⚡ Kort oordeel:
- Prijzen: Norton VPN starts at $3.33/month. Hotspot Shield has a free plan, and Premium costs $7.99/month.
- Het meest geschikt voor: Norton VPN for everyday beveiliging. Hotspot Shield for streaming and speed.
- Belangrijkste verschil: Norton covers fewer than 30 countries. Hotspot Shield offers 80+ virtual locations.
- Onze keuze: Norton VPN for most users. It costs less and adds more privacy tools.
The VPN with the bigger server network isn’t our top pick.
Hotspot Shield covers 80+ virtual locations and unblocks more streaming services.
Norton VPN reaches fewer than 30 countries.
Yet Norton costs less and adds tools like Dark Web Monitoring.
So which secure VPN should you trust with your online privacy?
It depends on whether you care more about streaming or everyday safety.
Overzicht
This Norton VPN vs Hotspot Shield comparison covers pricing, security, speed, streaming, and apps.
We reviewed documentation, pricing pages, and third-party speed tests for both VPN providers.
Our writers also spent hands-on time with each VPN app.
Die observaties staan beschreven in de onderstaande secties 'Wat ons team heeft opgemerkt'.
Wat is Norton VPN?
Norton VPN comes from Norton, a long-running security company.
You may also see it sold as Norton Secure VPN.
It encrypts your online traffic and hides your IP addresses from websites.
It also protects your internet connection on public Wi-Fi.
Apps are available for Windows, Mac, Android en iOS.
You can buy it alone or inside a Norton 360 bundle with antivirus software.
Norton VPN
A simple VPN from a well-known security brand. It adds tracker blocking and Wi-Fi alerts. Read our full Norton Secure VPN review for setup tips.
Norton VPN-prijzen
Dit zijn de kosten van Norton VPN in 2026.
| Plan | Prijs | Het beste voor |
|---|---|---|
| Standaard | $3,33/maand | Budget users with basic needs |
| Deluxe | $4,17/maand | Households with more devices |
| Select Plus | $8,33/maand | Users who want the widest coverage |
Pricing verified September 2026.
Gratis proefperiode: There’s no free plan. The refund window is your risk-free test.
Geld-terug-garantie: 60 days for annual subscribers and 14 days on monthly plans.
📌 Opmerking: Other published pricing lists device-based plans. One device costs $5 monthly. Five devices cost $3.33/month billed annually, then renew at $6.66. Ten devices cost $5/month, renewing at $8.33. Norton takes credit card and PayPal, but not crypto.
⚠️ Waarschuwing: Renewal prices climb after year one. Promo sales have offered $9.99 for the first year, renewing at $49.99 per year. Our table uses our own CSV figures, so confirm the price at checkout.
Belangrijkste voordelen van Norton VPN
Here’s what makes Norton VPN worth a look:
- Noodstop: It cuts traffic if the VPN connection drops. Your real IP address stays hidden.
- Blokkeren van advertentietrackers: The tracker blocker works across all platforms. Pages load with fewer ads.
- Detectie van gecompromitteerde netwerken: It warns you before you join an unsecured network. That helps prevent identity theft.
- Protocol Choice: Pick WireGuard, OpenVPN, or Norton’s own Mimic protocol. Each balances speed and security differently.
- Anti-Throttling: Your ISP can’t see your online activities. That can stop bandwidth throttling.
- Norton 360 Bundles: Add antivirus features like malware blocking. Some tiers include parental controls too.
Wat ons team opmerkte
Ons schrijver signed up for Norton VPN and explored its apps. Here’s what stood out from that hands-on time:
Norton VPN: Plus- en minpunten
✅ Voordelen
- Paid plans start at $3.33/month
- Kill switch en split tunneling op Windows en Android
- Ad tracker blocking works on every platform
- Dark Web Monitoring and public Wi-Fi alerts
- 60 dagen geld-terug-garantie op jaarabonnementen
❌ Nadelen
- Fewer than 30 server countries, with no city choice
- Geen IPv6-lekbescherming
- iOS app lacks a kill switch and split tunneling
- Can’t get past firewalls in China or Iran
Wat is Hotspot Shield?
Hotspot Shield is a VPN app that builds an encrypted tunnel for your internet traffic.
It runs on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.
There’s also a Linux command line app and an Amazon Fire TV app.
Its patented Hydra protocol is built for speed.
Hotspot Shield offers a free version and a paid Premium plan.
Premium covers up to ten devices and unlocks dedicated streaming servers.
Hotspot Shield
A speed-first VPN with a free tier. Premium unblocks major streaming apps. Our Hotspot Shield VPN review covers each app in detail.
Hotspot Shield-prijzen
Dit zijn de kosten van Hotspot Shield in 2026.
| Plan | Prijs | Het beste voor |
|---|---|---|
| Vrij | $0 | Light browsing on one device |
| Premie | $7,99/maand | Streaming, gaming, and up to 10 devices |
Pricing verified September 2026.
Gratis proefperiode: Hotspot Shield free never expires. It’s ad-supported and locked to one US location.
Geld-terug-garantie: Paid plans include a 45 day money back guarantee.
📌 Opmerking: Hotspot Shield subscription options include monthly and annual billing. The $7.99 rate applies to the annual plan. Billed monthly, Premium costs $12.99. A Family plan covers five users for $19.99 monthly or $11.99 on the annual plan.
⚠️ Waarschuwing: Most VPN providers charge about $3 to $5 per month on annual plans. That puts Hotspot Shield on the pricey side. It accepts credit cards and PayPal, but not Bitcoin.
Belangrijkste voordelen van Hotspot Shield
Here’s why people pick Hotspot Shield:
- Hydra-protocol: This proprietary VPN protocol is designed for speed and security. It drives most of the performance gains.
- Groot servernetwerk: Over 1,800 servers span 80 countries. P2P traffic is allowed on all of them.
- Toegang tot streaming: Premium adds dedicated servers for Netflix and Disney+. It also reached BBC iPlayer, ITV, and Channel 4 in tests.
- 10 apparaten: One Premium account protects up to 10 devices at once.
- Splittunneling: Choose which apps or websites skip the VPN.
- Browser-extensies: Chrome and Firefox extensions let you switch locations from your browser.
Wat ons team opmerkte
Our writer signed up for Hotspot Shield and explored its apps. Here’s what caught our attention:
Voordelen en nadelen van Hotspot Shield
✅ Voordelen
- Premium unblocks Netflix in the US, UK, Germany, Japan, and Canada
- Over 1,800 servers across 80 countries
- Windows app connects in about 4 to 5 seconds
- Free version with no expiration date
❌ Nadelen
- Kill switch works only with the Hydra protocol
- Free version shares gegevens with third-party advertisers
- Live chat is limited to premium users
- No transparency reports since 2019
Functievergelijking
Here’s how Norton VPN and Hotspot Shield compare across ten key areas. Start with the summary table, then dig into each feature.
| Functie | Norton VPN | Hotspot Shield |
|---|---|---|
| Startprijs | $3,33/maand | Free / $7.99/month |
| Gratis plan | ❌ | ✅ |
| Noodstop | ✅ | ✅ (Alleen Hydra) |
| Split Tunneling | ✅ Windows & Android | ✅ |
| Serverlanden | Fewer than 30 | 80 |
| City Selection | ❌ | ✅ |
| Max-apparaten | 10 | 10 |
| Linux-app | ❌ | ✅ |
| Geld-terug-garantie | 60 dagen (jaarlijks) | 45 dagen |
| Het beste voor | Dagelijkse beveiliging | Streaming en snelheid |
1. Beveiliging en versleuteling
Norton VPN: Norton uses AES-256 encryption for all online traffic. Norton’s IP leak protection covers DNS and WebRTC. Compromised Network Detection also warns you about risky public Wi-Fi.
Hotspot Shield: It supports Hydra, WireGuard, and IKEv2. Its Windows kill switch blocks internet access if the VPN drops. That keeps your real IP address from leaking.
⚠️ Waarschuwing: Norton doesn’t mask IPv6 addresses. Hotspot Shield’s kill switch turns off when you use WireGuard or IKEv2.
2. Privacy- en logboekbeleid
Norton VPN: Norton claims a no logs policy. But the NortonLifeLock Global Privacy Statement allows some log information, like email addresses and timestamps. Norton also collects usage data for debugging.
Hotspot Shield: It logs your IP address at the start of VPN sessions, then deletes it. It also keeps session duration, bandwidth, and visited domains in anonymized form. Hotspot Shield claims a 2023 audit. Other reports say those claims lack independent proof.
⚠️ Waarschuwing: Both companies are based in the US, a Five Eyes member. Hotspot Shield’s free version also shares data with third-party advertisers.
3. Speed & Protocols
Norton VPN: Tests show Norton’s speeds dropping about 40% on US servers. Local servers stay fast, and the best sessions topped a 950Mbps median. Norton Secure VPN’s performance falls on distant servers, with one Japan test losing 73%.
https://youtu.be/vB3jd5KiBn8?si=u6TciXhkyYo1Kxxq
Hotspot Shield: Hotspot Shield’s Hydra protocol is why it markets itself as the fastest VPN. Testing Hotspot Shield, reviewers saw 210 Mbps in the UK. Hotspot Shield recorded 190 Mbps in the US. Upload speeds weren’t part of those results.
💡 Pro-tip: Always pick nearby VPN servers first. Connection speeds fall fast on long-distance routes with both tools.
4. Servernetwerk en locaties
Norton VPN: Norton Secure VPN’s servers number around 1,500. Sources list 28 or 29 countries. You can pick a country, but not a specific city.
Hotspot Shield: Hotspot Shield’s servers top 1,800 across 80 countries. P2P traffic works on every server. Hotspot Shield hosts dedicated gaming servers for Premium users too.
5. Streaming
Norton VPN: Norton unblocks US and Australian Netflix, Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer. It fails with Netflix UK, Canada, Japan, and Disney Plus. It’s fine for light use of popular streaming services.
Hotspot Shield: Premium unblocks US Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, and Prime Video. Hotspot Shield performed well beyond the US. It also reached Netflix in the UK, Germany, Japan, and Canada. It failed with 9Now and 10 Play.
6. Apps en gebruiksgemak
Norton VPN: Norton Secure VPN’s apps are simple. The Windows app is especially clean. Quick-connect picks the fastest server near you. On Android smartphones the app is feature-rich, but the iOS app lacks a kill switch.
Hotspot Shield: Hotspot Shield’s mobile apps are easy to use. The Android app can automatically connect on unsafe networks, and iOS offers Always-on VPN. The Mac app is stripped down, with no auto-connect or keyboard shortcuts.
7. Setup & Device Support
Norton VPN: On Windows or Mac, download it from your Norton account. On mobile devices, grab it from Google Play or the App Store and sign in. Plans cover one, five, or ten devices.
Hotspot Shield: Hotspot Shield premium accounts allow up to 10 simultaneous device connections. Free users get one secure connection on a single device. You also get a Fire TV app, while smart TVs need a router setup.
8. Bonus Privacy Tools
Norton VPN: Norton adds ad tracker blocking, Dark Web Monitoring, and Double VPN. Double VPN sends traffic through two servers for extra anonymity. Norton Secure VPN’s features include bonus features many VPNs skip.
Hotspot Shield: Hotspot Shield’s browser extensions let you change locations inside Chrome or Firefox. Hotspot Shield’s split tunneling can route specific apps or websites outside the VPN tunnel. Advanced features stay focused on speed, not identity tools.
9. Free Version & Customer Support
Norton VPN: Norton VPN has no free version. Its support library covers installation and troubleshooting steps. That’s the first stop if setup fails.
Hotspot Shield: Hotspot Shield free offers unlimited traffic on one US location. Some sources report limited data of 500 MB per day. Hotspot Shield’s free VPN is ad-supported and unblocks no streaming apps. Live chat support from Hotspot Shield’s support team is premium-only.
💡 Pro-tip: Check how much data you use daily before picking a free VPN.
10. Prijsbepaling en kosten
Here’s how the plans line up side by side.
| Plan | Norton VPN | Hotspot Shield |
|---|---|---|
| Vrij | ❌ | $0 |
| Betaald instapabonnement | Standaard: $3,33/maand | Premium: $7.99/month |
| Middelste plan | Deluxe: $4,17/maand | — |
| Topplan | Select Plus: $8,33/maand | — |
| Terugbetalingsperiode | 60 days annual / 14 days monthly | 45 dagen |
Norton VPN: Norton’s cheapest paid plan costs $4.66 less per month than Hotspot Shield Premium. Watch renewal rates on annual subscriptions. Is Norton Secure VPN worth it? For Norton 360 owners, the bundle is a good deal.
Hotspot Shield: Premium costs more than most VPNs charge for similar features. The free plan softens that. Hotspot Shield deals change often, so check the checkout page.
Verschillende scenario's
| Als u het nodig heeft... | Kiezen | Waarom |
|---|---|---|
| Goedkoopste betaalde abonnement | Norton VPN | Lagere instapprijs |
| Een gratis VPN | Hotspot Shield | Permanent free version |
| Global streaming libraries | Hotspot Shield | More Netflix regions and Disney+ |
| Veiligheid van openbare wifi-netwerken | Norton VPN | Unsafe network alerts |
| You already own Norton 360 | Norton VPN | Inclusief antivirussoftware |
| Linux or Fire TV | Hotspot Shield | Dedicated apps |
💰 Jouw budget
Norton VPN’s paid plans cost less than Hotspot Shield Premium. If you want to pay nothing, only Hotspot Shield has a free plan.
🔌 Uw apparaten
Both offer Android and iOS apps plus Windows and Mac. Hotspot Shield adds Linux and Fire TV apps.
📺 Jouw streaminggewoonten
Hotspot Shield unblocks more Netflix libraries plus Disney+. Norton handles US Netflix but misses several regions.
🎓 Jouw ervaringsniveau
Both apps connect in a few seconds with one tap. Norton’s quick-connect picks a server for you.
🆓 Gratis proefversies en demo's
Try Hotspot Shield free before paying anything. For Norton, use the 60-day refund window on annual plans.
🛟 Ondersteuningsopties
Hotspot Shield offers live chat, but only for paying users. Norton leans on a detailed support library.
Overstaphandleiding
Gebruik je al een van deze tools? Dit is wat er verandert als je overstapt.
🔄 Switching from Norton VPN to Hotspot Shield?
✅ Wat je eraan hebt:
- Server locations in 80 countries
- More streaming libraries, including Disney+
- A free plan plus Linux and Fire TV apps
❌ Wat je verliest:
- Dark Web Monitoring and Wi-Fi alerts
- Ad tracker blocking
- Lagere betaalde prijzen
📋 Zo schakel je over:
- Turn off auto-renew in your Norton account.
- Create a Hotspot Shield account. The Hotspot Shield process takes a few minutes.
- Install the Hotspot Shield app and connect to a local server.
🔄 Switching from Hotspot Shield to Norton VPN?
✅ Wat je eraan hebt:
- Goedkopere betaalde abonnementen
- DNS and WebRTC leak protection
- An optional Norton 360 antivirus bundle
❌ Wat je verliest:
- Hydra-protocolsnelheden
- City selection and a much bigger server list
- The free plan and browser extensions
📋 Zo schakel je over:
- Cancel Hotspot Shield within 45 days for a refund.
- Buy Norton VPN and download it from your Norton account.
- Sign in, check each device name, and enable the kill switch in the settings tab.
Wat onze recensie niet behandelde
This comparison focused on individual users and small households. We didn’t run our own speed test on every server. Speed figures come from third-party tests. We also skipped gaming latency, router setups, and censorship bypass in China or Iran. Our standalone Hotspot Shield review goes deeper on each app.
Eindconclusie
| Categorie | Winnaar |
|---|---|
| 💰 Paid Pricing | Norton VPN |
| 🔒 Security Tools | Norton VPN |
| 🕵️ Privacy & Logboekregistratie | Norton VPN |
| 🎁 Bonusfuncties | Norton VPN |
| ⚡ Snelheid | Hotspot Shield |
| 🌍 Servernetwerk | Hotspot Shield |
| 📺 Streaming | Hotspot Shield |
| 🆓 Gratis abonnement | Hotspot Shield |
| 🏆 Algemene winnaar | Norton VPN |
🏆 WINNER: NORTON VPN
Norton VPN wins 4 of 8 categories and takes the overall pick.
Het meest geschikt voor: Public Wi-Fi safety, Norton 360 users, budget paid plans
💡 Why Norton breaks the tie: Each VPN wins four categories. Norton gets the edge for its lower paid price and stronger privacy tools. It also holds the higher rating (3.8 vs 3.0).
Norton VPN and Hotspot Shield solve different problems. Norton is a security-first VPN from an antivirus maker. Hotspot Shield is a speed-first VPN built around Hydra.
We recommend Hotspot Shield if streaming or a free plan matters most. Hotspot Shield’s speeds, bigger network, and better unblocking are real strengths.
For protecting everyday browsing activities, Norton VPN is the better value. You pay less and get more safety tools.
Meer informatie over Norton VPN vergeleken
Here’s how Norton VPN stacks up against other VPNs:
Norton VPN wint op de volgende punten: Optional Norton 360 antivirus bundle, Dark Web Monitoring alerts, 60-day refund on annual plans
NordVPN scoort hoog op de volgende punten: Independently audited no-logs policy, servers in far more countries, a Panama base outside Five Eyes
Norton VPN versus Privé internettoegang
Norton VPN wint op de volgende punten: Pairing with Norton antivirus, Compromised Network Detection, a longer refund window
Private Internet Access scoort hoog op de volgende punten: Unlimited simultaneous connections, city-level US servers, open-source apps
Norton VPN versus Surfhaai
Norton VPN wint op de volgende punten: Norton 360 bundle pricing, public Wi-Fi threat alerts, a 60-day annual refund window
Surfshark wint op: Unlimited devices, far more server countries, city-level server selection
Meer informatie over Hotspot Shield in vergelijking
Here’s how Hotspot Shield holds up against other VPN services:
Hotspot Shield versus ExpressVPN
Hotspot Shield wint op: A free version, a 45-day refund window, dedicated gaming servers
ExpressVPN wint op de volgende punten: Audited no-logs claims, a base outside Five Eyes, the Lightway protocol
Hotspot Shield versus ProtonVPN
Hotspot Shield wint op: Dedicated streaming servers, the Hydra protocol, premium live chat
ProtonVPN wint op de volgende punten: A free plan without ads or data caps, Swiss privacy laws, open-source apps
Hotspot Shield versus CyberGhost
Hotspot Shield wint op: A permanent free plan, Hydra speeds, 10 devices per account
CyberGhost wint op: A Romania base outside Five Eyes, a larger server list, NoSpy servers
Veelgestelde vragen
Is Norton VPN een goed idee?
Yes, if you use public Wi-Fi often or already pay for Norton 360. It encrypts traffic and blocks trackers, but streamers will find its country list limited.
Is Hotspot Shield echt gratis?
Yes, a free version exists. It shows ads, covers one device, and connects only to a US location. Premium unlocks streaming, 80 countries, and 10 devices.
Is Hotspot Shield te vertrouwen?
It’s a legitimate VPN, but trust has limits. It logs some session data, is US-based, and hasn’t published transparency reports since 2019.
Verbergt Norton VPN mijn IP-adres?
Yes. It masks your IPv4 address behind a VPN server. However, it doesn’t mask IPv6 addresses, so some leaks are possible on IPv6 networks.
Is er een betere VPN dan Hotspot Shield?
For cheaper paid plans and more safety tools, Norton VPN is our pick. For audited privacy, NordVPN or ProtonVPN are stronger choices.
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