Hide.me VPN: A Comprehensive Review of Features, Performance, and Security
Hide.me, a Malaysia-based VPN service operated by eVenture Ltd., has evolved significantly since my last review.
Hide.me, a Malaysia-based VPN service operated by eVenture Ltd., has evolved significantly since my last review. While it doesn’t have the same name recognition as other popular VPN services, Hide.me continues to offer a competitive and reliable solution for online privacy and security. In this review, I’ll explore the latest updates, including the new security audit, user interface improvements, and the additional features introduced to enhance its service.
Interface and Usability
Since my last review, Hide.me hasn’t undergone drastic changes to its interface, but that’s not a negative. The application received a significant redesign a few years ago, and its layout remains functional and aesthetically pleasing. Upon opening the app, users are greeted with a dashboard that displays important information, such as the Quick Connect button, IP address details, account info, a list of streaming-optimized servers, and Favorite Locations. This dashboard is customizable, allowing you to rearrange widgets and choose which information is displayed.
On the left sidebar, users will find additional tabs for Locations, Map, Features, Socials, Settings, Account, and Support. The Locations tab offers a searchable list of servers, including 10G servers marked with an icon for high-speed connections. Users can filter through all servers, those optimized for streaming, or select multihop servers. The addition of a filter based on proximity to the user’s home IP is a recent feature, allowing for a more personalized server selection.
For those who prefer visual representations, the Map tab offers a world map displaying server locations. This feature may appeal to those who prefer a spatial view of Hide.me’s server network.
Features and Advanced Options
Hide.me shines when it comes to its feature set. While basic options such as auto-connect and launch on system startup are present, the service introduces some advanced tools that stand out in the market. One of the standout additions is the “Bolt Fast Proxy,” designed to optimize speed over OpenVPN TCP connections. This feature can be particularly beneficial for Windows users, improving internet speed performance.
The service also supports split tunneling, allowing users to route certain apps or traffic outside the VPN connection, while other traffic goes through the secure tunnel. Additionally, Hide.me offers a proprietary firewall feature called “Stealth Guard,” which prevents IP address leaks by blocking internet access unless connected to the VPN.
For more advanced users, Hide.me includes a port-forwarding feature, allowing incoming data to bypass local firewalls for faster connections. However, port forwarding can expose users to additional security risks, so caution is advised. There’s also an ad and tracker blocker called “SmartGuard,” further enhancing the privacy experience.
The app features a kill switch, ensuring that if the VPN connection drops, your internet access will be automatically cut off to protect your privacy. This feature is essential for users who prioritize security.
Performance and Speed
Hide.me offers a wide range of protocols, including IKEv2, OpenVPN, SoftEtherVPN, WireGuard, and SSTP, along with custom DNS options for further flexibility. While the app is packed with features, this can also be overwhelming for beginners, as navigating through the various menus to configure everything takes time. Once you become familiar with the app, however, it becomes easier to customize the settings according to your preferences.
In terms of speeds, Hide.me offers decent performance, but not without some inconsistencies. In my testing across servers in six countries, the average speed was about 45% of the base download speed and 68% of the base upload speed. These speeds are adequate for most tasks but are not among the fastest in the industry. The speeds varied from server to server, with more noticeable drops as the distance between my location and the server increased. However, I did find that using WireGuard, one of Hide.me’s protocols, offered slightly better speeds compared to others.
It’s important to note that VPN speeds fluctuate due to various factors such as network congestion and server location. Therefore, your experience with Hide.me’s speeds may differ from the results presented in this review.
Streaming and Unblocking
Hide.me excels when it comes to streaming. The service offers dedicated streaming-optimized servers that can unblock platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and more. During my testing, I was able to access these streaming sites with ease on both optimized and non-optimized servers. This makes Hide.me a solid choice for bypassing geo-blocks and accessing restricted content from different regions.
However, the free version of Hide.me is not ideal for streaming. With only eight servers available and a data limit of 10GB per month, it’s not well-suited for activities like streaming high-definition video. For users looking for a free VPN that can handle streaming, other options like Proton VPN may be more suitable.
Pricing and Plans
Hide.me offers a range of pricing plans. The monthly plan costs $11.95 per month, which is a bit steep compared to competitors like NordVPN or Surfshark. The one-year plan costs $53.88, or $4.49 per month, which is more affordable, but still on the higher end. The two-year plan is the best value, priced at $61.83, or $2.29 per month. This plan also includes an additional three months for free, making it one of the most affordable long-term VPN options.
Hide.me also offers a free version, which provides access to the same security features as the premium plan but with limitations. The free plan is capped at 10GB of data per month and only provides access to eight servers. While this is great for casual browsing and testing the service, it’s not ideal for streaming or heavy usage.
Privacy and Security
Hide.me has a strong privacy policy and offers robust security features. The VPN uses AES 256-bit encryption, which is industry-standard and highly secure. It also supports a range of protocols, including OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2. In my tests, Hide.me did not leak any IP addresses, providing a secure browsing experience.
Hide.me is based in Malaysia, which is a privacy-friendly jurisdiction. Malaysia does not have data retention laws, and the country is not part of any international surveillance alliances like the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, or Fourteen Eyes. This gives Hide.me an additional layer of privacy protection compared to VPNs based in countries with more intrusive surveillance practices.
The service underwent a security audit by Defense Code Ltd. in 2015 and has since completed two new audits. In December 2023, it passed a Mobile Application Security Assessment (MASA), and in June 2024, Hide.me completed another full audit of its no-log policy by Securitum. These audits help reassure users that Hide.me takes privacy seriously.
Conclusion
Hide.me is a solid choice for privacy-conscious users and power users alike. Its impressive range of features, robust security protocols, and streaming performance make it an appealing option for those who need a flexible and reliable VPN service. However, its user interface can be a bit overwhelming for beginners, and speeds can be inconsistent across servers. Still, Hide.me offers a free version, allowing users to test the service before committing to a paid plan.
While it may not be the fastest VPN out there, Hide.me’s excellent security features, unblocking capabilities, and strong privacy track record make it a standout choice in the crowded VPN market. If you’re an experienced user or someone who values privacy and customization, Hide.me is worth considering.
