iOS app analysis · #4 of 17
Hotspot Shield on iPhone: what 2,700 recent reviews actually say
How the score is built
Our device test sits at 0 until we run one; the weight is reserved so scores do not shift when it lands. Method.
Star distribution in the sample
Recent reviewers of any large app skew negative compared with all-time ratings; compare the sample mean with the listing rating above to see the gap.
Monthly mean rating, last 12 months
What reviewers complain about
What they praise
Percentages are the share of sampled reviews mentioning the theme; a review can carry several. "Rising" compares the last 90 days with the whole sample.
In their words
- ★☆☆☆☆“If you disable it with iPhone settings it just reconnects again a few seconds later.” — App Store reviewer, GB, 2026-08-28
- ★★☆☆☆“it started working fine but stopped working after me not paying for it” — App Store reviewer, US, 2026-08-26
- ★★☆☆☆“Way too many adds and it won’t even work” — App Store reviewer, US, 2026-08-25
- ★★★★☆“Hopefully on the next update we get this popular request.” — App Store reviewer, US, 2026-09-04
- ★★★★★“Very comprehensive VPN platform that has continuously improved over the past 5 years.” — App Store reviewer, US, 2026-08-12
Latest release notes (v8.46.2)
Protect your privacy with the latest Hotspot Shield VPN update! We’ve improved stability and security to keep your data safe and your connection strong. Stream, browse, and shop online with confidence — or upgrade to Premium for advanced protection and speed.
Frequently asked
Is the Hotspot Shield iPhone app any good?
Its App Store score this month is 74/100, ranking #4 of 17 VPN apps we track. The listing rating is 4.58 stars from 359,655 ratings; among the 2,700 most recent reviews we analysed, 21.4% raised a critical problem, most often ads / misleading (7.3%).
What do people complain about most in Hotspot Shield reviews?
Ads / misleading (7.3% of reviews), Billing & auto-renew (5.4% of reviews), Slow speeds (4.3% of reviews). See the theme breakdown above for the full list and how each has moved over the last 90 days.
Does Hotspot Shield have billing or auto-renew problems on iOS?
Not at a level we flag: 5.9% of sampled reviews mention billing or renewal, below our 8% threshold. Still, App Store subscriptions cancel in iOS Settings, not in the app.
Is this the same as your overall review?
No. This page measures the iOS app as its users experience it. The full Hotspot Shield review covers ownership, jurisdiction, audits, pricing after renewal and the service as a whole.