8 Best Hotspot Shield Alternatives for Better Value and Privacy

Hotspot Shield is a well-known VPN service that bills itself as the "world‘s fastest VPN." With its proprietary Hydra protocol and large server network, Hotspot Shield does indeed provide impressive connection speeds that make it appealing for data-intensive activities like streaming and gaming.

However, that premium performance comes at a premium price. Hotspot Shield is one of the most expensive VPN services on the market, especially if you opt for a short-term plan. Additionally, its questionable privacy policy may give pause to users who prioritize anonymity and minimal logging.

Fortunately, there are several excellent Hotspot Shield alternatives that offer competitive speeds and security at a much more affordable price point. Some also provide more advanced privacy features and bonus tools not found in Hotspot Shield‘s VPN package.

In this in-depth guide, we‘ll compare Hotspot Shield with 8 top alternatives – NordVPN, Surfshark, Astrill VPN, Speedify, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, Avast SecureLine VPN, and PureVPN. We‘ll evaluate each based on key criteria like performance, security, unblocking capabilities, price, features, and platform support to help you find the best VPN fit for your needs and budget.

How We Evaluated Hotspot Shield Alternatives

To determine the best alternatives to Hotspot Shield, we focused our analysis on these core factors:

Connection speed and reliability – Does the VPN provide fast, consistent speeds for activities like streaming and gaming? We ran speed tests on servers in different locations to compare.

Security and privacy features – What types of encryption, protocols and logging policies does the VPN use to protect your data and anonymity? Bonus features like double VPN, Tor-over-VPN and RAM-only servers are a plus.

Ability to unblock streaming services – Can the VPN reliably access popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, etc? We tested different servers to gauge unblocking capabilities.

Price and overall value – How much does the VPN cost per month, especially for long-term plans? Do you get a good value for the price in terms of performance and features compared to Hotspot Shield?

Bundled software and extra features – Does the VPN include bonus tools like an ad blocker, password manager, identity theft protection, etc to sweeten the deal vs Hotspot Shield‘s extras?

Device and platform support – Is the VPN available on all the devices and operating systems you use? Having apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, streaming devices and routers provides flexibility.

User-friendliness and ease of use – Is the VPN interface simple and intuitive to navigate? Setup and use shouldn‘t require deep technical know-how.

Armed with insights from hands-on testing and careful analysis of these factors, we identified eight VPN services that make compelling Hotspot Shield alternatives for different types of users. Let‘s dive into the results.

Top 8 Hotspot Shield Alternatives

1. NordVPN

NordVPN is a Panama-based provider that‘s earned a stellar reputation for its robust security, large server network, and ability to unblock streaming content. It‘s a strong Hotspot Shield alternative for users who want top-notch protection without sacrificing too much speed.

Pros:

• Proven no-logs policy and strong privacy protections
• Blazing speeds using NordLynx protocol
• Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, etc.
• 5200+ servers in 60 countries
• Includes malware blocker and double VPN for added security
• Easy to use apps for all major platforms

Cons:

• Most affordable price requires 2-year commitment
• Speeds can be inconsistent on some servers

Pricing:

• $11.95/month
• $59.04/year (equivalent to $4.92/month)
• $89.00/2 years (equivalent to $3.71/month)

2. Surfshark

Surfshark is a budget-friendly provider based in the British Virgin Islands with an impressive suite of features. It‘s a top choice for users who want maximum bang for their buck in a Hotspot Shield alternative.

Pros:

• Strong security with AES-256 encryption and secure protocols
• Unlimited simultaneous devices per subscription
• Reliably unblocks 30+ Netflix libraries and other platforms
• CleanWeb ad/tracker/malware blocker included
• Whitelist (split tunneling) and multi-hop VPN available
• Fast, knowledgeable 24/7 live chat support

Cons:

• Inconsistent speeds across some locations
• Relatively small server network

Pricing:

• $12.95/month
• $38.94/6 months (equivalent to $6.49/month)
• $59.76/2 years (equivalent to $2.49/month)

3. Astrill VPN

Astrill VPN is a Malaysia-based provider known for its blazing-fast speeds and advanced security features. While pricey, it‘s a strong Hotspot Shield alternative for users who want maximum performance and customization options.

Pros:

• Lightning-fast speeds using proprietary StealthVPN protocol
• Advanced security features like VPN over Tor, port forwarding and more
• Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video etc. with ease
• Dedicated IP options for max streaming compatibility
• Ultra-customizable apps for techies
• Accepts anonymous payment options

Cons:

• Most expensive option on our list
• Less user-friendly for VPN newbies
• Limited multi-year discounts

Pricing:

• $20/month
• $90/6 months (equivalent to $15/month)
• $120/year (equivalent to $10/month)

4. Speedify

As its name implies, Speedify is all about delivering blistering connection speeds. By combining multiple internet connections simultaneously, Speedify can turbocharge your VPN speeds beyond what you‘d get with Hotspot Shield or most other providers.

Pros:

• Unique channel bonding technology yields insanely fast speeds
• Combines WiFi and cellular data for max performance
• Strong AES encryption and no-logs policy
• Unlimited devices and 5 simultaneous connections
• Easy to use, beautiful app interface
• Affordable long-term pricing

Cons:

• Unblocking capabilities unreliable for streaming
• Smaller server network than many competitors
• No advanced security features

Pricing:

• $9.99/month
• $71.88/year (equivalent to $5.99/month)
• $95.76/2 years (equivalent to $3.99/month)
• $107.64/3 years (equivalent to $2.99/month)

5. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a veteran provider based in the privacy-friendly British Virgin Islands. It‘s long been a favorite among users who want a trusted, secure VPN with ample unblocking power as a Hotspot Shield alternative.

Pros:

• Fast, consistent speeds across server network
• Strict no-logs policy and Bitcoin payment option
• Unblocks 10+ Netflix regions and other services
• Best-in-class 24/7 live chat support
• User-friendly apps for all major platforms
• Extra features like split tunneling and kill switch

Cons:

• Pricier than most other providers
• Limited to 5 simultaneous devices
• No multi-hop or advanced security features

Pricing:

• $12.95/month
• $59.95/6 months (equivalent to $9.99/month)
• $99.95/year (equivalent to $8.32/month)

6. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is a Romania-based provider that has built a loyal following thanks to its user-friendly apps, large server network and streaming-optimized servers. It‘s a compelling Hotspot Shield alternative in the budget VPN class.

Pros:

• Specialty servers optimized for streaming and torrenting
• Strong AES-256 encryption and automatic kill switch
• Unblocks US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube and more
• Allows 7 simultaneous devices per subscription
• 45-day money-back guarantee on long-term plans
• NoSpy servers for added privacy

Cons:

• Some inconsistent speeds across locations
• No advanced security features like double VPN
• Shorter money-back guarantee on monthly plans

Pricing:

• $12.99/month
• $47.94/6 months (equivalent to $7.99/month)
• $56.94/18 months (equivalent to $3.16/month)
• $87.75/39 months (equivalent to $2.25/month)

7. Avast SecureLine VPN

From the well-known cybersecurity brand, Avast SecureLine VPN offers a streamlined, user-friendly VPN experience as an alternative to Hotspot Shield. While light on advanced features, it gets the basics right at an affordable price.

Pros:

• Very easy to set up and use on all devices
• Offers 8 simultaneous connections
• Above average speeds on nearby servers
• Includes kill switch feature
• Unblocks some Netflix regions
• Backed by a reputable brand name

Cons:

• Small server network compared to competitors
• No advanced security or bonus features
• Mixed results unblocking other streaming services

Pricing:

• $5.99/month for 1 device
• $6.99/month for 5 devices
• $7.99/month for 10 devices

8. PureVPN

Hong Kong-based PureVPN has been in operation since 2007, making it one of the most established Hotspot Shield alternatives. It offers a well-rounded set of features at a competitive price, though it falls short in some key areas.

Pros:

• Large network of 6500+ servers across 140+ countries
• Unblocks US Netflix and BBC iPlayer
• Quantum-resistant encryption (though benefits debated)
• 10 simultaneous connections per subscription
• Easy to use apps for common platforms

Cons:

• Mediocre speeds and inconsistent performance
• Past privacy controversy (assisted police investigation)
• Lackluster customer support
• Doesn‘t work reliably with other streaming services

Pricing:

• $10.95/month
• $49.98/6 months (equivalent to $8.33/month)
• $77.88/year (equivalent to $6.49/month)

Choosing the Best Hotspot Shield Alternative

As you can see, there are several excellent VPN services that offer compelling alternatives to Hotspot Shield depending on your specific needs and priorities. Here are our top picks for different use cases:

Best for security: NordVPN or Surfshark. Both offer robust encryption, secure protocols and bonus features like double VPN, ad blocking and leak protection.

Best for streaming: NordVPN, Surfshark or CyberGhost. All three reliably unblock multiple Netflix regions and other popular streaming platforms. CyberGhost even has dedicated streaming servers.

Best for speed: Speedify or Astrill VPN. Speedify‘s channel bonding tech and Astrill‘s proprietary StealthVPN protocol deliver lightning-fast speeds, though Astrill is much pricier.

Best value: Surfshark or CyberGhost. Both provide premium features and performance at very budget-friendly long-term prices. Speedify and Avast SecureLine VPN are also strong contenders.

Best user experience: NordVPN or ExpressVPN. These two consistently earn high marks for their intuitive, user-friendly apps and helpful customer support, making them a breeze to set up and use.

Ultimately, the best Hotspot Shield alternative for you comes down to your unique combination of priorities and what tradeoffs you‘re willing to make. If maximum speed is your top concern and price is no object, Astrill VPN may be your best bet. If staying under budget matters most, then Surfshark offers the best value. And if you want the optimal balance of performance, security and ease of use, NordVPN is hard to beat.

Whichever Hotspot Shield alternative you choose, you‘ll be well on your way to protecting your privacy and enjoying unrestricted access to your favorite content online. Pick the provider that best matches your needs from our curated list, and you can browse, stream and download with peace of mind.