Ariel Hochstadt
Ex-Google, International tech speaker
Hotspot Shield and OverPlay are both very popular VPN providers, known for their emphasis on helping users bypass geoblocks worldwide and their reliable performance for streaming media. These VPNs can both unblock Netflix, and both provide 256-bit encryption, with Hotspot Shield offering a 128-bit option in addition. While OverPlay provides access for unlimited Peer-to-Peer (P2P) traffic, Hotspot Shield does not allow any P2P-related activities on its servers. In terms of tunneling protocols, OverPlay only offers PPTP, L2TP, and OpenVPN, whereas Hotspot Shield offers those and more, including IKEv2. With regard to network size, Hotspot Shield offers over 2,500 servers in 25+ countries, while OverPlay has 650+ servers strategically distributed across more than 50 countries. Although both VPNs allow multiple simultaneous connections, Hotspot Shield allows five per subscription, whereas OverPlay allows only three. Hotspot Shield also offers a 45-day money-back guarantee, compared to OverPlay’s 5-day policy refund policy. Keep on reading to see which of these providers wins this contest. NOTE: This comparison is for Hotspot Shield’s paid plan, Hotspot Shield Elite.
Features
8.0
Pricing
9.0
Ease of Use
9.0
Reliability & Support
8.6
Features
8.6
Pricing
6.0
Ease of Use
9.0
Reliability & Support
9.0
Rating
Features
8.0
8.6
0.0
Pricing
9.0
6.0
0.0
Ease of Use
9.0
9.0
0.0
Reliability & Support
8.6
9.0
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 55+ 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
Bob Jankins
2.0
A lot of problemsFirst its not easy to use at all, if you are using the free version, it cant change anything. It gave me some rainbow lines on Youtube. I deleted it off my computer and it kept coming back. Its not good, i don't recommend buying it. I got the free version and you cant change your IP, so i cant mask it. The one thing that vpns are suppose to do it didn't, i clicked on everything, so basically you have to pay for it. I am thinking that its a virus.
Reliable proxies will provide you with optimum security and anonymity with a fast, reliable internet connection. Most premium services that we recommend, such as ExpressVPN, will do just that. OverPlay VPN has more than 100 server locations with over 12,000 IP addresses available, which makes it a true contender for reliable and fast proxy services.
The service provides users several VPN connec
Versatile and flexible, but poor technical supportI use several different devices, both for work and play, and with Overplay I can use my computer, my smartphone and my tablet with the same VPN connection at the same time. Tech support, though, needs to improve, and I think a live chat support would make quite a difference.
Latest negative user review
John
2.0
Awful Poor technical support. No refund after canceling. Unfortunately, I have to give one star. Subscribed for a month, then cancelled on their site after having many problems connecting. Didn’t get a refund , and after contacting them , they said none would be issued. Stay well away from Overplay. Many of my expat friends had the same problem . Ripoff
Hotspot Shield is a popular VPN service with over 650 million users and multiple servers in 55+ 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,
Reliable proxies will provide you with optimum security and anonymity with a fast, reliable internet connection. Most premium services that we recommend, such as ExpressVPN, will do just that. OverPlay VPN has more than 100 server locations with over 12,000 IP addresses available, which makes it a true contender for reliable and fast proxy services.
The service provides users several VPN connec
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.
Andrew
8.0
Versatile and flexible, but poor technical supportI use several different devices, both for work and play, and with Overplay I can use my computer, my smartphone and my tablet with the same VPN connection at the same time. Tech support, though, needs to improve, and I think a live chat support would make quite a difference.
Latest negative user review
Bob Jankins
2.0
A lot of problemsFirst its not easy to use at all, if you are using the free version, it cant change anything. It gave me some rainbow lines on Youtube. I deleted it off my computer and it kept coming back. Its not good, i don't recommend buying it. I got the free version and you cant change your IP, so i cant mask it. The one thing that vpns are suppose to do it didn't, i clicked on everything, so basically you have to pay for it. I am thinking that its a virus.
John
2.0
Awful Poor technical support. No refund after canceling. Unfortunately, I have to give one star. Subscribed for a month, then cancelled on their site after having many problems connecting. Didn’t get a refund , and after contacting them , they said none would be issued. Stay well away from Overplay. Many of my expat friends had the same problem . Ripoff
Hotspot Shield provides a large VPN network with numerous advanced features to keep your online activity private. OverPlay also provides a reliable VPN service, with a similarly large network and many servers optimized for streaming.
Hotspot Shield provides a large VPN network with numerous advanced features to keep your online activity private. OverPlay also provides a reliable VPN service, with a similarly large network and many servers optimized for streaming.
OverPlay allows torrenting on its servers, and supports unlimited P2P traffic on all its paid subscription plans. Hotspot Shield forbids torrenting on its servers and restricts all P2P activities on its network.
OverPlay allows torrenting on its servers, and supports unlimited P2P traffic on all its paid subscription plans. Hotspot Shield forbids torrenting on its servers and restricts all P2P activities on its network.
The provision of an automatic kill switch, a user-friendly app, and access to outstanding live support are some of the key reasons why you can rely on Hotspot Shield’s VPN service for Windows. Meanwhile, OverPlay’s dedicated Windows app can be easily configured and includes unlimited server switching and military-grade encryption.
The provision of an automatic kill switch, a user-friendly app, and access to outstanding live support are some of the key reasons why you can rely on Hotspot Shield’s VPN service for Windows. Meanwhile, OverPlay’s dedicated Windows app can be easily configured and includes unlimited server switching and military-grade encryption.
Hotspot Shield has a dedicated Android app with access to the free version of the service, a smooth interface, and malware protection. Meanwhile, OverPlay offers a reliable Android service with a dedicated app that includes wi-fi protection and identity theft prevention measures.
Hotspot Shield has a dedicated Android app with access to the free version of the service, a smooth interface, and malware protection. Meanwhile, OverPlay offers a reliable Android service with a dedicated app that includes wi-fi protection and identity theft prevention measures.
By providing malware protection, ISP throttling prevention, and access to ultra-fast servers, Hotspot Shield has put forth a very attractive VPN service for MacOS. OverPlay has its own MacOS app with strong encryption, wi-fi protection, and a built-in SmartDNS feature.
By providing malware protection, ISP throttling prevention, and access to ultra-fast servers, Hotspot Shield has put forth a very attractive VPN service for MacOS. OverPlay has its own MacOS app with strong encryption, wi-fi protection, and a built-in SmartDNS feature.
Hotspot Shield offers a very reliable service for iOS. Its dedicated app features malware and tracking protection, and the provider’s support for up to five simultaneous connections per subscription is ideal for owners of multiple iOS gadgets. OverPlay competes by supporting three simultaneous device connections and offering a dedicated iOS app that supports multiple VPN encryption protocols, including OpenVPN and IKEv2.
Hotspot Shield offers a very reliable service for iOS. Its dedicated app features malware and tracking protection, and the provider’s support for up to five simultaneous connections per subscription is ideal for owners of multiple iOS gadgets. OverPlay competes by supporting three simultaneous device connections and offering a dedicated iOS app that supports multiple VPN encryption protocols, including OpenVPN and IKEv2.
Hotspot Shield is our recommended VPN for accessing US content from any location worldwide. It reliably unblocks Netflix-US with its dedicated streaming feature, which uses hundreds of US servers optimized for speed and efficiency. OverPlay only unblocks Netflix when you stream from your computer browser; it is unable to bypass Netflix’s restrictions when you attempt to stream directly from Netflix apps.
Hotspot Shield is our recommended VPN for accessing US content from any location worldwide. It reliably unblocks Netflix-US with its dedicated streaming feature, which uses hundreds of US servers optimized for speed and efficiency. OverPlay only unblocks Netflix when you stream from your computer browser; it is unable to bypass Netflix’s restrictions when you attempt to stream directly from Netflix apps.
Hotspot Shield wins this contest by providing a larger network and a much faster service. Its ability to unblock geo-restricted providers like Netflix and Hulu regardless of whether you’re accessing them from their apps or your browser also make Hotspot Shield an easier VPN to use overall. Finally, by offering support for more device connections per account and a 45-day money-back guarantee, Hotspot Shield provides more value for your money.
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Katie Kasunic
Ariel Hochstadt