download free hotspot shield Hotspot Shield for Windows. Hotspot shield is the world’s most popular VPN service. Does this make it the world’s best? With over 650 million users, unparalleled speeds and over 2,500 servers around the world, Hotspot Shield are the global giants of the VPN industry. They continue to grow at a phenomenal speed. Stellar service or awesome marketing? Let’s find out. Hotspot Shield is a VPN, i.e. a “Virtual Private Network” that hides your computer's IP address, allowing you to browse securely and (supposedly), privately. VPN services exploded in popularity after the Snowden allegations, and continue to be a popular way for safe internet use. Hotspot Shield was developed in 2005 by AnchorFree, a US company based in San Francisco. A freemium product, with the Hotspot Shield Elite removing the ads, adding features and increasing the speeds. Good design, decent speed, and easy to use. Of course, where Hotspot Shield blows its competitors out of the field is the incredible speeds they offer. While I only tested the free version, users reported download speeds of double other VPNS, lower latency and increased ping times. AnchorFree claims this is thanks to their exclusive Hydra Protocol which is based on TLS and OpenSSL. In fact, it is also used by security giants such as McAfee, Bitdefender and even Vodafone. Their network uses a hyper secure AES-2526 encryption to ensure the privacy of your data from everyone – except AnchorFree. This takes us to the major flaw of an otherwise impeccable VPN. Hotspot is headquartered in California. The United States is a member of the Five Eyes Intelligence Alliance, and current US law allows the Government to invoke gag orders on VPN companies. Effectively, AnchorFree could be forced to hand over your personal data (and be prevented from notifying you). This is before we even get to the shady contradictions between their latest Transparency Report and their Privacy Policy. The former has a zero-logging claim, while the latter admits that Hotspot Shield does “collect anonymous aggregate data about which websites you visit and which apps you use.” Formal complaints have been lodged against the company alleging them of selling data on to advertisers. Other cons include the lack of bitcoin payment options, and you can’t manually set up routers as there are no other VPN tunneling protocols available. Also, the free version only lets you browse from US servers (which are significantly slower than their other global options) and limits you to 500 MB per day. Where can you run this program? Hotspot Shield is compatible with most major devices. The VPN app is available for Windows, Mac and both Android and iOS smartphones. There is also a browser extension for Chrome and Firefox. However, because the VPN exclusively runs on the Hydra Catapult protocol, there is no option to manually set up routers. As a result, Hotspot Shield is incompatible with Linux, gaming systems and smart TVs. Basically, you won’t be able to run Hotspot Shield on any of their fairly long list of unsupported devices. This includes any rooted phones, Kindle, Windows or Blackberry phones or the Amazon Fire TV stick. Is there a better alternative? If it is raw speed you’re after, then the only rival to Hotspot Shield is Express VPN. Although you can’t connect as many devices simultaneously, and there is no free version available. For ultra-private browsing, try the Private Internet Access or Surfshark VPNs. If you need to do a lot of torrenting, then TorGuard VPN is a great option. I found the TunnelBear was an awesome VPN, there was no ads even in the free version. CyberGhost is great for accessing BBC iPlayer. Across the board however, the best alternative is NordVPN. It offers great speeds, Netflix streaming, smooth torrenting and highly secure protocols. This is the best VPN for secure and fast browsing without sacrificing your privacy. Our take. Surely, the whole point of using a VPN is for your safety and privacy. So why choose a VPN app that is headquartered in the US, with a shady privacy policy, and who were alleged of malpractice by the Center for Democracy and Technology? Sure, nothing in life is free. Hotspot Shield comes at the price of ads and limited bandwidth in the free version. It seems even the Hotspot Shield Elite comes at a price of your privacy. Should you download it? You could try the 7-day trial version, with money back guaranteed. But unless you are looking for raw speed and nothing else, give Hotspot Shield a miss and try one of the more private VPNs. Hotspot Shield Apk. Hotspot Shield apk is a public virtual private network (VPN) service which was developed and operated by AnchorFree, Inc., a company in Silicon Valley with its head offices in Ukraine and Russia. The first app was released in 2008 which was initially for windows but in the present time it has been updated to be compatible with iOS and android platforms. It provides internet privacy to its users, thus keeping their personal and browsing information private and anonymous from the rest of the world. Hotspot shield apk has been used to bypass the censorship ordained by the government during antigovernment protests by the Egyptians and Libyans. Hotspot Shield prevents the third party from breaching any privacy connections. Hotspot Shield apk creates a secure pathway between the user’s electronic device (computer or phone) and the internet world. This link creates an armour that protects the user’s data from being tracked when it travels to and from their device by hiding their IP address, as well as their live location from the rest of the world. With a Hotspot Shield, the internet activity is taken to the server from where it is redirected to the internet. Which basically means that if a person is to find the user, then only their fake IP address aka that of hotspot shield apk would be visible simultaneously keeping their own IP address secured and shielded. Hotspot Shield secures the user's browsing information preventing any kind of eavesdropping by a third party. It does so by hiding the user’s Internet Protocol address and Domain name system, which ultimately masks their activity on the internet. This masking action is so powerful and undetectable that it makes it impossible for the third party to spy on the user, be it the government officials or random hackers on the web world. Hotspot Shield APK. The two versions of Hotspot Shield APK available are Hotspot Shield VPN basic and Hotspot Shield VPN premium. Hotspot Shield VPN basic APK. The Hotspot Shield VPN Basic version allows its user to unmask all the US content by breaking the government’s effective armour. It enables the user to access the data without any difficulty from one’s favourite applications or web links. It provides users with browsing freedom without any time restrictions. This is a free version thus contains no subscription charges. It also contains a limited number of in-app advertisements. The browsing speed is fast. It is a life saver for people on a budget. Hotspot Shield VPN Premium version. Hotspot Shield VPN Premium version allows its users to have unlimited access to more than hundred virtual locations from around the globe without any kinds of delays. These include the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, India, Australia and many more. This version supports 5 devices simultaneously connected whether android, or iOS in the form of laptop, tablet or phones. This premium version comes with a 7 day trial period. This allows the user to make informed choices. The premium version per month requires a submission of 7.99 dollars while for a year, the user has to pay 12.99 dollars. It is simple to use, with no IP address leaks on the way. It has a good speed and the payment could be paid through a Visa/MasterCard or through PayPal. Hotspot Shield APK Features. Malware Protection: Hotspot shield apk has a built in malware protector that helps users avoid any malicious sites or software. It also alerts its user in case they visit a malicious site. Trustworthy: Hotspot shield apk due to its trustworthiness and amazing performance has also featured in New York Times, Forbes and CNN. Customer Support: It provides its users to directly contact them on their email ID in case of any query. They have a good response rate. Network in Different States : Hotspot Shield is regarded as the largest VPN in the market. It offers services in multiple countries such as Canada, Australia, United States of America, Japan, and many more. Masks IP address and DNS: Using Hotspot Shield apk when browsing from any location, protects the user from third party attackers by changing the real location with a fake one. Provides Internet freedom: It provides you with freedom to access any information without getting afraid of being tracked. Speed and Performance: This application is one of a kind when it comes to performance and speed of action. Blocks surveillance: Hotspot Shield apk blocks any kind of surveillance activity by any third party including the government or any spy. Secure Browsing History: Since Hotspot Shield apk removes its users’ online track record, so your search history and watch history is completely safe from any threats. Can use blocked websites: Hotspot Shield apk enables a person to use blocked websites or censored content without getting troubled by blockers on the way. Free to use: Hotspot Shield apk offers free trials as well as free versions for individuals who are on a low budget. How to download Hotspot Shield apk APK? Search for “Hotspot Shield apk APK free download”. Click the download button. It will be downloaded in a couple of minutes. How to install Hotspot Shield APK file On Android devices? After downloading the apk file, tap on it to start its installation. If a downloaded file could not be found, then search for it in your device's download section. For allowing devices to accept installation from unknown sources, visit “Settings” followed by “Additional settings/ more” then to “Developer options” and finally enable the “Unknown sources”. Now, Open “File Manager” on your device and go to the “Download folder”. Find Hotspot Shield apk download file. Then tap on it, Click “Next” and select “Install”. Wait for the installation process to be completed. After completion of the installation process, you will see an icon on your gadget’s home screen. Installing Hotspot Shield APK file On PC. For installing a Hotspot Shield apk, the user has to install Bluestacks or Nox player first in order to make use of this application. In order to do that, follow the following steps: Download an android emulator either Bluestacks or Nox player from their official websites and Install the respective Emulator by following automated commands. Open the emulator. It will require the user to sign in Google Account to use the emulator effectively. Download the file following the above download instructions which are the same for every device. Go to your Hotspot Shield apk file location on your PC and right click and choose the option “Open with Bluestacks or Nox player”. Installation will begin. It will take a couple of minutes. Once it's over, you will be notified through an official notification. Conclusion. Hotspot Shield apk has managed to become a global favorite due to its free, easy to use and great performance. It allows one to experience internet freedom by browsing whatever they like and whenever they like even including sites that have geographic limitations. It keeps IP addresses and browsing history confidential. In order to use it, download and install is as per the above guide. Hotspot Shield Download for Free - 2021 Latest Version. WizCase includes reviews written by our experts. They evaluate the products/services in accordance with their professional standards. Kape Technologies PLC, the parent company of Wizcase, owns CyberGhost, ZenMate, Private Internet Access, and Intego, which may be reviewed on this website. Wizcase may earn an affiliate commission when a purchase is made using our links. However, this has no influence on the content of the reviews we publish or on the products/services reviewed. Our content may include direct links to buy products that are part of affiliate programs. All reviews published on Wizcase meet our strict reviewing standards, in order to ensure that each review is based on the reviewer's independent, honest, and professional examination of the product/service. Such standards require the reviewer to consider the technical qualities and characteristics of the product alongside its commercial value for users, which may affect the product's ranking on the website. Hotspot Shield is a decent free VPN with servers in 127 locations, each secured with top-level encryption protocols to hide your online activities. Once connected to one of these servers, you’ll be assigned an IP address that can’t be traced back to you. While there is a premium version of Hotspot Shield that includes additional features such as unlimited data and more servers, I’ll show you how to download a completely free, although limited, version of Hotspot Shield. How to Download and Install Hotspot Shield for Free. Click the Download button on the sidebar and a new tab will open directly to the official Hotspot Shield download page. Press the Download Free button and the exe file will immediately download to your computer. When the file download is complete, open the file and the installation wizard will open. Press the Install button and the VPN will install on your computer. After the installation is complete, you’ll be given the option to continue with a free 7-day trial or go with the always free, Basic plan. If you choose the Basic free package, a new window will open giving you one more chance at trying the premium version free for 7 days. If you’re not interested, press the Decline Offer link. Hotspot Shield will launch and you can connect to a remote server. How to Cancel Hotspot Shield. If you choose to take advantage of the free 7-day trial, it’s important to cancel your subscription before the trial period is complete. Follow these steps to cancel Hotspot Shield: Sign in to your account and go to the dashboard Select the Account Info tab Click on the “Cancel Plan” option at the bottom of the Membership section: How to Uninstall Hotspot Shield From Your Computer. If Hotspot Shield isn’t right for you, or your free trial period ended, and you still want VPN protection, Check out these alternatives below. You can completely remove Hotspot Shield from your computer in a few simple steps. Type Add or Remove Programs in the Windows search bar and press the Enter key. Scroll through the list of installed programs until you find Hotspot Shield. Click Uninstall. The Hotspot Shield uninstallation Wizard will open and safely remove the VPN from your computer. Hotspot Shield Overview. When it comes to free VPNs, Hotspot Shield is a solid choice. There are servers in 127 locations to choose from, including the US, UK, and Canada. While connected to Hotspot Shield, you’ll receive a new IP address that will block your ISP, government agencies, and websites from seeing your true location. The servers are also secured with military-grade encryption to prevent hackers from stealing your data. The biggest downside to the free version of Hotspot Shield is that there is a data limit of 500MB per day, which is OK for browsing, but not good enough for streaming or torrenting. If you’re going to need unlimited data, and a VPN that consistently works with streaming sites, I’d strongly recommend getting ExpressVPN . Free Hotspot Shield Features. Protect your privacy : When you connect to any Hotspot Shield server, your internet connection will be rerouted through a secure tunnel that blocks anyone from viewing your online activities. Bypasses geo-restrictions (doesn’t work in China) : You can bypass firewalls or access websites that are blocked in your connection with Hotspot Shield. It does work with some streaming services, like Netflix, but with just 500MB of data, it won’t help you binge your favorite shows. If you’re looking for a VPN with no data limit that can bypass the Great Firewall of China, try ExpressVPN – it has a no-questions-asked 30-day money-back guarantee . Starts on Launch : Set Hotspot Shield to automatically connect with the fastest server when you turn on the computer. This way, you can protect your computer and data from hackers without even thinking about it. Free Alternatives to Hotspot Shield. ExpressVPN : The fastest VPN on the market , ExpressVPN has servers in over 90 countries. It takes security to the next level with its patented STRustedServer technology that erases all your data from their servers automatically when you log off. The servers are encrypted with AES 256- but encryption, but this doesn’t affect your internet speed, which remains just as fast, if not faster, than when the VPN is off. ExpressVPN has been tested and works with most major streaming sites around the world including Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer, DAZN, and more. CyberGhost : An extremely easy-to-use VPN, CyberGhost has every feature that you need to anonymously browse the web. With a global network of secured servers, you can change your IP address and access websites, videos, bypass firewalls at work or school, from all over the world. CyberGhost has servers optimized for streaming, gaming, and torrenting . Just click on the server you want, and it will quickly connect. Is Hotspot Shield free? Yes, the basic version is free. follow the instructions above and I’ll show you how to download the basic free version of the VPN. Is Hotspot Shield Safe? As long as you download the software from the official Hotspot Shield site, you won’t have any issues with viruses, malware, or spyware. Can I stream Netflix with the free Hotspot Shield? I don’t recommend that you rely on Hotspot Shield for streaming your favorite shows from Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus. While it might work one day, there’s no guarantee it will continue working. Additionally, the 500MB data limit will prevent you from watching for very long. Instead, download ExpressVPN, which comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee , works perfectly with all these streaming sites and more. Is Hotspot Shield VPN Safe? Privacy Group Files Complaint Against VPN. A privacy advocacy group has filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) against Hotspot Shield, a popular free VPN service, for reportedly violating the claim of “complete anonymity” promised to its users. The Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT) filed its 14-page complaint Monday, in which the organization accuses Hotspot Shield and parent company AnchorFree of performing a number of undisclosed practices that may violate a user’s privacy including data sharing and traffic redirection. The CDT takes issue with how Hotspot Shield is marketed to users. The virtual private network (VPN) promises not to track, log or sell customers’ information while protecting the user’s internet traffic using an encrypted connection. According to researcher conducted by the CDT along with researchers at Carnegie Mellon University, Hotspot Shield fails to live up to its promise of protection and instead keeps logs of user activity to identify the user’s location and serve advertisements. According to the complaint, Hotspot Shield can intercept and redirect those requests. If a user tries to go to a commercial website, the VPN may redirect that traffic to partner websites, including advertising companies. Such a redirect may be performed to generate revenue for AnchorFree, but also puts user data at risk. The complaint from the CDT also accuses the app of insecure and unreasonable data security practices, including reportedly failing to secure customer payment data—users who have paid for the “Elite” version of the VPN has reported credit card fraud after their purchase—and failing to properly encrypt mobile carrier information, making user information susceptible to theft in the case of a breach. The complaint, which accuses Hotspot Shield and AnchorFree of “unfair and deceptive trade practices,” is troubling given how popular the product is. According to the app’s description in the Mac App Store, Hotspot Shield has been downloaded more than 500 million times. The Android version of the app boasts between 50-100 million downloads and nearly one million reviews with an average of a 4.2 star rating. Hotspot Shield is by far one of the most popular VPNs on the market and given the product is used by those hoping to improve their security online, the findings from the CDT and Carnegie Mellon University is likely troubling for its many users. A standard VPN enables a device to send and receive information across a public network as if it was connected directly to a private network. It obscures the location of the user while creating an encrypted tunnel to transfer data from the user’s device to the VPN server and vice versa. By filtering information through the remote server, the VPN shields that data from anyone on the same public network, including internet service providers. VPNs saw a sizable uptick in usage after the United States Congress voted to repeal protections that required internet service providers to get permission before collecting sensitive information from users. Hotspot Shield is not the first VPN to come under fire for shady practices. In 2015, Hola VPN received criticism for its practice of selling user bandwidth which could then be bought and used for distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks. Hotspot Shield Download. Hotspot Shield is an intelligent solution that can run on PCs, tablets and mobile phones. It prevents IP leak, hides IP address from intruders, encrypts shared messages and lets you browse websites without sharing your personal information. It is a reliable application that contains various advance functions in a user friendly GUI. Software details. Software description. Hotspot shield is a Virtual Private Network (VPN) that makes internet connections more secure from the external threat. The software is able to make a public wifi act like a private one so anyone trying to get your data is locked out. Not only is your data such as login in credential confidential, but you are also able to access sites that might have been blocked by the admin. The fact that this software makes it hard for entities such as the government, hackers, advertisers, identity thieves, ISPs and many others to track you makes it very popular worldwide.