Comparison

VPN Hotspot Shield vs VPN Vault

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

This app provides fast, secure, and private internet access with industry-leading encryption. It shields your IP address and offers lightning-fast speeds for browsing, gaming, and streaming. Connect with one tap to encrypt traffic and block threats.

Highlights
  • Industry-leading VPN encryption
  • Lightning-fast speeds
  • One-tap VPN connection
  • No-logs policy
  • Military-grade encryption
  • 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

VPN Vault

This app provides a secure and private internet connection by encrypting your traffic. It offers global server access, anonymous browsing, and protection on public Wi-Fi. A free version is available with limitations, and a subscription unlocks unlimited access.

Highlights
  • Encrypts internet traffic
  • Protects on public Wi-Fi
  • Changes IP address
  • Anonymous web browsing
  • Global super-fast servers
  • WireGuard protocol support
Read full description

VPN Vault is a free vpn that protects your privacy, changes your IP address and secure access to your apps and internet. Encrypt your traffic with our high speed secure VPN for iPhone and iPad on public WiFi and unsecured networks. *NEW* Activate our new WireGuard protocol for lower latency and higher performance which is useful for gaming and connecting securely over the Internet. It can also provide higher peak speeds when connected to a VPN server closer to your physical location. Why VPN Vault Unlimited? ► WIFI HOTSPOT PROTECTION Protect and secure your traffic on any WiFi network and public hotspots. Connect with VPN Proxy Vault to secure your traffic and communications. Prevent hackers from intercepting and reading your Internet traffic. ► SUPER FAST VPN SERVERS WORLDWIDE VPN Proxy Vault uses a large number of super VPN servers around the world. We have fast express servers located in the US, UK, Canada, France, Australia, India, South Korea and other countries. ► ULTRA PRIVATE BROWSING ON WEB AND APPS Browse the web anonymously without revealing your real IP address using our VPN. Prevent others from snooping on your online activities. Surf anonymously with peace of mind. ► STRICT NO LOG VPN NETWORK We do not log any of your activities so that any online and Internet traffic remains unknown to us and others. ► DEDICATED CUSTOMER SUPPORT Our customer service team responds promptly to your email and provides 24/7 support with response usually within 2 business days. ► Free VPN If you do not want to upgrade, you can still use our VPN free with some limitations. Upgrade to get an unlimited experience. VPN Proxy Vault for iPhone offers a subscription plan for premium members. - Your VPN for iPhone subscription automatically renews unless auto-renewal is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription. - Your account will be charged for a renewed subscription within 24 hours prior to the end of current subscription. - Your account will auto renew once a month or once a year depending on the subscription period you choose. - Price of subscription: one-year plan: US$49.99/year (DOES NOT include 3-Day trial); Monthly plan: US$9.99/month; Yearly plan (includes 3-Day trial): US$99.99/year. Monthly Trial Plan (includes 3-Day trial): US$12.99/month - Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase - You can manage your subscription and switch off the auto-renewal by accessing your account settings after purchase. - You cannot cancel the current subscription during the active subscription period. - Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable Privacy Policy: https://www.appsverse.com/privacy/ Terms of Use: https://www.appsverse.com/terms/

Screenshots

VPN Hotspot Shield4 screens
VPN Vault4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: VPN Hotspot Shield at none against VPN Vault's shown. VPN Hotspot Shield also leads on ratings volume (365K vs 29K) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). VPN Vault's advantage is review sentiment (86% vs 76%) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 14.0). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 9 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and VPN Vault sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. 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 4.6 for VPN Vault. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: VPN Hotspot Shield has 365K ratings behind it against 29K, 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 86% of VPN Vault's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

VPN Hotspot Shield ships an update weekly, VPN Vault every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on November 10, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
VPN Hotspot Shield versus VPN Vault: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVPN Hotspot ShieldVPN Vault
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (365K ratings)4.6 (29K ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.8% of reviews86.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings365K — better29K
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#64 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size146 MB112 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAnchorFree Inc.Appsverse Inc.

Customer experience

VPN Hotspot Shield

All ratings365,384 ratings
Positive89.4%
Neutral3.0%
Negative7.6%
Written reviews4,513 reviews
Positive75.8%
Neutral4.8%
Negative19.3%

VPN Vault

All ratings29,245 ratings
Positive89.2%
Neutral4.9%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews2,070 reviews
Positive86.1%
Neutral4.7%
Negative9.1%

User reviews

VPN Hotspot Shield

From 365K 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

VPN Vault

From 29K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Fast and stable connection
  • 🔒 Secure and private browsing
  • 💡 Useful for accessing restricted content

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional connection issues
  • 🔋 Limited free data usage
  • 💰 Expensive premium subscription

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

VPN Vault

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Disconnects randomly during use
  • Difficulty connecting to certain servers

Requested features

3 requests
  • Expand free data usage limit
  • Add more server location options
  • Improve compatibility with older devices

In-app purchases

9 purchases

VPN Hotspot Shield

Subscriptions9
  • Hotspot Shield Premium$9.991 Month
  • Hotspot Shield Premium7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • 1 month VPN subscription7 Days trial$9.991 Month
Show 6 more
  • Hotspot Shield VPN with Pango$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$79.991 Year
  • 1 year VPN subscription7 Days trial$95.991 Year
6 purchases

VPN Vault

Subscriptions6
  • VPN Vault Bronze Monthly$9.991 Month
  • VPN Vault Gold Trial Monthly3 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • VPN Vault Monthly Discount$12.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • VPN Vault Platinum Yearly$49.991 Year
  • VPN Vault Silver Trial Yearly3 Days trial$99.991 Year
  • VPN Vault Yearly Discount$99.991 Year

Questions

Is VPN Hotspot Shield free?
VPN Hotspot Shield is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is VPN Vault free?
VPN Vault is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, VPN Hotspot Shield or VPN Vault?
VPN Vault is rated higher. VPN Hotspot Shield averages 4.6 out of 5 from 365K ratings, while VPN Vault averages 4.6 from 29K ratings.
Do VPN Hotspot Shield or VPN Vault have ads?
VPN Vault shows ads; VPN Hotspot Shield does not.
Which is updated more often, VPN Hotspot Shield or VPN Vault?
VPN Hotspot Shield ships an update weekly, and VPN Vault every 3 weeks. Most recently, VPN Hotspot Shield was updated on November 10, 2026 and VPN Vault on November 10, 2026.

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