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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 OverPlay VPN 2024

Table of Contents
    Our Score: 9.1/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Our Score: 8.0/10
    %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 Kate Richards
    Kate Richards

    Managing Editor

    UPDATE: OverPlay was acquired by StrongVPN and is no longer operating independently. For more information about StrongVPN, feel free to check out our review page.

    Best alternative to StrongVPN

    Our Score: 9.9

    With a larger global server network and its proprietary Lightway protocol, ExpressVPN offers access to more streaming platforms, plus improved speeds for buffer-free streaming. It’s the better overall service, as our testing showed, and comes with wider OS support, reliable 24/7 support, and headquarters in a privacy-friendly location.

    Our Score: 9.9
    Read more about ExpressVPN
    See ExpressVPN's Best Deals
    Compare ExpressVPN vs StrongVPN
    Visit ExpressVPN
    www.ExpressVPN.com

    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.

    Our Score

    Features 9.1/10
    Pricing 8.8/10
    Ease of Use 9.2/10
    Reliability & Support 9.4/10
    Features 8.0/10
    Pricing 6.0/10
    Ease of Use 8.6/10
    Reliability & Support 8.6/10

    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 Kristina Perunicic
    Kristina Perunicic

    Managing Editor

    Our Score: 8.0/10

    Important. OverPlay has been acquired by StrongVPN. Current OverPlay customers now get all the features of StrongVPN. If you have any questions, you can contact StrongVPN's 24/7 support (via email or live chat). 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 t...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    A
    Andrew
    8.0/10
    Versatile and flexible, but poor technical support

    I use several different devices, both for work and play, and with Overplay I can use my computer, my s... martphone 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.More

    Latest negative user review
    J
    John
    2.0/10
    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 . RipoffMore

    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 $3.33/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 12 devices

    Best VPN by Category

    Best VPN Overall

    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.

    Best VPN for Torrents

    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.

    Best VPN for Windows

    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.

    Best VPN for Android

    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.

    Best VPN for Mac

    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.

    Best VPN for iOS

    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.

    Best VPN for USA

    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.

    The Bottom Line

    See Plans & Pricing

    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.

    Time to decide which one is best for you

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

    FAQ

    Is Hotspot Shield better than OverPlay VPN?

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

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

    Both Hotspot Shield and OverPlay 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

    Kate is a Managing Editor at vpnMentor. Kate promotes the use of VPNs as a means to achieve unhindered access to the internet, as she strongly believes in online freedom for everyone.