Hotspot Shield (often searched as "hotspot shield" or "download hotspot shield") is a popular VPN client with 1,800+ servers in 80+ countries and 115+ virtual locations. It utilizes the patented Catapult Hydra protocol as well as WireGuard and IKEv2, offers 256-bit AES encryption, no-logs policy and support for up to 10 devices per Premium account. The main scenarios are protection in public Wi-Fi, remote work, secure payments, and corporate access. The material is informational; it is the user's responsibility to make sure that the use of VPN is legal in his region.
What Hotspot Shield is and who it's good for
Hotspot Shield is a VPN service of the American company Aura (formerly AnchorFree). Thanks to Catapult Hydra, traffic is routed faster than with classic IPSec or OpenVPN solutions, which is confirmed by speed tests. The service is oriented to users who need:
- Encrypted connectivity on public and corporate networks;
- remote access to work resources;
- online gaming and streaming without a sudden drop in speed;
- protection of personal and payment data.
Key features
- Catapult Hydra, WireGuard, IKEv2 - choosing protocols for the target and platform
- Full 256-bit AES encryption and protection against DNS/WebRTC leaks;
- Kill Switch and split tunneling on Windows/Android - the connection is dropped if the VPN goes down, or is partially routed;
- No-logs policy confirmed by independent audits (session metadata is stored anonymously);
- Before 10 devices in one Premium subscription / 25 in a family plan;
- 1800+ servers, 80+ countries, 115+ locations - optimized for streaming and P2P;
- 45-day money back guarantee on Premium - you can test without risk;
- Native apps and Chrome extension ("hotspot shield extension") for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Smart TVs and routers.
Advantages and disadvantages
Pros
- High speed thanks to Hydra and proper balancing;
- Bank-level encryption is 256-bit AES;
- Up to 10 devices + applications in Russian;
- Kill Switch, split tunneling, Wi-Fi protection;
- 45-day money-back, free test version.
Minuses
- U.S. Jurisdiction (5 Eyes participant);
- The free plan is limited to 500 MB/day and speeds up to 2 Mbps;
- Basic session data (connection time, traffic volume) is logged for analytics;
- Above average price: from US $7.99/month for monthly payments;
- Frequent complaints about DNS leaks in past versions.
Free vs Premium tariffs
| Parameter | Free | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | up to 2 Mbps | Up to 1 Gbit/s (channel dependent) |
| Daily traffic | 500 MB | Unlimited |
| Servers | 1 location (auto) | 1800+ servers, 80+ countries |
| Devices | 1 | 10 (25 in Family). |
| Support | 24/7 chat | |
| Price | 0 ₽ | from ≈ 7.99 $/month.* |
*Price is approximate, please check at official website.
How to install Hotspot Shield on different devices
The process is the same: download Hotspot Shield from the official page, authorize and click "Connect". On Windows and macOS, Kill Switch and split-tunneling are available; on Android, automatic Wi-Fi connection is available; iOS can switch between IKEv2 and Hydra to save battery. A Chrome extension ("hotspot shield extension") is installed from the Web Store and encrypts browser traffic separately. Detailed instructions with screenshots are available on the Hotspot Shield support site.
Comparison with nearest competitors
In terms of speed, Hotspot Shield is comparable to NordVPN and ExpressVPN, but outperforms Surfshark in remote locations thanks to Hydra. In terms of price, it is more expensive than CyberGhost, but gives up to 10 connections without additional payment - PIA has a similar limit, ExpressVPN has 8. The US jurisdiction can be a disadvantage for users who choose Swiss Proton VPN or Panamanian NordVPN. Nevertheless, Hotspot Shield remains one of the fastest solutions for 4K streaming and online gaming.
Legal aspects of VPN use in Russia
VPN-technologies are not prohibited, but since 2017 they are regulated by Federal Law No. 149-FZ. The user is obliged not to violate Roskomnadzor's blocking and not to use the services for illegal content. The resource Freeproxy.ru does not call for circumventing restrictions and is not responsible for the actions of readers. Before connecting, make sure that the specific VPN application complies with the local legislation.
FAQ - popular questions
Is it legal to use a VPN in Russia?
Yes. It is not prohibited to connect to a VPN per se. It is prohibited to use it to access prohibited information or to perform illegal actions. Grounds - paras. 15.1 and 15.3 FEDERAL LAW NO. 149-FZ.
Is Hotspot Shield VPN free?
There is a Free-version, but it is limited by speed and traffic (500 MB/day). Premium is more favorable for permanent use.
Is it possible to change the IP address in only one program?
Yes, enable split tunneling and specify the desired application.
How to remove Hotspot Shield on PC?
Through Windows "Applications and Components", then clear the remaining folders in %AppData%.
Does the service support 256-bit AES encryption?
Yes, this is the basic algorithm used in all Hotspot Shield VPN clients.
Are there any reviews from real users?
On Top50VPN the average rating is 7.6/10 (897 reviews) - praise the speed, criticize the logging policy.
Conclusions
Hotspot Shield is a fast, technologically advanced VPN with wide coverage and convenient apps. It is suitable for those who are interested in streaming speed, protection of public Wi-Fi and multiplatform. The main compromises are the higher Premium price and US jurisdiction. If your priorities are speed, simplicity and up to 10 devices in one subscription, Hotspot Shield is worth a try.
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