In the competitive world of VPN services, Hotspot Shield and PrivateVPN stand out as considerable options. Delving into a detailed comparison of Hotspot Shield vs PrivateVPN, we will examine their key features, strengths, and potential drawbacks to help you make an informed decision.
Overview
In our comprehensive Hotspot Shield vs PrivateVPN showdown, we focus on the critical aspects of security, privacy, and speed. Discover how Hotspot Shield‘s military-grade encryption stacks up against PrivateVPN‘s stealth mode. Understand their commitment to a no-logs policy, and see which service offers blistering speeds for uninterrupted browsing and streaming. Join us as we dissect these two popular VPNs and help you make an informed decision for your online security needs.
Hotspot Shield
Price: From $7.99/month
Trustpilot Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Refund Policy: Hotspot Shield offers a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Official website: www.hotspotshield.com
Hotspot Shield is best for individuals who prioritize online security and privacy, as it provides secure, encrypted internet access and protection from potential cyber threats.
PrivateVPN
Price: From $2/month
Trustpilot Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Refund Policy: PrivateVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Official website: www.privatevpn.com
PrivateVPN is best for individuals and businesses seeking a secure and private internet connection, with a focus on streaming content from around the world.
Hotspot Shield has been a reliable companion in my online journeys, offering swift and secure connections powered by Hydra VPN protocol. The user interface is intuitive, making the setup and connection a breeze. It’s not just a VPN; it’s a reliable shield guarding my data from the prying eyes of the internet, wholeheartedly deserving a 5-star rating! – Henrik B.
PrivateVPN has consistently demonstrated a commitment to user privacy and security, characterized by its robust encryption and high-speed servers. The user interface is sleek and intuitive, offering a smooth navigational experience. In the time I have utilized this service, it has proven to be a reliable shield, protecting me from online vulnerabilities and rightly earning a 5-star review! – Madison Taylor
Hotspot Shield offers fast connection speeds and strong security, making it a reliable choice for many. However, the service could offer a more transparent approach to its logging policy to foster greater trust. A speedy and reliable service meriting a 4-star review. – Natalie Perez
PrivateVPN stands as a robust choice for users looking for a balanced VPN solution. Although it offers a rich set of features, the service could benefit from a more vibrant community and support resources. Holding its ground with a commendable service, it is worthy of a 4-star review. – Emma
Pros & Cons
This segment delves into the pros and cons of these two VPN services.
Winner is:
Hotspot Shield excels with its ultra-fast servers, military-grade encryption, and intuitive interface. However, it's pricier and its privacy policy has caused some controversy. PrivateVPN offers strong security and a strict no-logs policy, but it falls short in server speed and network size. Overall, though PrivateVPN is commendable, Hotspot Shield's superior speed and user experience make it the winner in this comparison.
Hotspot Shield
Pros:
- Fast speeds: Hotspot Shield is known for its fast speeds. This is important for streaming videos, downloading files, and browsing the web without any lag or buffering.
- Unblocks geo-restricted content: Hotspot Shield can help you unblock websites and streaming services that are blocked in your region. This means you can watch your favorite shows and movies no matter where you are in the world.
- Military-grade encryption: Hotspot Shield uses a military-grade encryption to protect your data hackers and other malicious actors. This means you can be confident that your personal information is safe when you're using Hotspot Shield.
- Kill switch: The kill switch is a very important feature for any VPN. It will automatically disconnect your internet connection if the VPN connection drops, preventing your real IP address being exposed.
- Split tunneling: Split tunneling is a useful feature that allows you to choose which apps and websites will use the VPN and which ones will use your regular internet connection. This can be helpful if you want to use a VPN for some tasks but not others.
- Malware protection: Hotspot Shield can detect and block malicious websites and ads, helping to protect your device malware infections.
- DNS leak protection: DNS leak protection is another important feature for any VPN. It prevents your DNS queries leaking to your ISP, further protecting your privacy.
- Easy to use: Hotspot Shield is very easy to use. The app is available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices.
- Affordable: Hotspot Shield offers a variety of pricing plans to fit your budget. There is even a free plan that you can use to test out the service.
- Free trial: Hotspot Shield offers a free trial that you can use to test out the service before you commit to a paid plan.
Cons:
- Not as fast as some other VPNs: Hotspot Shield is known for its fast speeds, but it is not as fast as some other VPNs. This is because the VPN has a large number of users, which can sometimes slow down the network.
- Has been criticized for its privacy policies in the past: Hotspot Shield has been criticized for its privacy policies in the past. In 2018, the company was accused of collecting user data without their consent. However, Hotspot Shield has since updated its privacy policy and claims to no longer collect any user data.
- Some users have reported slow speeds with certain servers: Some users have reported slow speeds with certain Hotspot Shield servers. This is likely due to the fact that the servers are located in different parts of the world and may not be as well-optimized as others.
- Not as user-friendly as some other VPNs: Hotspot Shield is not as user-friendly as some other VPNs. The interface can be a bit confusing, and it can be difficult to find the settings that you need.
- Limited simultaneous connections: Hotspot Shield only allows up to five simultaneous connections per account. This means that if you have multiple devices that you want to use the VPN with, you may need to upgrade to a more expensive plan.
PrivateVPN
Pros:
- Secure: PrivateVPN uses strong encryption and a no-logs policy to protect your privacy.
- Fast: PrivateVPN has a small network of servers, but it still manages to offer good speeds.
- Reliable: PrivateVPN has a good reputation for reliability.
- Unblocks streaming services: PrivateVPN can unblock most streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer.
- Allows torrenting: PrivateVPN allows torrenting on all of its servers.
- Works with Tor: PrivateVPN can be used to connect to the Tor network.
- Has a 30-day money-back guarantee: You can try PrivateVPN risk-free for 30 days.
Cons:
- Small server network: PrivateVPN has a smaller server network than some other VPN providers.
- No split tunneling: PrivateVPN does not offer split tunneling, which allows you to choose which apps and websites use the VPN.
- No kill switch: PrivateVPN does not have a kill switch, which would disconnect your internet connection if the VPN connection drops.
- Customer support can be slow: Customer support response times can be slow, especially during peak hours.
Key Features
This section compares the overall features of Hotspot Shield vs PrivateVPN.
Hotspot Shield HQ and country of jurisdiction is United States, and Hotspot Shield supports Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and also offers a Chrome browser extension.
PrivateVPN HQ and country of jurisdiction is Sweden, and PrivateVPN supports Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS.
Winner is:
Hotspot Shield impresses with military-grade encryption, a proprietary Hydra protocol for optimal speed, and seamless streaming with Netflix and other services. PrivateVPN, while solid, lacks in server count and speed. Hotspot Shield's comprehensive security and superior speed make it the clear winner in this comparison.
Hotspot Shield
- Unblock geo-restricted content: Hotspot Shield can help you unblock websites and streaming services that are blocked in your region. This means you can watch your favorite shows and movies no matter where you are in the world.
- Protect your privacy: Hotspot Shield encrypts your internet traffic, making it impossible for anyone to track your online activity. This is important for protecting your privacy, especially when using public Wi-Fi.
- Keep your data safe: Hotspot Shield uses a military-grade encryption to protect your data hackers and other malicious actors. This means you can be confident that your personal information is safe when you're using Hotspot Shield.
- Fast speeds: Hotspot Shield is known for its fast speeds. This means you can stream videos, download files, and browse the web without any lag or buffering.
- Easy to use: Hotspot Shield is very easy to use. The app is available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices.
- Affordable: Hotspot Shield offers a variety of pricing plans to fit your budget. There is even a free plan that you can use to test out the service.
PrivateVPN
- Strong encryption: PrivateVPN uses 256-bit encryption to protect your data. This is the same level of encryption used by banks and government agencies.
- No-logs policy: PrivateVPN does not keep any logs of your activity. This means that your browsing history, traffic data, and online activity are never stored.
- Small server network: PrivateVPN has a smaller server network than some other VPN providers. However, this does not affect the quality of the service. PrivateVPN still offers fast speeds and reliable connections.
- Unblocks streaming services: PrivateVPN can unblock most streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. This means that you can watch your favorite shows and movies even if you are traveling or in a region where the service is blocked.
- Allows torrenting: PrivateVPN allows torrenting on all of its servers. This means that you can download and share files without worrying about being tracked or monitored.
- Works with Tor: PrivateVPN can be used to connect to the Tor network. This is a way to browse the internet anonymously.
- 30-day money-back guarantee: PrivateVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. This means that you can try the service risk-free.
Security Features
This section looks at important security features of Hotspot Shield and PrivateVPN such as encryption methods, protocols, split tunneling, kill switch, and more.
Winner is:
Hotspot Shield and PrivateVPN both offer robust security features, but they each excel in different areas. Hotspot Shield uses its proprietary Hydra protocol, providing faster speed and stronger security compared to PrivateVPN's OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols. Both offer a kill switch, but only Hotspot Shield provides adblocking. While PrivateVPN claims a no-logging policy, Hotspot Shield has a more transparent policy. Neither support Onion over VPN, obfuscated servers, or Double VPN. However, Hotspot Shield wins with its advanced features including private DNS and protection against IP and DNS leaks.
Hotspot Shield
- 256-bit AES encryption: Hotspot Shield uses 256-bit AES encryption, which is considered to be military-grade encryption. This means that your data is encrypted with a key that is 256 bits long, which is very difficult to crack.
- Kill switch: The kill switch is a feature that will automatically disconnect your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your real IP address being exposed if the VPN connection fails.
- Split tunneling: Split tunneling allows you to choose which apps and websites will use the VPN and which ones will use your regular internet connection. This can be helpful if you want to use a VPN for some tasks but not others.
- DNS leak protection: DNS leak protection prevents your DNS queries leaking to your ISP. This means that your ISP cannot track the websites that you visit.
- Malware protection: Hotspot Shield has a built-in malware protection feature that can help to protect your device malware infections.
- No logs policy: Hotspot Shield has a strict no-logs policy. This means that the company does not collect any data about your online activity.
- 256-bit AES encryption: This is the standard encryption for your data when using Hotspot Shield. It is considered to be military-grade encryption and is very difficult to crack.
- OpenVPN protocol: Hotspot Shield uses the OpenVPN protocol, which is considered to be one of the most secure VPN protocols.
- IKEv2/IPSec protocol: Hotspot Shield also supports the IKEv2/IPSec protocol, which is another secure VPN protocol.
- Double VPN: Hotspot Shield offers a double VPN feature that encrypts your traffic twice, making it even more secure.
- Obfuscated servers: Hotspot Shield offers obfuscated servers that can be used to bypass VPN blocking in countries with strict internet censorship.
PrivateVPN
- 256-bit encryption: PrivateVPN uses 256-bit encryption to protect your data. This is the same level of encryption used by banks and government agencies.
- No-logs policy: PrivateVPN does not keep any logs of your activity. This means that your browsing history, traffic data, and online activity are never stored.
- Kill switch: PrivateVPN has a kill switch that will disconnect your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your real IP address being exposed.
- DNS leak protection: PrivateVPN uses DNS leak protection to prevent your DNS requests being leaked to your ISP.
- Double VPN: PrivateVPN offers a double VPN feature that routes your traffic through two VPN servers. This provides an extra layer of security.
- Tor over VPN: PrivateVPN allows you to connect to the Tor network through the VPN. This provides an additional layer of anonymity.
- Secure core servers: PrivateVPN has a number of secure core servers that are located in countries with strong privacy laws. These servers are used to protect your traffic even if the VPN connection drops.
- OpenVPN: OpenVPN is a VPN protocol that is considered to be one of the most secure and reliable. It is open-source, which means that it has been independently audited and reviewed.
- IKEv2/IPSec: IKEv2/IPSec is another secure VPN protocol that is often used by businesses and government agencies. It is considered to be more secure than OpenVPN, but it is not as widely supported.
- PPTP: PPTP is an older VPN protocol that is not as secure as OpenVPN or IKEv2/IPSec. However, it is still supported by many devices and is a good option if you need to connect to a VPN on a device that does not support other protocols.
- 256-bit encryption: PrivateVPN uses 256-bit encryption to protect your data. This is the highest level of encryption available and is considered unbreakable. It is used by banks and government agencies to protect sensitive data.
Privacy Features
This section looks at the privacy features of PrivateVPN vs Hotspot Shield in terms of country of jurisdiction (five-eyes surveillance) no-logging policy, independent auditing, and more.
Winner is:
Hotspot Shield and PrivateVPN both have robust privacy features. Both have a strict no-logs policy, meaning they don't track or store your online activity. However, Hotspot Shield has an edge with its independent auditing by PwC, ensuring transparency and trustworthiness. While PrivateVPN is based in privacy-friendly Sweden, Hotspot Shield is in the U.S., a Five Eyes country, which could be a concern for some. Neither supports cryptocurrency payments. Despite being in a Five Eyes country, Hotspot Shield's audited no-logs policy and advanced security features make it the winner in terms of privacy.
Hotspot Shield
- No logs policy: Hotspot Shield has a strict no-logs policy. This means that the company does not collect any data about your online activity, including your IP address, browsing history, or traffic.
- Kill switch: The kill switch is a feature that will automatically disconnect your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your real IP address being exposed if the VPN connection fails.
- Split tunneling: Split tunneling allows you to choose which apps and websites will use the VPN and which ones will use your regular internet connection. This can be helpful if you want to use a VPN for some tasks but not others.
- DNS leak protection: DNS leak protection prevents your DNS queries leaking to your ISP. This means that your ISP cannot track the websites that you visit.
- Malware protection: Hotspot Shield has a built-in malware protection feature that can help to protect your device malware infections.
- Secure DNS: Hotspot Shield uses its own secure DNS servers to prevent DNS leaks.
- Double VPN: Hotspot Shield offers a double VPN feature that encrypts your traffic twice, making it even more secure.
- Obfuscated servers: Hotspot Shield offers obfuscated servers that can be used to bypass VPN blocking in countries with strict internet censorship.
- No IP logs: Hotspot Shield does not log your IP address, which is the unique identifier for your device on the internet. This means that Hotspot Shield cannot track your online activity or see what websites you visit.
- No browsing history: Hotspot Shield does not log your browsing history, which is a record of the websites that you have visited. This means that Hotspot Shield cannot track your online activity or see what websites you have visited.
- No traffic logs: Hotspot Shield does not log your traffic data, which is a record of the data that you send and receive over the internet. This means that Hotspot Shield cannot see what websites you visit or what files you download.
- No DNS logs: Hotspot Shield does not log your DNS queries, which are the requests that your device makes to a DNS server to resolve domain names into IP addresses. This means that Hotspot Shield cannot see what websites you visit.
- No session logs: Hotspot Shield does not log your session logs, which are records of the times that you connect to and disconnect the VPN. This means that Hotspot Shield cannot track how long you are using the VPN.
PrivateVPN
- No-logs policy: PrivateVPN does not keep any logs of your activity. This means that your browsing history, traffic data, and IP address are never stored. This makes it impossible for them to track your online activity or share your data with third parties.
- Kill switch: This is a feature that will disconnect your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your real IP address being exposed in the event of a connection drop.
- DNS leak protection: This is a feature that prevents your DNS requests being leaked to your ISP. DNS requests are used to translate domain names into IP addresses. If your DNS requests are leaked, your ISP could see the websites that you are visiting.
- Double VPN: This is a feature that routes your traffic through two VPN servers. This provides an extra layer of security by encrypting your traffic twice.
- Tor over VPN: This is a feature that allows you to connect to the Tor network through the VPN. Tor is a network that allows you to browse the internet anonymously. By connecting to Tor through the VPN, you can add an extra layer of security to your browsing.
- Secure core servers: These are servers that are located in countries with strong privacy laws. They are used to protect your traffic even if the VPN connection drops.
- Bitcoin payment option: PrivateVPN accepts Bitcoin payments, which allows you to pay for the service anonymously.
- Privacy policy: PrivateVPN has a clear and transparent privacy policy that explains how they collect and use your data.
- No connection logs: PrivateVPN does not keep any logs of your VPN connections. This means that they cannot see which servers you connected to, how long you connected for, or what websites you visited.
- No activity logs: PrivateVPN does not keep any logs of your online activity. This means that they cannot see what websites you visited, what files you downloaded, or what apps you used.
- No payment logs: PrivateVPN does not keep any logs of your payment information. This means that they cannot see how you paid for the service or who you paid.
Speed Features
This section explores the speed features of Hotspot Shield and PrivateVPN when it comes to server technology for download/upload speeds for streaming and torrenting.
Winner is:
Hotspot Shield and PrivateVPN both offer impressive speed features. Third-party speed tests consistently show Hotspot Shield as one of the fastest VPNs, with excellent download and upload speeds. It is also great for streaming sites and supports torrenting on all servers. PrivateVPN, while also fast, may not always reach the same speeds. It performs well with streaming sites and allows torrenting, but server speed might be inconsistent due to its smaller server network. Overall, due to its superior speed performance, Hotspot Shield comes out as the winner.
Hotspot Shield
- 3,200+ VPN servers in 70+ countries: Hotspot Shield has a large network of VPN servers, which means that you can connect to a server that is close to your location for the best possible speeds.
- P2P-optimized servers: Hotspot Shield has dedicated P2P-optimized servers that are designed for file sharing. This is important for users who want to download or upload large files without any throttling.
- Streaming-optimized servers: Hotspot Shield has dedicated streaming-optimized servers that are designed for streaming video and audio content. This is important for users who want to watch their favorite movies and shows without any buffering.
- Obfuscated servers: Hotspot Shield has obfuscated servers that are designed to hide the fact that you are using a VPN. This can be useful in countries with strict internet censorship.
- Dedicated IP addresses: Hotspot Shield offers dedicated IP addresses for users who need a static IP address. This is important for users who want to use the VPN for gaming or for businesses that need a dedicated IP address for their website.
- Double VPN: Hotspot Shield offers a double VPN feature that encrypts your traffic twice, making it even more secure.
- Fast speeds: Hotspot Shield is known for its fast speeds. This is important for streaming videos, downloading files, and browsing the web without any lag or buffering.
- Split tunneling: Split tunneling allows you to choose which apps and websites will use the VPN and which ones will use your regular internet connection. This can help to boost your speed since all your internet traffic doesn't go through a VPN tunnel.
- Servers in 80+ countries: Hotspot Shield has servers in over 80 countries, which means that you can connect to a server that is close to your location for the best possible speeds.
- Optimized for streaming: Hotspot Shield has optimized its servers for streaming, so you can watch your favorite movies and shows without any buffering.
- No speed caps: Hotspot Shield does not have any speed caps, so you can enjoy unlimited bandwidth and speeds.
PrivateVPN
- Number of servers: PrivateVPN has a network of over 200 servers in 63 countries. This gives you a lot of options when choosing a server to connect to.
- Server locations: PrivateVPN's servers are located in countries all over the world, including the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and South America. This allows you to connect to a server that is close to you, which can improve your speeds.
- Types of servers: PrivateVPN offers a variety of server types, including PPTP, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPSec. The type of server you choose will affect your speeds and security.
- Dedicated IP addresses: PrivateVPN offers dedicated IP addresses for an additional fee. This is a good option for users who need to maintain a consistent IP address for things like gaming or streaming.
- Obfuscated servers: PrivateVPN offers obfuscated servers that hide the fact that you are using a VPN. This can be useful in countries where VPNs are blocked.
- Secure core servers: PrivateVPN offers secure core servers that are located in countries with strong privacy laws. These servers are used to protect your traffic even if the VPN connection drops.
- Unlimited bandwidth: PrivateVPN offers unlimited bandwidth, which means that you can download and stream as much as you want without worrying about your speeds being throttled.
- Fast speeds: PrivateVPN claims to offer fast speeds, but there is no guarantee of this. Your speeds will depend on a number of factors, including your location, the server you are connected to, and the amount of traffic on the network.
- Multiple protocols: PrivateVPN supports multiple VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and PPTP. The protocol you choose will affect your speeds, so it is important to choose the one that is best for your needs.
- Server location: The server location you choose will also affect your speeds. If you are connecting to a server that is far away you, your speeds will be slower than if you connect to a server that is closer.
- Network congestion: Network congestion can also affect your speeds. If there is a lot of traffic on the network, your speeds will be slower.
Streaming & Torrenting Features
This section compares the streaming and torrenting features and capabilities provided by Hotspot Shield versus PrivateVPN.
Popular Streaming Services
- Netflix
- Amazon Prime
- Disney+
- HBO Max
- Paramount+
- Hulu
- Apple TV
- Starz
- ESPN+
- Peacock
- Canal Plus
- Discovery Plus
Winner is:
Hotspot Shield is excellent at unblocking popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer and offers good speeds for torrenting. However, it has a questionable privacy policy. On the other hand, PrivateVPN is also great at unblocking streaming platforms and supports torrenting on all its servers. It stands out with its strong commitment to privacy and no-logs policy. Although both VPNs perform well, PrivateVPN wins due to its enhanced focus on privacy, which is critical for torrenting and maintaining online anonymity.
Hotspot Shield
- Streaming-optimized servers: Hotspot Shield has dedicated streaming-optimized servers that are designed for streaming video and audio content. This is important for users who want to watch their favorite movies and shows without any buffering.
- Unblocks geo-restricted content: Hotspot Shield can help you unblock geo-restricted content, such as Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. This means that you can watch your favorite shows and movies no matter where you are in the world.
- Fast speeds: Hotspot Shield is known for its fast speeds, which is important for streaming videos and audio without any lag or buffering.
- No bandwidth caps: Hotspot Shield does not have any bandwidth caps, so you can enjoy unlimited streaming without worrying about your data usage.
- Easy to use: Hotspot Shield is very easy to use, and the app is available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices.
- Supports P2P traffic: Hotspot Shield supports P2P traffic, which is the type of traffic used for file sharing. This means that you can use the VPN to download and upload torrents without any problems.
- Fast speeds: Hotspot Shield is known for its fast speeds, which is important for torrenting. This is because the VPN does not throttle P2P traffic, so you can get the most out of your bandwidth.
- No bandwidth caps: Hotspot Shield does not have any bandwidth caps, so you can torrent as much as you want without worrying about your data usage.
- Secure and private: Hotspot Shield uses strong encryption to protect your data, so you can be confident that your torrenting activity is secure and private.
- Easy to use: Hotspot Shield is very easy to use, and the app is available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices. This makes it a good option for users who are not familiar with VPNs or who do not want to spend a lot of time configuring their VPN settings.
PrivateVPN
- Unblocks streaming services: PrivateVPN can unblock most streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. This means that you can watch your favorite shows and movies even if you are traveling or in a region where the service is blocked.
- Fast speeds for streaming: PrivateVPN's speeds are good enough for streaming HD videos. You may experience some buffering, but it should not be too bad.
- Multiple protocols for streaming: PrivateVPN supports multiple VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and PPTP. OpenVPN is generally considered to be the most secure protocol, but it may not be the fastest. IKEv2/IPSec is a good compromise between security and speed. PPTP is the least secure protocol, but it is also the fastest.
- Dedicated streaming servers: PrivateVPN offers dedicated streaming servers for some popular streaming services. These servers are optimized for streaming and can provide better speeds and reliability.
- Allows P2P traffic: PrivateVPN allows P2P traffic on all of its servers. This means that you can download and share files using torrent clients without any problems.
- No bandwidth limits: PrivateVPN does not have any bandwidth limits for torrenting. This means that you can download as much as you want without worrying about your speeds being throttled.
- Strong encryption: PrivateVPN uses 256-bit encryption to protect your data while torrenting. This means that your traffic is encrypted and cannot be intercepted by third parties.
- No logs: PrivateVPN does not keep any logs of your torrenting activity. This means that they cannot see what files you are downloading or sharing.
- Kill switch: PrivateVPN has a kill switch that will disconnect your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your real IP address being exposed.
Support Features
This section looks at what kind of customer support you can expect from PrivateVPN versus Hotspot Shield.
Winner is:
Hotspot Shield and PrivateVPN both offer customer support, however, their service levels differ significantly. Hotspot Shield offers 24/7 live chat support, a rich knowledge base, and responsive email support, resulting in swift issue resolution. On the other hand, PrivateVPN provides email support and a FAQ section, but lacks 24/7 live chat service, which can lead to slower response times. Considering these factors, Hotspot Shield is the clear winner due to its comprehensive and immediate support offerings. Customer support is vital for a VPN service as it ensures smooth operation and immediate help when faced with technical difficulties.
Hotspot Shield
- 24/7 live chat: Hotspot Shield offers 24/7 live chat support, which is available in English, Spanish, French, German, and Portuguese. This means that you can always get help a customer support representative, no matter what time it is.
- Email support: Hotspot Shield also offers email support, which is available in all languages. This is a good option if you do not want to wait in a live chat queue.
- Knowledge base: Hotspot Shield has a comprehensive knowledge base that covers a wide range of topics, such as how to install and use the VPN, troubleshooting tips, and frequently asked questions. This is a good option if you can find the answer to your question on your own.
- Social media support: Hotspot Shield also offers support on social media, such as Twitter and Facebook. This is a good option if you want to get help a customer support representative quickly.
PrivateVPN
- Live chat: PrivateVPN offers live chat support 24/7. This means that you can get help a customer support representative at any time of day or night.
- Email support: PrivateVPN also offers email support. You can send an email to the support team and they will get back to you as soon as possible.
- Knowledge base: PrivateVPN has a knowledge base that contains articles about how to use the service. This is a good resource if you have a simple question or need help troubleshooting a problem.
- Forum: PrivateVPN also has a forum where users can ask questions and help each other. This is a good resource if you have a more complex question or need help with something that is not covered in the knowledge base.
- Money-back guarantee: PrivateVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. This means that you can try the service for 30 days and if you are not satisfied, you can get a full refund.
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