ZeroToVPN
VPN Comparison 2026

ProtonVPN vs Hotspot Shield

Comprehensive comparison of features, pricing, speed, and security to help you choose the best VPN for your needs.

ProtonVPN

Rating: 4.5/5
Winner
Best Price:$2.49/mo
Servers:15,000+
Countries:120
Speed Score:88%

Hotspot Shield

Rating: 3.8/5
Best Price:$7.99/mo
Servers:3,200+
Countries:80
Speed Score:92%

Based on our comprehensive testing, ProtonVPN comes out ahead overall.

Last updated: juni 2026

Detailed Feature Comparison

Feature
ProtonVPN
Hotspot Shield
Overall Rating
4.5/5
3.8/5
Monthly Price
$9.99/mo
$12.99/mo
Best Price (2yr plan)
$2.49/mo
$7.99/mo
Money-Back Guarantee
30 days
45 days
Free Tier
Total Servers
15,000+
3,200+
Countries
120
80
Simultaneous Devices
10
10
Speed Score
88%
92%
Security Score
99%
80%
Streaming Score
80%
85%
Protocols
WireGuardOpenVPNIKEv2
HydraOpenVPNIKEv2
Encryption
AES-256
AES-256
Kill Switch
No-Logs Policy
Netflix Support
Torrenting Support
Get Started
Read Review
Read Review

Pros and Cons

ProtonVPN

Pros

  • Free tier available (no data limits)
  • Based in privacy-friendly Switzerland
  • Open source and audited
  • Secure Core servers
  • Integrates with ProtonMail

Cons

  • Free tier has limited servers
  • Streaming support is inconsistent
  • Fewer server locations

Hotspot Shield

Pros

  • Very fast speeds (Hydra protocol)
  • Free tier available
  • 45-day money-back guarantee
  • Good for streaming
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • Logs some connection data
  • Based in the US
  • Free tier has ads
  • Privacy concerns in past

Final Verdict

ProtonVPN comes out ahead in this comparison with a higher overall rating of 4.5/5 compared to Hotspot Shield's 3.8/5. Swiss-based VPN with strongest privacy focus and free tier.

Choose ProtonVPN if:

  • You need stronger security (99%)
  • You want more server options (15,000+ servers)
  • You're looking for better value ($2.49/mo)

Choose Hotspot Shield if:

  • You prioritize faster speeds (92%)

ProtonVPN

4.5/5 Rating$2.49/mo
Read Full Review

Hotspot Shield

3.8/5 Rating$7.99/mo
Read Full Review

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ProtonVPN better than Hotspot Shield?+
ProtonVPN is rated higher overall with a score of 4.5/5 compared to Hotspot Shield's 3.8/5. ProtonVPN Swiss-based VPN with strongest privacy focus and free tier. However, both VPNs have their strengths, so your best choice depends on your specific needs.
Which is cheaper, ProtonVPN or Hotspot Shield?+
ProtonVPN is the more affordable option at $2.49/mo on a 2-year plan, compared to Hotspot Shield at $7.99/mo. ProtonVPN offers better value on long-term plans, though both services frequently run promotional discounts.
Which is faster, ProtonVPN or Hotspot Shield?+
Hotspot Shield achieves a higher speed score of 92% in our tests, compared to ProtonVPN's 88%. Hotspot Shield uses modern VPN protocols that minimize speed loss, making it the better choice for bandwidth-heavy activities like 4K streaming and large file downloads.
Does ProtonVPN or Hotspot Shield have more servers?+
ProtonVPN has a larger server network with 15,000+ servers, compared to Hotspot Shield's 3,200+ servers. More servers generally means less congestion and more location choices, giving you better connection reliability and more options for bypassing geo-restrictions.
Which VPN is better for streaming, ProtonVPN or Hotspot Shield?+
Hotspot Shield scores higher for streaming at 85% compared to ProtonVPN's 80%. Hotspot Shield reliably unblocks popular streaming platforms and maintains fast enough speeds for HD and 4K content without buffering.

Compare More VPNs

Not sure yet? Check out our full VPN comparison tool or read detailed reviews of each service.

View All ComparisonsSee Best VPNs 2026

Gerelateerde Content

ProtonVPN Review
Review

Onze uitgebreide review van ProtonVPN — beoordeeld met een 4.5/10 voor snelheid, beveiliging en prijs-kwaliteit.

Lees meer
Hotspot Shield Review
Review

Onze uitgebreide review van Hotspot Shield — beoordeeld met een 3.8/10 voor snelheid, beveiliging en prijs-kwaliteit.

Lees meer
NordVPN vs ProtonVPN
Vergelijk

Twee privacy-zwaargewichten gaan de strijd aan — NordVPN vs ProtonVPN vergeleken op alle fronten.

Lees meer
Surfshark vs ProtonVPN
Vergelijk

Surfsharks onbeperkte apparaten tegenover ProtonVPN's Zwitserse privacy — welke is de betere keuze?

Lees meer
Beste VPN-diensten
Beste Keuze

Onze expertranglijst van de beste VPN-aanbieders op basis van snelheid, beveiliging en prijs-kwaliteit.

Lees meer
Beste gratis VPN's
Beste Keuze

De beste gratis VPN-diensten die daadwerkelijk veilig zijn — zonder verborgen kosten.

Lees meer