Hotspot Shield

Free

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Editors' Rating:

4 4

Excellent

Average User Rating:

2.9 2.9

out of 636 votes out of 636 votes

Quick Specs

Version:

7.4.2
Total Downloads:

30,568,745
Date Added:

Dec. 07, 2017
Price:

Free

File Size:

17.64MB
Downloads Last Week:

2,137
Platform:

Windows
Product ranking:

#1 in Encryption Software

Special Offer

Editors' Review

by Tuong Nguyen / May 27, 2015

Hotspot Shield's OpenVPN-based client offers many useful features, including the ability to anonymize your browsing, bypass geographical blocks, and access region-specific content.

Pros

Specific site tunneling: Hotspot Shield now allows you to turn the service on when visiting specific websites -- such as Netflix, YouTube, or the BBC -- rather than tunneling your entire Internet session. This site targeting increases general browsing speed when the VPN is not required, and it's ideal for conserving bandwidth when data limits are an issue.

Easy setup: It takes just a few minutes to install Hotspot Shield and start using it. The redesigned interface enables you to toggle VPN activity, as well as switch to different regions and countries with a few clicks.

Wide selections: If you upgrade to the paid version, Hotspot Shield Elite, the service boasts 17 virtual locations, covering North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Reliable connection: Hotspot Shield performed admirably in our speed tests. We had no trouble streaming HD-quality Netflix and YouTube from virtual locations in the US and Canada. But keep in mind that overall speed depends on your location, hardware, peak traffic hours, and Internet connection.

Cons

Buggy interface: The Virtual Location menu sometimes failed to load the slider scroll during our tests, which prevented us from seeing all the available regions.

Limited free connection: Hotspot Shield Free VPN caps desktop users at 750MB for every 12 hours. With today's bandwidth-heavy video and music, you will hit that limit a lot faster than you think.

Limited content: Hotspot Shield Free VPN locks you into US servers, limiting access to international content.

Ad-supported: If you're using the free version of Hotspot Shield, you'll suffer aggressive upsell ads.

Bottom Line

With its advanced options, customization, and stable service, Hotspot Shield excels in the VPN field. With the majority of features locked behind a paywall, you'll need a subscription to enjoy the full benefit of the service.

This is a review of Hotspot Shield Elite Trial and Hotspot Shield Free VPN.

Publisher's Description

From AnchorFree: Access blocked websites and apps such as Facebook, YouTube, Netflix, BBC, ITV Player, and Pandora. Get unrestricted access to mobile VoIP services and messaging apps such as Skype and Viber around the world. Switch virtual locations with ease; we have dedicated servers in Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Japan, UK, US. Secure all online activity with banking-level encryption on any public or private network. Mask your IP address for maximum privacy & security while preventing hackers from stealing your personal information.

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User Reviews

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2.9
out of 636 votes
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1 stars

{ review.getRatingValue }}

"ads are very annoying"

contulluiss April 26, 2017 / Version: Hotspot Shield 5.2.2

2017-04-26 02:19:24 | By contulluiss

Pros

it's the most popular VPN

Cons

but the ads are quite annoying

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1 stars

{ review.getRatingValue }}

"Comes with Malware and Adware"

jkm0119 May 29, 2015 / Version: Hotspot Shield 4.15.2

2015-05-29 07:47:41 | By jkm0119

Pros

It does actually connect you to a different spot

Cons

It brings up advertising to promote you buying it. It adds malware to your computer and so many adds that you have to delete the program. I would not recommend this program to anyone. The trial offer is laced with adware. It takes too long to clean your computer after installing.

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1 stars

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"Horrible program"

clagan May 28, 2015 / Version: Hotspot Shield 4.15.2

2015-05-28 07:28:59 | By clagan

Pros

None .... never worked.

Cons

Hung the computer and kept dropping my network connection.

Summary

Another example of the junk and malware infested programs CNET keep on recommending. Obviously being paid to do so. Never again will I download a program suggested by CNET

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1 stars

{ review.getRatingValue }}

"Hotspot's Elite VPN is Horrible!"

Zd3 May 20, 2015 / Version: Hotspot Shield 4.15.1

2015-05-20 19:55:30 | By Zd3

Pros

There are no Pros.

Cons

Hotspot forces you to log in to their site in order to use their Elite VPN- so much for privacy!
Hotspot is run by AnchorFree, which automatically signs you up for email spam from Kaboom.
Elite membership uninstalls on log out, and then automatically signs you up for the free version which installs adware.

Summary

Hotspot's Elite VPN signs you up for spam and adware- total waste of time and messy to uninstall. I would not classify Hotspot Elite VPN as a real VPN service, but more of a disguise for spam and adware.

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3 stars

{ review.getRatingValue }}

"Go with another service"

dander0311 April 27, 2015 / Version: Hotspot Shield 3.42

2015-04-27 06:03:02 | By dander0311

Pros

Extremely easy to setup, log in and manage on up to seven devices. Interface is easy to use, and the website shows all your protected devices at a glance. A few different location options are nice.

Cons

I would go to bed downloading something, wake up and it had turned off. Everything I was downloading that I wanted protected wasn't. Most nights, in the middle of the night when I had it on and online it just stopped working. It would show connected, but nothing would load. I could connect to another location most of the time, but that is less than ideal (especially when I don't really want to use Canada's Netflix).

Frequently it would "forget" that I was an Elite member and give me weird "bandwidth cap" errors when trying to load every day sites. I would have to log out and in, restart it several times to get it working as normal again.

Summary

Don't buy a whole chunk of time at once, try it out first. Also, look around at all the options and reviews before buying; nothing new!

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1 stars

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"Purchased 20 days to try out, expired after a day."

mv1pgs March 30, 2015 / Version: Hotspot Shield 3.42

2015-03-30 10:52:04 | By mv1pgs

Pros

Seems to work OK

Cons

Purchased 20 x day licenses only received one license key, which expired after a day

Summary

Worked for a while, but I didn't get what I paid for. I wouldn't risk parting with any more cash with them

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1 stars

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"It worked a while customer service is awful"

rob222345 February 19, 2015 / Version: Hotspot Shield 3.42

2015-02-19 23:01:09 | By rob222345

Pros

I paid for the elite version It worked for a while.

Cons

The customer service is awful. They fail to read the problem and then reply with "solved" in the header. At this point, you are forced to start a new ticket. I will not be paying for anything from this company in the future.

Summary

They can offer pathetic support if they want. I just will not pay them for any services.

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5 stars

{ review.getRatingValue }}

"an excellent free program"

CondonAuber January 22, 2015 / Version: Hotspot Shield 3.42

2015-01-22 22:31:31 | By CondonAuber

Pros

performs all functions i need.

Cons

none at this time

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1 stars

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"Completely unreliable."

January 20, 2015 / Version: Hotspot Shield 3.42

2015-01-20 02:03:52

Pros

There are none.

Cons

This product cannot be relied upon. ISP changes back to local ISP while it appears that you are still protected. Impossible to rely on when traveling abroad and access locally blocked websites like Google.

Summary

Don't waste your time or your money on this product.

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5 stars

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"It's a really good to download"

SeiverPenrose January 05, 2015 / Version: Hotspot Shield 3.42

2015-01-05 21:49:38 | By SeiverPenrose

Pros

Excellent product and no difficulties at all

Cons

I have no cons on this program

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Full Specifications

What's new in version 7.4.2
Version 7.2.4 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.

General
Publisher	AnchorFree
Publisher web site	http://anchorfree.com
Release Date	December 06, 2017
Date Added	December 07, 2017
Version	7.4.2

Category
Category	Security Software
Subcategory	Encryption Software

Operating Systems
Operating Systems	Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10
Additional Requirements	None

Download Information
File Size	17.64MB
File Name	HotspotShield-7.4.2-1695198.exe

Popularity
Total Downloads	30,568,745
Downloads Last Week	2,137

Pricing
License Model	Free
Limitations	Not available
Price	Free

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Previous Versions

Hotspot Shield 7.4.2Hotspot Shield 6.9.1Hotspot Shield 5.2.2Hotspot Shield 5.2.1Hotspot Shield 5.1.5Hotspot Shield 5.1.3Hotspot Shield 5.0.4Hotspot Shield 5.0.2Hotspot Shield 4.18.3Hotspot Shield 4.15.2Hotspot Shield 4.15.1Hotspot Shield 3.42Hotspot Shield 3.42Hotspot Shield 3.40Hotspot Shield 3.37Hotspot Shield 3.35Hotspot Shield 3.32Hotspot Shield 3.20Hotspot Shield 3.19Hotspot Shield 3.17Hotspot Shield 3.17Hotspot Shield 3.13Hotspot Shield 3.13Hotspot Shield 3.09Hotspot Shield 3.09Hotspot Shield 2.88Hotspot Shield 2.87Hotspot Shield 2.83Hotspot Shield 2.78Hotspot Shield 2.76Hotspot Shield 2.75Hotspot Shield 2.74Hotspot Shield 2.70Hotspot Shield 2.67Hotspot Shield 2.65Hotspot Shield 2.61Hotspot Shield 2.55Hotspot Shield 2.53Hotspot Shield 2.53Hotspot Shield 2.52Hotspot Shield 2.51Hotspot Shield 2.5Hotspot Shield 2.24Hotspot Shield 2.24Hotspot Shield 2.23Hotspot Shield 2.21Hotspot Shield 2.10Hotspot Shield 2.09Hotspot Shield 2.06Hotspot Shield 2.04Hotspot Shield 2.03Hotspot Shield 1.57Hotspot Shield 1.57Hotspot Shield 1.56Hotspot Shield 1.54Hotspot Shield 1.52Hotspot Shield 1.51Hotspot Shield 1.49Hotspot Shield 1.47Hotspot Shield 1.45Hotspot Shield 1.44Hotspot Shield 1.43Hotspot Shield 1.41Hotspot Shield 1.37Hotspot Shield 1.34Hotspot Shield 1.3Hotspot Shield 1.22Hotspot Shield 1.21Hotspot Shield 1.19Hotspot Shield 1.18Hotspot Shield 1.17Hotspot Shield 1.16Hotspot Shield 1.14Hotspot Shield 1.15Hotspot Shield 1.12Hotspot Shield 1.10Hotspot Shield 1.10Hotspot Shield 1.07Hotspot Shield 1.07Hotspot Shield 1.06Hotspot Shield 1.04Hotspot Shield 1.05Hotspot Shield 1.04Hotspot Shield 1.03Hotspot Shield 0.941Hotspot Shield 1.01Hotspot Shield 0.941Hotspot Shield 0.94Hotspot Shield 0.941Hotspot Shield 0.940Hotspot Shield 0.940Hotspot Shield 0.94Hotspot Shield 0.934Hotspot Shield 0.934Hotspot Shield 1Hotspot Shield 1.07

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Hotspot Shield

Quick Specs

Special Offer

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Bottom Line

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Full Specifications

Previous Versions

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