![]() When it comes to evaluating the security of a VPN, a no-logs policy is the industry standard. One caveat: the company does log the domain names users visit (but not the URLs) though claims this information cannot be tied back to the individual user. In addition, Hotspot Shield uses Internet Protocol Security (IPsec), another popular protocol used by VPNs to provide secure communication over the internet. OpenVPN is an open-source protocol, which means it can be monitored for bugs by the cybersecurity community. Hotspot Shield also uses the popular security protocol OpenVPN. Hotspot Shield claims Hydra allows for faster speeds. While most VPN companies stick with standard security protocols, Hotspot Shield uses a proprietary technology called Hydra. Hotspot Shield has not yet released any independent audit reports. Independent audits are the gold standard for verifying that a VPN upholds its privacy claims. For average upload speed, Hotspot Shield fell in the middle of the pack at 35.74 Mbps. For reference, the fastest upload speed we tested was Surfshark with an average download speed of 368.06 Mbps and the slowest was ExpressVPN at 77.17 Mbps. While speeds will vary depending on device, server location, and other factors, overall Hotspot Shield had an average download speed of 240.28 Mbps and an average upload speed of 35.74 Mbps in our testing. VPNs can often slow down internet speed, especially when streaming. ![]() VPN services are connected to the nearest possible server. Methodology: Our VPN speed comparison is tested on a Windows 11 machine using Ookla’s publicly available speed test. Plus you can connect up to 25 devices (up to five per member). This plan gives you the option of having up to five members. When you sign up for the annual plan, you’ll get a discount of $8 per month for the first year ($11.99 per month compared with $19.99 per month). The Premium Family plan is designed for multiple users. This plan is also optimized for Netflix, YouTube, Disney+ and other streaming services. Additionally, you’ll have access to a 24/7 live chat and the ability to send a message to customer support. This is the best plan for an individual as it allows one member account. With this plan, you’ll be able to connect up to five devices. The annual plan offers a steep discount compared to the monthly plan, at $7.99 per month for the first year instead of $12.99 per month. This plan also limits the virtual locations you can connect to at one, whereas paid plans have over 125 locations to choose from. The main limitations of this plan are the speed limit, which is set at 2 Mbps. The Basic version is a great place to start since it’s free. Optimized for Netflix, YouTube, Disney+ and more Hotspot Shield is also more expensive than many of its competitors such as NordVPN and CyberGhost.įinally, there are a few security considerations to make before choosing Hotspot Shield, which we cover below, especially considering that security is very often the main reason to use a VPN. If this is a feature you know you’ll need, you’ll want to consider competitors that offer this option as an add-on. Hotspot Shield does not offer multi-hop connections, which direct your internet traffic through an additional server for increased security.Īdditionally, the company does not have the option for a dedicated IP. There are a few features Hotspot Shield lacks that other VPN companies provide. The company outshines competition with its money-back guarantee policy of 45 days, while the industry standard is 30 days or less. With the Premium Family plan-which costs $11.99 per month annually-you’ll be able to share the VPN with up to five members, and each member will be able to use up to five devices. Hotspot Shield allows you to connect up to five devices for its standard paid plan. ![]() ![]() The company also has a large number of servers throughout the world, which increases the chances that a server will be located in the country you’re looking for. However, if you haven’t used a VPN before, or want to get a sense of Hotspot Shield’s user interface, it could be a good option to start with. The free version allows you to connect one device and has limited data of up to 500MB per day. Hotspot Shield also offers a free version, which many VPN services do not offer. At 1.5 million reviews, it surpasses any other service significantly-all while maintaining higher than a four-star rating across the App Store, the Play Store and Trustpilot. In addition, Hotspot Shield is the most well-reviewed VPN we’ve analyzed. The company is also one of the few to offer a free VPN option, and though it comes with limitations, the free version is a solid choice to consider. Hotspot Shield made our list for the top best VPNs of 2023 and specifically ranked best for streaming. ![]()
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