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Head-to-head · Free VPN Services

Planet VPN vs Hotspot Shield

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Planet VPN #4 in Free VPN Services 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 1 features Visit Planet VPN
Hotspot Shield #7 in Free VPN Services 8.5/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 1 features Visit Hotspot Shield

Planet VPN leads on 0 checks, Hotspot Shield on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scorePlanet VPN · 8.8/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Hotspot Shield
  • Most featuresPlanet VPN · 1 of 1

Planet VPN scores higher on our rubric for free vpn services: 8.8 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #7.

Planet VPN is the better fit for users seeking unlimited free data and 10 devices. Hotspot Shield is the better fit for streaming-focused free VPN users.

  • Planet VPN fits best

    Users seeking unlimited free data and 10 devices

  • Hotspot Shield fits best

    Streaming-focused free VPN users

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Side by side

Feature Planet VPN 8.8/10 Visit ↗ Hotspot Shield 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.5
Ranking #4 in Free VPN Services #7 in Free VPN Services
Best for Users seeking unlimited free data and 10 devices Streaming-focused free VPN users
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price €1.99/user/mo $6.99/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — 7 days
Money-back guarantee 14 days 45 days
Deployment Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension
Support Email, Live chat, Docs · 24/7 Live chat, Email, Docs · 24/7
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Planet VPN 1/1 · Hotspot Shield 0/1
Ads on free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Free data allowance Not checked yet Not checked yet
Free server choice Limited Not checked yet
Free speed policy Unlimited Not checked yet
Logging policy No logs Not checked yet
Free device limit 10 devices Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free plan has no traffic, bandwidth or time limits and requires no registration
  • Includes kill switch, split tunneling and access to six free locations
  • Premium supports up to 10 devices across desktop, mobile and browser platforms
  • Free Basic plan includes private browsing and VPN encryption
  • Streaming optimization and 115+ locations on paid plans
  • Apps cover Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android
Cons
  • Free access is limited to six locations
  • The free plan includes ads
  • Premium’s lowest advertised monthly rate requires a 48-month subscription
  • Basic limits users to 1 device and 500 MB of daily data
  • Basic offers only 1 U.S. virtual location
  • Unlimited data and broader streaming access require a paid plan
Our verdict

Planet VPN encrypts internet traffic and changes the apparent IP location, with a free tier aimed at people who want VPN access without a registration step or usage limit. The free plan covers five countries and six locations, with no…

Read the review →

Hotspot Shield is a freemium VPN service for consumers who want encrypted internet traffic, private browsing, virtual locations and streaming access. Its free Basic plan suits light use on a single device, while paid tiers target people…

Read the review →
  1. Planet VPNFree VPN Services 8.8Free plan
  2. Hotspot ShieldFree VPN Services 8.5Free plan · 7-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Planet VPN — where it wins

    • Free plan has no traffic, bandwidth or time limits and requires no registration
    • Includes kill switch, split tunneling and access to six free locations
    • Premium supports up to 10 devices across desktop, mobile and browser platforms

    Where it doesn't

    • Free access is limited to six locations
    • The free plan includes ads
    • Premium’s lowest advertised monthly rate requires a 48-month subscription

  • Hotspot Shield — where it wins

    • Free Basic plan includes private browsing and VPN encryption
    • Streaming optimization and 115+ locations on paid plans
    • Apps cover Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android

    Where it doesn't

    • Basic limits users to 1 device and 500 MB of daily data
    • Basic offers only 1 U.S. virtual location
    • Unlimited data and broader streaming access require a paid plan

More comparisons

All free VPN services comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update