Our Verdict
Our Thoughts on Hola VPN
Hola VPN secures a respectable position with a rating of 66.6%. The company’s strength is in its balance. It’s reliable but not groundbreaking. Performance is solid, though it doesn’t top the charts. It offers good functionality at a fair price. All these make Hola VPN a viable choice for those seeking a balanced blend of functionality and affordability in their VPN service.
Market Benchmarks
Our reviews delve deeply into each VPN service, scrutinizing aspects such as privacy, customer feedback, pricing, and usability to provide well-rounded insights.
Ratings are based on our comprehensive research of 96 VPN companies. Out of 96 VPNs we reviewed, only 11 surpass the 75% threshold in our evaluation, while half of the reviewed services score below average (54.1%).
Why Read Our Review?
- Our VPN reviews are unbiased and data-driven. We are not affiliated to any of the VPN companies listed on this website.
- Our rating system covers diverse user needs. We delve deeply into each VPN service, scrutinizing aspects such as privacy, customer feedback, pricing, and usability to provide well-rounded insights.
About Hola VPN
Hola VPN, founded in 2012 by Ofer Vilenski and Derry Shribman, is known for its unique peer-to-peer VPN service. Based in Israel, Hola offers both a free and a premium VPN service, focusing on providing easy access to a wide range of global content. It’s known for its user-friendly browser extension and compatibility with multiple platforms.
Hola VPN offers different subscription plans. The cheapest plan starts at $1.49/mo and require a 36-month commitment.
Visit Hola VPN Online: https://hola.org/
Hola VPN Technical Specs
| Features | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Israel |
| Servers | (not stated) |
| Countries with Servers | 41 |
| Works In China | Unlikely |
| Encryptions | AES-256 |
| Cheapest Price | $1.49/mo, 36-month Subscription |
| Protocols | IKEv2/IPsec, L2TP, and PPTP |
| Simultaneous Connections | 10 |
| Unblock Streaming Platforms | Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Netflix, and Hulu |
| Dedicated Device Apps | Apple (iOS) |
| Ads Blocking | Yes |
| Support |
Hola VPN Pros & Cons
Listed below are what we like and dislike about Hola VPN. As you explore the list, it’s crucial to weigh what sets this VPN apart from competitors against the aspects you might not favor.
The strengths of Hola VPN highlight its unique advantages in the VPN market – offering features and services that may align perfectly with your specific needs. On the flip side, the cons, while not deal-breakers, are areas that may not meet everyone’s preferences or requirements.
It’s important for you to carefully consider these factors in relation to your individual needs and priorities in choosing a VPN service.
✅ Competitive Pricing
Hola VPN offers an economically attractive option in the VPN market. Its cheapest plan, while requires a 36-month commitment, costs only $1.49 per month. This competitive pricing makes Hola VPN a compelling choice for those seeking affordable online privacy solutions.
However, users should still evaluate the overall value of the service, including features, security levels, and customer support, to ensure it meets their specific needs despite the lower price point.
✅ Jurisdiction Outside of 14-Eye Alliance Countries
Israel-based Hola VPN is headquartered outside the 14-Eye surveillance network. The company HQ’s location can be advantageous for users seeking enhanced privacy. Being outside these jurisdictions reduces the risk of government surveillance and data requests. Privacy-conscious users often prefer VPNs based in non-14-Eye countries for these reasons.
What is the 14-Eyes Alliance?
The term “14-Eyes” refers to a group of countries that participate in a surveillance alliance known as SIGINT Seniors Europe (SSEUR). This alliance, an extension of the original Five Eyes (FVEY) agreement, includes countries that agree to collect, analyze, and share intelligence with one another. The 14-Eyes nations comprise the original Five Eyes — the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand — plus Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Sweden.
What does jurisdiction outside of the 14-Eyes Alliance mean to you as a VPN user?
For those looking for a VPN service, the jurisdiction of the VPN provider is a crucial consideration. Why:
- Data Privacy Laws: Countries within the 14-Eyes alliance have agreements that may involve sharing intelligence and surveillance data. If a VPN provider is based in one of these countries, there’s a potential risk that user data could be collected and shared among these nations. This is particularly concerning for users who prioritize privacy.
- Legal Compliance: VPN providers operating in these jurisdictions may be legally obliged to comply with government requests for data. This compliance could include handing over user logs or other data, even if the VPN service claims to have a no-logs policy.
- Trust and Transparency: For users seeking the highest levels of privacy and anonymity, operating outside the 14-Eyes jurisdiction is often preferred. VPN services based in non-14-Eyes countries are perceived as less likely to be subject to government surveillance and data requests.
❌ Kill Switch Not Supported
Hola VPN’s VPN service currently does not include a kill switch feature. This means that in the event of a sudden VPN disconnection, your devices might not automatically disconnect from the internet, potentially exposing your real IP address and online activities.
While the absence of a kill switch might not be a significant issue for casual browsing, it could be a concern for users who require a higher level of security and privacy assurance. As such, those who prioritize uninterrupted privacy protection might need to consider other VPN options or additional security measures.
Note: In comparison, 79 out of the 96 VPN companies we studied come with a kill switch feature.
❌ Not a Zero-Log VPN
According to our research, Hola VPN does not maintain a strict no-logging policy.
Without a no-logging policy, Hola VPN may collect and store data about your online activities, potentially impacting your digital privacy. While this is not an uncommon practice (41 out of the 96 VPNs we studied do not maintain a no-logging policy), the absence of a no-logging policy might raise concerns for users highly sensitive about their online privacy.
You should weigh the implications of this policy when considering Hola VPN and determine if this level of privacy aligns with your needs.
❌ No Double VPN
Hola VPN’s suite of features does not include a double VPN option. A double VPN function may not be crucial for those with basic security needs, but it could be a major drawback for those seeking advanced privacy measures. Users requiring higher security levels, such as journalists or activists, might need to look for other providers that offer this enhanced privacy feature.
What is a Double VPN?
Double VPN is a more advanced security feature typically offered by premium VPN providers. Typically, only one VPN server is used to route data. Double VPN technology routes data through an extra server. The core benefits of double VPN are a further boost in security and anonymity. Since all your data is protected with an extra layer of encryption, this makes it twice as hard for hackers to crack.
There are some who strongly believe that a double VPN could be an overkill as having data pass through a basic single VPN connection is already almost impossible to compromise. This point of view of course depends on individual circumstance. If your complete anonymity on the Internet trumps all other concerns then using a double VPN may be for you. For example, if you were an investigative journalist or a political activist in a totalitarian country, using a Double VPN would make sense. After all, your life would be at stake.
✅ Support Split Tunneling
Hola VPN also stands out with its split tunneling feature. This functionality allows you to choose which apps or websites are routed through the VPN and which access the internet directly. The split tunneling feature is a plus for those wanting the best of both worlds: speedy local access without VPN interference and protected browsing for select tasks. Compared to VPNs that do not come with such a feature, Hola VPN could save you countless hours of frustration.
❌ Unlikely to Work in China
At least half of the VPN companies we studied are unlikely to function effectively in China, and Hola VPN falls into this category.
Due to China’s stringent internet regulations and advanced censorship technologies, many VPN services struggle to bypass these restrictions. Users planning to access the internet from within China should be aware that Hola VPN may not be the most reliable option in this region. This limitation is a crucial consideration for travelers or residents in China who require consistent VPN access.
✅ Above Average Server Fleet Size
Hola VPN operates on more than (not stated) servers in 41 countries. A larger server count typically offers more options for users in terms of server locations, reduces server load, and can provide better speeds and reliability.
✅ Unblock Major Streaming Platforms
Our analysis indicates that Hola VPN excels in bypassing geo-restrictions on most streaming platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Netflix, and Hulu. Whether you’re a film buff, a TV series enthusiast, or simply wish to enjoy local content while traveling abroad – its proficiency in unblocking streaming platforms enriches your viewing experience without the hassle of geographical limitations.
Bottom Line: Is Hola VPN Right for You?
Verdict Recap
Hola VPN secures a respectable position with a rating of 66.6%. The company’s strength is in its balance. It’s reliable but not groundbreaking. Performance is solid, though it doesn’t top the charts. It offers good functionality at a fair price. All these make Hola VPN a viable choice for those seeking a balanced blend of functionality and affordability in their VPN service.
When considering our VPN ratings, remember they are for reference only and may not reflect every individual’s unique needs. It’s essential for you to understand your specific requirements and choose a VPN service accordingly.
If your priority is extreme security, features like a double VPN and a jurisdiction outside of the 14-Eyes should be your focus, rather than factors like pricing, streaming platforms unblocking, or server count. Conversely, if you’re seeking extra privacy for casual internet browsing, advanced security features might be less critical, allowing you to opt for a more basic, cost-effective VPN solution.
We encourage you to actively try and test various VPNs yourself to find the one that best fits your unique requirements.
Alternatives to Hola VPN
There are many Hola VPN alternatives in the market – many of which are powerful and reasonably priced. Read further to compare and choose below.