FrootVPN vs Hotspot Shield

FrootVPN, founded in 2014 and headquartered in Sweden, has made a name for itself in the VPN industry by focusing on privacy, security, and affordability. The company is committed to keeping users’ online activities private with a strict no-logs policy and strong encryption protocols like OpenVPN. With over 80 servers in 20+ countries, FrootVPN offers users the ability to access global content, all while maintaining solid connection speeds. Though they lack dedicated mobile apps, FrootVPN supports manual configurations for a wide variety of devices, including routers and mobile devices, giving users flexibility in securing their online presence. Additionally, features like the network address translation (NAT) firewall add extra layers of security. FrootVPN is known for their commitment to privacy, making them a strong choice for users seeking protection without compromising on cost. Although customer feedback varies, particularly regarding speed and ease of use, FrootVPN’s security features make them a noteworthy option for privacy-conscious users. Dive into the specifics of FrootVPN to see how their services align with your VPN needs.

​​Hotspot Shield, developed by Pango (formerly AnchorFree Inc.), is a prominent VPN service headquartered in Redwood City, California, with additional offices in Boston and Ukraine. Founded in 2005 by David Gorodyansky and Eugene Malobrodsky, the company has grown significantly, boasting over 3,200 servers across over 80 countries. This extensive server network allows users to bypass geo-restrictions and access region-locked content, enhancing privacy and security online. Hotspot Shield offers both free and premium plans. The free version includes limited server access and a daily data cap, while the premium version provides faster speeds, a broader server selection, and additional features like antivirus protection. A standout feature of Hotspot Shield is their proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol, which aims to deliver enhanced speed and security compared to traditional VPN protocols. Despite their strengths, Hotspot Shield has faced criticism for not conducting third-party audits to verify their no-logging policy. However, they maintain a strict no-logging policy to protect user privacy. The service is available on multiple platforms, including iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, and Linux. As of December 31, 2024, Hotspot Shield will discontinue support for router-based VPN configurations.