HotVPN Review 2023: Beyond the Flashy Commercials - Our Verdict
If you are looking to use VPN to connect to a remote server, you are probably already aware of what the options are. The best VPNs are capable of providing a variety of different types of connections, but if you don't want to spend a fortune, you can get a free plan that will allow you to connect to a server in a different country.
Free trial plan
If you want to try out a VPN for free, you should consider HotVPN. This service has unlimited bandwidth and no restrictions on your data transfer. It also offers a good mobile app.
However, this service is a bit short on servers. You may have to wait a while before you can access many of the streaming services that you use. There are only a few servers in the US.
While this service is easy to use and has a colorful interface, it may not be the best choice for you. If you are looking for a solid VPN for your home internet, you should probably look elsewhere.
Besides, a VPN's best features are usually available with a paid subscription. The free trial is a great way to get started, but you may find that it is too limited to meet your needs.
Some of the most popular VPNs, such as Hotspot Shield, offer a free trial. Depending on the plan you choose, you may have to enter credit card details.
NordVPN is another popular option. The company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. In addition to its speedy connections, it also offers DNS leak protection. Those who enjoy torrenting will be pleased to know that it offers more than 700 P2P-optimized servers across 60 countries.
Finally, Speedify is another free plan. The interface is very simplistic and the loading time is incredibly fast. Although it does not boast any kill switch feature, you can still set it up on your smartphone and access the service on the go.
Overall, HotVPN is a decent option if you don't mind a limited number of servers and slow speeds. But you should be prepared to face some traffic pressure if you are using it on a daily basis.
Multi-hop connections
Multi-hop connections are a great way to increase security and prevent your data from being tampered with. In addition to protecting your privacy, multi-hop VPNs can allow you to bypass geo-restrictions and access content blocked in certain parts of the world.
A multi-hop VPN allows your device to connect to a number of different VPN servers. This increases your level of protection, but may reduce your Internet speed. You can use a browser extension or an app to create a multi-hop connection, or you can have your multi-hop VPN automatically set up by a VPN provider.
The best multi-hop VPNs offer an extra layer of security by using multiple servers. In this way, you can be sure that a single third-party will never be able to view your internet activity.
Some providers also offer a double-hop option. This allows you to encrypt your data twice, which makes it harder for hackers to decrypt your traffic. However, this option can slow down your device and isn't suited for online gaming.
Another option is the nested chain method. Using two or more VPN services, you can encrypt your data in a secure way before sending it to the destination. While this is more secure than a single-hop VPN, you do have to agree to terms of service to use a nested chain method.
There are other advantages to using a multi-hop VPN, but snooping by government agencies, ISPs, and hackers is one disadvantage. With a multi-hop VPN, you can also choose the country in which you want to be connected to the Internet. For example, you can have a multi-hop VPN connect you to the United States, but then patch through to Canada or India in your second connection.
2048-bit encryption
Hot VPN makes light work of anonymizing your online activities. The company boasts 150 servers scattered across five continents, and claims to have the best encryption in the business. They also offer free and paid options. Whether or not you opt for the latter, the company's commitment to privacy is unwavering. Its customer service is exemplary, and it's no wonder users remain loyal.
Aside from claiming to be the first company to offer free VPN services, it's also the only provider that offers a no-log policy. Thankfully, its app is available for both Windows and Mac, and the company even supports PayPal and credit cards. To keep you in the clear, they also have a 7-day money back guarantee. If you aren't impressed with their service, however, they will gladly refund your money. Plus, the company is headquartered in the US, so you can be assured your privacy is a priority.
While Hot VPN does the right thing by not logging your activity, it does have a reputation for leaks. For a company whose motto is "Don't mess with success," you'd better watch your back. You can find out more in their free guide. Hopefully, they'll fix the aforementioned neo-liberal etiquette and the oh-so-annoying IPv6 problem before too long. As for the company itself, it has been in business since 2002 and has a solid customer base, with an emphasis on security and privacy. And, as with all of their competitors, you'll also have access to some of the world's fastest servers and be able to surf the web with ease.
PPTP and L2TP connection protocols
Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) and L2TP are connection protocols used for VPN. These protocols are available in various devices. They are also compatible with a variety of operating systems. However, these protocols do have disadvantages.
PPTP is the oldest VPN protocol. It has been around for over 30 years. Nevertheless, it has been criticized for its security vulnerability. Fortunately, it is still being implemented by some VPN services.
PPTP is easy to use. However, it lacks the security features of other VPN protocols. This makes it an ideal choice for users who want a simple, but secure, tunnel.
Despite its speed, PPTP can be easily blocked by certain firewalls. In addition, if a user is trying to use a virtual private network for geo-restricted content, PPTP may not work. Also, the NSA has been known to decrypt traffic using PPTP. Some browser add-ons can also extract the encryption keys.
On the other hand, L2TP can be configured with ease. Although it does not offer the level of encryption that OpenVPN does, it is still very secure. Additionally, it can be used with different routers and platforms.
L2TP is an open-source tunneling protocol. Most modern operating systems and devices support it. If you are worried about the security of your connection, though, you should consider a VPN service that uses L2TP/IPSec.
Unlike other VPN protocols, L2TP and IPSec have not been compromised by the NSA. Despite this, some experts have voiced their concern about this possibility. Moreover, the 256-bit key used by PPTP and L2TP/IPSec is very difficult to break.
While both of these connections protocols are very secure, they are not perfect. When configured incorrectly, they can cause lackluster performance.
No support for macOS
The good folks at HotVPN don't have a dedicated macOS app. However, they do have a handy guide to get you started. They also have a curated list of Mac and PC VPNs, ranked by price, speed and security. There's even a free one-month trial. Unlike a lot of other providers, they actually listen to their customers' concerns. Plus, they're not too picky about how they do business. In fact, they don't even ask for an account number.
While there are many VPN services available for macOS users, they don't all deliver top-notch customer service, so you'll want to choose wisely. A little research will go a long way, and the results are worth the effort. You may even end up with a better deal than the big boys, as they usually don't offer a discount at all.
HotVPN recommends you try out their service for free for a week to see if it's right for you. If you can't commit, they'll happily extend your trial period for as long as you want it. As for a permanent commitment, their pricing tiers are a bit more reasonable. Whether or not you decide to give them a go, they'll make sure you enjoy your new VPN. On that note, good luck. Using a VPN to protect your privacy and personal data has never been more important.
