Compare Urban VPN Proxy and TimeOWare: 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.
TimeOWare helps you track and manage your online time easily. With its simple design and easy website blocking, TimeOWare is a valuable tool for enhancing digital well-being.
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.
  • Time Tracking: Easily see how much time you spend on each website.
  • Daily Usage Stats: Get a clear overview of your daily online activity.
  • Website Blocking: Block distracting sites with a simple click.
  • Privacy-Focused: No data is transmitted; everything stays on your device.
  • Open Source: Check out the code on GitHub for transparency.
Our Rating
7.4
8.5
Total users
6,463,814
216
Total ratings
56,408
3
Average rating
4.4 ⭐
5.0 ⭐
Entry Level PriceFreeFree
Chrome
Chrome Web Store logo
4.7
4.63
53.0K+ ratings
5.0M+Users
Chrome Web Store logo
5.0
5.0
3 ratings
216Users
Edge
Microsoft Edge Store logo
4.4
4.05
946 ratings
1.3M+Users
-
Firefox
Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store logo
4.2
3.86
2.5K+ ratings
154.7K+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.

7.0

TimeOWare offers basic functions for checking the time spent on websites. These include time recording on websites, where the percentage of total time taken up by each website is displayed directly in real-time in a statistic.

statistics

Another feature is the blocking of websites. Websites can easily be blocked manually if you think that you no longer want to use this website. Here we would like to see the manual blocking of websites.

block websites

However, it lacks advanced features such as detailed analytics or customizable alerts that some users may find useful. Nevertheless, the core features are well implemented and serve the main purpose of improving digital well-being.

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.

9.0

TimeOWare works reliably, with no noticeable slowdowns or performance issues during use.
The extension runs in the background and provides real-time updates on time spent without affecting browser speed.

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.

7.5

The design of TimeOWare is clear and intuitive, making it easy to find your way around immediately. All available functions can be used directly. The minimalist interface ensures that users are clearly shown which websites may pose problems for their digital well-being. In our tests, however, we found that there could be a little more customization options to adapt the displays to our own needs.

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.

9.0

As a completely free tool, TimeOWare offers excellent value for money as it provides essential time management features at no cost whatsoever.
The open-source nature of the extension also adds value as it allows users to review and modify the code if desired.
The only reason it doesn't get full marks is that some features offered by competitors are not yet available.

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.

8.5

TimeOWare is easy to use, with little set-up time.
Once installed, it starts tracking time immediately. Likewise, the limited settings are self-explanatory and should be easy for anyone to understand.

settings

In our tests, we noticed that if several tabs are opened next to each other, they are also added up in the extension at the same time. The total number of hours is therefore higher than the actual number in the browser. This can be somewhat confusing for new users.

total time
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.

10

TimeOWare is characterized by security and privacy, as it does not transmit any user data to the outside world and all information is only stored offline on the user's device.
This privacy-focused approach is a key benefit for users who are concerned about data security. Users can also check the code used on GitHub themselves if they have any concerns.

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.

TimeOWare is a great choice for anyone who wants to manage their online time more effectively and realize how much time is spent on websites.

Its simple design and privacy-focused approach make it, in our opinion, a standout option in the time management space.

We felt in testing that a little more customization and even more features could further improve the extension. Overall, however, we think TimeOWare is already a valuable tool for anyone looking to improve their digital well-being.

Our Recommendation

In our comparison between Urban VPN Proxy and TimeOWare, TimeOWare came out on top, scoring 8.5.

Urban VPN Proxy is the most widely used, with over 6 million users and 56k+ reviews, but TimeOWare outperformed it in our review. We rate Urban VPN Proxy and TimeOWare lower than users do.

Notably, TimeOWare has the highest user rating in the Chrome Web Store at 5.00, which is even higher than our rating of 8.5.

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


  • Looking for the richest feature set? Urban VPN Proxy stands out with a rating of 8. On the other hand, TimeOWare lags behind in this area with a rating of 7.
  • Need top performance? TimeOWare stands out with a rating of 9. On the other hand, Urban VPN Proxy lags behind in this area with a rating of 5.5.
  • Design lovers, take note: Urban VPN Proxy stands out with a rating of 8. On the other hand, TimeOWare lags behind in this area with a rating of 7.5.
  • Want to get the most for your money? TimeOWare stands out with a rating of 9. On the other hand, Urban VPN Proxy lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.
  • If you hate complicated tools, Urban VPN Proxy stands out with a rating of 9. On the other hand, TimeOWare lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.5.
  • With privacy and security becoming ever more important, TimeOWare stands out with a rating of 10. On the other hand, Urban VPN Proxy lags behind in this area with a rating of 6.

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