Miscellaneous 3 min. read

Differences Between Hotspot Shield Free and Elite Versions Explained

Differences Between Hotspot Shield Free and Elite Versions Explained

Hotspot Shield offers VPN services through two plans. The free option will give you a taste of what Hotspot Shield has to offer, but it comes with limitations. Upgrading to Elite gives you access to more perks, better connections, and dedicated support services.

Upgrading to Elite is easy, and accounts are available for as little as $5.99 per month for a year‘s subscription. Once you’re signed up, all you have to do is log in and you’re set to access all the benefits of being an Elite customer.

Why use a VPN

Hotspot Shield is a virtual private network, or VPN, that gives you a secure portal for connecting to the Internet. There are many benefits of using a VPN, including increased security, better privacy, and unrestricted access to certain types of content. A VPN funnels your data through a secure encrypted tunnel that connects your device to the VPN server. This is done wirelessly, so you can use a VPN on any device and in any location.

Accessing Virtual Locations

One of the most noticeable perks of using a VPN is unrestricted access to content that’s geo-blocked or otherwise restricted. Many websites that offer games, streaming television, or other forms of entertainment have geo-restricted content. This means that viewers can only access it if they’re within certain geographical bounds.

With Hotspot Shield Free, you only have access to a single server in the United States, so you can only overcome US geo-restrictions. However, customers who upgrade to Hotspot Shield Elite get access to 25+ virtual locations around the world. When you connect through one of these locations, you get a local IP that makes it look like you’re in the preferred geographical area—even if you’re logging in from the other side of the world.

Browsing the Internet

VPNs are a popular choice for users who like to hop online in public places. With a VPN, you’ll enjoy an added level of security as you’re browsing the Internet in a coffee shop or library. If you’re using Hotspot Shield Free, you’ll have to contend with ad-supported browsing (which ensure that the service remains free). This can be particularly troublesome on a smartphone, where you have limited screen space to begin with. Elite users benefit from a complete ad-free browsing.

Speeding Up Your Connection

Connecting to the Internet through a VPN can speed up your connection. This is particularly useful for gamers. If you’re struggling with a serious lag in your connection, try using a VPN. Access your game through a virtual location that’s closer to the game’s server. Eliminating some of that geographical distance can make a real difference in your gameplay.

While your exact connection speed will vary depending on your device, operating system, and location, you’ll typically find that Hotspot Shield Elite offers a faster connection than the free version.

Streaming Access

If you’re interested in streaming entertainment, Hotspot Shield Elite is a better option than Hotspot Shield Free. With the free version, you’re limited to 1GB of daily bandwidth. You’ll also see an Elite Payment Wall when you’re accessing services that consume a lot of bandwidth such as streaming websites (e.g. Netflix). You can get past these streaming restrictions by upgrading to Elite.

Elite offers unlimited bandwidth and unrestricted content access (get rid of the Elite Payment Wall when you’re accessing streaming sites).

Multiple Devices

If you access the Internet from multiple devices, it’s important to understand the differences between Hotspot Shield Free and Elite. You can download Hotspot Shield Free version on all of your favorite devices. If you want to protect all your devices or extend your protection to everyone in the family, Hotspot Shield Elite is the way to go. One Elite subscription offers security and protection for up to 5 devices simultaneously so you can enjoy Elite features on your home computer, laptop, smartphone, tablet, and other devices. One affordable subscription keeps you covered on them all.

Help and Support

If you need extra help or tech support, Hotspot Shield Elite offers the best assistance. As an Elite customer, you have access to a dedicated support team. Your support staff is on hand to answer all your questions and help you resolve all your issues quickly and efficiently (email us at [email protected]).

Accessing Hotspot Shield Free is as simple as downloading the program to your preferred device. 

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If you choose to upgrade to Elite, all you need to do is log in to the app and enter the activation code you received upon your purchase to access Elite through the same program you’re already using.

Want to learn more about how to protect your online privacy and security? Check out our Hotspot Shield blog.

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