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Hotspot Shield vs Hide My IP VPN 2023

Table of Contents
    Rated: 9.1/10
    %s User Reviews
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    Rated: 8.1/10
    %s User Reviews
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    Which VPN is better?

    Author Image Daniel Krohn
    Daniel Krohn

    Cybersecurity Researcher

    Both Hotspot Shield and Hide My IP offer compelling features for your data safety. Each one guards your online traffic with high-grade encryption. However, there are some differences.

    Hotspot Shield has a more extensive server network and provides a better streaming experience. It also offers its proprietary Hydra VPN protocol, which is fast and secure, so it's good for torrenting. On the other hand, Hide My IP covers regions that most VPNs overlook, like South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Additionally, the VPN's website is translated into almost every language making for a great user experience. Plus, Hide My IP's support is very helpful and willing to use translation tools to chat with you in your native tongue. Have a look at our comparison to discover which VPN takes the lead.

    Rating

    Features 9.1/10
    Pricing 9.0/10
    Ease of Use 9.0/10
    Reliability & Support 8.6/10
    Features 8.1/10
    Pricing 9.3/10
    Ease of Use 8.0/10
    Reliability & Support 8.0/10

    Reviews

    Review by our expert
    Author Image Kennedy Otieno
    Kennedy Otieno

    Cybersecurity Researcher

    8.0/10

    Hotspot Shield claims its proprietary Hydra protocol makes it faster than most VPNs — but is that true? I tested HSS on my fast internet connection (it allows up to 1Gbps speeds) to discover how it does with streaming, gaming, and torrenting. Mostly, I had a seamless internet experience — watching shows on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video without buffering. Its 1,800 servers in 80 countries ...

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    Latest positive user review
    G
    George
    8.0/10
    Great Interface, easy to use and smooth/zippy.

    It just feels well put together. Turns on automatically, which is no bad thing (if you don't like that... , turn the damn thing off with a click). The speed is consistently above average, and on a couple of inadvertent occasions, the Kill Switch operated as it should. I especially like the GUI, which is really simple, solid, yet has a refined/slick feel - far superior to a few I've tried but won't name here. I see no issues with it, although the security issues pointed out in the article are a bit alarming. I'm using the 'Business' version. Nice VPN, IMO.More

    Latest negative user review
    A
    Alt
    2.0/10
    Blocked by Real-Debrid on just about every us city and nearly all countries

    Easy to connect speed pretty good multiple platforms not great from streaming.. which is where you nee... d the speed. Nord vpn and Express are both cooperative providers with real-debrid meaning no connection problems. Even if you do find a server that connects frequently this is blocked during streaming.More

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    Review by our expert
    Author Image Kristina Perunicic
    Kristina Perunicic

    Managing Editor

    7.4/10

    When using a VPN, you shouldn’t have to rely on a browser extension with a complex setup just to get the service working. However, that was exactly what happened when I set out to try Hide My IP. I thoroughly tested the US-based VPN to see how effective it is for unblocking streaming sites, fast downloads, security, torrenting, and providing you with transparent policies. I signed up for the...

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    Latest positive user review
    P
    Paul
    10.0/10
    Works well and reliable

    I have been using it for at least 10 years. I also have Nordvpn. Hide my IP might not have many fancy ... features but most don't need them, a simple encrypted VPN is all we need. It's simple to use and I've never had a problem with use or speed. My Nordvpn won't connect at the moment (due to the upgrade to windows 11) but Hide my IP still works well.More

    Latest negative user review
    A
    Alex
    2.0/10
    Hide My IP cannot be trusted- do not buy it

    When you subscribe with the premium annual subscription they begin degrading your access by month 2, t... hen totally convert it to standard by months 3-4. At first we thought this was just a glitch, but after subscribing for the second time (Yes! We were naive enough to trust them again), the access limitation and account conversion to standard has happened again. While their product is good their practice is terrible. No stars for these thugs.More

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    More Info

    Pricing

    Starting price $2.99/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 45 Days
    Number of devices per license 5 devices
    See Plans
    Starting price $2.91/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 5 devices
    See Plans

    Best VPN by category

    Best VPN Overall

    While Hide My IP is a decent service, especially for non-English speakers, Hotspot Shield is a clear winner. Its apps are simple to install and use, plus it has a large server network. Hotspot Shield also effectively unblocks streaming services such as BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu.

    Best VPN for Torrents

    Although both VPNs allow torrenting, Hotspot Shield is a better choice. It beats Hide My IP in terms of speeds thanks to its Hydra security protocol, plus it has a more reliable privacy policy. Additionally, you get more servers with Hotspot Shield, which also contributes to better download speeds.

    Best VPN for Windows

    Hotspot Shield’s app is better for Windows, as it’s suitable for both beginners and experienced users. It also has DNS leak protection and a kill switch that works well. Hide My IP, on the other hand, has very few options and is mostly unreliable.

    Best VPN for Android

    Although Hide My IP works much better on Android than on other platforms, Hotspot Shield beats it in this category too. The Hotspot Shield Android app comes with many useful features, including a spam call blocker and anti-malware protection.

    Best VPN for Mac

    There are native Mac apps for both VPNs. However, Hotspot Shield has a clean and intuitive interface, whereas Hide My IP looks cluttered and outdated. In addition to better speeds and server selection, this makes Hotspot Shield a clear winner.

    Best VPN for iOS

    These VPNs' iOS apps are stripped down to the basic features. Still, Hotspot Shield takes the lead with a much easier installation process completed within just a few clicks. To use Hide My IP on an iOS device, you need to configure it via the OpenVPN Connect app, which can be a lengthy procedure.

    Best VPN for USA

    With servers in over 27 US locations, Hotspot Shield also beats Hide My IP in this category. Additionally, its free version includes a US server for those who don't need more than 500MB of data per day. Unfortunately, you aren't able to unblock US (or any) streaming services with the free option. However, Hotspot's premium version unblocks Netflix US, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, and many more US sites.

    The Bottom Line

    The choice between these two is difficult. Both offer high speeds but Hide My IP is a little better for streaming services like Netflix. Hotspot is one of the best at hiding data, but Hide My IP has support for regions like South Asia, Middle East, and Africa. We can say that the winner is Hotspot Shield, as it protects data better, working as a more practical VPN. However, Hide My IP is still a great option too.

    Time to decide which one is best for you

    Go with Hotspot Shield
    Go with Hide My
    Or click here to check best VPNs, rated by {{review_count}} users

    FAQ

    Is Hotspot Shield better than Hide My IP VPN?

    Yes, Hotspot Shield is better overall than Hide My IP VPN. It has 1800 servers in 80 countries, fast speeds, and impressive security features.

    Best of all, you can take advantage of its latest discount and get it for only $2.99 a month.

    What should I keep in mind when choosing between Hotspot Shield and Hide My IP VPN?

    When choosing a VPN, you want to pay close attention to its number of servers, overall speed score, pricing, and the number of simultaneous device connections it offers. While some VPNs provide a flawless online experience, others will really slow you down.

    If you’re ready to commit, then Hotspot Shield may be perfect for you due to its performance during the tests .

    Is Hotspot Shield faster than Hide My IP VPN?

    Yes, Hotspot Shield is faster than Hide My IP VPN. Since your VPN is your computer’s main connection to the internet, you need to use a service that won’t slow you down by more than 20%.

    If speeds are important to you, then I recommend you take a look at ExpressVPN. It’s the fastest service out there, provides unlimited bandwidth, and you won’t experience any slowdowns even when you connect to the other side of the planet. You can try it out risk-free. It’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can get a full refund if you don’t like it.

    Do Hotspot Shield or Hide My IP VPN offer any deals?

    Both Hotspot Shield and Hide My IP VPN offer deals on occasion. You can check out the current coupons and discounts here. However, ExpressVPN has the best deals. Right now, you can get a 49% discount and up to 3 months for free with a new subscription.