Hotspot Shield and Surfshark: Which Is Best For Your Needs?
OneBrowsing
(Reviews: 12.5K)
Est. users: 65M
Price Ranges: $2.99 - $7.99

(Reviews: 15K)
Est. users: 2M
Price Ranges: $12.95 - $38.94 - $59.76
Hotspot Shield vs Surfshark
Hotspot Shield provides fast VPN services with a proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol that excels in speed but has a limited server network compared to some competitors. Surfshark, on the other hand, offers a larger server network, supports unlimited simultaneous connections, and packs additional features like CleanWeb (ad-blocker) and MultiHop (double VPN), making it more versatile for users seeking comprehensive online privacy.
Hotspot Shield
- Catapult Hydra proprietary protocol
- Up to 5 simultaneous connections
- Limited server network
- Free version with ads
- 24/7 live chat support
Key Differences
-
Price
Surfshark generally offers more competitive pricing and often provides more extended subscription discounts compared to Hotspot Shield.
Winner: Surfshark
-
Speed
Hotspot Shield has a proprietary Hydra protocol which can offer faster connection speeds than some other VPNs, including Surfshark.
Winner: Hotspot Shield
-
Privacy and Security
Surfshark boasts a strict no-log policy and offers features like MultiHop and CleanWeb that add additional layers of security and privacy.
Winner: Surfshark
-
Simultaneous Connections
Surfshark allows for an unlimited number of simultaneous connections, whereas Hotspot Shield limits the number of devices.
Winner: Surfshark
-
Server Locations
Hotspot Shield has a larger number of server locations compared to Surfshark, offering more options for users to choose from.
Winner: Hotspot Shield
-
User Interface
Both Hotspot Shield and Surfshark have user-friendly interfaces, making it accessible for both technical and non-technical users.
Winner: It's a tie
-
Customer Support
Both VPNs offer 24/7 customer support through live chat and email, ensuring that users can get assistance whenever needed.
Winner: It's a tie
Distinct Features
| Hotspot Shield | Surfshark |
|---|---|
| Catapult Hydra protocol | BlindSearch (private search tool) |
| Malware protection | HackLock (alerts if your emails/passwords are leaked) |
| Identity Guard (dark web monitoring) | CleanWeb (ad and tracker blocker) |
| 1Password password manager | MultiHop (connect via multiple countries at once) |
| Unlimited bandwidth | Whitelister (split tunneling) |
| 24/7 live tech support | Static servers |
| NoBorders mode (for use in restrictive regions) | |
| Camouflage Mode (obfuscation feature) |
Pricing Overview
Hotspot Shield
- Basic Plan ($2.99/mo) - Individuals looking for basic protection
- Premium Plan ($7.99/mo) - Users needing advanced security and streaming support
Surfshark
- 1-Month Plan ($12.95) - Ideal for short-term users.
- 6-Month Plan ($38.94) - Great for mid-term users.
- 2-Year Plan ($59.76) - Best value for long-term users.
Indepth Overview
| Hotspot Shield | Surfshark | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Free Version | ★3.7 - Limited bandwidth and servers | |
| Premium Version | ★4.2 - Unlimited bandwidth and servers | |
| Family Plan | ★4.0 - Up to 5 simultaneous connections | |
| Pricing Tiers | ★4.6 - Affordable plans with unlimited devices | |
| MultiHop | ★4.2 - Connect through multiple countries for enhanced security | |
| HackLock | ★4.4 - Identity protection and alert system | |
| Server Locations | ||
| Number of Servers | ★4.3 - 3,200+ servers in 80+ countries | ★4.5 - 3,200+ servers in 65+ countries |
| Server Speed | ★3.9 - Decent speed for most locations | ★4.4 - Fast and reliable connections |
| Virtual Locations | ★4.0 - Access content from other countries | |
| Static IP | ★4.3 - Dedicated IP address for additional security | |
| Features | ||
| Kill Switch | ★4.2 - Automatically disconnects from the internet if VPN connection drops | ★4.6 - Blocks internet traffic if VPN connection drops |
| Split Tunneling | ★3.8 - Select which traffic goes through the VPN | |
| Ad Blocker | ★4.0 - Blocks ads and malware | |
| No Borders Mode | ★4.3 - Bypass censorship and access restricted content | |
| CleanWeb | ★4.4 - Blocks ads and malware | |
| Streaming & Torrenting | ||
| Access to Streaming Platforms | ★4.5 - Unblock Netflix, Hulu, and other platforms | ★4.7 - Unblock Netflix, Hulu, and other platforms |
| Torrenting Support | ★4.2 - Allows P2P file sharing | ★4.5 - Allows P2P file sharing |
| Split Tunneling for Streaming | ★3.7 - Select specific apps to bypass VPN | |
| Smart DNS | ★4.4 - Faster streaming without VPN encryption | |
| Privacy & Security | ||
| Encryption | ★4.3 - AES-256 encryption | ★4.6 - AES-256-GCM encryption |
| Protocols | ★4.0 - Supports OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols | ★4.5 - Supports OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard protocols |
| Security Audit | ★4.5 - Independent security audit conducted | |
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