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Ariel Hochstadt
Ex-Google, International tech speaker
Hotspot Shield (HSS) and Hide.me are trusted by millions of users worldwide for the speed and security they provide with their VPN services. Both providers offer a free limited version, which is handy if you’re an occasional VPN user. Hotspot Shield and Hide.me also both offer strong 256-bit encryption, although HSS also offers 128-bit as an option. Hide.me offers dedicated IP addresses on its topmost subscription tier, which is essential for bypassing geoblocks that detect shared IPs. It also supports torrenting and provides dynamic port forwarding for complete anonymity. Hotspot Shield does not support P2P activities, but does offer advanced features like malware protection and a dedicated streaming service. Hotspot Shield offers a pretty large network of 2,500+ servers in 25+ countries, whereas Hide.me has 150+ servers in more than 34 countries. HSS also has a 45-day money-back guarantee, while Hide.me only offers a 15-day refund option. Furthermore, while Hotspot Shield allows up to five simultaneous connections on all its paid plans, only Hide.me’s topmost paid plan allows that many. See below for all the details of this comparison to find out which VPN emerges as our winner.
Features
8.0
Pricing
7.6
Ease of Use
8.4
Reliability & Support
8.4
Features
8.0
Pricing
9.0
Ease of Use
9.0
Reliability & Support
8.6
Rating
Features
8.0
8.0
0.0
Pricing
7.6
9.0
0.0
Ease of Use
8.4
9.0
0.0
Reliability & Support
8.4
8.6
0.0
Reviews
Review by our expert
Ben Lawson
Cybersecurity Researcher
8.2
Hide.me is a well-rounded VPN offering top-notch privacy, high speeds, and bullet-proof security features. It exceeded my expectations in most areas, and offers a user-friendly interface on all its apps.
I lined up a series of tests for the VPN to see how it fares on speeds, security, privacy, streaming, and more. There’s a free Hide.me plan available, but with limited features. I’ll be te...
Best VPN for freeIt works perfectly fine, the speeds are good, and there are a lot of different locations.
I have had no problems with this VPN, and I like that it has a 10GB data limit monthly (more than most competitors). I tried every other free VPN, but all of them are slow and aren't as fast as this one.
In my opinion, download this VPN and you will be happy.
Latest negative user review
Penki
2.0
Not working with my Asus RT-AX88UWill not work with Asus routers - Hide.me Service has no Interest in compatibility with Routers.
I had to change the Provider from Hide.me to NordVPN and its all OK now.
I had a Bad Time and now the sun shines on the VPN Sky - thanks NordVPN.
Hotspot Shield is a popular VPN service with over 650 million users and multiple servers in 80+ 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.)
One of the features that make Hotspot Shield special is its unique Catapult Hydra protocol...
Probably RecommendedI personally would recommend it, I have been using it for quite some times and it works perfectly for me both on Mac pc and phone, In fact, I always give them 5 stars when disconnecting, I don't know if that's why I get a full service, thanks for the service tho love it.
Latest negative user review
Steve
2.0
Too slow to be of any useI get 18 MPs without it but down to less than 5. Another VPN is much faster I now use an alternative which is giving around 12 to 14. I bought a lifetime membership a few years ago and since then it has steadily got worse.
Hide.me is a well-rounded VPN offering top-notch privacy, high speeds, and bullet-proof security features. It exceeded my expectations in most areas, and offers a user-friendly interface on all its apps.
I lined up a series of tests for the VPN to see how it fares on speeds, security, privacy, streaming, and more. There’s a free Hide.me plan available, but with limited features. I’ll be te...
Hotspot Shield is a popular VPN service with over 650 million users and multiple servers in 80+ 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.)
One of the features that make Hotspot Shield special is its unique Catapult Hydra protocol...
Best VPN for freeIt works perfectly fine, the speeds are good, and there are a lot of different locations.
I have had no problems with this VPN, and I like that it has a 10GB data limit monthly (more than most competitors). I tried every other free VPN, but all of them are slow and aren't as fast as this one.
In my opinion, download this VPN and you will be happy.
Paite
10.0
Probably RecommendedI personally would recommend it, I have been using it for quite some times and it works perfectly for me both on Mac pc and phone, In fact, I always give them 5 stars when disconnecting, I don't know if that's why I get a full service, thanks for the service tho love it.
Latest negative user review
Penki
2.0
Not working with my Asus RT-AX88UWill not work with Asus routers - Hide.me Service has no Interest in compatibility with Routers.
I had to change the Provider from Hide.me to NordVPN and its all OK now.
I had a Bad Time and now the sun shines on the VPN Sky - thanks NordVPN.
Steve
2.0
Too slow to be of any useI get 18 MPs without it but down to less than 5. Another VPN is much faster I now use an alternative which is giving around 12 to 14. I bought a lifetime membership a few years ago and since then it has steadily got worse.
Hotspot Shield offers a very attractive service that includes many strong security features, budget-friendly subscription prices, and outstanding 24/7 live support. Hide.me is also a trusted VPN that provides an unrestricted service on its paid plans, with an emphasis on security features.
Hotspot Shield offers a very attractive service that includes many strong security features, budget-friendly subscription prices, and outstanding 24/7 live support. Hide.me is also a trusted VPN that provides an unrestricted service on its paid plans, with an emphasis on security features.
Hide.me’s support for P2P file sharing on its network and provision of a dynamic port forwarding feature makes it the better VPN for downloading torrents anonymously. We do not recommend Hotspot Shield for any P2P-related activity, as the provider forbids torrenting on its servers.
Hide.me’s support for P2P file sharing on its network and provision of a dynamic port forwarding feature makes it the better VPN for downloading torrents anonymously. We do not recommend Hotspot Shield for any P2P-related activity, as the provider forbids torrenting on its servers.
Hotspot Shield offers a dedicated Windows app that provides access to features like malware and tracking protection. Meanwhile, Hide.me offers a very intuitive Windows app that includes features like IPv6 leak protection and strong encryption.
Hotspot Shield offers a dedicated Windows app that provides access to features like malware and tracking protection. Meanwhile, Hide.me offers a very intuitive Windows app that includes features like IPv6 leak protection and strong encryption.
If you need an Android VPN app with a smooth interface and features like an automatic kill switch and tracking protection, HSS will serve you well. On the other hand, Hide.me’s Android app includes all the essential VPN features you’d expect from a top provider, along with a unique VoIP unblocker and automatic server selection.
If you need an Android VPN app with a smooth interface and features like an automatic kill switch and tracking protection, HSS will serve you well. On the other hand, Hide.me’s Android app includes all the essential VPN features you’d expect from a top provider, along with a unique VoIP unblocker and automatic server selection.
One of the standout features of Hotspot Shield’s MacOS app is its proprietary Catapult Hydra technology that intelligently compresses your traffic for improved connection speed. It also includes malware protection and solid 256-bit encryption. Hide.me also has a secure service for MacOS, with a dedicated app that includes IPv6 leak protection.
One of the standout features of Hotspot Shield’s MacOS app is its proprietary Catapult Hydra technology that intelligently compresses your traffic for improved connection speed. It also includes malware protection and solid 256-bit encryption. Hide.me also has a secure service for MacOS, with a dedicated app that includes IPv6 leak protection.
Hotspot Shield has a smooth and intuitive iOS app, and all of the provider’s paid plans include support for up to five simultaneous device connections, which is great if you own several iOS gadgets. Hide.me also provides a feature-rich service for iOS with a dedicated app. The main drawback is that the provider only supports multiple simultaneous connections on the most expensive paid plan.
Hotspot Shield has a smooth and intuitive iOS app, and all of the provider’s paid plans include support for up to five simultaneous device connections, which is great if you own several iOS gadgets. Hide.me also provides a feature-rich service for iOS with a dedicated app. The main drawback is that the provider only supports multiple simultaneous connections on the most expensive paid plan.
Hotspot Shield provides a very attractive VPN service for the USA, including a dedicated streaming feature on all its apps that seamlessly unblocks Netflix-US and other geoblocked US websites. Hide.me also offers dedicated US servers, but they do not unblock US Netflix. However, they do allow you to access other US websites with geo-restrictions that are easier to bypass.
Hotspot Shield provides a very attractive VPN service for the USA, including a dedicated streaming feature on all its apps that seamlessly unblocks Netflix-US and other geoblocked US websites. Hide.me also offers dedicated US servers, but they do not unblock US Netflix. However, they do allow you to access other US websites with geo-restrictions that are easier to bypass.
While both Hotspot Shield and Hide.me appear to offer real value for your money, its provision of more security features and a larger network makes HSS the winner of this comparison. Hotspot Shield’s ability to unblock Netflix-US, support for more simultaneous connections, and more generous refund policy for paid plans also contribute to a decisive HSS victory in this contest. However, Hotspot Shield does not fare nearly as well when matched up against the most elite providers, such as NordVPN and ExpressVPN.
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