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VPN Comparison 2026

Hotspot Shield vs CyberGhost

Comprehensive comparison of features, pricing, speed, and security to help you choose the best VPN for your needs.

Hotspot Shield

Rating: 3.8/5
Best Price:$7.99/mo
Servers:3,200+
Countries:80
Speed Score:92%

CyberGhost

Rating: 4.4/5
Winner
Best Price:$2.03/mo
Servers:11,690+
Countries:100
Speed Score:85%

Based on our comprehensive testing, CyberGhost comes out ahead overall.

Last updated: 2월 2026

Detailed Feature Comparison

Feature
Hotspot Shield
CyberGhost
Overall Rating
3.8/5
4.4/5
Monthly Price
$12.99/mo
$12.99/mo
Best Price (2yr plan)
$7.99/mo
$2.03/mo
Money-Back Guarantee
45 days
45 days
Free Tier
Total Servers
3,200+
11,690+
Countries
80
100
Simultaneous Devices
10
7
Speed Score
92%
85%
Security Score
80%
90%
Streaming Score
85%
88%
Protocols
HydraOpenVPNIKEv2
WireGuardOpenVPNIKEv2
Encryption
AES-256
AES-256
Kill Switch
No-Logs Policy
Netflix Support
Torrenting Support
Get Started
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Pros and Cons

Hotspot Shield

Pros

  • Very fast speeds (Hydra protocol)
  • Free tier available
  • 45-day money-back guarantee
  • Good for streaming
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • Logs some connection data
  • Based in the US
  • Free tier has ads
  • Privacy concerns in past

CyberGhost

Pros

  • Huge server network (11,000+)
  • 45-day money-back guarantee
  • Dedicated streaming servers
  • Very affordable
  • User-friendly interface

Cons

  • Slower speeds than competitors
  • Owned by Kape Technologies
  • Some servers are crowded

Final Verdict

CyberGhost comes out ahead in this comparison with a higher overall rating of 4.4/5 compared to Hotspot Shield's 3.8/5. Largest server network with specialized streaming servers.

Choose Hotspot Shield if:

  • You prioritize faster speeds (92%)

Choose CyberGhost if:

  • You need stronger security (90%)
  • You want more server options (11,690+ servers)
  • You're looking for better value ($2.03/mo)

Hotspot Shield

3.8/5 Rating$7.99/mo
Read Full Review

CyberGhost

4.4/5 Rating$2.03/mo
Read Full Review

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hotspot Shield better than CyberGhost?+
CyberGhost is rated higher overall with a score of 4.4/5 compared to Hotspot Shield's 3.8/5. CyberGhost Largest server network with specialized streaming servers. However, both VPNs have their strengths, so your best choice depends on your specific needs.
Which is cheaper, Hotspot Shield or CyberGhost?+
CyberGhost is the more affordable option at $2.03/mo on a 2-year plan, compared to Hotspot Shield at $7.99/mo. CyberGhost offers better value on long-term plans, though both services frequently run promotional discounts.
Which is faster, Hotspot Shield or CyberGhost?+
Hotspot Shield achieves a higher speed score of 92% in our tests, compared to CyberGhost's 85%. Hotspot Shield uses modern VPN protocols that minimize speed loss, making it the better choice for bandwidth-heavy activities like 4K streaming and large file downloads.
Does Hotspot Shield or CyberGhost have more servers?+
CyberGhost has a larger server network with 11,690+ servers, compared to Hotspot Shield's 3,200+ servers. More servers generally means less congestion and more location choices, giving you better connection reliability and more options for bypassing geo-restrictions.
Which VPN is better for streaming, Hotspot Shield or CyberGhost?+
CyberGhost scores higher for streaming at 88% compared to Hotspot Shield's 85%. CyberGhost reliably unblocks popular streaming platforms and maintains fast enough speeds for HD and 4K content without buffering.

Compare More VPNs

Not sure yet? Check out our full VPN comparison tool or read detailed reviews of each service.