Estimated reading time: 12 minutes

About WindScribe

WindScribe was developed in 2015, and released on April 20, 2016, after a trial run of almost a year. The VPN provider is based in Canada and owned by Yego Sak.

That about covers the intro on the VPN, now let’s dive in and see what I discovered after a few weeks of review on WindScribe.

Features of WindScribe

Below are the main recognized features of Winscribe;

Large Network

R.O.B.E.R.T.

No Identifying Logs

Strongest Encryption

Config Generators

ScribeForce

Simple Clients

Use for Free

Static IPs

Port Forwarding

Split Tunneling

Kill Switch

Large Network

One of the things I love about WindScribe is that there are servers physically available in the countries mentioned to have one. This also helps in  improving the trust in their products. Which in turn improves the reach of their audience.

R.O.B.E.R.T.

Let’s view this feature as an anti-virus or an ad-blocker. This feature can be customized to block certain sites, ads, and things like that. Thereby making your browsing experience faster and more secure.

No Identifying Logs

Most VPN users should know what this feature is all about, but for those who don’t, read on.

This feature is more like an assurance given by most VPN companies that their data are safe, and not shared.

In other words, WindScribe promises its users, complete discretion whereby logs of their activities are safe and secure with no copy saved in their systems. Although we all know that this is a lie told to deceive the audience since Canada is part of the 5 eyes alliance.

Strongest Encryption

WindScribe is known for making use of 3 encryption software such as; 4096-bit RSA which is a legitimate encryption cipher. SHA512 auth (Secure Hash Algorithm 512) which is used on converting the text of any length into a fixed-size string. AES-256 (Advanced Encryption Standard) is a recognized military encryption software.

TLS 1.2, ECDHW_RSA with P-256 key exchange, and AES_128_GCM cipher is used in their browser extensions.

Config Generators

In a situation whereby your device is incapable of supporting WindScibes applications or you don’t feel comfortable using it, this feature would allow you to manually configure the protocols of the VPN. But it’s only available in the Pro account.

ScribeForce

Well, from my  review on WindScribe, I found out that this feature is mostly used by organizations, especially large ones. It gives the boss of the company access on managing the VPN accounts of the members.

So basically, the name ScribeForce is just there to make the feature sound cool.

Simple Clients

WindScribe took into consideration that not all users are technologically proficient, hence they made their software simple and user-friendly.

Use for Free

When it comes to VPNs, this feature made it one of the best (well in my perspective though, well what do you think). WindScribe made their VPN as free as possible, and as long as you have a confirmed email address, you would be able to get 10GB per month.

 The only downside is that this feature isn’t available in every county but only in 10 countries. So if you happen to live in countries outside the includes countries, then…

Static IPs

Unlike most VPNs which generate new IP addresses each time you change locations, WindScribe found a solution for that. Static IPs are just like regular IPs, but with a twist. It reconnects you to the same external IP every you connect to the Static IP, thereby making your connection faster. And more stable.

The Static IP servers can be found in 13 different locations. And they come in 2 different versions. Data-center IP and Residential IP.

Whereby the Data-centre IP is no different from their regular standard IP address. Whereas the Residential IP makes it look like your using an IP address assigned by an ISP (Internet Service Provider), though you don’t.

Port Forwarding

This feature makes it possible for you to access your computer or home network remotely when connected to WindScribe. Things like; Security Cams, Torrent Client Web GUI, etc can be remotely accessed with the help of this function. In other words, you can connect to your devices from anywhere.

Split Tunneling

You can find this feature in almost every other VPN, but WindScribe improved on this feature. Unlike other VPNs where this feature allows you to exclude certain apps from the VPN. Meaning that the apps connect directly to your network provider instead of first passing through the VPN.

WindScribe gave theirs two modes; Exclusive and Inclusive. Whereby the Exclusive links all your apps to the VPN, giving you the option of selecting the specific apps you would  want to connect to your internet provider.

And the Inclusive removes all your apps from the VPN, except the few apps you choose to pass through the VPN.

Kill Switch

This is a helpful feature for VPNs which prevents your phone from connecting to the internet directly, in cases where WindScribe troubleshoots due to a software malfunction. It will only reconnect when the VPN stabilizes.

Other Features

Although much attention isn’t always paid to these features, I decided to mention them either way.

Firewall

Secure Hotspot

Proxy Gateway

Flexible Connection

Auto Pilot

Double Hop

Ad Blocking

Time Warp

Cookie Monster

Split Personality

WebRTC Slayer

Location Warp

To read more on the mentioned features, click here

Pricing

When it comes to pricing, WindScribe made theirs simple. A monthly plan of $9 per month, and a yearly plan of $69 at $5.75 per month. WindScribe mentioned giving their users who have confirmed email addresses free 10GB every month, but I’m not sure if that’s true. But I’m certain that there would be some strings attached to this offer.

Oh, and it’s only available on their free version, which in turn is only available in 11 countries. These include; the U.S., U.K., Canada, Hong Kong, France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway, Romania, and Turkey. Other countries need to pay.

Payments are made in Dollars, and they can be made using Bitcoin, PayPal, Payment wall, American Express, and a Visa or MasterCard.

Devices and Platforms

After my weeks of review on WindScribe, one of the characteristic that I wasn’t able to figure out is the limit of connected devices. Most VPN users would usually like to know how many devices could be connected to their accounts.

Well, WindScribe mentioned their users being able to connect all of their devices, and I think they meant it. I was able to connect 26 devices to my account, and believe that isn’t the limit. So you and your family can use the VPN without bothering about the limit for connected devices.

It’s available on Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Huawei, and Linux, it also has extensions for Chrome, Opera, Firefox, and Routers.

Regions

I confirmed on my review on WindScribe, that it has over 500 servers in 63 countries and 110 cities, 11 countries of which are eligible for their monthly free 10GB. Though the number of servers isn’t much.

Torrenting (Does it Work? Is it Safe?)

I used the VPN for a few days while torrenting, and I can say for sure that the security features made it safe and reliable, for torrenting.

Yes and No.Yes, cause it does have a free version that offers the users free 10GB every month. No cause out of the 68 countries, the free version is only available in 11 countries.

Protocols Used in WindScribe VPN?

WindScribe makes use of OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard. And get this, you can set up the connections manually, if it isn’t supported on your device, or  if you don’t plan on using them.

Netflix

My review on WindScribe proved that just like every other software out there, to enjoy all the features that it has to offer, some payments have to be made.

Both the free and paid  versions work really well with Netflix, but here’s the catch. The free version gives you access only to 6 libraries, while the paid version gives you access to 32 libraries.

See the difference.

WindScribe with Tor

WindScribe is compatible with Tor, but it’s only available on a desktop.

Customer Support

Thankfully, unlike some VPN companies who mention having a customer support service, just for the users to discover that they hardly function or that it doesn’t even exist in the first place, WindScribe’s customer service center works just fine.

How does WindScribe VPN compare with your favorite VPNs?

I’ll be comparing WindScribe with ExpressVPN and Surfshark VPN

ExpressVPN was developed in 2009, as compared to WindScribe which was developed in 2015, so it has had more time to develop itself.

When it comes to pricing, ExpressVPN is more expensive. Priced at $99.84 on their yearly plan, as compared to WindScribe which is priced at $69. Along with their free version which gives its users free 10GB monthly, I believe WIndScribe wins this one.

When it comes to connecting devices, ExpressVPN has a limit of 5 devices per account (Meaning you can only connect 5 devices on one account). Whereas WindScribe didn’t limit their users in this area, so you can connect as many devices as you want.

In terms of streaming, WindScribe users can’t stream Amazon Prime and ABC Videos but ExpressVPN can.

ExpressVPN has over 3000+ servers in 94 countries while WindScribe has around 500 servers in 63 countries.

Users enjoy more customer service on ExpressVPN.

WindScribe has some areas where it has an advantage, but overall, I believe ExpressVPN won.

Surfshark is almost similar to Windscribe with a lot of differences.

Surfshark is based in the British Virgin Islands, which means they aren’t included in the 5, 9, and 14 eyes alliances. In other words, if they say they don’t keep a log of your activities, then know that they don’t.

Surfshark has more servers and locations as compared to WIndScribe with around 3200+ servers in 65 countries.

Compared to WindScribe, Surfshark VPN is cheaper with a yearly subscription of $47.88 and a two-year sub of $59.76, amazing right?

Surfshark has also won a lot of awards for being one of the best VPNs in the industry, while WindScribe sadly hasn’t.

So Surfshark crushed WindScribe in almost everything.

Pros & Cons

These are the pros and cons of using WindScribe VPN

Con Aspect

WindScibe is a nice trusted VPN, it’s safe, secure and most importantly, reliable. But, my issue with them is their location. Which is located in Canada and is part of the 5 Eyes Alliance. So they’re required by law to keep a log of your activities.

Unless you’re into illegal stuff, or a paranoid person who believes that everyone is out to get you, and isn’t against the government monitoring your activities, you have nothing to worry about.

Pro Aspect

Now WindScribe made me proud in this aspect. After my study or review of WindScribe VPN, I found that a lot of its features favor the users.

Like it’s secure and reliable, plus some additional features offered by the software (which I listed above). But most of all, I appreciated the free 10GB offered by the company, though it’s only accessible in 11 countries and only on their free software version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ø Is WindScribe VPN trustworthy?

Yes in a way. Besides being part of the 5 eyes alliance, it’s trustworthy.

Ø Is WindScribe VPN safe?

It has a free version which is entirely free, and also offers its users free 10GB every month.

Ø Can WindScribe VPN be tracked?

It can be tracked through normal means. So it’s secure.

Ø Does WindScribe sell your data?

No, they don’t unless it’s to the government. After all, Canada is part of the 5 eyes alliance.

Conclusion

Besides being part of the 5 eyes alliance, and some restrictions associated with the free version, the VPN is Ok.