Hotspot Shield Vs PIA 2023: Updated VPN Comparison - Our Findings!

Hotspot shield vs pia are two of the most popular VPNs out there. They are both easy to use and are very affordable. Among the advantages of using a VPN, you can enjoy many benefits including privacy protection, split tunneling, and live chat support.

Freemium VPNs

If you're looking for a free VPN service that's fast and secure, look no further than Hotspot Shield and Private Internet Access (PIA). Both services offer a large number of servers that span the globe. PIA is slightly cheaper and offers more security features. The free version of Hotspot Shield is also available, but has some limitations.

While both VPNs are fast and reliable, their privacy policies are questionable. In fact, both providers are based in the United States, which is one of the countries in the Five Eyes intelligence alliance. This means that the US government can force privacy-focused companies to share user information with its intelligence agencies.

PIA is owned by Kape Technologies, which has been accused of creating adware. While it's true that PIA has a no-logs policy, it doesn't have the same level of security and anonymity as other providers.

Hotspot Shield has over 1800 servers in 99 different countries. However, this makes it difficult to access some streaming services, such as Netflix. You can get a better VPN that's designed for streaming, though.

Hotspot Shield has a simple and easy-to-use interface, but it's not the most secure VPN out there. It doesn't include a kill switch, ad-blocking, or split tunneling. There's also no manual configuration, so you can't connect your device to a virtual private network with your fingers.

Hotspot Shield's desktop apps are user-friendly and neatly organized. They're also more secure than the mobile versions. Changing locations is a two-click process.

Hotspot Shield has devoted apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Fire TV, and Amazon Fire Stick. The Android app has a clean and simple user interface. It's capable of automatically connecting to a virtual location when you turn on your device. But it lacks the advanced settings that the Windows and iOS apps provide.

Hotspot Shield's free plan comes with a 500MB daily data cap, which isn't enough to watch a 30-minute show on Netflix. You can get more data with the paid plan.

Private Internet Access's network of 29300+ servers is bigger than Hotspot Shield's. That means it's more than capable of handling P2P traffic. Plus, it accepts a variety of payment methods, including gift cards.

Live chat support

Choosing a VPN is a big decision, and there are many factors to consider. In this article we're comparing three contenders for your hard-earned money. We'll look at the features and performance of Hotspot Shield, Private Internet Access, and their respective free and paid subscriptions.

Hotspot Shield is the most reputable of the three. It has a solid network of servers, a well-designed website, and powerful security features. If you're looking for a VPN service that works across your entire device range, you can't go wrong with Hotspot Shield. However, it has a few glaring shortcomings.

For instance, the free version of the Hotspot Shield app doesn't come with many of the features that make the paid version worthwhile. Also, while the service has a surprisingly large number of servers, it's not a RAM-only server. And, if you're trying to keep your browsing activity private, you'll want to avoid a service that allows torrenting.

Similarly, Private Internet Access (PIA) offers more security features than its counterpart. Its servers aren't RAM-only, and their security features include interoperability with TOR networks. As for speed, PIA boasts some impressive upload and download speeds. But, its most important feature, the one that matters, is its live chat support.

While the PIA app has a lot of easily accessible features, it falls short of the competition when it comes to the most relevant feature: live chat support. The only way to truly see what the service has to offer is to sign up for a trial. This is a good way to test out the premium app before you make your final decision.

On the other hand, Private Internet Access has some serious strengths, including a massive network of servers that are spread out across 84 countries. Although PIA lacks the same connectivity features as Hotspot Shield, the company does deliver a solid download speed.

Lastly, while Hotspot Shield may not have the best customer support, its live chat service is a good way to get answers. You can also access the app's FAQs section. They're comprehensive and detailed, and the responses are often timely and informative.

Split tunneling

When searching for a VPN to secure your connection, you may want to consider using a split tunneling VPN. It can protect you while simultaneously providing you with the speed and security of a regular internet connection. However, before you go rushing out and get a VPN, you should understand how it works.

Split tunneling is a technology that lets some traffic through the VPN while encrypting the rest of the traffic. This can be helpful for bypassing online restrictions or increasing your content options.

One of the first companies to offer split tunneling was PureVPN. The company is based in Hong Kong and is considered one of the most reliable and fastest VPNs around. You can choose from over 3,300 servers in 80+ countries, and its AES-256 encryption is top-notch.

There are many advantages of split tunneling, but the most important is that it can significantly cut down on your VPN's bandwidth usage. Another advantage is that you can bypass geographic content restrictions on popular streaming services such as Netflix.

While some websites recommend using a split tunneling VPN, it's important to use it with caution. Using it wrong can put you at risk, and it's also not recommended for highly sensitive information.

Some VPNs are able to offer split tunneling capabilities through browser extensions, and others provide it in their apps. Using a VPN browser extension can be useful when browsing undercover, as it allows you to connect to your favorite websites even when your VPN is not enabled.

You can also use a split tunneling feature on your home router. The best way to do this is to configure your router's settings for this option.

If your VPN doesn't support the same feature, you can try installing a browser extension, such as NordVPN's. With a split tunneling VPN, you can choose which applications to allow through your VPN and which to not.

ExpressVPN offers the same features. Its browser extension supports split tunneling and its desktop apps and routers can all be configured for the feature.

Surfshark has a fast and growing server network. They also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Privacy protection

A comparison between Hotspot shield and PIA privacy protection can help you decide which VPN is better for you. Both VPNs offer the same features, but PIA's encryption is stronger and its customer support is better.

The privacy policy of Hotspot Shield has recently been updated. The service does not keep logs, and only collects data when it's necessary. It also doesn't record the original IP address of its users. In addition, it doesn't log user activity, such as browsing and downloading. However, it does track users' bandwidth usage.

For a more detailed look at Hotspot's privacy policy, visit its website. You can also learn more about the company's history and its recent updates.

While the company claims not to keep data, it's possible to find complaints online about how it keeps track of user information. Some reports claim that Hotspot Shield is using tracking codes to collect data. Others suggest that it is using a method called Hydra to evade detection, but the company has yet to reveal exactly how it works.

Hotspot Shield is available for desktops and Android devices. Among other things, its desktop apps allow you to change your location in just two clicks. They are clean, easy to use, and never feel overwhelming.

The app for Android uses many third-party trackers, including advertising companies and other companies that provide analytics profiles. While these are helpful for improving app performance, they aren't ideal for privacy.

PIA's app for iOS is easier to use than Hotspot's. Although it does not support OpenVPN, it has more features, such as a dedicated IP.

As with other VPN services, you can access streaming services, such as Netflix. There's even an auto-connect feature, which automatically connects your device when you turn it on. If you're not interested in paying for the service, you can download the free version, which allows you to choose from nine server locations.

However, the free plan does not come with ad blockers and cookie blockers. Also, you'll be required to give up your payment details for the trial.

In addition, the Center for Democracy & Technology recently reported that managers of Hotspot Shield made questionable connections with US authorities.