Hide.me is one of the top VPNs for privacy, and while it’s somewhat pricey, it gives you a choice between free and paid subscriptions.
The free version, however, has a 10 GB data cap and comes with only five servers.
The VPN has some quite exciting features, but much like its competitors, it has a mixture of strengths and weaknesses.
I’ve tested the service extensively and in this Hide.me VPN review, I’ll take a look at every aspect of the VPN, rating it for privacy, security, speed, streaming, customer support, and more.
Ready? Let’s get started …
| vpnAlert Rating: | 8.2 of 10 ⭐ |
| Jurisdiction: | Malaysia |
| Logging: | No logs |
| Encryption: | 256-bit AES encryption |
| Servers: | 1700+ servers, 45 countries |
| Protocols: | OpenVPN, IKEv2, SoftEther, SSTP. WireGuard |
| Torrenting: | Allowed |
| Supported Devices: | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, Smart TVs, game consoles, Chrome |
| Simultaneous Connections: | 10 |
| Customer Support: | 24/7 live chat |
| Discount: | Exclusive Hide.me Offer |
| Official Website: | https://hide.me/ |
Overview of the Hide.me
Hide.me is a virtual private network that is owned by eVenture Ltd and based in Labuan, Malaysia. The VPN service was launched in 2012 and today boasts over 1700+ servers in 70 different locations across the world.
It uses military-grade encryption and strict no-logging policy, which allows you to stay safe and secure online.
Incredibly, Hide.me was the first VPN provider to adopt the popular IKEv2 protocol and are now among the first few to offer WireGuard.
They are clearly committed to internet privacy, and they’ve made it their mission to maintain the free plan, “so every internet user can enjoy online security.”
"We make it our business to ensure that what you do online is your business. Internet privacy is just as important as security, so we don’t keep logs of your online activities."
The provider also gives to the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), a non-profit organization that protects personal freedoms and online civil liberties.
So, if you are looking to chip in too, this might be the one for you.
You can use the VPN software across multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and Smart TVs.
Before we get down into the details, here are the main pros and cons of Hide.me VPN.
Pros
- Offers robust encryption and security features
- Does not keep activity logs
- Supports torrenting and P2P file sharing
- Allows 10 simultaneous connections
- No-questions-asked 30-day money-back guarantee
- Excellent 24/7 live chat support
Cons
- Expensive on a month-to-month subscription
- Speeds vary from server to server
Privacy & Jurisdiction
Figuring out a VPN’s logging practices can sometimes be challenging.
Many providers beat about the bush when it comes to the type of data they collect. Others make outright misleading claims.
Hide.me is different.
Are There Any Signs That Hide.me Keeps Logs?
The VPN does not store any logs whatsoever.
Not traffic, IP addresses, DNS requests, connection timestamps, or even the amount of bandwidth you consume.
But how do we know they abide by this policy?
Well, the VPN is one of the few that have been audited and certified as a “No Log” VPN by DefenseCode, a leading cybersecurity company.
When creating your account, you’ll be asked to provide your email address. This is the only thing Hide.me collects.
However, it shouldn’t concern you since there is no way to tie it to online activities.
It’s also important to note that the company makes sure this information is encrypted, and they do not share it with third parties.
Jurisdiction & Applicable Laws
Hide.me’s Malaysia location is excellent for privacy.
The country is outside the scope of the 14-Eyes alliance, which is notorious for its vast spying network.
The provider is also not subject to any data retention laws, which means the government cannot curtail their no-logging commitment.
Security
Tunneling Protocols & Encryption
Hide.me uses AES 256-bit encryption, which is used by security experts across the globe and federal government agencies as well.
It’s robust and impenetrable.
When it comes to tunneling protocols, few VPNs can match Hide.me’s compatibility. It supports five different protocols, including:
- OpenVPN
- IKEv2
- SoftEther
- SSTP
- WireGuard
However, it is important to remember that all protocols are not created equal. Some fare better than others.
Hide.me’s default protocol is OpenVPN, which remains the top-recommended protocol in the VPN industry. I was also pleased to find out that it supports WireGuard, which is incredibly fast.
While WireGuard is fast, I wouldn’t recommend it for security-sensitive tasks. The protocol can, however, prove to be an asset when streaming or gaming.
Stealth Guard
One of the main things I like about Hide.me is its Stealth Guard tool.
This unique feature allows you to limit certain apps to a VPN connection.
That means if you limit uTorrent to Hide.me, it will only work when you have the VPN connected. What this does is that it stops you from accidentally leaking your IP.
IPv6 Support
Another thing I like is its IPv6 compatibility. If you are wondering why this is even important, worry not, I’m going to lay out the basics.
IPv6 – Internet Protocol version 6 – is the next technology for assigning IP addresses. While most ISPs are rapidly adopting it, most VPNs are yet to and only support IPv4 traffic.
With such a VPN, your IPv6 traffic is excluded from the encrypted tunnel and routed directly, exposing your identity in the process.
That’s not good news if you are looking to stay anonymous on the internet.
While some VPN providers prevent leaks by completely blocking IPv6 traffic, it’s not an ideal situation when accessing an IPv6 website.
Hide.me offers IPv6 support on all servers across all locations, enabling seamless encrypted connectivity across all devices on both IPv4 and IPv6 protocols.
Other Great Security Features
- Internet kill switch - Let’s say your Hide.me VPN connection suddenly drops, this feature automatically blocks your access to the internet, ensuring your identity and browsing activities stay hidden.
- DNS leak protection – The provider relies on in-house secure DNS servers, and their DNS Leak Prevention tool ensures all your internet requests travel via the encrypted tunnel, and not directly through your ISP servers.
Leak Tests
Hide.me does put a strong focus on security.
They have incredible features, but this means nothing if the VPN can’t stop IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks.
In fact, I went straight to testing for leaks before I even looked at their feature-suite.
Incidentally, they offer all the necessary testing tools on their website. I conducted a few tests, and all gave the “all green.”
But I didn’t just stop there.
I conducted extra tests using independent testing tools to see if the results would hold. As you can tell from the screenshot below, I was connected to a Los Angeles, California, US server (195.206.104.210).
Here is a snapshot of the results.
IP Leak Test – IPLeak.Org
DNS Leak Test – IP8.Com
WebRTC Leak Test – IP8.Com
Virus & Malware Test
Hide.me applications are also clean on the malware front and shouldn’t inject viruses or any other malicious files into your device.
Overall, Hide.me should protect you when online.
It will hide your IP and secure your traffic ensuring you stay safe even when connected to a public Wi-Fi hotspot.
Server Locations
Hide.me has a remarkable global network.
They may only have 1700 servers, but they’ve nicely distributed them across 70+ locations in 45 countries.
They cover many of the world’s regions, including Africa, South America, South East Asia, and the Middle East.
Also worth noting is that they do not lease but instead self-maintain all their servers.
Does Hide.me Work in China?
If you live in or are traveling to China, then you probably know you can’t access most of the western media. Google, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and like, are all blocked.
Unfortunately, Hide.me does not work in China.
If you are looking for a VPN that can easily bypass the Great Firewall, I suggest checking out our best VPNs for China.
Specialty Servers
Hide.me does not have specialty servers, such as Multi-hop (cascading) and Tor-compatible servers.
Another thing I noticed is that they do not offer Dedicated IPs.
You can, however, request a shared static IP, but this is restricted to premium users only.
Speed & Performance
Many VPNs suck when it comes to speed.
Yes, some speed reduction is inevitable, but that doesn’t mean you should sacrifice your entire bandwidth.
While Hide.me performs decently, this is one area that could use some improvements.
How Fast Is Hide.me?
Hide.me has both free and paid versions, and I tested each separately.
I started with the five free servers and all delivered below average speeds.
The premium servers were significantly faster, and I was particularly impressed by the servers in Europe, which is where I’m located. For best speeds, I recommend connecting to the aptly labeled “Best Location” or a server near you.
I also tested several US servers, which, as you know, are essential if you intend to stream Netflix. There was a significant drop, but generally, the speeds were okay.
Besides European and North American servers, I tried Asia and Oceania servers, and you can see the results below.
| Location | Ping (ms) | Download (Mbps) | Upload (Mbps) |
|---|---|---|---|
| US (San Francisco) | 74 | 45.72 | 29.83 |
| UK (London) | 40 | 58.02 | 36.11 |
| Germany (Berlin) | 36 | 61.15 | 32.68 |
| Australia (Melbourne) | 229 | 21.47 | 19.50 |
| Japan (Tokyo) | 265 | 15.98 | 17.09 |
As usual, I ran the speed tests while connected to OpenVPN, the default Hide.me protocol. And while the VPN does deliver good performance close by, I wouldn’t recommend it for distant locations.
Price & Value
While Hide.me does offer a good service, it does so at a higher price point than most of its competitors.
Still, I would say the price is fair, especially when you consider that they also provide a decent free subscription.
How Much Does Hide.me Cost?
Hide.me comes with three paid subscription options – 1-month, 1-year, and 2-year plans.
Regardless of the package you choose, you’ll get the same set of features. However, the longer your subscription plan, the lower you’ll pay in the long-term.
The cheapest plan will set you back $4.66, which I would say is a bit decent, but their monthly price rivals high-cost options like ExpressVPN and Perfect Privacy.
Payment Methods
Hide.me supports multiple payments, but some may not be available depending on where you are located.
The universally available options include:
- PayPal
- Visa
- MasterCard
- American Express
- Bitcoin
Does Hide.me Have a Free Trial?
No, Hide.me does not offer a free trial.
But that’s not necessarily bad news.
The provider has a nice free version that you can use, and you don’t even need to provide your payment details to do it.
If you’re looking to try their premium version, you can make use of the 30-money-back guarantee and test the service risk.
If you are not satisfied, you can get a refund quickly.
Refund Policy
Hide.me has a simple refund policy that covers all first-time purchases regardless of the payment method.
It is valid for the first 30-days, and once you cancel your subscription, you should get your money back within 10-days.
Streaming
Streaming sites and VPNs are engaged in a cat and mouse game.
Many, including Netflix, actively detect and blacklist VPN IPs.
And even when the VPN providers acquire new IPs, the streaming services are almost always there to block them.
Luckily, Hide.me is one of the few VPNs that have a working workaround.
| Platform | Status |
|---|---|
| Netflix US | ✅ |
| Disney Plus | ✅ |
| Hulu | ✅ |
| HBO Now | ✅ |
| Amazon Prime Video | ✅ |
Does Hide.me Work with Netflix?
Hide.me is a great option for streaming. The VPN offers optimised support for Netflix.
I was also able to access Disney Plus, Hulu, HBO Now, and Amazon Prime Video without any problems.
When I tested Hide.me in January 2020, this wasn’t the case.
So, it’s nice to see that they are constantly upgrading and improving the quality of their service.
Torrenting (P2P)
Hide.me gets a lot of praise for supporting P2P traffic in almost all their servers.
They also do not impose a data cap meaning you can torrent to your heart’s desire.
But…
Is Hide.me Good for Torrenting?
Hide.me is an ideal choice for torrenting.
Security-wise, the VPN is as good as it gets.
It uses military-grade AES 256-bit encryption, and it won’t leak your IP or expose your P2P traffic to your ISP.
And as long as you remember to connect to the nearest (fastest) servers, you’ll be able to torrent seamlessly.
Platforms & Devices
Hide.me is highly versatile. It works across desktop computers, mobile devices, and web browsers.
The provider is native apps for:
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
- Android
- iOS
- Amazon Fire OS
How Many Devices Does Hide.me Allow at a Go?
You’ll be able to connect 10 devices simultaneously on a single license.
This is quite generous, especially when you consider most all five or fewer connections at a go.
Customer Support
Hide.me offers excellent customer service with quick responses.
You can contact them via live chat and support tickets.
Their support rep, Ryan, connected in less than a minute and answered my questions knowledgeably and efficiently.
Besides live chat and email ticketing, Hide.me supports also include:
- Knowledge Base
- Community forum
User Experience
There’s a lot to love about Hide.me apps. The provider does things right with a clean, intuitive user interface.
You can establish a connection with a single click by pressing the highly visible “Enable VPN” on the home screen.
The basic design of the app is ideal for beginners.
If you’re a seasoned user looking for advanced customizability, you’ll like Hide.me too.
They allow you to configure a majority of their features, including the protocols, kill switch, Stealth Guard, and auto-connect.
Switching servers locations is a breeze.
The provider has done well to make locations and servers searchable, and you can sort the list by either country name or by ping.
FAQs
Is Hide.me a Scam?
Hide.me is a reliable VPN that has maintained a stellar reputation since it was launched in 2012. My experience was good, and on scouring the web for other user comments, I found many were pleased with the service as well.
Does Hide.me Steal Your Data?
Hide.me is as trustworthy as it gets. They do not store any logs, which means there’s simply no way they can get their hands on your data.
Is It Safe to Use Hide.me VPN?
Yes. The VPN uses the impenetrable AES 256-bit encryption, ensuring your data is safe from your ISP, government, snoopers, and other prying eyes. Also, Hide.me does not keep any logs and is located in privacy-friendly jurisdiction.
Is Hide.me VPN Free?
Hide.me offers a nice “no credit card needed” free version. It’s, however, limited to 5 servers and 10 GB data per month. While the free version is great for some light browsing, I wouldn’t recommend it for video streaming or torrenting. For that, you might need to upgrade to the premium version.
How Much Does Hide.me Cost per Month?
Hide.me costs $12.95 per month.
Final Word
Hide.me is a reputable, privacy-centric VPN with an impressive security feature-suite.
The provider uses military-grade encryption and they log nothing, nada. And the fact that they are based in Malaysia, a country with great privacy laws, is a huge plus.
If you are simply looking to stay safe on the internet, there are few options better than Hide.me.
Also, the VPN offers a great free version and I was pleased to see that it works with Netflix.
Do I recommend it?
Absolutely.
Try it risk-free here and let me know what you think in the comment section below.
Protect private web traffic from snooping, interference, and censorship. All plans are covered by a no-hassle 100% money-back guarantee for your first 30 days of service.
