⚡ Verdict rapide :
- Tarification : PrivadoVPN starts at $1.11/month. Hotspot Shield Premium starts at $7.99/month.
- Idéal pour : PrivadoVPN for budget and privacy-first users. Hotspot Shield for speed and streaming.
- Différence principale : PrivadoVPN is based in Switzerland. Hotspot Shield is US-based and logs some session data.
- Notre choix : PrivadoVPN for most users. It costs far less and takes a stricter privacy stance.
Le moins cher VPN might be the safer pick here.
PrivadoVPN costs a fraction of what Hotspot Shield Premium costs.
Yet Hotspot Shield has more servers, a faster protocol, and wider streaming access.
So price isn’t the real question.
The real question is simple: do you want stronger privacy or raw speed?
Aperçu
This Hotspot Shield vs PrivadoVPN comparison covers pricing, privacy, speed, streaming, and security features.
Nous avons examiné la documentation, les pages de tarification et les avis des utilisateurs pour les deux. VPN services.
Nos rédacteurs ont également passé du temps à manipuler chaque plante.
Those observations appear in the “What Our Team Noticed” sections below.
À la fin, vous saurez quel VPN correspond à vos besoins.
Qu'est-ce que Hotspot Shield ?
Hotspot Shield is a VPN that creates an encrypted VPN tunnel for your internet traffic.
It hides your originating IP address from websites and your internet provider.
L'entreprise est basée aux États-Unis.
Its big selling point is speed, powered by the proprietary Hydra protocol.
Hotspot Shield markets itself as the fastest VPN for streaming and gaming.
Native apps cover Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, and Linux (command line).
Here’s a quick look at how Hotspot Shield works.
Hotspot Shield
Hydra-powered speeds and wide streaming access. Premium covers up to ten devices. Our full Hotspot Shield review digs deeper into logs and speed.
Tarification de Hotspot Shield
Hotspot Shield subscription options are simple: one free tier and one paid tier.
| Plan | Prix | Idéal pour |
|---|---|---|
| Gratuit | $0 | Light browsing on one device |
| Prime | 7,99 $/mois | Streaming, speed, and up to 10 devices |
Pricing verified September 2026.
Essai gratuit : No classic trial. Hotspot Shield’s free VPN plan works as an open-ended test drive. Reports differ on its data limit, from unlimited traffic to 500 MB per day.
Garantie de remboursement : Premium comes with a 45 day money back guarantee.
📌 Note: A Hotspot Shield subscription unlocks live chat, streaming servers, and 10 simultaneous device connections. You can pay by credit card or PayPal. Bitcoin isn’t accepted.
⚠️ Price check: Hotspot Shield’s site also lists $12.99 billed monthly. A Family plan covering five users shows as $19.99 monthly or $11.99 on annual billing. Hotspot Shield deals change often, so confirm at checkout.
Principaux avantages de Hotspot Shield
Voici pourquoi Hotspot Shield mérite d'être pris en considération :
- Connexions rapides : The Windows app connects in about 4 to 5 seconds. That’s quick compared to many VPN providers.
- Réseau de serveurs étendu : Over 1,800 servers span 80 countries. P2P traffic is allowed on all of them.
- Streaming reach: Premium unblocks US Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video. It also reaches UK, German, Japanese, and Canadian Netflix libraries.
- Up to ten devices: One premium plan covers 10 devices at the same time.
- Tunnelage fractionné : You decide which apps or websites skip the VPN.
- Long refund window: You get 45 days to ask for your money back.
Ce que notre équipe a remarqué
Notre écrivain signed up for Hotspot Shield Premium for daily browsing and streaming. Here’s what stood out:
Avantages et inconvénients de Hotspot Shield
✅ Avantages
- Hydra protocol connects in a few seconds
- Unblocks Disney+, HBO Max, and BBC iPlayer
- 1,800+ servers across 80 countries
- 45-day refund window on premium plans
❌ Inconvénients
- US-based and logs some session data
- Le coupe-circuit ne fonctionne qu'avec le protocole Hydra.
- Free version is ad-supported and shares data with advertisers
- Pricing sits on the higher end
Qu'est-ce que PrivadoVPN ?
PrivadoVPN is a VPN service run by Privado Networks AG in Switzerland.
Switzerland has strong consumer privacy laws.
The company promises a zero-log policy for browsing history, IP addresses, and DNS queries.
Its free version gives you 10GB of data every 30 days.
Paid plans add unlimited data and up to 10 simultaneous connections.
Apps run on Windows, Mac, Androïde, iOS, Fire TV, and Android TV.
This short video walks through the PrivadoVPN app.
PrivadoVPN
Swiss privacy at a budget price. The free plan even unblocks US Netflix. Our PrivadoVPN review covers speeds and streaming in detail.
Tarifs de PrivadoVPN
PrivadoVPN pricing rewards longer plans. The two-year option is the cheapest per month.
| Plan | Prix | Idéal pour |
|---|---|---|
| 24 mois d'abonnement VPN illimité + 3 abonnements gratuits | 1,11 $/mois | Meilleure valeur à long terme |
| 12 mois d'abonnement VPN illimité + 3 offres gratuites | 1,33 $/mois | One-year commitment on a budget |
| Forfait 1 mois | 10,99 $/mois | Short trips or testing premium |
Pricing verified September 2026.
Essai gratuit : No trial needed. The free plan caps how much data you use at 10GB every 30 days.
Garantie de remboursement : Paid plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
📌 Note: PrivadoVPN accepts credit cards, PayPal, and cryptocurrencies. Paid plans remove the data cap and unlock the full server list.
⚠️ Price check: Some review sites list the two-year plan at $1.99/month, renewing at $3.99. They show the annual plan at $2.50/month, renewing at $4.99. Confirm the current rate at checkout.
Principaux avantages de PrivadoVPN
Voici pourquoi PrivadoVPN mérite d'être pris en considération :
- Swiss privacy: PrivadoVPN says it can’t hand browsing data to law enforcement. It simply doesn’t keep it.
- Plan gratuit généreux : Free users get 10GB every 30 days and 12 free servers. That free service even unblocks US Netflix.
- 10 connexions simultanées : Cover phones, laptops, smart TVs, and other mobile devices on one account.
- Multiple security protocols: Pick WireGuard, OpenVPN, or IKEv2. All use AES-256 encryption.
- PhantomMode: This 2026 feature keeps system-level privacy protection on if the VPN briefly disconnects.
- Privado Sentry: An optional antivirus add-on with cloud scanning and threat quarantine.
Ce que notre équipe a remarqué
Our writer used PrivadoVPN’s free and paid plans for browsing and streaming. Here’s what stood out:
Avantages et inconvénients de PrivadoVPN
✅ Avantages
- Swiss-based with a zero-log policy
- Free plan gives 10GB of data every 30 days
- Paid plans start at $1.11/month
- Unblocks US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video
- Compatible avec WireGuard, OpenVPN et IKEv2
❌ Inconvénients
- Aucun tiers audit of its logging claims
- Small server network of about 330 servers
- Assistance par chat en direct 24h/24 et 7j/7 non disponible
- iOS app lacks a kill switch and split tunneling
Comparaison des fonctionnalités
Ready to compare Hotspot Shield vs PrivadoVPN in detail? We’ll walk through 10 key areas to help you pick the right VPN.
| Fonctionnalité | Hotspot Shield | PrivadoVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Prix initial | 7,99 $/mois | 1,11 $/mois |
| Plan gratuit | ✅ Ad-supported | ✅ 10GB every 30 days |
| Interrupteur d'arrêt d'urgence | ✅ Hydra uniquement | ✅ Not on iOS |
| Tunnelage fractionné | ✅ | ✅ Not on iOS or macOS |
| Connexions simultanées | 10 | 10 |
| Réseau de serveurs | Plus de 1 800 dans 80 pays | About 330 in 46–49 countries |
| Unblocks Disney+ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Crypto Paiements | ❌ | ✅ |
| Chat en direct 24h/24 et 7j/7 | ✅ Premium uniquement | ❌ |
| Idéal pour | Vitesse et streaming | Budget and privacy |
1. Vitesse et performance
Bouclier Hotspot : Speed is the headline feature. In published speed tests, Hotspot Shield recorded 210 Mbps downloads in the UK. US downloads hit 190 Mbps. Hotspot Shield’s speeds were also recognized in 2026 for streaming performance.
PrivadoVPN : PrivadoVPN’s WireGuard protocol reached 830–880 Mbps download speeds in one test. On a local server, speed loss was only 8–15%. Long-distance links lost 10–25%, which still works for streaming. The free version runs about as fast as the paid one.
⚠️ Avertissement: Other PrivadoVPN tests showed a 48% average speed loss. Download speeds fell 71.6%, upload speeds dropped 58.6%, and latency rose 83%. Your results depend on server and protocol.
2. Chiffrement et protocoles VPN
Bouclier Hotspot : Hotspot Shield’s Hydra protocol is a proprietary VPN protocol built for speed and security. WireGuard and IKEv2 are available too. Hydra is the default for most users.
PrivadoVPN : PrivadoVPN supports OpenVPN and IKEv2, plus WireGuard. All three are well-known vpn protocols. AES-256 encryption protects your data on each one.
3. Kill Switch & Leak Protection
Bouclier Hotspot : The kill switch blocks internet access if a VPN server goes offline. The catch is that it only works with Hydra. Switch to WireGuard or IKEv2, and it turns off. You enable the Windows kill switch from the settings menu.
PrivadoVPN : PrivadoVPN’s kill switch feature cuts your internet connection when the VPN connection drops. That stops your real IP address from leaking. The Android app includes it, but the iOS app doesn’t.
💡 Conseil de pro : After setup, run a free IP leak protection test and a DNS leak protection test. This confirms your DNS requests stay inside the tunnel. It’s the easiest way to catch DNS leaks tôt.
4. Confidentialité et journalisation
Bouclier Hotspot : Hotspot Shield claims a strict no logs policy and cites a 2023 independent audit. Still, Hotspot Shield logs IP addresses at the start of VPN sessions. It deletes them afterward. It also stores session duration, bandwidth used, and accessed domains in anonymized form.
The privacy Hotspot Shield offers has other gaps too. It hasn’t released transparency reports since 2019. Its US base sits inside the Five Eyes alliance. Hotspot Shield’s free version also shares user data with third-party advertisers.
PrivadoVPN : PrivadoVPN says it doesn’t log browsing history, traffic destination, IP addresses, or DNS queries. It does collect email addresses and device identifiers, but doesn’t link them to activity. Servers use disk encryption, though they aren’t RAM-only.
⚠️ Avertissement: Reports conflict on Hotspot Shield’s audit. Some reviewers say no independent audit has verified its privacy claims. PrivadoVPN has no third-party audit, transparency reports, or warrant canary either. Its policy also says some data may be stored indefinitely.
5. Réseau de serveurs
Bouclier Hotspot : Hotspot Shield hosts over 1,800 VPN servers across 80 countries. That’s a wide choice of server locations and virtual locations. P2P traffic is allowed on every one of Hotspot Shield’s servers.
PrivadoVPN : PrivadoVPN’s server network is small, with about 330 servers. Sources list between 46 and 49 countries. The average VPN offers around 1,600 servers. Like many VPN companies, it mixes physical servers with some virtual servers.
💡 Conseil de pro : PrivadoVPN’s servers have no map view, so picking a location takes a list scroll. Power users wanting more extensive server networks often pick NordVPN or Surfshark. Both also publish audits.
6. Diffusion en continu
Bouclier Hotspot : Hotspot Shield Premium unblocks US Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video. Reviewers testing Hotspot Shield also reached BBC iPlayer, ITV, and Channel 4. Hotspot Shield performed poorly with 9Now and 10 Play. Dedicated streaming servers are premium-only, and the free plan unblocks nothing.
Premium also includes unlimited bandwidth, so long streaming sessions don’t hit a cap.
PrivadoVPN : PrivadoVPN unblocks US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video. It misses Disney+ and Netflix in Australie, Canada, and Japan. BBC iPlayer access varies by server. Paid plans can stream in Ultra HD without buffering.
✅ Résultat: Hotspot Shield has wider streaming capabilities across Netflix libraries. Most free VPNs can’t unblock Netflix. PrivadoVPN’s free version still unblocks US Netflix.
7. Apps, Devices & Split Tunneling
Bouclier Hotspot : Hotspot Shield’s split tunneling lets you pick which apps or websites use the VPN. Hotspot Shield’s mobile apps include it too. The Android and iOS apps are easy to use. The Android app can automatically connect on unsecured networks. The iOS app has an Always-on VPN feature.
The Mac app is weaker. It’s a stripped-down version of the Windows app, without auto connect or keyboard shortcuts. Overall, the Hotspot Shield app has a simple interface that connects quickly.
PrivadoVPN : PrivadoVPN’s Windows app includes split tunneling called SmartRoute. It isn’t available on iOS or macOS. The PrivadoVPN app looks the same across platforms, but the Windows window can’t be resized. Some reviews mention slow connection times on certain devices.
8. Outils de sécurité supplémentaires
Bouclier Hotspot : Hotspot Shield sticks to core VPN tools. Hotspot Shield’s browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox let you switch locations inside your browser. There’s no antivirus add-on or SOCKS5 proxy.
PrivadoVPN : PrivadoVPN adds a SOCKS5 proxy for routing single apps or web traffic without full encryption. PhantomMode keeps system-level privacy protection active during brief disconnects.
For malware protection, PrivadoVPN offers Privado Sentry. This optional add-on scans threats in the cloud and quarantines them. It adds online security against malicious websites and infected downloads.
⚠️ Avertissement: PrivadoVPN has no multi-hop feature, dedicated IP address, or ad blocker. Its apps are lighter on extras than many competitors.
9. Assistance clientèle
Bouclier Hotspot : Hotspot Shield’s support team offers live chat support, but only for premium accounts. Free users get far less direct help.
PrivadoVPN : PrivadoVPN offers live chat and email, but no 24/7 live chat. Its support site has limited content. Expect slower replies when you use email.
10. Tarification et coût
Comparons les plans tarifaires côte à côte.
| Plan | Hotspot Shield | PrivadoVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Gratuit | 0 $ (financé par la publicité) | Free version (10GB every 30 days) |
| Prime | 7,99 $/mois | — |
| Forfait 1 mois | — | 10,99 $/mois |
| 12 mois d'abonnement VPN illimité + 3 offres gratuites | — | 1,33 $/mois |
| 24 mois d'abonnement VPN illimité + 3 abonnements gratuits | — | 1,11 $/mois |
Bouclier Hotspot : Most VPN providers charge around $3 to $5 per month on annual plans. That puts Hotspot Shield on the higher end. The 45-day refund window lowers the risk of trying it.
PrivadoVPN : PrivadoVPN’s two-year plan costs a fraction of Hotspot Shield Premium. You also get crypto payments and a 30-day refund window. For pure value, it’s hard to beat.
Différents scénarios
| Si vous avez besoin | Choisir | Pourquoi |
|---|---|---|
| budget serré | PrivadoVPN | Abonnements à partir de 1,11 $/mois |
| Disney+ or many Netflix libraries | Hotspot Shield | Wider streaming unblocking |
| Navigation axée sur la confidentialité | PrivadoVPN | Swiss base, zero-log policy |
| Fast speeds in many countries | Hotspot Shield | Hydra plus 1,800+ servers |
| A free VPN you’ll actually use | PrivadoVPN | No ads, unblocks US Netflix |
| Assistance par chat en direct | Hotspot Shield | Premium live chat support |
| Applications adaptées aux débutants | PrivadoVPN | Simple, consistent design |
💰 Votre budget
PrivadoVPN costs far less on long plans. Most VPN users only need Hotspot Shield if speed and streaming reach matter.
🔌 Vos appareils
Both cover 10 devices on paid plans, including smart TVs and phones. Hotspot Shield adds a Linux app, while PrivadoVPN adds Android TV.
🎬 Vos habitudes de streaming
Hotspot Shield handles Disney+ and more Netflix regions. PrivadoVPN covers US Netflix and BBC iPlayer on a small budget.
🎓 Votre niveau d'expérience
Both apps are easy for beginners. The Hotspot Shield process is one tap, and PrivadoVPN is nearly as simple.
🆓 Essais et démos gratuits
Try each free version before you pay. PrivadoVPN’s free plan is more useful, since it has no ads.
🛟 Options d'assistance
Hotspot Shield gives premium users live chat. PrivadoVPN’s support is thinner, with no 24/7 chat.
🔒 Confidentialité en ligne
PrivadoVPN’s Swiss base beats Hotspot Shield’s US location for online privacy. Neither has an undisputed third-party audit.
Guide de changement
Already paying for one of these VPN apps? Here’s what changes if you switch.
🔄 Switching from Hotspot Shield to PrivadoVPN?
✅ Ce que vous y gagnerez :
- Swiss jurisdiction and a zero-log policy
- Much lower long-term pricing
- Crypto payments and a SOCKS5 proxy
❌ Ce que vous perdrez :
- Disney+ and extra Netflix regions
- A 1,800+ server network
- Premium live chat support
📋 Comment changer :
- Cancel Hotspot Shield within the refund window if you want money back.
- Create a PrivadoVPN account and install the app on each device.
- Choose WireGuard and turn on the VPN kill switch. Then run a leak test to confirm a secure connection.
🔄 Switching from PrivadoVPN to Hotspot Shield?
✅ Ce que vous y gagnerez :
- vitesse du protocole Hydra
- Wider streaming unblocking
- A longer 45-day refund window
❌ Ce que vous perdrez :
- juridiction suisse en matière de protection de la vie privée
- A much lower long-term price
- A kill switch that works on every protocol
📋 Comment changer :
- Note which apps you route through SmartRoute.
- Sign up for Hotspot Shield Premium and install the apps.
- Keep Hydra selected so the kill switch stays active.
Ce que notre analyse n'a pas couvert
This comparison focused on individual users and small households. We didn’t evaluate gaming servers, ping, or port forwarding in depth. Hotspot Shield’s Family plan wasn’t part of this review. Our observations reflect the September 2026 versions, so features and prices may change.
Verdict final
| Catégorie | Gagnant |
|---|---|
| 💰 Tarification | PrivadoVPN |
| 🆓 Forfait gratuit | PrivadoVPN |
| 🔒 Confidentialité et journalisation | PrivadoVPN |
| 🛡️ Security Tools | PrivadoVPN |
| ⚡ Vitesse et performance | Hotspot Shield |
| 🎬 Diffusion en continu | Hotspot Shield |
| 🌍 Réseau de serveurs | Hotspot Shield |
| 🏆 Vainqueur toutes catégories | PrivadoVPN |
🏆 WINNER: PRIVADOVPN
PrivadoVPN wins 4 out of 7 categories.
Idéal pour : Budget users, privacy-first browsing, and anyone who wants a solid free VPN
Hotspot Shield and PrivadoVPN solve the same problem in different ways. Hotspot Shield chases speed and streaming reach. PrivadoVPN focuses on privacy and value.
We’d recommend Hotspot Shield to speed-focused users who stream Disney+ or voyage widely. Just accept the US jurisdiction and the session data it keeps.
For most people, PrivadoVPN is the better buy. It costs far less, is based in Switzerland, and has the stronger free plan.
Comparaison plus approfondie de Hotspot Shield
Here’s how Hotspot Shield stacks up against other VPN services:
Hotspot Shield l'emporte sur : a free tier, a 45-day refund window versus 30 days, and Hydra’s quick connections
NordVPN l'emporte sur : independent no-logs audits, a Panama base outside Five Eyes, and Double VPN routing
Hotspot Shield l'emporte sur : Disney+ unblocking, premium streaming servers, and live chat for paying users
Proton VPN l'emporte sur : a Swiss base, an ad-free free plan with no data cap, and open-source, audited apps
Hotspot Shield contre Surfshark
Hotspot Shield l'emporte sur : a free plan, a longer refund window, and the Hydra protocol
Surfshark l'emporte sur : unlimited devices, audited no-logs claims, and a built-in ad blocker
Comparatif de PrivadoVPN
Voici comment PrivadoVPN se compare aux autres fournisseurs de VPN :
PrivadoVPN l'emporte sur : a usable free plan, a lower two-year price, and Swiss jurisdiction
NordVPN l'emporte sur : more servers, published audits, and extras like dedicated IPs and multi-hop
PrivadoVPN l'emporte sur : US Netflix on the free tier, a cheaper entry price, and a SOCKS5 proxy
Proton VPN l'emporte sur : no data cap on its free plan, independent audits, and Secure Core multi-hop servers
PrivadoVPN contre Surfshark
PrivadoVPN l'emporte sur : a real free plan, Swiss privacy law, and a lower starting price
Surfshark l'emporte sur : unlimited devices, a bigger network, and 24/7 live chat
Foire aux questions
Hotspot Shield est-il vraiment gratuit ?
Yes, a free version exists. It’s ad-supported, limited to one device and one US location, and can’t unblock streaming services. Premium removes those limits.
Peut-on faire confiance à Hotspot Shield ?
Partly. It claims a 2023 audit. But it’s US-based, logs some session data, and has no transparency reports since 2019. Privacy-focused users may prefer a Swiss VPN.
PrivadoVPN est-il entièrement gratuit ?
It has a free plan with 10GB of data every 30 days on one device. Unlimited data and 10 connections require a paid plan.
Le VPN Privado est-il compatible avec Netflix ?
Yes. It unblocks US Netflix, even on the free plan. It doesn’t unblock Netflix in Australia, Canada, or Japon, or Disney+.
Existe-t-il un meilleur VPN que Hotspot Shield ?
It depends on your priorities. PrivadoVPN is cheaper and Swiss-based. NordVPN and Proton VPN offer audited privacy. Hotspot Shield still leads on streaming reach.
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