We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

How to Cancel Hotspot Shield in 2024: Get an Easy Refund

Georgii Chanturidze Updated on 24th January 2024 Senior Writer
When I asked for a full refund after using Hotspot Shield for 25 days, it stood by its money-back guarantee. It was really no hassle to get my money back, and it didn't even matter that I used a deal to get the cheapest Hotspot Shield plan.

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

Quick Guide: How to Cancel Hotspot Shield and Get a Full Refund in 3 Easy Steps

  1. Log in. Go to the Hotspot Shield website and log in to your account.
  2. Cancel your subscription. You can do this via your account page.
  3. Request a refund. Ask for a refund via web form or live chat. Make sure you cancel your recurring payments, too.

Step-By-Step: How to Cancel Hotspot Shield in 2024 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”. Image showing Hotspot Shield account pageSign 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. Image showing where to cancel Hotspot Shield plan on account pageIt’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. Image showing PayPal payment cancelationCancel 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.
    Image showing Hotspot Shield PayPal payments stopped

    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. Image showing web form to request a refundOnce 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. Image showing PayPal refund from Hotspot ShieldI 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 2024

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

  • Ultra-fast speeds to stream, game, and download uninterrupted
  • 3,000+ servers in 105+ countries to bypass global geoblocks
  • Military-grade encryption, a no-logs policy, and an automatic kill switch to stay safe online
  • MediaStreamer feature to unblock streaming services on your smart TV
  • 8 simultaneous device connections
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Works with: Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Vudu, and more
  • Compatible with: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, and more

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 105 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.

In the event of a VPN connection failure, ExpressVPN employs an automatic kill switch that promptly terminates your connection. As a result, no data can inadvertently bypass the secure tunnel and be routed elsewhere.

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.

ExpressVPN Offer March 2024: For a limited time only, you can get an ExpressVPN subscription for up to 49% off! Don't miss out!

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

  • Military-grade encryption, a no-logs policy, and an automatic kill switch to keep your activity private
  • Optimized servers to stream and torrent from anywhere
  • 11,690 servers across 100 countries to access content from around the world
  • 7 simultaneous device connections
  • 45-day money-back guarantee
  • Works with: Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Vudu, and more
  • Compatible with: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, smart TVs, and more

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 100 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 $2.03/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.

March 2024 Deal: CyberGhost is currently offering 83% off its most popular plan! Take advantage of this offer now and save more on your CyberGhost subscription.

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

  • Top encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and a kill switch to boost your privacy
  • Decent speeds for smooth streaming and quick downloads
  • 2,400 servers in 90 countries to access worldwide content
  • Unlimited simultaneous device connections
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Works with: Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Vudu, and more
  • Compatible with: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, smart TVs, and more

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 $2.75/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.

IPVanish March 2024 Deal: It's hard to find active IPVanish offers so I was really surprised to find this one! Click here to get 78% off your IPVanish subscription today! Discount automatically applied (no code required).

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.

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…

Rank
Provider
Our Score
Discount
Visit Website
1
medal
9.9 /10
9.9 Our Score
Save 49%!
2
9.7 /10
9.7 Our Score
Save 83%!
3
9.5 /10
9.5 Our Score
Save 78%!
Privacy Alert!

Your data is exposed to the websites you visit!

Your IP Address:

Your Location:

Your Internet Provider:

The information above can be used to track you, target you for ads, and monitor what you do online.

VPNs can help you hide this information from websites so that you are protected at all times. We recommend ExpressVPN — the #1 VPN out of over 350 providers we've tested. It has military-grade encryption and privacy features that will ensure your digital security, plus — it's currently offering 49% off.

Visit ExpressVPN

We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
Learn more
vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

About the Author

Georgii Chanturidze is a Senior Writer at vpnMentor with a knack for VPNs, cloud services, and anti-malware tools. He meticulously researches and tests services for vpnMentor’s readers, providing valuable, accurate information.

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