Hotspot Shield vs Mullvad VPN
A detailed comparison to help you choose between Hotspot Shield and Mullvad VPN.
Hotspot Shield VPN with proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol for fast speeds. | Mullvad VPN Anonymous VPN, no email needed | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.8 (312 reviews) | 4.6 (8500 reviews) |
| Pricing Model | freemium | paid |
| Starting Price | From $2.99/mo | From $5.5/mo |
| Best For | Best for users prioritizing fast VPN connections for streaming and browsing | Maximum anonymity |
| Free Tier | ||
| API Access | ||
| Team Features | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Tags | — | — |
Hotspot Shield
Pros
- + Supports Hydra, WireGuard, and IKEv2/IPSec
- + Large network: 80 countries (Premium)
- + Premium allows up to 10 devices
- + Free Basic tier available
- + 45-day money-back guarantee (direct)
Cons
- - US jurisdiction may not suit high-risk users
- - Free plan capped: 2 Mbps and 500 MB/day
- - Hydra is proprietary, harder to independently verify
- - Limited public evidence of modern no-logs audits
Mullvad VPN
Pros
- + Flat €5/month pricing; no long-term discount games
- + Account doesn’t require an email address
- + Open-source apps with public code on GitHub
- + Public security audit reports available
- + Supports cash and Monero payments
- + Clear, detailed no-logging policy documentation
Cons
- - Weak streaming unblocking in independent tests
- - No port forwarding since July 2023
- - OpenVPN removed fully on Jan 15, 2026
- - Refunds depend on payment method used
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