Transparent comparison based on 14-Eyes jurisdiction, independent no-logs audits, protocol speeds, and pricing structure. Zero affiliate bias.
$5.75 /month (1-Year Plan)
$6.66 /month (1-Year Plan)
| Specification | Windscribe | Hotspot Shield |
|---|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Canada (🔴 14-Eyes) | USA (🟢 Outside 14-Eyes) |
| Independent Audit | Has undergone several audits over the years for its applications and server software. | Specific information about independent audits of their no-log policies is not readily available. |
| Servers & Coverage | The exact number of servers fluctuates. (Servers in 69 countries.) | Over 3,200 servers (85 countries.) |
| Obfuscated Servers | ||
| Ad & Malware Blocker | ||
| Kill Switch | ||
| Split Tunneling | ||
| Streaming Performance | Its premium version supports streaming, P2P, and offers multiple server locations. Gizmodo | Offers fast speeds but has a history of DNS leaks and questionable practices, which may affect streaming reliability. |
| Smart TV & Android TV | Partial (manual setup + some Android TV support) | Yes (Android TV app + router support) |
| 1 Year Plan | $5.75 | $7.99 |
| 1 Month Plan | $9.00 | $12.99 |
| Free Forever Tier | ||
| Pricing Summary | $5.75 /month (1-Year Plan) | $6.66 /month (1-Year Plan) |
| Category Scores (1-5) | ||
| Jurisdiction Score | 2 / 5 | 3 / 5 |
| Speed Score | 5 / 5 | 4 / 5 |
| Encryption & Security Score | 3 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
| Protocols Score | 4 / 5 | 5 / 5 |