this post was submitted on 13 Apr 2025
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I switched to windscribe last month because the proton CEO starting spewing politcal BS, and I wanted port forwarding that wasn't locked behind a shitty GUI.

As far as I was concerned setup was super easy, the VPN speeds were great, and port forwarding worked really nicely. The whole price for a fixed server and port forward, + unlimited data was a bit much (at $95/year) but for the ease of use and speeds I was getting, I was happy to stick with them.

My setup is a always-on server with a 1gbps connection, where yes, I fucking seed my shit, all of it. I have about 30TB of linux ISOs and counting, and it's rare that my combined upload speed is less than 1MBps, ever.

Which lead me to getting banned from windscribe with no notice or warning in the middle of last week. This lead to me having to spend tracker points to avoid HnR, and i'm also unable to grab any new ISOs until I find a new VPN provider that won't ban me for actually using the service full time.

I did shoot them an email (after talking' with their AI bot first), and they were actually helpful enough. The offered to restore support, so long as I promised to not torrent with them again (which, I honestly did promise not to. I'm not sticking with a VPN service that can't handle me actually using it for what it's advertised for) and they did unban the account. Whole email chain took about three days to get resolved.

My sticking point is that they still have instructions on setting up torrents on their own website, and that they specifically allow for unlimited data (with the plan i paid for) so long as it's just one user. I did not break those rules. After clarifying that in the support email, they still said that I was using too much data (despite the unlimited data advertisement) and that torrenting was not allowed on their service.

TL:DR: Windscribe bans you if you use a lot of data, and support says torrents aren't allowed, despite their website advertising such. Proof in the attached images.

If y'all have any other suggestions for a VPN that allow port forwarding i'd really appreciate it.

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[–] COASTER1921@lemmy.ml 7 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

It's definitely a bandwidth usage thing, given their reputation for being informal in communications they could have been a lot nicer about that.

It's really disappointing to see this from them, they were one the best priced VPNs out there claiming to respect privacy. Their support was also super helpful with my questions about their datacenter static IPs.

[–] Mongostein@lemmy.ca 39 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Ha!

My ISP sends me emails saying (paraphrased) “we’re only forwarding this email because we have to. We don’t track your data and your IP logs are wiped every 30 days. Your best option is not to respond because then they would know who you are.”

[–] TheGreenWizard@lemmy.zip 7 points 2 days ago

What ISP are you with?

[–] gamer@lemm.ee 7 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (12 children)

Since y'all probably know more about VPNs than me, is Mullvad any good? I bought them to use for torrents, though haven't tried seeding anything yet. I assume they're good with that?

Also, anyone know if they're run by MAGA creeps?

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[–] Alaknar@lemm.ee 4 points 2 days ago (46 children)

proton CEO starting spewing politcal BS

Context, please?

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[–] CountVon@sh.itjust.works 116 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (5 children)

I'd recommend AirVPN. Here's why I'd recommend them, in their own words:

No traffic limit. No time limit.

No maximum speed limit, it depends only on the server load

Every protocol is welcome, including p2p. Forwarded ports and DDNS to optimize your software.

[–] Irelephant@lemm.ee 29 points 3 days ago (1 children)

As a rule, the more outdated a service's website is, the better the service is.

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[–] MysticMushroom1776@lemmy.dbzer0.com 47 points 3 days ago (2 children)

AirVPN seems really good, I liked Mullvad but unfortunately they dropped port forwarding which really ruined them as a VPN service for Torrenting.

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[–] primemagnus@lemmy.ca 40 points 3 days ago (5 children)

“It’s not allowed… especially in the amounts you do it” LMAO. It’s against the rules but we let him murder some people, just so long as it doesn’t get out of hand 🤪

[–] blind3rdeye@lemm.ee 14 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (3 children)

Perhaps murder is a bit extreme. It's more like "we've noticed you're taking woodchips from the playground. That's not allowed. We wouldn't mind if you were just taking a few chips, but you've taken 2 tons."

[edit] But putting analogies aside, the service really should make rules and restrictions like this clear in advance. That seems like the real failing here, rather than the rule itself.

[–] Saleh@feddit.org 5 points 2 days ago (1 children)

If the service is advertised as no data limit, aka "take as man woodchips as you like" they shouldn't track back on it.

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[–] StinkySocialist@lemmy.ml 41 points 3 days ago (10 children)

I thought this was your Internet service provider. This is a VPN service? Holy shit what's the point of a VPN with rules like this. Fuck em. I use proton and am looking to switch because the CEO is a right-winger but they don't pull this shit.

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[–] DaGeek247@fedia.io 87 points 3 days ago (3 children)

Wasn't sure if this was the right place, but I figured someone should know about this. For what it's worth, I would actually recommend windscribe if you don't plan on doing torrents all the time, or you have sub 1gbps internet. Just sucks that I hit their "unlimited" internet limits on my home connection.

They have a page on their site about chargebacks. They're confidant they'll win them, but they still ban because it costs them money. I've done one anyways; as far as my reading of their tos goes, I was in the right. Might as well make this experience cost both of us money, instead of just them.

Their guide for using torrents with their service; https://windscribe.com/knowledge-base/articles/using-windscribe-with-torrent-clients/

Their FAQ on bandwidth and chargebacks: https://windscribe.com/knowledge-base/articles/why-did-my-account-get-disabled/

[–] Sir_Kevin@lemmy.dbzer0.com 23 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

The fact that they have anti-chargeback wording on their public website speaks volumes. I bet they have anti-union posters in their breakroom too. Fuck this company!

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[–] cupcakezealot@lemmy.blahaj.zone 55 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Windscribe encrypts your browsing activity, blocks ads, and unblocks entertainment content

so that was a lie

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[–] Darkassassin07@lemmy.ca 38 points 3 days ago (8 children)

Meh, switch to usenet. Download as much as you want, at max bandwidth 100% of the time, with 0 need for a vpn and no obligation to re-seed content for months on end.

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[–] squid_slime@lemm.ee 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Tailscale + mullvad integration works great if you want port forwarding and at about the same price as mullvad VPN.

[–] matcha_addict@lemy.lol 4 points 2 days ago (3 children)

How does this work??? I thought I wouldn't be able to use Mullvad with port forwarding. Would I need to have a vps? Would the VPS not disallow me for connecting to VPN or detecting p2p traffic?

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[–] HumanPerson@sh.itjust.works 26 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (2 children)

I use airvpn with an always on server setup, port forwarding, and constant seeding. If you're okay with manually using a wireguard or openvpn client instead of an airvpn specific client it works great.

Edit Plus, they have a progressive pricing thing that lets you buy a few days for like 2€ just to test stuff.

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[–] idriss@lemm.ee 32 points 3 days ago

Seems like something that could fit here

https://wiki.rossmanngroup.com/wiki/Main_Page

[–] HappyTimeHarry@lemm.ee 58 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (5 children)

It sounds like they banned you for excessive usage. They allow at least 1tb a month because ive used that amount regularly with them.

It is a bit misleading for them to be calling it "unlimited" tho

[–] Bezier@suppo.fi 107 points 3 days ago (1 children)

It is a bit misleading

If it's limited, it isn't unlimited. That looks like a lie to me, and not "a bit misleading".

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[–] Draconic_NEO@lemmy.dbzer0.com 80 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (3 children)

It's not "a bit misleading" for them to call it unlimited and then ban people for using too much data, it's extremely misleading, almost bordering on scammy. If I were OP I would've done a chargeback and switched VPNs instead of begging them for an unban. They deserve it for lying and trying to deceive customers. Vote with your wallet (and chargebacks) if you want companies to stop doing shitty shady like this.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

it's extremely misleading, almost bordering on scammy

It's neither of those things either. "Misleading" indicates their representations were technically true, but it sounds like this is just a straight up lie.

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[–] fubbernuckin@lemmy.dbzer0.com 53 points 3 days ago (4 children)

I don't think this is misleading. Misleading is when you use technically true facts to draw someone towards an incorrect conclusion. Calling a plan unlimited then having a limit is more like fraudulent if you ask me.

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