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Hotspot Shield vs ibVPN 2023

Table of Contents
    Rated: 9.1/10
    %s User Reviews
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    Rated: 7.4/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info

    Which VPN is better?

    Author Image Kate Richards
    Kate Richards

    Managing Editor

    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.

    Rating

    Features 9.1/10
    Pricing 9.0/10
    Ease of Use 9.0/10
    Reliability & Support 8.6/10
    Features 7.4/10
    Pricing 7.8/10
    Ease of Use 8.4/10
    Reliability & Support 8.2/10

    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 ...

    Read all
    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 Katie Kasunic
    Katie Kasunic

    Technology Researcher

    5.6/10

    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...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    A
    Anonymously
    10.0/10
    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 a... llowing 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!More

    Latest negative user review
    D
    Daltonic
    6.0/10
    Some great features but a lot of drops

    I'm a customer since almost 2 years, paying 2.41$ / month. Choose them for the price, no-log policy a... nd because they support upnp/port forwarding (no NAT firewall + dynamic IP on 4 servers in the Netherlands). I always had a big problem with their server: connection drops.. If I use too much bandwidth, I loose the connection and the VPN client is not able to reconnect to the server by itself (I need to reconnect it manually). Same thing happens always with torrent clients and Socks proxy: tried with different clients but after some days or a week (if I'm lucky) their servers kick me out, and a restart of the torrent client is not enough. No!! I need to change manually the server to re-start to torrenting! No problem if we are slow, for that price I'm more than happy.. but all these disconnections are very, very boring. I will stay with them till I will not find something suitable for my needs, but there's too much work from my side to stay with them forever.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 $4.95/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 15 Days
    Number of devices per license 25 devices
    See Plans

    Best VPN by category

    Best VPN Overall

    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.

    Best VPN for Torrents

    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.

    Best VPN for Windows

    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.

    Best VPN for Android

    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.

    Best VPN for Mac

    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.

    Best VPN for iOS

    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.

    Best VPN for USA

    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.

    The Bottom Line

    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.

    Time to decide which one is best for you

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

    FAQ

    Is Hotspot Shield better than ibVPN?

    Yes, Hotspot Shield is better overall than ibVPN. 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 ibVPN?

    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 ibVPN?

    Yes, Hotspot Shield is faster than ibVPN. 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 ibVPN offer any deals?

    Both Hotspot Shield and ibVPN 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.