How do I know if my Windscribe VPN is on?

The app shows Connected with a new IP address, and the tray icon changes colour on desktop.

How do I use Windscribe VPN?

Create a free account, install the app, pick a location, then connect. No payment is needed for the free plan.

What are the pros and cons of Windscribe?

Pros: 10GB free data, strong ad blocking, router configs. Cons: smaller network than NordVPN and mixed speeds on distant servers.

How much does Windscribe cost per month?

The Monthly Plan is $9.00/month. The Yearly Plan works out to $5.75/month, and Build A Plan pricing is custom.

How do you use Windscribe?

Log in, choose a server, and connect. Use R.O.B.E.R.T. for ad blocking and split tunneling to pick which apps use the tunnel.

No. Windscribe does not collect or sell user data, even for free users, and publishes its privacy practices openly.

Is Windscribe a good VPN to use?

Yes, especially if you want a genuine free tier plus ad blocking. Paid plans add unlimited data and every server location.

What are the drawbacks of using a VPN?

Speeds can drop on distant servers, some services detect VPN traffic, and free plans usually cap monthly bandwidth.

What is the best VPN protocol for Windscribe?

WireGuard is fastest. OpenVPN suits routers, and Stealth helps when a firewall blocks normal vpn connection traffic.

How to Use Windscribe Step by Step — 2026 Tutorial

by Fahim Joharder | Last updated Aug 27, 2026

Quick Start

This guide covers every Windscribe feature:

Getting Started — Create your account and install the app
How to Use Block Trackers — Stop ad networks and scripts from following you
How to Use Unblock Geo-Restricted Content — Watch services that are blocked in your country
How to Use Basic VPN Protection — Get a new IP address with one click
How to Use R.O.B.E.R.T. AD Blocker — Filter ads and malware at the DNS level
How to Use DNS Leak Test — Confirm your real IP address never leaks
How to Use Config Generators — Set up OpenVPN on routers and other devices
How to Use Static IP — Keep the same IP address every time you connect
How to Use Strongest Encryption — Pick the protocol that protects your traffic
How to Use Split Tunneling — Choose which apps use the VPN connection
How to Use LAN Traffic — Let printers and local devices through the firewall

Time needed: 5 minutes per feature

Also in this guide: Pro Tips | Common Mistakes | Troubleshooting | Pricing | Alternatives

Why Trust This Guide

I have used Windscribe for over two years and tested every feature below myself.

These screenshots come from my own account, not the vendor press kit.

Windscribe is one of the few vpn services with a free plan people actually keep.

Most users only ever press connect and stop there.

This how to use Windscribe guide walks through every major feature.

Windscribe servers sit in dozens of countries around the world.

You can pick Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, Russia, Brazil, Latvia, Turkey, or a US West city.

Windscribe Tutorial

This How to Use Windscribe tutorial covers setup first, then each feature in order.

Windscribe

Windscribe gives you a free VPN with up to 10GB of bandwidth per month, no payment required. The desktop app protects every connection your computer makes. Pro plans unlock unlimited data and access to all Windscribe servers.

TRY WINDSCRIBE NOW →

READ FULL REVIEW →

WINDSCRIBE ALTERNATIVES →

Getting Started with Windscribe

Before using any feature, finish this one-time setup.

It takes about three minutes.

Step 1: Create Your Account

Go to the Windscribe homepage and click Download or Sign Up.

Enter your email, pick a username, and create a password.

✓ Checkpoint: Check your inbox for the confirmation email.

Step 2: Install the App

Download the desktop app for Windows or macOS, or grab the mobile app.

Here is what the dashboard looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see the main connect screen.

Step 3: Connect for the First Time

Pick a location from the list and click connect.

Your device is assigned a new IP address straight away.

✅ Done: You are ready to use any feature below.

Try Windscribe for free

How to Use Windscribe Block Trackers

Block Trackers lets you stop ad networks and scripts from following you across every page you visit.

Here is how it works, step by step.

Step 1: Open the App

Launch the app and log in with your username and password.

Step 2: Switch On the Tracker Filter

Open the R.O.B.E.R.T. tab and turn the Trackers list on.

Here is what this looks like:

How to Use Windscribe - Your VPN Gateway to a Safer Internet

✓ Checkpoint: The Trackers toggle turns green in the app.

Step 3: Connect and Test

Connect to a server, then load any news page in your browser.

✅ Result: Tracking scripts are blocked before they reach your browser.

💡 Pro Tip: Add your own domains under Custom Rules. For example, block one ad host and leave the rest alone.

Try Windscribe for free

How to Unblock Windscribe Geo-Restricted Content

Unblock Geo-Restricted Content lets you reach services that are blocked in your country.

Here is how it works, step by step.

Step 1: Pick a Country

Open the location list and scroll to the country carrying that content.

Step 2: Connect to the Server

Click the server name to start the vpn connection.

Here is what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: The app reports Connected and shows your new ip address.

Step 3: Clear Cookies and Reload

Clear your cookies, then start the VPN before launching the browser.

✅ Result: The blocked service loads as if you lived in that country.

💡 Pro Tip: On mobile, change the region in app settings too. Some services check the store country, not the IP.

Try Windscribe for free

How to Use Windscribe Basic VPN Protector

Basic VPN Protection lets you hide your real IP address with a single click.

Here is how it works, step by step.

Step 1: Log In or Skip It

Step 2: Hit the Power Button

Click the big power button near the top left of the window.

Here is what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: The app shows your new IP address and location.

Step 3: Check Your New IP

Search “what is my IP” in a browser to view the change.

✅ Result: Your traffic is now secured and encrypted end to end.

💡 Pro Tip: The desktop app protects all web traffic on your computer. The browser extension covers only your browser.

Try Windscribe for free

How to Use Windscribe R.O.B.E.R.T. AD Blocker

R.O.B.E.R.T. AD Blocker lets you filter ads, malware, and other junk domains at the DNS level.

Here is how it works, step by step.

Step 1: Open the R.O.B.E.R.T. Page

Step 2: Choose Your Blocklists

Switch on Ads, Malware, or any other list you want.

Here is what this looks like:

How to Use Windscribe R.O.B.E.R.T. Ad Blocker to Remove Website Banner Ads

✓ Checkpoint: Every list you enabled shows a green toggle.

Step 3: Reconnect to Apply

Reconnect so new rules load. You can disable any list the same way.

✅ Result: Ad and malware domains never resolve on any of your devices.

💡 Pro Tip: These rules follow your account, so your phone and laptop share one blocklist automatically.

Try Windscribe for free

How to Use Windscribe DNS Leak Tester

DNS Leak Test lets you prove that your real IP address and DNS requests never leak.

Here is how it works, step by step.

Step 1: Connect First

Start the vpn connection before you open the test page.

Step 2: Run the Test

Open the Windscribe leak test page and let it finish.

Here is what this looks like:

Your ISP Snoops on Everything You Do | Windscribe DNS Prevents That

✓ Checkpoint: Every server listed belongs to Windscribe, not your provider.

Step 3: Close Any Leak

Turn on the built-in firewall so nothing escapes the tunnel.

✅ Result: Your real location stays hidden from every site you visit.

💡 Pro Tip: Run this test each time you change protocol or install a new browser.

Try Windscribe for free

How to Use Windscribe Config Generators

Config Generators lets you set up OpenVPN on a router or any device without the app.

Here is how it works, step by step.

Step 1: Open the Config Page

Step 2: Pick OpenVPN and a Location

Choose OpenVPN, then a country such as Germany, Norway, or Latvia.

Here is what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: A config file downloads with credentials shown below it.

Step 3: Paste It Into Your Router

Copy the Username and Password from the OpenVPN link into your router.

✅ Result: Every device on the network runs through the vpn, even a smart TV.

💡 Pro Tip: To move the router later, change only the Server IP/Name field. Confirm it under Status > OpenVPN.

Try Windscribe for free

How to Use Windscribe Static IP

Static IP lets you keep one steady IP address every time you connect.

Here is how it works, step by step.

Step 1: Open Your Account Page

Step 2: Buy a Static IP

Pick a data center or residential address in the country you need.

Here is what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: The new address sits at the top of your location list.

Step 3: Connect to It

Select the static entry in the app and connect to it.

✅ Result: Your bank and your work firewall see one familiar IP address.

💡 Pro Tip: Worth it if a service blocked you for hopping between countries too often.

Try Windscribe for free

How to Use Windscribe Encryption

Strongest Encryption lets you choose the protocol and cipher that guard your traffic.

Here is how it works, step by step.

Step 1: Open Connection Settings

Click the hamburger icon, then open Connection settings.

Step 2: Pick a Protocol

Choose WireGuard for speed or OpenVPN for wider device support.

Here is what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: The app reports the protocol you just selected.

Step 3: Reconnect and Confirm

Connect again and check the protocol name under the button.

✅ Result: Your traffic runs on the cipher you chose, not a default.

💡 Pro Tip: If a network blocks VPNs, switch to Stealth. It hides the vpn connection inside normal web traffic.

Try Windscribe for free

How to Use Windscribe Split Tunneling

Split Tunneling lets you decide which apps and sites use the vpn connection.

Here is how it works, step by step.

Step 1: Open Split Tunneling

Open Settings and click the Split Tunneling tab.

Step 2: Add Your Apps

Switch it on, then add each app you want included or excluded.

Here is what this looks like:

Split Tunnelling - How does it work and what does it do on Windows?

✓ Checkpoint: Each app you added appears in the list.

Step 3: Test the Split

Connect and confirm only the chosen apps show the new IP.

✅ Result: Banking apps stay local while your browser sits abroad.

💡 Pro Tip: Exclude your home streaming app and keep everything else protected.

Try Windscribe for free

How to Use Windscribe LAN Traffic Controller

LAN Traffic lets you let printers and local devices work while the firewall is active.

Here is how it works, step by step.

Step 1: Open Connection Settings

Open Settings and find the Allow LAN Traffic switch.

Step 2: Turn It On

Switch it on so local devices stay reachable while connected.

Here is what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Your printer shows up on the network again.

Step 3: Reconnect and Print

Reconnect the VPN and send a test page to your printer.

✅ Result: You keep local access without dropping the vpn connection.

💡 Pro Tip: Leave it off on public Wi-Fi. Strangers nearby could otherwise find your device.

Try Windscribe for free

Windscribe Pro Tips and Shortcuts

After two years of daily use, these are the shortcuts I actually rely on.

Shortcuts Worth Learning

Action	Shortcut
Connect to your last location	Click the power button at the top left
Open the server list	Click the arrow beside the location name
Jump to ad blocking	Click the R.O.B.E.R.T. tab in the menu
Reach account information	Click your username, then My Account

Hidden Features Most People Miss

Firewall lock: Blocks every packet outside the tunnel if the connection drops.
Custom R.O.B.E.R.T. rules: Block or allow any domain you name, on all devices.
Port forwarding: Pair it with a static IP to reach a home server remotely.

Try Windscribe for free

Windscribe Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Trusting the browser extension alone

❌ Wrong: Installing only the extension and assuming every app is covered.

✅ Right: Install the desktop app. It protects all web traffic going in and out of your computer.

Mistake #2: Opening the browser before connecting

❌ Wrong: Loading a blocked page first, then starting the vpn connection.

✅ Right: Clear your cookies and start the VPN before launching the browser.

Mistake #3: Ignoring region settings on mobile

❌ Wrong: Changing your server but leaving the old region set in the app.

✅ Right: Change the region in app settings so mobile services match your server country.

Try Windscribe for free

Windscribe Troubleshooting

Problem: The app will not connect

Cause: Wrong login information, or a firewall blocking the protocol.

Fix: Verify your Windscribe login information, then switch protocol and try again.

Problem: A site still shows your real country

Cause: Geo tracking tools get tricked by VPN connections and cached cookies.

Fix: Clear cookies, disconnect, then reconnect to a different server and reload.

Problem: The router shows the wrong location

Cause: The Server IP/Name field still points at your old country.

Fix: Change that field only, then confirm the tunnel under Status > OpenVPN.

📌 Note: If none of these fix it, contact Windscribe support.

Try Windscribe for free

What is Windscribe?

Windscribe VPN is a privacy tool that hides your ip address and encrypts your traffic.

Think of it like a sealed tunnel between your device and the rest of the world.

Windscribe does not collect or sell user data, even for free users.

Watch this quick overview video:

Windscribe VPN Honest Review - Watch Before Using

It includes these key features:

Block Trackers: Kills tracking scripts before your browser ever loads them
Unblock Geo-Restricted Content: Opens region-locked sites by moving you to another country
Basic VPN Protection: One-click protection for every connection your device makes
R.O.B.E.R.T. AD Blocker: A DNS filter that blocks ads and malware account-wide
DNS Leak Test: A built-in check that confirms the tunnel is airtight
Config Generators: Router and manual setup files for devices the app cannot reach
Static IP: A dedicated address that banks and work tools recognise
Strongest Encryption: Protocol choice from WireGuard to Stealth for locked-down networks
Split Tunneling: Per-app routing so only what you choose goes through the tunnel
LAN Traffic: Local network access that survives the VPN firewall

For a full review, see our Windscribe review.

Try Windscribe for free

Windscribe Pricing

Here is what Windscribe costs in 2026:

Plan	Price	Best For
Build A Plan	Custom	Users who need only one or two locations
Yearly Plan	$5.75/month	Anyone using the VPN daily
Monthly Plan	$9.00/month	Short trips and one-off projects

Free trial: A free plan gives up to 10GB of bandwidth per month with no payment.

Money-back guarantee: Refunds are available on paid plans within the published refund window.

Both Pro plans include unlimited data and access to all Windscribe servers.

You can pay by credit card, PayPal, or cryptocurrency.

💰 Best Value: Yearly Plan — the same features for far less over the long run.

Try Windscribe for free

Windscribe vs Alternatives

Here is how Windscribe sits against the rest of the market:

Tool	Best For	Price	Rating
Windscribe	Free data plus ad blocking	$5.75/mo	⭐ 4.6
NordVPN	Speed and server count	$4.99/mo	⭐ 4.7
ExpressVPN	Unblocking reliability	$8.32/mo	⭐ 4.6
Surfshark VPN	Unlimited devices	$2.99/mo	⭐ 4.5
ProtonVPN	Free unlimited data	$4.99/mo	⭐ 4.5
CyberGhost	Task-based servers	$2.19/mo	⭐ 4.4
Private Internet Access	Custom settings	$2.19/mo	⭐ 4.3
PureVPN	Budget yearly deals	$2.11/mo	⭐ 4.1

Quick picks:

Best overall: NordVPN — fastest across long distances.
Best budget: Windscribe — 10GB free every month.
Best for beginners: PrivadoVPN — almost nothing to configure.
Best for routers: Windscribe — config generators make setup painless.

🎯 Windscribe Alternatives

Looking for Windscribe alternatives? Here are the options worth a look:

🚀 NordVPN: Huge server network and fast speeds for heavy streaming.
🌟 ExpressVPN: Polished apps and reliable access to blocked services worldwide.
💰 PureVPN: Cheap long-term plans with dedicated IP add-ons.
⚡ Surfshark VPN: Unlimited devices on one account at a low yearly price.
🔒 ProtonVPN: Swiss privacy law and a free plan with no data cap.
👶 PrivadoVPN: Simple apps and a free tier for casual users.
🧠 AdGuard VPN: Built by an ad-blocking company with strong filtering.
🎯 VirtualShield: Privacy bundle aimed at families rather than power users.
🔧 StrongVPN: Solid router support and a straightforward pricing page.
🔥 FastestVPN: Budget pricing with lifetime deals for light use.
💼 Aura VPN: Part of a wider identity protection package.
📊 CyberGhost: Servers tuned for specific streaming and torrent tasks.
🏢 McAfee VPN: Comes bundled with McAfee antivirus subscriptions.
⭐ Private Internet Access: Open-source apps with heavy customisation options.
🎨 Mysterium: Decentralised network paid for with crypto.
🚀 SafeShell VPN: Streaming-first service built around region unlocking.
💰 Oyster VPN: Small newer provider with low entry pricing.

For the full list, see our Windscribe alternatives guide.

⚔️ Windscribe Compared

Here is the head-to-head on each one:

Windscribe vs NordVPN: NordVPN wins on raw speed and server count. Windscribe wins on price and free data.
Windscribe vs ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN unblocks more consistently. Windscribe costs far less per year.
Windscribe vs PureVPN: PureVPN is cheaper upfront. Windscribe has better filtering and a real free tier.
Windscribe vs Surfshark VPN: Surfshark allows unlimited devices. Windscribe gives sharper control per connection.
Windscribe vs ProtonVPN: ProtonVPN has unlimited free data. Windscribe has R.O.B.E.R.T. and more free locations.
Windscribe vs PrivadoVPN: Privado is easier for beginners. Windscribe offers deeper settings and router support.
Windscribe vs AdGuard VPN: AdGuard focuses on filtering. Windscribe pairs filtering with a full VPN feature set.
Windscribe vs VirtualShield: VirtualShield keeps things simple. Windscribe gives you config files and split tunneling.
Windscribe vs StrongVPN: StrongVPN is router friendly. Windscribe matches it and adds ad blocking.
Windscribe vs FastestVPN: FastestVPN is cheaper. Windscribe is more reliable on blocked streaming services.
Windscribe vs Aura VPN: Aura bundles identity tools. Windscribe is the stronger standalone VPN.
Windscribe vs CyberGhost: CyberGhost labels servers by task. Windscribe gives more control over each connection.
Windscribe vs McAfee VPN: McAfee suits existing customers. Windscribe is better as a dedicated VPN.
Windscribe vs Private Internet Access: PIA is more configurable. Windscribe has a friendlier app and a free plan.
Windscribe vs Mysterium: Mysterium is decentralised. Windscribe is faster and far simpler to run.
Windscribe vs SafeShell VPN: SafeShell targets streaming. Windscribe covers streaming plus privacy tooling.
Windscribe vs Oyster VPN: Oyster is cheap and new. Windscribe has a longer track record and more servers.

Try Windscribe for free

Start Using Windscribe Now

You now know how to use every major Windscribe feature:

✅ Block Trackers
✅ Unblock Geo-Restricted Content
✅ Basic VPN Protection
✅ R.O.B.E.R.T. AD Blocker
✅ DNS Leak Test
✅ Config Generators
✅ Static IP
✅ Strongest Encryption
✅ Split Tunneling
✅ LAN Traffic

Next step: Pick one feature and try it today.

Most people start with Basic VPN Protection.

Here is my own setup after two years:

It takes less than five minutes to copy.

Try Windscribe for free

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I use my Windscribe VPN?

Install the app, log in with your username and password, then click the power button. Windscribe assigns a new IP address and encrypts your traffic instantly.

How do I know if Windscribe is working?

The app turns blue and shows a new IP address. Confirm it by running the Windscribe leak test page in your browser.

Does Windscribe VPN change your location?

Yes. Connecting to a server in Germany, Brazil, or Turkey gives you an IP address from that country and hides your real one.

What is the best setting for Windscribe?

WireGuard with the firewall on suits most people. Switch to Stealth only when a network blocks standard vpn connection traffic.

How to use Windscribe VPN on iPhone?

Install the app from the App Store, log in, then tap connect. Change the region in app settings if a service still looks blocked.