Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Hotspot Shield VS Lantern

Compare Hotspot Shield VS Lantern and see what are their differences

Hotspot Shield logo Hotspot Shield

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

Lantern logo Lantern

Lantern delivers fast, reliable and secure access to the open internet. Download Lantern for free access to blocked videos, news, social media and more. Available for Windows, Android, Mac, Ubuntu.
  • Hotspot Shield Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-17
  • Lantern Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-23

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.

Lantern features and specs

  • Speed
    Lantern uses advanced techniques to find the fastest possible routes to deliver content, which can result in quicker access and data retrieval compared to other anti-censorship tools.
  • User-Friendly
    Lantern offers a straightforward, easy-to-use interface that even non-tech-savvy users can navigate with minimal guidance.
  • Automatic Censorship Detection
    Lantern can automatically detect when content is blocked and redirect users to an accessible source, providing seamless browsing without interruptions.
  • Cross-Platform
    Available for multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, allowing users to access censored content across devices.
  • Freemium Model
    Offers a free version with basic functionalities, making it accessible to users who cannot afford to pay for anti-censorship tools.

Possible disadvantages of Lantern

  • Privacy Concerns
    Lantern is not a VPN and does not encrypt all internet traffic, which might expose users to privacy risks and surveillance.
  • Limited Data for Free Users
    The free version of Lantern has data limitations, which can be restrictive for users who require extensive use.
  • Potential Network Instability
    Depending on network conditions and server load, users may experience varying levels of connectivity and reliability.
  • Subscription Costs
    While the basic version is free, advanced features require a subscription, which may not be affordable for all users.
  • Not Fully Open Source
    Lantern's core is open source, but some components are proprietary, which can be a concern for users who prioritize complete transparency.

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

Lantern videos

REI Co-op Gear Guide: Best Camping Lanterns

More videos:

  • Review - Lantern Reviews - Coast vs. Ozark vs. LifeGear
  • Review - Hurricane Lantern Review- The Feuerhand 276

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Hotspot Shield and Lantern)
VPN
89 89%
11% 11
Cloud VPN
89 89%
11% 11
Security & Privacy
86 86%
14% 14
Security
87 87%
13% 13

User comments

Share your experience with using Hotspot Shield and Lantern. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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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 Lantern

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.

Lantern Reviews

8 Online Alternatives That Are Cheaper Than Traditional In-Person Therapy
Lantern costs $49 per month and you can cancel at any time. Download Lantern for iOS or Android.
Source: themighty.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Lantern seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 4 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.

Lantern mentions (4)

  • For some reason, the recommended vpns on this sub (mullvad, IVPN, etc) are all banned in my country. Any good alternatives?
    I still think it's quite odd you can't access the website even with different DNS and Tor. You can also try something like https://getlantern.org/ but sure, feel free to check other VPNs like AirVPN and OVPN. Source: over 2 years ago
  • VPN for China
    Lantern - https://getlantern.org/ (different technology compared to VPNs, therefore sometimes works when VPNs don't work). Source: over 2 years ago
  • Secure Internet Access
    For those of you who may need secure internet access - https://getlantern.org. Source: about 3 years ago
  • What VPN works best in China as of September 2021
    Another good choice would be lantern with single click activation. It's reliable most of the times except the big days. Source: over 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Hotspot Shield and Lantern, 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.

Tor Browser - Tor is free software for enabling anonymous communication.

OpenVPN - OpenVPN - The Open Source VPN

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

TunnelBear - Really simple VPN to browse the web privately & anonymously.

PureVPN - PureVPN is a premium VPN service provider. As one of the first movers in the cybersecurity network, we provide you with the tools, services and knowledge to be the best version of yourself online.