HideIPVPN

HideIPVPN Review: A Mediocre Service with Limited Features By Tom Spark, VPN Expert Overall Score: 46.5/93.5 (D Tier) Last tested: 2024 After extensively testing HideIPVPN across multiple devices and use cases, I can confidently say this service falls short in several key areas. While it offers basic VPN functionality and decent privacy practices, significant limitations in features, performance, and technical capabilities place it firmly in the D tier of VPN providers. Executive Summary: - Basic VPN service with limited server network - Decent privacy practices but lacking advanced security features - Below-average speeds compared to top providers - Limited streaming capabilities - Reasonable pricing but poor value proposition - Missing many modern VPN features Comprehensive Overview HideIPVPN is a smaller VPN provider operating since 2009. The service offers servers in 11 countries, which is quite limited compared to industry leaders like ExpressVPN (94+ countries) or NordVPN (60+ countries). The provider supports standard protocols including OpenVPN, IKEv2, and SSTP, but notably lacks WireGuard support. Pricing & Value (5/10) Current pricing structure: - Monthly: $9.99 - 3 months: $7.99/mo - 12 months: $5.99/mo While these prices are competitive, the value proposition is weak considering the limited feature set. Competitors like Surfshark offer significantly more features at similar price points. Positive aspects: - 30-day money-back guarantee - Multiple payment options including crypto - No hidden fees Negatives: - No multi-year discounts - Limited features for the price - No free trial Features (4.5/15) The feature set is where HideIPVPN really shows its limitations: Present features: - Basic kill switch - DNS leak protection - Multiple protocols - Basic app for major platforms Missing features: - No WireGuard protocol - No split tunneling - No port forwarding - No dedicated IPs - No multi-hop connections - No 2FA login security - No ad-blocking - No specialized servers Speed & Performance (3.5/10) My speed tests revealed mediocre performance: Base connection (500Mbps): - Local servers (US): 150-200Mbps - International (UK): 80-120Mbps - Far servers (Asia): 40-60Mbps These speeds are significantly lower than top-tier providers, which typically maintain 300+ Mbps on local connections. Latency increases were also notable: - Local: +15-20ms - International: +80-120ms - Far: +150-200ms Privacy & Trust (11/16) Privacy policy analysis reveals decent practices: - No-logs policy (though not independently audited) - Based in Moldova (privacy-friendly jurisdiction) - Standard encryption (AES-256) - Secure protocols available Concerns: - No independent security audits - Limited transparency reports - No open-source applications - Basic infrastructure security Streaming Capabilities (7.5/15) Streaming performance is mixed: Works with: - Netflix US (inconsistent) - BBC iPlayer - YouTube - Basic streaming services Blocked by: - Netflix international libraries - Disney+ - Amazon Prime Video - Hulu Customer Support (2.5/5) Support options are basic: - Email support (24-48 hour response) - Basic ticket system - Limited live chat hours - Outdated knowledge base My support interactions revealed: - Slow response times - Basic technical knowledge - Limited troubleshooting capabilities - No 24/7 availability GUI & User Experience (5/10) The applications are functional but dated: - Basic interface design - Limited customization options - Stable but lacks modern features - Available for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android Technical Extras (0/2.75) Notable absences: - No browser extensions - No router firmware - No advanced configuration options - No specialized protocols or features Real-World Testing Results During my two-week testing period: - Connection drops: 3-4 times daily - Average connection time: 8-12 seconds - DNS leaks detected: None - WebRTC leaks: None - IPv6 leaks: Some instances Torrenting & P2P P2P is allowed on US servers only: - Decent speeds (40-60% of base connection) - Basic port configuration - No specialized P2P servers - Limited server options Who Should Use HideIPVPN? This VPN might be suitable for: - Basic users needing simple privacy protection - Occasional VPN users - Users in Moldova or Eastern Europe - Budget-conscious users with basic needs Who Should Avoid It: - Heavy streamers - Gamers needing low latency - Users requiring advanced features - Privacy-focused users needing maximum security - Business users Conclusion HideIPVPN is a basic VPN service that fails to compete with modern providers. While it offers fundamental VPN functionality and decent privacy practices, the limited feature set, mediocre speeds, and dated applications make it difficult to recommend over competitors. For similar pricing, users can get significantly better service from providers like Surfshark, NordVPN, or Private Internet Access. These alternatives offer more features, better performance, and stronger security measures. The service needs significant improvements to compete in today's VPN market, including: - WireGuard protocol implementation - Expanded server network - Modern security features - Updated applications - Improved streaming capabilities - Better customer support Unless you have a specific need for a Moldova-based VPN or find it at a significant discount, there are better options available in the market.