Transparent comparison based on 14-Eyes jurisdiction, independent no-logs audits, protocol speeds, and pricing structure. Zero affiliate bias.
$3.37/month (2-year plan)
$6.66 /month (1-Year Plan)
| Specification | NordVPN | Hotspot Shield |
|---|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Panama (🟢 Outside 14-Eyes) | USA (🟢 Outside 14-Eyes) |
| Independent Audit | Completed its sixth independent assurance engagement, reaffirming its no-logs claims. | Specific information about independent audits of their no-log policies is not readily available. |
| Servers & Coverage | Over 7,000 servers (118 countries) | Over 3,200 servers (85 countries.) |
| Obfuscated Servers | ||
| Ad & Malware Blocker | ||
| Kill Switch | ||
| Split Tunneling | ||
| Streaming Performance | Renowned for its fast and consistent connections, NordVPN effectively unblocks major global streaming services. Cybernews | Offers fast speeds but has a history of DNS leaks and questionable practices, which may affect streaming reliability. |
| Smart TV & Android TV | Yes (Android TV app + SmartDNS + router) | Yes (Android TV app + router support) |
| 1 Year Plan | $4.99 | $7.99 |
| 1 Month Plan | $12.99 | $12.99 |
| Free Forever Tier | ||
| Pricing Summary | $3.37/month (2-year plan) | $6.66 /month (1-Year Plan) |
| Category Scores (1-5) | ||
| Jurisdiction Score | 5 / 5 | 3 / 5 |
| Speed Score | 5 / 5 | 4 / 5 |
| Encryption & Security Score | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
| Protocols Score | 4 / 5 | 5 / 5 |