

- Hotspot shield free review android#
- Hotspot shield free review pro#
- Hotspot shield free review trial#
- Hotspot shield free review password#
The three columns on the right offer the number of simultaneous streams per connection.

It uses the max potential download speeds for any given connection to give you an idea of how the best-case 1% and 42% download speed changes for US and UK servers, respectively, might impact your overall download speed when using Hotspot Shield. The table below gives you an idea of how Hotspot Shield might work with your NBN connection. Bottom line: Hotspot Shield is okay for streaming-I certainly use it a lot for HBO Max-but there are much better streaming VPNs out there. Netflix US and BBC iPlayer in the UK are two easier wins for competent streaming VPNs, but even they had sluggish libraries and moderate buffering speeds (with more location switching required). Consistently, the specialist streaming servers didn’t work as well as automatic options or manually selected locations, which is concerning for everyday users. Even those services with fast buffering speeds are the result of my being forced to switch locations. Hotspot Shield was all over the place for streaming during my latest tests. Hotspot Shield doesn’t really have a lot of advanced features for VPN veterans, though, outside of split tunnelling.ĭespite a comparatively small server network (1,800+ servers), Hotspot Shield has a healthy 112 global locations to connect to, with Oceania, Asia and Europe having the most server options. Speaking of automation, the Windows version of Hotspot Shield has an internet kill switch, automatic connection for public WiFi, and IP leak prevention enabled by default. Admittedly, the automated approach makes life easier for newcomers, and it’s nice to see specialist servers for streaming and gaming. Shifting locations is very straightforward, even if I do wish Hotspot Shield had the option to manually select a server or, at least, a button to switch to a new one. Both apps also track how much data you’ve used in the last 24 hours, and there’s an inbuilt internet speed test.
Hotspot shield free review android#
For instance, Hotspot Shield on Windows and Android displays the IP address of your server, the load percentage, latency and your connection uptime. Once connected, disconnection is a single one-second tap away, and there’s also some insightful server information. Tap the big power button to automatically connect to the last server you used, which seems to be remembered across devices.
Hotspot shield free review pro#
Whether I’m using Hotspot Shield on Windows 11, a Google Pixel 7 Pro or on my Nvidia Shield TV Pro, it’s intuitive and informative.
Hotspot shield free review password#
As long as you buy Dashlane Premium or Dashlane Family & Friends, you also get a bundled Hotspot Shield VPN subscription alongside an excellent password manager.ĭuring my years with Hotspot Shield, I’ve come to appreciate how easy it is to use, even if it’s comparatively slow to connect and switch servers (around eight seconds). In a rare move, Hotspot Shield also has a family subscription for up to 25 devices, which has great per-device value, especially if you can split the costs.īy far the best way to get Hotspot Shield, though, is as part of a Dashlane password manager subscription.

Hotspot shield free review trial#
There’s also a seven-day trial when you sign up, but don’t forget to set a calendar reminder if you intend on switching VPNs. Hotspot Shield offers a decent free VPN and a generous 45-day money-back guarantee. There are some saving graces when it comes to pricing, though. Even then, the three-year subscription is inexplicably hidden and requires some illogical clicking. It’s great that it’s offered in Australian dollars, but it’s nowhere near the cheapest option for monthly, annual and multi-year pricing of all the VPNs I’ve reviewed. No matter which way you cut it, the regular version of Hotspot Shield is very expensive.
