Hotspot Shield alternatives · VPNs
Self-hosted alternatives to Hotspot Shield
The Hotspot Shield listing does not say it can be self-hosted. 4 of the 50 other VPNs in this directory can be self-hosted, according to their own sites.
Hotspot Shield has a free plan. Paid plans start at $95.99 per year at renewal (Premium), after a first year for $29. All of them are free or have a free plan.
4 tools · Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from
How each one differs from Hotspot Shield
- Free plan · from $3.63/mo
Lantern
Nonprofit, open-source VPN built to get past censorship
- Lantern starts at $3.63 per month on the 2-year Pro plan, billed every 2 years. Hotspot Shield starts at $95.99 per year at renewal (Premium), after a first year for $29.
- Only Lantern lists a Linux app.
- Only Hotspot Shield lists a browser extension.
- Lantern is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Free
Outline VPN
Open-source software for running your own VPN server
- Outline VPN is free. Hotspot Shield starts at $95.99 per year at renewal (Premium), after a first year for $29.
- Only Outline VPN lists a Linux app.
- Only Hotspot Shield lists a browser extension.
- Outline VPN is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Free plan · from $7/mo
OpenVPN
Open-source VPN protocol plus business VPN products built on it
- OpenVPN starts at $7 per connection or seat / month, billed annually. Hotspot Shield starts at $95.99 per year at renewal (Premium), after a first year for $29.
- Only OpenVPN lists a Linux app.
- Only Hotspot Shield lists a browser extension.
- OpenVPN is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Free
SoftEther VPN
Free multi-protocol VPN server and client from a Japanese university
- SoftEther VPN is free. Hotspot Shield starts at $95.99 per year at renewal (Premium), after a first year for $29.
- Only SoftEther VPN lists a Linux app.
- Only Hotspot Shield lists a browser extension.
- SoftEther VPN is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
Common questions
Is there a self-hosted alternative to Hotspot Shield?
Yes. Lantern, Outline VPN, OpenVPN and SoftEther VPN can be self-hosted, according to their own sites.
Can Hotspot Shield be self-hosted?
The Hotspot Shield listing does not say it can be self-hosted. The listing was checked on Oct 17, 2026 against the pages it cites.
When was this checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 17, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.
This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to Hotspot Shield: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.
