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.Â
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.
Stop guessing which VPN is best. Choose ProtonVPN, the Swiss-based provider with over 15,000.
Pricing: It has a free plan. Paid plan starts at $4.49/month
Key Features:
- Email Aliasing.
- Encrypted Vault.
- Open Source.
Want blazing-fast speeds and encryption? Experience a secure internet connection.
Pricing:Â A free plan is available. Plan starts at $7.99/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…
Our Take
Join over 100 million users who choose Proton VPN for ironclad online security. With 13,000+ servers spanning 120+ countries and speeds boosted by up to 400% with VPN Accelerator, you can browse, stream, and game with unparalleled privacy and performance.
Key Benefits
- Strong focus on privacy: Based in Switzerland with a strict no-logs policy.
- Secure core servers: Adds an extra layer of protection.
- Free version available: Try it out before you buy.
- Open-source apps: Transparency and community-driven development.
Pricing
- Proton Free: $0.00/month.
- VPN Plus: $4.99/month.
- Proton Unlimited: $7.99/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…
Our Take
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
- Free Plan: $0/month
- Premium Plan: $7.99/month
Pros
Cons
Feature Comparison
This comparison evaluates two prominent vpn providers: Proton VPN, recognized for its extreme privacy focus, and Hotspot Shield, known for speed and its proprietary connection protocol.
This proton vpn review, alongside a look at the hotspot shield review, clarifies which vpn service provides the best features and fastest vpn tunnel for your internet connection.
1. Core VPN Protocol
- Proton VPN: Supports robust vpn protocols including WireGuard and OpenVPN. It adheres to open standards, ensuring the encrypted vpn tunnel is thoroughly audited in proton vpn servers and secure against the internet service provider.
- Hotspot Shield: Relies primarily on its proprietary Hydra Protocol, which hotspot shield claims to deliver exceptional speed and bypass vpn blocks effectively. It also supports IKEv2 on some vpn servers.
2. Server Network and Speed
- Proton VPN: Operates a meticulously managed server network featuring high-security secure core servers and is constantly expanding its reliable vpn servers. Its vpn accelerator technology boosts speed over long distances.
- Hotspot Shield: Has a sizable server network of its own, often resulting in strong performance, which is a key selling point in the hotspot shield review. It offers dedicated gaming servers for low-latency connections.
3. Free Service Offering
- Proton VPN: Offers a high-quality free vpn tier with unlimited data, though speed is not guaranteed and users cannot choose their vpn servers. This is a major value point in the proton vpn review.
- Hotspot Shield: Provides a hotspot shield’s free vpn version, but it limits daily data usage (typically 500MB) and only allows connecting to US-based vpn server locations.
4. Privacy Jurisdiction and Transparency
- Proton VPN: Is based in Switzerland, known for its strong privacy laws, offering maximal protection for the user’s ip address. The company’s origins, including proton mail, reinforce its commitment to privacy.
- Hotspot Shield: Is based in the US, which may raise privacy concerns due to intelligence-sharing alliances. The privacy hotspot shield offers is robust, but the jurisdiction is a concern for many vpn providers.
5. Advanced Security Features
- Proton VPN: Features secure core servers, Tor over VPN, and split tunneling support for fine-tuning which network traffic enters the vpn tunnel.
- Hotspot Shield: Offers split tunneling support, primarily referred to as “Smart VPN” in the hotspot shield app. It focuses heavily on the speed and reliability of the vpn connection.
6. Application Ecosystem
- Proton VPN: Provides the feature-rich proton vpn app for all major platforms, including android app and macOS. Proton services are designed for privacy and security across the board.
- Hotspot Shield: Has polished mobile apps, specifically hotspot shield’s mobile apps, and the hotspot shield app is known for its user-friendly interface on platforms like the android app.
7. IP Address Handling
- Proton VPN: Hides the user’s real ip address and assigns a new dynamic ip address for every session, maximizing anonymity from the internet service provider.
- Hotspot Shield: Also assigns dynamic ip addresses to its users. The speed of the hydra protocol ensures the user’s real ip address is not easily exposed.
8. User Accounts and Bundles
- Proton VPN: Offers paid tiers in addition to its free vpn service, giving access to the full server network and vpn accelerator features.
- Hotspot Shield: The premium tiers (hotspot shield premium) often bundle access to other digital security tools, making it an useful and attractive option for users seeking a multi-product security suite.
9. Protocol and Performance Focus
- Proton VPN: Prioritizes auditability and security, as evidenced by the proton vpn review, ensuring the highest level of vpn tunnel encryption and integrity.
- Hotspot Shield: Primarily emphasizes performance metrics like low latency and high upload speeds, aiming to be the fastest option among vpn providers available today.
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 in vpn services.
- 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 ProtonVPN vs Hotspot Shield 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.Â
More of ProtonVPN
We’ve explored alternatives to ProtonVPN, so how does ProtonVPN stack up directly against them?
- ProtonVPN vs NordVPN: ProtonVPN prioritizes privacy with its Swiss base and open-source apps, while NordVPN focuses on speed and a vast server network.
- ProtonVPN vs ExpressVPN:Â It is often faster and more reliable for streaming, while ProtonVPN provides strong security features and a transparent open-source approach.
- ProtonVPN vs PureVPN:Â It is generally considered better overall with faster speeds and stronger security, while PureVPN boasts a larger server count.
- ProtonVPN vs SurfsharkVPN:Â It is often more affordable and allows unlimited connections, while ProtonVPN is known for slightly faster speeds and stronger privacy features.
- ProtonVPN vs PrivadoVPN:Â It 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: It’s strength is its ad-blocking integration, while ProtonVPN is a more comprehensive VPN that focuses on security and privacy.
- ProtonVPN vs Virtual Shield: It offers more advanced security features and better performance than the simpler Virtual Shield.
- ProtonVPN vs StrongVPN:Â It 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:Â It 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: It offers a larger server network and stronger privacy, making it a more secure choice.
- Hotspot Shield vs ExpressVPN:Â It is known for its consistently fast speeds and user-friendly interface, often outperforming Hotspot Shield in speed and reliability.
- Hotspot Shield vs PureVPN:Â It boasts a larger server network than Hotspot Shield. Hotspot Shield is known for its Catapult Hydra protocol, which can offer good speeds.
- Hotspot Shield vs SurfsharkVPN:Â It typically offers more features, unlimited connections, and often better value than Hotspot Shield.
- Hotspot Shield vs ProtonVPN: It focuses on strong security and privacy, while Hotspot Shield is known for its speed with the Hydra protocol.
- Hotspot Shield vs PrivadoVPN: It strongly emphasizes privacy, while Hotspot Shield has a larger server network in more countries.
- Hotspot Shield vs AdGuard VPN: It 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: It is known for robust encryption, while Hotspot Shield is recognized for its speed with the Hydra protocol.
- Hotspot Shield vs FastestVPN:Â It is a budget-friendly option. Hotspot Shield is known for its speed.
- Hotspot Shield vs AuraVPN:Â It includes identity theft protection. Hotspot Shield focuses on providing fast connection speeds.
- Hotspot Shield vs CyberGhost: It offers a larger server network and specialized servers, while Hotspot Shield is recognized for its speed.
- Hotspot Shield vs McAfee VPN: It is a standalone VPN focused on speed, while McAfee VPN is often bundled with antivirus software.
- Hotspot Shield vs Private Internet Access: It offers a significantly larger server network and allows unlimited connections, while Hotspot Shield is known for its speed.
- Hotspot Shield vs Mysterium: It 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.
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?
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.
English 
Spanish 
Chinese 
German 
French 
Russian 
Portuguese 
Japanese 
Korean