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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.

Hotspot VPN Review 2024 - Keep This in Mind Before Buying

Our Score: 4.8/10
Ranked 233rd out of 305 VPNs
Anirudh Sharma Updated on 18th January 2024 Cybersecurity Researcher

Not to be confused with Hotspot Shield, Hotspot VPN markets itself as an all around service that’s capable of unblocking any type of online content you like. But is it up to scratch?

I tested the VPN’s speeds, server network, and unblocking abilities. I also investigated its security and privacy features to see if it can keep you safe. What I found is a small service that’s not yet ready to compete with the top VPNs in the business.

Try Hotspot VPN for Free

Short on Time? Here Are My Key Findings

Hotspot VPN Features — 2024 Update

6.5
💸 Price 4.66 USD/month
📆 Money Back Guarantee 30 Days
📝 Does VPN keep logs? No
🖥 Number of servers 1200+
💻 Number of devices per license 5
🛡 Kill switch No
🗺 Based in country United States
🛠 Support Via Email
📥 Supports torrenting Yes

Streaming — Limited Capabilities

Hotspot only unblocks a handful of streaming platforms.

Unblocked: Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+

I streamed from Netflix’s US, UK, and Singapore libraries. I could also watch shows on Hulu and Disney+ using the US servers.

A screenshot of the Disney+ library being accessed using Hotspot VPNI was able to watch shows on Disney+ using Hotspot’s US servers

Blocked By: Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer

Hotspot couldn’t unblock BBC iPlayer or Amazon Prime Video. This wasn’t surprising since Amazon has cracked down on VPNs in recent times.

I had the same issue with BBC iPlayer, which knew I wasn’t in the UK.

A screenshot of BBC iPlayer's error message while trying to watch Gossip Girl using Hotspot VPNHotspot VPN couldn’t unblock BBC iPlayer during my tests

Overall, I can’t recommend Hotspot for streaming. I suggest you take a look at these streaming VPNs instead.

Speeds — Decent Performance

Hotspot VPN was surprisingly fast.

A screenshot of four speed tests conducted on different servers.The US server was the farthest and slowest server for me

I started with a base speed of 65.75 Mbps. The first server I tested was in the UK and I noticed just a 3% drop to 63.73 Mbps. I had a similar experience with a Swedish server, where my speed stood at 58.87 Mbps — only a 10% decrease.

I was impressed to see that my speeds didn’t decrease by more than 44% on its US server either, which was far away from my location.

Overall, I can recommend Hotspot if you’re looking for a fast VPN.

Server Network — Spreads Across Several Countries

HotspotVPN has 1,200 servers spread over 70 countries. Since the server network is quite large, you shouldn’t expect any crowding or delays. I didn’t encounter major problems during testing, but the France server was unavailable.

screenshot of HotspotVPN's servers screenI only encountered one location that didn’t work

Security — Unclear Safety Methods

The VPN doesn’t make its security measures clear. Instead, it uses vague terminology like Protocol A, Protocol B. The customer service team told me that the protocols used by them are “safe enough for common use.” It’s a huge red flag that they wouldn’t specify which protocols they use.

screenshot of HotspotVPN's protocols within the iOS appI had no way of knowing which protocol I was using

I didn’t detect any leaks during testing, meaning that my information was secure. However, since I couldn’t find out what protocols and encryption it uses, I can’t guarantee that your connection will be completely secure.

A screengrab of Hotspot VPN's DNS leak testMy extensive tests show that Hotspot VPN doesn’t leak your IP

I suggest you take a look at these best VPNs for security so your information is completely safe.

Privacy — Follows Best Practices

Hotspot has excellent privacy practices. It’s registered in Panama — a country that doesn’t mandate storage of user data.

Additionally, it does not record timestamps, session details, bandwidth usage, traffic data, or IP addresses. However, it does retain website cookie data, server load statistics, billing information, and customer service records — but such storage is quite commonplace.

You can even contact customer support to request that the VPN deletes all of your data.

Torrenting — Allowed

You can use HotSpotVPN for P2P transfers. The speeds are fast enough.

However, I can’t guarantee that it's safe since the VPN’s security protocols are a mystery.

Does Hotspot VPN Work in China? Yes

The customer support team claims that it works in China. However, since Hotspot doesn’t tell you what are the security protocols it uses, it’s hard to tell if you’re safely accessing the internet behind the Great Firewall.

screenshot of HotspotVPN's support answerHotspotVPN’s support team confirmed that the VPN works in China

I suggest you take a look at these VPNs that work in China for more peace of mind.

Simultaneous Device Connections — Up to 5

You can use up to 5 devices at the same time. While the number is small, it should be enough to cover all the devices in your household.

Device Compatibility — Major Disappointment

Hotspot VPN supports iOS, Android, and macOS devices only. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have an app that is compatible with Windows, browsers, routers, or gaming consoles.

Installation & Apps

6.3

Set-Up & Installation — Easy to Get Started

Installing Hotspot VPN is easy. Within a few minutes of downloading the app, I was able to run the VPN on my iPhone and switch between servers. The app’s icons are designed in such a way that even new VPN users can get a hang of it easily.

screenshot of HotspotVPN's UIYou’ll find it easy to choose a server and connect to Hotspot VPN

Pricing

2.3
1 Year Premium
$ 4.66 / month per month
6 Month Premium
$ 6.66 / month per month
1 Month Premium
$ 9.99 / month per month

Hotspot only accepts payments through credit cards. The monthly prices are a little high, but you can also choose to sign up for a longer plan and get a huge discount. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee if you want to test Hotspot for yourself risk-free.

There’s also a life plan which gives you access to all premium features forever. But I never recommend lifetime plans because of the high price and high risk.

Reliability & Support

4.3

Hotspot offers email support and a FAQ section. The team answered my queries in about 3 hours and the answers were thorough. While there is no live chat option, you can expect quick responses if you message them during working hours.

screenshot of HotspotVPN's help section within the iOS appYou can find answers to the most common questions in the Help section

Compare Hotspot VPN With The Top Alternative VPNs
Our Score: 9.9
Our Score: 9.7
Our Score: 9.5
Our Score: 9.4

The Bottom Line

Final Verdict

I recommend steering clear of Hotspot VPN. Though it has decent speeds and can unblock some streaming sites, the lack of clarity over its security measures rang alarm bells for me.

Its long-term pricing might be attractive but I’ve used better VPNs for similar prices — that didn’t potentially put my online safety at risk.

  • Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+
  • Superfast speeds and unlimited bandwidth
  • 1,200 servers in 70 countries
  • Strict no-logs policy

FAQs on Hotspot VPN

Is Hotspot VPN safe?

Impossible to tell. Hotspot VPN is based in Panama and follows standard anti-logging practices. However, its undisclosed security practices are a major red flag.

Can Hotspot VPN unblock Netflix?

Yes, Hotspot VPN lets you access Netflix. I was able to access the US, the UK, and Singapore libraries of Netflix without any hassle.

Will Hotspot VPN slow my speeds down?

Yes, but it won’t be noticeable. During my tests, the biggest drop was of 40% on a long-distance, US server.

Money Back Guarantee (Days): 30
Mobile app:
Number of devices per license: 5
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.
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About the Author

Anirudh is a computer science engineer turned writer who specializes in cybersecurity, information technology, and travel. He is an experienced digital operations manager and a fervent advocate of privacy.

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