C
Hotspot Shield vs Private Internet Access
Pricing, features, platforms and who each one suits — side by side.
H
Choose Hotspot Shield if…
- you want a free plan to start with
- you're in its core audience: streamers, gamers
P
Choose Private Internet Access if…
- you want open source you can self-host or audit
- you work on Linux
- you're in its core audience: privacy-conscious individuals, travelers
Side by side
Feature Hotspot Shield Private Internet Access
Pricing modelFreemiumPaid
Starting price—$2.03/mo
Free plan
Free trial
API
Open source
PlatformsWindows, macOS, iOS, Android, ChromeWindows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome
CompanyAnchorfree, LLC—
Full feature lists
H Hotspot Shield
- Proprietary Hydra VPN protocol
- 115+ virtual locations in 80+ countries
- Up to 10 devices per account
- No logs of data tied to users
- Supports streaming, gaming, downloading and P2P
- Apps for smart TVs and Chrome
- 45-day money-back guarantee on direct purchases
P Private Internet Access
- Servers in 113 countries, including all 50 US states
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols
- Choice of 128-bit or 256-bit AES encryption
- Split tunneling by app and domain
- Kill switch
- Multi-hop connections
- MACE ad, tracker and malware blocking
What you'd pay
The cheapest plan that fits, per month, billed yearly where the plan offers it.
Hotspot Shield
Freemium. Plan details aren't published.
Private Internet Access
1 Month$11.95/mo
1 Year$3.99/mo
3 Years + 4 Months$2.03/mo
Strengths and limitations
Hotspot Shield
- 45-day money-back guarantee on direct purchases
- One account covers 10 devices
- Servers in 80+ countries
- Free VPN download offered
- No pricing details on the home page
- Subscriptions renew automatically unless you turn it off
- Linux app not listed
Private Internet Access
- Unlimited devices on one subscription
- Open-source apps
- No-logs policy audited by Deloitte
- 30-day money-back guarantee for new users
- No free plan
- Dedicated IP and antivirus cost extra
- Antivirus is for Windows only
- Money-back guarantee covers new subscribers only, and app store purchases follow store refund terms
More comparisons
Other options to consider
C
Paid
E
EE
Paid
N
N
From $2.99/mo
S
SS
Paid
B
BFree VPN app with optional Premium for streaming, gaming and private browsing
Free, from $6/mo
B
Free, from $6/mo
T
TFree and premium VPN for streaming, gaming and private browsing on any device
Free, from $3.33/mo
T
Free, from $3.33/mo
Facts from each vendor's public pages. Editorial policy