ExpressVPN vs Hotspot Shield review

Shopping for VPNs can get complicated quickly but we’re here to help. Our team of experts has put together a beginner-friendly comparison of every feature that ExpressVPN and Hotspot Shield have to offer. This should shed some light on which is better for your needs and help you get your money’s worth.

Editor’s Note: Hotspot Shield is owned by Aura, Comparitech’s parent company. This has not influenced our comparison in any way and all of our findings, claims, and statements are backed by concrete evidence.

Can’t choose between ExpressVPN and Hotspot Shield?

If you can’t decide, we’d suggest trying ExpressVPN first. It’s fast, security-conscious, and available at a huge discount right now. if you’re leaning towards Hotspot Shield, you can use our exclusive coupon to cut the price as much as possible.

Our in-depth analysis of these VPNs will reveal which is faster, better for streaming, and more privacy-conscious. Let’s jump right in.

Summary: ExpressVPN vs Hotspot Shield

ExpressVPN

  • Many high-speed servers
  • Fantastic streaming abilities
  • Top-notch security features
  • Keeps no logs and accepts payment in Bitcoin

Hotspot Shield

  • Fast and reliable connections
  • Works with popular streaming services
  • Takes user security very seriously
  • Generous guarantee period

ExpressVPN vs Hotspot Shield: Price comparison

No valueExpressVPNHotspot Shield
WebsiteExpressVPN.comHotspotshield.com
Subscription periods1 month, 6 months, 1 yearOne month, one year, three years
Special offerThree months free with a 1 year subscriptionSave 77% on three-year subscriptions
Highest price per month$12.95$12.99
Lowest monthly cost$4.99$2.99
One year price $99.95 (actually for 16 months)$95.99
Money back guarantee30 days45 days
Best deal (per month)$4.99
SAVE: 61% + 4 months free on 2 year plans
$2.99
SAVE 77% ON THE 3 YEAR PLAN

There are definately cheaper options out there for short-term subscribers. That said, ExpressVPN and HSS both offer steep discounts on their longer plans. ExpressVPN provides 15 months of coverage for less than $100, while Hotspot Shield users can get three years’ protection for as little as $2.99 per month.

Both VPNs include a money-back guarantee, meaning you can try them out and cancel for a full refund if you’re unimpressed. ExpressVPN’s last for 30 days, which is the industry average but HSS goes further with a 45-day guarantee on all plans.

Best Deal for ExpressVPN:Save 49% and get an extra three months free by choosing ExpressVPN’s annual subscription.

Best Deal for Hotspot Shield:Get an exclusive 77% discount on three-year plans.

ExpressVPN vs Hotspot Shield: Features

No valueExpressVPNHotspot Shield
WebsiteExpressVPN.comHotspotshield.com
Simultaneous Connections8Up to 10
Devices SupportedWindows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Smart TVs, RoutersWindows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, Chrome, Smart TVs, Routers
Manual install devicesCertain routersSelect routers
Free extrasPassword manager (on mobile), ad and tracker-blocking, Smart DNS service. Browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Vivaldi, and BraveBrowser extensions (Chrome, Edge, and Firefox), built-in speed tester
Best deal (per month)$4.99
SAVE: 61% + 4 months free on 2 year plans
$2.99
SAVE 77% ON THE 3 YEAR PLAN

Both VPNs have apps for all of the main platforms including Linux and Amazon Firestick, as well as browser extensions for popular browsers. However, HSS has to be manually installed on routers whereas ExpressVPN has its own firmware that makes things a little simpler.

For a long time, HSS had a big advantage over ExpressVPN in one area: its connection limit. Users can secure up to 10 devices simultaneously, whereas until recently, ExpressVPN only allowed five. However, ExpressVPN has recently increased its limit to eight devices, regardless of which subscription plan you pick.

Both VPNs offer split-tunneling (though not on iOS). This is the ability to let specific apps or websites bypass the VPN. This can be helpful, for instance, if you want to ensure the highest possible download speeds and don’t care whether it’s encrypted or not.

Hotspot Shield also includes its own speed tester while ExpressVPN has a Smart DNS service called MediaStreamer that lets you stream US content on Xbox, PlayStation, or any device without full VPN support.

Streaming and Netflix comparison

No valueExpressVPNHotspot Shield
WebsiteExpressVPN.comHotspotshield.com
Unblocks Hulu
Unblocks Sky Go
Unblocks Prime Video
Unblocks BBC iPlayer
Unblocks ABC
Unblocks CBS
Unblocks NBC
Unblocks ITV
Unblocks Channel 4
Best deal (per month)$4.99
SAVE: 61% + 4 months free on 2 year plans
$2.99
SAVE 77% ON THE 3 YEAR PLAN

ExpressVPN and HSS both work with plenty of streaming platforms, and have showed real improvement in this area lately. For instance, the last time we checked, neither could access CBS, whereas now, this service poses no problem.

Interestingly, we were able to securely access multiple Netflix libraries with both VPNs. For context, most providers struggle to even provide access to the US library, so this is a huge win for the 350 million VPN users around the world.

Hotspot Shield has a slight advantage in this area thanks to its streaming-optimized servers. However, these only work with British and American services. Still, in our experience, the general-purpose servers seem to work well enough with most popular platforms.

China

The Chinese government restricts access to all kinds of content using a collection of web-filtering tools known collectively as the “Great Firewall.” The good news is that both ExpressVPN and Hotspot Shield let you bypass these restrictions and browse the web freely (though they will occasionally run into issues when the Great Firewall is updated).

Here’s the best part: unlike with many other VPNs, neither ExpressVPN nor Hotspot Shield requires you to do anything differently to surf safely in China. However, as both service’s websites are currently blocked, you’ll have to install them before leaving. It doesn’t hurt to save manual setup instructions too, just in case you find that the apps don’t work when you arrive.

Setup and interface

No valueExpressVPNHotspot Shield
WebsiteExpressVPN.comHotspotshield.com
Automatic setup wizardWindows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Tomato and DD-WRT routersWindows, MacOS, Android, iOS
Main location selectionList-basedList-based
Extra settings pages
Mobile-friendly
Best deal (per month)$4.99
SAVE: 61% + 4 months free on 2 year plans
$2.99
SAVE 77% ON THE 3 YEAR PLAN

ExpressVPN really tries to make things as straightforward as possible. Its main screen features a quick-connect button and lets you quickly regain access to your last-used location. The settings menu is nice and simple too, making it perfect for beginners.

Screenshots of ExpressVPN's desktop app. Shows main page, server list, and advanced settings menu
ExpressVPN’s apps are clutter-free and designed with novice users in mind

Hotspot Shield has a similar design but provides a little more functionality. For instance, you can quickly connect to a server designed for streaming, run a speed test, or contact support staff without ever having to leave the app.

Screenshot of Hotspot Shield's main screen and server selection window
HSS shows useful data and makes finding the right server as easy as possible

Servers and Performance

No valueExpressVPNHotspot Shield
WebsiteExpressVPN.comHotspotshield.com
Server countries10580+
Total number of serversUndisclosed1,800
Mobile-friendly
Best deal (per month)$4.99
SAVE: 61% + 4 months free on 2 year plans
$2.99
SAVE 77% ON THE 3 YEAR PLAN

Most paid VPNs offer access to around 60 locations but ExpressVPN and Hotspot Shield blow this out of the water, with 105 and 80, respectively.

ExpressVPN has servers in some less common locations including Andorra, Jersey, and Macau, while Hotspot Shield offers IP addresses from China, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates. Note that these servers are free from government interference as they’re virtual — in other words, they’re actually hosted elsewhere in the world and not subject to these locations’ laws.

Below, you’ll find a full list of every supported country:

ExpressVPNHotspot Shield
Albania
Algeria
Andorra
Argentina
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Belize
Bhutan
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bolivia
Brazil
Brunei Darussalam
Bulgaria
Cambodia
Canada
Cayman Islands
Chile
China
Colombia
Costa Rica
Cuba
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Estonia
Egypt
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guam
Guatemala
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Ireland
Isle of Man
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jersey
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Myanmar
Netherlands
Nepal
New Zealand
Norway
Pakistan
Panama
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Romania
Russia
Serbia
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Trinidad and Tobago
Turkey
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Ukraine
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam

These VPNs are actually very well-matched when it comes to speed. In our latest performance testing, ExpressVPN delivered average speeds of 193 Mbps whereas HSS averaged 197 Mbps. This means that they’re two of the quickest VPNs on the market and certainly more than fast enough for any task yo have in mind.

No valueExpressVPN
WebsiteExpressVPN.com
Average Connection Speed - North America (USA)319 Mbps
Average Connection Speed - Europe (UK)303 Mbps
Average Connection Speed - Asia (Hong Kong)278 Mbps
Best deal (per month)$4.99
SAVE: 61% + 4 months free on 2 year plans
No valueHotspot Shield
WebsiteHotspotshield.com
Average Connection Speed - North America (USA)207 Mbps
Average Connection Speed - Europe (UK)195 Mbps
Average Connection Speed - Asia (Hong Kong)189 Mbps
Best deal (per month)$2.99
SAVE 77% ON THE 3 YEAR PLAN

Security

No valueExpressVPNHotspot Shield
WebsiteExpressVPN.comHotspotshield.com
VPN protocolsOpenVPN, Lightway, IKEv2Hydra, IKEv2, WireGuard
OpenVPN data encryption256-bit AES256-bit AES
OpenVPN control channel encryptionRSA-4096RSA-2048
Kill SwitchDesktop only
Private DNS servers
Best deal (per month)$4.99
SAVE: 61% + 4 months free on 2 year plans
$2.99
SAVE 77% ON THE 3 YEAR PLAN

First things first: both providers use effectively-uncrackable encryption so there’s no need to worry about your activies being monitored They each also protect against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks and include a kill switch, preventing your data from being seen in its unencrypted form.

ExpressVPN supports the OpenVPN protocol and IKEv2 (on MacOS and iOS), plus its own custom protocol, Lightway.This is extremely quick, and can keep users safe in the brief moment when swapping from mobile data to wifi (or vice versa). Further, it recently added an Advanced Protecttion tab to its menu. This allows users to block ads, trackers, malicious sites, or adult content in seconds, and is extremely useful for day-to-day browsing.

Not to be outdone, Hotspot Shield has a custom protocol too, Catapult Hydra. This is known for its ability to evade VPN-detection systems and is a large part of how this service has been able to remain functional in China for so long. HSS users can also switch over to IKEv2 or WireGuard, or have the VPN connect automatically when on public wifi networks.

Privacy and audit history

No valueExpressVPNHotspot Shield
WebsiteExpressVPN.comHotspotshield.com
HQ base of operationBritish Virgin IslandsUSA
Connection logsSome aggregated dataSome, but no identifiable data
Activity logsNo identifying dataAnonymized data
User details for signupEmail addressEmail address
Anonymous payment optionsBitcoin
Best deal (per month)$4.99
SAVE: 61% + 4 months free on 2 year plans
$2.99
SAVE 77% ON THE 3 YEAR PLAN

ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, which doesn’t have any mandatory data-retention laws. This service does collect some aggregated information such as the data you connect and how much bandwidth you’ve used, but nothing that could be used to identify you. More importantly, it’s had several independent audits to prove this fact. Users can also pay in Bitcoin for an added layer of protection.

Hotspot Shield is based in the US, which is a member of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance. However, you don’t have anything to worry about as this VPN doesn’t log any personally-identifiable info. Its Catapult Hydra protocol has been audited by independent experts but we’d like to see them examine the company’s infrastructure to let users know that their data is really as private as it claims.

Customer Service

No valueExpressVPNHotspot Shield
WebsiteExpressVPN.comHotspotshield.com
24/7 live chat
Ticket support
Email support
Average email response time49 mins3-4 hours
Searchable knowledge base
Phone support
Video guides
Best deal (per month)$4.99
SAVE: 61% + 4 months free on 2 year plans
$2.99
SAVE 77% ON THE 3 YEAR PLAN

If our years of experience testing consumer VPNs have taught us anything, it’s that a good customer support team is the mark of a truly great service. ExpressVPN and Hotspot Shield both offer around-the-clock assistance over live chat, as well as ticket systems, a support email address, and searchable knowledge bases full of answers to commonly-asked questions.

We’ve always found that the best way to evaluate customer support is to try it for ourselves. That’s why we always get in touch anonymously to see how easy it actually is to get help, claim money-back guarantees, and troubleshoot complex issues. ExpressVPN and HSS staff have always replied quickly to our messages, refunded payments without any pushback, and patiently walked us through solutions to particularly tricky problems. Really, you can’t ask for much more than that.

The winner: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN Dec 2024

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.ExpressVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

Hotspot Shield would be a great choice but overall, ExpressVPN is the better option for most people. It has more locations to choose from, lets you pay in crypto, and works with every streaming service we tested. Not only that, but it’s gone the extra mile, bringing in outside auditors to prove that it really doesn’t keep any logs.

Whether you’re looking to browse free from government surveillance or simply stream while traveling abroad, ExpressVPN is well worth your time.

ExpressVPN Coupon
SAVE: 61% + 4 months free on 2 year plans
Get Deal >
Coupon applied automatically

Other VPN comparisons:

Methodology: How we compared ExpressVPN and Hotspot Shield

Comparing two VPNs is more difficult than you might expect. After all, we need to ensure that our winner can handle whatever you throw at it. With this in mind, we paid close attention to the following areas when testing ExpressVPN and Hotspot Shield:

  • Server availability: Server count isn’t everything but it does impact speed and reliability, plus which content you can access. We checked to see how many servers were available, which locations were supported, and whether any were virtual (since this changes which country’s data-protection laws apply).
  • Performance: We designed a test that accounts for consistency as well as maximum potential. We speed tested providers at different times of day using servers in three countries before averaging the results to get a single representative speed.
  • Streaming ability: Constantly disconnecting leaves users open to inadvertently browsing unprotected. That’s why we check to see if providers can reliably access platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer.
  • Security and privacy: A VPN’s job is to keep your activities private. That’s why we examined ExpressVPN and Hotspot Shield’s encryption protocols, their safeguards, and their privacy policies to make sure you’re as safe as possible.
  • Ease of use: The more beginner-friendly a VPN is, the better. Our team made sure that these services were suitable for video calling, gaming, and torrenting, and noted down anything that made them easier to use, such as 24/7 live chat, multi-platform support, and well-organized apps.
  • Price: We can’t recommend any provider that charges more than is fair. To make sure you get the best deal possible, we looked for any discounts, free trials, or money-back guarantees that a VPN offers.
  • Apps and devices: We look at both Express and Hotspot Shield’s compatibility with platforms like IOS, Android, Mac, and PC, to ensure that you can enjoy easy-to-use native apps, at home or on the go.

If you’d like to learn more, check out our VPN testing post. This breaks down our full methodology in a concise, easy-to-understand way.

ExpressVPN vs Hotshot Shield FAQs

Which of these VPNs has the best no-logs policy?

Technically, both of these VPNs have no-logs policies since they don’t store any data that could lead back to you personally. That said, ExpressVPN has proven its claims with independent audits whereas Hotspot Shield has only had its Catapult Hydra protocol audited, not its privacy policy.

Does ExpressVPN have servers in China?

ExpressVPN doesn’t have servers on the Chinese mainland, though it does offer two locations in Hong Kong that can help you get a Chinese IP address. It’s worth noting that these are virtual servers, meaning they’re not at risk of being seized by Chinese authorities. Additionally, ExpressVPN is one of the few providers that still works in China, although some users have reported reliability issues lately due to upgrades to the country’s Great Firewall.

Is ExpressVPN or Hotspot Shield better for gaming?

ExpressVPN and Hotspot Shield are two extremely fast services, so they’re both excellent choices for playing online games. We’ve had no issues using these VPNs to play titles like Final Fantasy XIV, DOTA 2, and Warzone. What’s more, these providers both offer servers in a huge range of countries, which means you can get a low-latency connection from just about anywhere in the world. Hotspot Shield even offers gaming-optimized servers in the US and the UK so you don’t have to try servers at random.

Can I install Hotspot Shield on my router?

Hotspot Shield can be installed on Asus, LinkySys, Netgear, TP-Link, D-Link, DD-WRT, and Tomato routers, though you’ll have to follow manual setup instructions.

If this seems a little too technical, don’t worry: customer support staff can walk you through everthing step-by-step. Alternatively, you could sign up for ExpressVPN since this service actually has its own app for routers that greatly simplifies the process.