Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Micro Snitch VS Hotspot Shield

Compare Micro Snitch VS Hotspot Shield and see what are their differences

Micro Snitch logo Micro Snitch

Micro Snitch is an ultra-light menu bar application that operates inconspicuously. It helps figuring out if someone’s spying on you.

Hotspot Shield logo Hotspot Shield

Hotspot Shield is a software application developed by AnchorFree, Inc.
  • Micro Snitch Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-26
  • Hotspot Shield Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-17

Micro Snitch features and specs

  • Privacy Protection
    Micro Snitch continuously monitors and alerts you when your computer’s microphone or camera is active, helping to protect your privacy from unauthorized access.
  • Real-time Notifications
    The app provides real-time notifications whenever your microphone or camera is engaged, allowing for immediate awareness of potentially invasive activity.
  • System Integration
    Micro Snitch integrates well with macOS, running efficiently in the background without causing significant performance issues.
  • User-friendly Interface
    The application features a simple and intuitive interface, making it easy for users to configure and understand alerts.

Possible disadvantages of Micro Snitch

  • Limited to Apple Devices
    Micro Snitch is only available for macOS, which limits its usefulness for users who operate on multiple platforms like Windows or Linux.
  • Paid Software
    Unlike some other privacy protection tools, Micro Snitch is not free, which might not be suitable for users looking for a cost-free solution.
  • Basic Functionality
    The application offers basic monitoring features and lacks advanced security functions that some users may desire for comprehensive protection.
  • False Positives
    Occasionally, Micro Snitch might generate false positive alerts, which could cause unnecessary concern or distractions.

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.

Micro Snitch videos

Micro Snitch 1.3.1 + Crack macOS

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Micro Snitch and Hotspot Shield)
Security & Privacy
6 6%
94% 94
VPN
3 3%
97% 97
Monitoring Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Cloud VPN
3 3%
97% 97

User comments

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Reviews

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

Micro Snitch Reviews

We have no reviews of Micro Snitch yet.
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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.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Micro Snitch 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.

Micro Snitch mentions (4)

  • Discord app on MacOS Monterey is trying to access the camera when it has no permissions
    Also running Microsnitch - https://obdev.at/products/microsnitch/index.html. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Peloton replaces CEO and lays off 2,800 people
    I got Micro Snitch [1] as part of a bundle with Little Snitch years ago and have just had it running for cases like this. I'm fortunate to not have run into this issue, but I like the peace of mind of knowing exactly if I do. [1]: https://obdev.at/products/microsnitch/index.html. - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago
  • If your MacBook Pro shows high % CPU, try charging on the right and not the left
    > … 'coreaudiod', because it apparently is constantly listening to the microphone built in near the keyboard and spending cpu cycles trying to filter out background noise. Apparently running the signal desktop app in the background is enough to keep coreaudiod constantly wasting battery. Because signal is open and has been granted permissions for microphone and speakers, even if no call session is open? There’s... - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago
  • Camera cover slider
    Do not use them! Apple doesn’t recommend anything thicker than a sheet of paper. So, if you want a cover, cut a piece of Post-it note or something like that. You can also check out OverSight or Micro Snitch for a software approach to improved privacy. Source: almost 4 years ago

Hotspot Shield mentions (0)

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

What are some alternatives?

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

Oversight - Get notified when an app accesses your Mac's camera or mic

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

Little Snitch - Little Snitch is a firewall application that monitors and controls outbound internet traffic.

OpenVPN - OpenVPN - The Open Source VPN

Micro Sniff - A meeting is coming through. Your camera is off, but all of a sudden you forget to unplug the earphones which, 10 minutes ago, was still jamming on that youtube video you...

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