Even with a premium VPN it’s difficult to access Netflix content libraries. This is because Netflix can detect and block traffic coming from VPNs, and has extensive blacklists of IP addresses used by VPNs. Hola VPN is very limited in how effective it is at unblocking Netflix. It also has notable safety and security issues. I recommend ExpressVPN as a better way of getting around Netflix’s geoblocks. You can try ExpressVPN risk-free as it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Unblock Netflix with ExpressVPN!
Why You Need To Stay Away From Hola VPN
First of all, Hola VPN is not a VPN service. Instead, it’s a community-powered P2P proxy service that borrows the resources of its users. Everyone shares the use of their IP address with other people on the service. In theory, everyone benefits from this as you can use an IP address from anywhere around the world. However, both Hola VPN’s free and premium plans have serious drawbacks for its users.
Streaming
Netflix and other streaming sites track which IP addresses belong to VPNs. If the site notices you’re using a blacklisted IP address it blocks you from watching content. Even if you’re using an IP address in your own country, Netflix can still block you from accessing the site or app. If too many people watch Netflix under the same IP address, it’s likely to get added to the blacklist. Because of this, not many VPNs can reliably unblock Netflix. Hola VPN is actually one of the least reliable VPNs for unblocking Netflix since multiple people try to access the site under the same IP address.
Speeds
Even if you do manage to find an IP address that works, Hola’s P2P-based system causes slow connection speeds, which leads to consistently buffering video content that is beyond frustrating.
Safety
Hola VPN surrenders the control and use of your IP address to strangers from around the world. Whatever those users do on the internet will be linked to your IP address. You have no way of stopping them from committing a crime and, even worse, it could even be traced back to you. Hola VPN also has a history of being used by hackers. Once, a premium user used the website 8chan to create a malicious botnet attack using free users’ IP addresses. There is no way of protecting yourself from hackers if you use Hola VPN. The company itself even got caught selling its free users’ bandwidth to sister company Luminati.
Privacy
Obviously, a company that sells its users’ bandwidth and offers no encryption protocols isn’t the best at protecting your privacy. The P2P-based architecture enables other users to intercept your data, and Hola VPN does not offer any protection against hackers you might be exposed to while browsing. I recommend you use an actual VPN so you don’t have to worry about your data privacy. While there are many to choose from, there are several that stand out for their ability to access streaming sites like Netflix, strong security, and tried-and-tested privacy features.
Quick Guide: Alternatives to Hola VPN
Unblock Netflix with ExpressVPN
The Best VPNs to Stream Netflix — Updated January 2023
1. ExpressVPN — #1 VPN for Netflix with the Fastest Connection Speeds
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Netflix as it can access the US and other international libraries easily. There are plenty of international servers to choose from, and the servers are highly reliable. You can unblock Netflix with ExpressVPN while traveling and still watch your favorite shows. This VPN’s advanced Lightway encryption protocol gives extremely high connection speeds. VPNs almost always reduce connection speeds due to rerouting your internet traffic, but during my tests, there was no noticeable reduction in speed at all when using ExpressVPN. I streamed a show on Netflix while using ExpressVPN and experienced no buffering or loading times. As well as excellent speeds, ExpressVPN has advanced DNS and IP leak protection features that stop Netflix from knowing you’re using a VPN at all. There is also Perfect Forward Secrecy, which replaces your encryption key every hour for additional security. This is certainly preferable to Hola VPN which uses no encryption at all. An automatic kill switch shuts down your internet connection if any network issues cut your connection to the VPN, and split tunneling lets you apply the VPN only to certain sites. While Hola VPN’s doesn’t offer any privacy features, ExpressVPN is dedicated to protecting users’ privacy. As well as the encryption and security features, ExpressVPN keeps no logs of user information at all — a policy that has been independently verified by a third-party audit. ExpressVPN is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. After installation, it’s easy to connect to a server because the user interface is so straightforward. ExpressVPN also comes with a MediaStreamer feature, which lets you install ExpressVPN on your router so you can use the VPN on smart TVs or other devices without a native VPN app. Although ExpressVPN costs slightly more than other VPNs ($6.67 per month for a 1-year subscription), its rapid speeds and great security features make it worth it. There is also a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try out ExpressVPN risk-free. I was able to get a refund with no questions asked, and it arrived within 1 week. Unblock Netflix with ExpressVPN
2. CyberGhost — Secure and Private Servers For Netflix
CyberGhost is great for keeping you safe while you stream Netflix, because of its advanced NoSpy servers. Not only do these servers unblock Netflix reliably — they are also highly secure and private as they are entirely RAM-based and delete all data on every reboot. As well as being highly private and secure, CyberGhost offers over 9740 servers to choose from in 91 countries, so you can easily watch a range of Netflix libraries using CyberGhost. You can get CyberGhost on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. The main advantage of CyberGhost is its extremely intuitive user interface, which is possibly the best of any VPN I have tried. I was able to load up the app and instantly connect to a new server, including pre-configured setups like “unblock streaming”. It really is great for a beginner to VPNs who just wants to click a button and go. CyberGhost has a firm policy of keeping no user data logs. The company is headquartered in privacy-friendly Romania and publishes regular transparency logs which reveal that it never accepts requests for user data. Unblocking foreign Netflix libraries works almost every time but I did have the occasional failure. Also, while buffering was very infrequent, ExpressVPN is a faster VPN. However in my tests of CyberGhost’s DNS/IP leak protection, kill switch, and split tunneling features they all worked excellently. CyberGhost’s 2-year + 4 months plan has a monthly cost of only $2.03. There is also a 45-day guarantee if you want to try CyberGhost out for free. I tested this refund policy and had my money back in under 1 week. Access Netflix with CyberGhost
3. Private Internet Access — Huge Choice of Servers for Accessing Netflix
Private Internet Access (PIA) offers the biggest choice of servers for Netflix of any VPN tested. You can choose from 35000+ PIA servers in 83 countries. This means there are many more options if the first server you try doesn’t work, and each one is faster as it is less likely to be crowded with other users. With PIA, you can access US Netflix, as well as the French, German, and Vietnamese Netflix libraries easily. The streaming speeds were reasonably good in my tests, and I only encountered buffering once or twice, and then only very briefly. PIA’s connection speeds are sufficient for streaming video and much better than Hola VPN’s. PIA has apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Its features include a kill switch, split tunneling features, and DNS/IP leak protection, all of which worked effectively during my tests. The company also has an independently-verified no-logs policy. The main downside that I noticed with PIA is that its user interface isn’t quite as intuitive as those of other VPNs. The app also regularly does not appear on the Windows taskbar even when it is running, meaning I had to search around for it to change servers. This was disappointing when compared to the straightforward interface of ExpressVPN. If you want to get Private Internet Access, the price is very reasonable. A 2-year + 4 months subscription is only $2.03 a month (one of the best monthly plans of any VPN), and the 30-day money-back guarantee works well — I tested it and was refunded in just 4 days. Watch Netflix with Private Internet Access
Why Choose Premium VPNs to Unblock Netflix?
While there are plenty of great free VPNs, even the best aren’t perfect. Most free VPNs can’t consistently unblock Netflix, and many of them are unsafe to use. While Hola is not technically a real VPN, it still has these problems. With Hola VPN, your IP address and bandwidth are not protected and can be used by other users for anything (even illegal activities). The premium VPNs on this list are always one step ahead of Netflix’s complex geoblocks and provide 24/7 customer support should you run into any problems. They even have support staff who keep track of blocked IP addresses and provide new ones within an instant when necessary. Premium VPNs invest in servers and develop new ways to bypass the VPN blocks. Free VPNs just don’t have the time, money, or resources needed to improve their products so that they can bypass Netflix’s firewalls. Most premium VPNs offer a range of monthly plans. You can use a premium VPN like CyberGhost for free using its 45-day money-back guarantee. I requested a refund and had my money back within one week. Unblock Netflix with CyberGhost!
How To Cancel Hola VPN in 2023
How to cancel Hola VPN on mobile: How to cancel Hola VPN on desktop:
Why does Netflix block VPNs?
Netflix blocks VPNs for legal reasons, because it only has the rights to provide content to viewers in certain countries. Netflix uses geoblocking technology to prevent users from accessing content from countries that they aren’t licensed to provide that content to. Although Netflix does not want them to, it is not illegal for users to bypass geoblocks — in fact, many VPNs advertise themselves as legitimate ways of accessing foreign content. While not all are successful, the best premium VPNs can unblock Netflix successfully.
Can Hola VPN unblock Netflix?
Hola can sometimes unblock Netflix. However, it’s not as reliable as the best VPNs are, and it’s less likely to work as Netflix strengthens its defenses. Even if you manage to unblock Netflix with Hola, the streaming experience is often slow and frustrating. On top of that, the safety risks of giving your IP address to a random user aren’t worth it.
Is Hola VPN safe?
No, using Hola has many risks. It’s completely unencrypted, leaving your data unprotected. The P2P-based architecture surrenders your IP address to other users, who could use your IP address to commit crimes that could put you into trouble. Even the company itself has sold the bandwidth of its free users. To unblock Netflix safely and securely, you need a VPN with advanced security features. ExpressVPN uses a state-of-the-art protocol called Lightway and Perfect Forward Secrecy to keep your data safe. Unblock Netflix with ExpressVPN!
Get a VPN That Works With Netflix Now!
Hola VPN is not reliable at unblocking Netflix. While it used to be successful at bypassing the geoblocks, Netflix’s technology has improved and Hola VPN is struggling to keep up. What’s more, there are too many safety, security, and privacy issues to make using Hola VPN worth it. It offers you no protection at all and puts you at risk of cyber attacks. A real, reputable VPN is a much better choice for unblocking Netflix. VPNs like ExpressVPN are constantly improving their features to bypass geoblocks, and come with the security features needed to keep your data protected. ExpressVPN also offers super-fast connection speeds for a smooth streaming experience. Watch Netflix with ExpressVPN now. if you’re not satisfied you can get a refund using its 30-day money-back guarantee. Unblock Netflix with ExpressVPN!
