Hotspot Shield vs NordLayer

​​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.

NordLayer is a business VPN solution designed to provide secure remote access, network segmentation, and enterprise-grade security for organizations of all sizes. Developed by Nord Security, the company behind NordVPN, NordLayer was created to help businesses enhance cybersecurity, protect sensitive data, and ensure compliance with major security standards, including SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and GDPR. With fast speeds up to 1 Gbps, seamless cloud integration, and scalable pricing plans, they offer flexibility for both small teams and large enterprises. NordLayer’s key features include Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), multi-factor authentication (MFA), RAM-only servers, and a centralized control panel, making it easy for IT teams to manage network security. Their dedicated business tools, such as site-to-site VPN, cloud firewall, and deep packet inspection (DPI), set them apart from traditional VPN services. Customer feedback highlights ease of use, strong security features, and responsive 24/7 customer support, though some users mention higher pricing and additional costs for dedicated IPs. With high ratings on Trustpilot, G2, and Capterra, NordLayer continues to be a trusted choice for businesses seeking reliable and scalable network security solutions. Dive into the full review to explore their features, pricing, and user experience in detail.