Choosing the right VPN can feel like navigating a maze.
Do you need blazing-fast speeds for streaming? Rock-solid security for online banking?
Maybe you’re looking for the best value for your money. It’s tough!
Two popular options that are constantly popping up are Mysterium and Hotspot Shield.
In this head-to-head matchup, we’ll break down the key differences between Mysterium and Hotspot Shield to help you decide which VPN fits your needs.
Mysterium vs Hotspot Shield Overview
We’ve spent weeks testing Mysterium and Hotspot Shield to give you the most accurate comparison.
We’ve evaluated their speed, security features, streaming performance, ease of use, and more.
This hands-on experience allows us to provide real-world insights and help you make an informed decision.
Experience true online privacy with Mysterium VPN. Join a network with over 2,400 residential IPs and enjoy secure browsing.
Pricing: 7-day money-back guarantee. Plan Starts at $3.19/month
Key Features:
- DVPN
- Pay-As-You-Go System
- No-Logs Policy
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:
- Wide server network
- Proprietary Chameleon protocol
- User-friendly apps
What is Mysterium?
Ever heard of a VPN that the people power? That’s Mysterium in a nutshell.
It’s a decentralized VPN that uses a network of regular people’s computers instead of company-owned servers.
This makes it super secure and difficult to block. Pretty cool, right?
It’s also intensely focused on privacy, with a strict no-logs policy. Mysterium is a solid choice if you’re looking for a VPN that is different from the mainstream options.
Experience true online privacy with Mysterium VPN. Join a network with over 2,400 residential IPs and enjoy secure, anonymous browsing.
Key Benefits
- Decentralized network: Increased privacy and security.
- No-logs policy: Doesn’t store your data.
- Open-source: Transparent and community-driven.
- Pay-as-you-go pricing: Only pay for what you use.
Pricing
- 1-month plan: $9.99/month
- 6-month plan: $6.85/month
- 1-year plan: $5.14/month
- 2-year plan: $3.19/month
Pros
Cons
What is Hotspot Shield?
Hotspot Shield is a well-known VPN that’s been around for ages.
You might have even seen their ads! They’re all about speed and security.
Hotspot Shield uses a unique protocol called Catapult Hydra, which is designed to give you super-fast connections.
This makes it an excellent choice for streaming or gaming.
They also have a massive network of servers in over 80 countries. If you need to bypass geo-restrictions, Hotspot Shield can help.
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 locations for maximum security and ultra-fast streaming.
Pros
Cons
Mysterium vs Hotspot Shield Feature Comparison
Let’s dive deeper and compare the features of Mysterium and Hotspot Shield side-by-side.
This will help you see how they stack up regarding security, performance, and overall functionality.
Security and Privacy
- Mysterium: Mysterium takes your online privacy seriously. They have a strict no-logs policy, meaning they don’t track your online activity. They also use strong encryption to protect your data. Since it’s decentralized, there’s no single point of failure for hackers to target.
- Hotspot Shield: Hotspot Shield also offers robust security, with military-grade encryption and a kill switch to prevent data leaks if your connection drops. However, it is based in the US, part of the 5 Eyes intelligence alliance. This might be a concern for privacy-conscious users.
Server Locations
- Mysterium: Mysterium has a smaller server network than Hotspot Shield, with servers in around 40 countries. However, their network is constantly growing.
- Hotspot Shield boasts a much more extensive network, with over 1,800 servers in 80+ countries. This gives users more options for bypassing geo-restrictions and finding a fast connection.
Speed and Performance
- Mysterium: Due to its decentralized nature, Mysterium’s speeds can be somewhat inconsistent. You might experience slower speeds, especially during peak hours.
- Hotspot Shield: Hotspot Shield is known for its fast connection speeds, thanks to its Catapult Hydra protocol. This makes it an excellent choice for activities like streaming and gaming.
Streaming and Torrenting
- Mysterium: Although most of its servers allow torrenting, it’s not the best choice for streaming, and you might have trouble accessing some streaming platforms.
- Hotspot Shield is a solid streaming option. It even has dedicated streaming servers optimized for popular platforms like Netflix and Hulu.
VPN Protocols
- Mysterium: Mysterium uses the Wireguard protocol, known for its speed and security.
- Hotspot Shield: Hotspot Shield uses its proprietary protocol, Catapult Hydra, designed for speed and efficiency.
Pricing and Plans
- Mysterium: Mysterium uses a pay-as-you-go system, so you only pay for the data you use. This can be more affordable than traditional subscription-based VPNs.
- Hotspot Shield: Hotspot Shield offers a free version with limited features and a premium version with various pricing plans.
Customer Support
- Mysterium: Mysterium’s customer support is primarily through email and their online knowledge base.
- Hotspot Shield: For premium users, Hotspot Shield offers email support and live chat. However, their response times can sometimes be slow.
What to Look for When Choosing a VPN?
- Strong encryption: Look for a VPN that uses AES-256 encryption, the industry standard.
- No-logs policy: Ensure the VPN provider doesn’t track or store your online activity.
- Server network: Consider the size and location of the server network. A more extensive network gives you more options for bypassing geo-restrictions and finding a fast connection.
- Speed and performance: Choose a VPN with fast speeds, especially if you plan on streaming or gaming.
- Streaming and torrenting support: If you need a VPN for streaming or torrenting, make sure the provider allows it.
- Ease of use: Choose a VPN with user-friendly apps and a simple interface.
- Pricing: Compare pricing plans and features to find the best value for your needs.
- Customer support: Make sure the VPN provider offers reliable customer support if you need help.
- Device compatibility: Ensure the VPN is compatible with all your devices.
- Unique features: Some VPNs offer extra features like split tunneling, ad blockers, and malware protection.
- Free trials and money-back guarantees: Use free or money-back guarantees to test the VPN before committing.
Final Verdict (Our Pick)
So, which VPN comes out on top? It’s a close call, but in this Mysterium VPN vs Hotspot Shield showdown, we choose Mysterium. Why?
It boils down to their unique approach to online privacy.
Mysterium’s decentralized network and strict no-logs policy give you a level of privacy that’s hard to beat.
Plus, their pay-as-you-go system is super flexible and affordable.
Hotspot Shield is still an excellent VPN service, especially if you need the fastest VPN for streaming or gaming.
But for overall online privacy and a genuinely unique VPN experience, Mysterium is our winner.
We’ve tested these VPNs extensively, digging deep into their features, performance, and security.
We’re confident that our recommendation will help you make the best choice for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mysterium VPN better than Proton VPN?
Both are excellent VPN services with a strong emphasis on privacy. Mysterium boasts a unique decentralized network, while Proton VPN offers a broader range of features and a larger server network. The best choice depends on your specific needs and priorities.
Can I get unlimited bandwidth with Mysterium VPN?
Mysterium VPN uses a pay-as-you-go system, so you only pay for the bandwidth you consume. No limits exist on how much data you can use, but you must top up your account as needed.
Does Hotspot Shield support OpenVPN?
Hotspot Shield uses its own proprietary VPN protocol called Catapult Hydra. They do not currently support OpenVPN. However, Catapult Hydra is designed to provide fast speeds and strong security.
How does a VPN hide my IP address?
When you connect to a VPN, your internet traffic is routed through the VPN server. This replaces your actual IP address with the IP address of the VPN server, effectively masking your location and online identity.
What are the key VPN features to look for?
Essential VPN features include strong encryption (like AES-256), a no-logs policy, an extensive server network, fast speeds, and support for streaming and torrenting. Additional features like a kill switch split tunneling and DNS leak protection are also valuable.
