Intro & Overall Ratings
Our Ratings
Windscribe and Hotspot Shield are both high-end VPNs with comprehensive features. Windscribe, with a rating of 57.5%, outperforms Hotspot Shield, rated at 47.9%. Windscribe offers a cheaper price, a no-logging policy, more encryption options, and unlimited simultaneous connections. It also includes a double VPN and ad-blocking features. Hotspot Shield, however, has a larger server network and a longer money-back guarantee. Both VPNs are based in 14-Eyes Alliance countries, which could be a concern for maximum data privacy. From a user’s perspective, Windscribe is the better choice, offering more features and better value for money. However, individual needs may vary, and users are advised to choose a VPN that best fits their specific requirements.
About Our VPN Rating Systems
Our reviews delve deeply into each VPN service, scrutinizing aspects such as privacy, customer feedback, pricing, and usability to provide well-rounded insights.
Ratings are based on our comprehensive research of 96 VPN companies. Out of 96 VPNs we reviewed, only 11 surpass the 75% threshold in our evaluation, while half of the reviewed services score below average (54.1%).
Why Read Our VPN Guide?
- Our VPN reviews are unbiased and data-driven. We are not affiliated to any of the VPN companies listed on this website.
- Our rating system covers diverse user needs. We delve deeply into each VPN service, scrutinizing aspects such as privacy, customer feedback, pricing, and usability to provide well-rounded insights.
Specifications: Windscribe vs Hotspot Shield
| VPN Company | Windscirbe | Hotspot Shield |
|---|---|---|
| Jurisdiction Country | Canada | United States |
| Cheapest Price | $5.75/mo over 12-month subscription | $7.99/mo |
| Monthly Price | $12.00 | $12.99 |
| Money Back Guarantee | 30 days | 45 days |
| No Logging Policy? | Yes | No |
| Encryption | AES-256, and ChaCha20 | AES-256 |
| Protocols | OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2/IPSec | Hydra, IPSec, and OpenVPN |
| Servers | 120 | 3,200 |
| Servers Countries | 69 | 80 |
| Simultaneous Connections | Unlimited devices | 10 devices |
| Works in China? | Unlikely | Partially |
| Smart DNS | No | No |
| Kill Switch | Yes | Yes |
| Browser Extension | Yes | Yes |
| Double VPN | Yes | No |
| Ads Blocking | Yes | No |
| Split Tunneling | Yes | Yes |
| Third Party Audit | – | 0 |
| Customer Support | 24/7 Live Chat & Email | 24/7 Live Chat |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Unblock Streaming | Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Netflix, Hulu, and HBO | Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Netflix, Hulu, and HBO |
| Learn More | Visit Online | Visit Online |
Cruical Features & Key Differences
Plans & Pricing: Tie
Both Windscribe and Hotspot Shield positions themselves in the higher-end segment of the VPN market. Hotspot Shield’s cheapest 1-month plan starts at $7.99/mo; while Windscribe charges $5.75/mo and requires a 12-month commitment.
In contrast, based on our market research, the average cost of VPN is $3.56/mo with a commitment period of 21 months. You should consider whether the additional features and services offered by Hotspot Shield and ExpressVPN justify this higher cost, especially when comparing it to other available options that might offer similar services at a more economical rate.
Hotspot Shield Plans
Windscribe Plans
Jurisdiction: Tie (Equally Bad)
Both Windscribe and Hotspot Shield are based in 14-Eye Alliance countries – which means the company may be obligated to retent your data and share them with gorvenment bodies. If you are handling sensitive information or require maximum data privacy – you should avoid both companies and look for VPNs in countries with a lower risk of government-led surveillance and data sharing
Understanding the 14-Eyes Alliance and Its Privacy Implications
The 14-Eyes Alliance, an expansion of the Five- and Nine-Eyes intelligence collaborations, includes countries like the USA, UK, Canada, and several European nations. These member states are known for their extensive surveillance activities, as highlighted by disclosures from figures like Edward Snowden (watch video below). Such surveillance extends to the sharing of collected data among member countries.
The presence of a VPN provider in a 14-Eyes country could mean legal obligations to surrender user data to government entities, with the potential for this data to circulate among the alliance members. This surveillance culture not only compromises personal privacy but also raises concerns about digital security, particularly with the push for encryption backdoors.
Servers Count & Geographical Coverage: Hotspot Shield Better
The size of a VPN’s server fleet plays a crucial role in determining user experience. A larger fleet generally provides faster speeds, greater reliability, wider geographical coverage, lower latency, and potentially enhanced privacy. On the other hand, a smaller server fleet might lead to slower speeds, higher latency, limited content access, and potential privacy concerns.
In term of server counts, Hotspot Shield stands out with its impressive network, hosting over 5,000 servers worldwide. This extensive coverage ensures that users almost anywhere can find a reliable and fast server connection.
In comparison, Windscribe maintains a more modest server presence, with only 120 servers across 69 countries. If you live in regions with fewer servers from Windscribe, this might translate to slower speeds and potentially less stable connections. The vast server network of Hotspot Shield not only provides broader geographic reach but also typically allows for better performance and lower latency.
Money Back Guarantee: Hotspot Shield Better
Hotspot Shield offers a substantial sense of security to its users through a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. This affords new users plenty of time to comprehensively evaluate its services.
Conversely, Windscribe proposes a shorter duration (just 3 days!) for its money-back guarantee. Although this briefer period still presents a chance to test the service, it could be a factor for those users who favor an extended trial to thoroughly ascertain the VPN’s suitability for their specific requirements.
* According to our market study, the average money-back guarantee period in the industry is approximately 25.68 days.
Simultaneous Connections: Windscribe Better
Hotspot Shield permits users to connect up to 10 devices at the same time – which is a relative small number compare to market average. In contrast, Windscribe offers unlimited simultaneous connections. This feature is particularly advantageous for larger households or businesses where numerous devices require VPN protection. It allows for a more flexible approach to securing online activity, without the need to prioritize which devices are protected.
For users with extensive connectivity needs, this difference in simultaneous connection capabilities might be a deciding factor in choosing Zoog over Hotspot Shield.
Double VPN Feature: Windscribe Better
Windscribe stands out with its double VPN feature, somethingHotspot Shield lacks. If staying completely anonymous online is your top priority, then Windscribe is the better choice for you.
Double VPN is a special security feature not often seen in VPNs. Of the 96 VPNs we studied, only 26 have it. Usually, data goes through just one VPN server. But with double VPN, your data travels through two servers, adding more security and keeping you more anonymous. This means it’s much harder for hackers to get to your data, as it’s encrypted twice.
Ad Blocking Feature: Windscribe Better
When comparing the two VPNs, ad blocking capabilities is a key distinction.Windscribe incorporates an ad blocker within its service, significantly improving the user’s browsing experience by filtering out intrusive advertisements and protecting against possible malware threats. Conversely, Hotspot Shield lacks an ad blocking function – which is a potential disadvantage for users who value a streamlined and ad-free online experience. This difference is crucial for users to evaluate based on their preferences for online safety and browsing convenience.
Bottomline
To summarize, Windscribe and Hotspot Shield serve different purposes in the VPN market. Windscribe stands out for its double VPN and ad blocking features, while Hotspot Shield offers a larger number of servers and a longer money-back guarantee. When choosing a VPN service, it’s important for users to consider their specific needs, such as privacy, server location, and the number of simultaneous connections required. This will help determine which VPN service is the best fit for them.
Pick What You Need
Our VPN recommendations and ratings are just a general guide and may not match your personal needs. Know what you need and pick a VPN that fits. It’s crucial to assess your personal requirements, whether it’s enhanced security, better privacy, faster speeds, or access to specific content. Use ourWindscribe and Hotspot Shield comparison as a starting point, but ultimately, select a VPN that aligns with your unique needs. This approach ensures you get the most out of your VPN service.
About Windscribe & Hotspot Shield
Hotspot Shield
Founded in 2008, Hotspot Shield is one of the more well-known VPN services. It was created by AnchorFree, Inc., and is currently part of Pango, a larger cybersecurity firm. Headquartered in the United States, Hotspot Shield is known for its high-speed connections and strong encryption. It offers a free version and a premium service, catering to a wide range of devices and platforms.
To learn more, read our Hotspot Shield review.
Windscribe
Windscribe is a cross-platform, commercial VPN provider based in Canada. The company was founded by Yegor Sak and Alex Paguis in 2016. It offers unlimited, simultaneous connections, and its privacy policy promotes the service as a no-log VPN. Windscribe is known for its exceptional commitment to social responsibility, particularly around issues of censorship in authoritarian regimes. For example, it provided expanded bandwidth free accounts to everyone affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Windscribe has also offered free and unlimited service to all journalists in the region, and subsequently combatting Russian blocks that aimed to render these efforts fruitless.
To learn more, read our Windscribe review.