Choosing a VPN can feel overwhelming.
You want online privacy and security, but which service is right for you?
ProtonVPN and Hotspot Shield are popular choices, but they have differences.
How do you decide which is better?
This article breaks down ProtonVPN vs Hotspot Shield.
We’ll compare their speeds, security features, pricing, and more.
Overview
We put ProtonVPN and Hotspot Shield through rigorous testing to see how they stack up.
Our analysis included speed tests, security checks, and evaluations of their features, pricing, and ease of use.
This comparison is based on our hands-on experience.
Experience true online freedom with Proton VPN’s strong security and privacy features.
Pricing: 30-day money-back guarantee. Plan Starts at €4.49/month
Key Features:
- Secure Core servers
- NetShield ad-blocker
- Strong encryption protocols
Want to experience blazing-fast speeds? Check out our in-depth Hotspot Shield review!
Pricing: Free plan is available. Plan Starts at $6.66/month
Key Features:
- 80+ countries
- 10 device connections
- Malware protection
What is ProtonVPN?
Want a VPN that’s serious about privacy? Check out ProtonVPN.
They’re based in Switzerland. This means that they have strong privacy laws.
They also have some unique security features. They offer a free version.
Also, explore our favorite ProtonVPN alternatives…
Enhance your online security with ProtonVPN. Choose a free plan with unlimited data or a premium plan starting at €4.99 monthly to unlock advanced features. Begin your secure browsing experience today.
Key Benefits
- Security-focused features: Secure Core servers and strong encryption.
- Privacy-conscious: Strict no-logs policy.
- NetShield ad-blocker: Blocks ads and malware.
- Open source apps: Transparency and community audits.
- A free version is available: Test it out before you commit.
Pricing
ProtonVPN offers a free plan with limited features. Want more? They have paid plans to suit your needs.
- 1 Month Plan: €9.99/month
- 2-Year Plan: €4.49/month
- 1-Year Plan: €4.99/month
Pros
Cons
What is Hotspot Shield?
Have you ever needed Wi-Fi on the go? At a coffee shop or the airport? Hotspot Shield is perfect for that.
It’s a super-easy-to-use VPN that protects your connection and protects your eyes.
They have a unique protocol called Catapult Hydra. It’s designed for speed and security.
This makes Hotspot Shield great for streaming and gaming. Plus, they have servers all over the world.
So you can access websites and content from anywhere.
Also, explore our favorite Hotspot Shield alternatives…
Want blazing-fast VPN speeds? Hotspot Shield boasts a network of over 3,200 servers in 80+ countries optimized for streaming and downloading.
Key Benefits
- Fast and reliable connections: Their Catapult Hydra protocol is known for its speed.
- Wide server coverage: They have servers in 80+ countries.
- Strong security features: Military-grade encryption and a kill switch.
- Built-in malware protection: Helps you avoid malicious websites and downloads.
- User-friendly apps: Easy to set up and use on any device.
Pricing
Hotspot Shield keeps it simple with these plans:
- Basic: Free – The fastest free VPN with unlimited bandwidth and data.
- Premium Subscription: $6.66 monthly. 125+ virtual location for maximum security and the ultra-fast streraming.
Pros
Cons
Feature Comparison
Let’s see how these two popular VPNs stack up feature by feature.
This comparison will help you decide which VPN service is the best VPN for your needs.
1. Speed and Performance
- Proton VPN: Offers good speeds, especially on its proton vpn’s paid plans, but can be inconsistent depending on vpn server load and distance. Focuses on secure core for routing vpn traffic. Not always the fastest VPN.
- Hotspot Shield: Generally faster VPN than ProtonVPN, particularly on premium servers. Known for its speed, making it suitable for bandwidth-intensive activities.
2. Security and Privacy
- Proton VPN: Strong encryption, secure core routing, and a focus on security and privacy, including Tor over VPN. Known for its commitment to user privacy.
- Hotspot Shield: Uses strong encryption, but past logging practices have raised some concerns for privacy-focused users. States it keeps no logs of browsing activity. Some vpn reviews have mentioned these concerns.
3. Server Network
- Proton VPN: Has a growing network with strategically located servers, although smaller than Hotspot Shield’s.
- Hotspot Shield: Offers a larger server network across more locations, providing more options for bypassing geo-restrictions and making it a good choice for vpn for streaming.
4. Ease of Use
- Proton VPN: User-friendly VPN app interface, easy to install and use a VPN on various devices. A good vpn client.
- Hotspot Shield: Clean and simple interface, very easy to connect to the VPN, even for beginners.
5. Streaming and Torrenting
- Proton VPN: Allows streaming, but speeds might not be as consistently fast as Hotspot Shield’s for some users. Supports torrenting on some servers.
- Hotspot Shield: Performs well for streaming services like Netflix, often providing faster speeds for accessing content. Supports torrenting. This makes it a best VPN for Netflix.
6. Customer Support
- Proton VPN: Offers email support and a helpful knowledge base.
- Hotspot Shield: Offers support through live chat and email.
7. Device Compatibility
- Proton VPN: Compatible with major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. Offers apps for most platforms.
- Hotspot Shield: Compatible with major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. Offers apps and browser extensions. Good for Android.
What to Look for When Choosing a VPN?
- No-logs policy: Ensure the VPN provider doesn’t store your browsing activity. This is crucial for privacy.
- Kill switch: This feature cuts your internet connection if the VPN drops, preventing data leaks.
- DNS leak protection: Prevents your DNS requests from being exposed to your ISP.
- Server locations: Based on your needs (e.g., accessing content from specific countries), consider where you need servers.
- Customer support: A responsive team can be invaluable if you encounter issues.
- Free trial or money-back guarantee: You can test the VPN risk-free before committing.
- Independent audits: Look for VPNs that undergo third-party audits to verify their security and privacy claims.
Final Verdict
Choosing between Hotspot Shield vs ProtonVPN depends on your priorities.
For speed and streaming, Hotspot Shield is better, especially if you’re considering its free version, making it one of the best free vpns available.
The fact that Hotspot Shield offers a seven-day free trial also lets you test its premium features before committing to a subscription with Hotspot Shield.
However, if security and privacy are your top concerns, ProtonVPN is the stronger choice. While Hotspot Shield also offers a free VPN service, ProtonVPN also has a free plan.
Proton also has a good reputation.
Remember to compare Hotspot Shield and ProtonVPN against other best vpns like NordVPN and ExpressVPN to get the best VPN for your needs.
Our hands-on testing and in-depth analysis of Hotspot Shield and ProtonVPN, along with other vpns available, including their free and paid plans, gives us confidence in these recommendations.
More of ProtonVPN
We’ve explored alternatives to ProtonVPN, so how does ProtonVPN stack up directly against them?
- ProtonVPN vs NordVPN: NordVPN generally offers faster speeds and a larger server network, while ProtonVPN focuses more on privacy and has a free plan with no data limits.
- ProtonVPN vs ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN is often faster and more reliable for streaming, while ProtonVPN provides strong security features and a transparent open-source approach.
- ProtonVPN vs PureVPN: ProtonVPN is generally considered better overall with faster speeds and stronger security, while PureVPN boasts a larger server count.
- ProtonVPN vs SurfsharkVPN: Surfshark is often more affordable and allows unlimited connections, while ProtonVPN is known for slightly faster speeds and stronger privacy features.
- ProtonVPN vs PrivadoVPN: ProtonVPN offers a wider server network and a stronger focus on privacy, while PrivadoVPN provides a decent free plan and good speeds.
- ProtonVPN vs AdGuard VPN: AdGuard VPN’s strength is its ad-blocking integration, while ProtonVPN is a more comprehensive VPN that focuses on security and privacy.
- ProtonVPN vs Virtual Shield: ProtonVPN offers more advanced security features and better performance than the simpler Virtual Shield.
- ProtonVPN vs StrongVPN: ProtonVPN generally has better speeds and a larger server network, while StrongVPN is known for strong encryption.
- ProtonVPN vs FastestVPN: ProtonVPN is typically faster and offers stronger privacy features compared to the budget-friendly FastestVPN.
- ProtonVPN vs AuraVPN: ProtonVPN focuses on VPN security and privacy, while AuraVPN includes identity theft protection.
- ProtonVPN vs CyberGhost: CyberGhost is user-friendly with specialized servers, while ProtonVPN emphasizes security and privacy with features like Secure Core.
- ProtonVPN vs McAfee VPN: ProtonVPN is a dedicated VPN service with stronger security and privacy features than the basic VPN included with McAfee.
- ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access: PIA is known for customization and a large server network, while ProtonVPN focuses on strong privacy and a transparent approach.
- ProtonVPN vs Mysterium: ProtonVPN uses a traditional server network known for security and speed, while Mysterium is a decentralized VPN.
More of Hotspot Shield
We’ve explored alternatives to Hotspot Shield, so how does Hotspot Shield stack up directly against them?
- Hotspot Shield vs NordVPN: NordVPN generally offers a larger server network, more advanced security features, and better unblocking capabilities for streaming services compared to Hotspot Shield’s sometimes inconsistent speeds.
- Hotspot Shield vs ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN is known for its consistently fast speeds and user-friendly interface, often outperforming Hotspot Shield in speed and reliability.
- Hotspot Shield vs SurfsharkVPN: Surfshark typically offers more features, unlimited connections, and often better value than Hotspot Shield.
- Hotspot Shield vs ProtonVPN: ProtonVPN focuses on strong security and privacy, while Hotspot Shield is known for its speed with the Hydra protocol.
- Hotspot Shield vs PrivadoVPN: PrivadoVPN strongly emphasizes privacy, while Hotspot Shield has a larger server network in more countries.
- Hotspot Shield vs AdGuard VPN: AdGuard VPN excels at ad and tracker blocking, while Hotspot Shield is a general-purpose VPN.
- Hotspot Shield vs Virtual Shield: Both are relatively basic VPNs, though Hotspot Shield has a more established presence.
- Hotspot Shield vs StrongVPN: StrongVPN is known for robust encryption, while Hotspot Shield is recognized for its speed with the Hydra protocol.
- Hotspot Shield vs FastestVPN: FastestVPN is a budget-friendly option. Hotspot Shield is known for its speed.
- Hotspot Shield vs AuraVPN: AuraVPN includes identity theft protection. Hotspot Shield focuses on providing fast connection speeds.
- Hotspot Shield vs CyberGhost: CyberGhost offers a larger server network and specialized servers, while Hotspot Shield is recognized for its speed.
- Hotspot Shield vs McAfee VPN: Hotspot Shield is a standalone VPN focused on speed, while McAfee VPN is often bundled with antivirus software.
- Hotspot Shield vs Private Internet Access: PIA offers a significantly larger server network and allows unlimited connections, while Hotspot Shield is known for its speed.
- Hotspot Shield vs Mysterium: Mysterium is a decentralized VPN, while Hotspot Shield uses a traditional server network focused on speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hotspot Shield a good VPN?
Yes, Hotspot Shield is a popular VPN with a free version of Hotspot Shield and premium options. Reviews like the Hotspot Shield VPN review often highlight its speed, making it a great VPN for streaming. However, consider your privacy needs as some reviews mention past logging concerns.
Are there any good free VPNs?
Several free vpns exist, including the free versions of Hotspot Shield and ProtonVPN. While they offer free service, they usually have limitations like data caps or fewer server options. For a truly robust experience, a premium VPN is generally recommended.
Which VPN is best for streaming Netflix?
Many best vpns for Netflix exist. Hotspot Shield is often cited as a good choice due to its speed, which allows the VPN to perform well for streaming. However, other well-known vpns like ExpressVPN and NordVPN are also strong contenders.
How do I choose the right VPN?
Choosing the best VPN depends on your needs. Consider what you want to use the VPN for. Do you need a vpn for all your needs, including streaming and security? Or are you primarily concerned with privacy and want to browse without a VPN tracking you? Research and compare many vpns before making a decision.
Can I share my VPN connection?
Some VPNs allow you to share your VPN connection with other devices on your network. This can be helpful for protecting all your devices at once. Check the terms of service for the specific VPN company you choose to see if this is allowed. If you are using hotspot you can also check if your device allows for sharing the connection. Consider your needs before you use the VPN. If you want a full vpn client make sure to check the features. If you are connected to a vpn be sure to check if it is secure.
