Comparison

VPN Hotspot Shield vs HelloVPN

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

VPN Hotspot Shield

Secure your internet connection with a fast and reliable virtual private network. Protect your online privacy, encrypt your traffic, and shield your IP address from threats, especially on public Wi-Fi. Enjoy faster speeds and unlimited bandwidth.

Highlights
  • Fast VPN speeds
  • Unlimited bandwidth
  • One-tap connection
  • Military-grade encryption
  • Global server locations
  • Multiple VPN modes
  • Connect up to 10 devices
Features
Read full description

Hotspot Shield VPN is the fastest VPN for secure, private internet access on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Protect your online activity with industry-leading VPN encryption and protocols, shield your IP address, and enjoy lightning-fast speeds whether browsing, gaming, streaming movies, or using public WiFi. Activate our VPN with one tap to encrypt your traffic and block threats while maintaining a lightning-fast connection. Hotspot Shield VPN delivers superior privacy and performance with patented technology that automatically connects you to the fastest VPN server. Free VPN Features: • Industry-leading speed - up to 2.2x faster vs. other VPN apps • Unlimited bandwidth and data with our free VPN • Simple one-tap VPN connection • Secure proxy VPN with no-logs policy and military-grade encryption • Multiple VPN plans — use free with ads or upgrade to premium • Optimized for latest iOS on Apple devices • Advanced patented VPN protocols for reliable connections • 24/7 customer support Premium VPN Features (with subscription): • 1800+ ultra-fast VPN servers up to 1 Gbps • 125+ premium VPN locations across 80+ countries • Auto-connect VPN on startup with IKEv2 • Specialized VPN modes for gaming, browsing, and video streaming • Connect up to 10 devices simultaneously • Fully ad-free VPN experience Choose from flexible VPN subscription plans: monthly, 6-month, or annual. Unlock full VPN access with a premium subscription — 45-day money-back guarantee. Cancel anytime. Payments via App Store; subscriptions auto-renew unless turned off 24 hours before renewal. Unused trial portions are forfeited upon purchase. Privacy Policy: https://www.hotspotshield.com/privacy-policy/ Terms of Service: https://www.hotspotshield.com/terms/

About

HelloVPN

This app provides a private and secure VPN service, routing your internet connection through its own servers to ensure privacy and encrypt your data. It offers a no-log policy and servers optimized for various uses like streaming, gaming, and secure browsing.

Highlights
  • Private and secure VPN service
  • No user logs policy
  • Estonia-based servers
  • Optimized servers for streaming and gaming
  • WiFi security
  • Anonymous browsing
Features
Read full description

Hello VPN is a private and secure VPN service with remarkable features. “VPN and proxy server companies are all the same” we can hear you saying. Actually it’s not always that simple. Hello VPN never ever keeps user logs, as it believes in absolute user privacy and internet freedom. Although a lot of VPN companies claim to have such a motto, it is not always the case, because of the binding regulations and laws some VPN companies are subject to. That’s right, some countries may be subject to regulations of intelligence alliances like The Five Eyes (FVEY), The Nine Eyes, and The Fourteen Eyes Alliances. Although there is nothing wrong with that, having a company headquarter based in alliance countries may result in an obligation to keep user logs on a regular basis, contrary to the promise made to you by some VPN or proxy server companies! Fortunately there are still light-side of the force VPN and proxy server companies abiding by their word, hence keeping no user logs! As you may have already guessed, Hello VPN is one of them. Thanks to Hello VPN being an Estonia based VPN service, such binding regulations and laws are not applicable to Hello VPN. No doubt there are many reasons to use a VPN or a proxy server e.g. ultimate privacy, boosting gaming performance by means of a stable connection, accessing services available for only specific locations, fast video streaming, WiFi security, anonymous browsing aka incognito mode etc. No matter the motivation behind, you are all set with Hello VPN! Variety of VPN servers are optimized for different use cases! Did Hello VPN begin to appeal to you? The word “Hello” stands as a way of greeting to the free internet, and the word VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. Keeping your private information private, and keeping prying eyes away is the essential goal of Hello VPN. How does Hello VPN work? HelloVPN works by routing your Apple device’s connection through private servers of HelloVPN rather than your internet service provider (ISP) directly, so that when your data is sent to the internet, it comes from the HelloVPN servers. That’s right, HelloVPN creates a private tunnel from your device to the internet, and basically hides your data through encryption. “But what are the proxy servers?” is a frequently asked question to our customer support. A proxy server is also a system that provides a gateway between users and the internet. “What is the difference between a VPN and a proxy server then?” occurs to be a common follow-up question. The main difference between a VPN and a proxy server is encryption. VPNs hide all your web activity, such as all the apps you use, websites you visit, using encryption. Proxy servers on the other hand, will only change your IP address on a specific session or on a specific app, but they won’t encrypt all your online activities. In other words, a VPN secures all your network traffic, while a proxy server works on an application level. A proxy server is also relatively suitable for browsing the internet, but it’s not as safe and secure as a VPN. “Is Hello VPN free?” You can get your secure VPN connection completely free by watching in-app advertisements within Hello VPN’s basic mode. You can also upgrade to premium mode anytime to remove in-app ads, and also to access all the extra network features. About Hello VPN Premium Subscription: *The subscription covers VPN usage. *Hello VPN subscription period alternatives are 1 week, 1 month and 1 year. *Based on your plan every 1 week or 1 month or 1 year your VPN subscription renews. *Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at only your confirmation. *Hello VPN subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off. You can cancel your Hello VPN subscription anytime via this URL: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202039 Hello VPN’s terms of use can be found via this URL on Hello VPN’s official website: https://www.hellovpn.app/en/terms-of-use

Screenshots

VPN Hotspot Shield4 screens
HelloVPN4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: VPN Hotspot Shield at none against HelloVPN's shown. VPN Hotspot Shield also leads on ratings volume (363K vs 4.2K) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). On price, rating, review sentiment and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. VPN Hotspot Shield sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and HelloVPN sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for VPN Hotspot Shield against 4.5 for HelloVPN. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: VPN Hotspot Shield has 363K ratings behind it against 4.2K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 76% of VPN Hotspot Shield's written reviews are positive against 70% of HelloVPN's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

VPN Hotspot Shield ships an update weekly, HelloVPN every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 23, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
VPN Hotspot Shield versus HelloVPN: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVPN Hotspot ShieldHelloVPN
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (363K ratings) — better4.5 (4.2K ratings)
Positive reviews76.5% of reviews — better70.2% of reviews
Number of ratings363K — better4.2K
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#38 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS14.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size146 MB94 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperAnchorFree Inc.Appwise OÜ

Customer experience

VPN Hotspot Shield

All ratings363,113 ratings
Positive89.4%
Neutral3.0%
Negative7.6%
Written reviews2,863 reviews
Positive76.5%
Neutral4.8%
Negative18.8%

HelloVPN

All ratings4,213 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral4.2%
Negative10.1%
Written reviews591 reviews
Positive70.2%
Neutral5.9%
Negative23.9%

User reviews

VPN Hotspot Shield

From 363K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 😄 THE BEST VPN
  • 🔒 MAKES MY PHONE SECURE
  • 🚀 FAST CONNECTION
  • 👍 EASY TO USE
  • 💯 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Room to improve

  • 🐛 CONNECTION ISSUES
  • 🔌 DISCONNECTS FREQUENTLY
  • 💰 REQUIRES PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION
  • 📺 DOESN'T WORK WITH STREAMING SERVICES
  • 🤖 MANY FAKE REVIEWS

HelloVPN

From 4.2K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and stable connection
  • 🔒 Secure and reliable
  • 👍 User-friendly and easy to use
  • 💡 Innovative features like ad-supported free version

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional disconnections and stability issues
  • 💰 Expensive subscription
  • 📢 Too many ads in free version
  • 🔋 High battery consumption

Bugs and requests

VPN Hotspot Shield

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Frequent disconnections
  • Inability to turn off VPN
  • Compatibility issues with certain devices

Requested features

3 requests
  • More free server locations
  • Better compatibility with streaming services
  • Improved stability and reliability

HelloVPN

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Connection issues on certain networks
  • App crashes on older devices
  • Billing and subscription problems

Requested features

3 requests
  • More server locations
  • Improved free version with fewer ads
  • Ability to bypass content restrictions

In-app purchases

14 purchases

VPN Hotspot Shield

Subscriptions14
  • Hotspot Shield Premium$9.991 Month
  • Hotspot Shield Premium7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • 1 month VPN subscription7 Days trial$9.991 Month
Show 11 more
  • 1 month VPN subscription7 Days trial$10.991 Month
  • Hotspot Shield VPN with Pango2 variants$12.991 Month
  • Hotspot Shield VPN with Pango7 Days trial3 variants$12.991 Month
  • Monthly VPN Subscription7 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • Hotspot Shield Premium Bundle7 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • Hotspot Shield VPN with Pango14 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • 1 month VPN subscription7 Days trial2 variants$12.991 Month
  • 1 month VPN subscription$12.991 Month
  • Hotspot Shield Premium7 Days trial$69.991 Year
  • Hotspot Shield Premium7 Days trial$79.991 Year
  • 1 year VPN subscription7 Days trial2 variants$95.991 Year
13 purchases

HelloVPN

Subscriptions13
  • Weekly VPN Subscription3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Weekly VPN Subscription3 Days trial$6.997 Days
  • 1 Week3 Days trial$8.997 Days
Show 10 more
  • 1 Week$8.997 Days
  • 1 Week14 Days trial$8.997 Days
  • Weekly VPN Subscription3 Days trial$8.997 Days
  • 1 Week7 Days trial$10.497 Days
  • 1 Month7 Days trial$10.491 Month
  • Monthly VPN Subscription7 Days trial$11.991 Month
  • Monthly VPN Subscription$14.991 Month
  • 1 Year3 Days trial$34.991 Year
  • 1 Year Ruby$34.991 Year
  • 1 Yıllık Altın3 Days trial$49.991 Year

Questions

Is VPN Hotspot Shield free?
VPN Hotspot Shield is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is HelloVPN free?
HelloVPN is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, VPN Hotspot Shield or HelloVPN?
VPN Hotspot Shield is rated higher. VPN Hotspot Shield averages 4.6 out of 5 from 363K ratings, while HelloVPN averages 4.5 from 4.2K ratings.
Do VPN Hotspot Shield or HelloVPN have ads?
HelloVPN shows ads; VPN Hotspot Shield does not.
Which is updated more often, VPN Hotspot Shield or HelloVPN?
VPN Hotspot Shield ships an update weekly, and HelloVPN every 3 weeks. Most recently, VPN Hotspot Shield was updated on October 23, 2026 and HelloVPN on October 23, 2026.

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