⚡ Quick Verdict:
- Pricing: Hotspot Shield Premium is $7.99/month, with a free tier at $0. Avast VPN ships inside Avast Premium Security at $49.99/first yr.
- Best for: Hotspot Shield for streaming, gaming and speed. Avast VPN for people already paying for Avast antivirus.
- Key difference: Hotspot Shield hosts 1,800+ servers in 80 countries. Avast SecureLine VPN servers number around 700 across 34 countries.
- Trials: Avast offers a 60 day free trial. Hotspot Shield offers a free version plus a 45 day money back guarantee.
- Our pick: Hotspot Shield, for its bigger server network and the Hydra protocol built for speed.
One of these two VPN services came bundled with software you already own.
The other one wants $7.99 a month and promises to be the fastest VPN around.
That gap explains most of what follows.
Avast VPN is built for simple, everyday online activities on a small network.
Hotspot Shield chases raw speed with a proprietary VPN protocol and far more servers.
Overview
This Avast VPN vs Hotspot Shield comparison covers pricing, servers, protocols, privacy and streaming.
It also covers apps, leak protection and customer support.
Our writers spent hands-on time with both apps on Windows, Android and iOS.
Those notes sit in the “What Our Team Noticed” sections below.
Everything else comes from published specs, documentation and G2 reviews.
What is Avast VPN?
Avast SecureLine VPN is a virtual private network from the antivirus company Avast.
It encrypts your internet connection and hides your real IP address behind a VPN tunnel.
The VPN app runs on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and Android TV.
Avast SecureLine VPN servers number roughly 700 across 34 countries.
Most people use Avast SecureLine VPN because it already sits beside their Avast antivirus.
Here is the app in action.
Avast VPN
A simple VPN service for everyday browsing. Smart VPN mode can connect for you on public Wi-Fi. The 60 day trial is longer than almost anything else in this category.
Avast VPN Pricing
Avast sells the VPN inside its security bundles. Here is what those bundles cost.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Free Antivirus | Free | Malware scanning with no VPN included |
| Premium Security | $49.99/first yr | Adding the VPN to your existing setup |
| Ultimate | $49.99/first yr | The full stack of Avast products |
Pricing verified September 2026.
Free trial: Yes, a 60 day free trial, one of the longest free trials around. You hand over payment information first, but nothing is charged until the 60 day trial ends.
Money-back guarantee: Avast runs a 30-day refund window on its paid subscriptions.
📌 Note: One subscription covers 10 devices at once. That covers a laptop, a phone and a tablet without a second purchase.
⚠️ Pricing conflict flagged: The bundle prices above are the ones in our data file and the ones used throughout this article. Avast separately advertises standalone SecureLine plans at about $4.59 per month on one year, $4.29 on two years and $4.39 on three years, with no monthly option. Check the cart before buying, since renewal rates differ.
Key Benefits of Avast VPN
Here is what you actually get for the money:
- Smart VPN mode: Set rules for when the VPN turns on or off. It can automatically connect the moment you join a public network.
- Long trial: The trial covers every supported platform. Few vpn providers give you two months.
- Three protocols: WireGuard for speed, the in-house Mimic protocol for restrictive networks, and the OpenVPN protocol if you want the older standard.
- Kill switch: Your internet is cut if the connection drops, so nothing falls back to your normal line.
- Czech jurisdiction: Avast sits in the Czech Republic, outside the main data-sharing alliances.
- Shields on public Wi-Fi: Encryption on café or airport Wi-Fi blocks man-in-the-middle attacks on banking sites.
- Less tracking: Masking your location stops advertisers and your internet provider profiling your browsing data.
What Our Team Noticed
Our writer installed Avast VPN on Windows and Android and used it for a week of normal browsing. Here is what stood out:
Avast VPN Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- 60 day free trial on every supported platform
- Clean app that beginners can install and use in minutes
- Smart VPN mode connects automatically on untrusted networks
- 10 simultaneous devices on one subscription
- Czech Republic base, outside the main intelligence alliances
❌ Cons
- Around 700 servers in 34 countries, small next to most VPNs
- No independent audit of the no-logs policy
- The 2024 FTC settlement over the Jumpshot data sales still hangs over the brand
- Speeds fall off sharply on distant servers
- G2 reviews describe customer support as unhelpful
What is Hotspot Shield?
Hotspot Shield is a popular VPN app that creates a secure, encrypted tunnel for your internet traffic.
It hides your real IP address behind a remote server.
Hotspot Shield hosts more than 1,800 VPN servers across 80 countries.
Its selling point is Hydra, a proprietary VPN protocol built for speed.
Hotspot Shield works on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux and Amazon Fire TV.
Here is how it looks in use.
🏆 Winner: Hotspot Shield
The Hydra protocol is built for speed, not compatibility. Hotspot Shield recorded 210 Mbps in the UK and 190 Mbps in the US. Connect up to ten devices on one account.
Hotspot Shield Pricing
Two tiers, and the gap between them is large.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | One device, one US location, casual browsing |
| Premium | $7.99/month | Streaming, gaming and up to ten devices |
Pricing verified September 2026.
Free trial: No timed trial. You get Hotspot Shield free instead, an ad-supported tier with unlimited traffic on one US location and 500 MB of data per day for some features. Hotspot Shield’s free VPN unblocks no streaming service, and Hotspot Shield’s free version is capped at one device.
Money-back guarantee: A 45 day money back guarantee on premium accounts, 15 days longer than the industry norm.
📌 Note: Payment is by credit card or PayPal. Bitcoin is not accepted. Look for Hotspot Shield deals before checkout, since sale pricing appears often.
⚠️ Pricing conflict flagged: The two plans above are the ones in our data file and the ones used in every table here. Hotspot Shield subscription options published elsewhere include $12.99 billed monthly and a Family plan at $19.99 monthly or $11.99 annually. Most VPN providers charge $3 to $5 per month annually, so this sits at the higher end either way.
Key Benefits of Hotspot Shield
What the premium tier actually buys you:
- Speed first: Hotspot Shield recorded 210 Mbps in the UK and 190 Mbps in the US, enough headroom for 4K.
- Wide server network: Over 1,800 VPN servers and 80+ virtual locations.
- Streaming access: Premium unblocks US Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video on dedicated streaming servers.
- Ten devices: Up to ten devices per account, including smart TVs.
- Split tunneling: Pick which apps use the VPN tunnel and which use your normal line.
- Quick connect: The Windows app connects in a few seconds, about 4 to 5 on average.
- P2P everywhere: Torrenting is allowed on every server, with unlimited bandwidth.
What Our Team Noticed
Our writer paid for a premium account and ran it across Windows, Android and iOS. Here is what came out of that:
Hotspot Shield Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Hydra protocol delivers 210 Mbps on UK servers
- Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max and BBC iPlayer
- 1,800+ servers across 80 countries
- Up to ten devices with simultaneous connections
- Free version with unlimited traffic for testing
❌ Cons
- US base inside the Five Eyes alliance
- Session data is logged and no transparency report since 2019
- Kill switch only works on the Hydra protocol
- Free tier is ad-supported, one device, no streaming
- Live chat support is reserved for paying users
Feature Comparison
Ten areas decide this matchup. The table gives you the shape of it, the sections below explain the gaps.
| Feature | Avast VPN | Hotspot Shield |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $49.99/first yr bundle | $7.99/month |
| Free plan | ❌ (60 day trial instead) | ✅ |
| Server network | ~700 in 34 countries | 1,800+ in 80 countries |
| Proprietary protocol | ✅ Mimic | ✅ Hydra |
| Kill switch | ✅ All protocols | ✅ Hydra only |
| Split tunneling | ❌ | ✅ |
| Browser extensions | ❌ | ✅ Chrome and Firefox |
| Simultaneous devices | 10 | 10 |
| Independent audit | ❌ None | ✅ Hydra protocol, 2023 |
| Best for | Everyday browsing on a budget bundle | Streaming and gaming at speed |
1. Server Network and Locations
Avast VPN: Around 700 servers in 34 countries. That is small next to most VPNs at this price, and it limits your options when a nearby server is busy. Avast tunes its servers for throughput, so heavy downloads are not throttled.
Hotspot Shield: More than 1,800 servers across 80 countries, so there are far more server locations to pick from. Hotspot Shield’s servers cover every major region, including Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
2. Speed and Performance
Avast VPN: Uneven. A local server holds up for browsing and calls, but distant servers show heavy drops in download and upload speeds. Neither company publishes stress tests from an outside lab, so treat any speed test as a snapshot.
Hotspot Shield: This is where it earns its keep. It recorded 210 Mbps in the UK and 190 Mbps in the US, and was recognised again in 2026 for speed. Testing Hotspot Shield on a local server, our writer saw almost no drop from the base line, rare for any fast VPN.
3. VPN Protocols
Avast VPN: Three choices: the OpenVPN protocol for compatibility, WireGuard for speed, and Mimic protocol, built to disguise VPN traffic on restrictive networks.
Hotspot Shield: Hydra is the default and the whole story. Hotspot Shield’s Hydra protocol uses multiple transport streams to hold speed over distance, and it passed an independent audit in 2023. WireGuard and IKEv2 are available, with a catch covered below.
4. Security Features and Leak Protection
Avast VPN: AES-256 encryption, a kill switch that cuts your internet if the VPN connection drops, plus DNS leak protection and WebRTC leak protection, so DNS leaks and browser requests never expose your real IP address. The security features are the basics done properly.
Hotspot Shield: Same AES-256 encryption with IP leak protection during VPN sessions. The Windows kill switch works well, but it only runs on Hydra and switches off if you pick WireGuard or IKEv2.
⚠️ Warning: If you change protocols on Hotspot Shield, check the kill switch again. Losing it silently is worse than never having it.
5. Privacy, Logging and Audits
Avast VPN: Based in the Czech Republic, outside the main data-sharing alliances. It records timestamps, data transferred and connection details, but nothing identifiable, and there has been no independent audit of that claim. The bigger issue is history: Avast ran a subsidiary called Jumpshot that sold user data gathered by its antivirus, and in February 2024 the US Federal Trade Commission ordered a $16.5 million payment over it.
Hotspot Shield: Hotspot Shield claims a strict no-logs policy and the Hydra protocol was audited in 2023, but the logging policy itself has not been. Hotspot Shield logs IP addresses at session start and deletes them at the end, keeping duration, bandwidth and accessed domains anonymised. It is US-based, inside Five Eyes, with no transparency report since 2019, and the free tier shares data with advertisers.
⚠️ Read this twice: Neither is the pick for maximum online privacy. One carries a settled FTC case over data sales, the other sits in a Five Eyes country with partial independent audits. If a verified no-logs record comes first, look at the best VPNs based in Switzerland or Panama.
6. Streaming and Torrenting
Avast VPN: It reaches Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video, though results are mixed and G2 reviews report failures on Hulu and BBC iPlayer. There are dedicated streaming servers and separate torrenting servers, but the small network means a blocked address takes a while to rotate.
Hotspot Shield: Premium unblocks US Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+ and Prime Video, plus BBC iPlayer, ITV and Channel 4. It reached five Netflix libraries but failed on 9Now and 10 Play. P2P runs on every server, and there are gaming servers for latency-sensitive play.
💡 Pro Tip: Streaming access shifts month to month. Test your must-have platforms inside the refund window rather than trusting any list, including this one.
7. Apps and Device Support
Avast VPN: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and Android TV, so it runs on multiple platforms including the living room. The Windows app and Android app are plain and easy to navigate. There are no browser extensions.
Hotspot Shield: Windows, Mac, a Linux command line client and an Amazon Fire TV app. Hotspot Shield’s mobile apps are the strong ones: the Android and iOS apps share a layout, Android can automatically connect on unsecured networks, iOS has Always-on VPN. Hotspot Shield’s browser extensions cover Chrome and Firefox. The Mac build is cut down, dropping auto-connect and keyboard shortcuts.
8. Everyday Automation and Ease of Use
Avast VPN: Smart VPN mode is the headline. You write rules so the VPN turns itself on for banking sites or an untrusted public network, and off at home. Useful when it behaves, though G2 reviews mention Smart VPN not always triggering.
Hotspot Shield: Fewer rules, faster hands-on use. The Hotspot Shield app gives you a fast connection in about 4 to 5 seconds from one tap. Hotspot Shield’s split tunneling is the feature people keep, since a local app can stay off the tunnel while everything else is encrypted.
9. Support and Extras Beyond the VPN
Avast VPN: Customer support draws complaints in reviews, with replies described as unhelpful. The trade-off is reach: one account also covers Avast products like AntiTrack, BreachGuard and Secure Browser, which matters if you want more security than a tunnel alone.
Hotspot Shield: Live chat support exists but is premium-only, so the free tier gets help articles. Hotspot Shield’s support team answers quickly on chat. Paid plans also offer a dedicated IP address for people flagged by banking or work logins.
10. Pricing & Cost
Side by side, using the plans in our data file:
| Plan | Avast VPN | Hotspot Shield |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | Free Antivirus (no VPN) | Free: $0 |
| Entry paid plan | Premium Security: $49.99/first yr | Premium: $7.99/month |
| Top plan | Ultimate: $49.99/first yr | Premium: $7.99/month |
| Trial or refund | 60 day free trial | 45 day money back guarantee |
Avast VPN: You are buying a security bundle, not a standalone VPN service. If you want the antivirus anyway, the VPN rides along at almost no extra cost. If you only want a tunnel, you are paying for software you will not open.
Hotspot Shield: $7.99 a month buys speed and a large network, nothing else. Many VPNs undercut that price with similar security features, so the value case rests entirely on whether you use the speed.
Different Scenarios
| If You Need… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Antivirus plus a VPN | Avast VPN | One bundle covers both |
| 4K streaming abroad | Hotspot Shield | More unblocked platforms |
| The longest trial | Avast VPN | 60 days, no charge upfront |
| Torrenting | Hotspot Shield | P2P on every server |
| Rules-based automation | Avast VPN | Smart VPN mode |
| A free tier forever | Hotspot Shield | Free version, no card needed |
💰 Your Budget
Already paying for antivirus? The Avast bundle is the cheaper route. Want a VPN and nothing else? $7.99 a month buys far more network.
🔌 Your Devices
Both allow 10 simultaneous device connections. Avast reaches Android TV; Hotspot Shield covers Fire TV, Linux and the browser.
📝 Your Daily Habits
Browsing and email do not need 200 Mbps. Streaming, gaming and big downloads do, and that is where Hydra pulls ahead.
🎓 Your Experience Level
Both apps suit beginners. Avast rewards setting up rules; Hotspot Shield works well on a single tap.
🆓 Free Trials and Demos
Avast gives 60 days but wants a card first. Hotspot Shield gives a permanent free tier with limits on how much data and internet access you get.
🛟 Support Options
Hotspot Shield gives paying users live chat. Avast’s support has a weaker reputation, so budget patience if something breaks.
Switching Guide
Already on one of them? Here is what changes.
🔄 Switching from Avast VPN to Hotspot Shield?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- Roughly 1,100 more servers and 46 more countries
- Split tunneling and Chrome or Firefox extensions
- Reliable BBC iPlayer and Hulu access
❌ What you’ll lose:
- Smart VPN rules and Android TV support
- A kill switch that works on every protocol
- Non-Five Eyes jurisdiction
📋 How to switch:
- Cancel Avast in your account area before the renewal date
- Install Hotspot Shield free and test speeds in your area
- Upgrade, then turn on the kill switch while Hydra is selected
🔄 Switching from Hotspot Shield to Avast VPN?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- Antivirus, AntiTrack and BreachGuard in the same subscription
- Smart VPN mode automation and Czech jurisdiction
- A 60 day window to decide instead of 45
❌ What you’ll lose:
- Most of your server choice and streaming reliability
- Split tunneling and browser extensions
- Top-end speed on long-distance connections
📋 How to switch:
- Claim your refund if you are inside the 45 day money back guarantee
- Start the Avast trial and add your payment information
- Set Smart VPN rules so it can automatically connect on public Wi-Fi
What Our Review Didn’t Cover
We looked at individual users on home and mobile connections. We did not test either service on a corporate network, log latency for competitive gaming, or check behaviour under heavy censorship. Business licensing and router setups sat outside the scope. Streaming access and server counts shift often, so treat this September 2026 picture as a starting point.
Final Verdict
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| 💰 Pricing | Avast VPN (as a bundle) |
| 🌍 Server network | Hotspot Shield |
| ⚡ Speed | Hotspot Shield |
| 🔒 Privacy record | Draw, for different reasons |
| 📺 Streaming | Hotspot Shield |
| 👶 Ease of use | Draw |
| 🛟 Support | Hotspot Shield |
| 🏆 Overall Winner | Hotspot Shield |
🏆 WINNER: HOTSPOT SHIELD
Hotspot Shield takes 4 of 7 categories, with two draws.
Best for: streaming abroad, gaming, torrenting, and anyone who wants a fast connection above all else
These two VPN services chase different buyers. Hotspot Shield sells itself as the fastest VPN and mostly backs that up with Hydra and 1,800+ servers.
Avast VPN sells convenience. It is a good VPN to leave running if the antivirus is already on your machine, and the trial costs nothing but a card number.
We recommend Hotspot Shield for most readers, because a bigger network solves more problems than a longer trial.
Pick Avast if the bundle maths works and your online activities rarely leave your own country.
More of Avast VPN Compared
How Avast lands against the rivals people cross-shop it with:
Avast VPN vs NordVPN
Avast VPN wins on: the 60 day trial, the antivirus bundle, Smart VPN rules
NordVPN wins on: audited no-logs policy, roughly ten times the servers, consistent long-distance speeds
Avast VPN vs Surfshark VPN
Avast VPN wins on: familiarity for existing Avast customers, Android TV support, bundled malware tools
Surfshark wins on: unlimited device connections, far lower monthly cost, published audit history
Avast VPN vs ProtonVPN
Avast VPN wins on: simpler first-run setup, one bill for antivirus and tunnel, longer trial period
ProtonVPN wins on: Swiss jurisdiction, open-source clients, a genuinely usable free plan
More of Hotspot Shield Compared
And the same treatment for Hotspot Shield:
Hotspot Shield wins on: nearby-server throughput, a free tier for testing, 45 day refund window
ExpressVPN wins on: router firmware, audited infrastructure, wider country coverage
Hotspot Shield vs CyberGhost
Hotspot Shield wins on: raw Hydra speed, browser extensions, quicker connection times
CyberGhost wins on: server count, purpose-built streaming profiles, cheaper long-term plans
Hotspot Shield vs PrivadoVPN
Hotspot Shield wins on: network size, streaming breadth, P2P on all servers
PrivadoVPN wins on: Swiss privacy base, a 10 GB monthly free plan, lower renewal pricing
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Avast VPN actually work?
Yes. It encrypts your traffic and hides your IP address on public networks. Streaming results are patchy and speeds drop on distant servers, but everyday browsing is covered.
Is Avast SecureLine VPN safe to use?
It uses AES-256 encryption, a kill switch and leak protection. The no-logs claim has never been audited independently, and the company settled an FTC data case in February 2024.
Why is Avast SecureLine VPN on my computer?
It usually arrives bundled with the antivirus or a free installer. Plenty of people find it there without remembering the install. Remove it from your list of installed programs.
Is Hotspot Shield actually free?
There is a permanent free tier. It is ad-supported, capped at one device and one US location, and unlocks no streaming. Traffic is unlimited, but features sit behind the paid plan.
Is there a better VPN than Hotspot Shield?
For privacy, yes. NordVPN and ProtonVPN publish fuller audits and cost less per month. For speed on nearby servers, few rivals beat it outright.
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