- Windscribe claims its free VPN service is faster than paid rival NordVPN
- The company used a speed test server owned by another major VPN, Surfshark.
- Experts warn that a single speed test is not conclusive
The battle for the title of best VPN is notoriously fierce, with top providers constantly competing to get an edge over their competition. In a bold and fun new chapter in this rivalry, Windscribe has publicly claimed that its free VPN service can beat one of the industry’s biggest names, NordVPN, in a speed race.
In a post on X, the company shared a screenshot of a speed test that appears to show the Windscribe Free VPN server achieving faster download speeds than a NordVPN server.
The final finish? The speed test server used to generate the results was from another major competitor: Surfshark.
This clever, multi-layered swipe at two of its biggest rivals has certainly raised eyebrows.
“In today’s episode of Speedtest Smackdowns, we compare NordVPN against free Windscribe VPN servers in the same location. We won. And the best part is that the speed test was conducted by Surfshark (which is owned by NordVPN),” the tweet read.
By using Surfshark’s server, Windscribe is not only challenging NordVPN’s performance, but also dragging another industry giant into the fight, while promoting its own highly regarded service, which is nevertheless one of the best free VPNs on the market according to TechRadar reviewers.
A pinch of salt is required
While the social media post is entertaining, users should be careful when drawing definitive conclusions from it.
VPN speed is a very complex metric to measure, and a single screenshot is far from a complete benchmark. The performance of any VPN can be affected by a wide range of variables.
Factors that can dramatically influence a speed test include the specific server chosen (both its physical location and current user load), the time of day the test is performed, the user’s underlying Internet connection speed, and the VPN protocol being used.
For example, a connection using the modern WireGuard protocol will almost always be faster than one using the older OpenVPN protocol.
Without knowing the precise parameters of the test shown in the screenshot, it is impossible to verify the claim in a scientifically meaningful way.
It’s more of a clever marketing gimmick than a definitive performance benchmark, designed to spark conversation.
The battle between free and paid VPNs
This public call also taps into the long-running debate over the quality of free vs. paid VPN services.
While free VPNs have a reputation for being slow, insecure, or having strict data limits, Windscribe has worked hard to position its free tier as a truly usable and secure option. It offers a generous 10GB of monthly data and access to servers in over 10 countries, making it one of the strongest free plans available.
NordVPN, on the other hand, represents the premium end of the market. It offers a massive global server network, advanced security features like Threat Protection Pro, and consistently ranks as one of the fastest VPN providers in TechRadar’s independent tests.
Ultimately, while Windscribe’s tweet is a fun jab at its competitors, potential users should base their decisions on more than just a single social media post.
Reading detailed reviews and taking advantage of money-back guarantees to try a service for yourself remains the most reliable way to find a VPN that truly meets your needs for speed, security, and usability.
