Hotspot Shield VPN Review (2025): Is it the right choice?

Hotspot Shield VPN Review

Hotspot Shield is ultra-fast, but falls short on privacy. The privacy policy is invasive, logging browsing activity and IP addresses. We recommend alternatives like NordVPN, Surfshark, or Norton instead.

• Privacy: 0%. Hotspot Shield records users’ IP addresses and browsing activity. Other VPNs do not.
• Streaming: 100%. Hotspot Shield works with most major streaming services, including Netflix, Disney+, Prime, and more.
• Speed: 100%. Its proprietary Hydra protocol delivers exceptional download speeds with minimal lag.
• Security: 80%. While the Hydra protocol is fast, its closed-source nature limits independent security audits.

Thanks to the 30-day return policy, you can try it risk-free.

Privacy

Hotspot Shield fails to offer robust privacy protections. It logs sensitive user data, including bandwidth usage, connection timestamps, browsing activity, account details, and the originating IP address.

Although some data is aggregated or retained only during active sessions, the retention of identifiable information is unnecessary and invasive, particularly given its US jurisdiction—a founding member of the Five Eyes alliance, known for data-sharing practices.

Data Logged by Hotspot Shield:

• Yes: Originating IP, browsing activity, timestamps, bandwidth usage, account information, device data.
• No: Date of last connection, VPN server IP.

Concerns:

• Operates under intrusive US privacy laws, which can compel data retention and sharing.
• Stopped publishing transparency reports after 2019, eroding trust.
• Lacks independent audits or diskless servers, common in more privacy-conscious VPNs.

Historical Issues:

Hotspot Shield’s history includes:

• 2016: Allegations of ad and tracking code injections.
• 2017: Misleading privacy claims.
• 2018: A data leak exposing sensitive user details.

While its privacy policy and notice are transparent, these issues, combined with logging practices and a US base, undermine its trustworthiness. If privacy is your priority, alternatives like NordVPN or Surfshark are better.

Streaming

Hotspot Shield Premium unblocks most geo-restricted streaming platforms, like BBC iPlayer, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video. The free version, by contrast, fails to access any streaming service.

Speed

Hotspot Shield sets the benchmark for VPN speed, delivering near-identical performance to a standard internet connection, even on long-distance servers. This makes it an excellent choice for activities requiring high bandwidth and low latency, such as streaming, gaming, and file sharing.

Performance Highlights:

• Speed Impact: Minimal speed loss, with a 3% drop on US-to-Europe connections, which is exceptional for long-distance VPN use.
• Streaming: Supports UHD (4K) streaming without buffering.
• Gaming: Low latency (6ms on local servers) ensures smooth online gaming, with mobile apps featuring gaming-optimized servers.

Hotspot Shield Free matches the Premium version in speed but is limited to four server locations.

Security

Hotspot Shield offers a solid security foundation with advanced encryption and protocols. But it suffers from critical issues in transparency and browser extensions. While safe for general use, its shortcomings may concern privacy-conscious users.

Strengths:

• Encryption: AES-256 encryption ensures robust data protection.
• Protocols: Supports WireGuard, IKEv2, and its proprietary Hydra protocol, designed for speed and based on TLS 1.2 with perfect forward secrecy.
• Leak Protection: No IP, DNS, or WebRTC leaks detected in app-based tests.
• Encryption Validation: Wireshark testing confirmed effective traffic encryption.

Weaknesses:

• Browser Extensions: Chrome extension leaks DNS requests, exposing browsing activity to ISPs.
• IPv6 Traffic: Lack of support creates potential data exposure on IPv6 connections.
• Closed-Source Protocol: Hydra’s proprietary nature limits independent security verification.
• No OpenVPN Support: Unlike competitors, Hotspot Shield does not include this widely trusted protocol.

Recommendations:

• Use the app for safer browsing; avoid the Chrome extension.
• Choose WireGuard over Hydra for open-source transparency.
• Opt for VPNs like Surfshark or Hide.me if IPv6 support and independent audits are priorities.

Hotspot Shield is effective for secure encryption and leak prevention in its apps but falls short in areas critical for advanced security and transparency.

Servers

Hotspot Shield provides a broad server network with a decent global distribution. But it falls short compared to leading VPNs in server diversity and exclusivity.

While its Premium version offers a wide range of servers, the Free version is heavily restricted.

Server Network Overview:

• Premium Version: 1,800 virtual servers in 80 countries, with good representation in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
• Free Version: Limited to servers in four countries—US East Coast (New York), US West Coast (Los Angeles), UK, and Singapore.
• City-level servers: Available in seven countries, including 25 locations in the US.

Strengths:

• Global Coverage: Offers servers in underrepresented regions like South America and Africa.
• City-Level Options: Provides more precise location choices in key markets such as the US and UK.

Weaknesses:

• Shared Network: Servers are shared with Betternet, TouchVPN, and VPN360, potentially causing congestion.
• Virtual Servers: Relies heavily on virtual servers, which may raise trust and performance concerns for some users.
• Limited Free Servers: The Free version’s four locations are restrictive compared to competitors like Windscribe Free, which offers servers in 10 countries.

Hotspot Shield’s server network is extensive for Premium users but lacks the exclusivity and transparency expected at its price point. While it provides solid global coverage, sharing servers with free VPNs undermines value and performance for paying customers.

For more robust server networks, consider alternatives like NordVPN.

Prices

Hotspot Shield Premium comes with a hefty price tag, especially when compared to budget-friendly alternatives like Norton, Bitdefender, CyberGhost, and TotalVPN. As these competitors offer reliable protection at a fraction of the cost, Hotspot Shield’s premium pricing might leave budget-conscious users questioning whether the extra expense is truly worth it.

User reviews

We’ve compared the user reviews of all VPN brands. We’ve used the scores and review count of TrustPilot, a leading user review platform. However, take these results with a grain of salt, as some brands actively attempt to increase their ratings.

Hotspot Shield has by far the fewest reviews among the major VPN brands. This is likely due to the fact that Hotspot Shield isn’t a consumer focused product. Rather, Hotspot Shield leases its service to other companies like Panda, McAfee, Kaspersky, and Bitdefender. These companies then use Hotspot Shield’s VPN but sell it under their own brand name.

Ownership

Hotspot Shield is owned by Point Wild.

In December 2024, Hotspot Shield’s parent company, Pango Group, merged with Total Security to form Point Wild. The new company has a consumer, partner, and enterprise side.

On the consumer side, Point Wild serves over 25 million monthly active users in 150 countries through brands like Hotspot Shield, Betternet, Ultra, VPN360, Comparitech, and Total Security. These brands offer a variety of tools, including VPNs, antivirus software, and online privacy solutions, to enhance user security and privacy.

The partner side operates under the Pango brand, providing customizable security tools for businesses to boost customer trust and engagement.

For enterprises, Point Wild offers advanced solutions through brands like CyEx, which specializes in cyber and privacy incident response, and Simpluris, which provides legal and corporate administration services.

Point Wild is a major player in the online protection industry, with annual revenue projected at $600 million and a focus on consistent growth and innovation.