hide.me VPN Expert Review 2025
The curious case of an A-tier VPN that achieves a perfect pricing score with comprehensive security features. Our deep dive reveals how hide.me earned 81/93.5 points.
Detailed Scoring Analysis
Quick Verdict: The A-Tier Paradox
hide.me presents a compelling value proposition in the VPN world. It's the only VPN to achieve a perfect 10/10 pricing score, and includes essential features like split tunneling that power users demand.
With an impressive 81/93.5 score, hide.me proves that sometimes doing the basics exceptionally well is better than trying to do everything. It's the budget-conscious user's dream, offering premium privacy without the premium price tag.
Pros
- Perfect pricing score - 10/10 points!
- True commitment to privacy
- All major security features included
- 55+ server locations worldwide
- WireGuard protocol support
Cons
- Limited streaming capabilities
- No dedicated IP option
- Smaller server network than competitors
- No recent third-party audit
- GUI could be more modern
The Pricing Paradox: Perfect Score Explained
In Tom Spark's rigorous 93.5-point scoring system, achieving a perfect score in any category is rare. hide.me's 10/10 in pricing makes it the only VPN to achieve this feat. Here's how they did it:
Pricing Breakdown
- 1 month: $9.95 ✓ (under $10)
- 6 months: $29.95 ✓ (under $30)
- 1 year: $59.95 ✓ (under $60)
- 2 years: $95.95 ✓ (under $100)
- 3 years: $119.95 ✓ (under $120)
Additional Points
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- No fake countdown timers
- No surprise price increases
- 10 simultaneous connections
- Easy cancellation process
The Secret: hide.me's pricing strategy is refreshingly honest. No inflated "original prices" with permanent discounts, no pressure tactics, just fair pricing that respects customers.
Security Deep Dive: The Good and The Missing
Encryption & Protocols
Military-Grade Encryption
AES-256 encryption with perfect forward secrecy ensures your data remains secure even if future keys are compromised.
WireGuard Support
Modern protocol offering faster speeds and better battery life on mobile devices.
Zero-Log Policy
Based in Malaysia, outside 5/9/14 Eyes surveillance. No connection logs, no activity logs.
Privacy Features
Security Score
Privacy & Trust Category
Missing: Third-Party Audit
While hide.me has a strong privacy policy, they haven't conducted a recent independent security audit. This is becoming industry standard for top-tier VPNs.
Real-World Speed Test Results
185 Mbps
Download Speed
37% of baseline
98 Mbps
Upload Speed
39% of baseline
28 ms
Ping/Latency
Excellent
Speed Test Verdict: Decent Performance
hide.me delivers consistent 30-40% speed retention across most servers, which is respectable but not exceptional. The 3/5 speed score reflects this middle-of-the-road performance. Perfect for browsing and streaming, but power users might want faster options.
What's Missing? The Critical Feature Gap
Split Tunneling Support
hide.me includes split tunneling, allowing you to route some apps through the VPN while others use your regular connection. This is essential for:
Why Users Want It
- Banking apps that block VPN connections
- Local network access for printers/smart devices
- Better speeds for non-sensitive traffic
- Accessing local content while protecting privacy
Impact on Score
hide.me's split tunneling implementation puts it on par with major competitors:
- NordVPNHas split tunneling ✓
- ProtonVPNHas split tunneling ✓
- SurfsharkHas split tunneling ✓
- hide.meHas split tunneling ✓
No Dedicated IPs
Can't get a static IP address for consistent access to IP-restricted services.
Limited Ecosystem
No password manager or cloud storage bundles like some competitors offer.
Basic Apps Only
Functional but dated interface. Not open source like ProtonVPN or Mullvad.
Streaming Performance: Mixed Results
Platform Compatibility
3-4 regions
US only
UK servers
Intermittent
Limited
Streaming Score: 8/14 - Works with major platforms but lacks the specialized servers and consistent access of streaming-focused VPNs. No automatic server selection for streaming.
hide.me vs The Competition
| Feature | hide.me | NordVPN | ProtonVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Score | 81/93.5 | 82/93.5 | 81/93.5 | 79.5/93.5 |
| Monthly Price | $9.95 ✓ | $12.99 ✗ | $9.99 ✓ | $15.45 ✗ |
| Split Tunneling | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Server Count | 2,000+ | 6,000+ | 3,000+ | 3,200+ |
| Recent Audit | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
Why Choose hide.me?
- • Best value for money in the industry
- • Strong privacy fundamentals
- • No marketing gimmicks or fake sales
- • Reliable performance for basic needs
Consider Alternatives If...
- • You need advanced split tunneling rules
- • Streaming is your priority
- • You want the absolute fastest speeds
- • You need advanced features
What Real Users Are Saying
"Perfect for my needs. I don't need fancy features, just reliable privacy at a fair price. hide.me delivers exactly that."
- Sarah M., 6 months user
"Great VPN with split tunneling working perfectly. Can use my banking apps without disconnecting."
- Mike T., 1 year user
"The pricing is unbeatable. No tricks, no fake countdown timers, just honest pricing. Refreshing!"
- Alex K., 2 years user
"Works ok but speeds are average and streaming support is hit or miss. You get what you pay for I guess."
- Jordan L., 3 months user
Average user rating: 4.2/5 from 1,847 verified reviews
Read all hide.me reviews →Frequently Asked Questions
How does hide.me's split tunneling compare to competitors?
hide.me's split tunneling works well and allows you to exclude specific apps from the VPN tunnel. While not as advanced as some competitors' implementations, it handles the essentials like banking apps and local network access effectively.
How does hide.me achieve such low prices?
hide.me keeps costs down by: maintaining a smaller server network (2,000 vs 5,000+ for competitors), focusing on core features rather than extras, minimal marketing spend, and operating from Malaysia with lower overhead costs. They pass these savings to customers.
Is hide.me good for torrenting?
Yes, hide.me allows P2P traffic on all servers and includes port forwarding for better torrent connectivity. The kill switch ensures your IP never leaks. However, speeds are average, so large downloads may take longer than with faster VPNs.
Why hasn't hide.me had a recent audit?
Third-party audits are expensive (often $50,000+) and hide.me operates on thin margins to maintain low prices. While an audit would boost trust, they've chosen to prioritize keeping prices low. Their 10+ year track record with no breaches provides some reassurance.
hide.me vs NordVPN: Which should I choose?
Choose hide.me if: budget is your priority, you want honest pricing, essential features like split tunneling are enough. Choose NordVPN if: you want fastest speeds, need better streaming support, prefer larger server network. Both score similarly overall (81 vs 82 points).
Final Verdict: The Budget Privacy Champion
A-TIER VPN
hide.me proves that you don't need to break the bank for solid privacy protection. With the only perfect pricing score in our testing, it delivers remarkable value for budget-conscious users.
Perfect For:
- • Privacy beginners wanting affordable protection
- • Users who hate fake sales and marketing tricks
- • Basic VPN needs: browsing, privacy, occasional streaming
- • Anyone prioritizing value over advanced features
Skip If You Need:
- • Split tunneling for banking/local apps ✓
- • Top-tier streaming unblocking
- • Fastest possible speeds
- • Advanced power user features
The Bottom Line
hide.me is the Honda Civic of VPNs—reliable, affordable, and gets the job done. With essential features like split tunneling, core privacy protection, perfect pricing, and honest business practices, it's an excellent choice for users seeking straightforward VPN protection without the premium price tag.
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