hide.me

Hide.me VPN Review: A Solid Mid-Tier Option with Room for Improvement By Tom Spark, VPN Expert Overall Score: 62/93.5 (B Tier) Last tested: February 2024 Executive Summary: After extensively testing hide.me VPN across multiple devices and use cases, I've found it to be a competent mid-tier VPN service that excels in some areas while falling short in others. With a score of 62 out of 93.5, it lands firmly in the B tier of VPN providers – good enough for many users, but not quite reaching the heights of industry leaders like ExpressVPN or NordVPN. Comprehensive Overview: Hide.me is a Malaysia-based VPN service that's been operating since 2012. They maintain a network of 2,000+ servers across 75+ locations, offering standard VPN protocols including WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. The service stands out for its strong privacy credentials and technical capabilities but struggles with streaming performance and user interface design. Detailed Category Analysis: 1. Privacy & Trust (13/16): Hide.me's privacy policy is one of its strongest assets. Based in Malaysia (outside 14-eyes jurisdiction), they maintain a strict no-logs policy that has been independently audited by DefenseCode. During my testing, I verified their DNS leak protection worked flawlessly, and their kill switch effectively prevented any data exposure when the VPN connection dropped. However, I'd like to see them open-source their applications for additional transparency, something providers like ProtonVPN have already done. 2. Speed & Performance (8/10): My speed tests across multiple servers showed impressive results: - Base connection: 500Mbps - Local server (WireGuard): 450-480Mbps - International server (US-UK): 280-320Mbps - Asia-Pacific: 200-250Mbps WireGuard implementation is particularly well-optimized, offering better performance than OpenVPN while maintaining security. Latency remained consistently low on nearby servers (5-15ms increase from base). 3. Features (11/15): Notable features include: + Split tunneling + Multi-hop connections + Kill switch (both system and app-level) + Custom DNS settings + Port forwarding - No dedicated IP options - Limited obfuscation capabilities The split tunneling feature worked reliably in my tests, allowing me to route specific applications through the VPN while maintaining direct connections for others. 4. Streaming Performance (7.5/15): This is where hide.me shows significant weakness. During testing: - Netflix: Worked on 4/8 tested servers - BBC iPlayer: Inconsistent access - Disney+: Frequently blocked - Amazon Prime: Limited success - Hulu: Rarely works Compared to streaming-focused VPNs like ExpressVPN, hide.me's performance is mediocre at best. 5. Pricing & Value (7.5/10): Current pricing structure: - Monthly: $12.95 - 1-year: $5.41/month - 2-year: $3.84/month While not the cheapest option, the pricing is competitive for what's offered. The 30-day money-back guarantee is properly honored – I tested this personally and received a refund within 3 business days. 6. GUI & User Experience (2.5/10): The weakest aspect of hide.me is its interface design. The desktop client feels dated and unintuitive: - Cluttered settings menu - Confusing protocol selection - Inconsistent design elements - Poor server organization Mobile apps are marginally better but still lag behind industry standards. 7. Technical Extras (0/2.75): Hide.me lacks several advanced features found in top-tier VPNs: - No dedicated IPs - Limited protocol customization - No specialized gaming servers - No integrated password manager 8. Customer Support (5/5): One area where hide.me truly excels: - 24/7 live chat support - Knowledgeable technical staff - Comprehensive knowledge base - Quick response times (average 2-3 minutes in my tests) 9. Ethics & Transparency (7.5/10): Hide.me maintains good ethical standards: + Regular transparency reports + Clear ownership structure + Independent audits - Could be more transparent about infrastructure - Limited public security assessments Real-World Performance: During my three-month testing period, I found hide.me to be reliable for: - Daily browsing and secure communications - Torrenting (with excellent speeds on specialized P2P servers) - Gaming (acceptable latency on nearby servers) - Basic privacy protection However, it struggled with: - Consistent streaming access - Performance in heavily restricted regions - User-friendly configuration Security Analysis: The service offers robust security features: - AES-256 encryption - Perfect forward secrecy - Multiple protocol options - Secure DNS handling Missing Features & Weaknesses: 1. No dedicated IP options 2. Limited obfuscation capabilities 3. Poor GUI design 4. Inconsistent streaming performance 5. No specialized servers for specific uses 6. Limited protocol customization options Who Should Use Hide.me? Hide.me is best suited for: - Privacy-conscious users who prioritize security over streaming - Users in regions with limited internet restrictions - Those who need reliable torrenting support - Users who value good customer support Who Should Look Elsewhere: - Heavy streamers - Users needing dedicated IPs - Those requiring advanced customization - Users in heavily restricted regions Conclusion: Hide.me is a competent VPN service that excels in privacy and security but falls short in streaming and user experience. At its current price point, it offers good value for privacy-focused users but may disappoint those seeking a comprehensive streaming solution. While it's not a market leader, it's a reliable choice for users prioritizing privacy and basic VPN functionality. The service would benefit significantly from: 1. Interface redesign 2. Improved streaming capabilities 3. Addition of dedicated IPs 4. Enhanced protocol customization options For users primarily concerned with privacy and security who can overlook some interface quirks, hide.me represents a solid B-tier option in the VPN market. However, those seeking a more well-rounded service might want to consider alternatives like ExpressVPN or NordVPN.