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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
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Is it worth paying for

VPN Hotspot Shield

45
Value score / 100 Worth paying? No Skip it

Hotspot Shield offers a functional free VPN for basic use, but frequent ads and recent connectivity issues make the paid version questionable, especially given deceptive trial practices.

Free + in-app purchases seen up to $99.99 4.6★ lifetime (356,891) since 2011

Hotspot Shield is a VPN that many users find effective for bypassing restrictions and securing Wi-Fi, with a free tier supported by ads R2. However, recent updates have introduced significant problems, including constant disconnections, slow speeds, and an overwhelming number of unskippable ads that severely degrade the user experience for both free and paid users R1. There are also numerous complaints about deceptive free trial practices leading to unauthorized charges.

Free vs paid

The free tier provides basic VPN functionality, allowing users to bypass geo-restrictions and secure Wi-Fi, but it is heavily laden with frequent and lengthy unskippable ads R1R32R33R52. Recent reviews indicate that the free version also suffers from connectivity issues and slow speeds . While the paid tier is expected to remove ads and offer more stable connections, many premium users report similar connectivity problems, slow speeds, and even an inability to connect to servers, making the value proposition unclear R151R187R188. Additionally, there are significant complaints about the 'free trial' immediately charging users for a year's subscription R121R163R164R196.

Value complaints

  • The '7-day free trial' often immediately charges users for a full year's subscription, with reports of charges up to £99.99 or $149.99.R121R163R164R196
  • Users are charged even after cancelling subscriptions or deleting the app, with some reporting charges for months.R42R82R99R148
  • The free version is plagued by an excessive number of unskippable ads, appearing every time the app is opened, VPN is turned on or off, or connection drops.R1R32R33R52
  • Premium users report poor performance, including slow speeds, inability to connect to servers, and frequent disconnections, making the paid subscription a 'complete waste of money'.R151R187R188
  • Some users feel the app is now a paywall, with the free basic version no longer easily accessible or functional.R141R179R180

Where it delivers

  • The app is generally easy to use and has a simple interface.R2R44R45
  • It successfully bypasses geo-restrictions and allows access to blocked apps and websites, including for school or specific games like Roblox.R3R12R49R51
  • Some users report fast and effective connections, with a good number of servers.R10R27R56R74
  • It is appreciated for offering a free service, especially in regions where purchasing a VPN is difficult.R5R18R76
Worth paying if

It is not worth paying for Hotspot Shield at this time due to widespread reports of connectivity issues, slow speeds, and deceptive billing practices even for premium users R121R148R151R187.

Skip / stay free if

You should skip paying for Hotspot Shield if you expect reliable, fast VPN service without constant disconnections, or if you are wary of deceptive subscription practices R121. Users who are sensitive to excessive ads should also avoid the free version R1R32R33R52.

Evidence note: Recent reviews, particularly those from the last few months, are heavily skewed negative, highlighting significant declines in performance and problematic monetization practices. The lifetime rating of 4.57 is likely inflated by older positive experiences that no longer reflect the current state of the app.

Frequently asked

Is Hotspot Shield VPN truly free?
Hotspot Shield offers a free tier, but it is heavily ad-supported, requiring users to watch numerous unskippable ads every time they open the app, connect, or disconnect the VPN R1R32R33R52. Recent reports suggest the free version also suffers from frequent disconnections and slow speeds .
Are there issues with Hotspot Shield's free trial?
Yes, multiple users report that the '7-day free trial' immediately charges them for a full year's subscription, with reported charges ranging from £99.99 to $149.99, even if they cancel before the trial period ends R121R163R164R196.
Does Hotspot Shield work reliably for paid users?
No, many paid premium users report that Hotspot Shield does not work reliably, experiencing issues such as slow speeds, inability to connect to any server, frequent disconnections, and websites being denied, despite paying for the service R65R151R187R188.
Can Hotspot Shield be used to bypass school or regional restrictions?
Historically, Hotspot Shield has been effective for bypassing school Wi-Fi restrictions and regional content blocks, allowing access to apps like Roblox R3R12R49R51. However, recent reviews indicate increasing connectivity issues that may hinder this functionality R3.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R121] 3/5 · GB The “7 day free trial” actually just charges you £99.99 for a years subscriptionimmediately. Beware.: apart from that, it’s ok
  2. [R163] 1/5 · AU Liars: I was told I was able to get a free trial but then I was charged for a year subscription and have not been refunded
  3. [R164] 1/5 · AU Free trial: Hotspot shield offered a free subscription and then proceeded to take $149.99 from me, I’m fuming
  4. [R196] 1/5 · AU BE CAREFUL: I clicked on the 7 days free trial option tonight and cancelled it now, it turned out the app had already charged me 129 AU dollars.
  5. [R42] 1/5 · US give me a refund.: it keeps taking money out of my cash app even though i deleted the app a long time ago and i want a refund.
  6. [R82] 1/5 · US Deceptive Trial Subscription Practice: I signed up for the one week free trial. Cancelled my subscription before my trial ended in my iPhone subscription manager. They continued to charge me for months through the app itself, which I hadn’t logged on and in fact deleted since I cancelled my subscription. Very deceiving in how to cancel the subscription fully.
  7. [R99] 1/5 · US -1 star: Still charging my card after subscription was cancelled over a month ago.
  8. [R148] 1/5 · GB Didn’t work and continued to charge me: This VPN did not work at all. I cancelled my subscription before my free trial finished, and they still charged me for a month’s usage. AVOID AVOID AVOID.
  9. [R1] 1/5 · US Ads: I don’t mind ads on most things, but I shouldn’t have to watch 15+ second unskippable ads every time I open the app, turn on my VPN, or turn off my VPN.
  10. [R32] 1/5 · US Too many ads: Download it if you love watching hours and hours of nonstop ads
  11. [R33] 1/5 · US you watch an ad every single step.: if you enjoy that, DOWNLOAD.
  12. [R52] 2/5 · US Ads: Please cut down on the amount of ads bro i cant even leave the app for 5 seconds because a new ad pops up every time I leave to go to another app
  13. [R151] 1/5 · AU Bad: Terrible speed. I tried premium complete waste of money
  14. [R187] 1/5 · AU Bad vpn: Paid premium, but does not connect to any server at all! Absolutely scam. Don’t use it!!!!!
  15. [R188] 2/5 · AU Randomly stopped working: Paid for premium, meaning It should be able to work right? Well at first it was working really well, I needed it as I was overseas in a country that has banned google, WhatsApp and all my work stuff but anyways, 13 days in my vacation the vpn stops working and will not connect at all. Now I can’t access my work stuff or my contacts at all. What’s the point of me paying if
  16. [R141] 1/5 · GB None: This vpn offered free ( basic ) which i had for years , deleted it by mistake . Anyway it still has free basic version but when downloaded from Apple Store you only get premium pay for version . This is basically false advertisement, enticing people to get something that doesn’t exist.
  17. [R179] 1/5 · AU please do NOT use a paywall: now i heard from some friends that this is a great vpn, so i downloaded this and right before i could do anything, i got hit with a PAYWALL. please do not use these as people will not use your app, maybe make it 3 uses a day or something
  18. [R180] 1/5 · AU Not free anymore.: Don’t waste your time
  19. [R2] 4/5 · US Wifi protector: It looks good and simple
  20. [R44] 5/5 · US Love this VPN!: Extremely easy to use and great peace of mind.
  21. [R45] 5/5 · US Great VPN/App ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: been using this VPN/hotspot for several years now. Works great, good functionality, and reliable
  22. [R3] 3/5 · US I love itt but it still kinda glitches: The reason why I gave it three out of five stars is because first I use it for Roblox because it’s actually banned in my state unfortunately and for some reason, the VPN hasn’t been working on Roblox a lot of the times I do have to change the location of my BPM and almost 2 times a week for it to actually start working but most of the time it does work and i
  23. [R12] 5/5 · US Greatness: I used this during school and it worked great
  24. [R49] 5/5 · US VPN: Good for school
  25. [R51] 5/5 · US VPN: Good for in school to get better data
  26. [R10] 5/5 · US Fast and Effective: I’m racing to connect for work. Seemed to work. We’ll see.
  27. [R27] 5/5 · US Gaming VPN: By far best of VPN SIMPLE AND FAST
  28. [R56] 5/5 · US Great VPN: Very fast and efficient!
  29. [R74] 5/5 · US Fast: Super fast and reliable
  30. [R5] 5/5 · US Oficial: Gratis
  31. [R18] 5/5 · US Appreciation: Really appreciate allow us to use free in this country. We are not available to buy VPN in Myanmar.
  32. [R76] 5/5 · US Good friend: “During the days when the Islamic Republic filtered the internet, Hotspot helped a lot so we could connect to the global internet from inside Iran. But this time, they’ve cut the internet in such a way that even Hotspot can’t help anymore. Thanks for everything, Hotspot.”
  33. [R65] 1/5 · US Garbage: Download speeds max out around 7. Down from the 400 I normally get. Can’t even open websites. Don’t waste your time.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store