Our opinion
Hotspot Shield offers fast speeds, a large server network, and a super simple interface. It's great for HD streaming and secure torrenting, but uses a proprietary, closed-source encryption protocol. Hotspot Shield is good for general users, but not for strict privacy.
Hotspot Shield offers two services: a free VPN and a premium VPN. With more than 650 million customers, it is one of the most popular VPN providers in the world.
Hotspot Shield Free is an ad-sponsored VPN with a data limit of 500MB per day. Upgrading to the paid version will remove these ads and give you unlimited bandwidth, access to servers in 82 countries, and a range of built-in security features.
In this review, we put both versions of the VPN through our strict testing procedure to find out how it performs with regards to speed, security, streaming, and more.
Hotspot Shield has the faster connection speeds we've tested , thanks to its proprietary encryption protocol called Hydra VPN. The apps are easy to use, unblocking US Netflix, and enabling P2P and torrent traffic on all servers.
However, the company has a controversial past when it comes to user privacy. There is no option to use the OpenVPN protocol, and there is no VPN kill switch for macOS, Android, or iOS, which is a major security flaw for such a popular VPN.
Usually, Hotspot Shield It is still one of the best VPN services out there. It is ideal for unblocking streaming services and protecting your data on public WiFi networks. However, it is not a service that we can recommend for the highest levels of privacy or anonymity.
If you're looking for the most secure VPN services available, read our 2020 recommendations.
Pros and cons of Hotspot Shield
Pros
Cons
Registration Policy and Jurisdiction
Hotspot Shield has been criticized in the past for its questionable logging policy. Although the VPN does not keep any logs of your browsing history or online activity, it does collect a lot of other information and your privacy policy to it is often vague or misleading.
In accordance with its terms and conditions, Hotspot Shield Elite collects the following data:
- Your IP address - Encrypted, only for the duration of your session, and not linked to your activity while using the VPN.
- Your approximate geographic location - Derived from your IP address and used to connect to the closest VPN server.
- Connection timestamps - Used to monitor, back up, and get the most out of VPN services and are stored for three years.
- Bandwidth used per user, per session - Used to monitor, support, and get the most out of VPN services and is stored for three years.
- Device specific information , such as device identifiers, browser types, device types and settings, operating system versions, smartphone information, wireless and other network information (such as the name of the Internet service provider, the name of the operator and the intensity of the signal) and application version numbers.
- Non-personal website registrations (domain names, not specific URLs) visited using Hotspot Shield's VPN servers; these are added monthly.
If you use Hotspot Shield Free, the service can also share even more data with third-party advertisers:
- IMEI number (your unique smartphone ID)
- MAC address
- Unique business promotion ID
- City-level location
If you are looking for tranquility, the company claims what:
... Even if a government agency physically seized one of our VPN servers and managed to break the disk encryption on those servers, they would not find any logs or information that revealed what an individual user was browsing, viewing or doing online over a connection. VPN. «
While it is encouraging that Hotspot Shield is unable to link any behavior to your specific account, this level of data collection remains too invasive for any user concerned about privacy or anonymity.
If you are using Hotspot Shield Elite, the company will monitor » the nature of the requests you make to our servers (such as what is requested, information about the device and application used to make the request, timestamps and URL references) Along with a host of other information.
If you use the free version, you will also be sharing personally identifiable information with advertisers. As always, it is best to stay away from commercially promoted services when trying to maintain privacy online.
Connection timestamps could potentially be used, in conjunction with other data points, to prove that you have visited a certain web portal. This is unlikely to happen, but we would prefer that Hotspot Shield not record this information for three years.
Minimally, it is clear that the service monitors your IP address and web portal requests at some point, even if it is in aggregate form. Combined with a troubling past when it comes to user privacy, we cannot recommend Hotspot Shield for any user seeking high-level anonymity online. If you are interested in a VPN that doesn't completely save any logs, we suggest you take a look at Private Internet Access.
Where is Hotspot Shield based?
Until recently, Hotspot Shield was owned by Pango , previously branded AnchorFree. But as of July 2020 it has been acquired by Aura , a security company that owns Identity Guard and FigLeaf .
Aura is based in the USA, which has very intrusive privacy laws and is one of the founding members of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance. These countries work together to collect, share, and analyze mass surveillance data; this alone is a red flag.
Invasive jurisdictions like the US can force supposedly privacy-focused companies like Aura to retain and share user information.
In January 2019, Hotspot Shield published its Annual transparency report . The report shows the number of data requests Hotspot Shield has received from authorities everywhere since 2016 (227); Most importantly, it further demonstrated that Hotspot Shield did not provide any data .
However, the company has not released another transparency report to account for the time that has elapsed since then, so there is no way of knowing if you have transferred user data to third parties.
The controversial history of Aura / Pango
Pango provided an all-in-one subscription service to a number of online privacy and security products, including Hotspot Shield Elite, 1Password, Robo Shield, and Identity Guard. It costs $ 12.99 per month or $ 95.88 per year.
The Pango group also owned a few different VPN apps, including Betternet, Hexatech, and TouchVPN, which are not part of Pango's main subscription service. Since then, these services have been added to Aura.
A 2016 CSIRO report brought to light some of the company's questionable activities. Hotspot Shield's Android VPN app was noted for "injecting JavaScript code for advertising and tracking purposes."
Simply, Hotspot Shield was using tracking codes to collect information about users in order to sell it to external advertisers.
The company was also exposed for redirecting user traffic through affiliate networks in order to benefit from purchases made while using the VPN service.
In 2017, Hotspot Shield was also accused of "unfair and deceptive business practices" by the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT).
The investigation was based on evidence included in Hotspot Shield's own marketing materials, which exaggerated the privacy and security of its VPN service.
Hotspot Shield did not consider recording the collection of personal information from IP addresses, which is misleading and false .
The CDT report focused primarily on the free version of the app, but it was still a considerable breach of trust.
Since then, the Hotspot Shield privacy policy and web portal materials have been revamped to clearly show users what the VPN collects and does not collect, along with how the free app is used in conjunction with business promotion. There has also been a leadership change since then.
It's hard to fully trust a company that has put profit before user privacy in the past, but with new management and an updated sign-in policy, Hotspot Shield will be private enough for most users.
Speed and reliability
We measure the performance of the Hotspot Shield when connecting to servers in several different countries globally.
We found out that Hotspot Shield is the fastest VPN you can buy , with impressive download speeds on all the servers we tested. We measured an average speed loss of just 5% on the four closest servers and blazing fast speeds when we are also connected to international servers.
Whether you're looking to stream shows from other countries or large torrent files, Hotspot Shield's connection speeds will get the job done with ease.
The company claims that this impressive performance is due to its proprietary connection protocol, Hydra VPN. This technology is supposedly designed to solve the latency problems associated with other encryption protocols such as OpenVPN.
Unlike most VPNs, Hotspot Shield doesn't automatically connect you to the closest or fastest VPN server at startup; always choose a US server. To achieve the best speeds, we suggest selecting a server closer to your physical location.
Even the free version of Hotspot Shield exceeded our expectations with a speed loss of around 5-10% when connecting to the US, which is the only location available for free users. If you live in or closer to the US, you can expect even better speeds, and vice versa.
Local speed test results
Before using Hotspot Shield :
-
Download Mbps
95.97
-
Rise Mbps
98.36
-
Ping ms
4
When connected to Hotspot Shield :
-
Download Mbps
86.64
-
Rise Mbps
93.82
-
Ping ms
15
Local speed tests measure the difference in connection speed before and after connecting to a VPN server near your physical location.
Connecting to a nearby server is the best way to achieve the fastest speeds, but you won't get any of the phishing benefits of a VPN.
We started our tests with a download speed of 95.97 Mbps. After connecting to Hotspot Shield's UK server, this number dropped to 86.64 Mbps, a percentage loss of speed of only the 10%.
On other European servers, the speed loss is reduced only by 1%. This is stupendously impressive compared to most VPN services, even the best VPNs experience a speed loss of around 5-10%.
Connections to nearby servers were stable and reliable over time; We were able to connect consistently and did not experience any dropped connections during our tests.
International server speeds
To test international speeds, we repeated the same procedure while connected to servers in Germany, the United States, Singapore, and Australia. This simulates the experience of entering websites or streaming content outside of your home country.
We found that Hotspot Shield's international speeds were almost as fast as its local throughput. The loss of speed is negligible, which means that you can stream foreign content with ease.
We tested speeds when connecting to four servers in the US and found that our average download speed was 80 Mbps. This is a percentage speed loss of just 17% , an impressive speed, especially for the distance from our physical location.
Here are the full US speed results:
- Dallas: 88 Mbps (download) and 31 Mbps (load)
- THE: 84 Mbps (download) and 27 Mbps (load)
- New York: 62 Mbps (download) and 66 Mbps (load)
- Seattle: 92 Mbps (download) and 27 Mbps (load)
Globally, in Singapore, we measure download speeds of almost 70 Mbps. In Australia, speeds reached 59 Mbps, a drop from just 39%, one of the best speeds in Australia we've ever recorded. This performance is incredible given the physical distances involved; most other VPNs struggle to maintain even 50% of the original speed on this type of long distance connection.
Here are the full results of the international speed test:
- Germany: 93 Mbps (download) and 95 Mbps (load)
- USA: 79 Mbps (download) and 43 Mbps (load)
- Singapore: 68 Mbps (download) and 18 Mbps (load)
- Australia: 59 Mbps (download) and 14 Mbps (load)
The switch between servers is also very fast. However, keep in mind that kill switch does not protect traffic when changing servers , so it is best to close all tabs and applications in your browser before doing so to ensure the highest levels of privacy.
Hotspot Shield's upload speeds aren't as fast as its downloads, but it's still good enough for torrenting if connected to a nearby server. The ping times are also a bit high and the software cannot be configured manually, so the Hotspot Shield is not ideal for gaming.
Hotspot Shield speeds are impressive when it comes to raw speed and reliability. The VPN was remarkably consistent in providing excellent connection speeds across the board. Not many VPNs on the market can offer such fast and reliable connections on demand.
No matter which server you choose, you can stream in HD or surf the web without waiting; just be sure to test a couple of different nearby VPN servers to find the best speeds.
How fast is Hotspot Shield compared to other VPNs?
To offer the best VPN service comparison, we run a custom VPN speed test tool automatic .
Tests the ping, download and upload speed of each VPN four times a day, with speeds limited to 100 Mbps (a number equivalent to what you could get from your home Internet connection).
Shows the average speed loss of the VPN compared to the connection with no VPN running. You can see how Hotspot Shield fared compared to other popular VPNs in the last two months. The data below is taken from a connection from New York to New York.
Use our speed test tool to compare Hotspot Shield speeds in different cities.
Thanks to its proprietary VPN protocol, Hotpsot Shield is one of the fastest VPNs we've seen. Over the past few months, it has maintained an average download speed drop of less than 10% , surpassing even market leaders like ExpressVPN.
Is Hotspot Shield safe? Encryption and security
| Protocols |
IKEv2 / IPSec Property |
|---|---|
| Encryption |
AES-128 AES-256 |
| Security |
DNS leak blocking IPV6 leak blocking VPN kill switch |
| Advanced features |
Ad blocker Split tunnel |
Hotspot Shield is a secure VPN that uses AES-128 encryption and leak protection to secure your Internet traffic as it travels over the network.
No we detect IP, DNS or WebRTC leaks when we used the desktop and mobile apps, but the browser extensions weren't as secure. These extensions leaked both DNS requests and WebRTC information, which means your ISP will be able to see your browsing activity.
The Windows app comes with a VPN kill switch that protects your data if your internet connection suddenly drops. This is disabled by default and is currently not available for MacOS, Android, or iOS, which is a major oversight for a VPN with such a large user base.
The kill switch is also not triggered when you switch servers, which temporarily exposes your real IP address. This flaw may only expose your personal information for a couple of seconds, but it is still a privacy roadblock.
Windows users will find DNS leak protection enabled by default. However, IPv6 and WebRTC leak protection is not built in, so privacy-conscious users can disable these capabilities in their browser.
If you are looking for a lot of advanced features like split tunnel, double hop, manual setup, or an ad blocker, Hotspot Shield is not for you either. Having said that, there is a "domain bypass" feature that enables you to route certain websites outside of the VPN tunnel. If you are looking for a VPN with a lot of additional security options, NordVPN is a good alternative with several extras.
In the past, Hotspot Shield Elite also came with real-time malware protection, which was designed to intercept malicious websites and protect them against known phishing websites. Since then, this function has been removed, even though still advertised on the web portal .
It is also important to note that security researchers found a major security flaw in the Hotspot Shield code in February 2018. This allowed hackers to see the actual location of users using their WiFi network name, but was later addressed and corrected. You can read the clarification of the incident of Hotspot Shield here .
The number of third-party trackers in the Android application and the lack of transparency regarding their connection protocol are also points of concern.
Hotspot Shield's security offering is not as robust as the best VPNs on the market. It provides strong encryption and overall strong security, but it's important to note paying attention to VPN kill switch issues, browser extension leaks, and lack of advanced configuration alternatives for advanced users. That being said, it is more than safe enough for casual use, streaming, or protecting your data over public WiFi.
Please note: If you have Hotspot Shield on Windows, it is essential that you update to the latest version of the software, as earlier versions have a security vulnerability .
Hydra VPN: Hotspot Shield Unique Connection Protocol
Hotspot Shield does not use standard VPN protocols like OpenVPN or L2TP. Instead, it offers IKEv2 and its own proprietary protocol called Hydra VPN (previously known as Catapult Hydra).
There is not much information about Hydra VPN available online. This is one of the biggest downfalls of Hotspot Shield compared to other VPN services that offer tried and tested protocols like OpenVPN as standard.
We know that Hydra VPN is optimized for blazing fast speeds. This is due to its focus on the data transport aspect of VPN performance, which supposedly makes long distance connection speeds 2.4 times faster than connections using OpenVPN.
According the Hotspot Shield web portal , Hydra VPN is based on TLS 1.2. It uses AES 128-bit encryption, RSA 2048-bit certificates for server authentication, and incorporates a perfect direct secret. For casual users, this means that Hotspot Shield's encryption is safe enough to keep you safe.
We spoke with a Hotspot Shield representative to get a better idea of precisely how Hydra VPN works. They told us:
“[Hydra VPN] is based on the OpenSSL library (the same one that OpenVPN uses). It is an enhancement to a transport protocol: it works within established VPN tunnels to increase the speed of reliable data transfer.
In particular, it is an enhancement to the TCP protocol: when packets are randomly lost during long distance connections, Hydra VPN does not mistake this loss for last mile congestion and does not decrease performance like old TCP.
These enhancements are applied packets that are already encrypted within a secure tunnel. Hydra VPN can increase the performance of any type of VPN tunnel, including OpenVPN and IPSEC.
One obstacle with proprietary technology like this is that there is no easy way to see precisely what is going on behind the scenes. Most closed source protocols cannot be reviewed by independent security experts.
We generally suggest OpenVPN as the most reliable and trustworthy protocol in the VPN industry. This is because OpenVPN is fast, secure, and open source, so anyone can inspect the code for possible bugs or enhancements.
In the case of Hydra VPN, Hotspot Shield claims that the code is evaluated by experts from some of the largest security companies in the world, including BitDefender and McAfee. These companies use the Hotspot Shield software development kit (SDK) to offer VPN services within their applications.
This means that even though the code is not publicly available, its functionality and security have been evaluated. If you trust these companies, you can extend that trust to Hotspot Shield, if you don't trust them, it's probably best to go for an alternative.
Even though it is fast and secure, it is surprising that Hotspot Shield does not offer at least some other popular VPN tunnel protocols for situations where its own protocol is basically not the best option.
IP, DNS and WebRTC leaks
We test Hotspot Shield's desktop client, mobile apps, and browser extensions for data leaks. Security is more than just the protocol in use: it must be used correctly, especially when it consists of leaks that could reveal your identity.
No we record no IP, DNS or WebRTC leaks during our testing of the premium and free mobile and desktop apps. Our real IP address and our UK location remained hidden, which means that the VPN was protecting our identity.
Hotspot Shield leak test results using browserleaks.com
The VPN does not support IPv6 traffic, so if your ISP provides you with an IPv6 address, your personal data may leak. To avoid this , you must disable IPv6 on whatever device you are using. This isn't ideal, but there are a handful of VPNs that support IPv6, including Perfect Privacy.
Although the desktop and mobile applications did not leak our private information, both the duration of Chrome and the Firefox add-on suffered vulnerabilities. Chrome lifetime leaked DNS requests and the Firefox plugin leaked WebRTC requests, even with the WebRTC leak blocking feature enabled.
This means that your ISP can still see the websites you visit when you are connected to the Chrome duration, and your true IP address and location are exposed when you use the Firefox duration.
Many other VPNs have had WebRTC issues with Firefox recently due to the version 73.0 update, however there is an easy solution you can take to protect yourself. Chrome's DNS leak is harder to fix, so we don't suggest downloading it.
Trackers, Malware, and Permissions
It is not enough to know how a VPN encrypts your data; it is also essential to know if it installs any unexpected extras on your device, including malware and trackers.
We use the εxodus tool to find out how many trackers and permissions the Hotspot Shield Android app uses, and the results quite surprised us.
The application code contains seven trackers , which is more than the average for a higher VPN. These trackers include:
- Adjust
- Bugsnag
- Google Ads
- Google CrashLytics
- Google Firebase Analytics
- Kochava
- MixPanel
Most of these trackers allow Hotspot Shield to know how users interact and interact with the application. This helps produce marketing analytics profiles and also identifies how users respond to issues such as crashes.
Although this can help the performance and usability of the application, it is by no means ideal for privacy. After all, VPNs can work just fine without trackers; As an example, Astrill's code contains zero.
The tool also found 13 device permissions. These grant access to the application to view your network and WiFi connections, recover running applications, and prevent your phone from going to sleep, among others. None of these are specifically concerning permits.
We also placed the Hotspot Shield .exe download file using two different virus and malware scanners to ensure that it is safe to use. Luckily, we discovered that Hotspot Shield does not contain any viruses.
Does Hotspot Shield work with Netflix?
Streaming and torrents
We tested the Hotspot Shield apps to check how the service works with popular streaming services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney +, and YouTube.
We found out that Hotspot Shield works constantly with US Netflix . USA . Unlike other providers, there are no Dedicated US Netflix streaming servers, but the connection to the general US server works most of the time.
If the main US server doesn't unblock US Netflix, there are almost 20 US city locations you can try, and we've always found at least one that works with Netflix. However, it may involve some trial and error.
We were also able to unlock the following five Netflix libraries:
- Australia
- Brazil
- Canada
- Japan
- United Kingdom
As with the US, we basically selected the country location and were able to see specific geographic content right away.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Hotspot Shield Free, which prevents you from entering Netflix with a paywall prompting you to sign up for a premium subscription.
At the same time, Hotspot Shield Elite is one of the best VPN to unblock Disney + , Disney's new streaming service.
Thanks to Hotspot Shield's super fast download speeds, streaming HD video content is easy and buffer-free.
After several months of not working with BBC iPlayer, the Hotspot Shield team has broken the blocks and you can now watch all your favorite British TV shows seamlessly through the UK server.
In the past, Hotspot Shield used to work only with BBC iPlayer through the breadth of the Chrome browser, even though this does not provide the same level of protection as the main VPN app.
We also tested Hotspot Shield Elite with Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and HBO Max, and we were able to unlock them all.
Despite the lack of tagged streaming servers, Hotspot Shield has been constantly working to unblock the most popular streaming services for several months. Although not the most private VPN out there, Hotspot Shield is a reliable and fast VPN if you just want to stream your favorite shows.
Torrenting is fully supported
Torrent and P2P traffic is fully allowed and unrestricted on all Hotspot Shield premium servers, even though it is not compatible with the free version of the VPN.
Hotspot Shield openly supports P2P activity unlike some of its competitors: TunnelBear keeps its torrent policy almost secret on the web portal despite allowing it on all servers. There is even instructions for downloading anonymous torrents on the Hotspot Shield web portal.
Fast upload speeds, a VPN kill switch (Windows users only), and effective DNS leak protection make Hotspot Shield Elite a good VPN for torrenting. The VPN effectively masks your IP address, which means that your P2P activity will be hidden from your ISP.
You can also download torrents on any supported device or platform, but unfortunately you can't use Hotspot Shield with Kodi.
However, that doesn't mean you should rush to use Hotspot Shield to download torrents.
Hotspot Shield's lack of transparency about its proprietary VPN protocol means that we cannot guarantee that it is the most secure option for P2P. The company's registration policy is not the most privacy-friendly either.
Although Hotspot Shield Elite is likely to be a safe option for users who want secure P2P activity, we would be reluctant to recommend it for torrenting over other VPN providers with stricter privacy policies.
Read our dedicated guide to torrenting with Hotspot Shield for more information. Alternatively, check out our 2021 recommendations for the best VPNs for torrenting, if that's what you need.
Server locations
Hotspot Shield offers more than 3,200 servers in 82 countries
- 82 countries
- 108 Cities
- More than 3,200 IP addresses
Hotspot Shield's VPN server network consists of 3200 servers that cover 82 countries of all the world. Although this is a large number of servers, it is not the largest selection of VPN locations that we have seen.
Having said that, the Hotspot Shield servers are well laid out so there aren't many gaps in coverage. You can get an IP address associated with popular countries like the United Kingdom , EE . USA , Canada and Australia , as well as some less common destinations like Ecuador , Egypt and Thailand .
Hotspot Shield users can select between VPN servers in 27 different US cities ., Including New York, Los Angeles, and Dallas, which is great news for North Americans, as well as customers who want to surf or stream from specific US locations.
Until a few months ago, Hotspot Shield didn't have any other city-level alternatives, but we contacted the team and asked them to add city servers in Australia and Canada as these are popular options. We are very pleased that Hotspot Shield took our feedback into account and you can now find city-level options in the following countries:
- Australia (5)
- Canada (3)
- Italy (2)
If you require even more options at the city level, HideMyAss! it has the most server locations we've seen on a VPN.
Hotspot Shield defines that the number of server locations may differ from one supported device to another, but when we checked, all the apps were displaying precisely the same list of server locations.
Hotspot Shield uses a mix of virtual and physical servers (bare metal) but is unwilling to reveal which are which due to 'security reasons', which not as transparent as we would like .
The IP addresses assigned by Hotspot Shield are dynamic and shared among multiple users at the same time, which means you can easily hide from the crowd, great for privacy.
Hotspot Shield Free VPN Users do not have no choice but to connect to EE VPN server . USA . While this will probably not be an obstacle for those who live in North America, it is far from ideal for those who live in Europe, Asia, or Africa.
This limitation of the VPN server is not clarified within the application, where you can see the complete list of 'premium' servers regardless of the version you are using. If you try to click a location other than the United States, you will basically be asked to upgrade to one of the paid plans.
Unlike the premium version of the VPN service, free Hotspot Shield users cannot drill down to the city level in the US.
Hydra VPN protocol works in China
Censorship
Hotspot Shield is not a reliable VPN to use in China and other high-censorship countries. A representative recently informed us that, thanks to Hotspot Shield's "proprietary unlocking technology," he had been working on a solution and that Hotspot Shield is now doing pretty well to bypass the Great Firewall But our own experience has been less positive.
Greatfire.org's central circumvention tool shows that the stability of Hotspot Shield in the country is quite high. There is also anecdotal evidence of that users are having success using VPN in China.
However, in our own testing from near Shanghai, the Hotspot Shield overall failed to outperform the censors.
However, the Hotspot Shield web portal still affirms that "the connection is intermittent in countries where Internet service providers and governments block VPN services." If one device is not working, he recommends trying another device on a different platform. This is because different platforms (Android vs. Windows, for example) use different servers to determine a connection.
Nonetheless, with world-class servers and blazing-fast speeds, Hotspot Shield is an attractive alternative for those in other high-censorship countries like Iran and Russia.
However, the kill switch is only available on Windows, so if you're using another platform, it might be safer to use one of our top recommended VPNs for China.
It is important to note to remember that the Hotspot Shield web portal itself is inaccessible in China, along with similar VPN websites. If you plan to use a VPN, be sure to download the appropriate software before you travel.
Custom VPN apps available for desktop, mobile, and Android TV
Platforms and devices
Applications
Hotspot Shield is compatible with most major platforms and devices, including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. You can also use the VPN on up to five devices at the same time with the paid plan.
It will work on your smartphone and desktop, and has downloadable applications for:
- Microsoft Windows
- Apple macOS
- ios
- Google Android
- Linux
- Amazon Fire TV Stick
- Android TV
In addition there are browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. However, that's where device coverage ends.
For a long time, Hotspot Shield has not had router support, which meant you couldn't use it with game consoles or other unsupported multimedia devices. This was a huge gap in comprehensive service.
Thanks, Hotspot Shield recently added router support . This means that you can now use the Hotspot Shield with your Playstation, XBox, or Nintendo Switch. It also means that you can connect many more devices in your home with a single subscription.
Installation guides are available for the following routers:
Hotspot Shield is feasible to install on most routers as long as they can be updated with DD-WRT or FreshTomato . If you have difficulties with the installation, we suggest that you communicate with the Hotspot Shield support .
Linux support is recently added ; something we really like to see. Even some top-tier providers like ExpressVPN still don't offer a custom GUI for this platform.
A simultaneous connection limit of five devices should be sufficient for most users, even though alternative providers like Windscribe do not have any limits.
Game consoles and streaming devices
Hotspot Shield provides a long list of devices do not compatible, including:
- Apple tv
- Year
- Chromecast
- Windows Phones
- Kindle devices
- Blackberry Phones
- Rooted or jailbroken devices
- Linux OS
- Game consoles
- Custom router settings
- Direct VPN connectivity (without using the app)
However, it has recently released a custom VPN app for Amazon Fire TV Stick and Android TV. These apps are only available to Premium subscribers.
Browser extensions
Hotspot Shield provides browser extensions for users of Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox . These extensions can spoof your location, block ads, cookies, and trackers, as well as protect you from malware.
They also include lists of Auto Protect and Bypass , which tell Hotspot Shield to automatically turn on or off whenever you try to enter certain websites. This is useful for sites that don't work with a VPN or services that need to see your true location. However, these functions are quite difficult to find; You have to click on 'Browser Settings' in the breadth's main settings menu, which will open a navigation tab.
In addition there is a function of WebRTC blocking to prevent unwanted IP address leaks, however, it is disabled by default in both extensions, and we found that the Firefox add-on filter WebRTC requests even with the function enabled.
This, combined with the DNS leaks In the duration of Chrome, it means that we do not suggest downloading the extensions. Desktop and Android apps are much more secure, even if they don't include additional cookie blockers and ads. After all, the Hotspot Shield browser add-ons are only proxies and no full VPNs , which means that they will not protect traffic outside of your web browser.
Another reason not to use the extensions is that they only have access to nine locations , which is significantly less than what is available with full VPN software.
Hotspot Shield does not have browser extensions for other popular browsers like Safari or Opera.
Hotspot Shield apps are simple and easy to use
Easy to use
How to install and configure Hotspot Shield
To configure Hotspot Shield, all you have to do is go to the download section of the web portal and select the device on which you want to use the VPN.
The installation wizard will guide you through the procedure from start to finish.
It only took us about 30 seconds, but you can keep an eye on the installation progress here.
Here is the main screen of the Windows Hotspot Shield application. There is a large central connect button.
From here you can choose a server from the list of locations. Click on the country flag to see which cities you can connect to.
Within the settings menu, you can enable VPN kill switch and IP leak protection.
When you connect to a server, you can see a lot of information about your connection on the screen, including the amount of data transferred, your new IP address, and the load on the server. To log out, click the stop icon at the bottom of the app.
Although they don't offer much in terms of advanced settings or customization, the Hotspot Shield apps are remarkably simple, intuitive, and easy to use.
To set up Hotspot Shield on your device, you basically download the respective VPN software, either directly from the web portal or through an official app store.
Click on the installation instructions (they are very easy to follow) and log into the application with your email and account password. It's that easy.
Overall, Hotspot Shield has created a great user experience with its native apps. The main problem is the lack of advanced settings, especially in the non-Windows versions of the application. MacOS users, by way of example, will find that their only options are to turn on push notifications and enable automatic connection.
Windows and MacOS client
Important: If you are using the Windows Hotspot Shield client, you must update to the latest version of the application, as earlier versions have a security vulnerability .
The Windows application displays a central connection button, the location of your chosen VPN server, and the amount of data transferred during the VPN session. When you connect, you will also see your new IP address and the server load percentage.
The main interface of the application is simple, minimalist and easy to navigate. You can quickly connect to a server with one click or manually choose the server location by clicking the sphere in the upper right corner.
To enter the settings menu, basically click on the gear symbol. The most important functions can be found in the 'Advanced' tab; you'll want to make sure the VPN Disconnect (Windows only) and IP Leak Prevention features are turned on to prevent personal data leaks.
If you want a VPN experience plus personalized , you can play in the general settings menu, where you can choose to start the VPN on startup and connect automatically.
Additionally there is a domain bypass feature, which enables you to route certain websites outside of the VPN tunnel. This works like a split tunnel. It is useful for accessing local content on safe sites while using the VPN to search for foreign content on other websites.
To see the full list of available server locations, basically click on the arrow next to the current virtual location of the VPN. From there, you can even choose specific cities in some countries.
The MacOS application is much simpler, without any of the advanced features that make the Windows application so complete.
It's still extremely easy to use, with a central connect button, but it lacks a VPN kill switch and domain bypass feature, which is disappointing.
Android and iOS
The Hotspot Shield Android application has an equally clean and simple interface for desktop applications. Once you launch the app and hit connect, your virtual location will be displayed below.
The configuration menu also follows a pattern equivalent to that of the Windows client, with settings to connect automatically when your device is turned on or when it connects to certain types of networks.
There is no kill switch setting, but you do have the option to turn off the VPN when your device is idle, which can help save battery life.
Also, the iOS application is as easy as the other clients. It shows a large connect button, a list of locations, and very few advanced settings.
The iOS app looks great and is easy to use, but it doesn't have any settings. It's quite typical for iOS VPN apps to get removed, but Hotspot Shield is specifically empty.
24/7 live chat support available
Customer Support
| 24/7 live chat support | Yes |
|---|---|
| Online resources | Yes |
The 24/7 live chat support Hotspot Shield It is by far the best way to address your queries and solve your problems.
However, you must sign up for a Hotspot Shield Elite account before you can benefit from live chat.
That makes asking simple questions before buying a subscription a bit more difficult than you might expect. There is email support, but it is quite limited, and even so, some queries are restricted to premium subscribers .
You should be able to find answers to basic questions in the knowledge base and FAQ section , which is quite comprehensive and easy to navigate. Once you are a paying customer, you can access live chat support directly from the Hotspot Shield app, or through your account on the Hotspot Shield web portal.
The apps also display popular questions within the interface so you don't have to navigate to the Hotspot Shield web portal. You can get tips here quickly, and if that doesn't help, a contact button will open your browser to the live chat page for personalized assistance.
Fortunately, the responses are well-informed and timely.
Pricing plan Hotspot Shield
Hotspot Shield is quite cheap Especially if you opt for a longer VPN plan.
You can choose from four subscription plans of varying lengths with Hotspot Shield Premium. Each plan comes with the same features. As usual, you will get the best value for money with a longer subscription plan.
While a 12-month plan is moderately priced at $ 7.99 per month, Hotspot Shield's three-year plan costs only $ 2.99 per month, a very competitive price.
If you want to pay month to month, Hotspot Shield costs $ 12.99.
Interestingly, Hotspot Shield prices do not adapt to different currencies: you will pay precisely the same price whether you use euros or dollars.
Although these prices are reasonable for what Hotspot Shield has to offer, there are surely cheaper VPN providers that still offer a premium service.
-
Monthly
US $ 12.99 / month
Billed $ 12.99 every month
-
12 months
US $ 7,99 / month
Billed $ 95.88 every 12 months
-
3 years
US $ 2.99 / month
Billed $ 107.64 every 3 years
All plans have a 45-day money-back guarantee
Payment options and money back
| Credit card | Yes |
|---|---|
| PayPal | Yes |
You can pay for Hotspot Shield Elite using the following methods:
- Major credit and debit cards
- PayPal
However, it does not accept any methods that respect privacy, such as Bitcoin or other cryptos, and there is also no option to pay with international methods such as AliPay.
Hotspot Shield offers a 45 day money back guarantee , which is generous, but does involve submitting a form for review.
Whether you get a refund or not depends on Hotspot Shield, so canceling before your plan ends isn't exactly risk-free.
In addition there is a seven day free trial , which enables you to try premium full-featured software without restriction.
This is a great alternative to the unsatisfactory cost-free VPN service, but it does require you to submit your payment details. Just remember to cancel before the seven days are up if you don't want to continue with a premium subscription.
Hotspot Shield Free
You can use the free version of Hotspot Shield on Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS devices, but it comes with many restrictions .
Hotspot Shield's free VPN is limited to 500MB VPN data per day , that's barely enough for a 30-minute show on Netflix. In addition there is a lack of server location alternatives - You can only connect to a server in the US.
If you try to enter the Netflix web portal (or any other popular streaming platform), you will come across a paywall for your premium product. Custom apps for Android TV and Amazon Fire TV Stick are also not available for free users, and downloading torrents is not feasible .
If you use the Android application, you will also experience annoying pop-up ads while browsing. This helps contribute to the overhead of the free app, but can seem very intrusive, especially considering that Hotspot Shield share certain information, such as its location at the city level, with external advertisers .
In short, if you need help or have a problem, Hotspot Shield's live chat agents will not be able to help you as they only serve paying customers. Even some email inquiries will not be resolved if you are a free user.
In general, we suggest 'freemium' VPNs over free standalone services as they support the service at no cost through their premium product. This is the case for Windscribe, ProtonVPN, and TunnelBear.
However, Hotspot Shield has not always adhered to this business model.
As we discussed previously in this review, Hotspot Shield Free has been involved in a handful of privacy scandals, including injecting affiliate links into user traffic for profit and exaggerating the security and anonymity the service provides.
Although Hotspot Shield is now under new management and the registry policy has been rewritten, some of your previous privacy concerns still persist.
Even though the cost-free service is still fast, these restrictions mean that you basically can't take advantage of all the benefits a VPN offers.
If you're looking to try a free VPN, it's important to note looking at these far superior (and more secure) free VPNs.
Do we suggest Hotspot Shield?
The bottom line
There's a lot to like about both versions of Hotspot Shield - it offers blazing fast speeds, a sizable international server network, and a super simple interface. Even better, it's great for HD streaming and fast torrenting.
Nonetheless, the company behind the service clearly has a controversial track record that raises concerns about its ability to put user privacy, security, and anonymity first.
There is a lack of transparency regarding the complexities of the Hydra VPN protocol and a lack of support for OpenVPN and manual configuration.
For these reasons, we suggest Hotspot Shield only for certain users . Browser extensions filter personal data and the privacy policy is not ideal for those who are primarily concerned with hiding their browsing activity or achieving a high level of anonymity. For these purposes, there are better VPNs available.
Considering its speeds and unblocking capabilities, Hotspot Shield could be an ideal VPN for those who want to stream Netflix on a regular basis. If you are basically looking to guarantee your connection to public WiFi networks, it is also a good option.
Alternatives to Hotspot Shield
IPVanish
You won't find a more secure and reliable VPN than IPVanish. It's 100% unregistered and independently audited to prove it, and its speed and reliability are a welcome bonus.
ExpressVPN
Read review of ExpressVPN
