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How To Get a Hotspot Shield Free Trial: Tested in 2025
Hotspot Shield offers a limited free version, but you can test all its premium features with a 7-day free trial. The only catch is that you must provide credit card or PayPal details, but you won't be charged if you cancel within the trial period.
7 days sounds like a lot, but I need more than a week to test a VPN. With its money-back guarantee, you can also use HotSpot Shield free for 45 days and claim a full refund.
I tested its refund policy and found it straightforward. The support agent I spoke with via 24/7 live chat didn't try to persuade me to stay when I canceled and processed my refund immediately. The money showed up in my account after a few days.
How Does Hotspot Shiled's Free Trial Compare to the Best VPNs in 2025?
If you’re not 100% set on Hotspot Shield, my top VPN recommendations also offer free trials and reliable money-back guarantees. These VPNs protect your data with high-grade security and privacy features, have fast speeds, and are compatible with all major operating systems. They also have servers in more countries than Hotspot Shield to securely access popular streaming services worldwide.
1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall VPN With Impressive Speeds and Advanced Protection
Editor’s Choice
Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested June 2025
Windows
Mac
Android
iOS
Chrome
Router
Smart TV
More
ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol uses less code with high-level encryption to secure your data without compromising speed. Lightway is on by default and only slowed me down by 3% on local servers, beating Hotspot Shield's Hydra with 1%. I also tested several ExpressVPN servers for IP/DNS leaks, and my real location stayed private. The VPN also regularly rotates its IP address, enhancing online privacy and avoiding VPN blocks.
Unlike Hotspot Shield, ExpressVPN has a smart DNS feature (MediaStreamer) to stream US and UK content in HD on any device, including game consoles. However, it's already easy to install and use on smart TVs with native Apple and Android TV apps. ExpressVPN's worldwide server network uses obfuscation technology to conceal VPN traffic, enabling it to securely access popular streaming services, like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video from anywhere.
The only drawback is the VPN’s slightly more expensive price. However, ExpressVPN offers discounts of up to 61% on long-term plans. Additionally, you can test it risk-free using its 30-day money-back guarantee*. I tested its refund policy by canceling via 24/7 live chat. It took 3 minutes for the agents to approve my refund request, and the money was paid to my PayPal account after 2 days.
2. CyberGhost — Easy To Use With Servers Optimized For Streaming, Gaming, and Torrenting
CyberGhost’s dedicated servers are conveniently sorted into tabs for specific online activities. The torrenting and gaming servers can be sorted by latency to easily pick the fastest. Streaming servers are labeled according to the platform and country they can safely access from anywhere, like Hulu and Disney+. You can also use the search bar to find a specific server. Although slightly slower than ExpressVPN at a 5% speed drop, none of the CyberGhost-optimized servers I tested caused noticeable lag.
One minor con is the VPN’s short-term plans are pricey and only have a 14-day refund period. However, long-term CyberGhost subscriptions cost only $2.19/month and offer a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.
3. Private Internet Access — Unlimited Simultaneous Connections To Protect All Your Devices
Private Internet Access (PIA) is a good option if you have multiple devices or a large household since you can secure all your devices with one subscription at only $2.19/month. I tested PIA by connecting 7 devices at once, including my Windows laptop, Android TV, and tablet. My average download speed dropped by only 7%, the same as when I only used it with one device. So, it's possible to stream content in HD from anywhere.
My only concern is that, like Hotspot Shield, PIA is based in the US, which is a member of the intelligence-sharing 5 Eyes Alliance. Luckily, the VPN uses a proven no-logs policy to keep your online activities anonymous. You can test it free for 30 days using its money-back guarantee.
Our Methodology For Testing VPNs With a Free Trial
We regularly test various VPN features multiple times to determine how well they perform for speed, security, and versatility. We also check whether a VPN works with major streaming services and if their apps are user-friendly. However, a VPN's primary function is to keep you safe online, so we put a lot of emphasis on testing security features, like its kill switch and IP/DNS leak protection, and confirming its privacy policies.
For a more in-depth understanding of our testing methods, visit our methodology page. There, you'll learn how our international team tests each VPN, with detailed insights into the process.
How To Get Other Free Trial VPNs
If you’re considering testing some Hotspot Shield alternatives, here’s how to get a free trial with some of the best premium VPNs:
- Get an ExpressVPN free trial. To use ExpressVPN's 7-day free trial, download the app via the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- How to get a CyberGhost free trial. CyberGhost offers a free trial that lets you test all its features, with different lengths depending on which device you sign up with.
- Get a Private Internet Access free trial. Like ExpressVPN, PIA also offers a 7-day free trial for mobile devices, but it isn’t advertised on their website.
FAQs on Hotspot Shield’s Free Trial
Is Hotspot Shield safe?
Hotspot Shield is safe to use, whether it's the 100% free option, free trial, or money-back guarantee. All options provide the same high-level security features. Hotspot Shield uses military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and IP/DNS leak protection to protect your online data from snoops and hackers.
Can I get a Hotspot Shield free trial without a credit card?
No, you can't start a free trial of Hotspot Shield without a credit card. However, you won’t be charged until the trial period ends as long as you cancel before the 7 days end. To avoid forgetting to do it in time and being automatically charged, you can cancel right after you sign up and keep using the service for the full trial period.
Is there a free version of Hotspot Shield?
Yes, you can get Hotspot Shield's Basic subscription for free. However, it comes with a lot of limitations compared to the premium version. For example, you can only use 5 server locations, and will experience steep speed drops. This is fine for light browsing, but not the best option for data-intensive online activities like torrenting.
Your online activity may be visible to the sites you visit
Your IP Address:
216.73.216.135
Your Location:
US, Ohio, Columbus
Your Internet Provider:
Some sites might use these details for advertising, analytics, or tracking your online preferences.
To protect your data from the websites you visit, one of the most effective steps is to hide your IP address, which can reveal your location, identity, and browsing habits. Using a virtual private network (VPN) masks your real IP by routing your internet traffic through a secure server, making it appear as though you're browsing from a different location. A VPN also encrypts your connection, keeping your data safe from surveillance and unauthorized access.
About the Author
Andjela is a former technology and cybersecurity writer for vpnMentor. She was dedicated to helping readers protect their privacy online with detailed VPN reviews, testing all features, and providing the facts.
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