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To use Windscribe, install its app for your computer or phone, sign in, and tap or click the power button to connect. Choose a server location first if you need a particular region. If you use only Windscribe’s browser extension, it routes traffic from that browser—not the rest of your device.
Choose the Windscribe client that matches what you want to protect
Use the desktop or mobile app when you want Windscribe to handle your device’s internet connection. Use a browser extension when you want to route browser traffic specifically. Windscribe describes its extension as a browser-focused proxy with additional browser features; it does not cover traffic from other apps on the device. See Windscribe’s explanation of the desktop app and browser extension.
- Whole-device VPN: Install the app for Windows, macOS, Linux, iPhone, or Android.
- Browser-only routing: Install the extension for your browser. For Chrome, Windscribe’s setup guide covers installation, sign-in, and connecting.
Install and connect on your device
Download the app from Windscribe’s official download or installation instructions for your platform. After installation, sign in or create an account, then connect using the power button. To use a particular region, open the location list and select a location before connecting.
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Windows
- Download and install the Windows client using Windscribe’s Windows setup guide.
- Open the app and sign in.
- Select a location if you need one, then click the power button to connect.
Windscribe’s guide covers Windows 10 and 11. Firewall and split tunneling are optional settings; you do not need to configure them for a basic connection.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Five Gigabit Ports】1 Gigabit WAN Port plus 2 Gigabit WAN/LAN Ports plus 2 Gigabit LAN Port. Up to 3 WAN ports optimize bandwidth usage through one device.
- 【One USB WAN Port】Mobile broadband via 4G/3G modem is supported for WAN backup by connecting to the USB port. For complete list of compatible 4G/3G modems, please visit TP-Link website.
- 【Abundant Security Features】Advanced firewall policies, DoS defense, IP/MAC/URL filtering, speed test and more security functions protect your network and data.
- 【Highly Secure VPN】Supports up to 20× LAN-to-LAN IPsec, 16× OpenVPN, 16× L2TP, and 16× PPTP VPN connections.
- Security - SPI Firewall, VPN Pass through, FTP/H.323/PPTP/SIP/IPsec ALG, DoS Defence, Ping of Death and Local Management. Standards and Protocols IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3ab, IEEE 802.3x, IEEE 802.1q
macOS
- Download the official installer and follow the prompts in Windscribe’s Mac setup guide.
- Open the app and sign in.
- When macOS asks to add a VPN configuration, allow it. Choose a location if needed, then connect.
Windscribe’s current guide lists macOS 13 Ventura or newer as supported.
Linux
- Check Windscribe’s Linux GUI guide for a package matching your distribution and CPU architecture.
- Install the package using the instructions for your distribution, then open Windscribe.
- Sign in, choose a location if needed, and connect.
The guide lists Ubuntu 22.04 or newer, Fedora 36 or newer, openSUSE Leap 15.6, Arch with glibc 2.35 or newer, and supported immutable distributions. Consult the guide for the current supported list before installing.
Rank #2
- 【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.
iPhone
- Install Windscribe from the App Store and open it.
- Sign in or create an account.
- Tap the power icon and approve the iOS prompt to add VPN configurations.
Windscribe’s guide requires iOS 15 or later. Its retail iOS app does not offer app-level split tunneling. See the iPhone setup guide.
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- Install Windscribe from Google Play or use the official APK instructions in its Android guide.
- Open the app and sign in or create an account.
- Tap the power button to connect. Choose a location first if you need a particular region.
Android-specific options include protocol selection and split tunneling; they are optional for ordinary use.
Rank #3
- New-Gen WiFi Standard – WiFi 6(802.11ax) standard supporting MU-MIMO and OFDMA technology for better efficiency and throughput.Antenna : External antenna x 4. Processor : Dual-core (4 VPE). Power Supply : AC Input : 110V~240V(50~60Hz), DC Output : 12 V with max. 1.5A current.
- Ultra-fast WiFi Speed – RT-AX1800S supports 1024-QAM for dramatically faster wireless connections
- Increase Capacity and Efficiency – Supporting not only MU-MIMO but also OFDMA technique to efficiently allocate channels, communicate with multiple devices simultaneously
- 5 Gigabit ports – One Gigabit WAN port and four Gigabit LAN ports, 10X faster than 100–Base T Ethernet.
- Commercial-grade Security Anywhere – Protect your home network with AiProtection Classic, powered by Trend Micro. And when away from home, ASUS Instant Guard gives you a one-click secure VPN.
Chrome extension
- Install the Windscribe extension in Chrome and pin it if you want quick access.
- Open the extension and log in.
- Click its power button to connect, or select a location first.
With the extension alone, only Chrome traffic is routed through Windscribe; other apps and browsers on the device are not covered.
What to do after connecting
Windscribe’s getting-started guidance suggests checking the assigned IP address and running its DNS leak test after you connect. These are checks you can perform yourself; they do not establish how a VPN will perform on every network. The vendor’s overview is at What is a VPN?.
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.
Understand free-account limits before relying on the service
Windscribe’s plan guide, dated May 1, 2026, says free accounts receive 2 GB of data per month by default, or 10 GB per month when the account has a confirmed email address. It also says free accounts have access to free server locations, while paid options differ in data, location, and feature access. These are the vendor’s terms as stated on that date, not a guarantee of current allowances. Check Windscribe’s plan and cost guide for current terms.
Change connection settings only when you need to
Automatic and manual protocols
Windscribe says its desktop and mobile clients default to Automatic 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. Its protocol guide notes that TCP may help when UDP fails and that Stealth or WStunnel may help on restrictive networks. No protocol guarantees access or a particular speed.
Best Value
- Next-Gen Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Speeds: 2402 Mbps on 5 GHz and 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz bands ensure smoother streaming and faster downloads; support VPN server and VPN client¹
- A More Responsive Experience: Enjoy smooth gaming, video streaming, and live feeds simultaneously. OFDMA makes your Wi-Fi stronger by allowing multiple clients to share one band at the same time, cutting latency and jitter.²
- Expanded Wi-Fi Coverage: 4 high-gain external antennas and Beamforming technology combine to extend strong, reliable, Wi-Fi throughout your home.
- Improved Battery Life: Target Wake Time helps your devices to communicate efficiently while consuming less power.
- Improved Cooling Design: No heat ups, no throttles. A larger heat sink and redefined case design cools the WiFi 6 system and enables your network to stay at top speeds in more versatile environments.
Windows and Mac Firewall modes
On Windows and Mac, Firewall settings determine whether traffic outside the VPN is blocked. Windscribe says Automatic mode enables the Firewall when you connect 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. This can reduce the chance of traffic leaving outside the VPN, but it also means you may lose internet access when Windscribe is not connected. Read the vendor’s Firewall modes guide before choosing a stricter setting.
Split tunneling
Split tunneling lets you select which traffic uses the VPN. Windscribe documents app and IP/hostname rules on desktop and app-based rules on Android. Its split tunneling guide warns that Microsoft Store apps do not work with Windows app-based split tunneling. On Android, Always-on VPN combined with blocking connections outside the VPN prevents Exclusive mode from working as intended. Retail iOS does not offer app-level split tunneling.
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