Apparently it's based on TLS (Transport Layer Security) 1.2, with AES-256 and AES-128 encryption, 2048-bit RSA certificates for server authentication and keys exchanged via Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman (ECDHE) for perfect forward secrecy (keys last for only one session, with new ones generated next time). Hotspot Shield does explain a little of how Hydra works, though.
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Unlike the open source OpenVPN, WireGuard or ExpressVPN's Lightway, the code isn't available to the public, so experts can't check for privacy issues. Hotspot Shield's Hydra protocol is more difficult to figure out, because it's the company's own proprietary technology. This can be hugely complicated, but just seeing that a service supports a secure protocol like OpenVPN gives some reassuring feedback about its safety. Understanding a VPN's security usually starts with looking at its protocol support, encryption and authentication details. Hotspot Shield allows you to choose your preferred VPN protocol from its Settings menu (Image credit: Hotspot Shield) Privacy There's no Bitcoin payment option, unfortunately, but you can use a card or PayPal, and if anything goes wrong later you're protected by an unusually generous 45-day money-back guarantee.
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If you'll use all those licenses, that translates to $2.40 per user per month, for the VPN, plus the antivirus, spam call blocker and password manager. Hotspot Shield does have one handy option in the Family plan, which gets you coverage for five people, with five devices each, for only $19.99 billed monthly, or $11.99 on the annual plan. But if you only need the VPN, most vendors charge around $3 to $5 for annual products, and even less for long-term contracts ( Private Internet Access offers a three-year plan covering up to 10 devices for $2.19 a month). If you'll use the antivirus, call blocker or password manager, it still looks like a reasonable deal.
That's at the high-end of the normal VPN price range. The paid VPN starts at $12.99 billed monthly, dropping to $7.99 on the annual plan to protect up to five devices. It's useful as a way to check out the apps, but that's about it. Hotspot Shield's range starts with a very restrictive free plan: it has a 2Mbps speed limit, one location only (US) and a 500MB daily data allowance. You can either pay by card or PayPal (Image credit: Hotspot Shield) Hotspot Shield pricing