The Windscribe vs NordVPN comparison often comes down to one question: Do you want a highly flexible free plan, or do you need top-tier performance for heavy streaming?
Windscribe has built a loyal following with its unique “Build-a-Plan” flexibility and witty branding. NordVPN, on the other hand, is the heavyweight champion known for speed and security.
To help you decide, we put both providers through a rigorous series of tests, checking everything from long-distance speeds to unblocking capabilities on Netflix. The results, particularly in the speed category, were surprising.
Key takeaways
- NordVPN is significantly faster. We measured speeds of 421.98 Mbps on US servers with NordVPN, whereas Windscribe only managed 14.56 Mbps in the same test.
- Windscribe offers better flexibility. It provides a generous free plan and a unique “build-a-plan” option, whereas NordVPN requires a long-term subscription to get the best rates.
- NordVPN is safer for privacy. It operates from Panama with four independent audits, whereas Windscribe is based in Canada (a Five Eyes member).
- Both VPNs unlock major streaming sites. They both access Netflix and Disney+, but NordVPN streams in 4K without buffering due to higher speeds.
Note: All data and figures are current as of January 1, 2026. Results may differ by user location; our long-distance tests were conducted from Vietnam.
1. Windscribe vs NordVPN: At a glance
We compared both services across key criteria to see which one stands out in 2026.
| Criteria | Windscribe | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 8.4/10 | 9.3/10 |
| Starting Price | Free / $5.75/mo (Yearly) | ~$2.99/mo (2-Year Plan) |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 7 Days (Strict: <10GB) | 30 Days |
| Jurisdiction | Canada (5-Eyes Member) | Panama (Privacy Friendly) |
| Transparency Report | Yes (Transparency Report) | Audited (PwC/Deloitte x4) |
| Kill Switch | Yes (Firewall) | Yes |
| VPN Protocols | OpenVPN UDP/TCP, WireGuard, IKEv2, WStunnel | NordLynx (WireGuard), NordWhisper, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| Gaming Performance | High Latency (Laggy) | Low Latency (Smooth) |
| Streaming Services | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video | Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video |
| Torrenting/P2P | Supported (Most servers) | Dedicated P2P Servers |
| Servers | Thousands (Exact hidden) | 8,400+ |
| Countries | 69 | 120 |
| Connections | Unlimited Devices | 10 Devices |
| Platforms | Win, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Win, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, TV |
| Support | Chatbot (Garry) / Ticket | 24/7 Live Human Chat |
| Best For | Free Users, Browser Extension | Speed, Streaming, Privacy |
The quick verdict: NordVPN wins.
While Windscribe fights hard with features, NordVPN’s infrastructure is simply superior for paid users.
Choose Windscribe if:
- You want a generous Free Plan (10GB/month) with access to 10+ countries.
- You need to connect Unlimited devices simultaneously.
- You are looking for a customizable “Build-a-Plan” option.
Choose NordVPN if:
- You need raw speed (400Mbps+) for 4K streaming and gaming.
- You prioritize privacy (Panama Jurisdiction + Audited No-Logs).
- You need 24/7 immediate support for troubleshooting.
2. Windscribe vs NordVPN: Speed & performance
Winner: NordVPN – (Landslide victory).
We tested both VPNs from a location in Vietnam with a robust baseline connection of nearly 900 Mbps. The goal was to measure the actual download and upload speeds when connecting to distant servers.
Our baseline speed (No VPN) is Download 893.22 Mbps, Upload 517.5 Mbps, and Ping 2ms.
| Location | Windscribe Speed | NordVPN Speed | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local / Auto | 449.62 Mbps | 458.92 Mbps | Tie |
| Hong Kong | 20.84 Mbps | 26.16 Mbps | Tie |
| US Server | 14.56 Mbps | 421.98 Mbps | NordVPN Wins |
| UK Server | 13.69 Mbps | 428.00 Mbps | NordVPN Wins |
Windscribe
NordVPN
This is where the difference becomes undeniable. On the “Best Location” (Auto Connect), both VPNs performed admirably, retaining about 50% of our high-speed baseline (approx 450 Mbps).
However, once we connected to servers in the US and UK, Windscribe’s performance collapsed completely. Dropping from a baseline of ~893 Mbps down to 14.56 Mbps (US) is a massive reduction, likely causing buffering on high-quality streams.
In contrast, NordVPN maintained an incredible 421.98 Mbps to the US. This consistency is likely due to NordVPN’s proprietary NordLynx protocol and superior server capacity. If you need to “travel” virtually to the other side of the world, NordVPN is the only viable choice here.
3. Windscribe vs NordVPN: Pricing & value
Winner: Tie – (Depends on user needs).
Pricing is where these two services diverge the most in philosophy. Windscribe offers flexibility, while NordVPN offers value through long-term commitment and tiered service levels.
NordVPN pricing structure:
| Plan Type | Basic | Plus | Complete | Prime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Month | $12.99 | $13.99 | $14.99 | $17.99 |
| 1-Year | $4.59 | $5.49 | $6.49 | $8.49 |
| 2-Year | $2.99 | $3.89 | $4.89 | $6.89 |
Windscribe pricing structure:
| Plan Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Free | $0 (2-10GB / month) |
| Monthly Plan | $9.00 / month |
| Yearly Plan | $5.75 / month |
| Build a Plan | $1.00 per location/month ($3 minimum) |
Windscribe’s “Build A Plan” tool is unique. It allows you to pay just $1.00 per location per month. However, there is a catch: a $3.00 minimum applies. This means to build a valid custom plan, you would need to select roughly two locations plus the “Unlimited Data” add-on (also $1), or three locations.
This is still unbeatable for users who only need specific servers. Additionally, Windscribe’s free tier (10GB/mo) stands out by offering access to servers in over 10 countries, giving you more control than many other free providers.
It is also important to note that Windscribe’s refund policy is stricter than the industry standard. Unlike NordVPN’s 30-day “no questions asked” guarantee, Windscribe only offers a 7-day window, and only if you have used less than 10GB of data.
NordVPN follows a more complex tiered structure. The “Basic” plan covers the VPN essentials. Stepping up to “Plus” or “Complete” adds features like a password manager and encrypted cloud storage. The 2-year Basic plan at ~$2.99/mo is an excellent value deal for a premium service, significantly undercutting Windscribe’s standard yearly rate.
4. Windscribe vs NordVPN: Privacy & security
Winner: NordVPN – (Better jurisdiction and audits).
Privacy involves much more than simple encryption; the company’s physical location and data handling practices are equally critical factors to consider.
| Feature | Windscribe | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Canada (5-Eyes) | Panama |
| Logging Policy | No Identifying Logs | Strict No-Logs |
| RAM-only Servers | Partial | Yes (100% Diskless) |
| Audits | Transparency Reports | 4x Independent Audits |
This is a critical distinction. Windscribe is based in Canada, a member of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance. This means that, legally, the company could be compelled to share user data with intelligence agencies if served a warrant.
While Windscribe maintains a strong no-logs policy to mitigate this, the location is an inherent risk for privacy purists.
NordVPN operates out of Panama, a privacy haven with no data retention laws. They have backed up their claims with four separate independent audits by giants like PwC and Deloitte.
Furthermore, NordVPN has completed a transition to RAM-only (diskless) servers across its entire network. This means no data is ever written to a hard drive; if a server is seized or rebooted, all data is instantly wiped. Windscribe is transparent, but NordVPN’s infrastructure is more robustly “dummy-proof.”
5. Windscribe vs NordVPN: Streaming
Winner: Tie
Both providers are excellent at bypassing geo-blocks, but the viewing experience depends on the speed results mentioned above.
| Service | Windscribe | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix | Yes | Yes |
| Hulu | Yes | Yes |
| Disney+ | Yes | Yes |
| BBC iPlayer | Yes | No |
| Amazon Prime | Yes | Yes |
Windscribe
NordVPN
In terms of pure access, both VPNs are top-tier. Even when using regular servers during our tests, Windscribe effectively unlocked catalogs in the US and UK.
During our testing, we observed that NordVPN could not access BBC iPlayer. This is likely because NordVPN is a very popular service, meaning its UK IP addresses are shared by a massive number of users. This high traffic volume makes it easy for the BBC to identify those IP ranges as VPN traffic and blacklist them.
Windscribe managed to remain undetected and successfully bypassed these blocks.
The tie-breaker for this category is the actual playback quality. Because NordVPN retained over 400 Mbps on US servers in our tests, you can click play on a 4K UHD movie and it will start instantly.
With Windscribe’s 14 Mbps result on the same route, you may be limited to 1080p HD or face occasional buffering wheels.
If you are satisfied with standard HD, Windscribe works fine, but if you demand a buffer-free home theater experience, NordVPN is the safer bet due to its superior performance.
Because one provider offers better access while the other provides much better speeds, we have decided to call this category a tie.
6. Windscribe vs NordVPN: Gaming
Winner: Tie
Gamers need low ping (latency) more than high download speeds. We checked the ping times to specific servers from our location in Vietnam to evaluate how these services handle real-world gaming conditions.
| Metric | Windscribe | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Ping (US) | 474ms | 349ms |
| Ping (UK) | 385ms | 418ms |
| Ping (Hong Kong) | 50ms | 51ms |
| DDoS Protection | Yes | Yes |
For nearby gaming using Hong Kong servers, the results are nearly identical. Both services provided a ping of around 50ms, which is perfectly playable for fast-paced shooters and competitive play.
When testing cross-region gaming to the US and UK, both providers experienced high latency due to the physical distance from Vietnam. Windscribe showed a very high ping of 474ms to the US, while NordVPN was also quite high at 349ms.
Similarly, for UK servers, both remained in the high range with 385ms for Windscribe and 418ms for NordVPN. In these long-distance scenarios, both services result in a suboptimal experience where gameplay would be difficult.
Both VPNs offer DDoS protection to keep you safe from targeted attacks during matches.
NordVPN also provides setup guides for routers, which help in protecting consoles like PlayStation or Xbox that do not have native VPN apps.
However, because the ping results are similarly high for long distances and almost equal for nearby servers, we have decided to mark this category as a tie.
7. Windscribe vs NordVPN: Torrenting
Winner: NordVPN – (Dedicated infrastructure).
Both services support P2P, but their approach to managing that traffic differs.
| Feature | Windscribe | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| P2P Servers | General Support | Dedicated P2P |
| SOCKS5 Proxy | No | Yes |
| Port Forwarding | Sunsetting (Limited) | No |
| Speed Impact | Noticeable drop | Minimal drop |
Windscribe allows torrenting on most of its servers (excluding countries with strict laws like India or Russia).
Historically, Windscribe was a favorite because it offered ephemeral Port Forwarding, a feature that helps connect to more peers in a swarm. However, they are in the process of sunsetting or limiting this feature for many users due to security/abuse concerns.
NordVPN directs you to dedicated P2P servers that are optimized for high-bandwidth traffic. They also offer a SOCKS5 proxy, which you can set up directly inside your torrent client (like qBittorrent) for faster speeds without full VPN encryption overhead.
8. Windscribe vs NordVPN: Server network
Winner: NordVPN – (Massive scale).
The size of the network determines how likely you are to encounter a crowded, slow server.
| Feature | Windscribe | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Total Servers | Thousands (Est.) | 8,400+ |
| Countries | 69 | 120 |
| 10Gbps | Mixed (Not all) | Yes |
| Virtual Locations | Yes (Transparent) | Mostly Physical |
This is a classic case of David vs. Goliath. Windscribe operates a network of thousands of servers, though they do not publish the exact count. While they have upgraded many locations to 10 Gbps, this high-speed capacity is not universal across their entire network, meaning performance can vary depending on which specific server you choose.
NordVPN operates a massive fleet of over 8,400 servers in 120 countries. This scale prevents overcrowding during peak hours.
Crucially, NordVPN has moved most of its infrastructure to “colocated” servers. This means they own the hardware rather than renting it from a third-party data center, adding a layer of physical security that smaller providers cannot match.
9. Windscribe vs NordVPN: Apps & user experience
Winner: NordVPN – (Intuitive for all).
We looked at how easy it is to install the app, find a server, and get connected.
| Feature | Windscribe | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Interface Style | Compact List | List / Quick Connect |
| Click-to-Connect | Yes | Yes |
| Linux GUI | No (CLI) | No (CLI) |
| Browser Ext. | Excellent | Good |
NordVPN features a modern, clean interface that has moved away from the map-centric view in the latest version. The layout is now streamlined, allowing you to easily find and connect to servers via a searchable list or the “Quick Connect” button.
It is designed for efficiency, ensuring even complete beginners can secure their connection in seconds. Nord also includes “Meshnet” directly in the app, which makes linking your phone and PC for file sharing incredibly easy.
Windscribe uses a small, compact window that lists countries. It is efficient and takes up less screen space, which some tech-savvy users prefer. However, the interface can feel a bit cluttered with options packed into a small area. Both apps work well, but NordVPN feels more polished and accessible.
10. Windscribe vs NordVPN: Customer support
Winner: NordVPN – (Easier human access).
When things break, you want to talk to a person, not a robot.
| Feature | Windscribe | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| 24/7 Live Chat | Bot + Ticket | Bot + Human |
| Response Time | Slow (Ticket) | Fast |
| Knowledge Base | Extensive | Extensive |
Windscribe relies heavily on “Garry,” an automated chatbot. Garry is clever, but if you have a complex technical issue, he often directs you to submit a ticket. You then have to wait for an email response, which can take hours or days.
NordVPN also starts with a chatbot to filter common questions, but the experience is significantly smoother. If the bot does not have the data to answer your question, it automatically transfers you to a human agent within minutes. This hybrid approach ensures you get help much faster than Windscribe’s ticket-based fallback.
11. Advanced features & censorship capabilities
Beyond the basics, both VPNs offer unique tools for advanced users, particularly for ad-blocking and bypassing censorship.
11.1. Ad blocking battle
Windscribe is famous for R.O.B.E.R.T., a customizable server-side blocking tool. It allows you to block ads, trackers, and even specific categories of websites (like gambling or social media) at the DNS level. It is highly effective.
NordVPN counters with “Threat Protection Pro”. This goes a step further by not just blocking ads, but also scanning downloaded files for malware and stopping you from landing on phishing sites.
11.2. Bypassing censorship (China)
If you are traveling to restrictive regions like China or dealing with strict office/campus firewalls, you need special tools.
Windscribe offers “Stealth” and “WStunnel” protocols designed specifically to mask VPN traffic as regular HTTPS traffic. It is widely praised by users in these regions for its reliability.
NordVPN uses “Obfuscated Servers” for deep packet inspection evasion. Additionally, they have introduced NordWhisper, a protocol specifically engineered to overcome restrictive local networks (like offices, campuses, or airports) where standard VPN ports might be throttled.
While NordWhisper ensures consistent browsing in these filtered environments on all major platforms, note that it does not support P2P or Meshnet.
12. FAQs about Windscribe vs NordVPN
Is Windscribe still a good VPN?
Yes, absolutely. Windscribe remains an excellent choice for users who want a flexible service. Its 10GB monthly allowance is very generous compared to most trials, and it allows access to over 10 countries. It is also excellent for users who want to build a cheap custom plan for as low as $3.00.
Why is Amazon blocking NordVPN?
Amazon Prime aggressively blocks IP addresses associated with VPNs to enforce regional licensing. If you see an error, it means the current IP is blacklisted. With NordVPN, you can simply clear your browser cache and switch to a different server location to find a working IP.
Is there a better VPN than NordVPN?
It depends on your specific needs. Surfshark is a strong competitor if you need to cover unlimited devices on a budget. ExpressVPN is often cited for having the best router app, though it is more expensive. However, for pure speed, NordVPN currently holds the crown.
Is NordVPN not good anymore?
This is a myth. Our tests show NordVPN hitting speeds over 400 Mbps on international connections, which is significantly faster than many competitors. It remains a top-tier product in 2025.
Does Windscribe work with Netflix?
Yes, Windscribe works with Netflix via its “Windflix” servers. However, based on our speed tests, connection speeds to US servers were quite low (around 14.56 Mbps). This might cause buffering if you are trying to watch in 4K high definition, whereas NordVPN handled the same stream effortlessly.
13. Conclusion
NordVPN is the overall winner in this comparison.
The data tells a clear story in this Windscribe vs NordVPN comparison. Windscribe is an excellent free VPN that gives you full location control. It is also ideal if you need a budget-friendly custom plan.
However, for a serious daily driver, NordVPN is the superior product. We recorded 14.56 Mbps for Windscribe versus 421.98 Mbps for NordVPN on US routes. This massive gap makes NordVPN a more reliable option for HD streaming, heavy downloading, and gaming in 2026.
To explore more options, visit the VPN Comparison section on Safelyo for detailed reviews and rankings.
