- Who makes Windscribe and where it's based
- What Windscribe says it logs
- What the Windscribe apps and protocols include
- Past Windscribe incidents worth knowing
- Windscribe refunds and subscription rules
- How to use Windscribe more safely
- Verdict: should you trust Windscribe with your traffic
- Frequently asked questions
Windscribe is a real VPN service, founded in 2016 and based in Canada according to Wikipedia. Its privacy policy says it doesn't store session history, your source IP or the sites you visit. The catch is that a VPN shifts trust to the provider, and that policy is the company's own word, not an independent audit I can point to.
A VPN is one of those tools where the word safe cuts both ways. You want it to protect you, but you're also trusting a company with all your traffic. I've read what Windscribe says in its own privacy policy, terms and features page, plus what Wikipedia records about its history, so you can judge it on the facts.
Who makes Windscribe and where it's based
According to Wikipedia, Windscribe was founded by Yegor Sak and Alex Paguis in 2016. It describes the service as a commercial, cross-platform open source VPN provider based in Canada, with Windscribe Limited listed as the developer.
Wikipedia's page carries notes that it leans on primary sources, so I've cross-checked the details that matter against Windscribe's own pages wherever I could. The founders and the company are named publicly, which is the first thing I look for before trusting any security tool.
What Windscribe says it logs
This is the question that matters most with any VPN. Windscribe's privacy policy says it doesn't store historical records of VPN sessions, your source IP or the sites you visit. It also says that anything not mentioned in the policy is not stored.
It does list what it keeps. The policy says you need a username and password, that email is optional and that payment transaction IDs are kept for 30 days for fraud prevention. It also keeps the total bytes you transfer in a 30-day period and a timestamp of your last activity.
While you're connected, the policy says some connection details sit in server memory and are discarded when you disconnect. That's a reasonable design on paper, but it's still the company describing itself. I haven't seen an independent audit named in Wikipedia's record, so treat the logging claims as promises, not proof.
What the Windscribe apps and protocols include
Windscribe's features page lists several protocols: IKEv2, OpenVPN over UDP and TCP, WireGuard, Stealth and WStunnel. It also says it has servers in 69 countries and 135 cities. Those are the company's own figures.
The page mentions a tool called R.O.B.E.R.T., which blocks IP addresses and domains you choose, including ads, across your devices. Wikipedia adds that the desktop apps for Windows and macOS are open source, as are the mobile apps, and that a command-line tool exists for Linux. Open code means outsiders can read it, though that doesn't replace an audit.
Past Windscribe incidents worth knowing
Two events show how Windscribe handles awkward situations, and both are recorded on Wikipedia.
- In 2021, Windscribe disclosed that two of its VPN servers hosted in Ukraine had been seized by local authorities. A disk contained an OpenVPN private key that could have enabled impersonation under strict conditions. Wikipedia says there was no impact on users of the official apps or other VPN protocols.
- In 2023, Greek authorities opened criminal proceedings against CEO Yegor Sak over a breach of a Greek server by someone using a Windscribe Finland IP address. The case was dismissed in 2025.
Neither event proves the service is safe or unsafe. What they show is that a VPN can end up tangled in other people's behaviour, and that the company published what happened in the first case.
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Windscribe refunds and subscription rules
Windscribe's terms say you can ask for a refund within 7 business days of your subscription start date, but only if your usage is under 10 GB. Refunds apply only to the initial payment and not to renewals. The terms also say refunds are denied for terms violations or requests outside the window.
The terms mention that subscriptions are recurring and that this is noted during payment, so check what renews and when. They also allow suspension for using Windscribe in a datacenter environment, for sharing your Pro account and for excessive data transfers not consistent with typical individual use. If you run a business or a team, read that part before you share one login.
| What I checked | What Windscribe's pages say |
|---|---|
| Who founded it? | Yegor Sak and Alex Paguis, in 2016 |
| Where is it based? | Canada, according to Wikipedia |
| Does it store browsing history? | Its policy says it doesn't store sites visited |
| What does it keep? | Username, password, a 30-day byte count and last activity time |
| Is there a refund window? | 7 business days, if usage is under 10 GB |
| Is there an independent audit? | None named in the sources I read |
How to use Windscribe more safely
A VPN hides your traffic from your local network, not from the sites you log into. It won't stop you being phished, and it won't make a weak password safe. My guide to checking whether an account was hacked is a good companion if you're tightening your security, and a manager like the one in this password manager review covers the passwords side.
- Download Windscribe only from its official website or the official app stores.
- Use a long, unique password for your account, since the policy says an email is optional.
- Don't assume a VPN makes illegal downloads safe or legal; it doesn't.
- Ignore fake VPN sites, cracked versions and support numbers sent by text.
- Read the privacy policy again if the company changes it.
Verdict: should you trust Windscribe with your traffic
Windscribe is a real, named company with a clear privacy policy, a stated refund rule and a public record of how it handled the 2021 server seizure. That's a good sign. What I can't give you is proof beyond its own word, because I haven't seen an independent audit in the sources I read. If you try it, treat it as a tool with limits, check the refund window early and keep your other security habits in place.
Frequently asked questions
Is Windscribe a real company?
Yes. According to Wikipedia, Windscribe was founded by Yegor Sak and Alex Paguis in 2016, and it's based in Canada with Windscribe Limited as developer.
Does Windscribe keep logs?
Its privacy policy says it doesn't store historical records of VPN sessions, your source IP or sites you visit. It does keep a 30-day byte count and a last-activity timestamp.
Does Windscribe offer refunds?
Its terms say you can request a refund within 7 business days of your subscription start date, if your usage is under 10 GB. Refunds apply only to the initial payment.
Has Windscribe had security incidents?
Wikipedia records that two of its servers in Ukraine were seized in 2021. Windscribe said there was no impact on users of its official apps or other VPN protocols.
Is Windscribe independently audited?
I didn't find an independent audit named in the sources I read, so treat its privacy claims as the company's own statement.
