CNET Editors' note: The "Download Now" link directs you to the iTunes App Store, where you must continue the download process. You must have iTunes installed in order to open the link, and you must have an active iTunes account to download the application. This download may not be available in some countries.
CNET Editors' review
Hotspot Shield VPN is a free iOS app with a single aim: to protect your online presence. Even novice users will be pleased to navigate through the simple interface the app ships with, but in order to understand all the key aspects of the app, they will be tempted to access the help section, which offers a brief introduction on how the app works and what it provides.
However, security comes at a price, even though it shouldn't: during our testing, we got several error reports, which surely suggests the app needs some polishing work. Secondly, while we are amazed by the idea of being safe, we were kind of sad to find that the app is centered on purchasing monthly or annual subscriptions.
Meanwhile, first-time users can enjoy seven days of free protection and data compression provided by Hostpot Shield, which turned out to be very useful. Additional installation is required to get the Shield erected: as soon as you launch the app it will guide you to its Web site to download the profile you'll install on your iPhone, depending on whether you'd like to have the protection shield always on (recommended for novice users) or manually activated (for advanced users). But as soon as you have that profile installed, you'll notice the difference in Web page loading times. We liked the fact that Hotspot Shield cut down average loading times by more than 30 percent -- when it worked! (Sometimes we got an error message saying the iPhone wasn't connected to the Internet.)
Overall, Hotspot Shield VPN is a nice app that does a pretty decent job of protecting your privacy by compressing and encrypting Internet traffic to keep spies off your smartphone. However, as the aforementioned errors show, there is room for improvement, because you get exactly the same performance, even if you choose a subscription plan.
Publisher's Description
From AnchorFree:
Hotspot Shield for iOS provides the same great features as our popular desktop version (trusted by 10 million users) plus data compression that stretches your cell phone data plan and saves you money. Unique VPN on Demand feature detects when you need privacy, security and data savings and turns on automatically.Internet Security & Privacy: Secure your browsing and all apps; Protect yourself in Wi-Fi hotspots (VPN encrypts all traffic); Protect your identity and your IP address to stop unwanted tracking.Saves Data and Money on your Phone Bill: Hotspot Shield Compression saves bandwidth & speeds up browsing, saving on your data plan usage both at home and while roaming abroad. Access your favorite websites: Unblock any blocked content and services, an enabler to get to Facebook, Skype, YouTube, Flickr and other sites not available in certain countries.
What's new in this version: Version 1.6 fixes problems affecting usability and performance.
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All versions:
5.0 starsout of 5 votes
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Results 1-5 of 5
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"GREAT APP!!"
Version: Hotspot Shield VPN 1.0.1
Pros
cheap subscription, data compression, access blocked sites, wi-fi security
Cons
haven't experienced any issues
Summary
Now I can finally watch my favorite shows on Hulu and Netflix overseas :). Thanks Hotspot Shield!!
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"Got to get this for sure!"
Version: Hotspot Shield VPN 1.0.1
Pros
Love that I can watch my tv shows when I travel. Must have!
Cons
dont see any
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"Unlimited bandwidth for the win"
Version: Hotspot Shield VPN 1.0.1
Pros
Easy to install
Data compression feature helps save on the iPhone data plan
Unlimited bandwidth
Gives access to US-only contentCons
Could not find any so far
Summary
I've been using their PC version for some while for accessing Netflix and Pandora when I'm traveling abroad for business. I'm so happy to finally have the iPhone app because now I'll be able to listen to Pandora when I'm traveling. This is huge!
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"Cool and Sleek, the iTunes store has a new superstar"
Version: Hotspot Shield VPN 1.0.1
Pros
Compression, bandwidth savings, security, do I need to say more?
Cons
Not that I have been able to identify
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"Low-cost iPhone VPN safeguards and saves money"
Version: Hotspot Shield VPN 1.0.1
Pros
Recognizes when you launch an app and need VPN.
Compresses images so you save on bandwidth and speeds up page loads
Hides your IP and encrypts your app and browser traffic
Unlimited bandwidth--most other iPhone apps are pay as you goCons
If you WANT your location to be known for certain apps that require your location to work, you will have to turn it off and turn it back on again.
Summary
Can't go wrong for .99 a month. In fact, if you are like me and don't have all you can eat data plan, this app will more than pay for itself just with the image compression.
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