Ranked 5 of 8 in best VPN services
A free plan that needs no payment or email to start, an open-source desktop client under GPL-2.0 and apps for most platforms. Plan limits are not on the homepage, so check before choosing.
Best for Free VPN plan with browser and desktop apps
About Windscribe
Windscribe combines a VPN with a browser extension that blocks ads and unwanted content, and it offers a free DNS service. Apps are listed for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, and browser extensions cover Chrome, Firefox and Edge. The homepage says the service has servers in more than 130 locations.
The free plan needs no payment or email to start, and paid plans keep the price you signed up for. Windscribe describes itself as self-funded and says its infrastructure stores no identifying data. Its desktop client is published on GitHub under GPL-2.0, and the company publishes transparency reports. Plan limits are not on the homepage, so check the plans page before you choose.
Key features
- Free plan
- Free DNS service
- Browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox and Edge
- Desktop client under GPL-2.0
- Servers in over 130 locations
Strengths
- Free plan with no payment or email needed to start
- Apps and browser extensions on most platforms
- Desktop client published under GPL-2.0
Limits
- Plan limits are not stated on the homepage
Where Windscribe ranks
| List | Rank | Score | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best VPN services | 5 of 8 | 84.0 | Free VPN plan with browser and desktop apps |
Alternatives to Windscribe
All 7 alternatives
Mullvad VPNFlat-rate VPN with anonymous accounts and open-source apps
Proton VPNFree VPN from Proton with open-source apps and paid plans
IVPNOpen-source VPN that needs no email to sign up
NordVPNSubscription VPN with apps for most devices
ExpressVPNSubscription VPN with apps for routers, smart TVs and phones
SurfsharkSubscription VPN with apps for most devices
Questions about Windscribe
- Is Windscribe free?
- Windscribe can be used without paying: Free plans available; paid plans keep the price you sign up at. Check the vendor’s pricing page for current limits.
- Is Windscribe open source?
- Yes. Windscribe publishes its source code under the GPL-2.0 license.
- Which platforms does Windscribe support?
- Windscribe is available on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Browser extension.
- What is Windscribe best for?
- Free VPN plan with browser and desktop apps. In our ranking of VPN services it is number 5 of 8 with a score of 84.0.
- What are the best alternatives to Windscribe?
- The highest-ranked alternatives on listme.name are Mullvad VPN, Proton VPN, IVPN, NordVPN.