Comparison

VPN Hotspot Shield vs VPN

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

This app offers a free VPN service with unlimited bandwidth and fast speeds for everyday browsing, streaming, and gaming. It provides enterprise-grade encryption and a strict no-activity-logs policy for enhanced security. Optional premium plans offer faster speeds and more server locations.

Highlights
  • Unlimited bandwidth and fast speeds
  • One-tap connect, no sign-up required
  • Enterprise-grade encryption
  • Kill Switch for IP protection
  • Strict no-activity-logs policy
  • 40+ free server locations
  • Premium plans with 10Gbps speeds
Features
Read full description

VPN - Super Unlimited Proxy is a free VPN and proxy app for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Vision Pro. Connect in one tap and enjoy unlimited bandwidth and fast speeds, no account or sign-up required. Optional Premium plans add 10Gbps speeds, streaming-optimized servers, and more server locations. With 1B+ downloads, VPN Super is built for everyday browsing, streaming, gaming, and staying protected on public WiFi. FREE VPN FEATURES - Unlimited VPN: no time limits or usage caps - 40+ free server locations, including 20+ US cities - Enterprise-grade encryption for maximum security - Kill Switch: Protect your IP address and data from being exposed if your VPN drops - Strict no-activity-logs policy - Multiple VPN protocols (V2Ray in select locations) - Works on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision with iOS 16.0 or later HOW DOES A VPN WORK? A VPN (virtual private network) creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and a VPN server. Your traffic is routed through that server, so websites see the server's IP address instead of yours. People use a VPN to: - Encrypt their connection on public Wi-Fi networks - Keep their browsing activity less visible to their internet service provider - Use messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Messenger, and Discord - Use social apps like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, X, and Reddit - Watch streaming services like Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, and YouTube - Play mobile games like PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty: Mobile, Free Fire, Genshin Impact, Pokemon GO, Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Honor of Kings, Clash of Kings, Rise of Kingdoms, and Plato WHO IS VPN SUPER FOR? - Anyone looking for a free VPN for iPhone with no data caps or time limits - Travelers and students using public Wi-Fi hotspots at airports, hotels, cafes, and campuses - Mobile gamers connecting to game servers in other regions VPN PROTOCOLS VPN Super supports OpenVPN, IKEv2, and V2Ray. Protocol access vary by location. With Auto Mode, the app selects the fastest protocol for your network. VPN SERVER LOCATIONS 3,000+ servers in 60+ countries: - North America: United States (34+ cities), Canada (3 cities), Mexico - Europe: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom (3 cities) - Asia Pacific: Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, and more - Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan - Middle East: Israel, Turkey - South America: Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru - Africa: Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria FREE VS PREMIUM Premium users get everything included in the free version, plus: - 10Gbps servers for up to 10x faster speeds - Exclusive access to our apps for Mac, Apple TV, and more - Full server fleet of 65+ countries - Streaming-optimized servers - No ad breaks - VPN protection on up to 10 devices PREMIUM PLANS - Weekly: $9.99/week - Monthly: $11.99/month - Yearly: $79.99/year Plans may have a free trial period for new users. FAQs Is VPN Super a free VPN? Yes. The free VPN version includes unlimited bandwidth and access to 40+ server locations. Do I need an account? No. Just download the VPN app and tap connect. Does VPN Super keep logs? No. We follow a strict no-activity-logs policy. More details are in our Privacy Notice. How many devices can I use VPN Super on? With Premium, you can cover up to 10 devices with one subscription. PRIVACY COMMITMENT VPN - Super Unlimited Proxy is committed to privacy with zero activity logs. We don't collect or retain any information that could compromise your online security. - Privacy Notice: https://www.vpnsuper.com/privacy-notice - Terms of Use: https://www.vpnsuper.com/terms-of-service

Screenshots

VPN Hotspot Shield4 screens
VPN4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: VPN Hotspot Shield at none against VPN's shown. VPN Hotspot Shield also leads on iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.0). VPN's advantage is review sentiment (90% vs 76%) and ratings volume (2.1M vs 365K). On price, rating, update cadence 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 9 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and VPN sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 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 4.6 for VPN. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: VPN has 2.1M ratings behind it against 365K, 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 90% of VPN's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. Both last shipped on November 4, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
VPN Hotspot Shield versus VPN: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVPN Hotspot ShieldVPN
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (365K ratings)4.6 (2.1M ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.7% of reviews90.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings365K2.1M — better
Update frequencyWeeklyWeekly
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#63#10 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple TV
Requires iOS14.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size146 MB165 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAnchorFree Inc.Mobile Jump Pte Ltd

Customer experience

VPN Hotspot Shield

All ratings364,832 ratings
Positive89.4%
Neutral3.0%
Negative7.6%
Written reviews4,455 reviews
Positive75.7%
Neutral4.8%
Negative19.5%

VPN

All ratings2,131,872 ratings
Positive90.4%
Neutral3.4%
Negative6.2%
Written reviews15,604 reviews
Positive90.4%
Neutral2.0%
Negative7.6%

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

From 2.1M App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and reliable connection
  • 👍 Easy to use interface
  • 🔒 Secure and private
  • 💡 Wide selection of server locations
  • 👍 Effective for bypassing geo-restrictions

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional connection drops
  • 🔋 Can drain battery quickly
  • 📢 Intrusive ads
  • 🔍 Ambiguous privacy policy

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

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Freezes and crashes on older devices
  • Fails to connect to certain servers

Requested features

3 requests
  • More Netflix-compatible servers
  • Automatic reconnect option
  • Ability to favorite/bookmark servers

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
10 purchases

VPN

Subscriptions10
  • 1-Week Plan Discount7 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • 1-Week Plan3 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • 1-Month Plan Discount1 Month trial$12.991 Month
Show 7 more
  • 1-Month Plan7 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • 3-Month Plan7 Days trial$24.993 Months
  • 3-Month Plan Discount7 Days trial$24.993 Months
  • 3-Month Plan SG-27 Days trial$24.993 Months
  • 6-Month Plan7 Days trial$59.996 Months
  • 12-Month Plan Discount1 Year trial$79.991 Year
  • 12-Month Plan7 Days trial$79.991 Year

Questions

Is VPN Hotspot Shield free?
VPN Hotspot Shield is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is VPN free?
VPN is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, VPN Hotspot Shield or VPN?
VPN is rated higher. VPN Hotspot Shield averages 4.6 out of 5 from 365K ratings, while VPN averages 4.6 from 2.1M ratings.
Do VPN Hotspot Shield or VPN have ads?
VPN shows ads; VPN Hotspot Shield does not.
Which is updated more often, VPN Hotspot Shield or VPN?
VPN Hotspot Shield ships an update weekly, and VPN weekly. Most recently, VPN Hotspot Shield was updated on November 4, 2026 and VPN on November 4, 2026.
Which is more popular, VPN Hotspot Shield or VPN?
VPN Hotspot Shield currently peaks at #63 in the App Store charts, and VPN at #10. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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