9 Best Hola VPN Alternatives for Better Speed, Streaming & Security

Are you looking for a quality VPN service that provides fast speeds, access to geo-restricted streaming content, and top-notch security without breaking the bank? Hola VPN‘s free plan may have caught your eye with the promise of unlimited access, but the service has some notable drawbacks that make it worth considering other options.

Hola uses a peer-to-peer network model rather than routing your traffic through their own centralized servers. This means when you connect to Hola, you are actually using the IP address and bandwidth of another Hola user‘s device, while they in turn use yours. Some concerning implications of this model include:

• Your true IP address is exposed to other users
• Your device‘s resources are used by the Hola network
• You have no control over what sites/content other users access through your IP address
• Your browsing activity could be logged by Hola
• There is no encryption between you and the other peer device

While Hola does offer paid plans that provide access to dedicated VPN servers and better security, the pricing is on the high end compared to many competitors at $14.99/month or $7.69/month when billed annually. The service also has a limited number of server locations.

Fortunately, there are many high-quality VPN alternatives available that excel in the areas of speed, streaming, security, and value. We‘ve thoroughly tested the leading options to help you find the best VPN for your needs. Here are our top picks:

1. NordVPN

NordVPN is one of the most popular VPN services – and for good reason. It offers an excellent balance of speed, security, unblocking capability, and affordability.

In our speed tests, NordVPN delivered an average download speed of 22.75 Mbps across multiple global servers. While not the fastest, this is plenty quick for buffer-free HD streaming and other common uses. The consistency of speeds is excellent, with the slowest location still achieving a very usable 70+ Mbps.

NordVPN reliably unblocks Netflix and many other popular streaming services. Dedicated servers are provided to access various Netflix libraries. Every server we tested successfully streamed Netflix in high definition.

Security is a strong suit for NordVPN. Industry-standard 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks are all included. Obfuscated servers are available to bypass VPN blocking. NordVPN also offers specialty double VPN servers that route your traffic through two hops for added security. The company has an independently audited no-logs policy.

Pricing starts at an affordable $3.71/month with the 2-year plan. You can connect up to 6 devices simultaneously. User-friendly apps are offered for all major operating systems and platforms. 24/7 live chat support is available.

NordVPN is based in privacy-friendly Panama and has a stellar reputation, with an impressive 4.5 star rating on Trustpilot across over 4700 user reviews. If you want a very well-rounded VPN at a reasonable price, you can‘t go wrong with NordVPN.

2. Surfshark

Surfshark is a newer entrant in the VPN market but has quickly gained a loyal following thanks to its excellent unblocking ability, strong security, and attractive pricing.

Speeds are good, with an average download speed of 25.16 Mbps globally in our latest tests. This is fast enough for lag-free video streaming. Some servers are noticeably quicker than others, with the fastest location hitting an impressive 62.13 Mbps. The inconsistency is a minor downside.

Surfshark is a streaming powerhouse, capable of unblocking over 30 Netflix libraries as well as Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. Specialized streaming servers are offered for popular services. We had a 100% success rate with Surfshark servers unblocking Netflix.

Security doesn‘t take a back seat with Surfshark. All the essential features like 256-bit encryption, secure protocols, a kill switch, and protection against leaks are present. Surfshark utilizes RAM-only servers that wipe all data with each reboot. Double VPN and obfuscated server options are available for an extra layer of privacy. Surfshark has also completed an independent security audit.

Pricing is highly competitive, with plans starting at just $2.49/month for the 2-year subscription. There are no device limits, so you can protect all your devices with a single account. Well-designed apps are provided for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and FireTV. 24/7 customer support is offered via live chat.

Surfshark operates out of the British Virgin Islands which has no data retention laws. It maintains a strict no-logs policy and accepts privacy-friendly cryptocurrency payments. User sentiment is extremely positive, with a 4.3/5 rating on Trustpilot. For those seeking maximum value and streaming unblocking, Surfshark is hard to beat.

3. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a premium VPN service that is widely regarded as one of the best for accessing restricted content. It‘s pricier than alternatives but delivers exceptional unblocking capabilities, security, and customer support.

With ExpressVPN we measured an average global download speed of 24.39 Mbps, fast enough for high-quality video streaming. The fastest server hit 42.85 Mbps. Speeds were very consistent across ExpressVPN‘s network of 160 server locations in 94 countries.

ExpressVPN is one of the most reliable services for unblocking major streaming platforms. While we did encounter a couple failures, the vast majority of servers were able to access Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, HBO, and DAZN without any buffering or proxy errors. The MediaStreamer smart DNS feature can be used to unblock content on devices that don‘t support VPNs like gaming consoles and some smart TVs.

Security is top-notch with ExpressVPN. It uses uncrackable encryption with secure VPN protocols and perfect forward secrecy. Network Lock kill switch and IP/DNS/WebRTC leak prevention are built-in. ExpressVPN runs its own private, encrypted DNS on every server for faster speeds and better privacy. No activity or connection logs are maintained, as confirmed through an independent audit. Advanced features include split tunneling and access to the Tor anonymity network via VPN.

ExpressVPN‘s apps are some of the most user-friendly in the industry. Setup takes just minutes on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, routers, and more. 5 simultaneous device connections are allowed. Live chat support is available 24/7 with an impressive 30-second average wait time.

Plans start at $8.32/month with the annual subscription. While more expensive than competitors, the quality of service is outstanding. ExpressVPN is based in the privacy-haven British Virgin Islands and has an excellent reputation, with a 4.7/5 Trustpilot rating. For those willing to pay a bit more for the best possible unblocking and customer support, ExpressVPN is an excellent choice.

Other Notable Hola Alternatives

A few other quality VPN services worth considering as alternatives to Hola:

• CyberGhost: Budget-friendly provider with a huge server network, fast speeds, and dedicated streaming servers. Based in privacy-friendly Romania with a strict no-logs policy. Plans from $2.25/month.
• Private Internet Access: Long-established provider known for fast speeds and strong privacy with advanced features like MACE ad/malware blocker, Shadowsocks, and port forwarding. Low prices starting at $2.69/month.
• ProtonVPN: Developed by MIT and CERN scientists, ProtonVPN has a laser-focus on privacy and security. Integrates with the Tor network and offers Secure Core double VPN. Based in Switzerland with strong privacy laws.
• IPVanish: Owns and operates its entire server network for excellent speed and security. Unblocks US Netflix and allows unlimited simultaneous device connections. Very affordable plans starting at $3.70/month.
• StrongVPN: Veteran provider operating since 2005 with simple, user-friendly apps. Maintains no traffic logs, supports 12 simultaneous connections, and unblocks Netflix US, UK, Canada, Germany, France & more.

Conclusion

The best Hola VPN alternative for you will depend on your specific needs and budget. For most users, we recommend NordVPN as the top choice. It offers an excellent mix of speed, security, streaming unblocking, and affordability. Surfshark is a strong budget option, while ExpressVPN leads the pack in unblocking but is more expensive.

Whichever provider you choose, a reputable paid VPN service will give you better online privacy and access to more global content than Hola‘s free version. Use the information and insight provided here to choose the VPN that best meets your needs. Happy private browsing!