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
|
No |
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.
I 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.
Hotspot 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.
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.
I 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.
I 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.
My 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.
HotspotVPN’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.
You’ll find it easy to choose a server and connect to Hotspot VPN
Pricing
2.3
Editor's Note: Hotspot VPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
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.
You can find answers to the most common questions in the Help section