Our Verdict
Our Thoughts on Hotspot Shield
In our extensive analysis of 96 VPN providers, Hotspot Shield unfortunately falls below the average, with a rating under 54.1% — the average rating determined from our study. Our in-depth review reveals significant concerns with its features and user experience. While Hotspot Shield offers some basic functionalities, its lower rating suggests that users might find more robust and efficient VPN solutions elsewhere.
Market Benchmarks
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 Review?
- 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.
About 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.
Hotspot Shield offers different subscription plans. The cheapest plan starts at $7.99/mo and require a 1-month commitment.
Visit Hotspot Shield Online: https://www.hotspotshield.com/
Hotspot Shield Technical Specs
| Features | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | United States |
| Servers | 3,200 |
| Countries with Servers | 80 |
| Works In China | Partially |
| Encryptions | AES-256 |
| Cheapest Price | $7.99/mo, 1-month Subscription |
| Protocols | Hydra, IPSec, and OpenVPN |
| Simultaneous Connections | 10 |
| Unblock Streaming Platforms | Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Netflix, Hulu, and HBO |
| Dedicated Device Apps | Both Android and Apple (iOS) |
| Ads Blocking | No |
| Support | 24/7 Live Chat |
Hotspot Shield Pros & Cons
Listed below are what we like and dislike about Hotspot Shield. As you explore the list, it’s crucial to weigh what sets this VPN apart from competitors against the aspects you might not favor.
The strengths of Hotspot Shield highlight its unique advantages in the VPN market – offering features and services that may align perfectly with your specific needs. On the flip side, the cons, while not deal-breakers, are areas that may not meet everyone’s preferences or requirements.
It’s important for you to carefully consider these factors in relation to your individual needs and priorities in choosing a VPN service.
❌ Pricing Above Market Average
Hotspot Shield positions itself in the higher-end segment of the VPN market, with its cheapest 1-month plan starts at $7.99/mo.
In comparison, according to our market research, a basic VPN plan average $3.56/mo with a commitment period of 21 months.
You should consider whether the additional features and services offered by Hotspot Shield justify this higher cost, especially when comparing it to other available options that might offer similar services at a more economical rate.
❌ Base in One of 14-Eye Alliance Countries
Hotspot Shield operates from United States – a country within the 14-Eye surveillance alliance. Users should be aware of potential data sharing agreements in this jurisdiction. Privacy-focused customers might view this as a concern. It’s important to consider how this may affect data privacy and security.
What is the 14-Eyes Alliance?
The 14-Eyes Alliance, also referred to as SIGINT Seniors Europe (SSEUR), is an extended intelligence collaboration originally rooted in the Five- and Nine-Eyes alliance. Countries included in the 14-Eyes Alliances are the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Sweden.
The primary goal of this coalition is the exchange of signals intelligence (SIGINT), encompassing electronic communications and data.
How does the 14-Eyes Alliance affect your privacy and security?
The impact of this alliance on everyday life privacy is profound. Member nations, as disclosed in revelations like those by Edward Snowden (watch video), often engage in extensive surveillance of both their citizens and global communications. This means that data collected by one member could be shared with others in the alliance.
Additionally, online services based in a 14-Eyes country may be legally obligated to provide user data to their respective governments, which can then be disseminated among member states. This surveillance culture erodes personal privacy and can pose threats to digital security as there are pushes for encryption “backdoors” that could inadvertently weaken cyber defenses.
Users often consider the jurisdiction of the VPN provider as a key factor in their decision-making process. Those who are particularly concerned about privacy might opt for VPN providers based outside of the 14-Eyes countries to reduce the risk of surveillance and data sharing among these nations.
✅ Offer a Kill Switch Feature
Hotspot Shield enhances its VPN services with a robust kill switch feature. This security measure ensures that if the VPN connection unexpectedly drops, the user’s device will automatically disconnect from the internet, thus preventing any accidental exposure of the user’s real IP address and online activities.
A kill switch feature is particularly valuable for users who handle sensitive information or looking an added layer of privacy protection.
❌ Not a Zero-Log VPN
According to our research, Hotspot Shield does not maintain a strict no-logging policy.
Without a no-logging policy, Hotspot Shield may collect and store data about your online activities, potentially impacting your digital privacy. While this is not an uncommon practice (41 out of the 96 VPNs we studied do not maintain a no-logging policy), the absence of a no-logging policy might raise concerns for users highly sensitive about their online privacy.
You should weigh the implications of this policy when considering Hotspot Shield and determine if this level of privacy aligns with your needs.
❌ No Double VPN
Hotspot Shield’s suite of features does not include a double VPN option. A double VPN function may not be crucial for those with basic security needs, but it could be a major drawback for those seeking advanced privacy measures. Users requiring higher security levels, such as journalists or activists, might need to look for other providers that offer this enhanced privacy feature.
What is a Double VPN?
Double VPN is a more advanced security feature typically offered by premium VPN providers. Typically, only one VPN server is used to route data. Double VPN technology routes data through an extra server. The core benefits of double VPN are a further boost in security and anonymity. Since all your data is protected with an extra layer of encryption, this makes it twice as hard for hackers to crack.
There are some who strongly believe that a double VPN could be an overkill as having data pass through a basic single VPN connection is already almost impossible to compromise. This point of view of course depends on individual circumstance. If your complete anonymity on the Internet trumps all other concerns then using a double VPN may be for you. For example, if you were an investigative journalist or a political activist in a totalitarian country, using a Double VPN would make sense. After all, your life would be at stake.
✅ Support Split Tunneling
Hotspot Shield also stands out with its split tunneling feature. This functionality allows you to choose which apps or websites are routed through the VPN and which access the internet directly. The split tunneling feature is a plus for those wanting the best of both worlds: speedy local access without VPN interference and protected browsing for select tasks. Compared to VPNs that do not come with such a feature, Hotspot Shield could save you countless hours of frustration.
✅ Above Average Server Fleet Size
Hotspot Shield operates on more than 3,200 servers in 80 countries. A larger server count typically offers more options for users in terms of server locations, reduces server load, and can provide better speeds and reliability.
✅ Unblock Major Streaming Platforms
Our analysis indicates that Hotspot Shield excels in bypassing geo-restrictions on most streaming platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Netflix, Hulu, and HBO. Whether you’re a film buff, a TV series enthusiast, or simply wish to enjoy local content while traveling abroad – its proficiency in unblocking streaming platforms enriches your viewing experience without the hassle of geographical limitations.
Bottom Line: Is Hotspot Shield Right for You?
Verdict Recap
In our extensive analysis of 96 VPN providers, Hotspot Shield unfortunately falls below the average, with a rating under 54.1% — the average rating determined from our study. Our in-depth review reveals significant concerns with its features and user experience. While Hotspot Shield offers some basic functionalities, its lower rating suggests that users might find more robust and efficient VPN solutions elsewhere.
When considering our VPN ratings, remember they are for reference only and may not reflect every individual’s unique needs. It’s essential for you to understand your specific requirements and choose a VPN service accordingly.
If your priority is extreme security, features like a double VPN and a jurisdiction outside of the 14-Eyes should be your focus, rather than factors like pricing, streaming platforms unblocking, or server count. Conversely, if you’re seeking extra privacy for casual internet browsing, advanced security features might be less critical, allowing you to opt for a more basic, cost-effective VPN solution.
We encourage you to actively try and test various VPNs yourself to find the one that best fits your unique requirements.
Alternatives to Hotspot Shield
There are many Hotspot Shield alternatives in the market – many of which are powerful and reasonably priced. Read further to compare and choose below.