How to cancel Hotspot Shield subscripiton with a full refund

When we talk about free VPNs, Hotspot Shield comes to mind. I started using it in 2007, when YouTube was banned in my country, and I fell in love with its service. It offers highly optimized VPN servers in the United States, which are best for streaming and accessing restricted websites.

Hotspot Shield offers a free version ideal for users with basic VPN needs. The premium version, which offers advanced security and features, costs $6.66 per month. Premium features include DNS leak protection, VPN over Tor, Traffic Proxy, and Obfuscation.

If the service does not meet your expectations for online privacy or streaming, you can cancel your subscription and request a full refund within 45 days of purchase. Hotspot Shield provides a generous 45-day money-back guarantee, similar to CyberGhost’s cancellation and refund policy. Lets move forward with the cancelation and refund process.

Things to know before canceling Hotspot Shield

Here are a few things you should know before you cancel your Hotspot Shield subscription:

• Hotspot Shield offers a 45-day money-back guarantee.
• Hotspot Shield does not provide refunds for subscriptions purchased through resellers.
• For subscriptions purchased via the App Store, refunds must be requested directly from Apple Support.
• If Hotspot Shield terminates or restricts your account, refunds will not be issued. However, you may receive a prorated refund for the unused months or days remaining on your subscription.
• Subscriptions purchased using gift cards are non-refundable.

How to cancel Hotspot Shield subscription in 2024: Easy steps

Hotspot Shield VPN is one of the best VPNs in the free and paid VPN market. It offers the best VPN servers for streaming, gaming, torrenting, and online security.

To evaluate the process of canceling a Hotspot Shield subscription, I purchased the yearly plan and tested it across several use cases. These included online gaming, which demands low ping, 4K streaming, requiring high internet speeds, and torrenting.

Additionally, I tested Hotspot Shield for IP, DNS, and browser leaks, and it passed every test flawlessly. You should also test your VPN to ensure it meets your needs. Don’t hesitate to request a refund if it malfunctions or falls short.

I successfully canceled my Hotspot Shield subscription through their website, and the process was seamless. I contacted customer support via live chat to request a refund, and they promptly assisted me.

Additionally, I have outlined simple steps below for canceling a Hotspot Shield subscription purchased through the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Canceling Hotspot Shield via their website with a refund

Here are the steps to cancel Hotspot Shield purchased via their website:

1. Open Hotspot Shield’s website.
2. Click on “Account” from the header.
3. Enter your email address and password.
4. After logging in, click on “Account info” from the left menu.
5. Click on “Cancel Plan” in the membership section.
6. Provide a reason for canceling Hotspot Shield.
7. Done! Your subscription is now canceled.
8. Refund:
   1. Open their website and sign in with your credentials.
   2. Click on “Support” from the menu on the left.
   3. Click on “Live Chat”
   4. Ask the support agent to initiate your refund request.

Canceling Hotspot Shield via Play Store with a refund (Android)

Here are the steps to cancel a Hotspot Shield subscription purchased via Play Store:

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your mobile device.
2. Tap on your profile icon located in the top-right corner.
3. Navigate to Payments & Subscriptions in the menu.
4. Select Subscriptions from the available options.
5. Locate and select Hotspot Shield from your list of subscriptions.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the cancellation process and provide a reason if requested.
7. Refund:
   1. Contact the support team via live chat or email to initiate your refund request.

Note: You can get a full refund via the Google Play Store if you cancel the Hotspot Shield subscription and claim a refund in under 48 hours.

Canceling Hotspot Shield via App Store with a refund (iPhone)

Here are the steps to cancel your Hotspot Shield subscription purchased via iPhone,iPad, etc.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap your name at the top of the screen.
3. Select Subscriptions from the menu.
4. Locate your Hotspot Shield subscription and tap on it.
5. Choose Cancel Subscription and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the cancellation.
6. Refund:
   1. Go to Apple’s Report a Problem page and log in with your Apple ID.
   2. From the first dropdown menu, select Request a Refund.
   3. In the second dropdown menu, choose a reason for the refund, such as “Service did not meet expectations.”
   4. Find your Hotspot Shield subscription in the list, select it, and click Submit.
   5. Refunds are usually processed within a few hours and will be credited to your original payment method.

How long does Hotspot Shield take to refund money?

My refund was processed within nine business days. I purchased the subscription using a credit card, and the refunded amount was credited back to my bank account on the ninth day after initiating the refund request.

The time it takes to receive a refund depends on the payment method used. PayPal is typically the fastest option. Credit and debit cards may take longer due to processing times associated with banks and their systems. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies can take even more time because of additional steps like payment verification, conversion to dollar value, and other processes.

Hotspot’s terms of usage page does not define a timeframe for refunds, but I contacted their team and asked the same question. One of their team members replied via email and said, “Refunds are usually processed in 5-10 business days.”

Before canceling, get a premium VPN to secure your online activities and avoid cracked VPNs. You can build your own VPN if you have little technical knowledge and know how to use YouTube for tutorials.

Overall, the VPN has built a solid reputation over the years and does not have many subscribers ranting on Reddit or other forums. However, there are a few exceptions, which is normal for any VPN provider. Their Trustpilot page has an average rating of 4/5, with subscribers praising the VPN service.

What are the best Hotspot Shield alternatives in 2024?

Hotspot Shield is one of the best free VPNs available, offering premium, fast VPN services with reliable internet speeds for online gaming, torrenting, and streaming.

It ensures secure data encryption through advanced VPN protocols and includes features like a VPN kill switch, Hydra VPN protocol, and Smart VPN (split tunneling). These capabilities make it a versatile solution that functions as a VPN, Smart DNS, and proxy.

However, if it fails to live up to your expectations, cancel Hotspot Shield under 45 days and get a full refund. But before you cancel, here are the best alternatives for your online privacy and security.

1. ExpressVPN — Fast, Secure and Reliable

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for streaming, privacy, etc. I have been a user since 2022, and it has never failed to provide premium VPN service. Here are a few ExpressVPN features that make it the best alternative to Hotspot Shield:

• Extensive server network with over 3,000 servers in 105+ countries and speeds up to 10Gbps for gaming and streaming.
• Secure protocols, including OpenVPN with obfuscated servers and Lightway, supporting AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption.
• Compatible with Windows, macOS, iPhone, Android, Smart TVs, and more, allowing up to 8 simultaneous connections.
• Subscription includes advanced features like split tunneling, ad blocker, and a VPN kill switch.
• Dedicated IPs are available for an additional fee.
• Unblocks Hulu, allows Netflix library switching, and supports other global streaming platforms.
• Priced at $4.99 per month, with a 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 live chat support.
• ExpessVPN’s cancellation and refund process is smooth and straightforward.

NordVPN — Largest Server Network

NordVPN consistently ranks at the top on numerous VPN review websites, including VPN for What. It is widely acclaimed for its fast VPN servers and the robust protocols it employs to encrypt user data, earning praise from various publications.

Here are NordVPN features that make it superior to Hotspot Shield:

• Access restricted websites and streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video from anywhere.
• Offers 6,000+ servers in 111 countries for fast and reliable global connectivity.
• Ensures secure connections with advanced protocols like OpenVPN, WireGuard (NordLynx), and IKEv2.
• Obfuscated servers conceal VPN traffic, perfect for bypassing restrictions in countries like China and Russia.
• User-friendly apps, compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Smart TVs.
• Features include a kill switch, Double VPN, and Threat Protection to block malware, ads, and trackers.
• Dedicated IP option available for secure online banking or business tasks.
• 24/7 customer support via live chat and email.
• Priced at $4.49 per month for a 27-month plan, backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
• NordVPN’s cancelation and refund policy is smooth, and unlike Hotspot Shield, no questions are asked.

NordVPN also offers gift cards, available at Walmart and other retail locations across the United States. These cards are a convenient option for anyone looking to purchase VPN services anonymously.

3. PrivateVPN — Affordable and Secure

PrivateVPN has thousands of satisfied customers who praise its service and fast VPN servers on multiple forums like Reddit, Trustpilot, etc. Here are the features that make it an alternative to Hotspot Shield:

• Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, Max, and other streaming platforms.
• Has dedicated apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
• Based in Sweden, which is not part of any surveillance entity and follows strict privacy laws and a no-log policy.
• Offers optimized servers in 60+ countries and secure VPN tunneling protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, L2tp, PPTP, and IKEv2.
• It has unique features like a P2P VPN for downloading torrents and HQN (High-Quality Network) to increase internet speed with a VPN.
• The yearly package is offered at $2/m + 24 months free —totaling $72.
• Has a 30-day money-back guarantee and round-the-clock customer support.
• PrivateVPN’s refund and cancelation process is smooth and easy.

Final thoughts on canceling Hotspot Shield VPN

Hotspot Shield is one of the top VPNs on the market, offering highly optimized servers, secure encryption protocols, and user-friendly apps. It’s my go-to choice for free VPNs.

If Hotspot Shield doesn’t meet your expectations, no need to worry—you’re covered by its generous 45-day money-back guarantee. However, before canceling your subscription, consider upgrading to a premium VPN to maintain your online security.

To help you out, I’ve listed the best Hotspot Shield alternatives, featuring top-notch servers and advanced security features.