Windscribe vs NordVPN: which VPN is better?
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NordVPN is a household name in the VPN world, while Windscribe is often adored for its free version. This comparison isn’t just about popularity – it’s a look at whether a lesser-known VPN can really challenge one of the market giants.
To give you a clear and fair verdict in this NordVPN vs Windscribe comparison, I evaluated both providers across key areas like speed, security, privacy, streaming performance, pricing, and ease of use. Each category was assessed using hands-on testing and real-world usage scenarios.
Keep reading to see how they stack up side by side and which VPN is the better fit for your needs.
NordVPN vs Windscribe: overview
NordVPN is a feature-packed, high-performance VPN that consistently ranks among the top VPNs for speed, security, and streaming. Windscribe, on the other hand, focuses on privacy and flexibility, offering a generous free plan and unique customization options.
| NordVPN | Windscribe VPN | |
| ⭐ Rating: | ||
| 🥇 Overall rank: | #1 out of #41 | #18 out of #41 |
| 🖥️ Servers: | 9,500+ servers in 149 countries | 480+ servers in 69 countries |
| 📖 No logs policy: | No logs | No logs |
| 💵 Price: | From $3.09/month | From $5.75/month |
| 🔥 Coupons: | NordVPN coupon 76% OFF | Cybernews VPN Coupons |
| 🔒 VPN protocols: | OpenVPN, WireGuard (NordLynx), NordWhisper | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, WStunnel and StealthVPN |
| 🍿 Streaming services: | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube |
| 🖥️ Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| 📥 Simultaneous connections: | 10 | Unlimited |
| 💁🏻 Support: | Knowledge base, FAQs, email, 24/7 live chat | Self-help, bot chat, tickets |
We spare no effort to test the products & their features. All information is gathered by our in-house research team & fact-checked by our team of experts. Discover the ins and outs of our testing procedures.
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Key differences between NordVPN and Windscribe
NordVPN is known for its speed, streaming performance, and specialized servers. Windscribe, while less popular, is celebrated for its flexible free plan, privacy-focused features, and unlimited simultaneous connections. Here’s a closer look at when you might choose one over the other.
Choose NordVPN if:
- You want top-tier speed and performance. NordVPN consistently delivers higher download and upload speeds across most protocols, making it ideal for streaming and torrenting.
- You need specialized servers and exclusive features. From P2P, Double VPN, and Onion over VPN to Threat Protection and SmartPlay, NordVPN offers extensive tools for privacy, streaming, and security.
- You value long-term pricing and device versatility. With plans starting at $3.09/month and support for a wide range of devices and routers, NordVPN provides excellent long-term value.
- You prefer robust customer support. NordVPN’s 24/7 live chat ensures quick, human assistance whenever you need it.
Choose Windscribe if:
- You want flexible short-term plans or a free option. Windscribe’s “Build a Plan” and free tier make it an appealing choice for casual users or those who need fewer server locations.
- You prioritize unlimited simultaneous connections. Unlike NordVPN’s 10-device limit, Windscribe allows all your devices to connect at once.
- You enjoy privacy features with customization. Windscribe’s Time Warp, Location Warp, and R.O.B.E.R.T. ad-blocker offer unique ways to protect your data and browse with added flexibility.
Speed, performance, and streaming: Windscribe or NordVPN
The performance of each VPN is compared by counting the average download and upload speed of each protocol. It must be noted, though, that the speed of a VPN connection depends on a number of factors, such as proximity to the server and baseline speed. Nevertheless, counting the averages still allows us to fairly compare Windscribe and NordVPN’s speeds.
What we can tell so far is that Windscribe and NordVPN speeds are fairly similar to each other. Both perform quite well with certain protocols, and equally worse with others. Let’s take a closer look at each case.
NordLynx and Wireguard protocols are pretty much the same. However, NordVPN’s signature NordLynx has a few tweaks here and there which makes it a bit faster than WireGuard. On the other hand, every device has WireGuard protocol option on Windscribe.
With the NordLynx protocol, we were operating on 63% of the original speed, and 43% of the original upload speed. As for Windscribe’s WireGuard, it doesn’t fall behind NordVPN that much, which is a welcome surprise. Additionally, there has been news that Windscribe is looking to implement WireGuard as their primary protocol.
- Baseline for all speed tests: 300Mbps download/300Mbps upload
| NordLynx (Wireguard) | NordVPN | Windscribe |
|---|---|---|
| Download average | 190Mbps | 189Mbps |
| Upload averafe | 131Mbps | 118Mbps |
Now, when looking at OpenVPN, both NordVPN and Windscribe use UDP and TCP protocols. Windscribe also has implemented two of their own variations, WStunnel and Stealth. Let’s see how they compare to NordVPN.
Looking at the UDP download speeds, it’s clear that NordVPN is the winner here, retaining 65% of the original speed. Windscribe, meanwhile, presents us with a huge 72% drop. The tables, however, turn drastically in the realm of upload averages. Windscribe now is blazing through, while NordVPN just barely catches up.
| OpenVPN | NordVPN | Windscribe |
|---|---|---|
| Download average | 197Mbps | 83Mbps |
| Upload average | 69Mbps | 103Mbps |
OpenVPN TCP protocols present a different story altogether. From both Windscribe and NordVPN’s average download and upload speeds, it is clear that TCP in general is not extremely fast. However, NordVPN takes the cake here, with its averages being twice as high as those of Windscribe.
| OpenVPN TCP | NordVPN | Windscribe |
|---|---|---|
| Download average | 32Mbps | 15Mbps |
| Upload average | 26Mbps | 13Mbps |
As mentioned before, Windscribe also has Stealth and Websocket Stealth protocols, but seeing as NordVPN doesn’t have them, there is no point in comparison.
As for the last but not least protocol, IKEv2 seems to work pretty well with both NordVPN and Windscribe. In the download speed field NordVPN presents slightly better results than Windscribe, and Windscribe is faster with its upload speeds.
| IKEv2 | NordVPN | Windscribe |
|---|---|---|
| Download average | 215Mbps | 155Mbps |
| Upload average | 51Mbps | 153Mbps |
Netflix and streaming performance
We are glad to announce that both NordVPN and Windscribe perform really well when it comes to unblocking Netflix and other streaming platforms. However, there are some tiny details such as server functionality and connection stability, and NordVPN works with Netflix and other streaming platforms better in this case.
Both NordVPN and Windscribe managed to unblock Netflix, BBC iPlayer and Youtube without any problems. Streams loaded perfectly and no buffering took place.
However, NordVPN has an advantage over Windscribe in the streaming realm, and it’s the higher number of locations and no need to switch servers when you want to access different streaming platforms.
Torrenting
Both Windscribe and NordVPN support torrenting, which is great for those who don’t live in a torrenting-friendly country. Let’s take a closer look at Windscribe and NordVPN in action.
Most of Windscribe’s servers support P2P connection, and those that don’t are marked with “No P2P” signs, which is actually really convenient. The same can’t be said for speeds, though. They were not extremely consistent throughout the downloading process, and it took 10 minutes to download an over 4GB sized picture. Even though download time depends not only on the internet speed, this is quite a lot of waiting.
As for torrenting with NordVPN, this provider has specialised P2P servers with additional filtering, such as the fastest, nearest, safest, etc. And downloading content was like blazing through the clouds in a supersonic jet. In addition to that, if NordVPN detects P2P activities on regular servers, it automatically switches you to a specialised one to offer maximum speed and security.
Plans and pricing
Prices of VPNs are usually pretty easy to figure out, and the shortest subscription plans seem to be the most expensive, the prices going down when the duration goes up. This is true for both NordVPN and Windscribe. However, there are some peculiarities as well. Let’s take a closer look.
| Subscription plans | NordVPN | Windscribe |
|---|---|---|
| 1-month plan | $12.99 | $9.00 |
| 1-year plan | $4.99/month | $5.75/month |
| 2-year plan | $3.09/month | – |
| ‘Build a plan’ | – | $1.00/location/month |
| Check Pricing | Check Pricing |
The first thing to notice is that Windscribe doesn’t have the 2-year plan, but offers the user to build their own plan with $1 per location per month. This may sound like a pretty good deal if you want to use less than nine locations. After that, the 1-month Windscribe subscription for $9/month would be a better choice, or you could perfectly make-do with the free version, too.
Compare that with NordVPN’s 1-month plan, which is $4.99/month. Windscribe definitely has a better deal, considering that it allows unlimited simultaneous connections, while NordVPN allows only 10.
That said, Windscribe’s 1-year plan is more expensive than NordVPN's. As for the 2-year option, Windscribe doesn’t have it, but NordVPN starts at just $3.09/month.
All in all, Windscribe may be cheaper for short term subscriptions, but NordVPNs annual plans are more cost-effective overall. NordVPN also has a free trial, so you won't need to commit right away.
If prices seem a bit too high, don't worry. Simply visit our NordVPN coupons or Windscribe coupons to find the best discounted offer for you!
Servers and locations
Server and location count is another highly discussed feature in the VPN world. The more servers in the more locations a VPN provider has, the better it is. Locations are important for streaming and server count is important for traffic distribution.
Features overview
When it comes to features, both NordVPN and Windscribe have something to offer. Some of these features are the same with the same names, some of them have different names but do virtually the same things.
Right off the bat, I’d say it’s pretty evident that NordVPN takes the cake in this one. It has way more specialised servers than Windscribe, and while the web filtering features are virtually identical, NordVPN shows better results in the exclusive features section.
Specialized servers
Any VPN that functions like a VPN is good, but the one that presents features designed for specific purposes is better. If you’re looking for something case-specific, specialised servers are where it’s at.
NordVPN, if not excels, then does really well in this specialised server pop quiz. Here are the types of servers it offers:
- P2P servers for torrenting;
- Dedicated IP servers if you don’t want your IP address to change every time you connect, now also available on browser extension, so you can whitelist websites from VPN;
- Double VPN, or Multihop servers for doubled privacy;
- Obfuscated servers to mask the use of a VPN from all websites you visit;
- Onion over VPN to make any trace of your digital footsteps disappear. Good for exploring the dark web.
Windscribe, on the other hand, should do some inventing if it wants to pass this class. With only a couple servers for specific purposes, the only thing I can say about Windscribe’s performance is that it’s not much, but it’s honest work:
- Double Hop, or Multihop servers for maximum privacy.
- Stealth for bypassing restrictions.
- P2P servers for torrenting.
Web filters
Web filtering means protecting you from cyberthreats by blocking malicious ads and websites. This in turn reduces the risk of infecting your device with malware. The existence of malicious ads and websites requires you to always be careful when browsing, but being always on your toes takes a toll on your nerves (and toes). So if a VPN takes this burden off your shoulders (toes) and is constantly on the lookout for any potential threats - kudos to it.
Windscribe and NordVPN both have certain features that take up the work of checking every website you visit for malicious activity, blocking ads and more.
For example, NordVPN’s Threat Protection feature that filters insecure websites and blocks ads also notifies you when a threat is present and prevents you from visiting said websites. It constantly cross references pages you visit against blacklists and offers real-time protection. There is also the Dark Web Monitoring feature that checks leaked databases and the dark web for your personal data and notifies you if your email or passwords have been compromised.
NordVPN has also expanded this with Dark Web Monitor Pro, which now tracks more sensitive data types, including credit cards, national IDs, Social Security numbers, and phone numbers. It also improves breach alerts, so you get more detailed notifications when your information appears in a leak. Users can also quickly check for exposed data via a web widget without opening the app.
Windscribe also has something similar to Threat Protection. It’s called R.O.B.E.R.T. and it blocks ads and trackers, domains and IPs that aren’t absolutely trustworthy. Paid subscribers also get protection against malicious websites and have the option to block or whitelist any questionable websites they (don’t) want to visit.
Exclusive features
Aside from aforementioned specialised servers and web filtering features, both NordVPN and Windscribe have something else to offer, something that is exclusive to each of these providers.
NordVPN’s secret gems are its SmartPlay feature and Presets. SmartPlay combines the best features of a VPN and Smart DNS, allowing you to stream content seamlessly without any work from your side. It’s implemented and activated automatically in all NordVPN subscriptions.
And Presets is something that allows you to customise the hell out of NordVPN. You can build your preferred type of VPN connection, add shortcuts to certain apps, filter and toggle various features.
Windscribe, on the other hand, has two exclusive features, and it’s the Time Warp and Location Warp. No, they don’t function like time and teleportation machines. Well, maybe. Time Warp is a feature for browser extensions that allows you to fake your timezone and match it to that of the server you’re connected to, and Location Warp is essentially a GPS spoofer. Both of these features are great for shopping limited-time offers, gaming and spoofing certain apps that rely on GPS location rather than IP address data.
Windscribe vs NordVPN: which is more secure?
Security is The Thing with any VPN. Actually, protecting your IP address and encrypting your traffic is the primary purpose of this service, and if it performs badly, then it should go straight to the file shredder.
Luckily, Windscribe and NordVPN are both pretty good at this security Thing. They both use the military-grade AES-256-CBC cipher for encryption and the SHA-512 hash function for additional access data processing. But encryption and hash functions are not the only thing that make a VPN secure.
Infrastructure
RAM-only servers are becoming more and more commonplace in the VPN industry, and we’re glad to tell you that both Windscribe and NordVPN have taken actions in this area of security.
This basically means that hard drives are no more and data cannot be logged on them. Such measures also make server breaches less likely to happen, and the servers that are RAM-only wipe themselves clean after each restart.
Windscribe has announced their transitioning to RAM-only servers on July 8th 2021, after the incident of Ukrainian authorities seizing Windscribe’s servers without any notice and/or warning. On August 24th an announcement was made that all keys required for server functionality are now stored only in memory. They also proclaimed that the creation of a new in-memory system ensuring ephemeral data storage is in process.
On the other hand, NordVPN has already moved to offering colocated, or RAM-only, servers to their customers. Even though such early action is admirable, it must be noted that such decisions have been set in stone only after the 2018 data centre breach.
Privacy
The question of privacy is mainly related to the VPN’s country of legislation and whether it belongs to any alliances that have mutual agreements to aid each other in cases related to cyber crimes, such as sharing related intelligence.
Windscribe is based in Canada, which is a member of the Five Eyes alliance. Even though Windscribe doesn’t log any incriminating information, if you do somehow get in trouble, the information they have on you might be shared with others. More on Windscribe’s logging policy below.
NordVPN, however, is based in Panama, which is neither a member of any intelligence alliances, nor legally requires VPN providers to track and store users’ data. Your online activity will most likely remain unseen by anyone else.
Logging
Logging is the number one topic constantly discussed in various VPN related forums and blogs. Let’s take a look at NordVPN and Windscribe’s logging policies.
Both providers claim strict no-logs policies, and both adhere to them, with NordVPN's being independently audited six times. Windscribe does log some of your data, as per their privacy policy - the transaction ID of your payment (for 30 days), the amount of bytes transferred each month, and the timestamp of your last activity using the VPN.
NordVPN, in turn, logs data related to crash error reports and diagnostics, which in no way leads to a specific user.
Neither of the providers keep track of your IP address or browsing and other online activity.
Platforms, interface and ease of use
| NordVPN | Windscribe | |
| Supported OS | Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, Linux, | Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, Linux |
| Other software and devices | Android TV, Chromebook, Kindle Fire, Raspberry Pi, Amazon Firestick, Xbox, Playstation, Chromecast, Nintendo Switch, router | Router, Huawei, FireTV |
| Browser extensions | Firefox, Chrome | Firefox, Chrome |
| Connections | 10 | Unlimited |
Both Windscribe and NordVPN support all major operating systems and offer the same browser extensions for Firefox and Chrome. However, NordVPN also supports a big number of other software and devices, from routers to Kindle Fire. The same can’t be said about Windscribe, as it supports only three other softwares.
However, when it comes to simultaneous connections, NordVPN offers only 10. Windscribe leaves NordVPN in the dust with its unlimited number of available connections.
Desktop apps
Before all consideration, it must be noted that choosing the VPN based on UI design comes down to personal preference. The functionality of the app is where it’s really at.
Windscribe’s desktop apps have a very small interface compared to that of NordVPN. Nevertheless, they’re still perfectly functional and every feature is easy to find. It may not be the pinnacle of UI design, but the easy navigation and witty location names (Helsinki Sauna or Brisbane Bad Koala and Brisbane Good Koala) could make up for the tiny interface.
All desktop apps look the same without any discernible differences. Windscribe has also launched a graphical user interface (GUI) for Linux users, so using the app on a desktop is very intuitive and effortless.
NordVPN’s desktop interface is light, as big as you want it, and aesthetically pleasing to the eye. It’s very easy to navigate and find the features that you need, tweak settings, and pause connections.
Just like Windscribe, NordVPN has recently launched a GUI for Linux. The installation process for every client – Windows, Linux, and MacOS – is also painless and smooth.
Mobile apps
NordVPN’s mobile apps are very similar to that of desktop. There is the map, and the side menu with all of the functions - although these could be arranged a bit better. I sometimes had trouble finding where some of the settings were.
The only discernible difference is actually between the features. The Android version, for example, has split tunnelling, pausing, auto-connect options, and a configurable kill switch. The kill switch is always on on the iOS client, and split tunneling isn't available.
On Android, NordVPN also includes Call Protection, which now works globally and helps block scam and spam calls, adding an extra layer of safety on mobile devices.
Windscribe’s mobile apps are a bit more convenient than the desktop version. Firstly, the display is across the whole screen, and the design is simple but still somewhat pleasing to the eye. All of the functions are where you would hope to find them, and the country list is easily accessible.
Customer support
Last but not least aspect to look at is the customer support. Both NordVPN and Windscribe have extensive help and knowledge centres with a bunch of tutorials and how-to guides. Windscribe also has a pretty active subreddit where users and support agents alike provide help to those in need.
However, where these providers differ is the live chat feature. NordVPN has a human live chat that is available 24/7. Windscribe, meanwhile, has only a chatbot, and if it’s not able to answer your questions, submitting a ticket is your only way to reach human intelligence. Nevertheless, the answers usually come in the span of a few hours, which is not that bad.
Windscribe vs NordVPN – which one wins?
NordVPN shines in speed, streaming, specialized servers, security, and support, making it the best choice for long-term users who want reliability and versatility. Windscribe excels with flexible short-term plans, unlimited connections, and unique privacy features, appealing to casual users or those seeking a free tier.
In summary, NordVPN is the clear winner for most users, delivering superior performance, stronger features, and broader device support, while Windscribe remains a solid alternative for budget-conscious or light VPN users.
| Feature | NordVPN | Windscribe | Verdict |
| Pricing | Windscribe is better for short-term subscriptions, NordVPN offers stronger long-term value. | ||
| Speed | Windscribe performs well, but NordVPN consistently delivers faster and more stable speeds. | ||
| Privacy | Both have no-logs policies, but NordVPN’s Panama jurisdiction offers stronger overall privacy. | ||
| Features | NordVPN provides more specialized servers and exclusive tools, while Windscribe offers fewer options. | ||
| Streaming | NordVPN unblocks more platforms reliably with higher server variety; Windscribe works, but less seamless. | ||
| Torrenting | NordVPN’s P2P servers are faster and more consistent, while Windscribe supports torrenting but is slower. | ||
| Support | NordVPN’s 24/7 human live chat outperforms Windscribe’s chatbot and ticket system. |
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FAQ
Which is better: Windscribe or NordVPN?
NordVPN is better than Windscribe. It has more features and specialised servers, their security solutions are next level and if you run into any issues, customer support is available all day, everyday.
Can I trust Windscribe VPN?
Yes, Windscribe VPN is a perfectly trustworthy VPN. It uses the latest encryption technologies and doesn’t log any user data. One drawback may be that it is based in Canada, a 5 Eyes country, but other than that, you can really trust Windscribe.
Is Windscribe better than ExpressVPN?
No, Windscribe isn’t better than ExpressVPN. It’s more expensive and doesn’t work as well for streaming.
