Short review about the service after 5 hours testing:
My first test was with Win 10 from middle europe. I only tested the win-software, that offers a vpn-solution and not the browser-plugin.
With my first speed tests I thought it is a normal service compared with other vpn-providers I use at the moment. From my 100 mbit I got about 50-55 mbit with the servers from .nl .de and also from .ru. This is an experience I have also with mullvad and ivpn with servers in the same country (not .ru). But after changing the protocol from udp to tcp (what slows down my connection with other providers) I got really great speed with 83 mbit at the .nl server and .72 mbit at the .de server. To change protocol you have to change the connection mode from default to backup. Even in the stealth-mode I get higher speeds with the servers. => Speed is really good compared with ivpn and mullvad and is similar to the speed I get with airvpn.
What will be interesting is, how it is able to connect with a very restrictive firewall. I can test this in two days at a company I work. If interested, I can write the results. At this company I have no chance with the normal openvpn-setup, and with the most clients I tried, it worked not with pptp, ipsec, only with sstp.
Back to the software: It is simple designed, but it has the features you need (what would be good, but is not essential: actual speed, speed diagram, autmatically ping tests to find the best server, overview over the traffic at the servers, or: look at the airvpn-client). The IP-leak-protection works as it should be. I tested it with changing AP, lost wifi and fresh wakeup from sleepmode. It only needs a few seconds to restart, but in the meantime all traffic is blocked. Only thing, what could be done better: With the software viscosity I do not loose the connection after a short wifi disconnect, with windscribe it needs some seconds to reconnect.
After this short time testing:
Software and server speed are great. It performs better than ivpn, mullvad and similar to airvpn, at the moment a little faster than airvpn. From this site it is a must have. Only problem: This is not an old company with a lot of experience in the community how they protect their customers. The jurisdiction is a 5-eyes-country and in this business you need a good reputation and trust. But time will show.
Thanks for a comprehensive review. Let me address the suggestions/comments:
Next version of the application will have the session duration time + data transferred. Not quite the graph you described, but its a start. There already are automatic ping tests to servers in each location, and the fastest responding server is usually selected.
Regarding the loss of wifi + re-connection. If you're on TCP mode (backup or stealth), even a momentary loss of connectivity will trigger a re-connection, due to the nature of the protocol. UDP mode (default) should be more forgiving.
Yes the company is in a "5 eyes" jurisdiction (Canada), however don't let that dissuade you from using Windscribe. Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and North Korea are not 5-eyes countries, would you feel better if the company was based there? Probably not. Canada has no National Security Letter equivalents, so we cannot be forced to backdoor anything without stating it publicly. Canada also has no data retention directives that would apply to VPN providers. If there is risk of anything even remotely similar occurring, we are prepared to move the company to a more suitable jurisdiction.
