In a Nutshell
pros
- Free version available
- Certified log free
- Up to 5 simultaneous connections
cons
- Limited number of servers
- Expensive
HideMe at a Glance
Privacy
Hide.Me is based in Malaysia for a reason.
Unlike other countries, Malaysia does not oblige IT firms to log clients’ online data. This has allowed Hide.Me to build a network that is simply unable to store any information on your online activity. Wherever you are in the world, you can rest assured your privacy will have the highest level of protection possible.
Features
Hide.Me is based in Malaysia for a reason.
Unlike other countries, Malaysia does not oblige IT firms to log clients’ online data. This has allowed Hide.Me to build a network that is simply unable to store any information on your online activity. Wherever you are in the world, you can rest assured your privacy will have the highest level of protection possible.
Hide.Me also supports one of the widest ranges of VPN protocols on the market, making it a breeze to achieve high levels of security encryption. The protocols available include IKEv2, OpenVPN and SSTP, which are widely regarded as the most secure VPN protocols available. Unusually, however, Hide.Me also supports Softether: an open source, highly secure protocol developed in 2013.
Unfortunately, Hide.Me only has servers in 29 countries. While there are servers on all major continents, the number of countries is disappointingly low when compared to other VPN providers we reviewed.
Speed
Overall, Hide.Me does well on speed and reliability.
The wide choice of protocols and encryption levels afford a high degree of control over your VPN’s speed.
Obviously, higher encryption levels will still have an effect on your internet speed.
That said, all Hide.Me’s servers can reach gigabit speeds. You can also see how much bandwidth is being used on each server, so you can choose one with less traffic. This will make your connection more reliable and maximizes your speed, even on a higher encryption level.
Pricing and Deals
All options come with a 30-day money-back guarantee and include 24/7 support, use of 5 simultaneous devices, support for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, and access to more than 1,400 servers across the globe. HideMe also offers a free version with limited features.
Torrents
Bittorrent users can download safely using HideMe’s torrent-friendly VPN server. The website recommends taking these steps before getting started with P2P:
- Activate HideMe’s Stealth Guard
- Enable the kill switch
- Bind the torrent client into your VPN via SOCKS proxy
- Enable UPnP (optional)
- Connect to the P2P/torrent-friendly server
Detailed instructions for each of the above steps are laid out in easy-to-follow tutorial on HideMe’s website.
Netflix
HideMe has servers in Los Angeles and Las Vegas dedicated specifically to unblocking Netflix. The website offers complete instructions for locating, selecting, and using these servers in order to stream US Netflix.
Client Setup
Setting up and troubleshooting your VPN is easy and takes a matter of minutes.
On the website, you’ll find comprehensive step by step instructions on setting up your VPN. These include both manual setup guides and recommended settings for Windows, OSX, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, BlackBerry, and even Ubuntu. You’ll also find instructions on how to set up a router.
Apps
HideMe’s mobile apps for iOS and Android offer the same seamless service as the desktop version. Both are free, and the Android app includes additional features such as an auto-reconnect tool that stops and starts in the event that connection goes in and out.
How Does HideMe Compare?
Customer Support
Hide.Me’s customer support is excellent.
Even before you commit to a purchase, you can ask an agent for more information about the service via a live chat. Clicking on the green ‘Ask Us How It Works’ tab at the bottom right of the website instantly connects you to a customer representative, without any waiting time.
Setting up and troubleshooting your VPN is equally easy.
You’ll find comprehensive step by step instructions on setting up your VPN. These include both manual setup guides and recommended settings for Windows, OSX, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, BlackBerry, and even Ubuntu. You’ll also find instructions on how to set up a router.
There is also an active community forum where you can look up troubleshooting guides, ask questions and get help with technical issues. The forum is very active, and most issues are addressed within a few hours.
Unfortunately, there is no live chat or number you can call for technical support. Should you not get satisfactory answers in the forum, you’ll need to fill in a contact form and wait for a reply. That said, the service is advertised as being available 24/7 and you can normally expect a reply within a few hours at most.
Ease of Use
Hide.Me assigns an anonymous IP address that works through an encrypted tunnel, so your ISP will be unable to figure out your online activity. You can choose up to AES-256 encryption - the encryption level preferred by governments.
The IP address is randomly assigned, which means you have no control over how it looks. However, you can pick your choice of server location, depending on the type of online content you want to gain access to.
Unfortunately, while there are servers on all major continents, only 29 countries are covered. Because of this, Hide.Me has a lower degree of flexibility than other VPN providers we reviewed.
FAQs
How can I safely download torrents?
HideMe has torrent-friendly servers that are marked on the Servers Page. Each server that’s P2P-friendly will have a green P2P icon.
Will HideMe store and use any of information of mine?
Only your email. Paid users can remove their email address, and will then be anonymous as long as they follow the company’s service agreements.
Bottom Line
Hide.Me is entirely log free and has unparallelled VPN protocol support. While the number of server locations is on the low side, it’s still your best bet if you’re serious about your online privacy.
