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.
Advertising Disclosure

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.

HotVPN Review 2024 — Keep This In Mind Before Buying

Our Score: 7.8/10
Ranked 73rd out of 305 VPNs
Kristina Perunicic Published on 8th February 2024 Managing Editor

At first glance, HotVPN makes some bold promises like fast speeds, geo-unblocking capabilities, secure encryptions, and compatibility with the most popular devices. But the lack of vital information on its website combined with little to no media coverage of this VPN got me interested. If it’s as good as it claims, why isn’t there more mention of it?

I decided to put this VPN service to a test and see if it’s really worth the money or it’s just making empty promises.

Despite the ease of use of its Android app, HotVPN failed in some major aspects. It wasn’t able to bypass geo-blocks of some of the most popular services, it throttled my download speed, and didn’t work on Windows at all. Read on to find out more about my experience with HotVPN.

Short on Time? Here’s a 1-Min Summary of My Results

  • Only works on Android. HotVPN claims to work on Windows, Mac, iOS, and as an extension for Chrome and Mozilla, but I could only get it to work on Android. See my tests here.
  • Streaming with Netflix and Amazon Prime — but poor quality. I couldn’t access other popular platforms like Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, or Hotstar at all. I tested all the major platforms here.
  • Slow speeds. During testing, HotVPN slowed down my download speed. Check out my speed test results.

Streaming — Works With Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, But Content Doesn’t Load

Based on my tests, HotVPN doesn’t work with BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Hulu, or Hotstar. I didn’t have high hopes for Netflix or Amazon Prime but I was granted access to these streaming services — only to be disappointed again by the endless buffering.

After connecting to a US server, I accessed Netflix with ease. Happy that at least something works, I tried playing an episode of Friends. Imagine my frustration when it wouldn’t load for a full minute. Five shows and a server change later, I still couldn’t watch anything! I got the same results on Amazon Prime Video.

Screenshot showing that Netflix takes too long to buffer with HotVPN.It took only a second without HotVPN

I tried using other platforms, but HotVPN couldn’t bypass their geoblocks.

So, if you want to stream your favorite movies and TV shows, HotVPN is not the best choice.

Speeds — Painfully Slow on All US Servers

HotVPN throttled my download speed by 98% on its US servers! I didn’t expect much, considering the experience I had with Netflix — but I was still disappointed to see that much of a drop.

I started with 30.2 Mbps download speed but the fastest results I got with HotVPN were from its Spain server, and even then it was just 15.7 Mbps — a reduction of almost 50%! Imagine how annoyed I was trying to browse or open the most basic apps. On the HotVPN US server located in New York, my download speed was throttled to 2.13 Mbps, and its Texas server brought me down to a disappointing 1.07 Mbps.

HotVPN throttled my download speeds by almost 98% on the US servers.

Screenshot of speed tests for HotVPN.HotVPN throttled my download speeds by almost 98% on the US servers

If you can’t tolerate snail-like speeds, you should consider a different VPN.

Gaming — Not Good Enough For Mobile Games

After my frustrating experience playing Street Racing 3D with HotVPN, I’d recommend avoiding it for gaming purposes.

Since I couldn’t use HotVPN on my PC, I had to settle for mobile games. First I tried an RPG called Summoners War. It’s not a demanding game and I was happy to play for about an hour without a hitch.

But then I switched to Street Racing 3D where the network stability is key to seamless play. Imagine my annoyance when my car kept crashing because the game couldn’t process my movements due to network drops. I lasted less than 15 minutes before I wanted to smash my screen!

If you’re a serious gamer or even a casual one, this VPN will not satisfy your needs.

Server Network — Good Locations, But You Can’t Choose a Specific Server

HotVPN claims to have servers in 60 countries, but I counted only 22. Even so, I was pleased to see that it offers connections to some of the key locations like the US, China, UK, India, and Japan.

Screenshot of the claims HotVPN makes on its number of servers.One page states that it has servers in 65 countries, the other shows 22

HotVPN allowed me to choose a country, but not a specific server except for the US where I could choose between New York and Texas. I was also surprised to find that it offers a list of suggested servers for streaming on different platforms.

Screenshot of HotVPN Servers.HotVPN has dedicated servers for the most popular streaming platforms

With servers spread around the world, I would have been happier to see some indication as to which one is the fastest. It was a bit boring to switch on and off to find a decent server.

If you need access to many different countries, this VPN might be able to help you out. But with the clear lack of specific locations, you shouldn’t count on it to give you exactly what you want.

Security — No DNS Leaks, But Weak Encryption

HotVPN doesn’t offer some standard security features like the Kill Switch or Split Tunneling, which concerns me. If my connection got interrupted while I was uploading data like my credit card or personal information, I would be in big trouble.

I tested HotVPN for DNS leaks on its US, Switzerland, and India server — and I was surprised to see that HotVPN didn’t reveal my location or IP address on any of them.

Screenshot of a DNS leak test using HotVPN.HotVPN encrypted my IP address

However, it bothered me that its encryption wasn’t military-grade, meaning that hackers could easily find out my sensitive information and exploit it.

If you’re concerned about your security online, this VPN might not provide complete protection against malicious attacks or information leaks.

Privacy — Vague Claims About Logs Policy

HotVPN is based in Israel which is not a 14-eye country, meaning that my information wouldn’t be shared between different nations. However, Israel is a possible third-party contributor and I’m not feeling completely safe with this VPN.

HotVPN asserts that it doesn't record browsing history, traffic destinations, data content, or DNS queries, which is fairly standard and acceptable. However, when juxtaposed with other privacy policies I've examined, HotVPN's approach is not as lucid or forthright concerning the specific data they retain and their method of handling it.

Simultaneous Device Connections — Can’t Connect More Than One Device

HotVPN claims that you can connect up to 2 devices to one license. This is standard for all of its payment plans and its free trial. But when I put its claim to a test, I ended up disappointed as I couldn’t connect any other device other than my phone.

So, if you need a VPN that can work on more than one gadget, you shouldn’t put your trust in HotVPN.

Device Compatibility — Only Works With Android

HotVPN doesn’t work on Windows, Mac, iOS, or as an extension for Chrome and Mozilla, even though it claims that it does.

I was surprised to find how easy it connected to my Android. However, when I tried to install it on my PC, the payment wouldn’t process. After several frustrating attempts, I gave up. I also couldn’t find the advertised extensions for Chrome or Mozilla.

So, HotVPN could easily work for you if you only need a VPN on your phone — but it doesn’t work on any other platform.

HotVPN Features — 2024 Update

8.8
💸 Price 8.5 USD/month
📆 Money Back Guarantee 3 Days
📝 Does VPN keep logs? No
🖥 Number of servers 150+
💻 Number of devices per license 2
🛡 Kill switch Yes
🗺 Based in country Belize
📥 Supports torrenting Yes

Installation & Apps

8.9

HotVPN’s Android app is simple and easy to use. When I downloaded it, it only took seconds before I was connected to a server and I could start browsing. The app allowed me to choose a server based on its location or the streaming service I wanted to use, which was convenient. I enjoyed the minimalistic interface and how easy it was to switch between the servers, but the lack of settings like split tunneling was disappointing.

Screenshot of the HotVPN app interface.But there are no settings that I could use to personalize my experience

I had a more frustrating experience with its Windows software. Fair enough, the download and installation process was easy — it took only a couple of minutes. But, when I wanted to pay for a subscription the payment window wouldn’t load. Without a subscription, I couldn’t use HotVPN on Windows.

Pricing

6.8
Standard
$ 8.5 / month per month
Professional
$ 19.32 / month per month
Maximum
$ 41.66 / month per month

Based on my tests, HotVPN is not worth the money. I was surprised at how expensive its plans were, considering that it is not one of the most popular VPN providers. At $3.99 per month for two years (paid upfront) I could get a much better service.

It supports payment from PayPal, credit, and debit cards. There’s also a 3-day money-back guarantee conveniently hidden in its privacy policy.

I was willing to get a one-month plan for $12.99. But when I tried to pick it, the system kept pushing me to its two-year plan. I felt forced to choose something I didn’t want. As my payment wouldn’t process, I downloaded its Android app and signed up for the 3-day free trial — again, HotVPN assigned its most expensive plan. To my relief, I could cancel it before the trial ended.

Screenshot of the HotVPN app interface.I tried at least 10 times, and it still forced me into the two-year plan

As a user, you need the freedom of choice — HotVPN doesn’t play fair and doesn’t give that choice to you.

Reliability & Support

6.6

HotVPN claims to be available 24/7 through its email support. It was a little disappointing that there is no live chat option, but I wouldn’t mind if it was responsive. In practice, its customer service was a let-down.

I sent an email asking about its money-back guarantee. However, I still haven’t received a response. I felt that this is irresponsible — if it can’t answer the most basic question, I’m not optimistic about the validity of its refund policy.

If you want a reliable provider that will be there for you when problems arise, I advise against HotVPN.

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

The Bottom Line

HotVPN is a mediocre mobile VPN. While my results weren’t stellar when it comes to speed or streaming, the app was easy to use and you could use it for simple browsing and streaming on its faster servers.

At the same time, HotVPN is too expensive for just one device and the quality it provides. I was constantly frustrated while using it — whether with speed, its payment system, or streaming possibilities.

If what you’re looking for is a lightning-fast, secure VPN don’t count on HotVPN to provide that.

  • No logging
  • Unlimited speed and bandwidth
  • Easy to use VPN client
  • 24/7 live support
  • Virus and malware protection
  • Works with Windows, Android, iOS, Mac OS, Linux, Chrome, and Firefox

Common FAQs

Is HotVPN good?

HotVPN is a mediocre VPN provider. It doesn’t bypass all geoblocks and it throttles download speeds instead of increasing them. I found it underwhelming, and I would recommend better options like ExpressVPN.

Can I use HotVPN for free?

You can get a 3-day free trial upon downloading the app, but you will have to pay for a full plan of your choosing after those 7 days are up. I was able to cancel my subscription before the trial ended. If you want a completely free VPN, look into other options.

How secure is HotVPN?


HotVPN lacks security features, but I was surprised to see that it didn’t have any DNS leaks, meaning that my IP address and location were protected. Even so, I have some serious doubts about the security of this VPN.

Look for a VPN with good security features like Split Tunneling, Kill Switch, and AES-256 encryption.

Is there a HotVPN free trial?

Yes, HotVPN does have a 3-day free trial available, although it doesn’t say so on the website. However, it shares this information in the app once you download it on your Android device.

Does HotVPN work for iOS/Mac?

I couldn’t confirm that HotVPN works for iOS or Mac. Based on the fact that it works for Android but not Windows, I assume it works for iOS but not Mac. Connecting HotVPN to Windows was a frustrating experience. I wouldn’t recommend this VPN if you want to use it for desktop devices, but there are other VPNs that you can trust your Mac/iOS device with.

Money Back Guarantee (Days): 3
Mobile app:
Number of devices per license: 2
VPN Plans: hotvpn.com
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.
HotVPN User Reviews (User reviews are not verified)
6.0
Based on 2 reviews in 1 languages

Write a Review on HotVPN

Please rate VPN.

All Speed Streaming Security Сustomer service
Андрей
Андрей
2/10
Отвратительный сервис

Самый худший впн, скорость низкая, поддержка никакая, приложение глючит постоянно. Оплата проходит криво и долго. Я не рекомендую пользоваться этим сервисом. Ставлю 1 звезду да и этого много, сервис не для людей!

Dima
Dima
10/10
Лучший впн сервис HotVPN

Это действительно лучший впн сервис в интернете! Пользуюсь около 3-х лет только позитив от этого сервиса. ни сбоев, ни обрывов ничего такого нет. Смена айпи без переподключения супер тема! На одном не без известном форуме их проверяли, логи отсутствуют! А++++++ и поддержка, Джон ты супер!

About the Author

Kristina Perunicic is a former editor for vpnMentor. She’s a cybersecurity expert with an interest in VPNs and their importance in the digital privacy landscape.

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