Hola VPN Review: Free but Flawed – Why Experts Warn Against It
Not a real VPN. Routes traffic through other users and logs everything.
Hola claims to be a free VPN service, while also admitting it’s a peer-to-peer network.
Is it free? And is it trustworthy? We looked into exactly what the Hola service is, how it’s free, and how it works, so you have all the facts before you download it.
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Pros & Cons
Hola VPN by the Numbers
Plans, Products & Prices
Hola VPN does not use a traditional server network to run, so you don’t have a list of servers to pick from. Instead, it routes your traffic through the IP addresses of other users signed up for its free plan. Due to this, you can connect to any country that has an active user who isn’t currently using their IP address.
If you sign up to be a free Hola user, you become part of this network. This means somebody can connect from your IP address when you’re not using it. It also means somebody could use your IP address to carry out illegal activity and you’d never know it.
This is how Hola can offer a free service – it has no VPN server bills to pay.
After you’ve chosen a country to connect to, you’ll be assigned one at random. At this time, it’s not possible to select the city you want to connect from.
There is one key benefit of not having a fixed network: it makes it much harder for sites to determine if you’re using a VPN. When you make it harder for them to detect, you will not be blocked.
Hola VPN has three plans available:
- Basic (which is free)
- Premium
- Ultra
Both the Premium and Ultra plans have a subscription fee, whereas the Basic free version gets you low speeds, one connected device, and limited usage time.
The Hola Premium subscription plan priced from $7.49 a month gets you fast speeds, up to 10 simultaneously connected devices, and 24/7 connectivity. The Hola Ultra subscription plan priced from $19.99 a month includes ultra-fast speeds, up to 20 simultaneously connected devices, and 24/7 connectivity.
You can request a refund within the first 14 days of purchase if you haven’t used your Hola plan at all.
Ways to Pay
Hola VPN Payment Methods
Streaming With Hola VPN
| Hola VPN Streaming Compatibility | ||
|---|---|---|
| Service | Last Tested | Source |
| |
28 Mar 2026 (re-test due) | Hola confirmed |
| |
28 Mar 2026 (re-test due) | Hola confirmed |
| |
28 Mar 2026 (re-test due) | Hola confirmed |
| |
Re-test scheduled | Not yet independently tested |
| |
28 Mar 2026 (re-test due) | Hola confirmed |
Streaming compatibility tested by VPNTesting.com. Results may vary by server and region.
VPNs are used to unblock streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and many more. You can’t use the free Hola version for this. When you try to, you’ll be given an error message saying you have to sign up for its premium subscription to access the sites using Hola’s fast streaming servers.
The only way you can access streaming sites is if you pay for Hola’s premium service.
Torrent users have no P2P support from Hola. Torrent clients like BitTorrent work outside the service, which means they get no kind of protection a VPN would otherwise offer.
Even if Hola supported torrenting, it might be best to avoid it due to the intrusive logging policy and the concerns about overreaching. Instead, torrent users are advised to check out our best VPN articles and comparisons.
Performance & Speed
In terms of reliability and speed, you could think that Hola offers quick service for local connections because it’s a proxy extension that has no added security benefits.
Unfortunately, that’s not the case.
During testing, Hola speed tests were not great:
| Country | Ping | Upload | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | 4425% | -16.69% | -57.61% |
| UK | 1075% | -33.72% | -48.31% |
| Hong Kong | 7000% | -78.12% | -86.75% |
Privacy & Security
We monitor Hola VPN's legal documents daily for changes and summarize what changed.
Last checked: 29/03/2026 · 0 changes detected since 29/03/2026
Since Hola doesn’t work as a traditional VPN, it offers no actual security features. It has no VPN protocol and no type of encryption. It’s just a peer-to-peer network that spoofs the IP address – nothing more.
How does Hola work?
Hola routes your web traffic through another participant’s device, which means you appear to connect through that IP address. This way, Hola doesn’t require any servers, as its users create the network of IP addresses.
However, it does mean a stranger can use your IP address and do whatever they want while connected through it.
Controversies
In 2015, a cyber attack revealed Hola had been selling its free users’ bandwidth to its paid subscribers for $20 a gigabyte, under the Luminati name (which, in 2021, rebranded as Bright Data). As a result, it was these free users’ computers that had been harnessed and used in the cyber attack.
At the time, Hola’s founder confirmed that the bandwidth of its free users was sold commercially, but that this was always the agreement when users signed up for the free service – it’s what covered the costs to ensure the service remained free.
Hola made this fact clearer in the FAQs of its website and says if you don’t wish your bandwidth to be used, you should upgrade to its premium service.
Hola’s privacy policy states that the following types of data are collected from users when they sign up:
- Personal information: IP address, name, email address, screen name, payment, billing information, or other information Hola “may ask from time to time, but only information which will be required for the onboarding process and services provisioning.”
- Installed applications on mobile devices: names of applications installed on the user’s device that the user selects to be unblocked by Hola.
- Log data: “Log data may include the following information – IP address, operating system, browser type, web pages you visit, time spent on those pages, access times, and dates.”
Hola makes it clear that everything you do while using its service can be linked back to you since it collects the originating IP address, your name, screen name, and email address whenever you’re connected. As most people want a VPN for privacy and anonymity, it somewhat defies the point of using a VPN.
What Features Does Hola Offer?
Protocols & Encryption
Hola has very few features, other than being free.
- It offers no encryption or secure encryption protocols.
- It has no type of advanced privacy features like the standard VPN service kill switch.
- It has a logging policy, giving it the power to monitor everything you do on the internet.
- There have been a plethora of problems regarding user bandwidth being sold and then used for illegal purposes.
- There is practically no customer support.
Which Apps & Devices Are Supported?
Hola is available on:
Browser extensions are available for:
Ease of Use
Hola is available as a browser extension or as an app, and it has download links for all supported devices on its website. All you need to do is download and install it on your device, then it’s simply one click to connect to the Hola network in your preferred country.
Hola’s website claims it is “simple and intuitive” and that “even as a new user, you will quickly understand how to use Hola.”
Although advertised as a VPN, Hola is a peer-to-peer network that acts like a proxy to spoof IP addresses. When you download the software, you agree that your device can be used as a node in this network, allowing others to connect through your IP address.
Hola offers no privacy or encryption features at all and logs your data and usage. On top of that, Hola’s founder confirmed that it sells its free users’ bandwidth, and history has already shown that this can be used for illegal activity.
If you need a reliable VPN, take a look at some of the best providers we recommend in 2026.
VPN Server Locations
US Server Locations
Customer Support
Email Support
Hola’s website has a “submit a request” contact form if you need help. There is also an email address, though Hola says this is just for general questions or feedback.
Knowledge Base
The website has a Help Center with setup guides and troubleshooting for each compatible platform, plus a range of FAQs on topics such as billing and payments.
Who Isn’t Hola VPN Right For?
Based on our testing and research:
P2P proxy model (not a real VPN) – Hola is not a VPN. It is a peer-to-peer proxy network where your device’s bandwidth is shared with other Hola users as part of the service terms. When you use Hola, other users are routing traffic through your IP address. You cannot control what that traffic contains. This means your IP address may appear in logs for activity you did not perform.
Consider instead: Proton VPN (free tier available), Windscribe (free tier available), or any real VPN
Botnet history (Luminati/Bright Data) – Hola’s commercial arm, Luminati Networks (now Bright Data), sold access to Hola users’ bandwidth as a residential proxy network to paying commercial clients. In 2015, a researcher demonstrated that Hola’s network could be used as a botnet for DDoS attacks. Hola’s response was to update its terms of service to disclose the bandwidth sharing – not to change the model. The commercial operation continues under the Bright Data name.
No real encryption – Hola does not provide end-to-end encryption comparable to a real VPN. Traffic is proxied, not encrypted. Your ISP, network operator, and exit-node users can observe your traffic. This fundamentally negates the privacy purpose of using a VPN.
Failed our leak tests – Hola VPN failed our independent leak tests. DNS leak protection, WebRTC leak protection, and IP masking were all inconsistent across our testing. See our full test results for details.
No kill switch – Hola offers no kill switch. If the proxy connection drops, your real IP address is immediately exposed with no protection. Combined with the lack of real encryption and the P2P model, there is no scenario in which Hola is an appropriate privacy tool.
Hola Competitors
| Hola VPN | ExpressVPN | NordVPN | Surfshark | CyberGhost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best rate | $3.89/mo | $3.49/mo | $3.09/mo | $1.99/mo | $2.19/mo |
| Monthly price | $14.99 | $12.99 | $12.99 | $15.45 | $12.99 |
| Servers | Undisclosed | 3,000+ | 8,400+ | 4,500+ | 9,700+ |
| Countries | 195 | 105 | 167 | 100 | 100 |
| Devices | 10 | 8 | 10 | Unlimited | 7 |
| Jurisdiction | 🇮🇱 Israel ⓘ | 🇻🇬 BVI ⓘ | 🇵🇦 Panama ⓘ | 🇳🇱 Netherlands ⓘ | 🇷🇴 Romania ⓘ |
| Money-back | 14 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 45 days |
| Kill switch | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Split tunneling | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| No-logs audited | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dedicated IP | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Open source | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| RAM-only servers | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ad/tracker blocker | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Our rating | 2.0/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.4/10 |
| Review | Read review → | Read review → | Read review → | Read review → | Read review → |
Our Verdict
Based on our hands-on testing and data analysis, here is our overall assessment of Hola VPN.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Hola VPN?
Hola VPN was founded by Derry Shribman and Ofer Vilenski with the aim of making the Internet better through advanced routing technologies. It is registered as Hola Limited in Israel. It has various investors including top tier investors including DFJ (Silicon Valley), Trilogy (Seattle), Magma (Israel), Horizons Ventures (Hong Kong), and Orange (France).
What is Hola VPN’s peer-to-peer network?
Hola VPN is a peer-to-peer proxy service that uses peer-to-peer caching to access blocked content. This means Hola VPN routes user’s traffic through other users IP addresses in the Hola network in accessible regions to bypass geo-restricted websites. Also, other users (peers) on the network use your IP address to access different content.
How does Hola VPN compare to ExpressVPN?
First, Hola VPN depends on its peer-to-peer network to bypass geo-restricted content while ExpressVPN has several servers in 105 countries that enable access to geo-blocked websites. Secondly, ExpressVPN uses advanced security features with different protocols compared to Hola VPN. Finally, Hola VPN has a free version for its users whereas ExpressVPN only offers paid packages to users.
Not a real VPN. Routes traffic through other users and logs everything.
Our rating scale
| Rating Rubric | |
|---|---|
| 9 - 10 | Exceptional - best in class, no significant weaknesses |
| 8 - 8.9 | Excellent - highly recommended with minor trade-offs |
| 7 - 7.9 | Good - solid choice for most users |
| 6 - 6.9 | Adequate - works but has notable limitations |
| 5 - 5.9 | Below average - consider alternatives |
| Below 5 | Not recommended |
Update history
This page was revised 28 times between October 2022 and April 2026.
Structured Customer Support section with separate coverage of the contact form and the Help Center's platform-specific setup guides and FAQ categories.
Added peer-to-peer architecture explanation with Bright Data bandwidth-selling disclosure, P2P vs premium server comparison, and no-crypto payment limitation.
Added company background section covering Hola VPN's 14-year history since 2012.
Updated server network overview spanning 195 countries, with interactive coverage map and nearest-server highlighting.
Added table of contents with section-by-section navigation for faster access to specific topics.
Redesigned quick-reference spec table showing 10 simultaneous connections, 195 countries, Minimal (P2P routing) encryption, and 30-day money-back guarantee.
Added source citations and verification dates to all factual claims in the Hola VPN review.
Added policy change monitoring showing recent updates to Hola VPN's privacy policy with paragraph-level diffs.
Added transparency tracker noting the absence of a warrant canary, with context on what that means for users.
Expanded privacy section with Israel jurisdiction analysis.
Improved pros and cons with more specific language grounded in test data and verified claims.
Reordered sections to match how readers evaluate a VPN: streaming first, then speed, privacy, features, and pricing.
Added curated "Not Right For" section with severity-coded concerns addressing speed and compatibility limitations.
Removed outdated editorial commentary and unverifiable claims from the Hola VPN review.
Added payment methods section for Hola VPN covering accepted cards, digital wallets, and cryptocurrency options.
Added platform compatibility breakdown for Hola VPN with feature availability per operating system.
Rewrote protocol comparison covering Hola P2P, IKEv2/IPsec with per-platform availability and security ratings.
Added ownership transparency section identifying Hola Networks Ltd as parent company.
Reorganized review content into clearer sections, moving misplaced blocks and removing layout inconsistencies.
Replaced static overview tables with live data-driven spec cards for Hola VPN, ensuring pricing and server counts stay current.
Added overview section with specs table covering 16+ features, introduction explaining Hola's peer-to-peer model, pros/cons list, and new sections on platforms, streaming, and security concerns.
Removed image caption and rewrote introductory paragraphs for improved clarity and directness.
Removed incomplete sentence fragment at end of Streaming and Torrenting section.
Removed image caption and restructured opening paragraphs for improved clarity and flow.
Removed image caption and restructured opening paragraphs for improved flow and clarity.
Added image caption, overview table with 18 key specifications, and three new sections covering platforms, streaming/torrenting capabilities, and security concerns.
Removed poor phrasing from a section heading.
Rewrote opening section for clarity, corrected grammar, and improved list formatting.
Run our independent leak test while connected to your VPN and see the results for yourself. We check for IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks in under 30 seconds. Every test adds to our public dataset.
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Based on independent testing data and specifications from each provider.
How we test VPNs
Our testing process involves purchasing each VPN with our own money and installing it on Windows, macOS, and mobile devices. We run a three-stage leak test (IP, DNS, and WebRTC) multiple times across different servers to check for data exposure.
We also test streaming access, kill switch reliability, and split tunneling functionality. All testing is conducted without notifying the provider. Specifications and pricing are verified directly from the provider's website.
Our full testing methodology is published at vpntesting.com/methodology.