singapore, netted slower speeds.

Relatively small server network doesn’t hinder Windscribe’s speed performance

Some VPNs offer thousands of servers across 100-plus countries. Windscribe, on the other hand, is concerned more with quality than quantity, with a few thousand servers in 71 countries — more in the ballpark of Mullvad’s network than that of NordVPN or Proton VPN, which offer servers in more than 120 countries.

Many VPN companies rely on virtual locations to serve users IP addresses from far-flung regions or to inflate server numbers, but all of Windscribe’s servers (with the exception of “Fake Antarctica”) run on bare metal hardware and are physically located in the countries they represent. 

Perhaps a big reason behind Windscribe’s exceptional speeds is the 10GB servers that make up the majority of its network (compared to more standard 1GB servers). I asked Yegor Sak, Windscribe’s founder and CEO, if the company plans to upgrade its entire server fleet to 10GB capacity, but he said it wouldn’t be possible because many of Windscribe’s more exotic locations don’t offer 10GB ports. 

“Could we spin up fake virtual 10G servers and claim they’re in those countries? Sure, but we’re not gonna do that because it serves no real purpose,” Sak told me.

Even with its relatively small network footprint, Windscribe outperformed Proton VPN (40.7% speed loss), NordVPN (27.2%) and Surfshark (33.7%), all of which offer nearly double the number of server locations. Windscribe’s global coverage should still be plenty for most users, covering basically all of Europe and North America and a strong presence across Asia and South America.

Features (10/10): Windscribe packs more features than a Swiss Army knife 

Key takeaway: Most VPNs only dream of offering as many useful features as Windscribe, which is excellent for both casual and advanced VPN users.

• Configurable firewall
• Advanced DNS content blocking
• Split tunneling on Mac, Windows, Android, Linux
• Six protocols
• Highly customizable app

Windscribe’s app is like a clown car — in a good way. Open the app and you’ll uncover more features and ways to customize your experience than you can with most VPNs. And it’s executed in a way that doesn’t make using the app feel cumbersome. It’s easy to use for beginners, but if you’re experienced and like to fine-tune your VPN app and connection, the options are plentiful.

Windscribe offers standard features such as server selection, protocol selection, split tunneling, DNS content blocking and options such as adding favorite servers and auto-connect. But Windscribe takes DNS content blocking to another level with its Remote Omnidirectional Badware Eliminating Robotic Tool, or Robert. 

In addition to blocking ads and malware (which is where many other VPNs stop), Robert can also block trackers, social networks, adult sites, gambling sites, clickbait, other VPNs and crypto. You can even set up your own custom rules to block or whitelist specific domains and IPs. 

Windscribe offers protocols to fit every situation

While many VPNs offer a handful of VPN protocol options, Windscribe currently offers six (WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN UDP, OpenVPN TCP, Stealth and WStunnel), which gives you numerous options for establishing stable connections regardless of your specific situation. For example, use WireGuard to enable post-quantum resistance, which can help protect against potential future decryption threats from quantum computers.

Windscribe’s Stealth and WStunnel protocols obfuscate VPN traffic, but each one does it differently and may work better in different situations. Stealth cloaks OpenVPN in a layer of TLS to disguise VPN traffic as regular HTTPS traffic, which is good for restrictive networks that use deep packet inspection to block VPN use. WStunnel wraps OpenVPN inside a websocket to make VPN traffic look like ordinary web browsing, and it could be the better option for circumventing censorship on more heavily restricted networks in certain regions or on corporate or school networks. 

If you’d rather just flip a switch to evade censorship, toggle on the Circumvent Censorship feature. This automatically pairs you with the right obfuscation method for your network while also helping you log into the app and communicate with servers even when DNS or API requests are being blocked.

Windscribe’s firewall works like a proactive kill switch     

Windscribe doesn’t offer a kill switch in the traditional sense. Instead, it uses a firewall that proactively protects your IP address and online activity if your VPN connection drops unexpectedly. 

• Auto (Default setting): Automatically engage the firewall when you connect and disable when you disconnect.  
• Manual: Toggle the firewall on or off.
• Always On: Blocks your internet unless you’re actively connected to Windscribe.
• Always On-Plus: Go nuclear, locking down everything, including API calls, when you’re not connected.

In my testing, Windscribe’s firewall worked well in all modes. It even kept my IP address hidden and online traffic encrypted when jumping from one server to another on Mac — something many VPNs still haven’t figured out how to do on the platform. 

Windscribe offers lots of helpful extras 

There are almost too many settings to mention here. Some, such as Advanced Parameters, are aimed at true VPN nerds who want extreme fine-tuning. But I’ll hit the highlights that most people will find helpful.

• IP Rotation/IP Pinning: Rotates your IP without disconnecting. Or choose IP Pinning to get the same IP each time you connect — helpful when you need a consistent IP for online banking, remote work or avoiding CAPTCHAs.
• MAC Spoofing: Spoofs your device’s MAC address to stay more private on public networks and bypass bandwidth limits on networks that track usage through your MAC address.
• Decoy Traffic: Sends garbage data through the VPN tunnel to protect against deep packet inspection and traffic pattern analysis that may expose your online activity. Similar to Mullvad’s DAITA.
• Anti-fingerprinting (browser extension only): Randomizes your browser fingerprint by shuffling things such as screen size, time zone and fonts when enabled in the browser extension, helping you avoid trackers building a profile and following you across the web. 
• Discreet App Icons: Hides the Windscribe app in plain sight on your device by disguising it as a clock or a calculator. Helpful in situations when you’re in a region where your device may be searched.

Given this expansive set of features, I’m somewhat surprised Windscribe doesn’t already have in-app double hop. The only way to currently set up a double VPN connection with Windscribe is to chain the desktop app with the browser extension — serviceable, but not ideal. Many other VPNs, such as Surfshark and Mullvad, offer double VPN functionality right in the app, though Windscribe told me its in-app double hop is coming soon.

Usability (8/10): Easy to use, with a consistent interface across platforms, and solid for streaming 

Key takeaway: Windscribe delivers slick apps packed with features. It’s also excellent for cutting through geo-restrictions on streaming content.

• Apps available for: Windows, MacOS, Linux (GUI and CLI), Android, iOS, Fire TV, Apple TV, routers
• Unlimited simultaneous connections
• Works with: Netflix, Disney Plus, Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV Plus and others 

Windscribe’s apps are easy to use, whether you’re a VPN pro or are using one for the first time. If you’re an experienced VPN user, you’ll appreciate the wealth of settings and options for customization. If you’re a beginner, the app is still easy to use and navigate, but you might need a minute to get to grips with all the toggles and switches. 

If you’re curious about what a particular setting does and how it can help you, you can turn to Windscribe’s extensive knowledge base, contact support or consult Garry, Windscribe’s snarky chatbot who’s equally hilarious and helpful.

In my testing, I turned to Garry often, asking it about things including Windscribe’s VPN protocols, logging policy, feature set and, of course, where it stands on the classic Beatles vs. Stones debate. (Garry says Beatles, I say Stones.) Whatever I asked, Garry swiftly answered all of my Windscribe-related questions in a knowledgeable manner, and even gave me a chocolate chip cookie recipe when prompted. So if you ever find yourself lost while using Windscribe (or need advice on how to spatchcock a chicken), Garry can show you the way.

Windscribe lets you connect an unlimited number of devices at once — helpful if you have many devices or live in a large household. Some VPNs, such as Surfshark and PIA, also allow for unlimited simultaneous connections, but VPNs such as ExpressVPN and NordVPN limit you to 10.

Windscribe has apps for all platforms and streaming is a breeze

I found that Windscribe delivered a consistent, user-friendly experience across platforms, including Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, AppleTV and Fire TV. Windscribe is also compatible with router setups, and Linux users will appreciate the option to use Windscribe in either the command line or graphical user interface.    

Windscribe also performed exceptionally well for streaming. I was able to access content from streaming sites including Netflix, Disney Plus, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video and Hulu on desktop, mobile and streaming devices. Some VPNs have clunky streaming device apps and often struggle with unblocking content on Hulu and Amazon Prime Video, specifically. However, Windscribe’s Apple TV and Fire TV apps performed swimmingly and I was able to unblock Hulu and Prime Video content on all of the devices I tested. 

So if you want to use a VPN to unblock streaming content, Windscribe is a solid choice. Just bear in mind that streaming services and VPNs are playing a constant game of cat and mouse, so things can change on a daily basis and your results may differ from mine at any given time. Also, because Windscribe’s server network is relatively small, look at its server page before purchasing to ensure it offers servers in the countries from which you want to unblock streaming content.

Privacy and security (10/10): Behind a humorous facade, Windscribe shows serious dedication to user privacy 

Key takeaway: Windscribe does privacy right, has several audits under its belt and its no-logs policy has been backed up in court.

• Jurisdiction: Canada
• Encryption: AES 256-bit, ChaCha20
• No leaks detected
• Open source and audited
• Post-quantum resistant

Windscribe’s commitment to privacy is apparent from the moment you sign up. Unlike the vast majority of VPNs, Windscribe lets you create an account and start using it without supplying a shred of personal information. When you sign up, you can either enter your own username or generate one automatically. Then, either create your own password or let Windscribe generate a strong password for you. 

You can move on from there, or add your email address if you don’t want to risk forgetting your password, because there’s otherwise no way to reset your password if you lose it. I recommend generating a random username and password and saving them in a password manager. This way, you don’t have to supply your email address and you don’t have to worry about forgetting your password. 

Alternatively, you can skip an email/username and password entirely and sign up with a hashed login. The process works much like Mullvad’s sign-up and login mechanism, but Windscribe lets you choose between a randomly generated 32-character hash or one from an image or file you upload yourself. Either way, I also recommend using a password manager if you take the hashed login route because there’s no way to recover your account if you lose the hash.  

Windscribe’s privacy policy is about as straight to the point as it gets, stating that the only data the company stores is the total amount of bytes transferred in a 30-day period and the timestamp of your last activity on the Windscribe network. The privacy policy also says that Windscribe doesn’t log information related to the sites you visit while connected to its network, your source IP or historical record of VPN sessions. 

Although no-logging policies are impossible to verify completely, audits and real-world situations can help back up those claims. Audits are crucial for VPN companies to undergo on a regular basis to maintain trust with users — especially when audits only provide a snapshot of how the VPN operated at the time of the audit itself. The more audits a company passes, the more trustworthy it appears.

Windscribe has undergone three audits — one each in 2021, 2022 and 2024. I like how Windscribe publishes its full audit reports publicly, rather than making them available only to paying users like many other VPNs do. The most recent audit in June 2024 by Packetlabs examined Windscribe’s new RAM-only, “Freshscribe” VPN infrastructure.

“Overall, the penetration test against the Windscribe stack yielded minimal security concerns,” Packetlabs concluded in its report. “During the retest, all findings that posed any potential risk were promptly remediated.”

Sak tells me another audit is in the works looking into newer features including IP Pinning and Rotation, along with the new WireGuard daemon and IPV6 support. Still, the most recent completed audit was released over two years ago. I’d like to see Windscribe commission audits at a steadier clip, given how important regular audits are for building public trust in a VPN service.

Windscribe keeps a running tally of DMCA and legal requests in its real-time transparency report that’s updated constantly each time a request comes in. While most VPNs that publish transparency reports do so on a quarterly or annual basis, Windscribe’s is updated basically every day, and reports that “zero requests were complied with due to lack of relevant data.”

Windscribe’s Canadian jurisdiction is safe

Windscribe’s Canadian jurisdiction may concern some because the country is part of the Five-Eyes intelligence sharing alliance. However, what really matters is that Canada doesn’t have mandatory data retention laws that would compel a VPN company to log user data. Sak argues that “it doesn’t matter how many eyes you have,” and that having an offshore jurisdiction has no impact on privacy.

“If being based offshore made any difference, believe me, we’d spend a few thousand bucks to open a Panamanian company for Windscribe,” Sak told me. “The reason we didn’t is because it’s total BS, and would arguably make the service less secure and private.”  

Windscribe does basically everything right

Windscribe doesn’t offer bundled privacy and security tools like some of the other top VPN companies do. It’s just a VPN — but it’s a damn good VPN that delivers on its privacy promises and does things many other VPNs don’t do. Windscribe is unique, it’s quirky and it’s content with doing things in its own way. 

If you want a VPN that’s its own boss and not beholden to a large corporate overlord, Windscribe is probably for you. If you’re a total VPN nerd and want granular control over your VPN experience and want to tool around with your connection in ways you can’t with most other VPNs, Windscribe is definitely for you. If you’ve got critical privacy needs or live in a region with heavy internet censorship, Windscribe is a great choice. And if you’re on a budget, you’ll have a hard time finding a better price-to-performance ratio than what you get with Windscribe. 

Windscribe is one of — if not the most — well-rounded VPN services I’ve encountered in my decade-plus experience in the industry. So even if you don’t fit into any of those categories, and just want a great VPN at a great price, give Windscribe a shot.