Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Hotspot Shield VS Surfshark

Compare Hotspot Shield VS Surfshark and see what are their differences

Hotspot Shield logo Hotspot Shield

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

Surfshark logo Surfshark

Surfshark is an award-winning, secure VPN that encrypts your online data to help you stay private & protected every day, hassle-free.
  • Hotspot Shield Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-17
  • Surfshark Landing page
    Landing page //
    2024-05-06

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.

Surfshark features and specs

  • Affordability
    Surfshark offers competitive pricing and often provides discounts for longer subscription periods, making it a cost-effective VPN solution.
  • Unlimited Devices
    One of Surfshark's unique features is that it allows unlimited simultaneous connections on a single account, supporting families and multiple-device households without extra costs.
  • Strong Encryption and Security Features
    Surfshark employs AES-256-GCM encryption and offers features like CleanWeb (ad-blocking), MultiHop (double VPN), and a Kill Switch for strong online security.
  • No Logs Policy
    Surfshark operates under a strict no-logs policy, ensuring that they don’t track your online activities, which is crucial for privacy-conscious users.
  • Wide Server Network
    With over 3,200 servers in 65 countries, Surfshark provides excellent global coverage for unblocking geographically restricted content.
  • 24/7 Customer Support
    Surfshark offers around-the-clock customer service via live chat and email, providing assistance whenever needed.
  • Bypasser (Split Tunneling)
    This feature allows users to choose which apps or websites go through the VPN and which connect to the internet directly, offering greater flexibility.

Analysis of Hotspot Shield

Overall verdict

  • Hotspot Shield is a reliable choice for users looking for a fast and user-friendly VPN. It particularly excels in performance with streaming and browsing, although users who prioritize privacy above all else might find some concerns due to its U.S.-based jurisdiction.

Why this product is good

  • Hotspot Shield is considered a good VPN due to its fast connection speeds, advanced encryption protocols, and ease of use. It provides a large network of servers, which allows users to bypass geographic restrictions and access content from various regions. Additionally, it offers a free version with limited features and has a simple user interface, making it accessible for beginners.

Recommended for

  • Users who need fast streaming speeds.
  • People looking for a user-friendly VPN.
  • Individuals who require access to region-locked content.

Analysis of Surfshark

Overall verdict

  • Surfshark is a strong choice for those seeking a cost-effective VPN with robust security features and excellent performance. It offers great value for money and is suitable for a variety of online privacy and security needs.

Why this product is good

  • Surfshark is considered good due to its affordable pricing, unlimited device connections, strong encryption, and a no-logs policy. It also offers features like a kill switch, MultiHop for additional security, and CleanWeb for ad and malware blocking. Additionally, it has a user-friendly interface and provides fast server speeds, making it a reliable choice for both beginners and advanced users.

Recommended for

  • Users looking for a budget-friendly VPN with strong security.
  • Individuals or families who want to use a VPN on multiple devices simultaneously.
  • Anyone interested in advanced features like MultiHop and CleanWeb.
  • Users who need reliable access to geo-restricted content, such as streaming services.

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

Surfshark videos

SurfShark VPN Review 2020 - IN-DEPTH & DETAILED SurfShark Review

More videos:

  • Review - Trust DNS - unblocks websites and even that
  • Review - Surfshark VPN Review: What's the Catch? It's not what you think!
  • Review - 5 Reasons Not to Buy Surfshark VPN!
  • Review - Surfshark VPN Review 2024 - The Only Surfshark Review You'll Need! 🔥
  • Review - HONEST Surfshark review | Is it worth trying Surfshark VPN?
  • Review - Surfshark VPN Review 2024 - The Only Surfshark Review You'll Need! 🔥
  • Review - Surfshark VPN Review: Everything Revealed in 6 Minutes (PROS & CONS)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Hotspot Shield and Surfshark)
VPN
75 75%
25% 25
Cloud VPN
84 84%
16% 16
Security & Privacy
69 69%
31% 31
Security
100 100%
0% 0

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 Surfshark

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.

Surfshark Reviews

The Best Top 10 VPNs for Spotify 2025
Surfshark’s Nexus technology allows users to specify entry and exit servers for MultiHop connections, providing additional security. With speeds fast enough for 4K video streaming, Surfshark is an excellent choice for Spotify users.
NordVPN vs Surfshark Comparison
NordVPN and Surfshark are both highly acclaimed VPNs, with the former having over ten years of experience and Surfshark over five. Interestingly, in 2022, NordVPN merged with Surfshark, but parent Nord Security keeps the businesses separate and intact.
Source: bestreviews.net
Best 5 Psiphon Alternatives in 2023
Last on the list is Surfshark, another name you’ve probably been hammered to death with. Surfshark’s biggest selling point is the support for an unlimited number of devices. Unlike basically all other VPNs, Surfshark allows you to connect as many devices to its service, on all of its plans! While the monthly subscription rates aren’t the cheapest, you do get some good bang...
Surfshark vs CyberGhost Comparison
There are a number of examples of funnily named VPN providers in the industry, and Surfshark is another entry on that list. Headquartered in the British Virgin Islands, it doesn’t just sound cool but it brings with it some pretty handy features, too, such as CleanWeb – a malware tracker and ad blocker – a kill switch, Wi-Fi protection, and more. But perhaps the most...
The Best NordVPN Alternatives in 2022
Aside from Surfshark’s awesome private DNS and leak protection features and AES-256-GCM encryption, it boasts of an ad-blocking feature and split tunneling capability to remove your selected apps or websites from the VPN connection.
Source: www.alphr.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Surfshark seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 48 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.

Surfshark mentions (48)

  • World Rugby U20 Championship round 2 fixtures (Times=GMT+2)
    VPN will sort you out with the geo-blocking. I use SurfShark. Hasn't let me down yet. Cheap, fast, reliable and can be used on as many devices as you like. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Catch the Surfshark wave: with exciting new milestones and updates for June 🗞️
    Our homepage just got a facelift! It's part of our ongoing rebranding to make things easier for you. Drop by and see the new look at https://surfshark.com/! Source: almost 2 years ago
  • I’m in Canada and this is what Surfshark looks like in my apple profile when I look at my subscription. Is this odd?
    Mine looks the same way, and I also can no longer access surfshark.com. Source: about 2 years ago
  • I AM OUTRAGED
    I would recommend getting a VPN. I use Surfshark (which is good because it doesn't block torrenting, meaning, if you want to, you can pirate stuff to without the eyes of the PAP on you). Source: over 2 years ago
  • Unable to connect to Surfshark on Windows (JioFiber - India)
    VPNs which do not have servers in India are already being banned it seems. Cannot access surfshark.com without a VPN (ironic). Source: over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Hotspot Shield and Surfshark, 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.

NordVPN - NordVPN offers VPN technology that encrypts data twice.

OpenVPN - OpenVPN - The Open Source VPN

ExpressVPN - ExpressVPN is the worlds fastest VPN service.

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

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