

Due to the use of the Catapult Hydra technology instead of standard protocols like OpenVPN, you can only use the service with Hotspot Shield’s own clients. So if you were hoping to increase the number of devices used simultaneously with VPN by setting it up on your router, you will be disappointed. However, one of the major disadvantages of Hotspot Shield is its lack of router support. That said, Hotspot Shield told us that 'issues with BBC are a known issue that we are currently trying to resolve', so maybe it'll be working again by the time you read this. Hotspot Shield also unblocks content on Spotify, Hulu, and more, with support for even more streaming services coming soon.Īlthough, at the time of testing we struggled to unblock the BBC iPlayer, so if you're specifically targeting that then this might not be the best VPN for you. For instance, you can use it to access the popular streaming platform Netflix from anywhere in the world. It can also be used to unblock services that are unavailable at certain locations. Not only that, but the website also has a few guides to get you all set for safe torrenting under VPN protection. Hotspot Shield fully supports limitless torrenting on all its P2P-optimized servers. Hotspot Shield supports simultaneous connection on up to five devices, although not on routers.

HOTSPOT SHIELD FREE VPN REVIEW ANDROID
Neither the Android nor iOS clients have an integrated kill switch. The only perk you get is the Insecure connections feature that alerts you if you’re attempting to connect to an insecure network. The iOS client doesn’t have the fastest server connection feature or any auto connect options.

Hotspot shield has plenty of apps (Image credit: AnchorFree)

This cannot directly tie you to any specific online activities. The company also states it may use your IP address to obtain your approximate city-level location for analytics and service improvement, as well as for marketing attribution purposes. This includes device-specific data like unique mobile ID, operating system, hardware model, language, and network information. While Hotspot Shield promises not to collect any information that can be used to identify you, such as IP addresses or online activities, it states that the company and its service providers do collect some information before you connect to the VPN. Fortunately, testing Hotspot Shield's clients and browser attachments at IPLeak (opens in new tab) and DNSLeakTest (opens in new tab) didn't reveal any issues, with the service protecting us from snoopers at all times. Client implementation is also important, especially when it comes to blocking DNS and WebRTC leaks which might give away your real identity. It also uses Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman (EDCHE) for exchanging keys, generating new ones for each session.īut privacy isn't just about the low-level technicalities. Hotspot Shield uses Catapult Hydra protocol, which is based on Transport Layer Security 1.2 (TLS), and employs AES-128 encryption, along with 2048-bit RSA certificates for server authentication.
