Choosing the right VPN can feel like trying to pick the fastest car in a race.
You want something reliable, secure, and blazing fast, right?
Well, two of the biggest names are going head-to-head in our ultimate showdown: ExpressVPN vs Hotspot Shield.
We’ll break down everything from speed and security to price and features, so you can decide which VPN is the champion for your needs.
ExpressVPN vs Hotspot Shield: Overview
To give you the most accurate comparison, we’ve rigorously tested both ExpressVPN and Hotspot Shield across various categories.
We’ve looked at their speeds, security features, streaming capabilities, and more, all to help you make an informed decision.
Ready to experience Express VPN without limits? Enjoy blazing-fast speeds, top-notch security, and access to your favorite content.
Pricing: 30-day money-back guarantee. Plan Starts at $8.33/month
Key Features:
- Blazing-fast speeds
- Strong security features
- Easy-to-use apps
Want blazing-fast speeds and military-grade encryption? Experience a secure and private internet connection.
Pricing: A free plan is available. Plan Starts at $6.66/month
Key Features:
- 80+ countries
- 10 device connections
- Malware protection
What is ExpressVPN?
Ever feel like someone’s watching you online?
ExpressVPN is like having a secret agent on your side.
It hides your online activity and makes it look like you’re browsing from a different location.
Pretty cool, right? Plus, it’s super easy to use.
Even your grandma could figure it out! They have apps for all your devices, and their customer support is top-notch.
If you ever have a question, they’re there to help 24/7.
Experience the internet without limits. ExpressVPN offers a blazing-fast, secure, and private online experience with 94 country locations and a no-logs policy.
Key Benefits
- Blazing-fast speeds: Perfect for streaming and downloading.
- Extensive server network: Connect to servers in 94 countries.
- Best-in-class security: Features include AES-256 encryption and a kill switch.
- User-friendly apps: Easy to set up and use on all your devices.
Pricing
1 month: $12.95/month.
12 months: $8.33/month.
6 months: $9.99/month.
Pros
Cons
What is Hotspot Shield?
Need to jump online without leaving a trace? Hotspot Shield has you covered.
It’s like a magic tunnel for your internet connection. No one, not even your internet provider, can see what you’re doing.
This VPN is super speedy and excellent for streaming your favorite shows without buffering. Plus, it’s easy to use, even if you’re new to VPNs.
Want blazing-fast VPN speeds? Hotspot Shield boasts a network of over 3,200 servers in 80+ countries optimized for streaming and downloading.
Key Benefits
- Fast and reliable connections: Their Catapult Hydra protocol is known for its speed.
- Wide server coverage: They have servers in 80+ countries.
- Strong security features: Military-grade encryption and a kill switch.
- Built-in malware protection: Helps you avoid malicious websites and downloads.
- User-friendly apps: Easy to set up and use on any device.
Pricing
Hotspot Shield keeps it simple with these plans:
- Basic: Free – The fastest free VPN with unlimited bandwidth and data.
- Premium Subscription: $6.66 monthly. 125+ virtual location for maximum security and the ultra-fast streraming.
Pros
Cons
ExpressVPN vs Hotspot Shield: Feature Comparison
Let’s dive deep into the features that make these VPN services tick.
We’ll compare them head-to-head across key areas to see which VPN is better.
Speed and Performance
When you use a VPN, you don’t want it to slow down your internet.
In our speed test, ExpressVPN consistently delivered faster download speeds than Hotspot Shield.
ExpressVPN has a built-in speed test feature, which makes it easy to find the fastest VPN server location for your needs.
Though Hotspot Shield claims to be one of the fastest VPNs, our tests showed otherwise.
If you’re looking for the best VPN for gaming or streaming, ExpressVPN is the winner.
Security and Privacy
ExpressVPN and Hotspot Shield offer robust security features.
They both use AES-256 encryption, the industry standard, to protect your VPN traffic.
ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, outside of major surveillance alliances, while Hotspot Shield is owned by Aura, a US-based company.
ExpressVPN also actively protects against DNS leaks, while Hotspot Shield lacks this feature.
Hotspot Shield and NordVPN both offer strong security, but ExpressVPN is the best.
Streaming and Torrenting
If you want to use a VPN for streaming, ExpressVPN is the better option. In our tests, ExpressVPN could stream Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer without issues.
Hotspot Shield, on the other hand, struggled with some streaming services.
ExpressVPN allows torrenting on all its servers, whereas Hotspot Shield allows torrenting only on specific servers.
In a Hotspot Shield vs NordVPN comparison, ExpressVPN still comes out ahead for streaming.
VPN Protocols
ExpressVPN and Hotspot Shield offer different VPN protocols.
ExpressVPN has its own proprietary protocol called Lightway, which is designed for speed and security.
Hotspot Shield uses its own protocol called Hydra, which it claims is faster than Hotspot Shield’s other protocols.
However, ExpressVPN takes the lead in our speed tests.
NordVPN and Hotspot Shield both offer a variety of protocols, but ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol is a standout.
Server Network
The size of a VPN’s server network can impact your VPN usage.
ExpressVPN has over 3,000 VPN servers in 94 countries, while Hotspot Shield has a smaller network of servers.
A larger network gives you more options for connecting to a VPN server location and can improve your speeds.
When comparing NordVPN vs Hotspot Shield, server network size is an important factor to consider.
Ease of Use
Both ExpressVPN and Hotspot Shield are easy-to-use VPNs.
They both have user-friendly apps for platforms like Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
ExpressVPN’s app is slightly more intuitive, but both VPN providers make it simple to connect to a VPN server and configure a VPN session.
Whether you choose ExpressVPN or Hotspot Shield, you’ll find them easy to use.
Customer Support
When you’re choosing a VPN, it’s important to consider the customer support offered. ExpressVPN provides 24/7 live chat support, so you can get help anytime you need it.
Hotspot Shield also offers customer support, but it’s not as readily available.
If you need help troubleshooting a VPN issue, ExpressVPN is the superior choice.
Compared to ExpressVPN, Hotspot Shield’s customer support may be less responsive.
This in-depth feature comparison should give you a clearer picture of which VPN is better suited to your needs.
Whether you prioritize speed, security, streaming, or customer support, you can choose a VPN with confidence.
What to Look for When Choosing a VPN?
- No-logs policy: Ensure the VPN provider doesn’t track your online activities.
- Strong encryption: Look for 256-bit encryption, the industry standard.
- Kill switch: This feature protects your data if the VPN connection drops.
- DNS leak protection: Prevents your DNS requests from being exposed.
- Server locations: Choose a VPN with servers in the locations you need.
- Simultaneous connections: Consider how many devices you need to connect at once.
- Ease of use: The VPN should be easy to set up and use, even for beginners.
- Customer support: Good customer support can be helpful if you encounter any issues.
- Price: VPNs come at various price points; find one that fits your budget.
- Free trial or money-back guarantee: This allows you to try the VPN risk-free before committing.
- Independent audits: Some VPN providers undergo independent audits to verify their security and privacy claims.
Final Verdict (Our Pick)
In the battle of ExpressVPN vs Hotspot Shield, there can only be one winner.
While Hotspot Shield is a decent VPN service with its Hydra protocol and a free plan, ExpressVPN consistently outshines it.
ExpressVPN is known for its faster speeds than Hotspot Shield, robust security features, and excellent streaming capabilities.
ExpressVPN also offers a larger server network, user-friendly apps, and strong customer support.
Plus, ExpressVPN actively protects your privacy with features like DNS leak protection.
Although ExpressVPN is a bit pricier, it often offers VPN discounts.
If you’re looking for the best VPN for Windows, or any other platform, ExpressVPN is a better choice.
We review vendors based on rigorous testing, so you can trust our recommendation.
Ultimately, both ExpressVPN and Hotspot Shield are two of the best VPNs available, but ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs overall and the clear winner in this showdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ExpressVPN faster than Hotspot Shield?
Yes, in our speed tests, ExpressVPN consistently delivered faster speeds than Hotspot Shield. ExpressVPN has Lightway, its own protocol designed for speed, while Hotspot Shield uses its Hydra protocol. However, ExpressVPN still came out on top.
Can I use a free version of these VPNs?
Hotspot Shield offers a free plan with limited features and bandwidth. ExpressVPN does not offer a free plan, but it does have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Can I watch Netflix with ExpressVPN or Hotspot Shield?
ExpressVPN is better than Hotspot Shield for streaming. Our tests showed that ExpressVPN could reliably stream Netflix, while Hotspot Shield had some issues.
What security features do these VPNs offer?
Both VPNs offer robust security features, including AES-256 encryption. However, ExpressVPN outshines Hotspot Shield with features like DNS leak protection.
Can I use these VPNs on my router?
Yes, both ExpressVPN and Hotspot Shield allow VPN use on your router. This will protect all the devices on your home network with a single VPN session.
