How to Cancel Hotspot Shield in 2023: Get an Easy Refund

Hotspot Shield is a well-known reputable VPN, but I get that it may not be suitable for everyone. Most VPN providers offer a money-back guarantee, but Hotspot Shield has a rather generous 45-day money-back guarantee. This even covers its 1-month plan.

I put Hotspot Shield's refund policy to the test. Even after buying the cheapest plan, I still received a full refund. It’s important to look for an alternative VPN so you can maintain your online privacy.

If you're looking for an alternative to Hotspot Shield, I recommend ExpressVPN. It offers great streaming access, superior security features, and dedicated P2P servers. Not convinced? You can try ExpressVPN risk-free, as it’s backed by a tried-and-tested 30-day money-back guarantee.

Try ExpressVPN Today

Check out more top alternatives

Step-By-Step: How to Cancel Hotspot Shield in 2023 and Get a Refund

1. Log in. Firstly, sign in to the Hotspot Shield website using the details you used to register, and go to “Account Info”.
   Sign in to access your account details and cancel

2. Cancel your subscription. Select the “Cancel plan” button under your membership details and fill out the details.
   It’s easiest to cancel your plan by logging in to your account

3. Cancel automatic payments. Since I paid for my subscription using PayPal, I went to my PayPal account and canceled the automatic payment option that I had set up for Hotspot Shield.
   Cancel your payments via the method you used, which may be via your bank

   Depending on how you paid for your Hotspot Shield account, canceling recurring payments may require contacting your credit card company or bank.
   Whichever method you used, make sure your payments have stopped

4. Contact Hotspot Shield. Now that you’ve canceled your plan and payments, you need to ask for your money back (within the specified period). You can do this via web form, or live chat if you have the time. I used the web form found on the support page.
   Once you’ve completed the form, your refund request will be received

5. Check your emails. If you receive a response from Hotspot Shield, make sure you reply to speed up the refund process. I was asked why I was canceling and asking for a refund, and simply replied that I didn’t need a VPN anymore.
6. Receive your refund! Once the refund has been processed, you should receive it via the same payment method you used to sign up. I got my refund via PayPal very quickly after responding to Hotspot Shield’s email.
   I received my refund quickly, the day after responding to Hotspot Shield’s email

I was very happy with the hassle-free refund process. My test verified Hotspot Shield’s promise of a 45-day refund policy for all plans. Soon after I got my refund, I also got an email from Hotspot Shield asking if there was anything I didn’t like about their service and saying that they hoped I had a positive experience with them.

I definitely did. Good job, Hotspot Shield!

Best Alternatives to Hotspot Shield in 2023

1. ExpressVPN — Blazing-Fast Speeds for Buffer-Free Streaming From Anywhere

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested January 2023

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try ExpressVPN >

www.ExpressVPN.com

ExpressVPN’s speeds are superfast, consistently outperforming Hotspot Shield. I achieved an average of 60 Mbps in my ExpressVPN tests, which is more than enough for buffer-free UHD streaming. My favorite Netflix shows played in the highest possible quality. This also means you can play online games without any annoying lag.

It has a huge network in over 94 countries. I was able to bypass geoblocks with ease on multiple streaming platforms. HBO Max, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video all worked within seconds. The MediaStreamer feature means you can even unblock regional content on your smart TV.

The VPN performed well in my DNS and IP leak tests, with none of this data exposed (which can reveal your real location). Military-Grade AES 256-bit encryption scrambles your data to keep it well hidden from would-be snoops. There’s a solid no-logs policy, which clearly states that none of your private data will be stored or shared.

All servers run on RAM, which means your data is wiped every time the server restarts. ExpressVPN refers to this as TrustedServer technology — none of your private web activity can be stored beyond each server reboot. This is something that Hotspot Shield lacks.

If your VPN connection fails, ExpressVPN terminates your connection with its automatic kill switch. This means nothing can be accidentally routed outside of the secure tunnel.

24/7 live chat means you’re never alone if you need help. The service is very responsive, too. I had a reply within seconds when I logged in. Intuitive, well-presented apps also make it a very user-friendly choice.

Plans cost a bit more than I’d like, at $6.67/month. However, this isn’t a problem as ExpressVPN frequently offers discounts and freebies. For example, I got 3 months thrown in for free, and 49% off my subscription.

As there’s a trustworthy 30-day money-back guarantee, getting a refund is easy if it doesn’t work out. I canceled via live chat, and it only took a few minutes. My money was returned to my credit card within 2 days —very impressive.

Try ExpressVPN Risk-Free

2. CyberGhost — Tough Security Measures to Maintain Your Online Safety

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try CyberGhost VPN >

www.cyberghostvpn.com

Robust security measures mean CyberGhost protects you from growing cyber threats. AES 256-bit encryption conceals your data from hackers. If the VPN connection drops, an automatic kill switch kicks in to prevent exposure, too. On top of this, the no-logs policy means your data will never be shared.

There were no IP/DNS/WebRTC leaks in my CyberGhost tests. In addition, the built-in ad, malware, and tracking blocker stops any pesky pop-ups and malicious website activity in its tracks.

CyberGhost has streaming-optimized to unblock most popular platforms. Servers are helpfully labeled according to the service, including Disney+, Netflix US, and HBO Max. I accessed Netflix in seconds using these specialized servers.

The extensive network spanning 91 countries easily bypasses other geoblocks, too. For example, you can get local Google search results or access regional shopping sites. Overall, the servers were more effective at bypassing geoblocks than Hotspot Shield’s.

Although not quite as fast as ExpressVPN, speeds were very fast. On nearby servers, I averaged over 50 Mbps — meaning I could watch Netflix US in UHD. It also has unlimited bandwidth, so you can stream, game, and torrent without limits.

All apps are user-friendly, even for beginners. There’s a useful knowledge database with FAQs, and 24/7 live chat if you need help with anything.

Speeds are a little lower on more distant servers sometimes. However, even on these servers, speeds remained more than high enough for HD streaming and quick browsing.

Long-term CyberGhost plans start at $2.19/month. I recommend going for the longest plan to get the best value.

Similar to Hotspot Shield, it provides a generous 45-day money-back guarantee. You can use this to test CyberGhost for free. I obtained a refund easily by canceling auto-renewal on my account and contacting support. The money was back in my bank account in just 3 days.

Try CyberGhost Today

3. IPVanish — Unlimited Connections to Easily Cover All Your Devices

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Router Smart TV More

Try IPVanish VPN >

www.IPVanishVPN.com

IPVanish offers Unlimited connections, so you can use the VPN on all your devices. I tested IPVanish on 7 devices (including my iPad and Windows laptop) with no noticeable speed reduction. This means you can bypass geoblocks on multiple devices, and continue to stream buffer-free.

You can bypass most geoblocks with ease, thanks to the large network. I accessed my BBC iPlayer account without any problems. Online services that are normally geo-restricted can be accessed from anywhere.

AES 256-bit encryption and a kill switch mean your data is never exposed. When I tested for IP and DNS leaks, nothing was exposed. The no-logs policy prevents your private data from being collected and shared, too.

At this time IPVanish doesn’t let you pay with cryptocurrencies. This isn’t an issue though, as it accepts major forms of payment including PayPal. You can get a long-term IPVanish plan for only $3.99/month.

Getting a refund is simple, thanks to the 30-day money-back guarantee. I canceled just by logging in to my IPVanish account and going to the “Subscription” tab. My bank account was reimbursed within the week.

Try IPVanish Risk-Free

FAQs on Canceling Hotspot Shield and Getting a Refund

What is Hotspot Shield’s refund policy?

Cancel within the 45-day guarantee period, and you can get your money back. You’re vulnerable to cyber threats without a VPN, so check out some tried-and-tested alternative VPNs with reliable money-back policies.

To get your money back from Hotspot Shield, suspend your payments, cancel your account, and follow up by contacting support to request your refund.

How long will it take to get my refund from Hotspot Shield?

Hotspot Shield processes refunds pretty quickly, provided you follow the correct process. In the meantime, make sure you stay protected by choosing another VPN.

To expedite your Hotspot Shield refund, respond to any emails following your request to get your money back as swiftly as possible. In most cases, once your refund is confirmed it should only take a few days at most.

Try ExpressVPN Today

Conclusion

Hotspot Shield is a well-regarded VPN, but it’s understandable that it may not be for everyone. Luckily, the refund process is incredibly straightforward and only takes a few minutes. You still need the privacy protection and access to global content that a good VPN provides, so you should seek an alternative quickly.

I recommend ExpressVPN. It offers top-grade security measures without compromising speed, and a vast network to bypass global geoblocks with ease. You can try ExpressVPN risk-free, as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

To summarize, the best alternatives to Hotspot Shield are…

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