Hide.me VPN Review – Why Not the Best Choice (2020)
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Hide.me VPN offers both free and paid subscription to its users, although the free version has a maximum bandwidth of 2GB and you can use their subscription on only one device.
With their VPN software, you can choose from a variety of protocols, the most famous of which is OpenVPN, which has become an industry standard.
Another advantage of it is the use of AES 256-bit encryption with bank-grade security.
How does their connection speed match up with industry leaders like ExpressVPN and NordVPN?
Below you’ll learn about the good, the bad, and the ugly about Hide.me, so you can decide if it’s the right VPN for your needs.
Hide.me VPN Overview
| Overall Rank: | #50 out of 78 VPNs |
| Ease of use: | Simple and easy to use |
| Log files: | No-registration policy |
| Locations: | 55 countries, more than 160 servers |
| the support: | 24/7 support via live chat, email and ticket system |
| Accommodation: | LIMITED torrenting |
| Netflix: | Netflix blocks USA |
| Encoder/Protocol: | 256 bit AES; OpenVPN, SoftEther, IKEv2, L2TP/IPSec, PPTP, SSTP |
| cost: | Free or $4.99 |
| Official Website: | www.hide.me |
Hide.me Pros
Hide.me comes strong out of the gate, offering top-notch encryption, an excellent no-logs policy, and no leaks. check it out.
1. Enhanced security features
Hide.me offers advanced encryption algorithms and some other features that make it one of the most secure VPNs.
For starters, they offer up to 256-bit AES encryption. Additionally, the encryption extends far beyond your browser, by encrypting access to passwords, personal files, credit card, and other potentially vulnerable information as well.
In short, Hide.me should protect your data, hide your IP address, and keep you safe on public Wi-Fi.
Hide.me is also compatible with TOR which increases the security and privacy that a VPN already provides.
2. Clean and simple “no log” policy
One of Hide.me’s main selling points is its no-logs policy.
They will not log any of your browsing activity, contact information, IP addresses, name or any other personal information whatsoever.
How is this feat performed?
Well, unlike a lot of other VPNs that ended up adding no logs features after they got up and running, Hide.me was built with no logs in the front of their minds.
We’ve done extensive research on logging policies and discovered that Hide.me really doesn’t keep any logs while others are making similar claims (hint: PureVPN & HideMyAss).
But, don’t just take my word for it. They are also regularly audited by VPN security analysts, including Leon Juranic who has certified them as a log-free VPN.
3. Built-in internet kill switch
A kill switch allows you to stay protected, even when the VPN connection drops.
You might think of this as a nice bonus feature, but that’s why it’s so important.
If your VPN connection drops at any point, your computer will often automatically try to connect again to another network (through a known WiFi network or your mobile phone’s cellular data).
Usually, that’s a good thing. Get back online as quickly as possible without a hitch, so you can keep browsing, streaming or downloading. The problem is that all of your data – and the physical location – is now out in the open.
The kill switch disconnects your internet connection to prevent this from happening.
4. IP and DNS Leakage protection
Hide.me takes an extra step to ensure that your IP address is protected. Once the connection to Hide.me VPN is established, the app will delete the default local gateway for your internet connection, so access to your IP will not be entirely possible.
Additionally, they block outgoing IPv6 connections as well, if you have your ISP assigned one of these IP addresses, instead.
A DNS leak occurs when DNS requests are routed through your computer and network, rather than the VPN you are using.
With Hide.me, you instantly set up a public DNS for the Hide.me network interface. This way every DNS request is routed through that VPN, and again, you are invisible.
This all sounds great in theory, right?
But we don’t stop at the theory. So I put these allegations to the test.
After connecting to the Hide.me server, I headed to ipleak.net to see if my real IP is actually hidden. The results showed that:
I also tested for any DNS leaks with this VPN using Perfect Privacy’s Leaktest tool and found no leaks.
This proves that Hide.me is telling the truth when they boast about their IP and DNS leak protection. Users can rest assured of no IP or DNS leaks with Hide.me.
5. Works with Torrenting
Hide.me has a specialized proxy that can be used for fast P2P connections, ideal for torrenting. SOCKS5 Proxy is not encrypted, but you can use it with a VPN for more encryption.
Since most browsers and P2P torrent clients support the SOCKS5 proxy, this proxy can act as a kill switch for secure torrent downloading.
According to Hide.me, this proxy and VPS setup can allow for faster P2P application transfer rates as well.
With a premium subscription, you also get access to dynamic port forwarding. This allows a P2P program to make a direct connection, rather than shaping that connection through a central server environment.
6. The application is easy to use
The Hide.me interface is easy to navigate no matter what device you are using.
On your PC or Mac, all it takes to connect to Hide.me is one click of a button.
Switching server locations is also a breeze. All you have to do is open the main menu, scroll through it to find the site you’re looking for, and tap. You will be connected within seconds.
The Hide.me mobile app is well designed. Similar to the desktop version, you can connect to the server instantly with the press of a button. They do a good job and limit the number of clicks (or taps) you have to do to find anything.
Locations and servers are searchable, and users can select the app settings that best suit their VPN needs.
We’ve liked Hide.me so far.
However, VPNs are not perfect. And Hide.me is no different. Here’s why.
Hide.me Cons
Hide.me bundles security features. But it is a bit lackluster when it comes to files else Service features, such as technical support, server network, and permitted connections.
Learn more about these flaws below.
1. Below average server network
Since Hide.me is the latest VPN, it is expected to have a smaller server network.
Currently, they have more than 160 servers in 55 different locations around the world, including North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.
It still offers a widespread location for servers. But these raw numbers do not stack up with other VPNs, which boast server networks in the thousands.
2. Slow upload and download speed
For this test, I used the mid-tier version of Hide.me ($4.99), so speeds may not be as fast as the premium plans.
My internet connection started solid at 98.71Mbps download speed and 53.00Mbps upload:
Our connection speed without VPN
Here are the results once you turn on Hide.me VPN:
Hide.me VPN Speed Results
US server (New York)
- Ping: 161ms
- Download: 17.17 Mbps
- Download: 10.10 Mbps
EU Server (Amsterdam)
- Ping: 47 ms
- Download: 27.60Mbps
- Download: 19.92 Mbps
UK server (London)
- Ping: 42 ms
- Download: 28.69 Mbps
- Upload: 20.41 Mbps
That’s a pretty big drop if we’re being honest. And those low numbers in your twenties also mean your streaming could be compromised.
3. Only one simultaneous connection for the cheapest plan
Hide.me’s mid-range plan only allows one connection. This is also very bad.
Most of the other VPNs we reviewed will give you anywhere from three to five simultaneous connections on their basic plans.
But not Hide.me. To unlock five, you will have to pay the most expensive plan they offer.
So the value for money is not good here.
4. Limited Free Plan
If you’re a bargain shopper, you might be a little disappointed with the free plan. Certainly, it is equipped with powerful security features. But you won’t be able to do much.
With the free plan, your data transfer is limited to 2GB (bandwidth), which you’ll likely hit pretty quickly if you’re doing more than just checking email and browsing the web and have to upgrade to a higher plan.
And you can only access three server locations and one connection.
They have a solid list of features, but with other plans, even the least expensive ones, offer unlimited data and have multiple connections at once.
5. Support could be better
Hide.me support isn’t bad.
They offer 24/7 support via live chat, email, and a ticket system. There is also a user community.
When Hide.me sent a message via live chat, an agent responded in less than a minute. Talk about lightning fast!
So what could be the problem?
Their primary chat representatives are simply not that much useful.
The live chat agent I spoke to directed me to the tech team to ask any tough, hard-to-answer questions.
Live chat support was very responsive and helpful with basic questions about the platform.
Other than that, technical support is handled by the ticket system, which at my request took at least some time to get back to me.
6. Say goodbye to Netflix
If you are a Netflix addict like me, you will have to find an alternative.
Netflix’s VPN ban didn’t affect every VPN, but Hide.me has struggled since the ban went into effect.
7. Small and limited refund window
First, you get a free forever plan (but it’s very limited).
If you end up putting your money on the line, you better make a quick decision.
This is because you only have 14 days to request a refund.
You will also have to pay attention to the recovery data limit. A very small statement specifying that if you exceed 500MB of data, you are no longer eligible for a refund (essentially if you do not use the service).
This kind of refund policy is very disappointing. They seem to offer one on paper, but using any trick in the book to make sure you don’t actually get your money back.
Pricing, plans and payment methods Hide.me
Unlike a lot of VPNs, Hide.me doesn’t hide terms, conditions, and pricing with dense legal standards.
I like to think they have what you see is the pricing model you get, which is unfortunately very rare in the online service space.
You’ll find three different price plans, including Free, Plus, and Premium.
The Plus plan will cost you $9.95 per month, but it drops to $6.65 if you pay on a six-month basis, or $4.99 per month if you pay on an annual basis.
The Premium plan has a similar pricing structure, and costs $19.95 per month on a monthly basis, or $13.32 per month if you pay for six months, or as low as $9.99 per month if you pay on an annual basis.
These costs make it one of the higher priced VPNs. If price is an issue, you’ll probably want to look for a cheaper alternative.
You can get away with using the free plan, but you are limited to the amount of data you can use and the number of servers you can access.
If you choose the free plan, just know that you have to renew your subscription every 14 days to keep the service going.
Regarding anonymous payment options (besides the obvious – PayPal and credit cards), you can also buy their software / applications with Bitcoin.
The Terms of Service and Privacy Policy have been read for a long time, but they are written in a way that anyone can understand.
Basically, they do not keep or store any of your personal data or information, and if you decide to stop using the Service, your data will be deleted.
Overall, Hide.me has nothing to hide. Their pricing, terms of service, and privacy policy are written in easy-to-read language with no hidden sales, fees, or contracts.
Do we recommend Hide.me?
If you are the type of person who cares about their privacy and want a VPN that shares…
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