Intro & Overall Ratings
Our Ratings
In the comparison between NordVPN and Windscribe, it’s evident that NordVPN emerges superior in several dimensions. Boasting a significantly higher overall rating of 83.5% versus Windscribe’s 57.5%, NordVPN establishes a concrete lead. Cost-effectiveness is also apparent in NordVPN, with a cheaper price of $2.99/month for a two-year subscription compared to Windscribe’s $5.75 monthly price. NordVPN operates in Panama, allowing more robust privacy compared to Windscribe’s operations in Canada. With 5,000 servers globally, NordVPN offers a larger server network to choose from, surpassing Windscribe’s 120 servers. NordVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee empowers users, providing a longer trial period than Windscribe’s 3-day guarantee. However, Windscribe promotes more flexibility with unlimited simultaneous connections, exceeding NordVPN’s limit of six devices. Given these factors, NordVPN proves to be the more attractive choice for vast user needs.
About Our VPN Rating Systems
Our reviews delve deeply into each VPN service, scrutinizing aspects such as privacy, customer feedback, pricing, and usability to provide well-rounded insights.
Ratings are based on our comprehensive research of 96 VPN companies. Out of 96 VPNs we reviewed, only 11 surpass the 75% threshold in our evaluation, while half of the reviewed services score below average (54.1%).
Why Read Our VPN Guide?
- Our VPN reviews are unbiased and data-driven. We are not affiliated to any of the VPN companies listed on this website.
- Our rating system covers diverse user needs. We delve deeply into each VPN service, scrutinizing aspects such as privacy, customer feedback, pricing, and usability to provide well-rounded insights.
Specifications: NordVPN vs Windscribe
| VPN Company | NordVPN | Windscribe |
|---|---|---|
| Jurisdiction Country | Panama | Canada |
| Cheapest Price | $2.99/mo over 24-month subscription | $5.75/mo |
| Monthly Price | $12.99 | $9.00 |
| Money Back Guarantee | 30 days | 3 days |
| No Logging Policy? | Yes | Yes |
| Encryption | AES-256, and ChaCha20 | AES-256, and ChaCha20 |
| Protocols | OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2/IPSec | OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2/IPSec |
| Servers | 5,000 | 120 |
| Servers Countries | 59 | 69 |
| Simultaneous Connections | 6 devices | Unlimited devices |
| Works in China? | Yes, but unreliable | Unlikely |
| Smart DNS | Yes | No |
| Kill Switch | Yes | Yes |
| Browser Extension | Yes | Yes |
| Double VPN | Yes | Yes |
| Ads Blocking | Yes | Yes |
| Split Tunneling | Yes | Yes |
| Third Party Audit | Deloitte | – |
| Customer Support | 24/7 Live Chat, and Email | Email, and Chatbot |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Unblock Streaming | Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Netflix, Hulu, and HBO | Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Netflix, Hulu, and HBO |
| Learn More | Visit Online | Visit Online |
Cruical Features & Key Differences
Plans & Pricing: NordVPN Better
At $3.79/mo, NordVPN offers a wallet-friendly VPN solution, in contrast to Windscribe’s higher-priced offering at $5.75/mo. This price variance prompts users to ponder the added value provided by Windscribe. Highlighting its military-grade encryption (AES-256, and ChaCha20), exceptional Email, and Chatbot support, and an expansive server network spanning 120 servers in 69 countries, Windscribe showcases its premium features.
However, it’s essential to compare these with NordVPN’s services to determine if the additional investment in Windscribe aligns with what users seek in a VPN, balancing cost against specific feature needs.
Windscribe Plans
NordVPN Plans
Jurisdiction: NordVPN Better
When it comes to privacy, the jurisdiction of a VPN provider is key. NordVPN’s location in Panama, free from mandatory data retention laws, offers a significant privacy advantage over Windscribe, based in the 14-Eye Alliance country of Canada. This alliance, including the US, UK, and several European nations, is known for its extensive surveillance and data-sharing practices, potentially impacting user privacy.
In brief, for those dealing with sensitive data or in strict online environments, NordVPN represents a safer choice. Its non-14-Eyes location reduces the risk of surveillance and involuntary data sharing, making it a preferable option for privacy-conscious users.
Servers Count & Geographical Coverage: NordVPN Better
NordVPN and Windscribe differ substantially in their server fleet sizes. While NordVPN boasts a vast network of 5,000 servers globally, Windscribe operates with a much smaller server fleet, consisting of just 120 servers in 69 countries. This difference might affect the performance and speed – especially for users in less covered regions.
Money Back Guarantee: NordVPN Better
With NordVPN, users benefit from a comforting 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing a thorough testing period of its services. On the flip side, Windscribe presents a comparatively shorter money-back guarantee. This limited period, though adequate for a basic evaluation, may be a noteworthy aspect for users desiring a more extended trial phase to fully determine how well the VPN aligns with their specific requirements.
Simultaneous Connections: Windscribe Better
An important aspect to consider when comparing NordVPN and Windscribe is the number of simultaneous connections each service allows. NordVPN, while providing a robust and reliable VPN service, permits users to connect up to six devices at the same time. This is generally sufficient for individual users or small families – ensuring that multiple devices can be secured under one account.
However, Windscribe takes this a step further by offering unlimited simultaneous connections. This feature is particularly advantageous for larger households or businesses where numerous devices require VPN protection. It allows for a more flexible approach to securing online activity, without the need to prioritize which devices are protected.
For users with extensive connectivity needs, this difference in simultaneous connection capabilities might be a deciding factor in choosing Windscribe over NordVPN.
Bottomline
In conclusion, NordVPN and Windscribe provide robust, feature-packed VPN services, but differ substantially in areas like pricing, jurisdiction, server count, and simultaneous connections. Based on our unbiased, data-driven review, NordVPN tends to edge out Windscribe in several key aspects, offering a top-quality VPN service that combines affordability, expansive server network, and a better location for privacy.
About NordVPN & Windscribe
Windscribe
Windscribe is a cross-platform, commercial VPN provider based in Canada. The company was founded by Yegor Sak and Alex Paguis in 2016. It offers unlimited, simultaneous connections, and its privacy policy promotes the service as a no-log VPN. Windscribe is known for its exceptional commitment to social responsibility, particularly around issues of censorship in authoritarian regimes. For example, it provided expanded bandwidth free accounts to everyone affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Windscribe has also offered free and unlimited service to all journalists in the region, and subsequently combatting Russian blocks that aimed to render these efforts fruitless. The company has also offered expanded free accounts in Iran during the Mahsa Amini protests.
To learn more, read our Windscribe review.
NordVPN
NordVPN is a virtual private network (VPN) service provider that has been in operation since 2012. The company has its headquarters in Panama, which is outside the jurisdiction of the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and Fourteen Eyes intelligence alliances. NordVPN is the flagship product of Tefincom & Co. S.A., a company that focuses on providing internet privacy and security solutions.
NordVPN offers several features that make it a popular VPN choice for individuals and businesses alike. The company has over 5,000 servers in over 59 countries, which makes it easy for users to connect to the internet from almost anywhere in the world. NordVPN also offers its users unlimited bandwidth, which means that they can browse and download content without worrying about data caps.
NordVPN places a strong emphasis on security and privacy. The company uses military-grade encryption to protect user data, and it allows users to browse the internet anonymously by masking their IP addresses. NordVPN also has a strict no-logs policy, which means that it does not store any information about its users’ online activities.
To learn more, read our NordVPN review.