|
| Features |
|
| Pricing |
|
| Ease of Use |
|
| Reliability & Support |
|
|
| Features |
|
| Pricing |
|
| Ease of Use |
|
| Reliability & Support |
|
| Rating |
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Features |
|
|
|
| Pricing |
|
|
|
| Ease of Use |
|
|
|
| Reliability & Support |
|
|
|
Buffered VPN is a simple VPN service without a long list of advanced features. However, Buffered VPN still has a lot to offer due to its user-friendly interface, fast connection speeds, and reliable security. n addition to dedicated apps available for all major platforms, Buffered VPN also offers router compatibility.
Read allHotspot Shield is a popular VPN service with over 650 million users and multiple servers in 55+ countries. In fact, the website claims it is the #1 grossing app for Productivity in the US App Store. (When we checked the App Store source, it actually indicated #8, which is still an impressive ranking.
Read allBuffered VPN is a simple VPN service without a long list of advanced features. However, Buffered VPN still has a lot to offer due to its user-friendly interface, fast connection speeds, and reliable security. n addition to dedicated apps available for all major platforms, Buffered VPN also offers router compatibility.
Read allHotspot Shield is a popular VPN service with over 650 million users and multiple servers in 55+ countries. In fact, the website claims it is the #1 grossing app for Productivity in the US App Store. (When we checked the App Store source, it actually indicated #8, which is still an impressive ranking.
Read all|
|
| Starting price |
| $4.12/ month |
| Money Back Guarantee (Days) |
| 30 |
| Number of devices per license |
| 5 |
| See Plans |
|
|
| Starting price |
| $2.99/ month |
| Money Back Guarantee (Days) |
| 30 |
| Number of devices per license |
| 5 |
| See Plans |
|
|
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $4.12/ month | $2.99/ month | 121332/ |
| Money Back Guarantee (Days) | 30 | 30 | 0 |
| Number of devices per license | 5 | 5 | Unlimited |
| See Plans & Pricing | See Plans | See Plans |
| Best VPNs Overall | |
Hotspot Shield provides a reliable service with consistently fast servers, innovative features, and a very responsive live chat support channel. Buffered VPN offers a smaller but effective VPN service, with solid encryption and the ability to bypass tough geoblocks. |
|---|---|---|
|
Hotspot Shield provides a reliable service with consistently fast servers, innovative features, and a very responsive live chat support channel. Buffered VPN offers a smaller but effective VPN service, with solid encryption and the ability to bypass tough geoblocks.
|
||
| Best VPNs for Torrents | |
Buffered allows you to torrent anonymously on some of its servers, while restricting P2P activities on others. Meanwhile, Hotspot Shield does not allow any form of P2P file sharing on its servers. |
|
Buffered allows you to torrent anonymously on some of its servers, while restricting P2P activities on others. Meanwhile, Hotspot Shield does not allow any form of P2P file sharing on its servers.
|
||
| Best VPNs for Windows | |
Hotspot Shield’s Windows app is easy to set up and includes advanced security features like tracking and malware protection. It also includes a clever kill switch that allows you to specify which applications must disconnect from the internet if the VPN connection drops. With Buffered, you’ll get a dedicated Windows client that features a firewall-based kill switch and wi-fi protection. |
|
Hotspot Shield’s Windows app is easy to set up and includes advanced security features like tracking and malware protection. It also includes a clever kill switch that allows you to specify which applications must disconnect from the internet if the VPN connection drops. With Buffered, you’ll get a dedicated Windows client that features a firewall-based kill switch and wi-fi protection.
|
||
| Best VPNs for Android | |
Hotspot Shield offers a very robust VPN service for Android, with an intuitive app that features protection from tracking, malware, and hacking. Buffered VPN’s dedicated app for Android features a built-in firewall, DoS protection, and direct access to the provider’s 24/7 live chat support channel. |
|
Hotspot Shield offers a very robust VPN service for Android, with an intuitive app that features protection from tracking, malware, and hacking. Buffered VPN’s dedicated app for Android features a built-in firewall, DoS protection, and direct access to the provider’s 24/7 live chat support channel.
|
||
| Best VPNs for Mac | |
The key features available in Hotspot Shield’s dedicated MacOS app are wi-fi protection and the provider’s Catapult Hydra technology, which compresses your traffic to improve connection speed. Buffered competes with a simple-looking MacOS app that offers firewall protection and strong encryption. |
|
The key features available in Hotspot Shield’s dedicated MacOS app are wi-fi protection and the provider’s Catapult Hydra technology, which compresses your traffic to improve connection speed. Buffered competes with a simple-looking MacOS app that offers firewall protection and strong encryption.
|
||
| Best VPNs for iOS | |
The availability of a kill switch and access to over 2,500 servers makes Hotspot Shield’s iOS app very appealing. The app also features protection from third-party tracking and malware. Buffered VPN for iOS features AES 256-bit encryption, protection from Denial of Service (DoS) attacks, and a built-in bandwidth test. |
|
The availability of a kill switch and access to over 2,500 servers makes Hotspot Shield’s iOS app very appealing. The app also features protection from third-party tracking and malware. Buffered VPN for iOS features AES 256-bit encryption, protection from Denial of Service (DoS) attacks, and a built-in bandwidth test.
|
||
| Best VPNs for USA | |
Hotspot Shield is an ideal VPN for bypassing US geoblocks, as it provides hundreds of US servers as well as a dedicated streaming feature that allows you to unblock Netflix and many other American media platforms. In spite of having just one US server, Buffered still manages to reliably unlock Netflix and other similarly geoblocked sites and services. |
|
Hotspot Shield is an ideal VPN for bypassing US geoblocks, as it provides hundreds of US servers as well as a dedicated streaming feature that allows you to unblock Netflix and many other American media platforms. In spite of having just one US server, Buffered still manages to reliably unlock Netflix and other similarly geoblocked sites and services.
|
Although Buffered offers a very innovative VPN service with some nice features, Hotspot Shield wins this comparison by providing a faster service for the US, a far larger global server network, and better subscription prices. Additional offerings like its 45-day money-back guarantee and exceptionally responsive technical support also help Hotspot Shield stand above all but the very best VPNs. Speaking of the best VPNs, check out our comparisons of Hotspot Shield against elite services like ExpressVPN to see just what it takes for a VPN to earn one of our top rankings.
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
Ex-Google, International tech speaker
Which VPN is better?
Ratings
Features |
4.3
|
4.0
|
0.0
|
|
Pricing |
3.0
|
4.5
|
0.0
|
|
Ease of Use |
4.4
|
4.5
|
0.0
|
|
Reliability & Support |
4.2
|
4.3
|
0.0
|
Reviews
Review by our expert
Technology Researcher
Technology Researcher
Latest positive user review
I considered a number of VPN's before going with Buffered which I find excellent.
No issues in any aspect, On the rare occasions that I required assistance (in the initial set up stage), the Help Desk was outstanding. Would highly recommend Buffered to anyone considering using a VPN
Used it for a Month - Perfect
I've been using hotspot shield for about a month now. Very easy to connect and speed is amazing, Doesn't slow down any of my streaming, I used different vpns in the past and they all slowed down my internet speed.
Latest negative user review
Scam scam scam.
I tried to create an account. Declined. Tried again. Declined. Checked my bank and my card was frozen from suspicious activity from their website, obviously I did do this, so unfroze it. Now I’m charged twice, and my account was never made so they are telling me I can’t get my money back. At this point they ask me for a screenshot of the charges... uh okay, with my bank info? So I screenshot and there’s FOUR charges, but “no way to get my money back” finally I get so angry she “finds a way” and so far only two have been reimbursed. Yeah, only sign up if your ready to be stolen from!! I understand how I was charged twice, but not four times. If they insist you have to have an account to bring up that info I should have never been charged in the first place!
This program sucks. App store wouldn't let it open.
Absolute failure to launch. I spent time downloading, offering my credit card info for this 'free' app, and it wouldn't even open despite repeated clicks. I am looking for a free VPN that actually functions. This one didn't.
Pricing
Starting price
$4.12 / month
$2.99 / month
121332 /
Money Back Guarantee (Days)
30
30
0
Number of devices per license
5
5
0
Best VPNs by category
Hotspot Shield provides a reliable service with consistently fast servers, innovative features, and a very responsive live chat support channel. Buffered VPN offers a smaller but effective VPN service, with solid encryption and the ability to bypass tough geoblocks.
Buffered allows you to torrent anonymously on some of its servers, while restricting P2P activities on others. Meanwhile, Hotspot Shield does not allow any form of P2P file sharing on its servers.
Hotspot Shield’s Windows app is easy to set up and includes advanced security features like tracking and malware protection. It also includes a clever kill switch that allows you to specify which applications must disconnect from the internet if the VPN connection drops. With Buffered, you’ll get a dedicated Windows client that features a firewall-based kill switch and wi-fi protection.
Hotspot Shield offers a very robust VPN service for Android, with an intuitive app that features protection from tracking, malware, and hacking. Buffered VPN’s dedicated app for Android features a built-in firewall, DoS protection, and direct access to the provider’s 24/7 live chat support channel.
The key features available in Hotspot Shield’s dedicated MacOS app are wi-fi protection and the provider’s Catapult Hydra technology, which compresses your traffic to improve connection speed. Buffered competes with a simple-looking MacOS app that offers firewall protection and strong encryption.
The availability of a kill switch and access to over 2,500 servers makes Hotspot Shield’s iOS app very appealing. The app also features protection from third-party tracking and malware. Buffered VPN for iOS features AES 256-bit encryption, protection from Denial of Service (DoS) attacks, and a built-in bandwidth test.
Hotspot Shield is an ideal VPN for bypassing US geoblocks, as it provides hundreds of US servers as well as a dedicated streaming feature that allows you to unblock Netflix and many other American media platforms. In spite of having just one US server, Buffered still manages to reliably unlock Netflix and other similarly geoblocked sites and services.
The Bottom Line
Ariel Hochstadt
Ex-Google, International tech speaker
Time to decide which one is best for you
This page isn't yet translated into . If you wish to volunteer and translate it, please contact us using the contact us page.
Katie Kasunic
Don Bartlem
