# Free VPN vs Hotspot Shield

> 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.

Checked 2026-11-13 from each app's public US App Store listing. Canonical page: https://freevpnapp.org/compare/free-vpn-vs-hotspot-shield/

| | Free VPN | Hotspot Shield |
|---|---|---|
| Sign-up to start | Not required (No account, email or sign-up) | Not stated (The listing doesn't say whether an account is needed) |
| App Store privacy label | Data not collected (As reported by the developer on the App Store) | Data used to track you (Data Used to Track You (Identifiers) · Data Not Linked to You (Contact Info, Location, User Content, Identifiers, Purchases, Usage Data, Diagnostics)) |
| Pick a specific service | Yes (Pick a service such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer or ChatGPT and connect) | No (VPN modes for gaming, browsing and video streaming (Premium)) |
| Ad blocking | Yes (Super Ad Block filters known ads and trackers across apps (Premium)) | Not listed (No ad blocker listed; Premium removes the app's own ads) |
| App size | 67.1 MB (Download size on the App Store) | 152.6 MB (Download 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.) |

## 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.

## 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

- Adblock: “Fully ad-free VPN experience”
- Services: “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
- Listing: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vpn-hotspot-shield-wifi-proxy/id443369807 (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

- [Free VPN vs NordVPN](https://freevpnapp.org/compare/free-vpn-vs-nordvpn/)
- [Free VPN vs Proton VPN](https://freevpnapp.org/compare/free-vpn-vs-proton-vpn/)
- [Free VPN vs X-VPN](https://freevpnapp.org/compare/free-vpn-vs-x-vpn/)
- [Free VPN vs Turbo VPN](https://freevpnapp.org/compare/free-vpn-vs-turbo-vpn/)
- [Free VPN vs VPN Proxy Master](https://freevpnapp.org/compare/free-vpn-vs-vpn-proxy-master/)
- [Free VPN vs VPN Super Unlimited Proxy](https://freevpnapp.org/compare/free-vpn-vs-vpn-super-unlimited-proxy/)
- [Free VPN vs VPN - Fast & Secure](https://freevpnapp.org/compare/free-vpn-vs-vpn-fast-secure/)
- [All VPN comparisons](https://freevpnapp.org/compare/)

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.