We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
Learn more
vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
Advertising Disclosure

vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

HMA VPN vs Hotspot Shield 2024

Table of Contents
    Our Score: 7.0/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Our Score: 9.1/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info

    Which VPN is better?

    Author Image Kristina Perunicic
    Kristina Perunicic

    Former Managing Editor

    HMA is a highly reputable service provider known for offering one of the largest VPN networks, with 900+ servers in 190 countries. Hotspot Shield is also highly rated, but although it offers 2,500+ servers, it is only present in around 25 countries. While Hotspot Shield provides a free limited version alongside its premium plan, HMA only offers a paid service. HMA, however, offers a 7-day free trial for all new subscribers. Hotspot Shield has a 45-day money-back guarantee, whereas HMA offers a 30-day refund policy. Both providers capably unlock Netflix and similar US websites with tough geoblocks, and both provide unlimited bandwidth with any paid plan. If you use an Android, iOS, Windows, or MacOS device, you can expect dedicated apps from either of these providers. Keep on reading to find out which VPN emerges as the winner in this closely contested comparison. NOTE: This comparison focuses on the paid Hotspot Shield plan, Hotspot Shield Elite.

    Our Score

    Features 7.0/10
    Pricing 7.0/10
    Ease of Use 7.0/10
    Reliability & Support 6.6/10
    Features 9.1/10
    Pricing 8.8/10
    Ease of Use 9.2/10
    Reliability & Support 9.4/10

    Reviews

    Review by our expert
    Author Image Matthew Amos
    Matthew Amos

    Senior Editor

    Our Score: 7.0/10

    HMA (formerly HideMyAss) is a relatively cheap VPN that claims to offer more server locations than anyone else. However, it has faced some serious controversies in the past. Is it a VPN that can keep you safe and anonymous online? To find out, I performed extensive tests on all its features and explored its updated privacy policy. I also checked out several connection issues customers have rep...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    P
    Paulo
    10.0/10
    Excellent value for money!

    First, it's a full VPN. Very intuitive and easy app. Lots of connection options and without much loss ... of speed. The official website has the payment method in my local currency, with a localized value and thus leaving a fair value through the VPN. Thank VPNMentor for the product recommendation and targeted discount.More

    Latest negative user review
    s
    sumit
    2.0/10
    Zero Customer Service

    Billed me after not using the service for three years, no customer service response despite emails and...  completed web forms, I agree fully with the other reviews that this company has an old out of date product and no customer support. This is one company to avoidMore

    Read the full review
    Review by our expert
    Author Image Lawrence Wachira
    Lawrence Wachira

    Editor

    Our Score: 9.1/10

    Hotspot Shield is a VPN that’s undergone many changes recently. After dealing with several controversies, it overhauled its logging policy and is under new management. So, has it gotten better? My global team and I tested everything it offers to see if Hotspot Shield (HSS) is safe. We fully explored its logging policy and found out if its security features can prevent data leaks. We also tes...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    H
    Howard Rosenbrook
    10.0/10
    Had for 3 years no problem

    Kept cable providers off my ass just dont like that you cant pay a week or so early and dont like the ... auto renewal i should beable to pay my bill on my own when i want as long as im not late it shouldnt be a problem with your companyMore

    Latest negative user review
    A
    Alt
    2.0/10
    Blocked by Real-Debrid on just about every us city and nearly all countries

    Easy to connect speed pretty good multiple platforms not great from streaming.. which is where you nee... d the speed. Nord vpn and Express are both cooperative providers with real-debrid meaning no connection problems. Even if you do find a server that connects frequently this is blocked during streaming.More

    Read the full review

    Pricing

    Starting price $2.99/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 10 devices
    Starting price $3.33/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 45 Days
    Number of devices per license 10 devices

    Best VPN by Category

    Best VPN Overall

    HMA has one of the biggest VPN networks on the market, with a server presence in almost every country. The service is backed up with outstanding customer support and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Hotspot Shield also offers a reliable VPN service with a focus on strong security and ease of use.

    Best VPN for Torrents

    HMA is our recommended VPN for torrents, as it offers dedicated servers across many locations that are optimized for P2P. Torrenting may work on other servers as well, but we do not recommend using them because they may not be secure enough. Hotspot Shield is not a good choice for downloading torrents, as it forbids the activity on its network.

    Best VPN for Windows

    Features like IPv6 leak protection, 256-bit encryption, and access to 90+ servers in 190 countries are some of the reasons why millions of Windows users worldwide trust HMA’s dedicated Windows VPN client. Hotspot Shield also provides a dedicated Windows app that features a kill switch, access to fast servers, malware protection, and the provider’s Catapult Hydra technology.

    Best VPN for Android

    Some of the best features of HMA’s dedicated Android app are an automatic kill switch, leak protection, and access to the provider’s dedicated streaming servers. Meanwhile, Hotspot Shield’s Android app features unlimited bandwidth and server switching, a very neat user interface, and access to the provider’s free limited version.

    Best VPN for Mac

    With HMA’s dedicated app for MacOS, you can expect to find a very user-friendly interface, strong military-grade encryption, and IPv6 leak protection. Hotspot Shield competes with its own MacOS app that features the provider’s unique Catapult Hydra technology and protection from malware.

    Best VPN for iOS

    With access to over 900 servers, a dedicated app, wi-fi protection, and a 24/7 live chat feature from within the app, HMA provides an excellent service for iOS devices. Hotspot Shield also offers an iOS app that includes tracking protection, access to very fast servers, and military-grade encryption.

    Best VPN for USA

    Hotspot Shield’s fast speeds and consistency in breaking through tough geoblocks from providers like Netflix and Hulu makes it a very reliable VPN for the USA. HMA also provides many US servers that capably unlock Netflix and other geoblocked content, but it lacks the speed that top VPNs like ExpressVPN and CyberGhost possess.

    The Bottom Line

    See Plans & Pricing

    Some comparisons are very close calls, and this is one where we found it tough to choose a winner between two top VPN providers. In the end, however, the availability of servers in 190 countries, advanced leak protection, and outstanding technical support are the key reasons why HMA narrowly wins this comparison. Its minimalist user-interface won’t dazzle you, but it is highly intuitive so even VPN newbies will have no problems whatsoever adapting to its apps on all platforms.

    Time to decide which one is best for you

    Go with HMA VPN
    Go with Hotspot Shield
    Or click here to check best VPNs, rated by {{review_count}} users

    FAQ

    Is HMA VPN better than Hotspot Shield?

    Yes, HMA VPN is better overall than Hotspot Shield. It has 1110 servers in 210 countries, fast speeds, and impressive security features.

    Best of all, you can take advantage of its latest discount and get it for only $2.99 a month.

    What should I keep in mind when choosing between HMA VPN and Hotspot Shield?

    When choosing a VPN, you want to pay close attention to its number of servers, overall speed score, pricing, and the number of simultaneous device connections it offers. While some VPNs provide a flawless online experience, others will really slow you down.

    If you’re ready to commit, then HMA VPN may be perfect for you due to its performance during the tests .

    Is HMA VPN faster than Hotspot Shield?

    Yes, HMA VPN is faster than Hotspot Shield. Since your VPN is your computer’s main connection to the internet, you need to use a service that won’t slow you down by more than 20%.

    If speeds are important to you, then I recommend you take a look at ExpressVPN. It’s the fastest service out there, provides unlimited bandwidth, and you won’t experience any slowdowns even when you connect to the other side of the planet. You can try it out risk-free. It’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can get a full refund if you don’t like it.

    Do HMA VPN or Hotspot Shield offer any deals?

    Both HMA VPN and Hotspot Shield offer deals on occasion. You can check out the current coupons and discounts here. However, ExpressVPN has the best deals. Right now, you can get a 82% discount and up to 3 months for free with a new subscription.

    We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
    Learn more
    vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

    About the Author

    Kristina Perunicic is a former editor for vpnMentor. She’s a cybersecurity expert with an interest in VPNs and their importance in the digital privacy landscape.