Hola VPN review: Features, pros & cons

Today, we’re taking a closer look at a Virtual Private Network provider that offers both free and paid plans. In this Hola VPN review, we cover user opinions, security features, speeds, pros and cons, and possible alternatives. Join us as we find out whether it’s a reliable service that truly delivers on its promises.

A VPN is a tool many users choose to protect their online privacy. Put simply, it encrypts your data so it stays hidden from hackers and cybercriminals, ensuring your online activity remains secure. Of course, a service like this usually comes at a cost, especially if you are looking for strong privacy and top level security. That said, some VPN providers offer free versions, and Hola VPN is one of them. But is it really a trustworthy option? Can you be sure your data is not being sold? And does it work well for accessing geo restricted content? We answer all these questions and more.

What is Hola VPN and what is it used for?

Hola VPN is a Virtual Private Network provider founded in 2012 and headquartered in Israel, although part of its operations are managed from Spain. The company behind it is Hola Networks Limited, which, in addition to its free and paid VPN services, also offers a business focused solution called Luminati. This service uses the bandwidth of free version users and resells it to paying customers, a practice that has raised concerns within the cybersecurity community.

As for its location, while Israel is not officially part of the Five, Nine, or Fourteen Eyes alliances, it does cooperate with them, which may concern users who place a strong emphasis on privacy. That said, this is not necessarily a deal breaker, as providers like PIA VPN are based in the United States, a member of those alliances, and still maintain a strict no logs policy.

With a massive user base of around 200 million people, it has become extremely popular mainly because it is free. When choosing a VPN, many users naturally look for no cost options. However, this often comes with an implicit trade off, usually involving weaker security and reduced privacy, which are precisely the reasons people use a VPN in the first place. Paid providers like Express VPN, NordVPN, PIA VPN, or Surfshark, on the other hand, deliver a much more reliable service, with strong security features and strict no data collection policies. The good news is that Hola VPN also offers a premium version that provides a bit more peace of mind.

What does Hola VPN include?

Before diving into its features, here’s a bit more background on Hola VPN. This provider offers both free and paid options, along with web and mobile apps that are easy to use, even for people with little experience using VPNs. It has a broad server network and stands out for using a decentralized peer to peer VPN model. Hola VPN is compatible with Windows, Android, macOS, Linux, and iOS, and it also offers extensions for the main web browsers.

All of this sounds promising, but how strong are its security features really, and does it collect user data? To answer these questions, we first present a table with Hola VPN’s main technical features. After that, we take a deeper look at some key aspects.

Peer-to-peer protocol

One of the main differences between Hola VPN and providers that use standard protocols like OpenVPN, WireGuard, or IKEv2 is that Hola operates on a peer to peer network. What does this mean? It uses a decentralized approach that relies on a distributed network to enable global connectivity. In simple terms, traditional VPNs route data through centralized servers, while in a P2P network, users connect directly to one another without relying on intermediary servers. Each device acts both as a client, requesting data, and as a server, sharing data with others.

However, this setup is not entirely safe, since when you switch locations, you take on the IP address of another user in that same region. While this approach has its advantages, such as accessing geo restricted websites and services through real user connections in other countries, it also has downsides. On the plus side, because it doesn’t rely on traditional servers, Hola VPN can maintain a larger network at a lower operating cost.

However, it also raises concerns, as your IP address can be used by someone else on the network, potentially for illegal activities that could put your identity at risk. Additionally, sharing resources in this way can create vulnerabilities in data protection.

Please note that if you choose the paid version, you will be able to use the conventional system.

Compatibility with devices and operating systems

While Hola VPN’s device and operating system compatibility isn’t perfect, it’s quite impressive for a free service. The provider offers apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Fire TV, LG and Apple TVs, smart TVs, and gaming consoles like Xbox and PlayStation. It also provides browser extensions for Opera, Chrome, Edge, and the Hola Browser, and is compatible with routers as well.

It’s worth noting that gaming console support is only available with the premium plans, not the free version. Users have also reported some difficulties during setup. As for routers, Hola VPN only works with the Keenetic Ultra, which is more limited compared to other VPNs that support a wider range of models.

No-logs policy

Hola VPN falls short when it comes to privacy, which is arguably its biggest flaw. After all, the main reason people use a VPN is to keep their online activity private. Unfortunately, Hola VPN collects quite a lot of user data.

One positive aspect of Hola VPN is that its privacy policy is very transparent, so if you take the time to read it, you’ll know exactly what data is collected and what isn’t. And in terms of what it does collect, the list is long: your IP address, name and email, browsing history, installed apps on your device, and more. In comparison, other VPN providers don’t store any of this information, offering much stronger privacy protection. Since Hola VPN is free, it’s also assumed that this data could be sold to third parties.

Is Hola VPN a secure provider?

The million-dollar question is whether a VPN covers the basic security features you expect. In this regard, Hola VPN delivers, but it lacks more advanced protections.

• Encryption: Hola VPN uses 256-bit AES, which is the highest security standard on the market.
• Kill Switch: Hola VPN includes this important security feature with a built-in kill switch. This means that if your VPN connection drops, your internet access is immediately cut off, preventing your IP address from being exposed. One downside is that this feature isn’t available on macOS or iOS.
• No IP or DNS leaks: Hola VPN scores points here, as tests carried out by many users have not detected any DNS or IP leaks.
• IKEv2/IPSec protocol: The paid version is closed source, and Hola VPN doesn’t use secure, open source protocols like OpenVPN or WireGuard, which can make users question how reliably it protects personal data.

As shown in the table above, Hola VPN doesn’t include any extra security features, even in the premium version. The main difference from the free plan is that you don’t share bandwidth with other users.

Is Hola VPN suitable for streaming and gaming?

Thanks to its P2P protocol, which bypasses traditional servers, the free version of Hola VPN can unblock geo restricted content on many platforms. In other words, without VPN servers in the mix, services like Netflix can’t detect VPN use and block access. Instead, the provider lets you use another user’s IP in a different country to reach content that would otherwise be restricted.

In fact, it has proven effective for accessing Netflix (U.S.), BBC iPlayer (UK), Hulu (U.S.), and Prime Video (US). However, many users report that it isn’t suitable for UHD streaming, with videos taking a long time to load and frequent interruptions.

In conclusion, while the free version can unblock content on many platforms, it doesn’t measure up to providers like Express VPN or NordVPN.

When it comes to gaming, it’s not the best choice either. While nearby servers perform well, distant ones often have very high ping, making smooth, lag-free gameplay difficult.

Hola VPN speed test

Although it’s not the fastest VPN on the market, it generally performs well on nearby connections with minimal speed loss. This is largely thanks to its peer-to-peer network, which can deliver higher speeds than VPNs with stronger security measures. Of course, this comes with higher risks, and connection stability depends on how many free users are online and where they are located. Over longer distances, speed can drop significantly, sometimes by more than 20%, according to user tests. This applies to both the free and premium versions.

Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 160 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍

Experience using Hola VPN

As with all our VPN reviews, we also cover the user experience, since it’s an important factor when deciding whether to choose a provider. In this case, Hola VPN earns some points thanks to its simple and user-friendly interface, both on desktop and mobile apps.

Connecting to a server is very straightforward, with a large central connect button and a list of servers right on the main screen. To adjust additional features, you just click the gear icon. This simplicity makes Hola VPN ideal for users who are new to virtual private networks. However, those looking for more advanced and sophisticated tools may find it falls short.

The browser extensions work much like the desktop apps, but they let you choose which websites you want to unblock. To use them, you just download the extension to your browser, which is very simple. The extensions are also intuitive and easy to navigate, making it straightforward to connect to a server and access settings.

Downloading and installing the app is fast and hassle-free. You simply install Hola VPN and agree to the Terms and Conditions, though it’s a good idea to read them beforehand, even if they’re long.

Advantages and disadvantages of Hola VPN

By now, you’ve probably drawn your own conclusions about the pros and cons of Hola VPN. If not, here’s a table highlighting its strengths and areas for improvement.

While the table may seem fairly balanced, we believe that keeping records of user activity (and sharing them) along with the lack of advanced security features are significant drawbacks.

Hola VPN: User reviews

When evaluating a product, user feedback can be very telling. Overall, users appreciate that Hola VPN offers a free version and an intuitive interface. However, reviews raise concerns about speed and privacy. Some users worry about security and data protection because of its P2P network, which shares resources between users. Others note that the free version includes ads and has limits on speed and server availability.

Looking at reviews on the Chrome Web Store, the service has a 4.8 out of 5 star rating, which is excellent. Users generally praise the extension, highlighting the large number of locations and the speed of the free service. On Trustpilot, it also holds a high rating of 4.5 stars.

Here we have compiled some reviews of Hola VPN left by users regarding the Chrome extension:

• “Excellent, I highly recommend it. It works in Russia despite all the restrictions. The connection is stable and free, and if any issues arise, the app fixes them and reconnects automatically. Of all the VPNs I’ve tried, this one has worked best for me.” – Nayelis Perez, November 20, 2024
• “VERY GOOD, IT’S FAST FOR DOWNLOADS” – Sam Sharif, November 19, 2024
• “Excellent extension, simple and functional!” – Manolo Padilla J, November 7, 2024

Regarding the ability to unblock geo-restricted content, we have gathered the following opinions from Trustpilot:

• “I finally found a VPN that includes Venezuela” – Arnaldo Jose Llovera Nadales, July 11, 2024
• “Helps me view Latin American content” – Franco Franco – December 31, 2022
• “I can now view pages from my country that are restricted by geolocation while I’m abroad. The app is fantastic.” – Pamela Granda, February 2, 2023

Alternatives to Hola VPN

If Hola VPN doesn’t meet your needs, there are many other options that offer stronger security and more complete services. The VPN market is large and competitive, so you can likely find a provider that better fits your browsing habits and budget.

One of the top alternatives is ProtonVPN, a premium option with over 15,000 servers across more than 122 countries, advanced privacy features, Secure Core servers, and an independently audited no-logs policy. It also offers a free version, and paid plans start at $3.46 per month, making it a reliable and affordable choice for users seeking stability, speed, and genuine security.

If you want to explore other options, well-known providers like Express VPN, NordVPN, CyberGhost, and Surfshark are also worth considering. They offer good speeds and advanced features, but Proton VPN still stands out for its superior infrastructure, transparency, and overall performance.

Overall, if you’re looking for a premium VPN that truly protects your privacy and performs well for streaming, downloading, and everyday browsing, ProtonVPN is the most complete and reliable alternative to Hola VPN.

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Paula Henderson

Spanish-English Translator

Hi! I'm a Spanish-English translator working with Holafly, helping bring travel content to life for curious travelers. As a digital nomad with a passion for exploring, I'm always adding new spots to my bucket list. If you love to travel like me, stick around because you're in the right place to find inspiration for your next trip! ✈️🌍

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