hide.me VPN Review 2024
hide.me VPN isn't just good - it's a highly-ranked VPN provider that has a spot on our list of the best VPN services. Nestled in Malaysia, away from the '14 Eyes Alliance' radar, hide.me VPN ensures a safe online experience without any meddling from external forces.
When we talk about digital privacy and security, hide.me doesn't mess around. It uses top-notch encryption like AES-256 and employs various VPN protocols, creating a solid shield against prying eyes. Plus, its externally-audited zero-logs policy and a track record devoid of data leaks make your online activities truly anonymous.
Another notable highlight is hide.me's commitment to user accessibility, marked by the inclusion of a legit free VPN. While not a substitute for premium offerings, this free tier serves as a valuable introduction to the service's capabilities.
Moreover, hide.me handles basic unblocking of streaming platforms and decently performs when it comes to P2P sharing and multiplayer gaming. Perhaps this is due to features like port forwarding, SOCKS proxy, server network coverage, and more.
However, there are a ton of great VPNs available on the global market, so who will this provider work best for? This hide.me VPN review will dive deep to answer that question. First, let's start by quickly checking out the key features of hide.me VPN's premium and free plans in this summary table.
This review will explore all aspects of this VPN, including its privacy policy, country of origin, device compatibility, server network, security features, and more. To learn more about our testing process, check this guide on how we review VPN services.
Background, Jurisdiction & Reputation
Coming from Malaysia, hide.me claims not to collect your personal data. Due to the absence of any leaks or breaches from the past, we trust those claims. Our Score: 9/10
When it comes to evaluating a VPN’s trustworthiness, the key factors to consider are its background, jurisdiction, and the rules it plays by. In this section of our hide.me review, we’ll examine how these factors apply to hide.me VPN.
Where Is hide.me VPN Based?
hide.me is based in Labuan, Malaysia, a country known for its authoritarian regime. This is one of the countries with the strictest laws, with heavy fines for various offenses.
On the one hand, this helps the country fight crime and keep different types of illegal activities to a bare minimum. On the other hand, this is enabling the government of Malaysia to impose censorship-oriented measures and fight against their opposition online.
And just recently, Malaysian authorities have begun their fight against online piracy. This is one of the reasons why VPNs are so popular in this country, and this is why we have a dedicated article on the best VPN for Malaysia.
eVenture Ltd., a Malaysian IT security firm led by CEO Sebastian Schaub, owns hide.me VPN, its only product. It has set up shop in a place where the law prevents anyone from asking it to record your data.
So, is it safe to trust hide.me to be your VPN provider? Well, even though it comes with strict laws, VPNs are legal in this country.
In addition, there are no reports of data centers being raided or VPNs being asked to hand over personal data. And there’s one more reassuring fact: this country hasn't been associated with the 5-Eyes Alliance.
Let’s also not forget the fact that hide.me claims to keep no records of its users’ online activities. The bottom line is this – even though Malaysia perhaps isn’t the most suitable country for a VPN business, it isn’t the worst either. The situation seems to be under control for now, and we can only hope that VPNs from this country won’t be under attack in the future.
Did hide.me Leak Personal Data in the Past?
No, hide.me has never leaked private data in the past. This can mean one of the following two things. Either they have high-end security that completely and fully blocks any unauthorized access, or they truly don’t keep any data about their users. We like to think it’s the latter.
Also, hide.me VPN follows a zero-logs policy and is among the pioneers in having an independent audit. And when it comes to data requests from the government, as stated in their Privacy Policy, the company will comply with a court order. However, they can't be forced to hand over information they don't have.
They only collect a valid email address when customers sign up. And if required by law to keep a log of customer activity, they'll inform customers and take steps to protect their privacy, such as relocating or closing the service.
All in all, we can say that hide.me is a trustworthy VPN. There’s no reason not to believe their claims that your personal data is never collected. They’ve been on the market since 2012, which is plenty of time for any online service to show its weaknesses. Since this didn’t happen, hide.me is easy to recommend – at least from this aspect.
Is hide.me VPN Safe?
Yes, hide.me is a safe VPN provider as it uses industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption. Its powerful encryption protects you from governments, ISPs, and malicious actors looking to spy on your data. Plus, it doesn’t store any logs of your online activities or your personal information.
It also offers a wide range of connection protocols, such as OpenVPN (UDP/TCP), WireGuard, IKEv2, SoftEther, and SSTP. Each one comes with a different mix of security, speed, and compatibility.
hide.me VPN not only passed a third-party audit in 2015 led by security specialist Leon Juranic but also consistently shares transparency reports. Additionally, it has several more security features, including built-in leak protection, custom DNS functionality, IPv6 support, Stealth Guard, a kill switch, and more.
Furthermore, hide.me VPN has earned the VTI Trust Seal, a mark of approval from the VPN Trust Initiative (VTI). VTI, launched in 2020 by the Internet Infrastructure Coalition, aims to enhance security, build trust, and reduce risks for VPN users.
The VTI Trust Seal is awarded to VPN providers who adhere to best practices in the VTI principle areas: security, advertising, privacy, disclosure, and transparency, as well as social responsibility. hide.me VPN has undergone VTI evaluation, confirming adherence to these standards. This accomplishment underscores hide.me's dedication to delivering a reliable VPN service.
Supported Platforms & Devices
hide.me supports a wide range of platforms and devices. You can also install it on a router to protect your entire household at once. Our Score: 10/10
When picking a VPN, make sure that you can use it on all your Web-connected devices. Here are all the platforms covered by hide.me, both natively and via manual configuration.
The platforms mentioned in the table above represent native apps offered by hide.me VPN. This means that in terms of desktop platforms, there are apps for Windows and macOS. You can also use this VPN on Linux, but you’ll have to configure it manually.
When it comes to mobile platforms, both Android and iOS are on the list. In terms of Web browsers, there are Firefox, Edge, and Chrome extensions.
Regarding other devices, there’s a native app for Fire OS, which will make you happy if you have one of Amazon’s media streaming devices in your home. And to protect any other device, you can install hide.me on a compatible router.
Lastly, hide.me now supports 10 simultaneous connections, which seems generous enough. The free version, however, allows connection for just one device.
Installation & Initial Configuration
There are no unneeded offers of any distractions here. You can install hide.me and begin using this VPN in under one minute. It’s as simple as that. Our Score: 10/10
Getting started with hide.me is easy. First, you need to subscribe to hide.me by choosing one of its subscription plans. You'll receive your username and password when you fill out your details and pay for the subscription.
Interestingly enough, you don’t need these to download one of hide.me’s native apps, which are freely available on its official site. But of course, you'll need your credentials to log in and start using the application.
So, download the app on your device and then double-click on the downloaded file to activate the installer. The application is very lightweight, and it’ll take a few seconds until it’s fully downloaded. The Installation Wizard comes with no distractions.
You can choose where to install the application, and the rest will be done automatically. You should be ready to use hide.me within a few seconds. Log in using your credentials, and this is where the real fun can begin.
If you want to install this VPN on a router, you’ll find nicely written guides for different routers. It’s important to say that even first-timers will easily find their way around this procedure.
Prominent Features
hide.me brings a compelling set of features, including split tunneling and a kill switch. However, it doesn't provide dedicated IPs. Our Score: 9/10
In this part of our hide.me review, we'll explore the features available on both the premium and free plans of hide.me VPN. What’s interesting about this VPN is that it’s constantly upgrading its feature set. Let’s take a closer look.
- Strong Encryption - Depending on the VPN protocol you choose, hide.me offers different encryption options. OpenVPN uses the industry-standard AES-256 encryption, while IKEv2 has both AES-128 and AES-256 encryption levels. WireGuard uses a different encryption suite consisting of ChaCha20, Curve25519, BLAKE2, Poly1305, SipHash24, and HKDF.
- Leak Protection - Now, with full IPv6 integration on all servers, hide.me VPN ensures smooth, encrypted connectivity across all devices, supporting both IPv4 and IPv6 protocols.
- StealthGuard - When you enable StealthGuard on Windows and macOS, you're adding an extra layer of security to your downloads. It allows you to limit certain apps or your entire internet connection to a VPN connection, ensuring that your IP address is always hidden from everyone, including your ISP.
- Kill Switch - This prevents accidental leaks of your private info, ensuring your online safety. You also have the option to run custom scripts whenever the kill switch is triggered or deactivated, for even more granular control over your online security. This feature is available on Windows, macOS, and iOS, and offers "Always-on" functionality on Android.
- Split Tunneling - Customize VPN protection by choosing which applications are protected by hide.me VPN. It's available on Windows, macOS, and Android. Unfortunately, hide.me VPN for iOS currently doesn't support split tunneling due to a lack of functionality offered by Apple to app developers.
- Port Forwarding - hide.me's Windows and macOS apps support dynamic port forwarding when connected. It utilizes dynamic port forwarding via the UPnP or NAT-PMP network protocol. This ensures enhanced security and efficiency by dynamically opening ports only when needed.
- SmartGuard - This feature ensures a cleaner and safer browsing experience using DNS filtering and a comprehensive database of known malicious sites and ad/tracker domains. It's available on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS apps.
- Fixed IP - hide.me VPN offers this feature through your account on their website. With a fixed IP, you can secure your own spot on the VPN server, guaranteeing a consistent IP address every time you connect. However, keep in mind that during peak server loads, others might also vie for the same IP address.
- Bolt “Fast Proxy” - Currently available only on the Windows app, this feature optimizes your connection for a smoother and faster online experience.
- SOCKS Proxy - All premium subscriptions include this speed-boosting feature when using the VPN. Alternatively, you can access SOCKS Proxy for free by using hide.me's supported browser extensions.
- Multihop - This hide.me VPN feature allows you to choose both an entry and exit server. In essence, your data is sent through two different server locations, adding an extra layer of protection. You can use Multihop servers on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS apps.
Server Count & Infrastructure
hide.me VPN now comes with around 2,400+ servers and super-fast 10 Gbps options. This expansion makes hide.me a much more attractive alternative to top-rated VPNs. Our Score: 7.5/10
Generally, the more servers a VPN service offers, the better. In this section, we’ll take a look at how many servers this VPN offers, whether you can select specific locations, and more.
During the previous months, hide.me VPN has been rapidly expanding its server network. For a long time, this VPN used to come with 160+ servers, but that's no longer the case. According to its official documentation, it now has 2,400+ servers spread across 50+ countries.
However, hide.me VPN goes beyond just the number of servers. It also offers obfuscation through the OpenVPN protocol to bypass censorship or hide your VPN usage. Moreover, hide.me VPN offers Multihop servers, which route your traffic through two VPN servers for enhanced security and privacy.
This definitely makes hide.me VPN a much better option right now. Still, it's also worth noting that you can easily find VPNs with the most servers. VPNs such as ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Private Internet Access (and plenty more) have between 3,000 and 6,000 servers, which puts some things in perspective.
The free version of hide.me VPN gives you access to only 7 free server locations. If you want to use all the servers, you'll need to upgrade your plan.
Additionally, all of hide.me VPN's servers are physical - they don't offer VPN virtual locations. These are self-maintained servers, meaning only hide.me VPN can access the hardware, ensuring your privacy.
hide.me VPN has also upgraded its network by adding super-fast 10 Gbps servers in several popular locations. This means you can enjoy blazing-fast speeds, rock-solid connections, and frequent network updates. hide.me VPN offers these servers in 61 locations (check the full list below).
UI/UX Design & Ease of Use
Navigating hide.me VPN is intuitive for beginners, with a recently updated Windows interface that offers more customization options right on the home screen. However, advanced users will still find a wealth of options for fine-tuning their experience. Our Score: 8/10
In this segment of our hide.me VPN review, we're checking out the VPN's desktop and mobile apps. Plus, we'll explore what it brings to the table in terms of Web browser extensions.
How Well Does hide.me VPN Work on Desktop Platforms?
hide.me VPN has recently undergone a design shift with the Windows app, prioritizing user configurability over a streamlined interface. You can now personalize the app's home screen with custom columns and widgets, creating a potentially information-rich experience. However, this flexibility comes with a potential trade-off, as the interface might appear cluttered to those who prefer a simpler layout.
Crucial information like your IP address, account details, and available server locations are displayed prominently, depending on which widgets you choose to include. This level of customization allows you to tailor the home screen to your specific needs.
For instance, if you frequently connect to specific servers, you can add them as favorites for one-tap access. Additionally, you can directly connect to a VPN server location right from the home screen without needing to navigate through menus.
On the top right side of the screen, you'll find three additional options for personalizing your experience and staying informed. The first one lets you change the app's theme to match your preferences. If you encounter any issues, you can easily report a problem directly through this menu. Finally, the message center keeps you updated with important announcements and updates from hide.me VPN.
To access all hide.me features and options, click on the hamburger menu (three vertical lines) in the upper left corner. The first tab here is the 'Dashboard,' and as you can expect, this is where you can customize the home screen and connect to hide.me VPN servers.
The next option in the menu is called 'Locations,' where you can connect to Standard, Streaming, and Multihop servers. For a more visual approach, the 'Locations' section conveniently allows you to switch to a 'Map' view with a simple click on the button located in the upper right corner of the screen. This way, you can browse or connect to servers based on their geographical location.
To establish a connection, simply clicking on 'Enable VPN' does the trick. Once connected, the blue connect button changes to vibrant lime green with a lock icon, assuring you that your connection is now safe and secure with hide.me.
The next menu option is called 'Features.' As the name suggests, it provides access to the various features of hide.me VPN, as detailed earlier in this review. Consider it a one-stop shop to explore the different tools and settings the VPN offers.
The "Socials" section is your gateway to interacting with hide.me VPN and exploring the Web with extra privacy in mind. It provides links to hide.me's social media channels (X, TikTok, Reddit, and Discord) to stay connected. For enhanced privacy while browsing, this section also offers access to 'Startpage,' a private search engine.
Now, we'll check hide.me VPN's 'Settings' menu. This is where you'll find five key tabs for fine-tuning your hide.me VPN experience. Here’s a quick overview of what you can customize on Windows:
- General: This tab covers the core settings of the app. Here you can find details like the app version, control startup behavior (launching automatically or connecting upon startup), manage notifications, change the display language, reset settings, and more.
- Protocol: You get to choose from 5 protocols here, each offering unique advantages. A backup protocol can also be set in case your primary choice encounters issues. It even offers advanced protocol settings to customize your connection further.
- Kill Switch: Here, you can configure hide.me VPN's kill switch feature. You can even add custom scripts to run whenever the kill switch is triggered or disabled.
- Lock App: This setting adds an extra layer of security by allowing you to lock the hide.me VPN app with a PIN. It ensures that only authorized users can access and modify your VPN settings.
- Advanced: This section grants control over the best server selection and allows the app to stay active during sleep for seamless protection. Plus, advanced users can fine-tune the MTU size for potentially optimal performance.
Lastly, hide.me VPN offers dedicated sections for account management and support at the sidebar's base. 'Your Account' centralizes information control, while 'Support' equips you with downloadable mobile apps (including download links to browser extensions), FAQs, and the option to submit tickets for support.
How Well Does hide.me VPN Work on Mobile Platforms?
hide.me VPN ensures a smooth experience on both Android and iOS, mirroring their home screens with minor setting differences. The intuitive design promotes easy navigation, making it accessible for users across platforms.
The bottom navigation panel on mobile platforms shares similar functions with their desktop counterparts, showcasing hide.me's commitment to a unified user experience. While the functionalities remain consistent, the layout and design adaptations for mobile platforms enhance usability.
However, customizing settings is easier on PCs than on mobile phones. Desktop apps give you more options, while mobile apps have fewer choices in this area.
As you can see in the image above, the split tunneling feature (present in Android), is absent on iOS. This might impact user preferences based on their device.
How Well Do hide.me VPN's Web Browser Extensions Work?
hide.me VPN offers free extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, but they have limitations on server locations. The extension suggests upgrading for full server access, but logging in directly through the extension isn't an option.
Clicking the 'Upgrade Now' button only takes you to the pricing page to buy a plan. This can be frustrating for premium account holders who can't access all server locations in the extension. Despite these issues, the extensions provide some useful settings, like making connections faster with the SOCKS proxy and disabling WebRTC to prevent IP leaks.
All in all, hide.me comes with a nicely designed UI. It’s simple enough for first-timers to use with no major issues. However, advanced users can also take advantage of it – as it allows plenty of fine-tuning. So, highly recommended!
Media Streaming, Torrenting, and Gaming Support
hide.me VPN works well for Netflix US and other content, but has trouble with other popular streaming sites like BBC iPlayer, Prime Video, and Hulu. However, you can still easily download torrents and play games with this VPN. Our Score: 6.5/10
Exploring the VPN landscape opens doors to a range of benefits, from secure gaming to seamless torrenting and content unblocking. Yet, discovering a VPN that truly stands out in these aspects can be a challenge. Now, let's uncover what hide.me VPN brings to the table.
Is hide.me Good for Streaming?
Yes, hide.me VPN is good enough for streaming. Our tests confirm its ability to easily unblock Netflix US and other global content libraries. However, it doesn't fare as well in unblocking Hulu, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and BBC iPlayer. Despite not being the best VPN for streaming, hide.me VPN remains a worthwhile consideration.
To show you, here's a table highlighting notable US-based streaming platforms that hide.me VPN successfully unblocks.
To complement this, here's another table showcasing international and non-US streaming services that hide.me VPN can unblock.
hide.me VPN offers 20 servers optimized for streaming. But to make the most of your streaming experience, a premium account is the way to go. The free version has limited server locations, making it less effective when you're aiming to unblock specific sites.
Is hide.me Good for Torrenting?
Yes, hide.me VPN is good when it comes to torrenting. hide.me VPN even claims that all of its servers support torrenting.
While it may not be the best VPN for torrenting, its premium features, such as port forwarding for faster speeds, StealthGuard and a kill switch crucial for protection against IP leaks during torrenting, and a SOCKS proxy for enhanced speed without encryption, make it a commendable option.
With these features, our torrenting experience was seamless, without any hiccups. As a result, we can confidently say that hide.me VPN proves to be a good choice for peer-to-peer (P2P) activities, without requiring dedicated servers for such use.
Is hide.me Good for Gaming?
Yes, hide.me is a good gaming VPN. Although it doesn't have dedicated gaming servers, it holds its ground in games like COD: Warzone, Valorant, and other lobby-based multiplayer games.
With built-in safeguards against DDoS attacks and a handy port forwarding feature to enhance cross-console connections, hide.me ensures a decent gaming experience.
For the best gaming setup, our advice is to choose a VPN server close to the game server. This not only minimizes latency but also guarantees lower ping times. Remember, the farther you go from the server location, the more it might impact performance.
And if you plan to use hide.me on a gaming console, you'll have to set up the connection on a supported router. Additionally, the fact that hide.me owns the eSports team Valiance speaks volumes about its dedication to providing top-notch gaming resources for an exceptional gaming experience.
Security & Privacy
Thanks to a combination of robust encryption and incredibly capable VPN protocols, hide.me VPN can protect your data in the best way possible. Our Score: 9/10
As we explore hide.me VPN's security features, we'll pay close attention to the range of VPN protocols it offers, inspect its logging policy, and check for its vulnerability to DNS/IP leaks. Let's dig into these aspects to get a complete picture of its overall security measures.
hide.me VPN Protocols
In terms of VPN protocols, you can count on OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2, SoftEther, and SSTP. Of course, not all of those are available across all of the supported platforms. However, you'll always get to count on OpenVPN, which is considered to be highly secure as it doesn’t have any significant weaknesses.
- OpenVPN (TCP/UDP): Whether you're using mobile, wired, or WiFi, OpenVPN is a dependable choice. It's easy to set up and especially great for desktop users.
- WireGuard: Found in all hide.me servers and apps, WireGuard is the latest cutting-edge protocol that uses advanced cryptography for top-notch security.
- IKEv2: Easy to set up and resilient, IKEv2 is an excellent overall choice, especially for home users. It supports strong encryption, operates smoothly over UDP, and can handle short-term network losses.
- SoftEther: Available only on Windows and Linux, SoftEther is a smart combination of IPsec and OpenVPN, making it a powerful VPN solution.
- SSTP: Ideal for fixing connection or speed issues, SSTP combines SSL and TCP technologies. While it might not be the fastest, it's a solid choice for overcoming firewalls and ISP throttling.
Does hide.me VPN Keep Logs?
No, hide.me VPN doesn't keep logs. Ever since it was established, this company took pride in its 'no-logs' policy. They promise not to collect your personal data, which means you can be completely anonymous on the Web.
To keep your privacy safe, hide.me VPN only collects your email, which is stored in a secure way on completely encrypted servers. They don't ask for or keep your name, IP address, physical address, or any other personal info.
Your email might be used to send you updates, like newsletters or promotions related to your account. But if you don't want these, you can always say no.
Finally, hide.me has been checked and certified by an independent security analyst, Leon Juranic (founder of DefenseCode), ensuring an additional layer of trust in their security measures.
Does hide.me Leak/Expose Your Private Data?
No, hide.me doesn't leak your private data. After doing an in-depth DNS leak test, we conclude that the VPN provider doesn’t actively leak any data.
As seen in the image above, our true location remains hidden. This implies that third parties online only see our virtual information, not our actual details. This includes our virtual IP, hostname, ISP, and country of origin.
Speed & Performance
hide.me won’t impress you with its performance. It’s far from being the slowest around, but we did expect much better results. Our Score: 7/10
Just like we do in our every VPN review, we’ll check hide.me for its performance in speed. For this purpose, we connected to both nearby and remote servers, testing the speed of our Web connection along the way.
To establish some baseline data, we check the speed of our Web connection (without hide.me running in the background). As you can see from the screenshot, we got 383.91 Mbps for downloads and 379.64 Mbps for uploads.
Here are the results:
- US Server (New York): This server was farthest from our current location in Asia, but hide.me still managed to maintain a solid connection. We experienced a 36% decrease in speed, which is reasonable for the distance. Our download speed clocked in at 251.37 Mbps, while the upload speed only reached 4.05 Mbps.
- UK Server (London): Surprisingly, the London server, also far from our location in Asia, showed robust performance. With only a 33% reduction, it delivered a download speed of 257.62 Mbps and an upload speed of 4.16 Mbps. hide.me's efficiency at this distance exceeded our expectations.
- Canada Server (Toronto): Connecting to the Toronto server, which is also relatively far from us, resulted in an expected drop in speed. We encountered a 57% reduction, with a download speed of 166.66 Mbps and an upload speed of 4.42 Mbps.
- Hong Kong Server (Hong Kong): As the closest server to our base in Asia, it's no surprise that the Hong Kong server delivered exceptional results. With a mere 15% reduction, it boasted a high download speed of 324.8 Mbps and an outstanding upload speed of 268.43 Mbps.
- Australia Server (Sydney): Contrary to our expectations, the Australian server, despite its proximity, didn't surpass the speeds of other servers. We observed a 43% reduction with a download speed of 218.53 Mbps and an upload speed of 4.13 Mbps. The performance, while acceptable, wasn't as commendable as some other locations.
- Italy Server (Milan): During our speed tests, this server displayed the most substantial speed reduction, with only 98.06 Mbps for downloads and 0.97 Mbps for uploads, indicating a 75% decrease. However, the results weren't surprising, given how far this server is from our current location.
Our speed tests show that hide.me slowed us down by an average of 43%. This kind of result is often seen in mediocre VPNs, especially in freshly released ones that need time to optimize their servers. This means that hide.me is somewhat disappointing, as we expected a much better result.
Customer Support
Thanks to many support channels available, we’re sure that hide.me can provide a timely response. Live chat is included as well. Our Score: 8.5/10
VPNs can be tricky to use, especially for first-timers. That’s why the most reputable VPN services have multiple ways to get help. Let’s see in what ways hide.me can assist you.
- Live Chat: On the official site of this VPN, you’ll see a live chat icon in the bottom-right corner. At any moment, you can click on it to start chatting with the company’s agents. These are real people, not bots, and they’ll be able to assist you in the best way possible. However, it's not available 24/7.
- Installation Guides: Installing hide.me on platforms like Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS should not give you any problems. However, you’ll need help if you want to install it on a router. Well, this is where a series of installation guides come into play.
- Knowledge Base: If you’re willing to dive into fixing your problem yourself, you can check out the knowledge base. This is a series of articles and frequently asked questions, which can be helpful in the majority of cases.
- hide.me VPN Community: Interestingly enough, hide.me offers a dedicated forum. You can check out its English and German versions, with the latter one being more active.
- Support Tickets: Finally, you can submit a support ticket at any moment. As noted earlier, this can also be done from the application itself.
Aside from these customer support channels, hide.me VPN also has active communities on Reddit, Discord, TikTok, and X (Twitter) to provide you with additional resources and connect with other users.
Pricing
hide.me VPN offers budget-friendly options, particularly with long-term plans, and justifies its value with a diverse range of features. Our Score: 8.5/10
You can use this VPN free of charge (in a very limited capacity), but it also offers several subscription plans. So, let's see how much you need to pay for this VPN.
How Much Is hide.me?
hide.me VPN starts at $2.69 if you get the 26-month premium plan. But if you prefer a month-to-month arrangement, it'll be $9.95 each month.
All hide.me VPN plans provide the same features – top-notch privacy and security, 24/7 premium support, 10 simultaneous connections, unlimited data transfer, select 10 Gbps servers, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. The only difference is the duration of the plans and their cost.
Let's break down hide.me VPN's available plans:
- 1-Month Plan: Sign up for just $9.95 each month with this subscription. Your account will be charged the same amount every month for as long as it remains active.
- 12-Month Plan: Priced at $4.57 per month, this plan requires an upfront payment of $54.95 every 12 months. It brings a 54% savings compared to hide.me's monthly plan.
- 24-Month Plan (+2 Free Months): Opt for the extended 24-month plan at just $2.69 per month, totaling $69.95 every 26 months. This choice grants you a substantial 73% savings compared to the monthly plan and includes an extra two months for free.
The cost of hide.me VPN changes based on your chosen plan and subscription length. You can pay every month or enjoy savings of up to 73% with the 26-month deal. When it comes to payment options, hide.me VPN accepts credit cards, PayPal, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, and even cryptocurrencies.
Is hide.me VPN Free?
Yes, hide.me VPN has a free tier with limited features. That said, you can only access all its features and servers with one of its paid plans. Nonetheless, the hide.me free version still has a lot to offer, as you can see in the table below.
Furthermore, signing up for hide.me's free plan is quick and easy. All you have to do is provide your email address. Once you verify your email address, your free app is ready to use.
Free plans expire, but don't worry, hide.me has you covered! Simply log in to your hide.me VPN account on the website and click on the 'Extend free plan' button or tap 'Renew Plan' in the app to continue enjoying the free service. It's that simple!
If you're considering an upgrade but want to test the VPN before making a purchase, you can do that with their 1-day premium free trial. Just email them at support@hide.me to get started.
Final Thoughts - Is hide.me a Good VPN?
Yes, hide.me VPN is a good and reliable VPN service. It has a strict no-logs policy, industry-standard encryption, and a range of security features.
The VPN provider also has a decent free version and affordable paid plans. If you're an occasional VPN user, budget-conscious, or a frequent traveler, you can use the free version of hide.me VPN. It offers ad-free, unlimited data browsing with access to 7 server locations, all without logging your activity.
However, hide.me VPN's paid plans are a far better choice. We strongly recommend hide.me VPN to secure all your devices and enjoy incredible speeds using 10 Gbps servers. Its upgraded plans also unlock features like port forwarding, SmartGuard, and more to maximize your VPN experience.
PROS
- Offers a free version.
- High-end security features.
- 10 Gbps servers in 61 locations.
- Live chat support.
- Supports plenty of devices.
- Zero-logs policy.
- Robust VPN protocols.
- Great for media streaming.
- Affordable long-term plans.
- 10 simultaneous connections.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
CONS
- Premium free trial is limited.
- Speed drops with distant servers.
- Old external audit needs updating.
- UI may intimidate new users.
| Review Summary hide.me is surprisingly a good VPN. It does the basics well and even throws in some fancy extras. Whether you're just starting with VPNs or you're a pro, hide.me has got you covered. It's a solid choice all around. | 8.6 Overall Score | ||
| Background, Jurisdiction & Reputation | 9 | ||
| Supported Platforms & Devices | 10 | ||
| Installation & Initial Configuration | 10 | ||
| Prominent Features | 9 | ||
| Server Count & Infrastructure | 7.5 | ||
| UI/UX Design & Ease of Use | 8 | ||
| Media Streaming, Torrenting, and Gaming Support | 6.5 | ||
| Security & Privacy | 9 | ||
| Speed & Performance | 7 | ||
| Customer Support | 8.5 | ||
| Pricing | 8.5 | ||