Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Hola VPN VS Psiphon

Compare Hola VPN VS Psiphon and see what are their differences

Hola VPN logo Hola VPN

Hola manages to provide free VPN services to its users through the use of crowd sourcing its members' bandwidth.

Psiphon logo Psiphon

Psiphon is circumvention software for Windows and Mobile platforms that provides uncensored access to Internet content. Read more about Psiphon.
  • Hola VPN Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-03
  • Psiphon Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-16

Hola VPN features and specs

  • Wide Range of Servers
    Hola VPN offers a large number of servers in various countries, allowing users to access geo-restricted content from multiple regions.
  • Free Version Available
    Hola provides a free version of its service, which is appealing to users who do not want to commit to a paid VPN service.
  • Ease of Use
    The VPN is user-friendly and easy to set up, making it accessible for users who may not be tech-savvy.
  • Unblocking Capabilities
    Hola VPN is effective at bypassing geo-restrictions and can unblock various streaming services like Netflix and Hulu.
  • Browser Extensions
    Hola VPN offers browser extensions for popular web browsers like Chrome and Firefox, providing a convenient way to use the service directly from the browser.

Possible disadvantages of Hola VPN

  • Privacy Concerns
    Hola VPN routes traffic through its users, which raises significant privacy and security concerns. User data might be potentially exposed.
  • Limited Security Features
    The service lacks some advanced security features like AES-256 encryption and a kill switch, which are standard in most reputable VPNs.
  • Potential for Abuse
    Since Hola works as a peer-to-peer network, other users can leverage your IP address, which could be used for malicious activities without your knowledge.
  • Slower Speeds
    Users may experience slower connection speeds compared to other VPN services due to the peer-to-peer nature of the network.
  • Bandwidth Limitations
    The free version of Hola VPN often comes with limitations on bandwidth, affecting the quality of the browsing experience.

Psiphon features and specs

  • Open Source
    Psiphon is an open-source tool, allowing security experts and users to examine the code for vulnerabilities or backdoors.
  • Easy to Use
    Psiphon offers a user-friendly interface which makes it accessible for people who are not tech-savvy.
  • Multiple Platform Support
    It is available for Windows, Android, and iOS, which makes it versatile and usable across different devices.
  • Effective Censorship Circumvention
    Psiphon is effective at bypassing various forms of internet censorship, making it popular in regions with heavy internet restrictions.
  • Free Version Available
    Psiphon offers a free version with basic features, making it accessible to users without financial means.
  • Automatic Protocol Selection
    Psiphon automatically selects the best available protocol to ensure users can bypass censorship effectively.

Possible disadvantages of Psiphon

  • Speed Limitations
    The free version has limited speed, which may not be suitable for bandwidth-intensive activities like streaming or gaming.
  • Data Usage Logging
    Psiphon logs some data usage information on their servers. While not personal data, this could still be a concern for privacy-focused users.
  • Ads in Free Version
    The free version contains ads, which may interrupt the user experience or turn off potential users.
  • Not a Full VPN
    Psiphon is primarily a circumvention tool rather than a full-fledged VPN, lacking some security features found in dedicated VPN services.
  • Limited Server Locations
    Psiphon has fewer server locations compared to leading VPNs, which may affect connection speeds and access to geographically restricted content.

Analysis of Hola VPN

Overall verdict

  • Despite its innovative architecture and free service, Hola VPN has faced significant criticism regarding privacy and security issues. As the service routes traffic through other users' devices, it raises concerns about user anonymity and the potential misuse of personal bandwidth. Furthermore, Hola's past involvement in botnet activities highlights potential risks associated with using the service. While it may offer convenient content access at no cost, users should weigh these factors and consider whether the potential privacy trade-offs are worthwhile.

Why this product is good

  • Hola VPN offers a unique peer-to-peer architecture, allowing users to access content from different regions by routing their traffic through other users' devices rather than traditional server-based infrastructure. This approach can provide speed advantages for some users and is available for free. Additionally, Hola VPN provides access to geo-restricted content, which can be beneficial for users seeking more open internet access.

Recommended for

    Hola VPN might be suitable for users who prioritize free access to geo-restricted content and are less concerned about security and privacy. However, those who highly prioritize data protection and secure internet usage may prefer exploring more traditional VPN services with robust privacy policies and dedicated server infrastructure.

Analysis of Psiphon

Overall verdict

  • Psiphon is generally considered a reliable tool for accessing blocked websites and protecting user privacy, particularly in regions with severe internet censorship. It is praised for its ease of use, cross-platform availability, and its commitment to transparency through open-source development.

Why this product is good

  • Psiphon is a widely used open-source circumvention tool designed to provide internet freedom by bypassing censorship and content filtering. It utilizes a combination of secure communication and obfuscation technologies to ensure users can access restricted content while maintaining privacy and anonymity.

Recommended for

  • Users in countries with stringent internet censorship
  • Individuals seeking to bypass website restrictions
  • People looking for a simple and effective privacy tool
  • Users who do not require high-speed performance for streaming or heavy data transfer

Hola VPN videos

Hola VPN Is Dangerous! Here Is Why - August 2019

More videos:

  • Review - Why using hola! (or any other free VPN) is a very bad idea
  • Review - Review nhanh và chi tiết về khóa quân sự tại HOLA (Hòa Lạc)

Psiphon videos

Psiphon 3 Review!

More videos:

  • Review - UNLIMITED INTERNET NEW SET UP PSIPHON PRO VPN WORKING TO ALL NETWORK

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Hola VPN and Psiphon)
VPN
23 23%
77% 77
Security & Privacy
29 29%
71% 71
Cloud VPN
13 13%
87% 87
Security
10 10%
90% 90

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Hola VPN and Psiphon

Hola VPN Reviews

Top 10 Reliable Fake Location Apps for iOS 16 and Android 2023
To change the location of Android devices, you can also select Hola to connect more people and create more opportunities on social and dating services. After launching the program, the mobile system will use your customized location as the location of the entire device.
10 Best Free Android VPN Apps For Your Smartphone In 2021
Hola is a free peer-to-peer VPN service, that works by sharing idle resources of its users to create a more open Web. Hola offers a collection of a lot of servers and an option to change GPS location to withhold your privacy while you browse the web without restrictions. Hola Free VPN contains included an in-built browser, Lightning Browser — so that you don’t have to use...
Source: techlog360.com
8 Similar Apps like Psiphon that are Actually Better
Such a great VPN app like Psiphon Pro is Hola app. It a free VPN app with no paid packages. You might think of the service as something fishy, but it isn’t. The concept of Hola VPN revolves around the community. It utilizes your devices and networks to establish a peer to peer communication which makes it possible to run the VPN service for free. It is intelligently managed...

Psiphon Reviews

Best Top 20 OpenVPN Alternatives (Pros and Cons)
Psiphon is free and open-source software that is compatible with Windows, iOS, and Android devices.
Best 5 Psiphon Alternatives in 2023
Why, when Psiphon is already deemed as one of the best VPNs out there, would you want to look for alternatives? There could honestly be a million reasons why you might not be satisfied with a specific service but when it comes to choosing a good VPN client, it all boils down to speed, privacy, and pricing. While Psiphon is known for offering top-tier security and good...
Turbo VPN Alternatives – Best Free VPN Apps For Android in 2022
If we talk about the features, Psiphon Pro has a global network featuring thousands of servers and diverse entry points. You don’t need to register any account or link your debit card; just download the app, and you can connect for free.
Source: techviral.net
10 Best Free Android VPN Apps For Your Smartphone In 2021
Psiphon Pro is an open-source, peer-reviewed and trustworthy VPN Android app, which will open access to everything on the Internet. Unlike other VPN apps for Android, Psiphon gives users options like always-on VPN and excludes selected apps from using VPN. By using these features you can always turn-on VPN by default and omit apps like banking and other payment apps by...
Source: techlog360.com
8 Best Turbo VPN Alternatives for Android and iOS
Psiphon Pro is one of the most transparent and secure VPNs out there, hence it’s a suitable alternative to Turbo VPN. It started as a proxy system at the University of Toronto, but now has evolved into a full-fledged VPN. The best part is that it’s completely open-source and does not log any user data, unlike Turbo VPN. Psiphon Pro utilizes multiple technologies like...
Source: beebom.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Psiphon might be a bit more popular than Hola VPN. We know about 27 links to it since March 2021 and only 24 links to Hola VPN. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Hola VPN mentions (24)

  • Is Omegle having problems with servers these days? I keep getting a Error, and it tells me to try again, I am afraid I might have been banned, but I haven't seen any message about it
    I used https://hola.org/ to join back it works for me. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Those who grew up around early 70s- early 80s, what was it like living in a country with high inflation?
    Here the one I use https://hola.org. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • What Can You Do with Free VPN Extension?
    You will look for a Free Vpn Extension only when you want to unblock a website but little do you know that this extension will unlock the real pleasure of Internet. Whether you are a movie buff, gaming enthusiast, or a regular Internet user, VPN can enhance your Internet experience. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Why Should You Use VPN Free?
    Try VPN Free to experience the difference in web browsing. The extension will unblock websites in a hassle-free manner. Also, it will provide you access to geo-specific content. It will give you access to global content without compromising your privacy. Your identity will remain anonymous for others including your ISP company. Source: about 3 years ago
  • anyone looking for some free spins on crypto sites? read description
    If this website is not avalible in your country then download hola web browser https://hola.org/ this will get you on any website you want. Source: about 3 years ago
View more

Psiphon mentions (27)

  • Fortiguard workaround?
    These should be able bypass FortiGuard. Speeds will be slow though. 1. Psiphon. 2. Your Freedom VPN. 3. Puffin Browser. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Mullvad is completely blocked in Russia
    Psiphon should work and it is free but they have limits on speed. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Youtube slow buffering in Converge
    Free: https://psiphon.ca/ Paid: Too many to list here. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • What is a cheaper/easier method for VPN Torrenting?
    I have Xfinity and I've been using this for years after I saw ppl talk about it on my site's forums. The devs are always updating it weekly. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Bypassing University Internet Restrictions for Legal Purposes (to access my homeservers/raspberry Pis/VPS)
    The only thing that has worked for me so far is Psiphon VPN (https://psiphon.ca/), which has allowed me to access the normally blocked websites. I'm not sure exactly how it works, but I'm interested in finding out if there's a way to replicate it. Thanks in advance for any answers or advice. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Hola VPN and Psiphon, you can also consider the following products

Hotspot Shield - Hotspot Shield is a software application developed by AnchorFree, Inc.

ProtonVPN - ProtonVPN is a security focused FREE VPN service, developed by CERN and MIT scientists. Use the web anonymously, unblock websites & encrypt your connection.

TunnelBear - Really simple VPN to browse the web privately & anonymously.

OpenVPN - OpenVPN - The Open Source VPN

Windscribe - Windscribe is a desktop application and browser extension that work together to block ads and trackers, restore access to blocked content and help you safeguard your privacy online.

CyberGhost - CyberGhost is the name of trusted and secure VPN system.