Bitdefender VPN vs Hola Comparison

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In the world of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), Bitdefender VPN and Hola VPN are notable contenders. This article will delve into the unique features, advantages, and potential drawbacks of Bitdefender VPN vs Hola VPN. Choosing the right VPN can be daunting, but we’re here to help you make an informed decision.

Overview

Dive into an in-depth comparison between Bitdefender VPN and Hola VPN, two contenders in the online privacy field. We’ll dissect their security protocols, scrutinize their privacy policies, and analyze their speed performance to help you make an informed choice. Uncover the strengths and weaknesses of Bitdefender’s robust security suite and Hola‘s unique community-powered model. No jargon, no fluff, just a straightforward expert evaluation.

Bitdefender VPN

Bitdefender VPN

Price: From $2.50/month

Trustpilot Rating: 3.8 out of 5 stars

Refund Policy: Bitdefender VPN offers a 30-day money back guarantee.

Official website: www.bitdefender.com/vpn

Bitdefender VPN is best for individuals and businesses looking for a secure and private internet connection, especially when using public Wi-Fi networks.

Learn more about Bitdefender VPN

Hola VPN

Hola

Price: From $2.99/month

Trustpilot Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Refund Policy: Hola VPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Official website: www.hola.org

Hola VPN is best for individuals who prioritize online privacy and need unrestricted access to the internet, especially in regions where certain websites or content might be blocked.

Learn more about Hola

Bitdefender VPN operates under a hallmark of excellence, bringing robust security features from a renowned name in cybersecurity. The service offers a seamless online experience, complemented by an intuitive user interface. It’s a service that stands tall in delivering on its promises, rightly deserving a 5-star rating. – Raj Patel

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Hola VPN has revolutionized the VPN space with its community-powered (P2P) VPN service, offering a unique approach to online security and privacy. It facilitates access to a wealth of global content through a network of residential IPs, bringing a fresh perspective to what a VPN can offer and earning a 5-star rating. – Danny

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Leveraging its background in cybersecurity, Bitdefender VPN offers a service with sound security features. However, the daily traffic limit on the free version may deter heavy users. It manages to secure a 4-star rating with its premium offerings, showcasing potential for further growth. – Valeria

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Hola VPN takes a community-powered approach to VPN services, offering a fresh perspective in the industry. While it facilitates access to a diverse range of global content, integrating a traditional VPN infrastructure could complement its offerings. It stands distinct in the market, deserving a 4-star rating. – Isabella Martinez

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Pros & Cons

This chapter examines the pros and cons of these two VPN services.

Winner is:

Bitdefender VPN offers superior security with advanced encryption and a strict no-logs policy, ensuring your online activities remain private. However, it lacks in server diversity and speed. Hola VPN, conversely, provides impressive speed and more global servers, but compromises on privacy by logging user data and using P2P connections. Considering the trade-off, Bitdefender VPN emerges as the winner for prioritizing robust security and user privacy, the main purposes of a VPN, despite its speed and server limitations.

Bitdefender VPN

Bitdefender VPN

Pros:
  • Strong encryption: Bitdefender VPN uses the AES-256 encryption protocol, which is considered to be one of the most secure encryption protocols available. This means that your data is protected prying eyes.
  • No-logs policy: Bitdefender VPN has a strict no-logs policy. This means that the company does not collect any data about your online activities, such as the websites you visit, the files you download, or the amount of data you use. This helps to protect your privacy.
  • Secure jurisdiction: Bitdefender VPN is based in Romania, which is a privacy-friendly jurisdiction. This means that the company is not legally required to collect or share your data.
  • Independent audits: Bitdefender VPN has been independently audited by Cure53, a leading security firm. The audit found that Bitdefender VPN is secure and that it does not collect any data about its users.
  • Kill switch: The kill switch is a feature that automatically disconnects your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This can help to prevent your real IP address being exposed.
  • Ad blocker: The ad blocker is a feature that blocks ads and trackers. This can help to improve your browsing experience and protect your privacy.
  • Secure DNS: The secure DNS is a feature that encrypts your DNS requests. This can help to protect your privacy and security.
  • Large server network: Bitdefender VPN has a large server network with over 4,000 servers in over 80 countries. This gives you a lot of options for connecting to a server that is close to you, which can help to improve your speed.
  • Fast speeds: Bitdefender VPN offers good speeds. In tests, it has been shown to be able to maintain speeds of up to 80 Mbps, which is fast enough for most online activities.
  • Easy to use: Bitdefender VPN is easy to use. The interface is simple and straightforward.
Cons:
  • Confusion privacy policy: Bitdefender's privacy policy is somewhat confusing because it states that the company does not collect any personally identifiable information, but it also says that it may collect some non-personal information, such as the IP addresses of the servers that users connect to. This information could be used to track users' online activities, even when they are connected to the VPN.
  • Introductory pricing for annual plans: Bitdefender VPN offers a free plan with a data limit of 200MB per day. The paid plans start at $2.99 per month for a one-year subscription. However, this introductory pricing is only available for the first year. After the first year, the price increases to $9.99 per month.
  • No multi-hop connections on Windows: Multi-hop connections are when your traffic is routed through multiple servers before reaching its destination. This can help to improve your privacy and security. However, Bitdefender VPN does not support multi-hop connections on Windows.
  • No option to change VPN protocol on Windows: Bitdefender VPN uses the Catapult Hydra protocol by default. This is a proprietary protocol that is developed by Hotspot Shield. However, users on Windows cannot change the VPN protocol.
  • DNS leaks have been reported: DNS leaks occur when your device's DNS requests are sent unencrypted over the internet. This can reveal your real IP address and location. Bitdefender VPN has been reported to have DNS leaks in the past.
  • Lacks some advanced security features: Bitdefender VPN does not offer some of the advanced security features that are available in other VPNs, such as a dedicated IP address or a kill switch. A dedicated IP address can help to protect your privacy by making it more difficult for websites to track your online activities. A kill switch is a feature that automatically disconnects your internet connection if the VPN connection drops.
  • Not as effective for streaming as some other VPNs: Bitdefender VPN can be used to stream content some streaming services, but it may not work with all services. For example, it has been reported to not work with Netflix in the United States.
Hola VPN

Hola

Pros:
  • Free to use: Hola VPN offers a free plan that is available on a variety of devices and platforms.
  • Easy to use: Hola VPN is very easy to set up and use, even for beginners.
  • Fast speeds: Hola VPN can provide fast speeds, especially on local connections.
  • Unblocks geo-restricted content: Hola VPN can unblock geo-restricted content, such as streaming services and websites.
  • 30-day money-back guarantee: Hola VPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.
Cons:
  • Insecure: Hola VPN uses a peer-to-peer network with limited encryption, which makes it less secure than other VPNs.
  • Logs your data: Hola VPN logs your data, including your IP address, browsing history, and traffic data.
  • Sells your bandwidth: Hola VPN sells your bandwidth to premium users, which could potentially expose your data to third parties.
  • Doesn't work with Netflix or torrenting: Hola VPN does not work with Netflix or torrenting.

Key Features

This section compares the overall features of Bitdefender VPN vs Hola VPN.

Bitdefender VPN HQ and country of jurisdiction is Romania, and Bitdefender VPN supports Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS platforms.

Hola VPN HQ and country of jurisdiction is Israel, and Hola VPN supports the following platforms and devices: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and some routers.

Winner is:

Bitdefender VPN boasts superior features like top-tier encryption, strict no-logging policy, and a large network of servers, ensuring safety, privacy, and accessibility. Hola VPN, while user-friendly, has been criticised for lacking robust security measures and its controversial peer-to-peer model. Therefore, Bitdefender VPN is a clear winner given its comprehensive security mechanisms and commitment to user privacy.

Bitdefender VPN

Bitdefender VPN

  • Strong encryption: Bitdefender VPN uses military-grade encryption to protect your data. This means that your traffic is encrypted and cannot be read by anyone, not even Bitdefender.
  • Kill switch: The kill switch is a feature that automatically disconnects your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This can help to prevent your real IP address being exposed.
  • Ad blocker: Bitdefender VPN includes an ad blocker that blocks ads and trackers. This can help to improve your browsing experience and protect your privacy.
  • Split tunneling: Split tunneling allows you to choose which apps and websites use the VPN and which ones use your regular internet connection. This can be useful for things like streaming or gaming.
  • Large server network: Bitdefender VPN has a large server network with over 4800 servers in over 80 countries. This gives you a lot of options for connecting to a server that is close to you.
  • Easy to use: Bitdefender VPN is easy to use and has a user-friendly interface. This makes it a good option for beginners.
  • Affordable: Bitdefender VPN is a very affordable VPN. The monthly price starts at $2.99.
Hola VPN

Hola

  • Free to use: Hola VPN offers a free plan that is available on a variety of devices and platforms.
  • Easy to use: Hola VPN is very easy to set up and use, even for beginners.
  • Fast speeds: Hola VPN can provide fast speeds, especially on local connections.
  • Unblocks geo-restricted content: Hola VPN can unblock geo-restricted content, such as streaming services and websites.
  • Works on all devices: Hola VPN can be used on a variety of devices, including laptops, smartphones, tablets, and routers.
  • 30-day money-back guarantee: Hola VPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.

Security Features

This section looks at important security features of Bitdefender VPN and Hola VPN such as encryption methods, protocols, split tunneling, kill switch, and more.

Winner is:

Bitdefender VPN utilizes advanced security features like military-grade encryption, a robust kill switch, and secure VPN protocols (IPSec). Although it does not offer features like Onion Over VPN, Obfuscated servers, and Double VPN, its commitment to no-logs policy and protection against DNS and IP address leaks is commendable. Hola VPN, on the other hand, uses peer-to-peer technology, meaning your data could be shared with other users and lacks a no-logs policy. Bitdefender VPN clearly wins in terms of robust security, privacy, and data protection features.

Bitdefender VPN

Bitdefender VPN

  • Military-grade encryption: Bitdefender VPN uses the AES-256 encryption protocol, which is considered to be one of the most secure encryption protocols available. This means that your data is encrypted and cannot be read by anyone, not even Bitdefender.
  • Kill switch: The kill switch is a feature that automatically disconnects your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This can help to prevent your real IP address being exposed.
  • Ad blocker: Bitdefender VPN includes an ad blocker that blocks ads and trackers. This can help to improve your browsing experience and protect your privacy.
  • Secure DNS: Bitdefender VPN uses its own secure DNS servers to protect your privacy. This means that your DNS requests are not sent unencrypted over the internet.
  • Double VPN: Bitdefender VPN offers a double VPN feature that routes your traffic through two VPN servers. This can help to improve your privacy and security.
  • No-log policy: Bitdefender VPN has a strict no-log policy. This means that the company does not collect any data about your online activities.
  • Secure jurisdiction: Bitdefender VPN is based in Romania, which is a privacy-friendly jurisdiction. This means that the company is not subject to data retention laws that could force it to collect or share your data.
  • Independent audits: Bitdefender VPN has been independently audited by Cure53, a leading security firm. The audit found that Bitdefender VPN is secure and that it does not collect any data about its users.
  • AES-256 encryption: Bitdefender VPN uses the AES-256 encryption protocol, which is considered to be one of the most secure encryption protocols available. This means that your data is encrypted and cannot be read by anyone, not even Bitdefender.
  • Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS): Bitdefender VPN uses PFS, which means that the encryption keys are changed for each new VPN session. This makes it more difficult for anyone to crack the encryption keys, even if they have access to one of the keys a previous session.
  • HMAC authentication: Bitdefender VPN uses HMAC authentication, which ensures that the data that is sent and received between your device and the VPN server is not tampered with.
  • DNS leak protection: Bitdefender VPN has DNS leak protection, which prevents your DNS requests being sent unencrypted over the internet. This helps to protect your privacy and security.
Hola VPN

Hola

  • 256-bit AES encryption: This is the same encryption used by the military and financial institutions, and it is considered to be unbreakable.
  • Kill switch: This feature prevents your internet traffic leaking if the VPN connection drops.
  • DNS leak protection: This feature prevents your DNS queries being intercepted by third parties.
  • IPSec/IKEv2 protocol: This protocol is considered to be one of the most secure VPN protocols available.
  • 256-bit AES encryption: This is the most commonly used encryption protocol for VPNs. It is considered to be unbreakable and provides a high level of security.
  • IKEv2/IPSec protocol: This is a newer VPN protocol that is considered to be more secure than older protocols, such as PPTP and L2TP.
  • Split tunneling: This feature allows you to choose which apps or websites will use the VPN and which will use your regular internet connection. This can be useful for gaming or streaming, where you want to get the best possible speeds.

Privacy Features

This section looks at the privacy features of Hola VPN vs Bitdefender VPN in terms of country of jurisdiction (five-eyes surveillance) no-logging policy, independent auditing, and more.

Winner is:

Bitdefender VPN offers a strict no-log policy, ensuring the anonymity of its users. It's headquartered in Romania, outside the Five Eyes surveillance alliance jurisdiction. However, they don't support crypto payments or provide independent audits. Hola VPN's location in Israel, a Five Eyes ally, raises privacy concerns. They don't have a strict no-log policy and lack independent auditing. While Hola supports crypto payments, the overall privacy features aren't as robust as Bitdefender. Hence, Bitdefender VPN is the clear winner in terms of privacy features.

Bitdefender VPN

Bitdefender VPN

  • No-log policy: Bitdefender VPN has a strict no-log policy. This means that the company does not collect any data about your online activities, such as the websites you visit, the files you download, or the amount of data you use.
  • Secure jurisdiction: Bitdefender VPN is based in Romania, which is a privacy-friendly jurisdiction. This means that the company is not subject to data retention laws that could force it to collect or share your data.
  • Independent audits: Bitdefender VPN has been independently audited by Cure53, a leading security firm. The audit found that Bitdefender VPN is secure and that it does not collect any data about its users.
  • Kill switch: The kill switch is a feature that automatically disconnects your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This can help to prevent your real IP address being exposed.
  • Ad blocker: Bitdefender VPN includes an ad blocker that blocks ads and trackers. This can help to improve your browsing experience and protect your privacy.
  • Secure DNS: Bitdefender VPN uses its own secure DNS servers to protect your privacy. This means that your DNS requests are not sent unencrypted over the internet.
  • No connection logs: Bitdefender VPN does not keep any logs of your VPN connections. This means that the company does not know which servers you connect to, how long you are connected to each server, or what websites you visit while you are connected to the VPN.
  • No traffic logs: Bitdefender VPN does not keep any logs of your internet traffic. This means that the company does not know what websites you visit, what files you download, or how much data you use while you are connected to the VPN.
  • No metadata logs: Bitdefender VPN does not keep any metadata logs. This means that the company does not know your IP address, the time and date of your connections, or the amount of data you use.
Hola VPN

Hola

  • No logs policy: Hola VPN claims that it does not log any user data, including your IP address, browsing history, or traffic data.
  • Kill switch: This feature prevents your internet traffic leaking if the VPN connection drops.
  • DNS leak protection: This feature prevents your DNS queries being intercepted by third parties.
  • Doesn't log your IP address: Hola VPN claims that it does not log your IP address. This means that your real IP address will not be visible to websites or other third parties when you are using Hola VPN.
  • Doesn't log your browsing activity: Hola VPN also claims that it does not log your browsing activity. This means that websites will not be able to track your browsing history or see what websites you have visited when you are using Hola VPN.
  • Doesn't log your traffic data: Hola VPN also claims that it does not log your traffic data. This means that Hola VPN will not be able to see what data you are sending or receiving when you are using the VPN.

Speed Features

This section explores the speed features of Bitdefender VPN and Hola VPN when it comes to server technology for download/upload speeds for streaming and torrenting.

Winner is:

Bitdefender VPN boasts superior speed performance compared to Hola VPN. According to third-party speed tests, Bitdefender consistently delivers high download and upload speeds, even on distant servers. This speed is crucial for seamless streaming and efficient torrenting. Hola VPN, however, often experiences speed drops, affecting the streaming experience on sites like Netflix and Hulu. Torrenting is also less efficient due to slower download speeds. Therefore, in terms of speed, Bitdefender VPN is the clear winner.

Bitdefender VPN

Bitdefender VPN

  • Over 4,000 servers: Bitdefender VPN has over 4,000 servers in over 80 countries. This gives you a lot of options for connecting to a server that is close to you, which can help to improve your speed and reduce latency.
  • P2P-optimized servers: Bitdefender VPN has dedicated servers for P2P file sharing. These servers are optimized for high speeds and low latency, making them ideal for downloading and uploading large files.
  • Obfuscated servers: Bitdefender VPN has obfuscated servers that can be used to bypass censorship and geo-restrictions. These servers encrypt your traffic twice, making it more difficult for censors to block.
  • Double VPN servers: Bitdefender VPN has double VPN servers that route your traffic through two VPN servers. This provides an extra layer of security and privacy.
  • Split tunneling: Bitdefender VPN allows you to choose which apps and websites use the VPN and which ones use your regular internet connection. This can be useful for things like streaming or gaming.
  • Catapult Hydra protocol: Bitdefender VPN uses the Catapult Hydra protocol, which is a proprietary protocol that is developed by Hotspot Shield. This protocol is designed to be fast and secure.
  • Large server network: Bitdefender VPN has a large server network with over 4,000 servers in over 80 countries. This gives you a lot of options for connecting to a server that is close to you, which can help to improve your speed.
  • Automatic server selection: Bitdefender VPN has an automatic server selection feature that will automatically connect you to the fastest server available.
  • Bandwidth throttling: Bitdefender VPN does not throttle bandwidth, which means that you can use as much data as you want without any speed restrictions.
Hola VPN

Hola

  • Number of servers: Hola VPN has over 1,000 servers in over 200 countries. This is a relatively small number of servers compared to other VPNs, such as NordVPN and ExpressVPN.
  • Server locations: Hola VPN has servers in most major countries, but it does not have servers in some smaller countries.
  • Server types: Hola VPN offers a variety of server types, including standard servers, P2P servers, and streaming servers.
  • Server speeds: Hola VPN claims to offer fast speeds, but this has been disputed by some users who have reported slower speeds, especially on long-distance connections.
  • Server uptime: Hola VPN claims to have a high uptime, but there have been reports of outages in the past.
  • Fast speeds: Hola VPN claims to offer fast speeds, especially on local connections. However, this has been disputed by some users who have reported slower speeds, especially on long-distance connections.
  • P2P network: Hola VPN uses a peer-to-peer network, which means that your traffic is routed through the devices of other Hola VPN users. This can result in slower speeds, especially if the other users have slow internet connections.
  • Limited encryption: Hola VPN uses a limited encryption protocol, which means that your data is not as secure as it would be with a VPN that uses stronger encryption.
  • Free plan: Hola VPN offers a free plan, but this plan is limited in terms of features and speeds. Free users may experience slower speeds and may be throttled by Hola VPN.

Streaming & Torrenting Features

This section compares the streaming and torrenting features and capabilities provided by Bitdefender VPN versus Hola VPN.

Popular Streaming Services
  • Netflix
  • Amazon Prime
  • Disney+
  • HBO Max
  • Paramount+
  • Hulu
  • Apple TV
  • Starz
  • ESPN+
  • Peacock
  • Canal Plus
  • Discovery Plus

Winner is:

Bitdefender VPN and Hola VPN differ significantly in terms of unblocking streaming services and torrenting. Bitdefender offers a more robust service, reliably unblocking major platforms like Netflix and supporting safe, anonymous torrenting. Hola VPN, however, has faced criticism for not being as reliable in unblocking streaming services and its peer-to-peer (P2P) structure raises security concerns for torrenting. Considering these factors, Bitdefender VPN emerges as the winner for its superior performance in unblocking streaming services and safer torrenting capabilities.

Bitdefender VPN

Bitdefender VPN

  • Unblocks geo-restricted content: Bitdefender VPN can be used to unblock geo-restricted content. This means that you can access streaming services and websites that are not available in your region.
  • Fast speeds: Bitdefender VPN offers good speeds for streaming. In tests, it has been shown to be able to maintain speeds of up to 80 Mbps, which is fast enough for most streaming services.
  • No buffering: Bitdefender VPN does not cause buffering when streaming. This is because the VPN encrypts your traffic, which can help to improve your connection stability.
  • Easy to use: Bitdefender VPN is easy to use for streaming. Simply connect to a server in the region where the content you want to watch is available and start streaming.
  • Allows P2P file sharing: Bitdefender VPN allows P2P file sharing. This means that you can use the VPN to download and share files using BitTorrent and other P2P protocols.
  • Fast speeds: Bitdefender VPN offers good speeds for torrenting. In tests, it has been shown to be able to maintain speeds of up to 80 Mbps, which is fast enough for most torrenting needs.
  • No IP leaks: Bitdefender VPN has a strict no-logs policy and does not leak your IP address when you are torrenting. This means that your ISP cannot see what you are downloading or sharing.
  • Secure and private: Bitdefender VPN uses strong encryption to protect your data when you are torrenting. This means that your data is safe prying eyes.
  • Easy to use: Bitdefender VPN is easy to use for torrenting. Simply connect to a server and start downloading or sharing files.
Hola VPN

Hola

  • Streaming: Hola VPN claims to be able to unblock streaming services, such as Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. However, there have been reports that Hola VPN is not always successful in unblocking these services.
  • P2P streaming: Hola VPN supports P2P streaming, which means that you can use it to download torrents. However, it is important to note that P2P streaming can be slow and may not be suitable for all users.
  • Streaming quality: The streaming quality of Hola VPN is not as good as some other VPNs. This is because Hola VPN uses a peer-to-peer network, which can result in slower speeds and buffering.
  • Does not support torrenting: Hola VPN does not allow torrenting traffic on its network. This means you cannot use torrent clients like uTorrent or Popcorn Time with Hola VPN.
  • Blocks BitTorrent protocol: Hola VPN blocks the BitTorrent protocol, which is the most common protocol used for torrenting. This means that you cannot connect to torrent swarms or download files using BitTorrent.
  • No kill switch: A kill switch is a feature that automatically disconnects your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This is important for torrenting, as it prevents your real IP address being exposed if the VPN connection fails. Hola VPN does not have a kill switch.
  • Low security: Hola VPN uses outdated encryption protocols and has a history of security vulnerabilities. This makes it a risky choice for torrenting, as your data could be exposed to third parties.

Support Features

This section looks at what kind of customer support you can expect from Hola VPN versus Bitdefender VPN.

Winner is:

Bitdefender VPN provides 24/7 customer support through email, live chat, and phone, offering quick and professional assistance. Hola VPN, on the other hand, mostly relies on email and a self-service knowledge base. The lack of immediate support options can be frustrating for users facing urgent issues. Considering this, Bitdefender VPN wins in terms of customer support, as it provides more comprehensive and immediate assistance, which is crucial for troubleshooting and ensuring seamless VPN usage.

Bitdefender VPN

Bitdefender VPN

  • 24/7 live chat: Bitdefender VPN offers 24/7 live chat support. This means that you can get help a customer support representative at any time of day or night.
  • Email support: Bitdefender VPN also offers email support. This is a good option if you need to send a more detailed message or attach files.
  • Knowledge base: Bitdefender VPN has a comprehensive knowledge base that covers a wide range of topics. This can be a helpful resource if you are having trouble with the VPN or need to learn more about how it works.
  • Social media: Bitdefender VPN is also active on social media. You can contact the company through their Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn pages.
Hola VPN

Hola

  • Contact methods: Hola VPN offers customer support through email, live chat, and a knowledge base.
  • Response time: Hola VPN claims to have a 24/7 customer support team, but there have been reports of long wait times for responses.
  • Knowledge base: Hola VPN has a comprehensive knowledge base that covers a variety of topics, such as how to install and use the VPN, troubleshooting tips, and frequently asked questions.
  • Satisfaction: There have been mixed reviews about the customer support of Hola VPN. Some users have said that they were happy with the help they received, while others have said that they were not satisfied with the response time or the quality of the help they received.

Check out how Bitdefender VPN and Hola VPN stack up against other popular VPN services on the market.