Hotspot Shield is a United States-based Virtual Private Network (VPN) provider. While the provider is based in the U.S., it doesn’t save any server logs.
The provider’s extensive global server network provides reliable access to geo-blocked content around the globe, while its fast connection speeds ensure your favorite high-definition video streams will play back quickly and smoothly.
In this review, I’ll be offering up a close look at the services that Hotspot Shield provides. I have put the VPN service through its paces, and I’ll report on its connection speeds, global server network, online security and user privacy protections, and more.
I’ll be answering the following questions and more:
- Does Hotspot Shield’s global server network provide reliable access to popular streaming sites?
- Are Hotspot Shield’s connection speeds fast enough to allow you to participate in your favorite online activities?
- How well does Hotspot Shield protect your online security and privacy?
- What other services does Hotspot Shield offer?
See If Hotspot Shield is For You
Hotspot Shield provides well-protected, fast connections that provide reliable access to geo-blocked content.
The provider offers both “premium” and “premium family” subscription options in 1-month and 1-year lengths. In addition to its VPN service, the provider’s subscriptions also offer access to other services, like a password manager.
Hotspot Shield offers a 45-day money-back guarantee for all of its subscription plans.
My Verdict
Hotspot Shield is an above-average option for VPN users looking for an easy-to-use yet reliable way to protect and enhance their online activities. The provider offers comprehensive global server protection and does a good job of protecting its customers’ privacy, even though it has faced some criticism over privacy & its policies in the past.
| OVERALL RANK: | 4/5 |
| Speed: | 3.3/5 |
| Tested Speed: | 48.4 Mbps average download speed (independently tested) |
| Streaming Support: | HD & 4K |
| Streaming Score: | 3.5/5 |
| Unblocks Netflix?: | Yes – reliably for numerous global locations |
| U.S. Streaming Services Supported: | Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, more |
| U.K. Streaming Services Supported: | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, more |
| Security Score: | 4.5/5 |
| Privacy Rating: | 4.5/5 |
| Supports Torrenting: | Yes |
| Value for the Money: | 4/5 |
| Money-Back Guarantee: | 45 days |
| Website: | www.Hotspotshield.com |
Pros:
- Handles HD- and 4K streams
- Unblocks multiple streaming providers
- Comprehensive VPN connection protection
- Better privacy protection than offered in the past
Cons:
- Uses proprietary, non-open source protocol by default
- Rather expensive
Features
Hotspot Shield’s native app support will be appreciated by users of most popular devices. The provider’s apps have the macOS, Windows, Android, Android TV, Amazon Fire, Linux, and iOS device platforms covered. The provider’s apps are easy to use and don’t put a huge hit on device resources.
Chrome and Firefox users can take advantage of browser extensions for their browsers. The provider also offers compatibility with multiple router brands.
While Hotspot Shield’s apps offer DNS/IP leak prevention, it only offers protective options like kill switch, auto-reconnect, split tunneling, and more on certain platforms. For example, it only offers a kill switch option on the Windows platform.
Hotspot Shield’s global server network includes streaming- and gaming-optimized servers, but they appear to only be available in the United States and the United Kingdom.
This shouldn’t prove to be a big deal, as I was able to stream just fine on a number of VPN servers scattered around the globe, even though they weren’t streaming-optimized servers.
While the provider doesn’t offer downloading-optimized servers, it does allow P2P activity on its servers, and the download speeds that the provider delivers should offer a frustration-free P2P experience. The provider’s use of shared IP addresses helps preserve your anonymity while file sharing.
Hotspot Shield allows customers to concurrently connect up to 5 devices using a single account.
As of the writing of this article, Hotspot Shield’s global server network includes 1,800+ servers spread across more than 80 countries. While that isn’t the largest global server network in the VPN business, it is certainly up to handling most users’ needs.
The provider also offers comprehensive customer support thanks to its 24/7 live chat support, email support, a “contact us” form, searchable tutorials, an FAQs section, and a searchable support library.
Streaming
While there are certainly numerous uses for a Virtual Private Network, using one to access geo-blocked streaming sites is arguably the most popular reason for a VPN.
In the early days of video streaming, it was easy to find a VPN that would allow you to view streaming sites in nearly any part of the world. However, streaming services – thanks to increasing pressure from television and movie content producers – began blocking real IP addresses that VPNs use in order to prevent out-of-region content access.
When Netflix or another streaming service blocks a VPN IP address, it is up to the VPN provider to set up new, unblocked IP addresses to restore access to the streaming service’s content. VPN users rely on their providers to keep the content flowing.
Many VPNs gave up on maintaining their users’ access to streaming services, instead, they focus on providing online security and privacy. Luckily, some providers, like Hotspot Shield, continue to fight the good fight, maintaining access to streaming content around the globe.
During my testing, Hotspot Shield’s servers reliably unblocked Netflix content in the U.S., the U.K., Spain, and other countries. The provider also offered reliable access to the U.S.-based Hulu. BBC iPlayer was also a go.
The provider didn’t fare as well when it came to Amazon Prime Video, unblocking only the U.S. streams from the provider.
This provider’s connection speeds are certainly up to handling the HD and 4K streams available from most popular streaming services. (This is depending on your usual ISP-provided connection speeds.)
Security and Privacy
Hotspot Shield does a comprehensive job of protecting your online activities from being monitored or recorded by your Internet Service Provider, the government, and hackers.
The provider uses military-grade encryption to protect your internet connection. The service by default uses its own proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol. While the protocol isn’t open-source like OpenVPN, it is used by multiple other companies, including McAfee, Bitdefender, and others.
You can also use OpenVPN, Wireguard, and IKEv2 (IPSec) when available. (Available protocols can vary, depending on the platform you’re using the VPN on.)
As mentioned before, while the provider offers kill switch and auto-reconnect, it is offered only in the Windows app. The provider’s apps can be set to launch on system startup, auto-connect to the last used location on app launch, split-tunnel protection, and more.
While Hotspot Shield has had a checkered past when it comes to privacy protection (a 2016 report revealed some of the company’s less-than-private practices), a new company now owns the VPN and has reportedly cleaned up the VPN’s act.
The provider says it does not collect or log traffic data or browsing activity from individual users connected to their VPN.
Privacy-conscious users who prefer to pay for their online protection by using Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency will want to look elsewhere, as this provider accepts only credit and debit cards and PayPal.
It should be noted that a Hotspot Shield subscription also includes subscriptions to identity theft protection with Identity Guard, password management via 1Password, and spam call blocking through Robo Shield.
Speed
I’ll share info on Hotspot Shield’s connection speeds shortly. But first, let’s take a look at how we here at Pixel Privacy measure a VPN provider’s average connection speeds.
Our team performs all of the connection speed tests by using a gigabit Ethernet connection on a Windows server located in the United States. We conduct the tests using the provider’s Windows app, and when available, we connect using OpenVPN over UDP.
We connect to 3 VPN server locations – Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, and the United States. We perform the tests for 3 days, 3 times per day, with at least 4 hours between each round of testing.
Hotspot Shield’s connection speeds averaged in at 48.4 Mbps. This means the provider delivers above-average connection speeds.
These speeds can easily handle HD and 4K video streaming, fast-moving online games, and P2P file sharing.
Cost
Hotspot Shield will never be mistaken for a budget-priced VPN provider.
That said, while its prices are higher than many of its competitors, it also offers additional VPN services that most of its competitors do not offer.
If you choose the provider’s 1-month “Premium” subscription plan, you’ll pay the price of a large fast-food combo with a milkshake for dessert. If you opt for the “Premium Family” plan (which offers 5 member accounts), you’ll pay the price for two large combos with no shakes.
Opting to pay for either plan on an annual basis knocks close to 60% off the monthly tariff.
When considering Hotspot Shield’s monthly costs, keep in mind that a subscription also includes subscriptions to identity theft protection service with Identity Guard, password management via 1Password, and spam call blocking through Robo Shield. If you don’t already subscribe to these or similar services, the Hotspot Shield price looks like a decent deal.
A 45-day money-back guarantee is available for all subscription plans.
Alternatives
While Hotspot Shield provides above-average connection protection, fast connections, and a wide-ranging global server network, there are better VPN alternatives available, and for a lower price.
NordVPN
NordVPN is a well-respected leader in the VPN industry, known for providing excellent all-around VPN protection at a reasonable price.
The provider offers a larger number of servers around the globe, albeit in a smaller number of countries. NordVPN has close to 5,200 servers stationed in nearly 60 countries around the globe. Its network offers excellent access to geo-blocked content in most desirable areas of the world.
The provider offered some of the fastest speeds in my most recent round of connection speed testing, providing dazzling speeds averaging at 369.3 Mbps. Those speeds can handle anything you enjoy doing on the internet.
The provider keeps your online activities undercover, using military-level encryption, a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak prevention, and more.
App support includes offerings for the Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire, Linux, and Android TV platforms. Browser extensions are available to protect your Chrome and Firefox browsing sessions. Excellent router compatibility allows you to protect all of your connected devices through a single point of access.
Up to 6 desktop & mobile devices can use the provider at once on a single set of user credentials.
The provider’s customer support is available 24/7, meaning you’ll never have to solve issues on your own.
NordVPN offers all of the above at a reasonable price, providing an excellent return on investment.
CyberGhost
CyberGhost is an excellent VPN option for users looking for easy-to-use online protection. Even though the provider offers easy-to-use apps, it doesn’t cut corners when it comes to protection.
The service has over 7,400+ servers, located in 90+ countries, and those servers provide reliable connections measuring at average protected speeds of 57.6 Mbps. Both of these features make the VPN an excellent option for gaming and/or streaming.
Its online protection is right up there with any premium provider I’ve reviewed, and in addition to the usual military-grade encryption and other protections, it also offers ad and tracker blocking, malware protection, and much more.
Many of the provider’s servers are optimized for streaming and file sharing. (The provider refers to them as “downloading” servers.)
The provider has app options for the Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, Windows, and Amazon Fire device platforms. Chrome and Firefox browser extensions are also available, as is compatibility with numerous router makes and models.
Up to 7 devices can simultaneously connect to the service on a single account.
CyberGhost doesn’t charge through the nose (or any other bodily orifice) for its comprehensive services, and its 3-year subscription price offers a monthly average of less than you’ll pay for your kids’ Happy Meals at the place with the “golden arches.”
Hotspot Shield FAQs
How Good Are Hotspot Shield Mobile Apps?
Hotspot Shield mobile apps offer excellent protection for your mobile device. New users will appreciate the app’s ease of use (it has two options that you can set, server location and connection protocol), which also means that the app may come up a bit short customization-wise for advanced users.
Does Hotspot Shield Work in China?
Although the Hotspot Shield website is blocked from inside of China (along with most other VPN providers’ websites), at last report the VPN does work from inside of the country. You will want to subscribe and download the Hotspot Shield apps before entering Chinese airspace though.
Does Hotspot Shield Have Any Discounts or Coupon Codes?
Like nearly any VPN provider, Hotspot Shield does offer discounts and coupon codes that can greatly reduce the cost of their services. Be sure to check online for the latest deals and codes, as they change on a regular basis.
