ExpressVPN vs Hotspot Shield – Which VPN is better?
Before you decide: ExpressVPN and Hotspot Shield offer different advantages. Our test helps you find the provider that best matches your needs.
Our winner
ExpressVPN
In this head-to-head comparison ExpressVPN delivers the better overall performance.
See ExpressVPN deal →Comparison table
Speed – ExpressVPN vs Hotspot Shield
ExpressVPN comes out ahead in our speed test: 90 Mbit/s download versus 86 Mbit/s for Hotspot Shield. Both are fine for HD streaming, but ExpressVPN feels noticeably snappier.
Security – ExpressVPN vs Hotspot Shield
Both VPNs are well positioned on the security side. ExpressVPN stands out with No-logs policy (checked), while Hotspot Shield convinces with No-logs policy (Premium).
- No-logs policy (checked)
- AES-256 Encryption
- TrustedServer (RAM-only)
- Kill Switch
- No-logs policy (Premium)
- AES-256 Encryption
- Kill Switch
- Catapult Hydra protocol
Streaming – which VPN works better?
In the streaming comparison ExpressVPN scores with broader platform coverage. Both VPNs unblock the most common services – ExpressVPN is just a bit more consistent.
ExpressVPN
Hotspot Shield
Pricing
Hotspot Shield
from 2,99 €/month
3-year subscription - Free tariff available
See Hotspot Shield dealWhich VPN is better for…
Streaming
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN unblocks streaming services slightly more reliably.
Security
ExpressVPN
More security functions and features.
Value for money
Hotspot Shield
Lower price with comparable performance.
Our verdict – ExpressVPN or Hotspot Shield?
Our verdict: ExpressVPN narrowly wins this comparison. Hotspot Shield has its own strengths, though, and is the better option for certain user groups.
FAQ – ExpressVPN vs Hotspot Shield
Is ExpressVPN or Hotspot Shield faster? +
ExpressVPN is a bit faster on average (90 Mbit/s vs 86 Mbit/s). Both deliver good speeds for streaming and downloads.
Which VPN is cheaper – ExpressVPN or Hotspot Shield? +
Hotspot Shield is cheaper (from 2,99 €/month). ExpressVPN starts at 6,67 €/month.
Which VPN is more secure? +
Both offer AES-256 encryption and no-logs policies. ExpressVPN packs a few more security features.
Which VPN is better for streaming? +
ExpressVPN unblocks streaming services slightly more reliably in our test. Both VPNs work with Netflix and other platforms.
Is Hotspot Shield still worth considering? +
Absolutely. Hotspot Shield is a fully featured VPN service with its own strengths and can be the right call for many use cases.
