What the Critics Are Saying...
- Jim Martin, Tech AdvisorHotspot Shield is best known for its free VPN service, but the paid-for Premium version is a lot better. It’s US headquarters and logging policy may put you off, but if you want a supremely easy-to-use VPN for securing public Wi-Fi and browsing the web anonymously, it’s a fine choice.
- Rebecca Duff, Top10VPNHotspot Shield is a super-fast, reliable VPN that has worked hard to regain its users’ trust following recent controversies. It’s very reasonably priced if you opt for one of the longer plans, and a generous 45-day money-back guarantee means that you have some time to think before you completely mak...
- Mike Williams, TechRadarThere's a lot to like about Hotspot Shield, especially its ease of use and raw speed, but if you're looking for low prices, router support or Netflix access, it could be a different story.
- Salmi, VPN RanksThe VPN users who demand efficient customer service might not dub Hotspot Shield as reliable. Moreover, the logs policy of this service might not be able to satisfy users who demand utmost privacy. Still, in a way Hotspot Shield is reliable. It is a reliable service for those who want to unblock geo...
- Brian Nadel, Tom's GuideIf you're fine with Hotspot Shield's free service tier inserting ads into your web pages, and the privacy allegations don't concern you, then go right ahead and use this VPN service. Better yet, use both Hotspot Shield's free offering and Windscribe's similarly generous counterpart, and you'll have...
Details
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | USA |
| Pricing/Sign Up | |
| Starting Price (per Month) | $3.99 |
| Plans and Pricing | Visit Site |
| Free Trial | 7 days |
| Money Back Guarantee | 45 Days |
| Payment Options | Credit Cards, PayPal |
| ID Required | Valid email address |
| Features | |
| Server Locations (# of Countries) | 25 |
| Number of Servers | 2600 + |
| Devices Per License | 5 |
| Simultaneous Connections | 5 |
| Unlimited Bandwidth | Yes |
| Double-Hop / Double VPN | No |
| Accesses Netflix | Yes |
| P2P / Torrenting Allowed | Yes |
| Accepts Bitcoin | No |
| Non-US Company | No |
| Protected | |
| Protocols | Catapult Hydra |
| Encryption | AES-256 |
| No Logs / No Tracking | Yes |
| Dedicated IP Available | No |
| VPN Over Tor | Yes |
| Wi-Fi Leak Protection | Yes |
| Private DNS Server | No |
| DNS Leak Protection | Yes |
| IP Leak Protection | Yes |
| WebRTC Leak Protection | Yes |
| IPv6 Leak Protection | Yes |
| Kill Switch | Yes |
| Supported Platforms | |
| Operating Systems | Windows, Mac OSX, iOS, Android |
| Mobile App | Yes |
| Router | No |
| Browser Extension | Yes |
| Customer Support | |
| 24/7 Support | Yes |
| Live Chat Support | Yes |
| Telephone Support | No |
| Email Support | Yes |
| More | |
| Additional comments |
Other Names (AKA): Hot Spot Shield |
| Terms & Conditions | Official Terms & Conditions |
| Suggest a correction |
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Critic Reviews
A supremely easy-to-use VPN
Hotspot Shield is best known for its free VPN service, but the paid-for Premium version is a lot better. It’s US headquarters and logging policy may put you off, but if you want a supremely easy-to-use VPN for securing public Wi-Fi and browsing the web anonymously, it’s a fine choice.
Hotspot Shield is best known for its free VPN service, but the paid-for Premium version is a lot better. It’s US headquarters and logging policy may put you off, but if you want a supremely easy-to-use VPN for securing public Wi-Fi and browsing the web anonymously, it’s a fine choice.
No-frills VPN offering decent privacy & very fast server speeds
Hotspot Shield is a super-fast, reliable VPN that has worked hard to regain its users’ trust following recent controversies. It’s very reasonably priced if you opt for one of the longer plans, and a generous 45-day money-back guarantee means that you have some time to think before you comple...More
Hotspot Shield is a super-fast, reliable VPN that has worked hard to regain its users’ trust following recent controversies. It’s very reasonably priced if you opt for one of the longer plans, and a generous 45-day money-back guarantee means that you have some time to think before you completely make up your mind. Performance is outstanding on both local and international connections, and access to Netflix or BBC iPlayer is an added bonus.
A premium VPN for users who value speed
There's a lot to like about Hotspot Shield, especially its ease of use and raw speed, but if you're looking for low prices, router support or Netflix access, it could be a different story.
There's a lot to like about Hotspot Shield, especially its ease of use and raw speed, but if you're looking for low prices, router support or Netflix access, it could be a different story.
A convenient option for many users
The VPN users who demand efficient customer service might not dub Hotspot Shield as reliable. Moreover, the logs policy of this service might not be able to satisfy users who demand utmost privacy. Still, in a way Hotspot Shield is reliable. It is a reliable service for those who want to unblock...More
The VPN users who demand efficient customer service might not dub Hotspot Shield as reliable. Moreover, the logs policy of this service might not be able to satisfy users who demand utmost privacy. Still, in a way Hotspot Shield is reliable. It is a reliable service for those who want to unblock geo-restricted content without constraining their financial limitations. Hotspot Shield also has lot to offer to users who desire a convenient way of securing their connection.
Generous data cap, easy to use
If you're fine with Hotspot Shield's free service tier inserting ads into your web pages, and the privacy allegations don't concern you, then go right ahead and use this VPN service. Better yet, use both Hotspot Shield's free offering and Windscribe's similarly generous counterpart, and you'll ha...More
If you're fine with Hotspot Shield's free service tier inserting ads into your web pages, and the privacy allegations don't concern you, then go right ahead and use this VPN service. Better yet, use both Hotspot Shield's free offering and Windscribe's similarly generous counterpart, and you'll have 25GB per month of free VPN data to play with.
Provides a comprehensive VPN
With its seconds to none showing in the performance test, Hotspot Shield Elite make it hard for a user to see past this VPN solution. Also taking the top of the security and usability placing as well as providing for all essential needs of the VPN users.
With its seconds to none showing in the performance test, Hotspot Shield Elite make it hard for a user to see past this VPN solution. Also taking the top of the security and usability placing as well as providing for all essential needs of the VPN users.
Easy-to-use, fast, secure, and reliable VPN
Hotspot Shield impressed us with its performance and features. It includes military-grade encryption protocols for excellent privacy and data protection, including malware- and ad-blocking.
Hotspot Shield impressed us with its performance and features. It includes military-grade encryption protocols for excellent privacy and data protection, including malware- and ad-blocking.
A minimalist VPN for beginners
Hotspot Shield is a plug and play solution for basic users. It is suitable for all those who want to encrypt at low cost, to watch streaming TV and download torrents on all their devices without limits. Don't expect too much on the settings.
Hotspot Shield is a plug and play solution for basic users. It is suitable for all those who want to encrypt at low cost, to watch streaming TV and download torrents on all their devices without limits. Don't expect too much on the settings.
An introduction to VPNs
For a free service, HotSpot Shield gives you a pretty big bang for no bucks. This is a good way to try out a VPN service when you go on vacation. If you need to be connected permanently, and if you need access to a wider number of countries, you would probably be better off investigating other, paid VPN services.
Read full reviewFor a free service, HotSpot Shield gives you a pretty big bang for no bucks. This is a good way to try out a VPN service when you go on vacation. If you need to be connected permanently, and if you need access to a wider number of countries, you would probably be better off investigating other, paid VPN services.
Read full review
A no frills, low-price vendor with low transparency and poor customer service
Hotspot Shield is basically a lowprice, simple, no frills VPN service that is ideally suited to those looking for hassle-free streaming of international media services, like Netflix. However, without getting a reasonable reply from their support services, and a lack of information regarding their...More
Hotspot Shield is basically a lowprice, simple, no frills VPN service that is ideally suited to those looking for hassle-free streaming of international media services, like Netflix. However, without getting a reasonable reply from their support services, and a lack of information regarding their security protocols, including what data they share with law enforcement, we can't recommend this service to those of you that take security and reports on openness more seriously than a quick connection to a foreign server.