Hotspot Shield vs Surfshark

​​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.

Surfshark, founded in 2018 and headquartered in the Netherlands, is a leading force in online privacy and cybersecurity. Offering a cutting-edge VPN with over 3,200 servers in 100+ countries, they provide fast, reliable access to geo-restricted content while keeping your data fully secure. Their standout features include camouflage mode, which hides VPN usage from ISPs, and multihop, which routes traffic through multiple servers for added security. With a strict no-logs policy and AES-256 encryption, Surfshark ensures user privacy and data protection. They also offer unlimited simultaneous connections, making them a great choice for users with multiple devices. Customers frequently praise Surfshark for their responsive customer support and seamless streaming performance, though some have noted occasional connection issues. Despite this, independent security audits and top industry awards like "VPN Solution of the Year" solidify Surfshark's reputation. Curious to know more? Read our in-depth review to explore all of Surfshark’s innovative features and discover why they are a top contender for anyone looking to take control of their online privacy and security.