Hotspot Shield VPN Review 2025

Written by David Johnson in 2025.

About the Company

Let's take a moment to acquaint ourselves with the company behind the service. Hotspot Shield VPN is operated by Pango, a subsidiary of AnchorFree, Inc. This VPN service is known for its role in circumventing government restrictions during the Arab Spring uprisings. The VPN software was initially developed by Dnick (formerly AnchorFree Inc.) and made available for Windows and macOS in April 2008. They extended its reach to iOS and Android platforms in 2011 and 2012. They have headquarters in Chester County while operational offices are in Ukraine and Russia. In the last decade Hotspot Shield gained good reputation.

Servers and Server Locations

The strength of a VPN often lies in its server network. They have an extensive server infrastructure. With a network of more than 3,200 servers across 70+ countries and 35+ cities, offering over 115 virtual locations, you will have ability to access to a diverse range of server locations. This extensive network offers you much needed flexibility.

Server Speed Test

In our comprehensive speed tests, Hotspot Shield VPN consistently demonstrated competitive speeds. This translates to smooth browsing and streaming, and optimal downloading experiences. Speed may vary depending on the chosen server location and network conditions. All in all we noticed stable and responsive connections.

Protocols

Hydra: Hydra, is their own built protocol. Hydra is specifically designed to be the fastest and most secure option. We recommend using Hydra or the Automatic option whenever possible.
Automatic (recommended) or Smart: This option automatically connects you to the best available protocol for best performance.
Ipsec (ikev2): This protocol offers high security and fast speeds. Though, it's more susceptible to blocking than Hydra.
Wireguard: Their newest protocol available on Android and Mac devices. It provides faster speeds, improved security, and a reduced risk of decryption.

Encryption

Their unique VPN protocol, Hydra, is derived from OpenVPN and utilizes the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol. It employs RSA certificates for server authentication with a 2048-bit key and the Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman algorithm (ECDHE) for secure key exchange. Encryption keys are generated for each user session and erased from memory afterward. Their security is based on the software-defined perimeter (SDP) model and uses 128-bit AES and 256-bit encryption as a standard.

Supported Platforms and Their Download Page

Hotspot Shield VPN is engineered for compatibility across various platforms. Supported platforms are:

Windows
MacOS
iOS
Android
Linux
Router Setup

Downloading Hotspot Shield VPN on your desired platform is a user-friendly task. Step-by-step setup guides are available on their website. If you are interested, they also offer router setup options.

Netflix Compatibility

Hotspot Shield VPN has been successful in bypassing Netflix's restrictions on occasion, allowing users access to content libraries from different regions. Their dedicated streaming servers are optimized for this purpose. They published on their website very useful tutorial: "5 Netflix Tips To Make the Most Out of Your Subscription".

Logs Policy

They refrain from logging any data linking to your account details or identity with your VPN session activities. They don't not keep records of the websites visited. Also, they don't not keep records of apps you access during a VPN connection. But, they may:

Track the amount of bandwidth.
Monitor the locations of the VPN servers used.
Gather diagnostic data.
Request feedback on your connection and additional survey information. This data are not associated with a specific user. They might assign a "hash" to your device upon initial use of our VPN apps, a randomly generated ID not tied your identity.

Kill Switch

Hotspot Shield VPN incorporates a robust Kill Switch feature. In the event of an unexpected VPN disconnection, the Kill Switch immediately halt your internet connection. This prevents potentially unwanted data leaks. Kill Switch feature is vital for maintaining your privacy. It's helpful particularly when you are engaged in sensitive online activity.

DNS Leak Test

We conducted comprehensive tests to evaluate if Hotspot Shield VPN successful in preventing DNS leaks. We didn't find evidence of such leaks. Hotspot Shield VPN efficiently routes DNS requests through its secure servers so you can be sure your data aren't exposed.

Simultaneous Device Connections

Hotspot Shield VPN permits multiple simultaneous connections. Premium subscribers can connect up to ten devices to their account simultaneously.

Torrenting

For users interested in torrenting, Hotspot Shield offers reliable protection and seamless performance. Whether you're downloading or uploading torrents, Hotspot Shield offers reliable protection. Here is an useful tip you should consider while torrenting: Do not download suspicious files. Everything you download check with anti-virus software. There are many anti-virus available in the market. We have good experience with Avast and Malwarebytes.

Android Application

Hotspot Shield VPN offers a user-friendly Android application. With their latest released application, with only single click you can connect to the server on the home screen. Also, you can see Auto-unblock feature in the updated Android application to easily connect Hotspot Shield when you launch your preferred apps. You can configure a personalized list of applications through the settings menu. It enables direct access from the Hotspot Shield home screen.

Support

Hotspot Shield VPN offers comprehensive customer support to assist users with inquiries, technical issues, and troubleshooting. Their support options include:

Email Support: Users can reach out to Hotspot Shield VPN's support team via email for personalized assistance. The support team typically responds promptly.
Knowledge Base: Hotspot Shield VPN maintains a knowledge base on its website. This resource is invaluable for users seeking solutions to common issues.
Live Chat: Hotspot Shield VPN offers live chat support to address user inquiries in real-time.

Plans and Pricing

Hotspot Shield VPN offers various pricing plans:

Free Version: Hotspot Shield VPN provides a free version with limited features and bandwidth.
Premium Plan: 12.99 per month or yearly plan: 7.99$ per month. The premium plan offers unlimited bandwidth. You will have access to all server locations, and enhanced features. It's available as a monthly or annual subscription, giving users flexibility in choosing their payment preference.
Family Plan: 19.99 per month or yearly plan: 11.99$ per month. The family plan allows 25 devices and user will get 5 member accounts. Family Plan provides comprehensive protection for all family members under a single subscription.

Each premium plan includes a 45-day money-back guarantee. It allows to test their service risk-free.

Verdict

We hope you found our Hotspot Shield VPN review useful. You definitely won't make a mistake if you make decision to subscribe to one of their plans. With their innovative Hydra protocol, strong encryption, no-log policy and kill switch function, Hotspot Shield VPN will make your online activity to remain secure and anonymous.

If you want to read more useful reviews, visit our home page where we posted helpful comparison table besides comprehensive reviews of 3 best VPN providers in the market now.