Hotspot Shield VPN Review

Initially, the California-based AnchorFree Inc. developed Hotspot Shield VPN in 2005, which is now part of Pango, the enterprise that offers internet security products to users. Though Hotspot Shield VPN is headquartered in California, it has a business location operating in Switzerland. It claims to be the largest VPN provider with over 650 million users, and their business philosophy is about providing privacy and security to everyone.

Hotspot Shield has its unique Catapult Hydra VPN protocol that optimizes speed when connected to long-distance servers. It also comes with other salient features like widespread server locations, top-grade encryption standards, and a 45-day money-back option. This Hotspot Shield VPN review covers all significant highlights so that you can understand if it’s a desirable VPN provider that protects your online privacy.

• Torrenting Capability: Yes
• Browser Extension: Available (only for Chrome)
• Netflix Accessibility: Yes
• Server Details: 3200+ servers in 70+ countires
• Business Headquarters: United States (5 Eyes)
• Lowest subscription cost: Free/$6.99 per month
• Device Compatibility: macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Chrome

Additional Features of Hotspot Shield VPN

• The Catapult Hydra VPN Technology – Unlike other VPN providers, Hotspot Shield doesn’t use conventional VPN protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2, or IPsec. Instead, they have come up with their own exclusive Catapult Hydra protocol, which is one of its kind. With multiple algorithms, this unique technology guarantees to accelerate the performance of your VPN. Hotspot Shield also allows external security auditors to assess Hydra’s security code regularly.
• With Hotspot Shield, you can detect malicious links and block annoying advertisements. But, note the fact that you can do this only if you are a premium customer.
• As a basic(free) Hotspot Shield user, you can connect to a single device. If you are a premium user, Hotspot Shield comes with a maximum allowable device of 5. Wherein, if you sign up for Hotspot Shield’s business plan, you can connect up to 20 devices concurrently.
• When it comes to cross-platform compatibility, Hotspot Shield is not versatile. It does not support devices like gaming consoles, Kodi, Routers, Smart TVs, and Windows phones.
• While Hotspot Shield protects you against DNS vulnerabilities, it doesn’t guarantee to protect against IPv6 leaks.

Privacy – If you are extremely concerned about your privacy and anonymity, Hotspot Shield is not an ideal VPN provider for you. It falls under the jurisdiction that is subject to the Five Eyes surveillance program. Moreover, it logs your real IP address and deletes it at the end of each session, thus having a much questionable privacy policy.

Hotspot Shield’s subscription plans are slightly on the expensive side when compared to most VPNs. While the long-term plans come with substantial discounts, the monthly plan is going to cost you as much as $12.99 without any rebate.

Hotspot Shield VPN offers an adequate moneyback option of 45 days, which allows you to claim your money if you wish not to invest in this VPN provider. For those who want to try Hotspot Shield before getting committed to their services, there is a 7-day free trial option when signing up through Google Play and App Store.

Hotspot Shield accepts the following payment methods:

As you could understand from the speed test results above, the long-distance servers also have impressive speeds.

With Hotspot Shield VPN, we were able to unblock the Netflix version of the U.S. But, unfortunately, this VPN provider doesn’t unblock other popular streaming applications like BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. Though Hotspot Shield claims that it offers specialized servers optimized for streaming channels, it is not as persuasive as promised by the VPN provider. Moreover, this VPN doesn’t support gaming consoles like Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo, signifying that it is not a perfect VPN for gamers.

On the brighter side, with Hotspot Shield VPN’s unlimited P2P servers, you can carry out secure P2P file transfers. It is thus a torrent-friendly VPN service provider.

Hotspot Shield is a straightforward VPN that comes with an extremely user-friendly client. As advertised by them, you can establish a secure VPN connection with a single click. The menu bar is clean and orderly, which is also easy to navigate. Overall, the Hotspot Shield VPN application is all about convenience and seamlessness.

Hotspot Shield’s customer support is definitely for the win. They have a 24×7 live chat support, where their executives will address your issues promptly. Their team is responsive, skilled, and friendly. You can also contact them using a ticketing portal. Apart from the real-time support, Hotspot Shield also has a comprehensive knowledgebase that takes you through almost any subject related to their VPN service.

How to Download and Install Hotspot Shield on Windows