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Head-to-head · Free VPN Services

PrivadoVPN vs Hotspot Shield

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score PrivadoVPN #5 in Free VPN Services 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 1 features Visit PrivadoVPN
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

PrivadoVPN leads on 1 check, Hotspot Shield on 0, and 1 is 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 scorePrivadoVPN · 8.7/10
  • Lowest starting pricePrivadoVPN · $1.11/user/mo
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Hotspot Shield

PrivadoVPN scores higher on our rubric for free vpn services: 8.7 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #7.

PrivadoVPN is cheaper to start at $1.11/user/mo against $6.99/user/mo.

PrivadoVPN is the better fit for low-cost full-featured VPN. Hotspot Shield is the better fit for streaming-focused free VPN users.

  • PrivadoVPN fits best

    Low-cost full-featured VPN

  • Hotspot Shield fits best

    Streaming-focused free VPN users

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature PrivadoVPN 8.7/10 Visit ↗ Hotspot Shield 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.5
Ranking #5 in Free VPN Services #7 in Free VPN Services
Best for Low-cost full-featured VPN Streaming-focused free VPN users
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $1.11/user/mo (best) $6.99/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — 7 days
Money-back guarantee 30 days 45 days
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, 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 PrivadoVPN 0/1 · Hotspot Shield 0/1
Ads on free plan Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Free data allowance Not checked yet Not checked yet
Free server choice Not checked yet Not checked yet
Free speed policy Not checked yet Not checked yet
Logging policy Not checked yet Not checked yet
Free device limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free plan includes 10 GB every 30 days
  • Paid plans support streaming, torrenting, and 10 connections
  • Supports WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, and split tunneling
  • 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 plan is limited to one device and selected server locations
  • No independent no-logs audit is published
  • The service is not open source
  • 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

PrivadoVPN is a consumer VPN service from Switzerland-based Privado Networks AG. It encrypts internet traffic, masks IP addresses, and offers apps for web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Chrome. It suits individuals and households that…

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. PrivadoVPNFree VPN Services 8.7Free plan
  2. Hotspot ShieldFree VPN Services 8.5Free plan · 7-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • PrivadoVPN — where it wins

    • Free plan includes 10 GB every 30 days
    • Paid plans support streaming, torrenting, and 10 connections
    • Supports WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, and split tunneling

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan is limited to one device and selected server locations
    • No independent no-logs audit is published
    • The service is not open source

  • 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