Hotspot Shield Review 2026: Fastest VPN we tested
Fastest VPN we tested — Hydra protocol.
The Bottom Line
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Pros
- Fastest speeds in our tests (1% loss)
- Free plan with no data cap
Cons
- Logs some connection data
- Free plan shows ads
Pricing Plans
| Plan | Price | Money-Back | Free Trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $12.99/mo | 45 days | Free plan |
| Best value | $2.99/mo over 12 months | 45 days | — |
Privacy & Logging
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| Logging Policy | Some User Logs |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | United States (5 Eyes) |
| Owner | Aura (Pango) |
| Independent Audit | TBD |
| Diskless (RAM-only) Servers | TBD |
Streaming
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| Netflix US | Yes |
|---|---|
| Netflix UK | Yes |
| BBC iPlayer | Untested |
| Disney+ | Yes |
| Hulu | Yes |
| Max | Yes |
| Prime Video | Yes |
| DAZN | Untested |
| ITVX | Untested |
| Sky Go | Untested |
Speed
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| Avg. International Download | 99 Mbps (1% loss) |
|---|---|
| Avg. Ping | 4 ms |
Security
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| Encryption | AES-256 |
|---|---|
| Protocols | Hydra, WireGuard, IKEv2 |
| Kill Switch | Yes |
| Leak Protection | TBD |
Server Locations
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| Countries | 80 |
|---|---|
| Servers | 1,800 |
User Experience
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Torrenting
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| P2P Allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Port Forwarding | No |
Device Compatibility
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| Platforms | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Fire TV, Android TV, Router, Chrome |
|---|---|
| Simultaneous Connections | 5 |
Additional Features
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| Features | Hydra protocol, Smart VPN, Kill Switch |
|---|
Hotspot Shield Key Data
| Price | $12.99/mo · $2.99/mo over 12 months |
|---|---|
| Money-Back Guarantee | 45 days |
| Free Trial | Free plan |
| Data Cap | Unlimited |
| Countries / Servers | 80 / 1,800 |
| Logging Policy | Some User Logs |
| Jurisdiction | United States (5 Eyes) |
| Owner | Aura (Pango) |
| Support | 24/7 Live Chat |
| Simultaneous Connections | 5 |
| Works in China | No |
Free Plan
| Data Cap | Unlimited (ads) |
|---|---|
| Server Countries (free) | 1 |
| Servers (free) | 1 |
| Devices | 1 |
| Speed Cap | 2 Mbps |
| Ads | Yes |
| Logging Policy | Some User Logs |
| Jurisdiction | United States (5 Eyes) |
| Support | 24/7 Live Chat |
Other VPNs We Reviewed
FAQs
Is Hotspot Shield safe?
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Does Hotspot Shield work with Netflix?
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Is Hotspot Shield worth the price?
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Does Hotspot Shield keep logs?
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Is there a free version of Hotspot Shield?
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