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Ariel Hochstadt
Ex-Google, International tech speaker
Hotspot Shield and ibVPN have established track records of delivering reliable, budget-friendly VPN services. Both providers offer apps for all major mobile and desktop platforms, with similar security features that include a kill switch and military-grade encryption. These two VPNs also offer support for multiple encryption protocols, such as OpenVPN and IPSec. However, when it comes to other key offerings, these two providers are not so similar. A 45-day money-back guarantee from Hotspot Shield, compared to 15 days from ibVPN, is one of the most notable difference between these VPNs. Hotspot Shield also offers a very large network of more than 2,500 servers in 25+ countries, whereas ibVPN has over 100 in 47 countries. On the other hand, ibVPN supports torrenting, while the activity is prohibited on Hotspot Shield’s service. Hotspot Shield has an edge when it comes to bypassing geoblocks, however, as all of its apps unblock Netflix effectively. By contrast, ibVPN can only unblock the service when you access it from your computer’s browser. Continue reading to find out which of these VPNs is a better service provider across several important categories. NOTE: This comparison is for the paid Hotspot Shield service, Hotspot Shield Elite.
Features
8.0
Pricing
9.0
Ease of Use
9.0
Reliability & Support
8.6
Features
5.5
Pricing
7.8
Ease of Use
8.4
Reliability & Support
8.2
Rating
Features
8.0
5.5
0.0
Pricing
9.0
7.8
0.0
Ease of Use
9.0
8.4
0.0
Reliability & Support
8.6
8.2
0.0
Reviews
Review by our expert
Katie Kasunic
Technology Researcher
8.8
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.
Update: Recently, ibVPN merged with StrongVPN. We did indepth testing on StrongVPN, and you can find all the details in our review.
ibVPN is a relatively small VPN, with a network of 180+ servers in 50+ countries. The name stands for "invisible browsing" VPN, and true to its name, ibVPN has a strong focus on security and privacy.
This provider claims to be a great VPN for many different purpose...
Very stable, full option, the top if you look for a good privacy protection option!I am using ibVPN for about 5 years, and I never had an issue. It perfectly works with many protocols allowing me to use the VPN at home (with my DD-WRT router) and in many public places, like airports, even when some port usage is restricted --> Just switching the protocol!
The 24h free trial is perfect for checking if the service fits your needs.
I highly recommended it!
Latest negative user review
xTwoOhSeven
2.0
Awful Customer Service and StabilityThey are not online during offpeak hours (only email support available), and their response is always "restart your computer and router and try again in 12 hours). In the end it turned out to be an issue with their servers, and they would not offer a credit for the 48 hour downtime. Awful service.
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...
Update: Recently, ibVPN merged with StrongVPN. We did indepth testing on StrongVPN, and you can find all the details in our review.
ibVPN is a relatively small VPN, with a network of 180+ servers in 50+ countries. The name stands for "invisible browsing" VPN, and true to its name, ibVPN has a strong focus on security and privacy.
This provider claims to be a great VPN for many different purpose...
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.
Anonymously
10.0
Very stable, full option, the top if you look for a good privacy protection option!I am using ibVPN for about 5 years, and I never had an issue. It perfectly works with many protocols allowing me to use the VPN at home (with my DD-WRT router) and in many public places, like airports, even when some port usage is restricted --> Just switching the protocol!
The 24h free trial is perfect for checking if the service fits your needs.
I highly recommended 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.
xTwoOhSeven
2.0
Awful Customer Service and StabilityThey are not online during offpeak hours (only email support available), and their response is always "restart your computer and router and try again in 12 hours). In the end it turned out to be an issue with their servers, and they would not offer a credit for the 48 hour downtime. Awful service.
Hotspot Shield supports more simultaneous connections, has more servers, and overall offers more value for your money than ibVPN. That said, with ibVPN, you can also expect a budget-friendly service with essential security features and very responsive customer support.
Hotspot Shield supports more simultaneous connections, has more servers, and overall offers more value for your money than ibVPN. That said, with ibVPN, you can also expect a budget-friendly service with essential security features and very responsive customer support.
With ibVPN, you can torrent anonymously by connecting to any of its dedicated P2P servers. Hotspot Shield does not allow any P2P file-sharing activities on its network.
With ibVPN, you can torrent anonymously by connecting to any of its dedicated P2P servers. Hotspot Shield does not allow any P2P file-sharing activities on its network.
The provision of a kill switch and malware protection are two of the many positives of Hotspot Shield’s reliable VPN service for Windows. The dedicated Windows app has a neatly designed user interface that’s easy to adapt to, even for VPN beginners. With ibVPN, you can expect to find a straightforward Windows app that includes built-in DNS and tracking protection.
The provision of a kill switch and malware protection are two of the many positives of Hotspot Shield’s reliable VPN service for Windows. The dedicated Windows app has a neatly designed user interface that’s easy to adapt to, even for VPN beginners. With ibVPN, you can expect to find a straightforward Windows app that includes built-in DNS and tracking protection.
With Hotspot Shield’s dedicated Android app, you get an automatic kill switch, malware protection, and access to servers optimized for speed and streaming. Meanwhile, ibVPN supports Android 4.0 or later versions, uses OpenVPN as its default protocol, and includes a UDP/TCP Customizable Port.
With Hotspot Shield’s dedicated Android app, you get an automatic kill switch, malware protection, and access to servers optimized for speed and streaming. Meanwhile, ibVPN supports Android 4.0 or later versions, uses OpenVPN as its default protocol, and includes a UDP/TCP Customizable Port.
Hotspot Shield’s Catapult Hydra technology, which compresses data for improved server speed, is available in its dedicated MacOS app. The app also offers a user-friendly interface and strong encryption. With ibVPN’s dedicated MacOS client, you can rely on a built-in DNS, protection from third-party tracking, and support for multiple VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP, and SSTP.
Hotspot Shield’s Catapult Hydra technology, which compresses data for improved server speed, is available in its dedicated MacOS app. The app also offers a user-friendly interface and strong encryption. With ibVPN’s dedicated MacOS client, you can rely on a built-in DNS, protection from third-party tracking, and support for multiple VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP, and SSTP.
If you own many iOS devices, you’ll find Hotspot Shield’s dedicated iOS app and support for up to five simultaneous connections very useful. The intuitive app includes access to a dedicated streaming feature to bypass tough geoblocks from your mobile device. The best thing about ibVPN’s iOS service is a dedicated app with strong encryption and a built-in DNS feature. However, the provider only supports a single iOS connection per account, which would not be ideal if you own multiple devices.
If you own many iOS devices, you’ll find Hotspot Shield’s dedicated iOS app and support for up to five simultaneous connections very useful. The intuitive app includes access to a dedicated streaming feature to bypass tough geoblocks from your mobile device. The best thing about ibVPN’s iOS service is a dedicated app with strong encryption and a built-in DNS feature. However, the provider only supports a single iOS connection per account, which would not be ideal if you own multiple devices.
Hotspot Shield’s dedicated streaming feature allows you unblock Netflix-US and other American streaming platforms with ease. In fact, its US servers have been proven effective for bypassing almost all US geoblocks from any location worldwide. Meanwhile, ibVPN only unblocks Netflix US from Windows and MacOS browsers, and is currently unable to bypass the blocks when you access the service through Netflix’s apps.
Hotspot Shield’s dedicated streaming feature allows you unblock Netflix-US and other American streaming platforms with ease. In fact, its US servers have been proven effective for bypassing almost all US geoblocks from any location worldwide. Meanwhile, ibVPN only unblocks Netflix US from Windows and MacOS browsers, and is currently unable to bypass the blocks when you access the service through Netflix’s apps.
By supporting multiple simultaneous connections per subscription and providing more seamless bypassing of geoblocks on providers like US Netflix, Hotspot Shield wins this comparison fairly easily in the end. Innovative features like malware protection and its exclusive Catapult Hydra technology are the icing on the cake for Hotspot Shield. Nevertheless, ibVPN is a reliable service, and clearly the better choice between these two VPNs if your purposes include torrenting.
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