Hotspot Shield for Mac

A trusted VPN for security-savvy users

If you’re looking for a VPN that provides superior levels of anonymity and privacy when browsing the internet, Hotspot Shield has you covered. This security solution is developed by AnchorFree and offers an effective bundle of advanced functions that include anonymous browsing, faster and more stable connection, accessibility for geo-blocked sites, and more. 

Available in free and subscription-based plans, Hotspot Shield has tailored packages to cater to the varied requirements of users. It functions similarly to other top-notch options like NordVPN and Turbo VPN. The best part is that it provides flexibility with its cross-platform support. 

A superior choice with impressive features

Hotspot Shield is arguably one of the most effective VPNs currently on the market. As with any VPN service, several key metrics need to be addressed. This software has consistently scored higher than many of its competitors in terms of efficacy and security. With a connection that is more than twice as fast as some of its major competitors, it is an ideal choice for activities like video streaming, gaming, downloading, and conferencing. The free version, however, may have a slower connection than those of premium plans.

Additionally, its military-grade encryption system keeps cyber predators at bay and, thus, provides you peace of mind when making transactions that involve sensitive information. Its revolutionary Hydra Protocol masks the user's IP addresses, leaving no trace of their internet traffic. It also has one of the highest malicious URL detection rates on the market. When we add other essential features, such as the ability to employ multiple server connections simultaneously, it becomes clear to appreciate why IT professionals opt for this bespoke privacy software. 

Keeping the needs of the user in mind

Hotspot Shield is much respected for its user-friendly design. Its simple navigation system requires a single click for the service to work. In case a server fails, a kill switch will automatically activate so that the user's device won't revert to its original IP address. This mechanism prevents sensitive information from being compromised. Another great feature is its simultaneous connection to up to five devices. It’s also a torrent-friendly service that offers seamless P2P support across all its servers. 

Users can easily download torrents using any of the available clients, with no bandwidth limits or restrictions, ensuring an enjoyable experience for users who engage in torrenting activities. Aside from these features, it also provides more than 1,800 servers scattered in over 80 countries. However, despite its sizable server network, it is slightly lagging behind CyberGhosts and NordVPN in terms of coverage, as the two VPN giants boast massive networks of  6,700 and 5,400 servers, respectively. 

Hydra protocol and encryption

Hotspot Shield uses its proprietary Hydra protocol, which is based on TLS 1.2 and employs military-grade AES-256 and AES-128 encryption, 2048-bit RSA certificates for server authentication, and Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman (ECDHE) for perfect forward secrecy. Although the code is not open source, the VPN service ensures that users' data is protected from malware and spyware using top-notch encryption technologies.

The company's privacy policy clearly states that Hotspot Shield's VPN products do not log IP addresses, device identifiers, or any other form of identifier in combination with VPN browsing activity. However, some logging does occur, including the duration of VPN sessions, the bandwidth consumed, and the domains accessed in an anonymized manner. Although this information cannot be linked to specific VPN browsing activity, users should be aware of these logging practices.

This security and privacy solution also features a kill switch that prevents IP leaks by blocking the internet connection in any case the VPN connection drops due to internet connectivity issues or server issues. While tests showed that the kill switch works well in most common scenarios, some extreme situations revealed potential vulnerabilities, where the kill switch failed to activate and left the device unprotected.

Customer support and knowledge base

Hotspot Shield offers live chat support and a comprehensive knowledge base organized by platform and categories like Payments and Subscriptions, Manage Account, and Common Issues. The support team is friendly and knowledgeable, providing quick assistance when needed. Although there is room for improvement in the support site's content, users can find most of the essential information and rely on live chat support for additional help.

A trusted provider to satisfy security needs

Hotspot Shield has been downloaded more than 600 million times, and it currently ranks as one of the top 50 apps across multiple platforms. While it is perfectly suited for development and IT professionals, it is just as useful for those who desire a superior sense of security when surfing the internet. It also prevents potential bandwidth throttling by your ISP. Despite some minor limitations, this VPN service is a highly beneficial option.