Compare SetupVPN, NordVPN, Planet VPN, and Hola VPN: Which Extension is the Best?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

NordVPN's pricing is competitive for the feature set offered, but it's not the cheapest option available. The long-term plans provide the best value, with the 2-year Basic plan offering significant savings at €3.09 per month.

The Plus and Ultimate plans add considerable value with additional services like NordPass and NordLocker, making them attractive for users who need comprehensive security solutions. However, the monthly pricing can be expensive for users who only need basic VPN functionality.

The 30-day money-back guarantee provides some protection against buyer's remorse, though the lack of a free trial means users must commit to a subscription to test the service.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.