Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Hotspot Shield VS AdGuard

Compare Hotspot Shield VS AdGuard and see what are their differences

Hotspot Shield logo Hotspot Shield

Hotspot Shield is a software application developed by AnchorFree, Inc.

AdGuard logo AdGuard

Surf the Web Ad-Free and Safely. Shield up!
  • Hotspot Shield Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-17
  • AdGuard Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-12

AdGuard is the best way to get rid of intrusive ads and online tracking, and to protect your computer from malware. Make your web surfing faster, safer and more comfortable with AdGuard!

Hotspot Shield features and specs

  • High-Speed Performance
    Hotspot Shield is known for its high-speed connections, making it ideal for streaming, large downloads, and gaming.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The application is designed with a simple, intuitive interface that makes it easy for both technical and non-technical users to operate.
  • Large Server Network
    Hotspot Shield provides access to a large number of servers in various locations around the world, which can help bypass geo-restrictions.
  • Strong Security Features
    It offers robust encryption and security features such as malware protection, which enhance user privacy and data security.
  • Free Version Available
    A free version of Hotspot Shield is available, allowing users to try the service before committing to a paid subscription.

Possible disadvantages of Hotspot Shield

  • Logging Policy
    Hotspot Shield’s privacy policy has been criticized for potential logging of user data, which raises concerns for privacy-conscious users.
  • Ads in Free Version
    The free version of Hotspot Shield includes advertisements, which can be intrusive and disrupt the browsing experience.
  • Limited Features in Free Version
    The free version offers a limited set of features compared to the premium version, which may not meet all user needs.
  • Cost of Premium Version
    The premium subscription can be relatively expensive, which may not be affordable for all users.
  • Inconsistent Performance
    Some users have reported inconsistent performance, such as occasional slowdowns or interruptions depending on the server or location.

AdGuard features and specs

  • Effective Ad Blocking
    AdGuard effectively blocks intrusive ads, pop-ups, banner ads, and video ads, ensuring a smoother browsing experience.
  • Privacy Protection
    AdGuard helps protect user privacy by blocking third-party trackers, preventing websites from collecting personal data.
  • Customizability
    Users can customize the level of filtering and create their own rules to block specific types of content or to whitelist particular websites.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    AdGuard is available on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and as browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, etc.
  • Additional Features
    In addition to ad blocking, AdGuard offers features like parental control, safe browsing, and spyware protection.

Possible disadvantages of AdGuard

  • Subscription Cost
    While offering free versions, most of AdGuard's advanced features require a paid subscription, which may not be suitable for all users.
  • Resource Usage
    AdGuard can consume a noticeable amount of system resources, which may affect the performance on less powerful devices.
  • Potential Website Breakage
    Some websites may not function properly when AdGuard is enabled, requiring users to manually whitelist such sites.
  • Learning Curve
    For users who want to fully utilize AdGuard's customizability, there is a learning curve associated with understanding and configuring its advanced settings.
  • Mobile App Limitations
    On iOS, AdGuard's functionality is somewhat limited compared to its Android counterpart due to Apple's restrictive policy on system-wide ad blockers.

Hotspot Shield videos

Hotspot Shield Review - Brutally Honest Review in 2019

More videos:

  • Review - Hotspot Shield VPN Review
  • Review - Hotspot Shield review: Should you get it? | VPNpro

AdGuard videos

AdGuard for Desktop and Android: Why We Use the Full Version

More videos:

  • Review - Bye Bye To Annoying Ads...Using AdGuard [Review]
  • Review - AdGuard Youtube ads killer and others Lifetime Deal

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Hotspot Shield and AdGuard)
VPN
100 100%
0% 0
Security & Privacy
33 33%
67% 67
Cloud VPN
100 100%
0% 0
Ad Blockers
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Hotspot Shield and AdGuard

Hotspot Shield Reviews

The Best Top 10 VPNs for Spotify 2025
Hotspot Shield is a popular VPN solution for Spotify users, offering fast and secure connections to its vast network of servers. With a user-friendly interface and 24/7 customer support, Hotspot Shield is perfect for music lovers.
Turbo VPN Alternatives – Best Free VPN Apps For Android in 2022
Hotspot Shield is the best and most popular VPN proxy application for Android smartphones. It takes security and privacy very seriously. Since it’s a VPN app, it can be used to unlock geo-restricted websites and content.
Source: techviral.net
112 Best Chrome Extensions You Should Try (2021 List)
Hotspot Shield extension is a freemium security tool. It uses WebRTC technologies to hide your IP and uses military-grade encryption to protect your data. Yes! it offers both free and paid plans, but as free, it only connects to one location and provides primary security. But premium subscription plans come with a 45-day money-back guarantee. However, for beginners, the free...
8 Best Turbo VPN Alternatives for Android and iOS
HotSpot Shield is yet another VPN that offers unlimited data just like Turbo VPN. It does not throttle the speed and the servers are always up which translates to excellent performance. However, bear in mind, under the free service, you have servers only from the US region which could be a bummer for some. Nevertheless, the best part about Hotspot Shield is that it offers...
Source: beebom.com
8 Similar Apps like Psiphon that are Actually Better
Hotspot Shield VPN is yet another incredible app like Psiphon. However, it does require you to subscribe to a plan to be able to utilize the VPN service. The pricing plans are similar to the ones offered by other VPN providers.

AdGuard Reviews

The Best Ad Blockers for YouTube 2024
AdGuard’s Chrome extension was effective in removing multiple types of ads, such as pop-up ads and chatbots. We also tested the macOS application when using Safari and saw the same results: no ads. We used AdGuard while watching a few videos on YouTube and were pleasantly surprised not to encounter ads while using the platform. AdGuard was able to remove pop-up ads, video...
List of 10 Best Ad Blockers in 2024
In thе еvеr-еxpanding digital landscapе of 2024, AdGuard еmеrgеs as onе of thе bеst ad blockers availablе. With its powerful fеaturеs and robust pеrformancе, AdGuard еffеctivеly shiеlds usеrs from intrusivе and unwantеd advеrtisеmеnts across various platforms. This advanced tool еmploys a combination of filtеrs, including AdGuard’s own databasе, to block ads on wеbsitеs,...
Best Ad Blockers in 2023: Adblock Plus vs AdGuard vs uBlock Origin and More
I made sure to include several excellent browser extensions, which are all better than AdGuard. On the other hand, I also wanted to include a full-fledged desktop app, which is where AdGuard performs admirably, hence its place on the list.
10 Best FREE Anti Tracking Software In 2023 [TOP SELECTIVE]
AdGuard is a tool with various features which allow users to work efficiently without worrying about their data privacy. This tool provides a faster browser as it disables all ads and trackers on the browser, enabling a faster browsing speed.
Best AD Blockers for Android [ 2022 ]
Then Adguard is a great alternative Not only does it block ads on both your browser and apps, but it’s also the only ad blocker that removes the spaces where the ads used to be.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, AdGuard seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 87 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Hotspot Shield mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Hotspot Shield yet. Tracking of Hotspot Shield recommendations started around Mar 2021.

AdGuard mentions (87)

View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Hotspot Shield and AdGuard, you can also consider the following products

ProtonVPN - ProtonVPN is a security focused FREE VPN service, developed by CERN and MIT scientists. Use the web anonymously, unblock websites & encrypt your connection.

uBlock Origin - Popular and efficient blocker for Chromium, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Thunderbird.

OpenVPN - OpenVPN - The Open Source VPN

Adblock Plus - AdBlock Plus is a browser extension for Firefox, Chrome, Opera, and several other popular browsers that prevents intrusive ads like pop-ups and malicious code from appearing on websites you visit.

Psiphon - Psiphon is circumvention software for Windows and Mobile platforms that provides uncensored access to Internet content. Read more about Psiphon.

AdBlock - Ad blocker for Chrome, Safari and Opera on desktop and Safari for iOS devices.