NordVPN vs. Hotspot Shield – At a Glance
NordVPN
NordVPN offers comprehensive VPN protection and enhancement at a reasonable price. The provider boasts a large global server network.
The provider is a top-notch option for internet users looking for fast, well-protected access to geo-fenced content around the globe.
Hotspot Shield
Hotspot Shield’s large global server network provides reliable access to geo-controlled content from Netflix and a few other streamers.
The provider also performs well in the connection speed department, while providing reliable privacy and security protections.
How to Choose a VPN
When you’re in search of the right Virtual Private Network (VPN) provider to protect you online, as well as expanding your online entertainment possibilities, there are several features you should carefully consider.
Always look for a provider that performs well in as many service categories as possible, while not becoming fixated on a single feature, like a low price or download speeds.
In this article, I’ll compare two well-respected VPN providers (NordVPN and Hotspot Shield). I’ll pit them against each other in each feature category, allowing me to determine which of the providers is your best bet for overall quality VPN services.
I’ll offer up information on how well each provider performed in each service category, declaring a victor in each category. The scores will then be tallied and I’ll declare a champion.
At the end of this article, you should have more than enough information to make an informed VPN purchasing decision.
NordVPN vs. Hotspot Shield – Features
Connection Speeds
Today’s internet is chock-full of content and a fast connection is a requirement to enjoy that content to its fullest.
Pixel Privacy performs regular connection speed tests on all of the VPNs I discuss. The speed tests are carried out as follows:
- All tests are performed on a Windows server with a gigabit Ethernet connection, located in North America.
- VPNs are connected to servers located in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Hong Kong. Connections are made at different times of day, over the course of three days.
- Tests are performed using the Windows version of the VPN providers’ app. The apps are configured to use the OpenVPN UDP connection protocol when available.
- Once a connection is made to a server location, I run the Speedtest.net app to test the connection speeds. The Speedtest app is shutdown between each test.
Please note that you’ll likely see different download speeds than I did, as results depend on your ISP-provided connection speeds, your location, and the VPN server you connect to.
Both NordVPN and Hotspot Shield performed well during testing, although one provider definitely outpaced the other.
NordVPN’s download speeds were quite impressive, averaging in at 371 Mbps. These speeds make NordVPN an excellent option for streaming, gaming, and file sharing, as well as any other popular online activity.
Hotspot Shield’s download speeds were slower, measuring at 128.1 Mbps. While these download speeds may cause you to wait a bit longer while downloading or streaming files, they are still up to handling the above-listed online pastimes.
Average Connection Speed Winner: NordVPN
| Provider | Avg. Connection Speed | Link |
| NordVPN | 371.0 Mbps | Visit Site |
| Hotspot Shield | 128.1 Mbps | Visit Site |
Pricing
You should never subscribe to a VPN simply because it charges a bargain basement price. However, I understand that pricing is an important consideration for many users, especially in today’s economy.
Despite this, you should never settle for a budget-priced VPN that lacks features or offers disappointing performance.
NordVPN and Hotspot Shield are competitive when it comes to pricing. While neither provider is exactly a budget-priced VPN provider, both provide comprehensive VPN services for the price they charge.
NordVPN takes the first-place ribbon in this category, with an average one-year subscription price that’s a bit more than $1.00 less than that of Hotspot Shield.
As you may have noticed, I don’t include actual prices in my articles. This is because most providers change their pricing on a regular basis. They also offer special deals on a regular basis. Visit the providers’ websites for their current pricing schedule.
Pricing Winner: NordVPN
| Provider | Money-Back Guarantee Period | Link |
| NordVPN | 30 Days | Visit Site |
| Hotspot Shield | 45 Days | Visit Site |
Privacy
There are a lot of Nosy Nellies in the world, and many of them have an internet connection. Advertisers, the government, law enforcement, hackers, and even your Internet Service Provider are interested in what you’ve been doing online. That’s why any VPN provider worth your consideration should offer comprehensive privacy protection.
When considering a VPN service’s privacy protections, keep the following in mind:
- Is the provider located in a privacy-respecting country?
- Does the provider save user activity logs?
- Does the provider accept privacy-protecting types of payment, like cryptocurrency?
NordVPN is located in the privacy-friendly country of Panama. The provider keeps no user activity logs of any kind. Pay with cryptocurrency and use a tossable email address to keep your subscription information incognito.
NordVPN offers additional protection for its customers’ privacy by running all of its servers 100% from RAM, writing no data whatsoever to an SSD or physical hard drive. This means all data is securely and completely wiped when any of the provider’s servers are rebooted or powered off. The provider is also moving to an owned-and-operated server model, which keeps outside contractors away from your personal information.
Hotspot Shield is owned by U.S.-based Pango, and also does not collect or log traffic data or browsing activity connected to individual users. However, the provider does not accept any type of cryptocurrency.
Privacy Winner: NordVPN
| Provider | Privacy Ranking | Site |
| NordVPN | 5.0 | Visit Site |
| Hotspot Shield | 4.0 | Visit Site |
Online Security
If you’re online, there is a good chance that your travels are being monitored. Whether it’s hackers or your ISP, someone is watching you. A VPN should encrypt your internet connection, keeping your online activities undercover, and protecting your personal and business-related activities and information safe from nosy types.
NordVPN protects its users’ connections with banking-grade encryption, kill switch protection, and with DNS leak and IPv6 leak prevention. VPN protocols used by the provider include OpenVPN, NordLynx (WireGuard), and IKEv2/IPSec.
Hotspot Shield uses military-grade encryption, with OpenVPN, Wireguard, and IKEv2 (IPSec) when available. (Available protocols can vary, depending on which version of the app you’re using.). The provider also offers kill switch protection on its Windows app.
Security Winner: It’s a tie.
| Provider | Overall Security Score | Link |
| NordVPN | 5.0 | Visit Site |
| Hotspot Shield | 5.0 | Visit Site |
Simultaneous Connections
I’d wager that most of the folks reading this article own more than one internet-connected device. It seems every device released these days connects to the internet. This makes a VPN provider’s simultaneous connection allowance an important consideration.
NordVPN allows users to concurrently connect up to six devices to their servers.
Hotspot Shield allows its users to connect up to five devices at once to its servers.
Simultaneous Connections Winner: NordVPN
| Provider | Simultaneous Connections Allowed | Link |
| NordVPN | 6 | Visit Site |
| Hotspot Shield | 5 | Visit Site |
Streaming Support
It seems as if there is a new streaming service debuting every day. While this means there is a variety of content available online, there are restrictions. Most streaming services geo-restrict their content, meaning you may not have access to the content you usually enjoy if you’re traveling abroad.
A VPN can help you out in this situation, as it can temporarily provide an IP address located in another country. This provides access to content that might normally be unavailable in your current location.
NordVPN delivers reliable access to numerous streaming services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, and multiple other streaming services.
Hotspot Shield also delivers access to numerous streaming services, including Netflix US, Netflix UK, YouTube, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Twitch, Disney+, and others.
Streaming Support Winner: NordVPN
| Provider | # of U.S. Streaming Services VPN Unblocks | # of International Services VPN Unblocks | Link |
| NordVPN | 10+ | 5+ | Visit Site |
| Hotspot Shield | 6+ | 5+ | Visit Site |
BitTorrent Support
P2P file sharing is a popular online activity. Unfortunately, while file sharing (non-copyrighted) files is not illegal, several ISPs have cracked down on this activity. This is because some users will share films, music, and other copyrighted materials, and copyright holders have pressured ISPs to block this activity. Luckily, a VPN hides your P2P activity by encrypting your internet connection.
NordVPN allows P2P activity on certain servers in its global server network. Happily, you don’t need to seek out the provider’s P2P servers, as NordVPN will automatically connect you to a P2P server once it detects file sharing activity.
Hotspot Shield allows BitTorrenting activity on its server network, but doesn’t mention the activity on its website, likely to avoid attention from copyright holders.
BitTorrenting Winner: It’s a tie.
| Provider | # of Countries Where VPN Allows BitTorrents | Link |
| NordVPN | All of them | Visit Site |
| Hotspot Shield | All of them | Visit Site |
Global Server Coverage
The size of a VPN’s global server network directly affects how much access you have to geo-controlled content around the globe. Always consider how many countries a provider serves, as bigger is better.
Also, consider the number of servers a provider has in each country. The larger the number of servers, the less chance there is of a single server being overwhelmed by too many users.
Hotspot Shield has a large global server network, with 1,800+ servers located in more than 80 countries around the world.
NordVPN has close to 5,400 servers spread among nearly 60 countries around the globe.
Global Server Coverage Winner: Let’s call it a tie, as NordVPN has more servers but Hotspot Shield serves more countries.
| Provider | Server Count | Countries | Link |
| NordVPN | 5,300+ | 59 | Visit Site |
| Hotspot Shield | 1,800+ | 80+ | Visit Site |
Multi-Platform Support
As I have mentioned before, it’s quite likely that you own multiple connected devices. For example, I have two smartphones, a couple of tablets, multiple computers, and other devices. (In my wife’s words, I am spoiled. However, I assure you that all of the devices are work-related. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.) That’s why VPN providers should offer app support for popular device platforms.
NordVPN offers native app support for Windows, macOS (includes native M1/M2 Mac support), iOS, Android, Android TV, Linux, and Amazon Fire TV device platforms. Browser extensions are available for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox platforms. The provider also supports select routers and offers pre-configured routers through Flashrouters.com.
Hotspot Shield offers app options for iOS, macOS, Android, Android TV, Amazon Fire, Linux, and Windows device platforms. The provider can be set up on some routers, but only if you pay extra for Hotspot Premium, and also offers pre-configured routers through Flashrouters.com. Support is also available for the Chrome browser platform.
Multi-Platform Support Winner: NordVPN
| Provider | Platforms Supported | Browser Extensions? | Router Support? |
Link |
| NordVPN | 7 | Yes (Chrome, Edge, Firefox) | Yes – Offers support for select routers and Flashrouter options. | Visit Site |
| Hotspot Shield | 7 | Yes (Chrome) | Yes – Manual setup, only on Hotspot Premium. | Visit Site |
Customer Support
While both providers offer reliable, intuitive VPN services, it’s likely that you will have an occasional question.
NordVPN offers comprehensive, 24/7 customer support, including always-available live chat, email support, and an easy-to-search support library.
Hotspot Shield also offers round-the-clock support, with 24/7 live chat, email support, a “contact us” form, searchable tutorials, an FAQs section, and a searchable support library.
Customer Support Winner: It’s a tie
| Provider | Customer Support Rating | Link |
| NordVPN | 5.0 | Visit Site |
| Hotspot Shield | 5.0 | Visit Site |
And The Winner Is…
As we’ve seen, both VPN providers offer top-notch VPN protection. However, only one provider can be the top dog.
NordVPN is the victor in this head-to-head competition, coming out on top in the connection speeds, pricing, privacy, streaming, BitTorrent support, and multi-platform support categories.
Hotspot Shield did not score best in any of the categories. However, it did earn a tie in the online security, global server coverage, and customer support service categories.
For more information or to purchase a subscription, visit NordVPN.
