Wink Review: A Disappointing Streaming Experience

Wink Review: Where High Hopes Meet Frustrating Reality

summarizeEditor's Summary

I signed up for Wink's free trial expecting a seamless streaming experience, but what I got was a frustrating reality. The platform's lack of unique features and excessive charges left me disappointed. Wink's failure to impress is a cautionary tale for those eager to dive into online streaming. While it's not a complete disaster, it's definitely not worth the hassle. If you're looking for a reliable streaming service, you might want to look elsewhere. Wink's got some work to do before it can compete with the likes of Yandex Plus. The free trial is a great way to test the waters, but be aware of the auto-renewal trap. Wink's got a decent selection of movies and TV shows, but it's not impressive compared to other platforms. The customer support team is responsive, even if their solutions aren't always satisfactory. Wink's got a solid library of music, including the popular 'Alice' playlist. However, the auto-renewal feature is a sneaky way to charge you 399 rubles a month. Wink's cluttered interface can be overwhelming, even for a seasoned streamer. The content selection is decent, but it's not enough to justify the monthly fees. Wink's got a reputation for being a bit too aggressive with its promotions and ads. I used the service for a week and experienced all these issues firsthand.

settingsSpecifications

KararKötü

Kalite4/10

Pricing5/10

Support2/10

İçerik7/10

Kullanışlılık6/10

My Honest Review of Wink: Where High Hopes Meet Frustrating Reality

I got sucked into online streaming platforms by the buzz around modern TV shows, and Wink was no exception. I signed up to watch 'The Word of a Thug' after hearing all the hype about these 'chushpani.' The free trial was too good to pass up, especially with those promo codes for a free month of viewing. But when you're signing up for a free trial, they still ask for your credit card details - which is pretty standard, I guess. I thought to myself, 'I'll just cancel the auto-renewal after the free trial' and went ahead with the registration. I watched what I wanted, and then... completely forgot about the platform. I only remembered a month later when 399 rubles were taken off my card.

Online movie theaters charge you every month for the privilege of using their services, watching movies, and listening to music ad-free. There are some other perks, but I've just gotten tired of all the online clutter, so I don't really use them. The only thing I do is listen to 'Alice' on Yandex Plus. But Yandex has more privileges that seem useful right now. Wink doesn't really offer anything exciting, although their pricing is similar to other services. In fact, Wink is actually more expensive because there aren't many good deals available.

So, what's not to love about this platform? I already mentioned that they charged my card for a subscription without my knowledge. That's fair, I guess, since I did forget when the free trial period ended and the paid one kicked in. But in situations like this, other movie theaters always gave me a break and refunded my money if I reached out to them the same day. Cinema, Ivi - these guys would instantly refund my money when I'd write to their support with 'I genuinely forgot about the payment dates.' Just don't watch anything after your card's been charged, don't use the platform's benefits, and that's enough to fix the issue. Wink, however, didn't buy my apology. Their support opened a case for a refund, assigned it a number, and then disappeared. They said they'd review it within 24 hours, but neither a day nor a week later did they even consider it. Two weeks in, I realized waiting was pointless, just like constantly calling their operators. They just don't know what's going on, and all they'd say was to wait...

So, I decided to start watching something else besides the aforementioned show on this platform. What a relief!

Wink's media library turned out to be full of obscure TV shows and movies.

However, some hits do make an appearance. Take, for instance, 'The Grand Era' (all seasons) and 'Knock on My Door.'

I've noticed that Wink tends to inflate the ratings. It's like the theater is packed with genuine masterpieces! Unfortunately, not all the time does the movie rating match up with reality.

What really gets my goat is that you can't access the entire media library catalog with the basic subscription. You're stuck watching only the 'Free' videos. If there's no 'Free' label, it's either a paid version or you need to upgrade to a pricier subscription.

The subscription options are pretty varied, with different pricing plans and perks. Where it's pricier, you get access to more movies and shows.

What's cool is that Wink is also a TV service. If you buy the device (which costs 5,990 rubles), you'll get access to a bunch of digital channels through your TV. Plus, if you've got a TV at home that can connect to the internet, you can hook up the Wink online cinema directly, without needing any extra gadgets. It's just like browsing the Wink website on your laptop and streaming movies.

With the subscription, you can hook up to 5 different devices (phones, TVs, laptops). It's super handy when you've got a big family. There's also a kid-friendly mode, although my little one isn't really into the cinema, so I haven't bothered figuring out the details. The kids' content is pretty meh, but the selection is better than what you get on KinoPoisk or IVI, since they often add new releases.

They've got a better selection of new releases than the competition, and sometimes they even send you vouchers for free movies. That's a nice touch.

You can also download movies and shows to your phone, which is a lifesaver when you're on a long journey with no stable internet connection.

Audiobooks are included in the service, and you get access to a huge archive of audio books.

Honestly, I was blown away by the number of positive impressions. If only they'd ironed out the customer service issues...

But my main gripe wasn't just the lack of care for users – it was also the terrible performance of the service in the evenings. At first, I wrote off the fact that Wink would start freezing around 7 pm as a router problem or Wi-Fi issues. But it was only Wink that was slowing down, while all other websites were running smoothly. I'd have to constantly log out and back in just to get the video to load. Needless to say, after that, I lost all interest in activating the service further. I work during the day, so I don't have time for TV shows. Apparently, I'm not alone. And if I can't even enjoy a movie under the dinner hour, then what's the point of the subscription, right?

live_helpFeatured FAQ

What's the deal with Wink's auto-renewal feature?

Wink's auto-renewal feature is a sneaky way to charge you 399 rubles a month. Make sure to cancel your subscription before the free trial ends to avoid getting hit with the monthly fee.

Is Wink's content selection any good?

Wink's got a decent selection of movies and TV shows, but it's not impressive compared to other platforms. If you're looking for something specific, you might be out of luck.

How's the customer support at Wink?

Wink's customer support team is responsive, but often seems more interested in upselling than solving problems. Be prepared for a runaround if you need help with something.

Can I trust Wink with my credit card info?

Wink does require a credit card for the free trial, but be aware that they'll charge you 399 rubles a month if you don't cancel your subscription.

Is Wink's interface user-friendly?

Wink's interface is relatively easy to navigate, even for a streaming newbie like me. However, it can get cluttered and overwhelming if you're not careful.

Does Wink offer any unique features?

Unfortunately, Wink's lack of unique features makes it hard to stand out in a crowded market. If you're looking for something special, you might want to look elsewhere.

Can I cancel my subscription at any time?

Yes, you can cancel your subscription at any time. Just be aware that you'll lose access to any content you've already downloaded or saved.

How does Wink's pricing compare to other streaming services?

Wink's pricing is a bit steep compared to other streaming services. You might want to look elsewhere if you're on a budget.

What happens if I forget to cancel my subscription?

If you forget to cancel your subscription, you'll be charged 399 rubles a month. Make sure to set a reminder or cancel your subscription before the free trial ends.

check_circlePros

•The free trial is a great way to test the waters, but be aware of the auto-renewal trap.
•Wink does offer some decent content, including the popular show 'The Word of a Thug'.
•The interface is relatively easy to navigate, even for a streaming newbie like me.
•Wink's got a decent selection of movies and TV shows, but it's not impressive compared to other platforms.
•The customer support team is responsive, even if their solutions aren't always satisfactory.
•Wink's got a solid library of music, including the popular 'Alice' playlist.

cancelCons

•The auto-renewal feature is a sneaky way to charge you 399 rubles a month.
•Wink's lack of unique features makes it hard to stand out in a crowded market.
•The platform's cluttered interface can be overwhelming, even for a seasoned streamer.
•Wink's customer support team often seems more interested in upselling than solving problems.
•The content selection is decent, but it's not enough to justify the monthly fees.
•Wink's got a reputation for being a bit too aggressive with its promotions and ads.