ExpressVPN vs Hotspot Shield

ExpressVPN is a paid VPN service with apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iPhone and iPad, Android, Apple TV, Fire Stick, Android TV, routers, and browsers. It advertises servers in 113 countries, streaming support, a kill switch, and WireGuard support. ExpressVPN says its no-logs policy has been audited by independent firms and describes TrustedServer technology as preventing data from being written to hard drives. AES-256 encryption is also advertised. The Basic plan is listed at $2.99 per year, billed for 2 Years + 4 Months; the initial 28-month charge is $83.72, then it autorenews at $99.95 annually. Basic supports 10 simultaneous devices; Advanced supports 12, and Express Pro supports 14. There is no free VPN tier stated. New users have a 30-day money-back guarantee. Support includes 24-hour live chat, a support center, FAQs, and setup tutorials. ExpressVPN was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands.

Hotspot Shield is a VPN service for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, with free and paid plans. Its Basic plan costs nothing and covers one device, 500 MB of daily data, one U.S. virtual location, and a 2 Mbps limit. Paid plans include unlimited data and access to 115+ locations. Plus costs $6.99 a month with yearly billing and covers 5 devices; Premium costs $7.99 a month with annual billing and covers 10 devices. Family costs $11.99 a month with yearly billing and includes 5 member accounts and 25 devices. Listed features include streaming and torrent support, a kill switch, and WireGuard support. A verified no-logs audit is listed, and the pricing note mentions a 7-day trial. The maker is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. The free and paid tiers differ in data allowance, location count, speed limit, and device coverage, so the Basic plan's stated limits are important to consider before choosing a plan.