Download.it search icon
Advertisement

An extension that unlocks regional content regardless of current location and geographical restrictions

An extension that unlocks regional content regardless of current location and geographical restrictions

Vote: (60 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: Hola Networks Ltd.

Version: 2.33

Works under: Mac

Also available for Windows

Vote:

Program license

(60 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

Hola Networks Ltd.

2.33

Works under:

Also available for

Mac

Windows

Pros

  • Easy to install and use
  • Compatible with most major browsers
  • Unique peer-to-peer design

Cons

  • Not completely secure
  • Some issues with download speeds
  • Torrenting is prohibited

If you have been on the hunt for a proxy switcher that gives you access to region-locked material, then you might want to take a closer look at Hola.

More companies than ever are now restricting their online content to specific countries, and that can be very aggravating for those who are paying for their services. Hola is a free VPN that allows you to create a secure tunnel with another user from somewhere else in the world. After you have connected to a user, you will be able to access all of the content in their region. Unlike many other VPNs, Hola is a browser extension, and that means you won’t have to worry about downloading or setting up a complicated piece of software.

VPNs have exploded in popularity over the last few years, and those programs have quite a few benefits. In addition to giving you access to region-locked content, Hola VPN is also going to provide you with an additional layer of security. Once the connection has been made, it will be very difficult for anyone to track your internet habits or steal your data. While there isn’t any type of software that is completely impervious to attacks, using a VPN will greatly reduce your risk of having your data stolen.

Hola comes as an extension for Chrome, but many users have been able to port it over to other browsers. After it has been installed, a small button should appear at the top of your internet browser. Whenever you would like to create a secure connection, you can simply click on the button to bring up a list of remote users. While those users are scattered throughout the world, connections are usually made to the United States or the United Kingdom. Those two locations have quite a bit of region-locked content, and you won’t be able to access that data without a VPN.

Even though this VPN is very easy to install and use, there are a few drawbacks that everyone should be aware of. If a VPN isn’t selling subscriptions, then it must make money by selling user data or putting advertisements in their software. Hola’s development team claims that they don’t collect data, but the users you connect with could potentially steal your information. There are also a few limits regarding which type of data you have access to. Hola currently doesn’t allow users to torrent, and that is going to be a major problem for some people.

This P2P VPN has a few unique features that can’t be found anywhere else. That being said, the peer-to-peer aspect of this software could be a security risk that you might not be willing to take. Overall, Hola is a good option for those who want to quickly access videos, movies, and music from other countries.

Pros

  • Easy to install and use
  • Compatible with most major browsers
  • Unique peer-to-peer design

Cons

  • Not completely secure
  • Some issues with download speeds
  • Torrenting is prohibited