Compare Hola VPN, Planet VPN, and Browsec VPN: Which Extension is the Best?
We tested Hola VPN to unblock sites and streaming. It’s easy and fast for geo‑access, but the free plan has time limits and privacy trade‑offs. Premium is smoother, yet pricey for what you get. | Planet VPN offers unlimited free use with no registration, a kill switch, ad blocking, and multiple protocols. Premium unlocks 60+ locations, 1200+ servers, streaming, P2P, and special servers. | Browsec VPN works without registration and unblocks common sites. The free tier is slower and limited in locations, but fine for light tasks. Premium adds faster servers and more countries. | |
| Key Features A summary of the most important features offered by each extension. |
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| Our Rating Tooltivity's expert review score for each extension, based on hands-on testing and research. | 7.5 | 8.5 Winner in this category | 8.2 |
| Total users Total active users across all major browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. | 5,330,291 | 2,500,558 | 9,468,768 Winner in this category |
| Total ratings Total number of user ratings received across all supported browsers. | 368,340 Winner in this category | 28,798 | 43,793 |
| Average rating Average user rating across all browsers, calculated from available store ratings. | 4.3 ⭐ | 4.4 ⭐ Winner in this category | 4.0 ⭐ |
| Entry Level Price The minimum price required to start using the extension. "Free" means a free tier is available. | Free | Free | Free |
| Chrome User rating and stats for the extension on Chrome browser. |  4.8 2.96 Average Chrome Web Store rating from the last 100 reviews 5.0M+Users Winner in this category | 4.6 3.61 Average Chrome Web Store rating from the last 100 reviews 2.0M+Users | 4.4 4.48 Average Chrome Web Store rating from the last 100 reviews 7.0M+Users |
| Edge User rating and stats for the extension on Edge browser. |  3.7 3.90 Average Microsoft Edge Store rating from the last 100 reviews 330.3K+Users | 4.3 4.81 Average Microsoft Edge Store rating from the last 100 reviews 405.2K+Users Winner in this category | 3.8 4.53 Average Microsoft Edge Store rating from the last 100 reviews 1.5M+Users |
| Firefox User rating and stats for the extension on Firefox browser. | - |  4.4 4.46 Average Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store rating from the last 100 reviews 95.3K+Users Winner in this category | 3.9 3.93 Average Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store rating from the last 100 reviews 492.6K+Users |
| Safari User rating and stats for the extension on Safari browser. | - | - | - |
| Features Tooltivity's expert score for the 'Features' aspect of each extension. | 8.0 Hola VPN standout strength is geo‑unblocking: in our tests, it opened regional libraries on major platforms after a few reconnects when needed. Per‑tab routing is genuinely useful—being able to set different countries for different tabs keeps workflows simple when you need multi‑region access at once. Premium’s allowance of up to 10 devices is generous for households and multi‑device users, and removing time limits meaningfully improves everyday use. Depth is where Hola lags; there’s no kill switch, no WireGuard or OpenVPN option, no ad/malware blocking, and no multi‑hop—features many competitors include by default. | 8.4 Planet VPN stands out for its instant, no-registration start, which is still rare among VPNs and makes it easy to try without any commitment. The free plan covers the basics, but the Premium upgrade adds significant depth: over 60 locations, more than 1200 servers, P2P support, and streaming-optimized servers. Security features like a kill switch and multiple protocol options are included, and advanced users will appreciate router configurations and special servers such as Double VPN and Onion-over-VPN. The browser extension’s smart filter is handy for basic ad and site-level controls, though it doesn’t fully replace a dedicated ad blocker. Winner in this category | 8.0 Browsecs' smart settings for each website are really useful for controlling when the VPN is used or bypassed. The selection of locations is limited in the free version, but is significantly expanded in the premium version and includes around 46 countries. Premium extras such as time zone spoofing and faster servers help with region adjustment and speed-dependent tasks. We were pleasantly surprised to find that you can disable the display of promotional offers in the settings.  Although it covers the basics well, it lacks some of the advanced control options that power users would expect. |
| Performance Tooltivity's expert score for the 'Performance' aspect of each extension. | 7.9 Speeds were good enough for HD streaming in many regions, though not top‑tier versus leading competitors. Stability varied by country and time of day; reconnecting typically resolved buffering or access hiccups. Availability can be limited in some regions due to external restrictions, which may temporarily impact reliability. Winner in this category | 7.8 On the free tier, speeds are generally good for browsing and light streaming, though they can fluctuate during busy periods. Premium servers are noticeably faster and more stable, especially for region switching and streaming. Streaming-optimized and P2P servers further improve the experience for those specific needs. | 7.6 Connections usually establish quickly, and region switches are smooth. Free speeds can be slow but are acceptable for reading, messaging, and basic media. Premium servers feel faster and more consistent, improving page loads and stability. Performance varies by server choice and network conditions, and in some regions with strict blocking, reliability can fluctuate. |
| Design Tooltivity's expert score for the 'Design' aspect of each extension. | 8.0 The interface is clean, with a clear connect button and country picker that make first‑time use straightforward. Per‑tab controls are intuitive in the extension, with obvious feedback when a tab is routed through a different location. Status indicators are easy to read, and switching countries is quick without diving into dense settings. One caveat: behavior differs between the extension (tab‑level) and desktop app (system‑level), which can confuse new users until they understand the default scope. | 8.0 The extension’s user interface is clean, intuitive, and easy to navigate. Connecting, switching servers, and adjusting settings is straightforward, and the design is consistent across platforms, making it easy to use whether you’re on desktop or mobile. Advanced options are available but not overwhelming, keeping things approachable for beginners while still offering depth for experienced users. The only minor drawback is that special servers could be highlighted or grouped more clearly in the server list. | 8.4 The interface centers on a clear toggle and a simple country picker, so it’s easy to understand at a glance. Status states are obvious, and switching regions takes only a couple of clicks. The layout avoids clutter, keeping important actions near the surface. Labels and flows are intuitive even for non-technical users. Some users report occasional prompts or pop-ups that can interrupt the experience. Winner in this category |
| Value for Money Tooltivity's expert score for the 'Value for Money' aspect of each extension. | 7.5 The free tier is genuinely useful for occasional unblocking despite time limits, making it an easy try‑before‑you‑buy option. Premium improves speed, removes time limits, and adds multi‑device support, but pricing is higher than rivals that also deliver stronger privacy and more features. Long‑term plans look cheap per month, but require big upfront payments and commitment. Support is mostly form‑based without the richer help channels common at similar or lower prices, which affects perceived value. | 9.0 The free plan is generous, offering unlimited time and bandwidth, which is great for casual use and basic privacy needs. Premium pricing is especially competitive on long-term plans, with the multi-year option undercutting many rivals for similar features. The monthly plan is standard for the market, but the real value is in the yearly and multi-year deals. Premium also includes streaming optimization, P2P support, special servers, and 24/7 support, making it a strong value compared to other mid-tier VPNs. Winner in this category | 8.3 The free plan is actually usable for light tasks, which is rare and appreciated. The annual and two-year plans offer competitive monthly pricing versus similar browser VPNs. Premium meaningfully improves the experience with faster servers and many more locations. For casual to moderate browser use, it’s a good deal; heavy streamers or torrenters may prefer full desktop VPNs. Occasional slowdowns on the free tier can affect perceived value for some users. |
| Ease of Use Tooltivity's expert score for the 'Ease of Use' aspect of each extension. | 8.6 The Installation is quick, and you can test without setting up an account on the extension. The learning curve is minimal—click to connect, pick a country, and browse. Troubleshooting flows like “No, fix it” help refresh a stuck connection. Country switching is fast, and per‑tab routing keeps things flexible for casual streaming and site access. A quirk worth noting: on the free plan, sessions can stop or reset with navigation if you expect app‑wide coverage—using the desktop app helps when you want persistent browser‑wide unblocking. | 8.9 Getting started is nearly instant, thanks to the lack of a sign-up requirement on the free plan. The learning curve is minimal—just pick a region, connect, and browse. Upgrading to Premium is simple and well-explained, so users can easily scale up if they need more features or better performance. Occasionally, free users may need to retry connecting to a server during peak hours, but this is a minor inconvenience and typical for free VPNs. | 9.0 Installation is quick, and connecting takes seconds with no signup required on the free tier. The learning curve is minimal thanks to straightforward settings and a clean layout. Region switching is fast and reliable for general browsing. Smart Settings are easy to configure and remember, making per-site behavior hassle-free. Overall, it’s one of the most approachable browser VPNs for beginners. Winner in this category |
| Security & Privacy Tooltivity's expert score for the 'Security & Privacy' aspect of each extension. | 3.5 Hola’s policy includes collecting IP and usage logs retained for up to 12 months, which won’t suit privacy‑focused users. Protocol support is limited; it can fall back to older protocols and lacks modern options like WireGuard/OpenVPN and a kill switch. There’s an inconsistency between marketing claims and the breadth of data collection disclosed in policy documents—another red flag for privacy purists. The historic peer‑to‑peer approach for free users and lack of third‑party no‑logs audits further reduce our confidence for sensitive use cases. | 8.7 Planet VPN claims a strict no-logs policy and includes a kill switch, both essential for privacy. Strong encryption and multiple protocol choices let users balance speed and security. However, the free version is ad-supported via AdMob, which introduces a privacy trade-off that some users may not appreciate, even though consent prompts are provided. The company is based in Romania and outlines a minimal-data policy and a clear stance on court-ordered data requests, but as always, trust depends on your interpretation of their disclosures and your personal threat model. Winner in this category | 7.8 Browsec encrypts browser traffic and is helpful on public Wi‑Fi or untrusted networks. It states it does not sell data and limits use to core functionality, which is good to see. Accounts can be anonymous IDs with optional email, and operational data is recorded when the service is active for performance monitoring. As a browser extension, protection is limited to the browser and isn’t system-wide. We didn’t find independent audits or strong transparency reports, so privacy assurances rely on the policy. |
| Conclusion A summary of our findings and final thoughts for each extension. | If you mainly need quick, hassle‑free access to geo‑blocked sites, Hola is effective and very easy to use. Per‑tab country control is handy, and we could reach major streaming sites after a few retries when needed. The trade‑off is privacy. Hola’s policy includes IP and usage logging (retained up to 12 months) and a history of a peer‑to‑peer model for free users. That’s a deal‑breaker if you want strict anonymity or advanced security features. We recommend Hola as a lightweight unblocking tool, especially for casual streaming on a budget. For stronger privacy, deeper features, and more consistent speeds, consider Surfshark, Proton VPN, or NordVPN. | If you need quick privacy without sign-up, the free plan is one of the easiest ways to get started. It worked reliably for light browsing and basic geo-blocking in our tests. If you care about consistent speeds, more regions, and smooth streaming, Premium is the real value—especially the long-term plans, which are priced aggressively for what you get. We appreciate the no-logs stance and kill switch, but free-tier advertising and some user concerns around browser behavior mean you should review settings and permissions carefully before relying on it for everything. | If you want a quick way to unblock sites or add a basic privacy layer, Browsec’s free tier is a friendly starting point. The one-click setup and no-registration flow make it accessible for anyone. If you need more locations and steadier speed, premium is reasonably priced and delivers a noticeable upgrade. Still, think of Browsec as a convenient browser VPN, not a full system-wide solution. Overall, we like Browsec for what it is: simple, approachable, and honest about its scope. It’s not the fastest, but for light everyday use, it works well. |
| Our Recommendation | In our comparison between Hola VPN, Planet VPN, and Browsec VPN, Planet VPN came out on top, scoring 8.5. Browsec VPN is the most widely used, with over 9 million users and 44k+ reviews, but Planet VPN outperformed it in our review. User reviews for Planet VPN and Browsec VPN reflect our findings, while we rate Hola VPN lower than users do. Notably, Planet VPN has the highest user rating in the Chrome Web Store at 4.41, which supports its strong performance in our review. There are some noticeable differences between these extensions, so it's worth considering your priorities and the details below.
If you want a quick recommendation, Planet VPN is our top pick. But as always, the best choice depends on what matters most to you. | ||
