Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
To use Windscribe, install the app for your device, sign in or create an account, and tap or click the power button to connect. Choose a server location first if you need a particular region. Use the browser extension only when you want to route browser traffic; the desktop and mobile apps are intended to cover device traffic.
Get connected: the basic steps
- Install Windscribe from its official download page or your device’s app store. For browser-only use, install the extension for your browser.
- Open Windscribe and sign in, or create an account.
- Open the location list and select a location if you need one in particular.
- Press the power button to connect. Approve the operating system’s VPN configuration prompt if it appears.
- For a basic first-use check, Windscribe suggests checking your assigned IP address and running its DNS leak test.
Install Windscribe on your device
Windows
Download and install the Windows desktop client, sign in, and connect with the power button. Open the location list to select a server location. Windscribe’s guide covers Windows 10 and 11. Firewall and split tunneling are optional settings, not required to make a basic connection. See Windscribe’s Windows setup instructions.
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Mac
Windscribe’s current desktop app guide lists macOS 13 Ventura or later. Download the official installer, open it, follow the prompts, sign in, and allow the VPN configuration when macOS asks. Then connect with the power button or choose a location first. See Windscribe’s Mac setup instructions.
Linux
Download the package that matches your Linux distribution and CPU architecture, install it with your package manager or graphical installer, then open Windscribe, sign in, and connect. The guide lists Ubuntu 22.04 or later, Fedora 36 or later, openSUSE Leap 15.6, Arch with glibc 2.35 or later, and supported immutable distributions. Check Windscribe’s Linux guide for the current supported list.
#1 Best Overall
- 【WIRELESS MOBILE MINI TRAVEL ROUTER】 Convert a public network (wired or wireless) to a private Wi-Fi for secure surfing. Tethering. Powered by any laptop USB, power banks or 5V/2A DC adapters (sold separately). 39g (1.41 Oz) only, portable and pocket friendly. 2.4GHz ONLY
- 【OPEN SOURCE & PROGRAMMABLE】 OpenWrt pre-installed, USB disk extendable.
- 【LARGER STORAGE & EXTENDABILITY】 128MB RAM, 16MB Flash ROM, dual Ethernet ports, UART and GPIOs available for hardware DIY.
- 【OPENVPN CLIENT】 OpenVPN client pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers.
- 【PACKAGE CONTENTS】 GL-MT300N-V2 (Mango) mini router (2-year Warranty), USB cable, Ethernet cable, User Manual. Please update to the latest firmware.
iPhone
Install the official App Store app, sign in or create an account, and tap the power icon. Approve the system prompt to add VPN configurations. Windscribe’s guide requires iOS 15 or later. The retail iOS app does not offer app-level split tunneling. See Windscribe’s iPhone setup instructions.
Android
Install the app from Google Play or Windscribe’s official APK download, sign in or create an account, and tap the power button. Android’s settings include options such as split tunneling and protocol selection. See Windscribe’s Android guide.
Rank #2
- 【DUAL BAND AX TRAVEL ROUTER】Products with US, UK, EU Plug; Dual band network with wireless speed 574Mbps (2.4G)+2402Mbps (5G); 2.5G Multi-gigabit WAN port and a 1G gigabit LAN port; USB 3.0 port; Wi-Fi 6 offers more than double the total Wi-Fi speed with the MT3000 VPN Router.
- 【VPN CLIENT & SERVER】OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers (active subscription required). Simply log in to your existing VPN account with our portable wifi device, and Beryl AX automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. Max. VPN speed of 150 Mbps (OpenVPN); 300 Mbps (WireGuard). *Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【OpenWrt 21.02 FIRMWARE】The Beryl AX is a portable wifi box and mini router that runs on OpenWrt 21.02 firmware. It supports more than 5,000 ready-made plug-ins for customization. Simply browse, install, and manage packages with our no-code interface within Beryl AX's Admin Panel.
- 【PROTECT YOUR NETWORK SECURITY】Our pocket wifi, unlike other vulnerable portable wifi hotspot for travel purposes supports WPA3 protocol–Preventive measures against password brute-force attacks; DNS over HTTPS & DNS over TLS–Protecting domain name system traffic and preventing data eavesdropping from malicious parties; IPv6–Built-in authentication for privacy protection, eliminating the need for network address translation.
- 【VPN CASCADING AT EASE】Surpassing the mediocre performance of most VPN routers for home usage, the Beryl AX is capable of hosting a VPN server and VPN client at the same time within the same device, enabling users to remote access local network resources like Wi-Fi printers or local web servers, and accessing the public internet as a VPN client simultaneously.
Chrome browser
Install and pin the extension, open it, sign in, then press the power button or pick a location. A connected extension reroutes Chrome traffic. Follow Windscribe’s Chrome extension guide.
Choose the app or browser extension based on what you want to protect
The desktop app creates a VPN tunnel for the computer, while the browser extension is a browser-focused proxy with additional browser features. If only the extension is connected, traffic from other apps on the computer does not go through Windscribe. Use the device app when you want coverage beyond browser activity. Windscribe explains the difference here.
Rank #3
- 【AC1200 Dual-band Wireless Router】Simultaneous dual-band with wireless speed up to 300 Mbps (2.4GHz) + 867 Mbps (5GHz). 2.4GHz band can handles some simple tasks like emails or web browsing while bandwidth intensive tasks such as gaming or 4K video streaming can be handled by the 5GHz band.*Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【Easy Setup】Please refer to the User Manual and the Unboxing & Setup video guide on Amazon for detailed setup instructions and methods for connecting to the Internet.
- 【Pocket-friendly】Lightweight design(145g) which designed for your next trip or adventure. Alongside its portable, compact design makes it easy to take with you on the go.
- 【Full Gigabit Ports】Gigabit Wireless Internet Router with 2 Gigabit LAN ports and 1 Gigabit WAN ports, ideal for lots of internet plan and allow you to connect your wired devices directly.
- 【Keep your Internet Safe】IPv6 supported. OpenVPN & WireGuard pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers. Cloudflare encryption supported to protect the privacy.
What to do if Windscribe will not connect
Desktop and mobile clients default to Automatic protocol mode, which selects a protocol and port. If a connection fails, switch to Manual and try another supported option. Windscribe lists WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN UDP and TCP, Stealth, and WStunnel, though availability varies by client. TCP may help when UDP fails; Stealth and WStunnel are options to try on restrictive networks. None guarantees a connection or a particular speed. See Windscribe’s protocol details.
Understand Firewall and split-tunneling settings before changing them
Firewall modes on Windows and Mac
Firewall settings determine whether traffic outside the VPN is blocked. In Automatic mode, Windscribe enables the Firewall when it connects and blocks internet access if the app crashes or the server connection is interrupted. Always On restricts internet access to a VPN connection even when the app is closed. That stricter behavior can also leave you offline if you are not connected to Windscribe. Read Windscribe’s explanation of Firewall modes.
Rank #4
- 【DUAL BAND WIFI 7 TRAVEL ROUTER】Products with US, UK, EU, AU Plug; Dual band network with wireless speed 688Mbps (2.4G)+2882Mbps (5G); Dual 2.5G Ethernet Ports (1x WAN and 1x LAN Port); USB 3.0 port.
- 【NETWORK CONTROL WITH TOUCHSCREEN SIMPLICITY】Slate 7’s touchscreen interface lets you scan QR codes for quick Wi-Fi, monitor speed in real time, toggle VPN on/off, and switch providers directly on the display. Color-coded indicators provide instant network status updates for Ethernet, Tethering, Repeater, and Cellular modes, offering a seamless, user-friendly experience.
- 【OpenWrt 23.05 FIRMWARE】The Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) is a high-performance Wi-Fi 7 travel router, built with OpenWrt 23.05 (Kernel 5.4.213) for maximum customization and advanced networking capabilities. With 512MB storage, total customization with open-source freedom and flexible installation of OpenWrt plugins.
- 【VPN CLIENT & SERVER】OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers (active subscription required). Simply log in to your existing VPN account with our portable wifi device, and Slate 7 automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. Max. VPN speed of 100 Mbps (OpenVPN); 540 Mbps (WireGuard). *Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【PERFECT PORTABLE WIFI ROUTER FOR TRAVEL】The Slate 7 is an ideal portable internet device perfect for international travel. With its mini size and travel-friendly features, the pocket Wi-Fi router is the perfect companion for travelers in need of a secure internet connectivity on the go in which includes hotels or cruise ships.
Split tunneling
Split tunneling lets you choose which traffic uses the VPN. Windscribe documents app and IP/hostname rules on desktop and app-based rules on Android. There are platform-specific limitations: Microsoft Store apps do not work with Windows app-based split tunneling, and Android’s Exclusive mode does not work as intended when Always-on VPN and blocking connections outside the VPN are enabled. Retail iOS has no app-level split tunneling. See Windscribe’s split-tunneling instructions.
Know the free account’s limits
Windscribe’s plan guide, published May 1, 2026, states that free accounts receive 2 GB of data per month by default or 10 GB per month with a confirmed email address, plus access to free server locations. Paid options have different data, location, and feature access. These are dated vendor terms, not a guarantee that the allowance or available locations remain unchanged; check Windscribe’s current plan guide for current details. The guide’s listed paid prices are not needed to complete setup.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【AXT1800 WiFi 6 Wireless Router】Slate AX offers powerful Wi-Fi 6 network connection with a dual-band combined Wi-Fi speed of 1800 Mbps (600 Mbps for 2.4GHz and 1200 Mbps for 5GHz). Enhance Wi-Fi performance with MU-MIMO, OFDMA, BSS color and able to connect to up to 120 devices simultaneously.
- 【Fast and Secure Browsing】IPv6 supported; OpenVPN & WireGuard pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers, OpenVPN speed up to 500 Mbps; WireGuard speed up to 550 Mbps. Cloudflare encryption supported to protect the privacy.
- 【Easy File Sharing】Our NAS feature supports SAMBA and WebDav protocol. By plugging an external USB hard disc into the router, you can create a private network to store and share your documents.
- 【Runs on OpenWrt 21.02】Slate AX runs on the latest OpenWrt 21.02 operating system (Kernel version 4.4.60), with mass device connection capabilities, and significantly reduced signal interference. You can customize the router and install applications based on your preferences.
- 【Repeater for Public, Hotel WiFi】Convert a public network(wired/wireless) to a private network(wired/wireless) for secure surfing. Work with Captive Portal. (Note: Most of the Free Public Wi-Fi hotspot set a time limit for users, which will disconnect your devices once the time is over. To deal with this situation, please reconnect your router to the wifi.)
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