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VPN Comparison 2026

Hotspot Shield vs FastestVPN

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

Hotspot Shield

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

FastestVPN

Rating: 3.6/5
Best Price:$1.11/mo
Servers:800+
Countries:52
Speed Score:78%

Based on our comprehensive testing, Hotspot Shield comes out ahead overall.

Last updated: marzo 2026

Detailed Feature Comparison

Feature
Hotspot Shield
FastestVPN
Overall Rating
3.8/5
3.6/5
Monthly Price
$12.99/mo
$10/mo
Best Price (2yr plan)
$7.99/mo
$1.11/mo
Money-Back Guarantee
45 days
31 days
Free Tier
Total Servers
3,200+
800+
Countries
80
52
Simultaneous Devices
10
10
Speed Score
92%
78%
Security Score
80%
80%
Streaming Score
85%
75%
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

FastestVPN

Pros

  • Lifetime subscription available
  • Very affordable
  • NAT firewall included
  • Ad blocker included
  • 10 simultaneous connections

Cons

  • Not the fastest despite name
  • Cayman Islands jurisdiction
  • Small server network
  • Limited advanced features

Final Verdict

Hotspot Shield comes out ahead in this comparison with a higher overall rating of 3.8/5 compared to FastestVPN's 3.6/5. Fast VPN with proprietary Hydra protocol and free tier.

Choose Hotspot Shield if:

  • You prioritize faster speeds (92%)
  • You want more server options (3,200+ servers)

Choose FastestVPN if:

  • You're looking for better value ($1.11/mo)

Hotspot Shield

3.8/5 Rating$7.99/mo
Read Full Review

FastestVPN

3.6/5 Rating$1.11/mo
Read Full Review

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hotspot Shield better than FastestVPN?+
Hotspot Shield is rated higher overall with a score of 3.8/5 compared to FastestVPN's 3.6/5. Hotspot Shield Fast VPN with proprietary Hydra protocol and free tier. However, both VPNs have their strengths, so your best choice depends on your specific needs.
Which is cheaper, Hotspot Shield or FastestVPN?+
FastestVPN is the more affordable option at $1.11/mo on a 2-year plan, compared to Hotspot Shield at $7.99/mo. FastestVPN offers better value on long-term plans, though both services frequently run promotional discounts.
Which is faster, Hotspot Shield or FastestVPN?+
Hotspot Shield achieves a higher speed score of 92% in our tests, compared to FastestVPN's 78%. 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 FastestVPN have more servers?+
Hotspot Shield has a larger server network with 3,200+ servers, compared to FastestVPN's 800+ 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 FastestVPN?+
Hotspot Shield scores higher for streaming at 85% compared to FastestVPN's 75%. 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.