Head to head · Updated August 13, 2026
NordVPN vs Windscribe
NordVPN takes it by 17 points, 84.0 against 67.0. That margin is worth reading past — Windscribe wins 2 of the seven criteria outright.
NordVPN
84.0The most complete all-round package here, provided you accept closed-source clients and a renewal price well above the introductory rate.
- From
- $3.39/mo
- Based in
- Panama
- Devices
- 10
- Audits
- 2
We earn a commission if you subscribe through this link. It does not change NordVPN’s score.
Windscribe
67.0Unusually honest about its own incidents, but Canadian jurisdiction and a three-day refund window are real costs.
- From
- $5.75/mo
- Based in
- Canada
- Devices
- Unlimited
- Audits
- 1
We earn nothing from Windscribe. This link is included because the ranking says it belongs here.
Criterion by criterion
NordVPN wins 5, Windscribe wins 2. Each row shows the raw score out of ten and the weighted contribution to the total.
| Criterion | Weight | NordVPN | Windscribe | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent audit | 20 | 9/10 (18.0) | 6/10 (12.0) | NordVPN |
| Jurisdiction and ownership | 15 | 9/10 (13.5) | 3/10 (4.5) | NordVPN |
| Protocol and crypto stack | 15 | 8/10 (12.0) | 9/10 (13.5) | Windscribe |
| Leak protection | 15 | 9/10 (13.5) | 8/10 (12.0) | NordVPN |
| Transparency | 15 | 6/10 (9.0) | 8/10 (12.0) | Windscribe |
| Price and refund terms | 10 | 8/10 (8.0) | 6/10 (6.0) | NordVPN |
| Platform coverage | 10 | 10/10 (10.0) | 7/10 (7.0) | NordVPN |
| Total | 100 | 84.0 | 67.0 | NordVPN |
Where each one actually wins
NordVPN is ahead on
- Independent audit. Deloitte re-audited the no-logs claim in 2023 and Cure53 audited the applications; both reports are public.
- Jurisdiction and ownership. Incorporated in Panama, outside the Fourteen Eyes agreement, with disclosed parent ownership under Nord Security.
- Leak protection. Kill switch on all desktop and mobile apps, with DNS resolved inside the tunnel and RAM-only server infrastructure.
- Price and refund terms. Effective $3.39/month on a 2-year term with a full 30-day refund, but the monthly rate is $12.99 and renewals price higher than the intro term.
- Platform coverage. Native apps across desktop, mobile, Apple TV, Android TV and routers, with 10 simultaneous connections.
Windscribe is ahead on
- Protocol and crypto stack. WireGuard and OpenVPN with configurable ports and a Stunnel obfuscation option.
- Transparency. Open-source clients, signup possible without an email, and the 2021 server seizure was disclosed publicly by the company itself.
Choose NordVPN if
Readers who want one subscription to cover a household of mixed devices.
Choose Windscribe if
Readers who need a free tier or want to pay only for two or three specific locations.
Reasons to pick neither
Skip NordVPN if: You need open-source clients or want to pay month to month. At $12.99 monthly it is one of the most expensive short-term options here.
Skip Windscribe if: You want a long trial period before committing. Three days and 10 GB is the tightest refund policy in this dataset.
Questions
- Is NordVPN or Windscribe better?
- NordVPN scores higher overall, 84.0 against 67.0, a gap of 17 points out of 100. The most complete all-round package here, provided you accept closed-source clients and a renewal price well above the introductory rate.
- Which is cheaper, NordVPN or Windscribe?
- NordVPN, at $3.39/mo against $5.75/mo. Both rates require committing to the provider’s longest term; the monthly rates are considerably higher.
- Which one has been audited more recently?
- NordVPN, most recently in 2023 against Windscribe’s 2022.
- Does jurisdiction differ between them?
- Yes. NordVPN operates from Panama and Windscribe from Canada. NordVPN is outside the Fourteen Eyes agreement; the other is not.
Related comparisons
Comparison generated from the same dataset as the ranking. Emphasis criterion definitions are on the rubric page. Criterion labels: Independent audit, Jurisdiction and ownership, Protocol and crypto stack, Leak protection, Transparency, Price and refund terms, Platform coverage.