5 Best FREE Alternatives to Hola VPN in 2024 (No Logs)
Hola is a VPN provider that essentially offers a free service. It reroutes users’ data in a bid to prevent detection by authorities. However, people have raised a couple of concerns regarding the service. Firstly, it uses peer-to-peer technology, perhaps in a bid to cut costs. This means that it exchanges the IP addresses of users with each other. Thus, a user in the UK could be using the IP address of someone in the US and vice versa.
The problem with this is that if a person does any illegal activity with the IP address, the owner will be in trouble, not the user. Furthermore, this provider has been accused of gathering and selling users’ data.
Bearing this in mind, we bring you VPNs that work excellently and even better than Hola. You get the same benefits without any of the security hassles.
Risk-Free VPNs To Consider
Before discussing the free VPN alternatives to Hola, we bring you a species of VPNs known as risk-free providers. Here, you will have to get on a plan and pay for it before using the service. However, you get a refund as long as you put in your request within a specified window. Here are two VPNs who offer this feature:
ExpressVPN
Features
- Number of servers: More than 3,000
- Speeds: Unlimited
- Server locations: 160 in 105 countries
- Maximum devices supported: 5
- 24 live chat: Yes
- 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes
Pros/Cons
- Fastest VPN out there
- Strict no logs policy
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Few discounts
ExpressVPN is a powerful VPN provider based in the British Virgin Islands. It comes through for every need you have for a VPN. It is a paid service and does not offer a free plan or a trial window. However, you get an assured 30 days money-back period. When you use the service and request a refund within this period, you’ll get back your money, no questions asked.
Why would you want to use ExpressVPN? Firstly, this provider has more than 3000 servers in 120 global locations. Each of these servers is super-fast and secure. Thus, whatever it is you need the VPN for, rest assured that you’ll get it within the shortest possible time.
Furthermore, you get unimpeached security on this service. This provider protects its servers with the AES 256-bit encryption model. This is the highest standard available and is even used by the United States military. In addition, it supports great security protocols, including Lightway, which is its own creation. It has a kill switch and supports split tunneling on its apps. Fundamentally, it does not log user traffic, unlike Hola.
You get to connect 5 devices simultaneously to one ExpressVPN account. The provider has apps for most device types and varying subscription plans to suit your preferences.
- Pros: Fastest VPN out there; Strict no logs policy; 256-bit AES encryption;
- Lowest price: $6.67
NordVPN
Features
- Cryptocurrency accepted? Yes
- Simultaneous connections: 6
- Dedicated IP-addresses? Yes
- Servers: 5342 in 58 countries
Pros/Cons
- Lots of pricing options
- Netflix support kept up to date
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Slow app
NordVPN is also an unbeatable recommendation from our end. Its features ensure that you obtain only top-tier treatment when you use the VPN. Unlike Hola, it is not free, and it also does not compromise your security. You can use the 30-day money-back window to try out the service for less than 30 days, obtaining a refund just in the nick of time.
This provider’s 5000+ servers in 59 countries are the gold standard for service delivery. When you connect to any of the servers, your traffic gets encrypted, making you impervious to external attacks. At the same time, you’ll be able to unblock geo-restricted sites like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, etc. You even get to torrent safely on this service.
The security features you find on this service include AES 256-bit encrypted servers, a kill switch, obfuscated servers, dedicated IP addresses, the NordLynx proprietary VPN protocol, amongst others. Furthermore, NordVPN relies on an unshakeable no-log policy. Its location in Panama means that it can honestly uphold this claim, as the authorities won’t force it to relinquish users’ data.
This provider has apps for a variety of devices. You get to use it on 6 devices at the same time. It is further possible to download and use its browser extensions if need be. NordVPN offers all the goodies Hola doesn’t and allows you to test them out for 30 days free.
- Pros: Lots of pricing options; Netflix support kept up to date; 256-bit AES encryption;
- Lowest price: $3.71
Best Free Alternatives to Hola
This section brings you 5 totally free VPN providers you can trust instead of compromising your security with Hola.
ProtonVPN
Features
- P2P support? Yes
- 30-day money-back guarantee? Yes
- Country of origin? Switzerland
- Servers: 600+ in over 40 countries
- Simultaneous devices: 5
Pros/Cons
- Professional support
- Modern interface and apps
- AES-256 encryption
- Lesser known provider
ProtonVPN is a powerful VPN provider with a focus on privacy. It is well-regarded in the VPN community, and its paid version competes favorably with top-tier service providers. Remarkably, ProtonVPN also offers a free version that is amazing in its simplicity and ease of use. For all you need Hola for, this provider gives you that and more.
You get access to 3 countries in its free plan: the United States, Japan, and the Netherlands. Connecting to any of these servers will automatically change your IP address. Here, you will not be swapping your IP address with someone else’s. You’ll be using one provided by the VPN company itself. This eliminates the security threats that could come with the practice Hola does.
ProtonVPN also allows you some of the security features it is so famed for. In the free version, you get the acclaimed AES 256-bit encryption model. In addition, this provider maintains a no-log policy, which means that it retains none of your data on its service. This is backed up by Swiss privacy policy, the country where its headquarters is stationed. Switzerland is the gold standard when it comes to respecting users’ privacy.
You can only use the free version on one device. However, you get no data or speed limits on that device, and as mentioned, you can access any of the 3 countries mentioned above. You do not get disturbed by ads and can swiftly upgrade your plan whenever you need to.
- Pros: Professional support; Modern interface and apps; AES-256 encryption;
- Lowest price: €4
Hideme
Features
- Number of servers: 2000+
- Server locations: 75 locations
- Maximum devices supported: 10
- 24 live chat: Yes
- 30 day money back guarantee: Yes
Pros/Cons
- Has free option
- No log policy
- Secure connection
- Not very cheap
Hide.me is another alternative to Hola with over 1900 servers stationed in 75 locations around the globe. This provider is hailed for its simple user interface and amazing service delivery. You get limited functionalities on its free version. However, the difference is not much, especially if you just need a VPN to cinch up your security. Additionally, you can use this VPN potentially interminably as it allows you to renew your offer as many times as you want.
On the free plan, you have unrestricted access to 5 locations. This isn’t a lot, no doubt. However, it will be enough to get you enhanced protection the entire time you are online. Furthermore, you get 10GB of data each month, which you can renew each month.
Like ProtonVPN, you can only connect one device to Hide.me’s free plan. The provider has apps for major device types, which means that you will easily download and install an app compatible with your device type. Unfortunately, you’ll be unable to stream when using this service. But rest assured, you will evade ads and adware and can trust this provider’s no-log policy to keep you secure.
This provider shows you ways to upgrade your service consistently. You either get to renew your free subscription on the app or use the provider’s website.
- Pros: Has free option; No log policy; Secure connection;
- Lowest price: €4.99
Trust.Zone
Features
- Complete anonymity? Yes
- Unblocking of all websites? Yes
- Pricing options: 4
- Servers: 164 in 80+ zones
- Free trial: Yes
Pros/Cons
- Military grade encryption
- Bitcoin accepted
- App for mobile devices
- Lesser known provider
Trust.Zone is also another mid-tier provider you can use in place of Hola VPN. Tested and trusted, this provider eliminates any security concerns you could have while using a VPN service.
Trust.Zone boasts of all of the features you need in a premium VPN. More importantly, it is an affordable VPN service if you eventually make up your mind to transition to its paid version. Its plans go for $8 per month and $3 per month for a year’s worth of subscription. This is remarkable, considering all the features it boasts of. In addition, you can add dedicated IP addresses to the mix or DDoS prevention for an additional fee. However, if you really want to use the VPN for free, you can try Trust.Zone for free for 3 days using its free trial window.
With the free trial period, you get 1 GB worth of data within the 3 days. This provider is committed to privacy even in its free plan. Thus, you’ll need only provide your email address while signing up for this service. Although you’ll be able to connect one simultaneous device and its server spread is not so large, Trust.Zone still makes do. Importantly, it does not compromise your data in any way, both on the free and paid versions.
- Pros: Military grade encryption; Bitcoin accepted; App for mobile devices;
- Lowest price: €3
TunnelBear
Features
- Cryptocurrency accepted? Yes, bitcoin
- Dedicated IP-adresses? Yes
- Simultaneous connections: 5
- Locations: 28 countries
Pros/Cons
- Unlimited browsing
- Account manager
- Military grade encryption
- Free version allows only 500MB data
TunnelBear is a VPN provider that offers a decent service to users all over the world. It offers a reliable free alternative to Hola and tops this off with a refund policy that applies on a case-by-case basis. This is a win-win as you get to enjoy excellent VPN service whether you pay some money at first or decide not to pay anything at all.
On its paid service, TunnelBear allows you to connect to any of its servers in 41 countries. It thoroughly encrypts your network and data using the AES 256-bit encryption model. It also stands by its stringent no-log policy. Its plan goes for as low as $3.33 per month.
However, if you’d rather opt for the free version, this provider gives you 500MB of data to use as you wish. You can connect 5 devices to its servers at the same time. This provider does not discriminate and resolves any issues you may have with the VPN rather quickly. Thus, when you have any setup issues, you can reach out to its customer care personnel. In any case, you will find this VPN easy to download, install and use. Even first-time VPN users will find this service easy and effective.
Unlike Hola, TunnelBear does not retain or sell your data to third parties. You can rest easy knowing that even on the free service, you will be able to use the internet securely without your data falling into the wrong hands.
- Pros: Unlimited browsing; Account manager; Military grade encryption;
- Lowest price: $3.33
Windscribe
Features
- Browser extension? Yes
- Pricing options: 3
- Free trial: No
- Unblocking of all websites? Yes
- Locations: Servers in 60 countries
Pros/Cons
- Military grade encryption
- Available on all major platforms
- App for mobile devices
- Lesser known provider
The last VPN on our list is Windscribe. However, just like the others in this review, you can reliably use the service to achieve all your VPN needs. Thus, if you seek a VPN that can give you all the benefits of Hola VPN without any of the security challenges, Windscribe is a solid consideration.
Windscribe offers servers in 63 countries and 110 locations. You get to use its R. O. B. E. R. T. feature to block selected apps on its paid plan. It also does not retain any data logs and even affords users static IP addresses and port forwarding. In addition, you may find different functionalities, depending on whether you are using its browser extension or its desktop application.
When you use Windscribe for free, you get 10GB of data to use in a month. It is possible to renew the service as many times as possible. Here, it is possible to connect an unlimited number of devices, and you have 10 servers to choose from. On the surface, it may not seem like much. However, 10GB of data will be enough to solve your needs, as long as you aren’t using the service to stream videos. If you exhaust your limit, you could simply wait for the next month to top up. While at it, you’ll be able to skirt around the privacy and security challenges you would face using Hola.
- Pros: Military grade encryption; Available on all major platforms; App for mobile devices;
- Lowest price: $4.08
Free VPNs v Risk-Free VPNs
From the language of this article, it is easy to deduce that we are biased towards risk-free VPNs. Why is that so? A risk-free VPN offers you a means to potentially use the full features of a premium VPN for free. While on the service, you are no different from a paid subscriber, so the VPN’s entire features, including its security apparatus, is available to you.
With totally free providers, on the other hand, there is always the threat of security compromise. If there’s anything you can learn from Hola, it is that free providers will always seek means to recoup their funds. Selling users’ data is one way to look to do this. More so, some free providers, despite their good intentions, may not have the most sophisticated security features. Without meaning to, they could expose you to threats. To steer clear of this, simply use a risk-free VPN instead.
Conclusion
If you are using Hola, you should be concerned. Several reports have revealed that this provider has quite some question marks regarding its handling of users’ security. In this article, we give you 5 Hola alternatives. The great thing is that they are also free, incentivizing you if Hola’s free plan is the attraction. If you don’t mind staking your money with the hope of recovering it afterward, you may want to use a risk-free VPN. We actually recommend ExpressVPN for this purpose.