Hide.me VPN offers both free and paid subscriptions for their users, although the free version is limited to 8 locations and 1 connection. However, it does not limit data or require card (or even email!) details to sign up, making it one of the best VPN free versions currently.
Hide.me offers an organized streaming-friendly server list and successfully unblocked 8 out of 9 streaming libraries during our tests. The speed test also places it among the fastest VPNs, with a slight bump on Asian servers.
Another plus of theirs is the use of bank security-grade AES-256 encryption with advanced features like StealthGuard and SmartGuard.
How does their connection speed fare up to the industry leaders like ExpressVPN and NordVPN?
Below you’ll learn 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
Tech entrepreneur Sebastian Schaub launched Hide.me in 2012 in Malaysia, which is its current jurisdiction (outside of 14-eyes alliance). It is owned by eVenture Ltd., which is independent of corporations that own multiple VPNs, like Kape Technologies.
In 2015, it became one of the first independently audited VPNs. Hide.me maintains the no-logs transparency practice, undergoing its last audit in 2024.
It has a wide range of cybersecurity features, but that doesn’t clutter its neatly organized app. However, VPN newcomers may find it complex at first.
On a less positive note, it has a somewhat limited 2600 server network across 48 countries, or 91 locations with city-level targeting. Simultaneous connections are limited to 10, and the speed-boosting Bolt feature is restricted to Windows.
But that’s the very few shortcomings in an otherwise great VPN app that successfully bypassed our tests.
| OVERALL RANK: | #9 Out of 30 VPNs |
| USABILITY: | Intuitive and Customizable |
| LOG FILES: | No Logging Policy |
| LOCATIONS: | 91 Locations, 2,600+ Servers |
| SUPPORT: | 24/7 Support via Live Chat, Email, and a Ticketing System |
| TORRENTING: | Full Torrenting Support |
| NETFLIX: | Unblocks Netflix in Germany, Japan, UK, and More |
| ENCRYPTION/PROTOCOL: | AES-256, ChaCha20 / WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, SoftEtherVPN, SSTP |
| COST: | Free or $2.69/month |
| OFFICIAL WEBSITE: | www.Hide.me |
Hide.me Pros
Hide.me has significantly improved since our last review, offering an excellent free version, better streaming capabilities, great speeds, and an excellent no-logging policy with zero leaks. Check it out.
1. Enhanced Security Features
Hide.me offers multiple protocols, a customizable kill switch, port-forwarding, specialty servers, and more security benefits. We found it similar to NordVPN, offering advanced features in a simplified app.
For example, there are 5 protocols to choose from, each optimized for different circumstances.
It offers a few features we rarely see elsewhere. You can lock the Hide.me app with a pin number. You also select a ‘Fallback protocol’ in case the original disconnects and use Custom DNS addresses to bypass DNS-level blocks.
It is one of the few VPNs that still support port-forwarding. Although it gives users more control over their incoming traffic, beginners should research how exactly that works before proceeding. Overall, Hide.me has excellent security features, but they demand some technical know-how.
2. A Clean and Simple No-Logs Policy
One of the main selling points of Hide.me is its no log policy.
They won’t log any of your browsing activity, connection information, IP addresses, your name, or any other personal information whatsoever.
How does it execute this feat?
Well, unlike a lot of other VPNs who ended up adding no-log features after they were up and running, Hide.me was built with having no logs at the front of their mind. As mentioned, it was among the first VPNs to undergo an independent audit.
We even did an extensive research on logging policies and found out that Hide.me truly doesn’t keep any logs while some others who make similar claims (hint: Betternet & Total VPN) do.
But, don’t just take our word for it. Cybersecurity experts at Securitum audited Hide.me in 2024 to once again prove it’s no-logs. Also, it outlined how the VPN works on a privacy-oriented RAM-only server structure.
Lastly, it was re-accredited by VPN Trust Initiative in 2025, which means they follow its security, privacy, responsible advertising, and transparency practices.
3. Advanced Kill Switch and StealthGuard
A kill switch lets you stay protected, even when the VPN connection drops, but Hide.me goes beyond the standard kill switch with their secure StealthGuard feature.
You might think of this as a nice add-on feature, but here’s why it’s absolutely essential.
If your VPN connection drops at any time, your computer will often try to automatically connect back to another network (through a known WiFi network or your mobile’s cell data). During that moment, your device sends data outside of the VPN tunnel, risking a possible data leak.
StealthGuard goes beyond a traditional kill switch by preventing all traffic, even if the VPN is not active, ensuring 100% privacy protection.
The screenshot above illustrates how Hide.me blocks pings to the Cloudflare server without an established VPN connection, which works perfectly even on the free version. You can configure it to bind your entire internet connection to the VPN or limit specific apps to VPN-only operation.
4. IP and DNS Leak Protection
Hide.me takes extra lengths to ensure your IP address is protected. Once the connection with the Hide.me VPN is established, the app will delete the default local gateway to your internet connection, so your IP will be completely inaccessible.
Plus, they block outgoing IPv6 connections too, and now offer full IPv6 support with dual-stack functionality, handling both IPv4 and IPv6 traffic seamlessly.
A DNS leak occurs when DNS requests are routed through your computer and network, instead of the VPN you’re using.
With Hide.me, you immediately set up a public DNS to the Hide.me network interface. That way, every DNS request is routed through this VPN network, and once again, you’re invisible.
All of that sounds great in theory, right?
But we don’t stop at theory. So we put these claims to the test.
After connecting to a Hide.me server, we headed to ipleak.net to find out if our true IP address was actually hidden. The results showed that it was:
Although the IPv6 address is visible, it belongs to Hide.me, and not our ISP, so there’s also no leak there.
We also tested to see if there were any DNS and WebRTC leaks with this VPN using BrowserLeaks tools and found zero leaks.
This proves that Hide.me is telling the truth when they boast about IP and DNS leak protection. Users can rest assured that there are truly no IP or DNS leaks with Hide.me.
5. Excellent Streaming Performance (Including Netflix)
Streaming compatibility is actually now a major Hide.me strength rather than a weakness! Hide.me has dramatically improved its streaming capabilities since our last review.
Hide.me now successfully unblocks:
– Netflix (UK, Germany, Japan, and more)
– BBC iPlayer
– Disney+
– Hulu
– HBO Max
– Amazon Prime Video
Firstly, Hide.me worked 8 out of 9 times, but failed to unblock Netflix US, however much we tried. But all other streaming sites worked on the first hit using Hide.me dedicated streaming servers.
We successfully unblocked A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms using HBO MAX and an Amazon Prime bundle with the location set to Germany.
On BBC iPlayer, we turned on the Liverpool vs Manchester match.
And on Disney+, we accessed Star Wars on the first try.
The service now includes dedicated streaming servers optimized for different platforms, and free users get access to basic streaming functionality on select servers.
6. Excellent Torrenting Support
Hide.me has significantly improved its torrenting capabilities since our last review. The service now supports P2P file sharing on all servers, including free plan servers, making it one of the most torrent-friendly VPNs available.
Hide.me has a specialized SOCKS5 proxy that can be used for speedy P2P connections, perfect for torrenting. The SOCKS5 proxy is unencrypted, but you can use it with the VPN for added encryption.
Since most browsers and P2P torrent clients support the SOCKS5 proxy, then this proxy can act as a kill switch for secure torrent downloading. According to Hide.me, this proxy and VPN setup can allow for much faster P2P application transfer rates too.
With a premium subscription, you also get access to dynamic port forwarding. This allows P2P software to make a direct connection, rather than form that connection over a centralized server environment, significantly improving download speeds for torrent users.
7. Speed Test Results
Hide.me performed very well during speed testing, only experiencing noteworthy drop on distant Asia servers. However, the free version speeds left a lot to be desired, which you can inspect in the Hide.me cons section.
Here are all the premium Hide.me results.
Baseline
- Download: 250.85Mbps
- Upload: 251.89Mbps
- Ping: 1ms
Nearest Server
- Download: 238.12Mbps
- Upload: 237.69Mbps
- Ping: 13ms
US East
- Download: 226.63Mbps
- Upload: 230.57Mbps
- Ping: 97ms
US West
- Download: 210.79Mbps
- Upload: 225.59Mbps
- Ping: 181ms
Europe
- Download: 234.98Mbps
- Upload: 237.76Mbps
- Ping: 29ms
Asia
- Download: 189.72Mbps
- Upload: 123.57Mbps
- Ping: 271ms
All tests were performed using WireGuard protocol, which is currently the fastest and most stable VPN protocol. Hide.me repeatedly delivered consistent results on the US servers, but streaming or even browsing connected to Japan introduced visible lag.
8. Their App is Easy To Use
Hide.me’s interface is easy to navigate no matter the device you’re using.
On a PC or Mac, all it takes to connect to Hide.me is one press of a button.
Switching server locations is also a breeze. All you have to do it open up the master list, scroll through to find the location you’re looking for, and tap. You’ll be connected within seconds.
We particularly liked its specialty server grouping. Take a look at the streaming-friendly server list below that did an excellent job unblocking libraries.
Hide.me’s mobile app is just as well designed. Similar to the desktop version, you can connect to a server immediately with just the tap of a button. They do a good job limiting the number of clicks (or taps) you have to do to find anything.
Locations and servers are searchable, and users can select app settings that best suit their specific VPN needs. The app now includes specialty servers, AdBlock, split tunneling, multi-language support, and numerous interface customization options you can see below.
We’ve been impressed with Hide.me so far.
However, VPNs aren’t perfect. And Hide.me is no different. Here’s why.
Hide.me Cons
While Hide.me has improved significantly since our last review, there are still some areas where it falls behind industry leaders in terms of server network size, usability, and free app speeds.
Learn more about these drawbacks below.
1. Moderate Server Network
Hide.me has significantly expanded its server network since our last review, now offering 2,600+ servers across 91 locations worldwide, which is a substantial improvement from the previous 160+ servers in 55 locations.
It now offers a much more widespread distribution of servers across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. The server count puts it in the middle tier of VPN providers.
While these numbers are respectable, they still don’t match the largest VPN providers like NordVPN or ExpressVPN, which boast server networks in the thousands across 105+ locations. However, all of Hide.me’s servers are physical (not virtual), which can provide better performance and more reliable geo-unblocking.
2. Free App Speed Performance
Hide.me states upfront that it restricts the free app speeds. That is a common practice for most freemium services, but it also places slow speeds in the cons section.
Nearest Server
- Download: 10.22Mbps
- Upload: 0.93Mbps
- Ping: 34ms
US
- Download: 1.47Mbps
- Upload: 1.30Mbps
- Ping: 281ms
As you can see, the difference is wide. These connection speeds are enough for light browsing, but using them for streaming or p2p traffic is not the best idea.
3. Up to 10 Simultaneous Connections on Premium
Hide.me has improved its device connection limits since our last review. The premium plan now allows up to 10 simultaneous connections, which is more generous than many competitors.
However, the free plan still only allows one single connection, and mid-tier plans may have limitations.
This is actually quite competitive now, as most premium VPNs offer 5-10 connections, though some providers like Surfshark offer unlimited connections.
The value for money has improved significantly with the increased connection limit.
4. Enhanced But Still Limited Free Plan
Hide.me’s free plan has seen significant improvements but still has restrictions that limit its usefulness for heavy users.
The free plan now offers:
– Unlimited data (upgraded from 2GB cap)
– 8 server locations (increased from 3)
– One device connection
– Full security features
While this is one of the most generous free VPN plans available, you won’t get access to streaming servers, SmartGuard ad blocker, port forwarding, or multihop functionality.
The streaming restrictions mean free users cannot access Netflix or other major streaming platforms, which is understandable for a free service.
5. Improved Customer Support
Hide.me’s support has improved since our last review, though there’s still room for enhancement.
They offer 24/7 support via live chat, email, and a ticketing system. There’s also a user community and comprehensive knowledge base.
When I sent Hide.me a message via live chat, an agent responded quickly. Response times are generally good for basic inquiries.
However, for technical questions, representatives often direct users to the technical team or ticketing system, which can cause delays.
The knowledge base has been expanded with better setup guides and troubleshooting information, making it more useful for self-service support.
Hide.me Pricing, Plans, & Payment Methods
Hide.me has simplified and improved their pricing structure since our last review, making it more competitive and transparent. Unlike some VPNs, Hide.me doesn’t hide their terms and conditions and pricing with dense legalese.
You’ll find four different pricing plans: 1 month, 12 months, 26 months, and its free version.
Current Pricing (2026):
– Monthly: $11.99 per month
– 1-Year Plan: $4.58 per month (billed annually at $54.99)
– 26-Month Plan: $2.69 per month (billed at $69.99 for 26 months)
The 26-month plan offers excellent value, making Hide.me one of the more affordable premium VPNs available. The pricing is now more competitive with industry leaders while offering comparable features.
You can get away with using the free plan for basic needs, as it now offers unlimited data and access to 8 server locations. The free plan automatically renews every month without requiring manual renewal.
Another significant improvement! Hide.me now offers a full 30-day money-back guarantee (increased from 14 days) with no restrictive data limits.
You can now use the service normally during the trial period without worrying about hitting a 500MB data cap that would void your refund eligibility.
The refund process is straightforward – you simply need to contact support via email or live chat to request your refund, and most users report receiving their money back within 7-10 business days.
Regarding anonymous payment options, you can pay with:
– Credit/Debit Cards
– PayPal
– Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies
– Wire transfer
– Various regional payment methods
The terms of service and privacy policy are clearly written in understandable language.
**They don’t keep or store any of your data or personal information, and if you decide to stop using the service your data is deleted.**
Overall, Hide.me doesn’t have anything to hide. Their pricing, terms of service, and privacy policy are all written in easy to read language with no hidden upsells, fees, or sneaky contracts.
Do We Recommend Hide.me?
If you’re the type of person who cares about their own privacy and want a VPN that has significantly improved since 2012, then Hide.me is definitely worth considering in 2026.
Hide.me now offers a feature-rich, easy-to-use, and secure VPN that’ll be able to meet most users’ needs, especially with the improved 26-month plan pricing at just $2.69/month. The free plan has also become much more usable with unlimited data.
Overall, with its comprehensive P2P support, stellar security and privacy measures, improved streaming capabilities, and enhanced server network, it would be a great fit for people seeking a well-rounded VPN service.
The improvements since our last review are substantial: better Netflix unblocking, increased server count, unlimited data on free plan, longer money-back guarantee, and more competitive pricing.
However, there are still some considerations: speeds can be variable on distant servers, and while the server network has grown, it’s still smaller than industry giants like NordVPN & ExpressVPN.
In addition, customer support, while improved, could still benefit from better first-line technical knowledge. Top VPN providers typically offer more specialized streaming and regional server options.
Bottom Line: Hide.me has evolved from a decent VPN with limitations into a solid, competitive option that offers excellent value, particularly for users seeking strong privacy features, good streaming capabilities, and a generous free tier.