C
Hotspot Shield vs Surfshark
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
S
Choose Surfshark if…
- you work on Linux
- you're in its core audience: privacy-conscious individuals, families
Side by side
Feature Hotspot Shield Surfshark
Pricing modelFreemiumPaid
Starting price——
Free plan
Free trial
API
Open source
PlatformsWindows, macOS, iOS, Android, ChromeWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome
CompanyAnchorfree, LLCSurfshark B.V.
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
S Surfshark
- 4500+ servers in 100 countries at 10 Gbps
- Unlimited simultaneous devices
- Split tunneling, rotating IP and double VPN
- Ad and cookie pop-up blocker
- Antivirus with real-time scans and webcam protection
- Scam text detection and AI email scam checker
- Data leak alerts for email, ID and credit cards
- Masked email and persona generator
Their home pages
What each vendor shows first: the pitch, the plans and the sign-up.
Hotspot Shield · hotspotshield.com
Surfshark · surfshark.comWhat 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.
Surfshark
Surfshark Starter£1.79/mo (£48.33 for first 27 months)
Surfshark One£1.79/mo (£48.33 for first 27 months)
Surfshark One+£2.89/mo (£78.03 for first 27 months)
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
Surfshark
- Unlimited devices on one account
- 4500+ servers in 100 countries with RAM-only, audited no-logs setup
- Antivirus certified by AV-Test
- 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 support
- No free plan
- Identity theft coverage limited to US residents, excluding New York State
- Incogni data removal only for US, UK, EU, Swiss and Canadian residents
- Scam call protection not yet available
More comparisons
Other options to consider
C
Paid
E
EE
Paid
N
N
From $2.99/mo
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
P
Open-source VPN with unlimited devices, no-logs policy and servers in 113 countries
From $2.03/mo
P
From $2.03/mo
P
Open-source VPN with unlimited devices, no-logs policy and servers in 113 countries
VPNOpen source
Facts from each vendor's public pages. Editorial policy