Alternatives · VPNs
Hotspot Shield alternatives
Hotspot Shield compared with 5 alternatives: TunnelBear, Windscribe, Proton VPN, NordVPN and ExpressVPN.
Hotspot Shield has a free plan. Paid plans start at $95.99 per year at renewal (Premium), after a first year for $29. 3 of the 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 2 more offer a free trial.
5 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 17, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotspot ShieldThis tool | Free plan · from $95.99/yr | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| TunnelBear | Free plan · from $3.33/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Windscribe | Free plan · from $3/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Proton VPN | Free plan · from $83.88/yr | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| NordVPN | Free trial · from $139.08/yr | Trial only | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| ExpressVPN | Free trial · from $99.95/yr | Trial only | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
Price against what you get
Hotspot Shield starts at $8 a month when paid by the year and scores 3.0 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. None of the 5 alternatives on this chart both scores higher and starts lower.
NordVPN scores higher without starting lower. TunnelBear, Windscribe and Proton VPN start lower without scoring higher.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
How each one differs from Hotspot Shield
- Free plan · from $3.33/mo
TunnelBear
McAfee-owned VPN with a 2GB free plan and pay-once multi-year plans
- TunnelBear starts at $3.33 per month on the 3-year Unlimited plan ($120 paid once). Hotspot Shield starts at $95.99 per year at renewal (Premium), after a first year for $29.
- TunnelBear also covers ad and tracker blocking.
- Hotspot Shield also covers malware protection.
Suits: Occasional users who need a VPN for a few gigabytes
- Free plan · from $3/mo
Windscribe
VPN with a 10GB free plan and pay-per-location pricing
- Windscribe starts at $3 per month for 3 locations (Build A Plan). Hotspot Shield starts at $95.99 per year at renewal (Premium), after a first year for $29.
- Only Windscribe lists a Linux app.
- Windscribe is open source, according to its own site.
- Windscribe also covers ad and tracker blocking.
- Hotspot Shield also covers malware protection.
Suits: Light users who can live within 10GB a month for free
- Free plan · from $83.88/yr
Proton VPN
Open-source Swiss VPN with a free plan that has no data cap
- Proton VPN starts at $83.88 per year at renewal (VPN Plus), after a first year for $53.88. Hotspot Shield starts at $95.99 per year at renewal (Premium), after a first year for $29.
- Only Proton VPN lists a Linux app.
- Proton VPN is open source, according to its own site.
- Proton VPN also covers ad and tracker blocking.
- Hotspot Shield also covers malware protection.
Suits: Trying a VPN for free without a data cap
- Free trial · from $139.08/yr
NordVPN
Subscription VPN with threat protection and Meshnet device links
- NordVPN starts at $139.08 per year at renewal (Basic 1-year plan). Hotspot Shield starts at $95.99 per year at renewal (Premium), after a first year for $29.
- Hotspot Shield has a free plan. NordVPN does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only NordVPN lists a Linux app.
- NordVPN also covers ad and tracker blocking.
- Hotspot Shield also covers malware protection.
Suits: Households covering up to 10 devices on one account
- Free trial · from $99.95/yr
ExpressVPN
VPN with its own Lightway protocol, sold in three yearly tiers
- ExpressVPN starts at $99.95 per year at renewal (Basic), after a first 15 months for $74.85. Hotspot Shield starts at $95.99 per year at renewal (Premium), after a first year for $29.
- Hotspot Shield has a free plan. ExpressVPN does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only ExpressVPN lists a Linux app.
- ExpressVPN also covers ad and tracker blocking.
- Hotspot Shield also covers malware protection.
Suits: People who want a VPN with apps for routers and TVs as well as computers
Limits worth knowing in Hotspot Shield
- The $29 first year and $1.99 first month are introductory; Premium then renews at $95.99 a year or $12.99 a month.
- The 45-day money-back guarantee covers subscriptions bought directly from Hotspot Shield, not through an app store.
- No Linux app is listed among the downloads, and smart TV apps need Premium.
- The plan page is shown in several versions; others list a Premium Family plan and a cheaper Plus tier that the current version does not offer.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Hotspot Shield?
The alternatives to Hotspot Shield in this directory are TunnelBear, Windscribe, Proton VPN, NordVPN and ExpressVPN. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Hotspot Shield.
Is there a free alternative to Hotspot Shield?
Yes. TunnelBear, Windscribe and Proton VPN have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Hotspot Shield alternatives work on Linux?
The Hotspot Shield listing does not include a Linux app. Windscribe, Proton VPN, NordVPN and ExpressVPN list one.
Is there an open-source alternative to Hotspot Shield?
Windscribe and Proton VPN are described as open source on their own sites.
When were these prices checked?
Every listing on this page was checked on Oct 17, 2026, against the pages it cites. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.