#Hotspot shield vpn server download#
#Hotspot shield vpn server free#

Although it collects personal information when you sign up, it doesn’t collect browsing data when you use its VPN service. Hotspot Shield has a “no logging” policy. That’s not good, and is a particular worry for VPN companies in the United States as the government has the power to subpoena company records for the purpose of criminal investigation. If a VPN logs your IP address, for instance, and the government asks it to provide the IP addresses that accessed a certain server at a certain date and time, they’ll be able to tie your browsing activity back to you.

Will Hotspot Shield Log My Data?ĭata logging is a major concern when it comes to choosing a VPN. Here’s what we found out about Hotspot Shield. When we test VPNs, there are certain features we look for in relation to how secure VPNs are and how convenient they are to use. Moving on with our review, let’s talk about Hotspot Shield’s features. Hotspot Shield Features Hotspot Shield Privacy Policy Screenshot from Website 1 And even though Hotspot Shield stopped releasing transparency reports in 2019, the same airtight logging policy is still in place today. That hasn’t stopped the government from requesting information, but Hotspot Shield’s January 2019 transparency report shows us that it hasn’t produced any user data despite receiving 56 requests in 2018. Hotspot Shield understands the risks, and as you will see below, the brand’s logging policy prevents the company from collecting (and subsequently releasing) information that can be used against you. If you ever become a subject of an investigation, the government can subpoena Hotspot Shield to provide any information they might have of you. Member countries of these alliances have laws that give governments the power to obtain consumer information from companies for purposes such as criminal investigation. is a founding member of the Five Eyes alliance and a part of the bigger Nine Eyes and 14 Eyes alliances of countries. We love supporting homegrown companies, but as far as VPNs are concerned, the United States is not the best place to establish a VPN company. One slight drawback of Hotspot Shield is its location. And not to spoil anything, but Hotspot Shield’s servers were blazing fast when we tested them. More servers mean less congestion, which often translates to better speeds. It has servers in most global regions such as North America, South America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa. It started in 2008 and has over 800 fast servers in 125 locations around the world. Hotspot Shield is a VPN company based out of Redwood City, California.

Features of ‘Hotspot Shield Free’ Number of server locationsĪbout Hotspot Shield Selecting a Server in the Hotspot Shield App We’ll discuss everything there is to know about Hotspot Shield in this review, from its features and performance, to its pricing, customer support, and apps, so keep reading if you want to find out if Hotspot Shield is the right VPN for you.

#Hotspot shield vpn server free#

It has flaws, especially if you’re interested in the free version, but it’s an impressive VPN overall. Hotspot Shield works on a wide range of platforms, has blazing fast servers, and is optimized for streaming and gaming. In this review in particular, we’re focusing on a reputable VPN service called Hotspot Shield. As VPN experts, we take the guesswork out of choosing a VPN by conducting thorough reviews and comparing VPNs. While almost every VPN promises to encrypt your data and hide your IP address, not all of them deliver the same level of speed, performance, and security. VPNs are a vital tool for protecting your privacy and online security, but not all VPNs are created equally.

#Hotspot shield vpn server download#

Hotspot Shield is a perfect example, with super-fast speeds during our upload and download speed tests. Total security doesn't have to sacrifice speed.

Slow customer support for non-paying users: If you're using the free version or simply shopping around Hotspot Shield's website, there's no live chat or phone support option.

Strict data retention laws: The United States is not the best place to base a VPN service in, given its membership in Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and 14 Eyes, but Hotspot Shield’s zero-logs policy means it has no data to give up in the first place.

Only five simultaneous connections per account: Five just doesn't cut it for some people.

Free option: Hotspot Shield offers a free version that is convenient but capped at 500 MB per day and has a two Mbps speed limit.

Can access Netflix: This could change, but for now, Hotspot Shield works with Netflix and other video streaming websites.

Speed: Hotspot Shield performed lightning fast during download and upload speed tests, mainly because of its servers that support speeds up to 1 Gbps.