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Hotspot Shield alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Hotspot Shield: hydra protocol is proprietary, and past privacy controversies. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Hotspot Shield, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Proton VPN currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Proton VPN logoProton VPNFree plan + paidYesWindows, macOS, Linux +35 of 566.5
2TunnelBear logoTunnelBearFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, iOS +23 of 362.6
3ExpressVPN logoExpressVPNPaidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +36 of 659.6
4CyberGhost VPN logoCyberGhost VPNPaidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +36 of 657.2
5Windscribe logoWindscribeFree plan + paidYesWindows, macOS, Linux +35 of 555.3
  1. Proton VPN logo

    1. Proton VPNTop pick

    Best for: Privacy-focused users, and anyone who needs a free VPN they can trust

    Free plan + paidOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Hotspot Shield

    Free tier with no data cap and open-source, audited apps.

    Pros

    • Free plan with no data cap and no ads
    • Open-source, audited apps on every platform
    • Secure Core multi-hop routing on paid plans

    Cons

    • Free plan allows only one device and fewer locations
    • Full price is high without a long commitment
    • Some streaming and P2P features are paid only
    Visit Proton VPN Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Proton VPN a good Hotspot Shield alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, $0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026protonvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan limits
    1 device, no data cap, no ads
    Checked Oct 25, 2026protonvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Devices on VPN Plus
    10
    Checked Oct 25, 2026protonvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Money-back guarantee
    30 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026protonvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Open source
    Yes, apps open source and audited
    Checked Oct 25, 2026protonvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. TunnelBear logo

    2. TunnelBear

    Best for: Beginners and occasional users who want a simple, friendly VPN

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, iOS, Android, Browser extension

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Hotspot Shield

    Beginner-friendly app with a long record of public audits.

    Pros

    • Very easy to use
    • Free plan to try it
    • Long record of published security audits

    Cons

    • Free plan's data allowance is small
    • No official Linux app
    • Smaller network and weak streaming support
    Visit TunnelBear Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is TunnelBear a good Hotspot Shield alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, 2GB
    Checked Oct 25, 2026tunnelbear.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Unlimited plan
    Unlimited data and devices
    Checked Oct 25, 2026tunnelbear.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, Windows, browser
    Checked Oct 25, 2026tunnelbear.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. ExpressVPN logo

    3. ExpressVPN

    Best for: Non-technical users who want reliable streaming and travel access with minimal setup

    PaidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Hotspot Shield

    Similar speed focus with its own open-source Lightway protocol.

    Pros

    • Very simple apps on every platform
    • Servers in over a hundred countries
    • Open-source Lightway protocol and RAM-only servers

    Cons

    • More expensive than most rivals at renewal
    • Fewer advanced settings than power users may want
    • No free tier
    Visit ExpressVPN Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is ExpressVPN a good Hotspot Shield alternative?

    Verified facts

    6 of 6 verified
    Starting price
    $2.99/month (Basic, 2-year plan)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026expressvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Money-back guarantee
    30 days for new users
    Checked Oct 25, 2026expressvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Simultaneous devices
    10 (Basic plan)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026expressvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Server countries
    113
    Checked Oct 25, 2026expressvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
    RAM-only servers
    Yes (TrustedServer)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026expressvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Lightway licence
    AGPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. CyberGhost VPN logo

    4. CyberGhost VPN

    Best for: Beginners who mainly want streaming access with a long trial period

    PaidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Hotspot Shield

    Also offers a 45-day refund on long plans.

    Pros

    • Servers labelled by use case, such as streaming and torrenting
    • 45-day refund window on longer plans
    • Large server network

    Cons

    • Monthly plan has only a 14-day refund window
    • Linux app is command-line only
    • Fewer advanced settings than rivals
    Visit CyberGhost VPN Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is CyberGhost VPN a good Hotspot Shield alternative?

    Verified facts

    6 of 6 verified
    Monthly price
    $12.99/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026cyberghostvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Refund window (monthly)
    14 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026cyberghostvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Refund window (long plans)
    45 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026cyberghostvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Simultaneous devices
    7
    Checked Oct 25, 2026cyberghostvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Server countries
    100
    Checked Oct 25, 2026cyberghostvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, some Linux
    Checked Oct 25, 2026cyberghostvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Windscribe logo

    5. Windscribe

    Best for: Budget users who want a decent free plan or to pay only for the locations they use

    Free plan + paidOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Hotspot Shield

    Free plan with more locations and open-source desktop app.

    Pros

    • Free plan with a monthly data allowance
    • Build-a-plan pricing per location
    • Customisable ad and tracker blocking

    Cons

    • Free plan has limited data and locations
    • Smaller network than the biggest providers
    • Interface style can feel cluttered
    Visit Windscribe Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Windscribe a good Hotspot Shield alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Pro monthly price
    $9/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026windscribe.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro yearly price
    $69/year
    Checked Oct 25, 2026windscribe.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Build A Plan
    $1 per location per month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026windscribe.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Server countries
    69+
    Checked Oct 25, 2026windscribe.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop app licence
    GPL-2.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Hotspot Shield alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Proton VPN logo

Best Hotspot Shield alternative for most people

Proton VPN

Free tier with no data cap and open-source, audited apps.

TunnelBear logo

Best Hotspot Shield alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

TunnelBear

Beginner-friendly app with a long record of public audits.

Windscribe logo

Best Hotspot Shield alternative for open source

Windscribe

Free plan with more locations and open-source desktop app.

ExpressVPN logo

Best Hotspot Shield alternative for Mac

ExpressVPN

Similar speed focus with its own open-source Lightway protocol.

CyberGhost VPN logo

Best Hotspot Shield alternative for Windows

CyberGhost VPN

Also offers a 45-day refund on long plans.

Proton VPN logo

Best Hotspot Shield alternative for Linux

Proton VPN

Free tier with no data cap and open-source, audited apps.

Proton VPN logo

Best Hotspot Shield alternative for iPhone and Android

Proton VPN

Free tier with no data cap and open-source, audited apps.

Hotspot Shield alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Hotspot Shield?

Proton VPN ranks first right now. Free tier with no data cap and open-source, audited apps. TunnelBear and ExpressVPN follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Hotspot Shield?

Yes. Proton VPN (free plan + paid), TunnelBear (free plan + paid) and Windscribe (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Hotspot Shield?

Yes: Proton VPN and Windscribe.

Which Hotspot Shield alternatives work on Linux?

Proton VPN, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost VPN and Windscribe run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Hotspot Shield?

The complaints we hear most: hydra protocol is proprietary; past privacy controversies; free tier limited to one device and fewer locations.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Hotspot Shield, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.