Hide.me ZDNET's key takeaways Hide.me's exceptional free service is as legit as advertised with no strings attached
The full version has remarkable server connections and useful app optimization settings, and it works well with streaming platforms, too, including Netflix
It's lacking in some sectors, notably the server network isn't as big, and it requires advanced manual configuration on Linux View now at Hide.me
After more than a decade in operation, Hide.me still remains a reliable free VPN for many users worldwide. There are legitimate reasons why many like it. Personally, I can vouch that the app is safe to use, even in its free version, which has earned our pick as the best free VPN for beginners.
Also: How to select a VPN and why you need to be cautious with free ones
But what can you expect from the premium side Hide.me VPN? Not fireworks. Yes, the connections are staggeringly fast, but overall, it's not yet there with the best VPNs. There are pitfalls to consider before going all in. From firsthand experience with the app, I'll share the good and the bad, and also reflect on some noteworthy issues about the provider.
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It's a great free service, and upgrades don't cost much either
The free app offers perks such as unlimited data bandwidth (not restricted to 10GB like most) and secure servers in eight countries. It's clean and ad-free, so you won't be bothered by third-party content displays while using the app. Account creation isn't necessary as a free user, but you're restricted to one device connection at a time.
Screenshot by Kennedy Otieno/ZDNET
As a freemium service, most of the advanced features are behind a paywall. I had to use the paid plan to experience faster performance and, of course, to access more server locations. A one-month subscription costs $9.95, and the extended 12- and 27-month plans are $55 ($2.59/month) and $69 ($4.57/month), respectively. Premium plans allow you up to ten simultaneous device connections, which is about the same number as NordVPN.
I don't buy into the idea that Hide.me is cheap, but rather fairly priced based on the industry rates. Value VPNs like Surfshark and Private Internet Access offer users more in terms of server network, security features, and multi-user support, at a lower cost. So, there's still more that the provider can do to justify the cost.
I like that Hide.me renews at the same prices, whereas many services hike rates after the first purchase. You can pay with options such as PayPal, Google Pay, credit cards, and even cryptocurrency. Apple Pay, unfortunately, isn't supported. Every Hide.me VPN plan comes with a 30-day 'no questions asked' refund policy, which means you can get your money in full if you change your mind.
Also: The best free VPNs we've tested
Save for the small server network, the VPN can be used for streaming
Hide.me's server coverage isn't as expansive as other VPN services in the same price range. It has about 2,600 servers in 57 countries and roughly 91 locations/cities. Many of these are in North America and Europe, with fewer locations in other regions. Comparatively, VPNs like HMA boast servers in more than 190 countries, while NordVPN and Proton VPN are in over 120 countries, thereby appealing more to users looking for secure IP addresses for international browsing.
I was able to use Hide.me VPN with global streaming, despite the underwhelming server distribution. I tested the optimized US and UK streaming servers, and they worked with Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, and 7Plus Australia. These dedicated servers are only usable with a paid plan, but, surprisingly, I noted that even free servers can unblock sites like Hulu, Disney+ (although lag was evident), and a number of free streaming services, including Tubi and Pluto TV.
Screenshot by Kennedy Otieno/ZDNET
When I switched to the regular servers (with a premium subscription), I could still access many of these services except for BBC iPlayer. I got a message that either I'm outside of the UK or using a VPN, an indication that the app wasn't properly masking my details on this platform.
So while I had some success with streaming, the outcomes sometimes vary, depending also on who's testing. I'd recommend trying the app yourself and see if it's giving you the right results. Many streaming sites aren't friendly to VPNs, and even good ones may, from time to time, face challenges.
Also: Best VPNs for streaming
Speeds are surprisingly fast, though, for some reason, not well adjusted for gaming
User comments on Reddit made me skeptical about whether the Hide.me free version could deliver connections above 2Mbps. But those doubts were unfounded, because the download speeds surpassed 10Mbps, although upload speeds didn't go beyond 3Mbps. Free servers in the US and UK were mostly OK, but connections to Germany were too slow, taking up to 10 seconds to load websites. The free app can be conveniently used with casual browsing on sites like Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube, though instabilities may adversely affect livestreaming.
Things are a lot quicker with the paid Hide.me version. The download speeds on US and UK servers were between 125Mbps and 95Mbps, averaging a 74% speed retention rate from 150Mbps internet connections without the VPN. Many of Hide.me servers can handle up to 10Gbps connections, so the app won't cap data if you're on a high-speed network of, say, 1Gbps or more. This is how the select server locations fared in terms of speed loss and latency increase.
Server location Speed test data South Africa (without VPN) Download:151Mbps Upload: 105Mbps Latency: 14ms Washington, Seattle (United States) Download:124Mbps (-18%) Upload: 69Mbps (-34%) Latency: 106ms (+102) Illinois, Chicago (United States) Download: 105Mbps (-28%) Upload: 74Mbps (-30%) Latency: 126ms (+112) Toronto (Canada) Download: 117Mbps (-23%) Upload: 57Mbps (-46%) Latency: 111ms (+97) London (United Kingdom) Download: 130Mbps (-14%) Upload: 78Mbps (18%) Latency: 96ms (+82) Frankfurt (Germany) Download:101Mbps (-33%) Upload: 46Mbps (56%) Latency: 134ms (+120) Ukraine Download: 95Mbps (-37%) Upload: 44Mbps (-58%) Latency: 152ms (+138) Sydney (Australia) Download: 88Mbps (-42%) Upload: 47Mbps (-55%) Latency: 165ms (+151)
Windows users can boost speeds by toggling the Bolt "Fast Proxy" setting on. It prioritizes TCP traffic over UDP, the latter not being so reliable on Windows as with other operating systems. If you're wondering whether it can make a difference, the answer is yes, because proxy routing is often faster. I noticed slightly better improvements in performance, although I can't say with certainty if it was because of the Bolt feature.
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Screenshot by Kennedy Otieno/ZDNET
With all the praise on speed, I still wouldn't recommend Hide.me for online and cloud gaming. Server connections were marred with high latency, and there was also a tendency for upload speeds to drop significantly. For seamless gameplay, you need all of these to be stable, besides just having fast download speeds.
Excellent job on user privacy and data protection
The Hide.me VPN app offers many protocol settings. There are six options, including the SoftEther and WireGuard protocols, known to have a good balance of speed and security. This versatility makes it highly adaptable; for example, IKEv2/IPSec works better on phones, and SoftEther can access websites that block VPN traffic. There are also OpenVPN and SSTP protocols, though leaving the setting on "Automatic" allows the app to pick the best protocol based on your internet performance and browsing activity.
Screenshot by Kennedy Otieno/ZDNET
I didn't get any red flags that my security was compromised when I used the app. I checked traffic packets using the Wireshark analyzer tool, and confirmed that the AES 256-bit encryption is as robust as with the likes of ExpressVPN. I also conducted leak tests on both the free and premium apps, and neither my IP address nor DNS information showed. I appreciate the app's advanced settings like IPv6 leak protection and Private DNS to help keep your information secure.
Some of the settings sound confusing, like StealthGuard and SmartGuard. The latter blocks ads, trackers, and malware. Many VPNs today offer this feature as an addition to make browsing online safer by minimizing intrusive data collection and scam links. StealthGuard, on the other hand, blocks internet access on your device if the VPN connection drops suddenly, which can expose your IP address.
If you often use peer-to-peer BitTorrent clients, you will find things like VPN-binding, port forwarding, and split tunneling quite useful for improving your file download experience. The app also offers a customizable multihop setup where you can choose entry and exit server nodes and reroute torrent traffic through two countries for better privacy.
Hide.me VPN keeps its operations transparent and doesn't ask for much data from users. Its no-logs policy is regularly audited (most recently by Securitum), making it as trustworthy as any other VPN we recommend. I looked into the ownership and didn't find any controversies linked to eVenture Ltd, the company behind it. The service is also based in Malaysia, which is a better location for privacy, as it doesn't require companies to collect and store their customers' information.
Hide.me compatible devices
Hide.me has native apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Apple TV, Android TV, and Amazon Fire TV, as well as browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. While it's simple to install the VPN on these platforms, Linux and router setups are not as straightforward. The guides provided on the website aren't easy to follow, either for a typical beginner. So, if you're primarily interested in protecting these devices, you'd be better off with another provider.
Also: Best VPNs for Linux
I love that Hide.me is loaded with many features and works as any quality VPN does. However, they could do a lot better on the design. The default interface appears old-fashioned and less motivating -- locating the settings felt like a chore. It isn't as intuitive as, for example, CyberGhost. You will find some similarities with the latter, like an auto server selection feature, well-labelled streaming servers, and an option to favorite the best performing servers. Hide.me even offers a point-and-connect map interface, but it looks very basic.
Screenshot by Kennedy Otieno/ZDNET
I switched to the dark theme, and it worked better for me on PC. Overall, the mobile experience wasn't any different from a laptop, though I noted that kill switch and split tunneling features aren't offered on iOS. If you face any difficulties with the app, Hide.me's support is available 24/7, and they're always willing to assist via live chat.
ZDNET's buying advice
It's mostly a thumbs up for Hide.me VPN. But first, we'd advise getting a feel for the app (using the free app or money-back guarantee) and understanding whether it excels in the area where you intend to use it. Overall, we found it trustworthy and reliably fast, including for streaming and secure torrenting. But key drawbacks, such as limited server spread and the lack of support for some platforms, mean it can't be useful for everyone.
FAQs How can I use Hide.me VPN for free? To use the free version of Hide.me, simply download the app for your device from the website or application store. Once you've installed and launched the app, click the "Create Account Here" link. Then, you can create an account or sign in without one by choosing "Get Your Free Plan". Connect to any free server location to access content in that country or browse the web anonymously. Is Hide.me VPN safe to use? Yes, Hide.me is safe. It secures your data and internet connections with modern encryption and tunneling protocols, and there are also stiff measures in place to ensure user anonymity. You can use it to safeguard your privacy online or, among other things, download torrents securely, thanks to bundled features like IP leak protection, tracking blocker, and a kill switch. The provider adheres to a zero-logging policy and has been audited severally. Does the free Hide.me VPN app have unlimited data? Yes, Hide.me doesn't restrict bandwidth data like many free services. This allowance means you can use it every day without exhausting any preset monthly limits. Proton VPN is the only other free service of this kind. The other free and safe VPNs we often recommend, like Windscribe, cap bandwidth usage to 10GB per month, or less. Can Hide.me VPN work in China? It's mostly a matter of trial to see whether Hide.me can be used in China. The provider suggests trying different protocols and settings to get it working in the country. Other than that, they don't give any guarantees because the Great Firewall of China blocks most VPN servers. Still, it's worth giving Hide.me a chance if you're looking for a free VPN to use in China. You can even download the Android APK if you don't have access to the Google Play Store while in China. Show more