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vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

Hotspot Shield vs Ivacy VPN 2024

Table of Contents
    Our Score: 9.1/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Our Score: 7.3/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, Cyberghost and Expressvpn are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.

    Which VPN is better?

    Author Image Kristina Perunicic
    Kristina Perunicic

    Managing Editor

    Hotspot Shield Elite and Ivacy have both proved themselves to be exceptional VPN providers over the years, and can be relied upon to offer user-friendly mobile and desktop apps and strong security features. Tough 256-bit encryption and support for multiple protocols including OpenVPN, L2TP, and IKEv2 can also be expected with either of these providers. Both VPN providers also reliably unblock Netflix-US and many other US websites from any corner of the world. However, Hotspot Shield’s provision of over 2,500 servers in 25+ countries, along with other features that enhance network performance, mean that you can expect a faster streaming service with it than with Ivacy, which offers 450+ servers in over 50 countries. Both Hotspot Shield and Ivacy offer advanced features, but their features differ. Split tunneling and a secure DNS add-on can be found in Ivacy’s service. Hotspot Shield competes by offering malware protection alongside its proprietary Catapult Hydra technology, which effectively compresses data for faster server connections. To see how these two providers compare over multiple categories, keep on reading. NOTE: This comparison is for the paid Hotspot Shield plan, Hotspot Shield Elite.

    Our Score

    Features 9.1/10
    Pricing 8.8/10
    Ease of Use 9.2/10
    Reliability & Support 9.4/10
    Features 7.3/10
    Pricing 7.6/10
    Ease of Use 6.8/10
    Reliability & Support 9.4/10

    Reviews

    Review by our expert
    Author Image Lawrence Wachira
    Lawrence Wachira

    Senior Writer

    Our Score: 9.1/10

    Hotspot Shield is a VPN that’s undergone many changes recently. After dealing with several controversies, it overhauled its logging policy and is under new management. So, has it gotten better? I tested everything it offers to see if HSS is safe. I fully explored its logging policy and found out if its security features can prevent data leaks. I also tested its speeds, customer support, stre...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    H
    Howard Rosenbrook
    10.0/10
    Had for 3 years no problem

    Kept cable providers off my ass just dont like that you cant pay a week or so early and dont like the ... auto renewal i should beable to pay my bill on my own when i want as long as im not late it shouldnt be a problem with your companyMore

    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

    Read the full review
    Review by our expert
    Author Image Matthew Amos
    Matthew Amos

    Senior Editor

    Our Score: 7.3/10

    Ivacy is a long-running VPN with some of the cheapest subscriptions around. It also offers a popular free version and an extensive server network with many rare locations. But is it actually safe or trustworthy with your data? After all my tests, I’ve concluded that Ivacy is a solid option but not at the top VPN level. It offers above-average speeds and adequate security; the free version is...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    P
    Pa Asten
    8.0/10
    Not sure where all these negative thoughts come from.

    Never had a problem connecting my desktop pooters with Ivacy. Had minor problem connecting my IOS devi... ce to my dedicated European IP but that was soon sorted. I daresay most of the negativity comes from the younger generation who have no patience. Staff at Ivacy who helped this 75yr old were awesome and ever helpful. Keep at it guys! I'd give them 9.5.More

    Latest negative user review
    J
    JB
    2.0/10
    Terrible support

    I was a customer 6 years ago. They still email me frequently, despite me unsubscribing many times and ... reaching out to their customer support 8+ times. If Ivacy can't get this right then I wouldn't trust any other promise that they make.More

    Read the full review

    Pricing

    Starting price $2.99/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 45 Days
    Number of devices per license 5 devices
    Starting price $1.17/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 10 devices

    Best VPN by Category

    Best VPN Overall

    Faster server connections, a larger network, and numerous security features are some of the reasons why Hotspot Shield offers a better VPN service overall. Ivacy also has an exceptional service, however, with a focus on strong security features and easy-to-use, cross-platform apps.

    Best VPN for Torrents

    Ivacy is our recommended choice if you’re interested in downloading torrents, as it offers dedicated P2P servers in multiple locations including the US and UK. Hotspot Shield prohibits torrenting on its entire network and so would not be an ideal choice for the purpose, to say the least.

    Best VPN for Windows

    Some of the best features of Hotspot Shield’s Windows app are a kill switch and Catapult Hydra technology that optimizes server speed. Meanwhile, Ivacy competes fiercely with its own Windows app that includes advanced leak and tracking protection alongside split tunneling.

    Best VPN for Android

    By offering a dedicated app with optimized streaming servers and access to features like malware protection, Hotspot Shield provides a truly reliable VPN service for Android. Ivacy’s Android app effectively defeats ISP throttling and also includes some very useful features like tracking and wi-fi protection.

    Best VPN for Mac

    Hotspot Shield provides a very reliable MacOS service through a dedicated app with malware protection, ISP tracking prevention, and the provider’s unique Catapult Hydra technology. Ivacy also provides a powerful MacOS app that includes robust features like split tunneling, a secure DNS add-on, and IPv6 leak protection.

    Best VPN for iOS

    Hotspot Shield for iOS features easy setup, military-grade encryption, and access to its entire network of 2,500 servers in 25+ countries. Meanwhile, with Ivacy’s dedicated iOS app, you can get access to dedicated IP addresses, as well as support for multiple VPN encryption protocols including OpenVPN and L2TP.

    Best VPN for USA

    Hotspot Shield offers hundreds of US servers for bypassing geoblocks of American content and a dedicated streaming feature to help you unblock Netflix and similar media platforms. Although Ivacy offers fewer US servers, it also reliably unblocks Netflix US and similar services from any location worldwide.

    The Bottom Line

    See Plans & Pricing

    The size of Hotspot Shield’s network, its fast connection speeds, and its overall consistency in performance allow it to provide more value for your money. It offers more intuitive apps on all platforms and a better streaming experience overall. Ivacy is a worthy competitor, however, with high-end features like split tunneling that might prove very handy depending on the nature of your use. With Hotspot Shield, you’d be joining over 650 million people worldwide who already use some version of the service.

    Time to decide which one is best for you

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

    FAQ

    Is Hotspot Shield better than Ivacy VPN?

    Yes, Hotspot Shield is better overall than Ivacy 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 Ivacy 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 Ivacy VPN?

    Yes, Hotspot Shield is faster than Ivacy 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 Ivacy VPN offer any deals?

    Both Hotspot Shield and Ivacy 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.

    We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
    Learn more
    vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

    About the Author

    Kristina Perunicic is a former editor for vpnMentor. She’s a cybersecurity expert with an interest in VPNs and their importance in the digital privacy landscape.