BullGuard VPN vs Hotspot Shield

BullGuard VPN was a privacy-focused virtual private network service developed by BullGuard, a cybersecurity company founded in 2002 and headquartered in the United Kingdom. Known for their strong encryption, no-logs policy, and ease of use, the VPN aimed to provide secure, unrestricted internet access for users worldwide. With around 2,000 servers in 16 countries, they offered geo-restriction bypassing, automatic Wi-Fi protection, and a built-in kill switch, ensuring user data remained safe. Despite their user-friendly design and strong security features, BullGuard VPN had limitations, including a smaller server network, lack of split tunneling, and no support for routers or smart TVs. User feedback was generally positive, with praise for their consistent connection speeds and simple setup, though some users noted the absence of advanced features compared to larger VPN providers. Following NortonLifeLock’s acquisition of BullGuard, the VPN service was discontinued in July 2022, with users directed to Norton’s cybersecurity solutions. While BullGuard VPN is no longer available, their privacy-first approach and commitment to security left a mark in the VPN industry. Read on for a detailed breakdown of their past features, performance, and how they compared to competitors.

​​Hotspot Shield, developed by Pango (formerly AnchorFree Inc.), is a prominent VPN service headquartered in Redwood City, California, with additional offices in Boston and Ukraine. Founded in 2005 by David Gorodyansky and Eugene Malobrodsky, the company has grown significantly, boasting over 3,200 servers across over 80 countries. This extensive server network allows users to bypass geo-restrictions and access region-locked content, enhancing privacy and security online. Hotspot Shield offers both free and premium plans. The free version includes limited server access and a daily data cap, while the premium version provides faster speeds, a broader server selection, and additional features like antivirus protection. A standout feature of Hotspot Shield is their proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol, which aims to deliver enhanced speed and security compared to traditional VPN protocols. Despite their strengths, Hotspot Shield has faced criticism for not conducting third-party audits to verify their no-logging policy. However, they maintain a strict no-logging policy to protect user privacy. The service is available on multiple platforms, including iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, and Linux. As of December 31, 2024, Hotspot Shield will discontinue support for router-based VPN configurations.