Hotspot Shield vs TunnelBear VPN vs Turbo VPN 2020

Item: TunnelBear VPN
Rating: 4.3
Author: Ariel Hochstadt

After comparing these VPNs, we have a winner!

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308 User Reviews

4.4

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286 User Reviews

4.3

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15 User Reviews

2.8

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Which VPN is better?

Ariel Hochstadt
Ex-Google, International tech speaker

Like everything else, you get what you pay for in the VPN market and this could not be truer for a client like Turbo VPN. This free VPN for Android gives you the bare minimum when it comes to online protection, connection stability and access to geo-blocked content. Hotspot Shield’s Elite service unlocks better features, including access to Netflix, OpenVPN connection coupled with AES-256 encryption, malware protection, a no-logging policy and servers in many countries. Hotspot Shield permits five devices per licence and works across all browsers and platforms except Linux. TunnelBear shares many of these features but its affordable monthly plans are unmatched. While the connection speeds are average at best, TunnelBear is serious about online privacy, giving users the choice of L2TP, IPSEC and IKEv2 across all platforms. In addition, with a stealth mode feature, users can get around the Great Firewall of China.


Features
4.0
Pricing
4.5
Ease of Use
4.5
Reliability & Support
4.3

Features
4.5
Pricing
3.8
Ease of Use
4.2
Reliability & Support
4.5

Features
3.2
Pricing
5.0
Ease of Use
3.5
Reliability & Support
2.3

Rating
Features	4.0	4.5	3.2
Pricing	4.5	3.8	5.0
Ease of Use	4.5	4.2	3.5
Reliability & Support	4.3	4.5	2.3

Reviews

Review by our expert

Katie Kasunic

Technology Researcher

4.4

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,

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Latest positive user review

JoeR

5.0

Fast VPN! Based on my trial tests, I am very pleased with the speed and access to streaming sites like Hulu and Amazon Prime. I knew I will get good speed in the US. I am impressed with the speed internationally. I haven’t tried additional services yet.

Latest negative user review

Anonymously

1.0

Now worthless They have gotten rid of cities, cutting down their servers, my speed went from 136mbps to 38 - 82.5 mbps. their support is either dishonest or does not know what they are doing. They kept sending me emails to go to their site and sign in, even gave me a new password, because mine no longer worked, and the new password would not let me log into answer. Now they have closed the dispute. I am cancelling and moving to ExpressVPN or Surfshark, my friends have switched over also. Once the best out there, now the worst.....I would give -5 stars if I could.

Pricing

Starting price

$2.99/ month

Money Back Guarantee (Days)

Number of devices per license

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Starting price

$4.99/ month

Money Back Guarantee (Days)

Number of devices per license

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Starting price

$0.00/ month

Money Back Guarantee (Days)

Number of devices per license

See Plans


Starting price	$2.99/ month	$4.99/ month	$0.00/ month
Money Back Guarantee (Days)	30	0	0
Number of devices per license	5	5	1
See Plans & Pricing	See Plans	See Plans	See Plans

Best VPNs by category

Best VPNs Overall		Although it concerns us that the provider keeps partial logs, Hotspot Shield offers fast speeds, good prices, and solid encryption. The VPN also reliably unblocks geo-restricted content and works on multiple platforms. It additionally offers amazing coupon discounts available only for limited time periods. TunnelBear has a stronger privacy policy than Hotspot Shield and offers sleeker apps for various platforms, with advanced encryption that includes a stealth mode for bypassing tough blocks and firewalls. TunnelBear also has slightly cheaper paid plans than Hotspot Shield. Turbo VPN offers fewer features and security measures than either Hotspot Shield or TunnelBear, and is available for mobile devices only.
Best VPNs Overall Although it concerns us that the provider keeps partial logs, Hotspot Shield offers fast speeds, good prices, and solid encryption. The VPN also reliably unblocks geo-restricted content and works on multiple platforms. It additionally offers amazing coupon discounts available only for limited time periods. TunnelBear has a stronger privacy policy than Hotspot Shield and offers sleeker apps for various platforms, with advanced encryption that includes a stealth mode for bypassing tough blocks and firewalls. TunnelBear also has slightly cheaper paid plans than Hotspot Shield. Turbo VPN offers fewer features and security measures than either Hotspot Shield or TunnelBear, and is available for mobile devices only.
Best VPNs for Torrents		While TunnelBear allows limited torrenting on its network, both Hotspot Shield and Turbo VPN permit torrenting and other P2P activities with fewer limitations. With Hotspot Shield, torrenting is possible on both desktop and mobile devices, whereas Turbo VPN is only available for mobile devices.
Best VPNs for Torrents While TunnelBear allows limited torrenting on its network, both Hotspot Shield and Turbo VPN permit torrenting and other P2P activities with fewer limitations. With Hotspot Shield, torrenting is possible on both desktop and mobile devices, whereas Turbo VPN is only available for mobile devices.
Best VPNs for Windows		Unfortunately, Turbo VPN doesn’t provide a native app for Windows. Hotspot Shield has a slick and user-friendly Windows client that comes with a kill switch and wi-fi protection. As for TunnelBear, Windows users (especially beginners) will find the app not only fun and easy to use, but also packed with features including a kill switch and wi-fi protection. The TunnelBear Windows app also features a stealth mode called “Ghost Bear” to overcome DPI and other tough restrictions.
Best VPNs for Windows Unfortunately, Turbo VPN doesn’t provide a native app for Windows. Hotspot Shield has a slick and user-friendly Windows client that comes with a kill switch and wi-fi protection. As for TunnelBear, Windows users (especially beginners) will find the app not only fun and easy to use, but also packed with features including a kill switch and wi-fi protection. The TunnelBear Windows app also features a stealth mode called “Ghost Bear” to overcome DPI and other tough restrictions.
Best VPNs for Android		All three VPNs have native software clients for Android, although these apps unfortunately lack a kill switch. Hotspot Shield for Android is user-friendly, well encrypted, and fast, but the provider does keep some logs. TunnelBear for Android is more attractive, easier to use, and provides more complete anonymity. Turbo VPN has the least efficient Android client. It’s slow and very limited in features.
Best VPNs for Android All three VPNs have native software clients for Android, although these apps unfortunately lack a kill switch. Hotspot Shield for Android is user-friendly, well encrypted, and fast, but the provider does keep some logs. TunnelBear for Android is more attractive, easier to use, and provides more complete anonymity. Turbo VPN has the least efficient Android client. It’s slow and very limited in features.
Best VPNs for Mac		Both Hotspot Shield and TunnelBear have native apps for Mac. The two apps share similar features, including high encryption levels, access to plenty of servers, and single-click connection. While Hotspot Shield's logging policy might raise some privacy concerns, the VPN provides fast speeds for Mac users. On the other hand, TunnelBear for Mac is more reliable for privacy, more fun for VPN newbies, and easier to use. Turbo VPN doesn’t offer a native app for Mac, as the VPN is designed for mobile devices.
Best VPNs for Mac Both Hotspot Shield and TunnelBear have native apps for Mac. The two apps share similar features, including high encryption levels, access to plenty of servers, and single-click connection. While Hotspot Shield's logging policy might raise some privacy concerns, the VPN provides fast speeds for Mac users. On the other hand, TunnelBear for Mac is more reliable for privacy, more fun for VPN newbies, and easier to use. Turbo VPN doesn’t offer a native app for Mac, as the VPN is designed for mobile devices.
Best VPNs for iOS		All three VPNs provide native apps for iOS devices, although the apps do not include a kill switch. The Hotspot Shield and TunnelBear iOS apps are more advanced than Turbo VPN's client, which has very limited features. Hotspot Shield offers fast speeds on most servers and allows torrenting, while TunnelBear has a friendlier interface, a stronger privacy policy, and better price plans.
Best VPNs for iOS All three VPNs provide native apps for iOS devices, although the apps do not include a kill switch. The Hotspot Shield and TunnelBear iOS apps are more advanced than Turbo VPN's client, which has very limited features. Hotspot Shield offers fast speeds on most servers and allows torrenting, while TunnelBear has a friendlier interface, a stronger privacy policy, and better price plans.
Best VPNs for USA		Hotspot Shield, TunnelBear, and Turbo VPN all have servers in the US. However, speed maybe an issue with these three VPNs, particularly Turbo VPN. The three contenders do work well in overcoming geoblocks on US content, and can access services like US Netflix most of the time.
Best VPNs for USA Hotspot Shield, TunnelBear, and Turbo VPN all have servers in the US. However, speed maybe an issue with these three VPNs, particularly Turbo VPN. The three contenders do work well in overcoming geoblocks on US content, and can access services like US Netflix most of the time.

The Bottom Line

Ariel Hochstadt

Ex-Google, International tech speaker

Winner

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www.tunnelbear.com

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You can tell when a VPN client really cares about its users and you do get this sense with TunnelBear. This client is committed to online security and privacy and goes the extra mile to maintain a strict no-logging policy and a strong 256-bit encryption across different platforms. TunnelBear supports Bitcoin payments, comes with a kill switch feature and permits up to five devices per license. If you are looking for a VPN client that will offer you true value for money, robust online privacy and anonymity across many countries – TunnelBear is certainly a great choice.

Interestingly, if you compare TunnelBear VPN with NordVPN, which is our top ranked vpn, you'll see that TunnelBear VPN can learn a lot from NordVPN. Compare TunnelBear VPN with NordVPN

Time to decide which one is best for you

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