Astrill VPN vs Hotspot Shield vs 2020

Item: Hotspot Shield
Rating: 4.4
Author: Ariel Hochstadt

After comparing these VPNs, we have a winner!

33 User Reviews

4.0

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308 User Reviews

4.4

More Info

Which VPN is better?

Ariel Hochstadt
Ex-Google, International tech speaker

US-based Hotspot Shield and Seychelles-based Astrill VPN are well established providers with very different offerings. While Hotspot Shield offers over 2,500 servers in just over 25 countries, Astrill has around 332 servers in 62 countries. A key difference is that Astrill VPN supports torrenting on its servers, whereas Hotspot Shield forbids all P2P activities. Differences between these two providers can also be found in the areas of encryption and network performance. Astrill uses 256-bit encryption across all platforms, while Hotspot Shield offers you a choice between 128-bit and 256-bit encryption levels. Hotspot Shield also offers advanced features like malware protection and a unique technology that enables it to deliver faster server connections. Both Astrill and Hotspot Shield offer dedicated apps for MacOS, Windows, iOS, and Android devices. They also offer unlimited bandwidth on all their paid plans and allow you to bypass restrictions on Netflix and similar streaming platforms. Both VPNs are very easy to set up and use and provide 24/7 customer support. A more detailed analysis is provided below across several categories. NOTE: This comparison is for the paid Hotspot Shield plan, Hotspot Shield Elite.


Features
4.3
Pricing
3.0
Ease of Use
4.4
Reliability & Support
4.2

Features
4.0
Pricing
4.5
Ease of Use
4.5
Reliability & Support
4.3

Rating
Features	4.3	4.0
Pricing	3.0	4.5
Ease of Use	4.4	4.5
Reliability & Support	4.2	4.3

Reviews

Review by our expert

Katie Kasunic

Technology Researcher

4.0

Astrill VPN is undeniably powerful and packed with useful features. Its network of 300+ servers in 64+ countries offers superfast connection speeds and access to geo-restricted content around the world. By way of comparison, ExpressVPN has 3,000 servers in over 160 countries. This VPN provides a long list of encryption algorithms and secure protocols to choose from, including a proprietary prot

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Latest positive user review

John

5.0

Excellent All Round Very robust VPN, the only real choice for China. A little on the costly side but the only one which has consistently worked well over the years. Wouldn't hesitate in recommending, especially for anyone looking for a reliable VPN for China.

Latest negative user review

M. Dietrich

1.0

Absolutely the best for living in China I live in China for 11 years and I think I have tried all VPN services that are supposed to work in China. They have good marketing departments, but they either don't work at all, are very slow, won't connect or disconnect frequently, to name just a few issues. I also used ExpresVPN, which is supposed to be the best in China. NONSENSE! I have used them for 2 years and there was nothing but trouble. Extreme connection problems that haven't been solved up to this day. I am wondering how many of the reviewers actually live in China, because the reviews are usually incorrect to say the least.

Pricing

Starting price

$10.00/ month

Money Back Guarantee (Days)

Number of devices per license

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Starting price

$2.99/ month

Money Back Guarantee (Days)

Number of devices per license

See Plans


Starting price	$10.00/ month	$2.99/ month	121332/
Money Back Guarantee (Days)	7	30	0
Number of devices per license	5	5	Unlimited
See Plans & Pricing	See Plans	See Plans

Best VPNs by category

Best VPNs Overall		We recommend Hotspot Shield overall, based on its large network of servers, budget-friendly subscription plans, responsive 24/7 live chat support, and host of security features. Meanwhile, Astrill VPN has servers in more countries and offers a pretty reliable service, with very intuitive apps for all major platforms including Linux.
Best VPNs Overall We recommend Hotspot Shield overall, based on its large network of servers, budget-friendly subscription plans, responsive 24/7 live chat support, and host of security features. Meanwhile, Astrill VPN has servers in more countries and offers a pretty reliable service, with very intuitive apps for all major platforms including Linux.
Best VPNs for Torrents		Astrill wins this category easily, as it supports torrenting on its servers and offers leak protection to keep you anonymous. Hotspot Shield does not allow torrenting across its network, expressly forbidding the activity.
Best VPNs for Torrents Astrill wins this category easily, as it supports torrenting on its servers and offers leak protection to keep you anonymous. Hotspot Shield does not allow torrenting across its network, expressly forbidding the activity.
Best VPNs for Windows		Hotspot Shield offers a user-friendly app for Windows that actively protects your PC from malware and third-party tracking. Meanwhile, Astrill VPN offers a dedicated Windows app that supports the OpenWeb and StealthVPN protocols, which enable the VPN to bypass tough geoblocks worldwide.
Best VPNs for Windows Hotspot Shield offers a user-friendly app for Windows that actively protects your PC from malware and third-party tracking. Meanwhile, Astrill VPN offers a dedicated Windows app that supports the OpenWeb and StealthVPN protocols, which enable the VPN to bypass tough geoblocks worldwide.
Best VPNs for Android		With Hotspot Shield’s dedicated Android app, you benefit from built-in malware protection and leak prevention features. The app also offers access to the provider’s entire network of over 2,500 servers. Astrill, on the other hand, provides an Android app that features unlimited bandwidth for streaming and access to dedicated IP addresses.
Best VPNs for Android With Hotspot Shield’s dedicated Android app, you benefit from built-in malware protection and leak prevention features. The app also offers access to the provider’s entire network of over 2,500 servers. Astrill, on the other hand, provides an Android app that features unlimited bandwidth for streaming and access to dedicated IP addresses.
Best VPNs for Mac		By offering a MacOS app that includes a dedicated streaming feature, wi-fi protection, and the provider’s proprietary Catapult Hydra technology that speeds up servers, Hotspot Shield scoops up the prize for this category. Astrill competes with a MacOS app that features an innovative selective kill switch, which allows you choose which apps to disconnect from the internet whenever your VPN connection drops.
Best VPNs for Mac By offering a MacOS app that includes a dedicated streaming feature, wi-fi protection, and the provider’s proprietary Catapult Hydra technology that speeds up servers, Hotspot Shield scoops up the prize for this category. Astrill competes with a MacOS app that features an innovative selective kill switch, which allows you choose which apps to disconnect from the internet whenever your VPN connection drops.
Best VPNs for iOS		Hotspot Shield provides a reliable VPN service for iOS, with a native app that features malware protection and a dedicated streaming feature. Astrill also has an iOS app that features military-grade 256-bit encryption and a kill switch. It’s worth mentioning, however, that if you subscribe to the service from the iOS app, the VPN will only work on that platform. Therefore, if you need to use your VPN on multiple platforms, you’d be better served by purchasing your subscription from your browser.
Best VPNs for iOS Hotspot Shield provides a reliable VPN service for iOS, with a native app that features malware protection and a dedicated streaming feature. Astrill also has an iOS app that features military-grade 256-bit encryption and a kill switch. It’s worth mentioning, however, that if you subscribe to the service from the iOS app, the VPN will only work on that platform. Therefore, if you need to use your VPN on multiple platforms, you’d be better served by purchasing your subscription from your browser.
Best VPNs for USA		Hotspot Shield reliably bypasses tough US geoblocks and offers a dedicated streaming feature for unblocking Netflix and other streaming services. Interestingly, you can also rely on Astrill for unblocking US content providers like Netflix that are usually tough to access. However, it falls short with regard to speed.
Best VPNs for USA Hotspot Shield reliably bypasses tough US geoblocks and offers a dedicated streaming feature for unblocking Netflix and other streaming services. Interestingly, you can also rely on Astrill for unblocking US content providers like Netflix that are usually tough to access. However, it falls short with regard to speed.

The Bottom Line

Ariel Hochstadt

Ex-Google, International tech speaker

Winner

Visit website »

www.hotspotshield.com

See Plans & Pricing

By offering lower subscription prices, faster servers, and more security features, Hotspot Shield wins this comparison. Hotspot Shield’s larger network of thousands of servers means that you’re less likely to experience congestion-related sluggishness than with Astrill. The availability of a free limited version and a 45-day money-back guarantee also help to put Hotspot Shield over the top as the better VPN provider. Astrill does offer a very solid VPN service, however, and its location in the Seychelles is very favorable for privacy-focused users.

Interestingly, if you compare Hotspot Shield with NordVPN, which is our top ranked vpn, you'll see that Hotspot Shield can learn a lot from NordVPN. Compare Hotspot Shield with NordVPN

Time to decide which one is best for you

Go with Astrill VPN

Go with Hotspot Shield

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