I put Hotspot Shield’s refund policy to the test. Even after buying the cheapest plan, I still received a full refund. It’s important to look for an alternative VPN so you can maintain your online privacy. If you’re looking for an alternative to Hotspot Shield, I recommend ExpressVPN. It offers great streaming access, superior security features, and dedicated P2P servers. Not convinced? You can try ExpressVPN risk-free, as it’s backed by a tried-and-tested 30-day money-back guarantee. Try ExpressVPN Today Check out more top alternatives
Step-By-Step: How to Cancel Hotspot Shield in 2023 and Get a Refund
I was very happy with the hassle-free refund process. My test verified Hotspot Shield’s promise of a 45-day refund policy for all plans. Soon after I got my refund, I also got an email from Hotspot Shield asking if there was anything I didn’t like about their service and saying that they hoped I had a positive experience with them. I definitely did. Good job, Hotspot Shield!
Best Alternatives to Hotspot Shield in 2023
1. ExpressVPN — Blazing-Fast Speeds for Buffer-Free Streaming From Anywhere
ExpressVPN’s speeds are superfast, consistently outperforming Hotspot Shield. I achieved an average of 60 Mbps in my ExpressVPN tests, which is more than enough for buffer-free UHD streaming. My favorite Netflix shows played in the highest possible quality. This also means you can play online games without any annoying lag. The VPN performed well in my DNS and IP leak tests, with none of this data exposed (which can reveal your real location). Military-Grade AES 256-bit encryption scrambles your data to keep it well hidden from would-be snoops. There’s a solid no-logs policy, which clearly states that none of your private data will be stored or shared. All servers run on RAM, which means your data is wiped every time the server restarts. ExpressVPN refers to this as TrustedServer technology — none of your private web activity can be stored beyond each server reboot. This is something that Hotspot Shield lacks. If your VPN connection fails, ExpressVPN terminates your connection with its automatic kill switch. This means nothing can be accidentally routed outside of the secure tunnel. 24/7 live chat means you’re never alone if you need help. The service is very responsive, too. I had a reply within seconds when I logged in. Intuitive, well-presented apps also make it a very user-friendly choice. Plans cost a bit more than I’d like, at $6.67/month. However, this isn’t a problem as ExpressVPN frequently offers discounts and freebies. For example, I got 3 months thrown in for free, and 49% off my subscription. As there’s a trustworthy 30-day money-back guarantee, getting a refund is easy if it doesn’t work out. I canceled via live chat, and it only took a few minutes. My money was returned to my credit card within 2 days —very impressive. Try ExpressVPN Risk-Free
2. CyberGhost — Tough Security Measures to Maintain Your Online Safety
Robust security measures mean CyberGhost protects you from growing cyber threats. AES 256-bit encryption conceals your data from hackers. If the VPN connection drops, an automatic kill switch kicks in to prevent exposure, too. On top of this, the no-logs policy means your data will never be shared. There were no IP/DNS/WebRTC leaks in my CyberGhost tests. In addition, the built-in ad, malware, and tracking blocker stops any pesky pop-ups and malicious website activity in its tracks. CyberGhost has streaming-optimized to unblock most popular platforms. Servers are helpfully labeled according to the service, including Disney+, Netflix US, and HBO Max. I accessed Netflix in seconds using these specialized servers. The extensive network spanning 90 countries easily bypasses other geoblocks, too. For example, you can get local Google search results or access regional shopping sites. Overall, the servers were more effective at bypassing geoblocks than Hotspot Shield’s. Although not quite as fast as ExpressVPN, speeds were very fast. On nearby servers, I averaged over 50 Mbps — meaning I could watch Netflix US in UHD. It also has unlimited bandwidth, so you can stream, game, and torrent without limits. Speeds are a little lower on more distant servers sometimes. However, even on these servers, speeds remained more than high enough for HD streaming and quick browsing. Long-term CyberGhost plans start at $2.11/month. I recommend going for the longest plan to get the best value. Similar to Hotspot Shield, it provides a generous 45-day money-back guarantee. You can use this to test CyberGhost for free. I obtained a refund easily by canceling auto-renewal on my account and contacting support. The money was back in my bank account in just 3 days. Try CyberGhost Today
3. IPVanish — Unlimited Connections to Easily Cover All Your Devices
IPVanish offers Unlimited connections, so you can use the VPN on all your devices. I tested IPVanish on 7 devices (including my iPad and Windows laptop) with no noticeable speed reduction. This means you can bypass geoblocks on multiple devices, and continue to stream buffer-free. You can bypass most geoblocks with ease, thanks to the large network. I accessed my BBC iPlayer account without any problems. Online services that are normally geo-restricted can be accessed from anywhere. AES 256-bit encryption and a kill switch mean your data is never exposed. When I tested for IP and DNS leaks, nothing was exposed. The no-logs policy prevents your private data from being collected and shared, too. At this time IPVanish doesn’t let you pay with cryptocurrencies. This isn’t an issue though, as it accepts major forms of payment including PayPal. You can get a long-term IPVanish plan for only $2.49/month. Getting a refund is simple, thanks to the 30-day money-back guarantee. I canceled just by logging in to my IPVanish account and going to the “Subscription” tab. My bank account was reimbursed within the week. Try IPVanish Risk-Free
What is Hotspot Shield’s refund policy?
Cancel within the 45-day guarantee period, and you can get your money back. You’re vulnerable to cyber threats without a VPN, so check out some tried-and-tested alternative VPNs with reliable money-back policies. To get your money back from Hotspot Shield, suspend your payments, cancel your account, and follow up by contacting support to request your refund.
How long will it take to get my refund from Hotspot Shield?
Hotspot Shield processes refunds pretty quickly, provided you follow the correct process. In the meantime, make sure you stay protected by choosing another VPN. To expedite your Hotspot Shield refund, respond to any emails following your request to get your money back as swiftly as possible. In most cases, once your refund is confirmed it should only take a few days at most. Try ExpressVPN Today
Conclusion
Hotspot Shield is a well-regarded VPN, but it’s understandable that it may not be for everyone. Luckily, the refund process is incredibly straightforward and only takes a few minutes. You still need the privacy protection and access to global content that a good VPN provides, so you should seek an alternative quickly. I recommend ExpressVPN. It offers top-grade security measures without compromising speed, and a vast network to bypass global geoblocks with ease. You can try ExpressVPN risk-free, as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
To summarize, the best alternatives to Hotspot Shield are…
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