Compare Urban VPN Proxy, Hola VPN, and SetupVPN: Which Extension is the Best?

Urban VPN Proxy offers a free VPN service with additional integrated functions such as adblocking. There are only concerns about the comprehensive data collection.
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.
SetupVPN offers a free VPN service with limited features. While it provides basic privacy protection, it has significant limitations and frequently ads.
Key Features
  • IP Address Masking: Allows users to change their IP location to any of the 77 available countries.
  • Ad-Blocking: Protects against annoying ads and mining websites.
  • Encryption: Complies with the latest OpenVPN standards for secure browsing.
  • No Additional Software Required: Easy installation as a browser extension.
  • Free Service: Offers a vast network of 530+ VPN servers without a subscription fee.
  • Country switching per tab: Pick a different location for each tab or site.
  • One‑click unblocking: Connect and switch countries in seconds.
  • Free and Premium tiers: Free use with time limits; Premium removes limits.
  • Multi‑device (Premium): Use on up to 10 devices with one subscription.
  • Split/multi‑tunneling approach: Routes traffic efficiently to improve speed.
  • Streaming access: Unblocks many regional libraries; occasional retries needed.
  • Free Version: Access to five different countries.
  • Ease of Use: Simple interface suitable for beginners.
  • Basic Privacy: Provides basic privacy protection.
Our Rating
7.4
7.5
6.3
Total users
7,448,453
5,333,592
13,707,482
Total ratings
59,601
368,283
53,410
Average rating
4.4 ⭐
4.3 ⭐
4.4 ⭐
Entry Level PriceFreeFreeFree
Chrome
Chrome Web Store logo
4.7
4.10
56.1K+ ratings
6.0M+Users
Chrome Web Store logo
4.8
3.26
367.8K+ ratings
5.0M+Users
Chrome Web Store logo
4.7
1.75
47.3K+ ratings
13.0M+Users
Edge
Microsoft Edge Store logo
4.4
4.46
984 ratings
1.3M+Users
Microsoft Edge Store logo
3.7
3.82
478 ratings
333.6K+Users
Microsoft Edge Store logo
4.0
4.27
988 ratings
636.6K+Users
Firefox
Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store logo
4.2
3.86
2.5K+ ratings
154.7K+Users
-
Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store logo
4.4
3.32
5.1K+ ratings
70.9K+Users
Safari
-
-
-
Features
8.0

Several features are included in the free Urban VPN Proxy. The most obvious is IP address masking, which allows VPN access to servers in over 80 countries.

vpn

An adblocking function is also integrated as an add-on, which reduces unwanted advertising while surfing and also protects against mining websites.

adblocking

However, advanced security features such as a kill switch or multi-hop connections, which are available in some premium VPNs, are missing here, probably due to the free version.

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.

7.0

SetupVPN offers basic VPN functions with limited free access. With free access, you have the choice of 5 countries to log in to for 30 minutes at a time. When using the premium version, these limitations do not apply, but here too there is a lack of advanced security features like those offered by competitors.

Performance
5.5

The performance of Urban VPN Proxy was good at the beginning of the tests, the connection speed and server availability were also okay, but could be even better in our tests. Especially at peak times, when the server load is high, you notice a sharp drop in speed.
After longer testing, the connection drops and throttled speeds became more and more frequent at peak times. The performance may still be sufficient for occasional users, but those who need a stable connection will not find what they are looking for with the free 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.

4.5

SetupVPN offers basic performance for occasional use. The free version has limited server locations, but the premium version offers better speed and reliability.
Our tests included establishing a VPN connection to London and then using online services to try to localize the location. It turned out that in some cases the actual location was still localized and not London. From our point of view, a continuous secure connection is therefore not guaranteed.

Design
8.0

The design of Urban VPN Proxy is clear and simple. Every user is immediately shown the basic functions and these can be switched on and off directly as required.
The design could be a little more customizable and generally look a little more modern.

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.

7.0

The design of SetupVPN is simple and intuitive. However, the layout in the free version is very dubious and annoying due to the excessive number of advertisements.

Value for Money
8.0

Urban VPN Proxy is free and has a good price-performance ratio. With access to over 530 servers without a subscription fee, it's perfect for any basic user. You also get additional functions such as adblocking for free.

However, it should be noted and clear to everyone that you “pay” for the use by saving your tracked data through the 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.

6.0

In this category, the extension performs completely differently if you are looking for a free or premium extension.
The costs for the premium version are reasonable compared to the competition. However, it should be noted that many other providers have even more functions that can be used at the same time. Here you only get the VPN service.
With the free version, you have the option of selecting 5 different countries. Due to the presence of a lot of advertising and performance problems with the VPN, there are much better alternatives for free users.

Ease of Use
9.0

Urban VPN Proxy is a very easy-to-use tool overall. The installation process is quick and uncomplicated, and you can start establishing a VPN connection immediately after installation. Every user should have no problems with it, only the performance problems can cause some users to despair.

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.

8.0

Setting up the extension is straightforward. A connection can be established immediately after installation and you can even test whether the connection works. Nobody should have any problems here.

Security & Privacy
6.0

Urban VPN Proxy offers basic encryption according to OpenVPN standards. Due to the VPN function, you initially browse the websites anonymously. At the same time, however, the service collects precisely this web browsing data for itself. The data is collected in an anonymized format. The browser extension also lacks a clear no-logs policy and other advanced security functions, which also affects the rating in this category.

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.

5.0

SetupVPN offers only basic privacy protection, with limited security features. However, the many advertisements in the free version raise concerns about data collection. Many who use a VPN want to use it precisely so that their data is not stored. From our point of view, a VPN service with such many advertisements is very dubious.

Conclusion

Urban VPN Proxy is a perfect choice for those looking for a free VPN service with basic features.


It stands out for its ease of use and offers a wide range of server locations.
The only drawback is the extensive data collection. After all, this is explicitly pointed out several times before use and active consent is required.


Overall, the service offers good value for money. However, if you want to use a VPN because of the anonymity on the Internet, you will have to use a different option due to the extensive data collection.

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.

SetupVPN is a good choice for users who are only rarely looking for a simple, free VPN service. While it offers privacy features, it has strong drawbacks, such as dubious frequent advertising and limited free access. For those who need more robust privacy and security features, the premium version might be worth considering, but there should be better alternatives. Overall, we agree with the current reviews from other users that there are much better alternatives.

Our Recommendation

In our comparison between Urban VPN Proxy, Hola VPN, and SetupVPN, Hola VPN came out on top, scoring 7.5.

SetupVPN is the most widely used, with over 14 million users and 53k+ reviews, but Hola VPN outperformed it in our review. We rate Urban VPN Proxy, Hola VPN, and SetupVPN lower than users do.

Notably, Urban VPN Proxy has the highest user rating in the Chrome Web Store at 4.44, which is even higher than our rating of 7.4.

There are some noticeable differences between these extensions, so it's worth considering your priorities and the details below.


  • Can't decide on features? It's a close call: Urban VPN Proxy and Hola VPN. In the Features category, Urban VPN Proxy has scored a solid 8. It covers the essential features well, though there is potential for further enhancement.
  • Need top performance? Hola VPN stands out with a rating of 7.9. On the other hand, SetupVPN lags behind in this area with a rating of 4.5.
  • Both look and feel great: Urban VPN Proxy and Hola VPN. In the Design category, Urban VPN Proxy has scored a solid 8. The design is functional and generally pleasing, but not without some minor flaws.
  • Want to get the most for your money? Urban VPN Proxy stands out with a rating of 8. On the other hand, SetupVPN lags behind in this area with a rating of 6.
  • If you hate complicated tools, Urban VPN Proxy stands out with a rating of 9. On the other hand, SetupVPN lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.
  • With privacy and security becoming ever more important, Urban VPN Proxy stands out with a rating of 6. On the other hand, Hola VPN lags behind in this area with a rating of 3.5.

If you want a quick recommendation, Hola VPN is our top pick. But as always, the best choice depends on what matters most to you.