Free VPN vs Hotspot Shield
Looking for a free Hotspot Shield alternative with no sign-up? Here’s how Free VPN and Hotspot Shield compare on accounts, privacy, prices and features, from each app’s US App Store listing.
Checked from the App Store
Quick answer
Free VPN needs no account, while Hotspot Shield's listing doesn't say whether it needs one. Free VPN's App Store privacy label says Data Not Collected; Hotspot Shield's lists Data Used to Track You and Data Not Linked to You. Free VPN is a 67.1 MB download versus 152.6 MB for Hotspot Shield. Free VPN has a free, ad-supported tier, and Premium costs $9.89 a week, $12.49 a month or $84.99 a year in the US; Hotspot Shield's listing shows $9.99–$12.99 a month, $95.99 a year, plus other plans (from $9.99). Only Free VPN lets you pick a specific service, such as Netflix or ChatGPT, and connect to a server for it. Free VPN Premium includes Super Ad Block; Hotspot Shield's listing doesn't mention an ad blocker.
Why people choose Free VPN over Hotspot Shield
- No account needed. Free VPN connects without an email or sign-up; Hotspot Shield’s listing doesn’t say whether it needs one.
- “Data Not Collected” privacy label. Hotspot Shield’s label lists Data Used to Track You (Identifiers) · Data Not Linked to You (Contact Info, Location, User Content, Identifiers, Purchases, Usage Data, Diagnostics).
- Choose a service, not just a country. Pick Netflix, BBC iPlayer, ChatGPT and more in Free VPN; Hotspot Shield offers vPN modes for gaming, browsing and video streaming (Premium).
- 56% smaller download. 67.1 MB versus 152.6 MB.
- Weekly, monthly or yearly. Free VPN offers all three; Hotspot Shield’s listing shows no weekly plan.
- Built-in ad blocking. Super Ad Block filters ads and trackers across apps with Premium; Hotspot Shield’s listing doesn’t include an ad blocker.
Free VPN vs Hotspot Shield at a glance
| Feature |  Free VPN | Hotspot Shield |
|---|---|---|
| Sign-up to start | Not requiredNo account, email or sign-up | Not statedThe listing doesn't say whether an account is needed |
| App Store privacy label | Data not collectedAs reported by the developer on the App Store | Data used to track youData Used to Track You (Identifiers) · Data Not Linked to You (Contact Info, Location, User Content, Identifiers, Purchases, Usage Data, Diagnostics) |
| Pick a specific service | YesPick a service such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer or ChatGPT and connect | NoVPN modes for gaming, browsing and video streaming (Premium) |
| Ad blocking | YesSuper Ad Block filters known ads and trackers across apps (Premium) | Not listedNo ad blocker listed; Premium removes the app's own ads |
| App size | 67.1 MBDownload size on the App Store | 152.6 MBDownload size on the App Store |
| Minimum iOS | iOS 15.0 | iOS 14.0 |
| Weekly plan | $9.89 | Not listed |
| Monthly plan | $12.49 | $9.99–$12.99 |
| Yearly plan | $84.99 | $95.99“1 year VPN subscription”. Hotspot Shield Premium is also listed at $79.99 without a named period. |
Plan prices are US App Store prices. Free VPN shows its current Premium prices; for Hotspot Shield, the range of prices Apple lists for that billing period.
Where Hotspot Shield may suit you
- A lower listed monthly price, from $9.99 (Free VPN: $12.49).
- It supports older devices: iOS 14.0 and later.
- Other plans listed: Hotspot Shield Premium ($79.99); Hotspot Shield Premium ($9.99); Hotspot Shield VPN with Pango ($12.99).
From Hotspot Shield’s App Store listing
In its description
- Ad blocking“Fully ad-free VPN experience”
- Servers“Specialized VPN modes for gaming, browsing, and video streaming”
In-app purchases Apple shows
- 1 month VPN subscription$12.99
- 1 month VPN subscription$12.99
- Hotspot Shield VPN with Pango$12.99
- 1 year VPN subscription$95.99
- Hotspot Shield Premium$79.99
- 1 month VPN subscription$12.99
- 1 month VPN subscription$9.99
- Hotspot Shield Premium$9.99
- Hotspot Shield Premium$9.99
- Hotspot Shield VPN with Pango$12.99
VPN Hotspot Shield: Wifi Proxy on the App Store · Developer: AnchorFree, LLC
Free VPN vs Hotspot Shield: common questions
Does Hotspot Shield require an account?
Hotspot Shield's App Store listing doesn't say. Free VPN needs no account, email or sign-up.
Is Free VPN cheaper than Hotspot Shield?
Hotspot Shield's US App Store listing shows $9.99–$12.99 a month, $95.99 a year, plus other plans (from $9.99). Free VPN Premium is $9.89 a week, $12.49 a month or $84.99 a year in the US, and its free tier costs nothing.
Which is smaller, Free VPN or Hotspot Shield?
Free VPN is 67.1 MB on the App Store; Hotspot Shield is 152.6 MB.
Can I pick a specific service like Netflix or ChatGPT?
In Free VPN, yes: open Services and choose the service you want to use. Hotspot Shield offers vPN modes for gaming, browsing and video streaming (Premium).
Is Free VPN a good free alternative to Hotspot Shield?
If you want to start without an account, yes: Free VPN has a free, ad-supported tier with no email or sign-up, its App Store privacy label says Data Not Collected, and you can choose a specific service to connect to. Premium removes ads and adds Boost Speed and Super Ad Block.
More comparisons
Try Free VPN. No sign-up.
Free forever, ad-supported. Premium is optional and priced for where you live.
Every competitor fact on this page comes from that app’s public US App Store listing, checked 13 Nov 2026: its description, App Privacy label, size, minimum iOS version and the in-app purchases Apple shows (up to 10). Privacy labels are self-reported by each developer and not verified by Apple. Prices, plans and features change, and some depend on the plan or device. Hotspot Shield is a trademark of its owner; Free VPN is not affiliated with it.