Hotspot Shield VPN Review—How Good Is It?
With more than 650 million downloads[1], Hotspot Shield VPN is a popular Virtual Private Network (VPN) service that offers industry-standard security and privacy features even with its free plan. This Hotspot Shield VPN review will help you find out whether it meets your needs for a reliable and efficient VPN service.
We'll also introduce an effective method of protecting your financial information when transacting online.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is accurate as of July, 2024. Hotspot Shield VPN may update or change its features, pricing, and services at any time.
A Breakdown of Hotspot Shield VPN's Features
We'll review Hotspot Shield VPN's full range of features by dividing them into five key categories:
- Security and privacy measures
- Speed and performance
- Global server network
- Device compatibility and customer support
- Plans and pricing
Security and Privacy Measures
Hotspot Shield VPN uses its proprietary Hydra protocol, designed for optimal speed and stability. It also supports WireGuard on Android and Mac, as well as IPsec (IKEv2), providing users with advanced security options tailored to different needs.
Other security and privacy features Hotspot Shield VPN offers include:
Hotspot Shield VPN is a no-log VPN, which means it doesn't collect or save any user data such as browsing history or apps accessed through the secure connection.
Speed and Performance
According to third-party tests, Hotspot Shield VPN attains download speeds of up to 600 Mbps when using Hydra or WireGuard protocols[4].
Below is a comparative overview of Hotspot Shield VPN's download speeds alongside other leading VPN providers:
Global Server Network
An extensive server network can enhance privacy, performance, and speed for VPN users. With over 1,800 servers spanning 73+ countries, Hotspot Shield VPN ensures reliable and fast connections globally[5]. This broad coverage provides users access to geo-restricted content and enhances performance for activities like video conferencing or accessing organization resources remotely.
Users seeking broader server coverage can also explore VPN services like CyberGhost VPN or HideMyAss VPN, which provide diverse server networks in more than 100 countries.
Device Compatibility and Customer Support
Hotspot Shield VPN is compatible with several devices and platforms[6], including:
- Windows
- macOS
- iOS
- Android
- Linux
- Routers
The ability to use the VPN on routers allows users to secure all devices connected to their home network, providing comprehensive protection without needing to install the VPN on each individual device.
Hotspot Shield also offers browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox, allowing users to seamlessly integrate VPN management within their web browsing experience.
In terms of customer support, Hotspot Shield VPN offers three main options:
- 24/7 live chat support
- Email support
- A comprehensive knowledge base
The live chat support is beneficial for quick resolutions to issues and queries, while the knowledge base provides guides and answers to common questions. The customer support options are user-friendly and cater to both beginners and experienced VPN users.
Plans and Pricing
Hotspot Shield VPN offers two subscription models[6]:
- Free
- Premium
The Premium model offers two plans:
A standout feature of Hotspot Shield VPN is its money-back guarantee. While most service providers offer a 30-day guarantee, Hotspot Shield extends this to a 45-day 100% money-back guarantee[6]. This offer ensures users have ample time to test the product before committing long-term.
Users who need more time to determine whether Hotspot Shield VPN is the best product for their privacy needs can use the free option.
Here's an overview of the differences between the Free and Premium subscriptions:
Is Hotspot Shield a Good VPN?
Using Hotspot Shield VPN can be an effective way to bolster online privacy. When activated, it establishes a secure tunnel between the user's device and the internet, encrypting data to protect against interception.
However, there are numerous cybersecurity risks the VPN may not address. For instance, once you share sensitive data with a website, that information can be subject to breaches if the website is compromised, potentially resulting in identity theft or financial loss.
Other potential risks a VPN may not fully mitigate include:
- Phishing attacks—Even with a VPN, users can still fall victim to phishing attacks through deceptive emails or fake websites designed to steal user credentials or financial information.
- Advanced persistent threats (APTs)—APTs are prolonged cyber-attacks where an intruder gains access to a network and remains undetected, gathering sensitive data over time without triggering security alerts.
Additional Ways To Safeguard Online Privacy
To mitigate some of the risks a VPN may not fully address, you should consider the following:
- Use endpoint protection—Advanced endpoint protection solutions can detect and respond to threats such as APTs. These tools provide real-time monitoring and automated responses to suspicious activities, helping prevent intrusions and minimize potential damage.
- Educate yourself and others—Cybersecurity awareness training can help you and those around you recognize and respond to various cyber threats. Understanding how to identify phishing attempts and other common scams can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to them.
- Use virtual cards when transacting—Virtual cards shield your actual bank details, reducing the risk of your real card details being stolen when transacting online. If you're looking for advanced security and control over spending, consider a dedicated virtual card provider like Privacy.
Privacy Helps You Mask Sensitive Information
Trusted by over 250,000 users, Privacy is a virtual card provider that offers an effective way to boost the protection of your financial information during online transactions. When you connect your bank account or debit card to a Privacy account, it allows you to generate unique virtual card numbers you can use at checkout.
As a PCI-DSS compliant card provider, Privacy adheres to stringent security standards and provides robust protection using several methods:
- AES-256 encryption—This industry-standard encryption method secures your data during transmission, ensuring it remains unreadable to unauthorized parties.
- Two-factor authentication (2FA)—Privacy supports multiple forms of verification, including email, SMS, and authenticator applications.
- Fraud investigation—In the event of unusual activity, Privacy conducts thorough investigations and offers chargeback claim assistance, helping you recover funds in case of unauthorized transactions.
- Secure infrastructure—Privacy maintains a secure infrastructure with regular security audits and updates.
Privacy Card Types and Features
Privacy offers three types of virtual cards:
- Single-Use Cards—They deactivate shortly after being used, making them useless to hackers who might steal them from a merchant's server. Single-Use Cards are intended for one-time transactions.
- Merchant-Locked Cards—These cards are "tied" to the first merchant you use them at. They cannot be used with any other vendor, eliminating their usefulness to potential hackers who might try to steal them.
- Category-Locked Cards—These cards restrict usage to specific merchant categories, such as online retailers or travel services. They can be ideal for budgeting within specific categories.
With Privacy, you can pause or close your virtual cards at any time to stop further charges. This feature can help you limit unexpected charges, such as those that may happen during the subscription cancellation process. You can also set spending limits on your Privacy Cards, reducing the risk of being overcharged by merchants as any charge attempt above the set limit will be declined.
Additional Convenience Features
As a BBB-accredited service provider, Privacy offers several features that streamline your transactions:
- Mobile app—Available on Android and iOS, the Privacy App enables you to manage cards, receive notifications, and monitor activity from your smartphone.
- Browser extension—Available for Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, and Safari for iOS, the Privacy Browser Extension simplifies online transactions by securely integrating Privacy Card management into your browsing experience.
- Card Notes—You can add labels and notes to each virtual card, making it easier to track future expenses and organize transactions.
- Shared Cards—You can share virtual cards with trusted friends and family without revealing your actual bank details, providing a secure way to manage joint expenses.
How To Get a Privacy Card
To obtain a Privacy Card, follow four steps:
- Sign up for a Privacy account
- Verify your identity
- Link your debit card or bank account to fund your Privacy Cards
- Request your first Privacy Card
Privacy offers four plans:
Privacy Cards are available to U.S. residents aged 18 or older who are holders of accounts at U.S. banks or credit unions.
