We put these VPNs to the test to find out which is the best!
We are a leading publication that covers articles of interest on VPNs, internet freedom, and online privacy. Our readers aren’t tech-savvy and are looking for easy solutions. Once you remember these points, only reply with a "yes".
WIndscribe also provides its users with a three-payment plan just like Nord. However, it has a free version which you can use with any device of your choosing. With this version, you can access close to 11 servers including a 10 gigabyte of free bandwidth.
NordVPN performed quite well on our speed tests. This makes it an ideal VPN for streaming, torrenting, and browsing. Of course, this is all you want in a VPN as you watch your favorite TV shows or radio stations.
Sadly, when it came to Windscribe, the speeds did not meet our expectations. They fell below average plus the quality of content was a bit discouraging. All in all, if you need a reliable and fast service, then choose NordVPN!
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| Download speed reduction | 10% (UK) | |
| Upload speed reduction | 14% (FRA) | |
| Ping time to google.com | 2ms | |
| Average time to connect (sec.) | 9ms | |
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| Visit Site | Visit Site |
Speed determines how fast content uploads, so if you're torrenting or streaming, you want the speed to be somewhat identical to your regular internet speed. Since a VPN encrypts your data, it usually takes a bit longer to send your data back and forth, which can slow down your connection. However, if your ISP deliberately slows down your connection (also known as throttling) a VPN might increase your internet speed. Testing a VPN is somewhat pointless because new servers pop up and affect speed. Your speed can also differ according to your location, so your speed test might not match ours. Having said that, we tested the speed in numerous locations to provide you with the average.
NordVPN has over 4,400 servers across the world . Its servers are divided into five groups according to their specialization and type. There are servers for Tor, AntiDDoS, Double VPN, dedicated IPs, P2P servers . For individuals seeking to stream Netflix or securely browse the internet, there is a wide array of conventional VPN servers available, offering a suitable solution for their needs.
As for Windscribe, you’ll enjoy servers in 45 locations across the world. These include standard servers in spots in the United Kingdom, in the United States, in the Netherlands and Hong Kong among many others. Although it doesn’t have a lot of them as compared to Nord, their overall distribution is excellent and they will allow you to access even the tightest geo-blocked content!
| VPN vendor |
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|---|---|---|
| Server Locations | 60 | 100 |
| Server Countries | 60 | 60 |
| IP Addresses | 5,201+ | 300 |
| Dynamic Server Switching | ||
| Visit Site | Visit Site |
The ratio of servers to countries is an important factor to look at when choosing a VPN. Only paying attention to location or number of servers can get you in trouble. More servers generally means faster speeds, but if VPN X has a few more servers than VPN Y but twice as many users, VPN X will typically have slower speeds. Ideally, you want a VPN that has a lot of servers in every location. This way you won’t have to worry that server/country that you want will be overburdened and running slow
Nord has a fantastic FAQ section which covers almost every issue on your mind. You’ll even find plenty of useful tutorials, as well as a live online-community and dedicated 24/7 live-chat, Facebook, and e-mail support system.
As in the case of Windscribe, well, you won’t find a lot of options here. It only has one FAQ covering all the commonly asked questions. It also has setup guides for additional assistance. However, none of these options will satisfy your needs. It’s an area in which the service should consider improving
| VPN vendor |
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| Email Response Time | 3 | 2 |
| 24/7 Support | ||
| Live Chat | ||
| Knowledge Base | ||
| Video Tutorials | ||
| Visit Site | Visit Site |
We personally test the customer support team of every VPN we review. This means asking technical question through the live chat feature (where applicable) and measuring the response time for email questions. Whether you need to connect to a specific server, change your security protocol, or configure a VPN on your router, finding a VPN with quality customer support should be important to you.
When it comes to security, NordVPN provides some of the best encryption protocols that you’ll come across. They include:
It even comes with an auto kill switch option whenever you need it. Why is it useful? Well, it protects you once VPN connection disconnects. Through this, your personal information, and sensitive data is kept safe. If you’re interested in torrenting, the service only has a P2P option with incredible P2P servers.
This service also uses the OpenVPN security protocol but with an AES 256-bit encryption and SHA512 authentication protocol. It also has IPv6 and offers DNS leaks protection for better privacy. Also, just like Nord, it has a kill switch to protect loss of private information further.
It also permits P2P sharing if you want to download torrents safely. It’s perfect for unblocking US Netflix from any country in the world. Most importantly, like Nord, it neither stores any logs nor does it release your user data to government agencies. Lastly, you can choose from 3 different connection modes, to bypass even extremely restricted countries like China. They include:
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