What are the features and limitations of the free version of Hotspot Shield VPN?

Hotspot Shield's free VPN version offers users the ability to encrypt their internet traffic, hide their IP address, and access blocked or geo-restricted content. It operates on a variety of platforms, providing an easy-to-use interface and automatic connection to the optimal server for performance. However, the free version has several limitations: it is supported by ads, which can be intrusive; there is a data usage limit of 500MB per day, restricting long-term or data-intensive activities; the server access is limited compared to the premium version, offering fewer server locations; and internet speeds might be slower due to bandwidth limits and a higher number of users per server. Additionally, features such as multi-device support, customer service access, and advanced security functions may only be available in the paid versions of Hotspot Shield VPN.