CNET Editors' review
Hotspot Shield is a free tool and service that lets you connect to the Internet via Virtual Private Network (VPN). Hotspot Shield is mainly geared toward those who want a more secure connection when accessing the Internet from public Wi-Fi hotspots.
Pros
Value: Hotspot Shield is one of the largest free VPN services in the world. Though the free version is ad-supported, the paid Elite tier comes at an affordable price, with cross-platform support.
Customizable: Hotspot Shield allows you to connect from other countries. This not only helps to shield your connection origins, but it also potentially lets you access content that's available only from certain global regions.
Control: Hotspot Shield's dashboard gives you an overview of the protection status and data speeds for both uploads and downloads, allowing you to monitor your connection performance.
Cons
Ad disruptive: Hotspot Shield Free occasionally shows up as a pop-up or header on the top of your browser. While this window may be closed, it does become rather tedious to have to close it every time.
Limited connection: The free version does not allow you to connect from other locations or regions.
Bottom Line
Hotspot Shield is a lightweight VPN solution that we recommend for anyone who's even slightly concerned about privacy. The free version may be riddled with a few ads, but it's a service that's worth the price, especially if you find yourself frequently accessing the Internet from public places. Hotspot Shield is a valuable service and remains competitive with other premium VPN services.
Hotspot Shield - Maintain and protect your privacy - Download Video Previews:Publisher's Description
From AnchorFree:
With over 100 million downloads, Hotspot Shield is the world's most popular Virtual Private Network (VPN) that secures your browsing session, detects and blocks malicious websites, makes you private and anonymous online, and allows you to access any blocked content.
Hotspot Shield allows you to: Secure your Web session, data, online shopping, and personal information online with HTTPS encryption. Browse the Web anonymously and privately, without being tracked. Access any blocked content from school or office networks.
What's new in this version:
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New version introduces a few major UI and Functionality changes.
- Maximal Mode: The conventional "Maximal" mode keeps Hotspot Shield VPN on to give you the privacy, anonymity and security all the time. It has the same functionality as previous Hotspot Shield versions (ability to switch virtual locations, malware protection);
- Auto Mode: This is a new way of protecting you only when it's necessary. We automatically detect w... See all new features
Now Hotspot Shield for Windows has 2 Modes available:
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All versions:
2.9 starsout of 619 votes
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Current version:
3.6 starsout of 12 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Horrible-Indifferent Customer Service, poor reliability"
Version: Hotspot Shield 3.37
Pros
Secure browsing. Elite Upgrade allows you to appear to be in a selection of other countries.
Cons
Slows overall connection speed with both I-phone and pc. I-phone internet initial connection slowed. Elite upgrade won't maintain login for pcs, especially when using alternate ip addresses 9so drops back to FREE level with the ads). This problem has existed for many, many months with many, many customers. The customer service only gives canned answers that are not effective. Months after I left the service, I still get message board postings about the same problem.
Summary
The free service is better than nothing. Do not buy the upgrade. You will be throwing your money away.
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"Easy to install, easy to handle."
Version: Hotspot Shield 3.37
Pros
Makes it very easy. It does what I downloaded it for.
Cons
Ad free version is quite cheap
Summary
I can listen to my favorite home radio stations that are blocked to be accessed from abroad.
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"Easy to install, easy to handle."
Version: Hotspot Shield 3.37
Pros
Makes it very easy. It does what I downloaded it for.
Cons
Ad free version is quite cheap
Summary
I can listen to my favorite home radio stations that are blocked to be accessed from abroad.
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"Easy to install, easy to handle."
Version: Hotspot Shield 3.37
Pros
Makes it very easy. It does what I downloaded it for.
Cons
None. Some bad reviews are from people who have not figured out the settings.
Summary
I can listen to my favorite home radio stations that are blocked to be accessed from abroad.
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"Private Internet Access VPN is the best"
Version: Hotspot Shield 3.37
Pros
GET PIA VPN instead of this slow anti P2P service
https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/pages/buy-vpn/PROXYBLOGCons
Everything
Summary
Hotspot Shield = Logs everything you do on their server, NSA friendly, No P2P or torrent download with Hotspot Shield. Crappy Customer Support and slow service.
Private Internet Access VPN = Ultra Fast, Ultra Secure, Anti-NSA and government spying, No logging of any kind, all protocols including P2P/Torrent is allowed, 30 day refund period, Very Fast 24/7 support, supports ddwrt, support every Operating system from Android, iOS to Windows.
Get it here and feel the real freedom and how VPN should be
https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/pages/buy-vpn/PROXYBLOG -
"Makes it very easy"
Version: Hotspot Shield 3.37
Pros
By doing this you can watch movies not allowed where you are, access site blocked or banned in your country, as well as having protection from some of the less friendly hack that are on the web
Cons
I have been using this VPN for a long time, and after realising how good the free version was I decided to upgrade to Elite.
Summary
For a very low price Elite will cover up to five computers, including Apple, and Android devices, allowing you to flip your global footprint to any one of five countries.
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"Works fine for me"
Version: Hotspot Shield 3.37
Pros
Works fine for me
Cons
Works fine for me
Summary
Works fine for me
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"Very good so far"
Version: Hotspot Shield 3.37
Pros
Makes it very easy. It does what I downloaded it for. I can listen to my favorite home radio stations that are blocked to be accessed from abroad. Easy to install, easy to handle.
Cons
Besides that once protection is on, certain pages fail to open, none
Summary
Big recommendation from me
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"Works fine for me."
Version: Hotspot Shield 3.37
Pros
I ran the free version for a while and recently upgraded to the paid (Elite) version. It connects quickly and solidly.
Cons
None. Some bad reviews are from people who have not figured out the settings.
Summary
Download, purchase, upgrade, and features are slick.
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"Just paid the extra for Elite,"
Version: Hotspot Shield 3.37
Pros
Non, can't see what it does that the free version doesn't
Cons
It worked a year and a half ago, now that I went back and paid for a year it doesn't work as it did, the requests I put in for an explanation magically disappear and shows that I have no requests.
To accesses my email from my French hosting company I need to turn the shield off.Summary
Use the free version if you must but stay away from giving these jokers any cash would be my advice.
