VPN Comparison 2026

Hotspot Shield vs Perimeter 81

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%

Perimeter 81

Rating: 4/5
Winner
Best Price:$8/mo
Servers:700+
Countries:50
Speed Score:85%

Based on our comprehensive testing, Perimeter 81 comes out ahead overall.

Last updated: März 2026

Detailed Feature Comparison

Feature
Hotspot Shield
Perimeter 81
Overall Rating
3.8/5
4/5
Monthly Price
$12.99/mo
$10/mo
Best Price (2yr plan)
$7.99/mo
$8/mo
Money-Back Guarantee
45 days
30 days
Free Tier
Total Servers
3,200+
700+
Countries
80
50
Simultaneous Devices
10
5
Speed Score
92%
85%
Security Score
80%
95%
Streaming Score
85%
45%
Protocols
HydraOpenVPNIKEv2
WireGuardOpenVPNIPSec
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

Perimeter 81

Pros

  • Zero Trust architecture
  • Enterprise security features
  • Centralized management
  • Split tunneling
  • SSO integration

Cons

  • Enterprise pricing
  • Not for individual use
  • No consumer features
  • Complex setup

Final Verdict

Perimeter 81 comes out ahead in this comparison with a higher overall rating of 4/5 compared to Hotspot Shield's 3.8/5. Enterprise-grade SASE platform with zero-trust network access.

Choose Hotspot Shield if:

  • You prioritize faster speeds (92%)
  • You want more server options (3,200+ servers)
  • You're looking for better value ($7.99/mo)

Choose Perimeter 81 if:

  • You need stronger security (95%)

Hotspot Shield

3.8/5 Rating$7.99/mo
Read Full Review

Perimeter 81

4/5 Rating$8/mo
Read Full Review

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hotspot Shield better than Perimeter 81?+
Perimeter 81 is rated higher overall with a score of 4/5 compared to Hotspot Shield's 3.8/5. Perimeter 81 Enterprise-grade SASE platform with zero-trust network access. However, both VPNs have their strengths, so your best choice depends on your specific needs.
Which is cheaper, Hotspot Shield or Perimeter 81?+
Hotspot Shield is the more affordable option at $7.99/mo on a 2-year plan, compared to Perimeter 81 at $8/mo. Hotspot Shield offers better value on long-term plans, though both services frequently run promotional discounts.
Which is faster, Hotspot Shield or Perimeter 81?+
Hotspot Shield achieves a higher speed score of 92% in our tests, compared to Perimeter 81'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 Perimeter 81 have more servers?+
Hotspot Shield has a larger server network with 3,200+ servers, compared to Perimeter 81's 700+ 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 Perimeter 81?+
Hotspot Shield scores higher for streaming at 85% compared to Perimeter 81's 45%. Hotspot Shield 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.