Winston PrivacyReviews of winstonprivacy.com

This is great network and internet security product with a robust customization platform. Updates are regularly pushed out and continue to augment the platform. Network speed is impacted, but is a reasonable price to pay for security. This tool does come with a bit of a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, it’s great.

It’s great for making me feel more secure and less followed. Setup is crazy easy. The only negative is you have to be prepared for some inconveniences: some unsubscribe links won’t work without adding the url to the white list, google shopping tab largely doesn’t work and found a new one, instagram blocks you from creating new accounts (I think with all vpn-like solutions). I would recommend for people that value privacy and safety over a few minor inconveniences.

The device works great when it works - for a home it is awesome. Unfortunately, I travel..alot! I have spent the entire pandemic in Singapore and Malaysia. The Winston worked when the setup was good in the Air B and B but I was not able to use it in Hotels or in certain places where the setup was not like Winston needs it. It is faster than a VPN and I would really recommend it. I wish that there was a travel version, perhaps without all the features due to the limitations that traveling presents but other than that, this thing works fantastic. Also, the team keeps impressively improving the setup and keeps us updated so it is a great experience so far. Highly recommended but be aware of the limitations

Winston is a new firm with a VERY innovative product... but they need to work on 1) communicating why they are valuable and 2) try more innovative pricing strategies. I actively searched for "hardware VPN" solutions because I understand the importance of data privacy and security, but I specifically do not want to add another ongoing bill to my plate (especially during this new normal where job security is questionable at best). After a ton of confusion around the difference between their hardware and software (and a 1.5 hour support call with Joe), I understand their hardware is not valuable without their "subscription". I purchased a lifetime subscription (an option that is not available anymore) after getting over my own emotional blocker related to feeling like it was a bait-n-switch (NOTE: It should not be considered a lifetime subscription, but instead the purchase price for the product). This product is valuable and it does work as promised... but it takes a lot of individual time to understand because they have to overcome ALOT of misinformation and poor industry practices from the predecessors and competitors that create anchor points for consumers. Example 1: They use a browser plugin... but I actively avoid those because they are usually extremely fat with bad code and tracking bugs. That is not the case with Winston. Example 2: There are plenty of vaporware and (perhaps legit) real software data protection services that end up using every opportunity possible to up-sell you on the next level of service... which ends up replacing random cookie ads with their own ads, thus providing no real utility. Winston hasn't done that to me yet, so I hope they heed the warning in this review and avoid that practice. I'm very excited for this firm to get their educational marketing materials in better order and to use a pricing model that allows for a 1-time purchase but then also allows for subscription add-ons. (Obviously, subscription models are a software-tech industry goal because that creates a continual flow of income... but since everyone is doing that, that's creating more and more annual/monthly bills, which is limiting the actionable market size)