HideMe VPN Review – Is It Safe in 2024

Our investigations of free VPNs help customers make decisions while choosing a provider. Often, it is not so evident to form a thoughtful opinion because, on the surface, there is a lack of information. Also, if you are not technically aware, it would be a sophisticated process of immersing yourself in the variety of protocols, transportation layers, encryptions, and other stuff related to the VPN topic. Without this knowledge, you can make your choice just by relying on luck.

Years of experience afford us the ability to create a precise and realistic imagination about one or another provider. And what is important for our readers is that we convey the main point in simple words. So if you are a beginner, be sure that our information is not over your head.

We explore the privacy policy page, internal security settings, speed capabilities, and other key characteristics. You will see in the review screenshots from the real application and the corresponding website with our descriptions. We hope our work will facilitate you in making the best pick for your needs.

Pros

• High security standards for desktop apps
• Simple installation and launching
• 10 GB of traffic per month for free version
• Strict no-logging policy

Cons

• Very low speed connection on Windows
• Very low speed connection on macOS
• Browsers extension speed connection is extremely low
• Low speed connection on Android
• Does not work in countries with strict boundaries of web usage
• Live support does not work

HideMe VPN Features

Hide.me VPN is a virtual private network service designed to ensure privacy and security for its users. The developer team embedded OpenVPN, IKEv2, and L2TP/IPsec protocols in their software architecture.

They affirm not to log user activity, which means no data is to be stored. The network of their system obtains servers in 70+ locations across the world. A kill switch technology insulates the safeguard system from data leakage in case the connection fails. Due to the split tunneling option, consumers can choose what apps or websites will be used with the VPN.

Products’ distribution has found itself for an array of popular PC operating systems, mobile operating systems, and browser extensions:

• Windows;    
• macOS; 
• Linux;
• Android;
• iOS;
• Google Chrome browser;
• Mozilla Firefox browser;  
• Microsoft Edge browser. 

Regarding the information from the official website, users can enjoy the free plan of the product that encompasses 10 GB per month of traffic, 8 free locations, 1 connected device, and no logging.

We know that sometimes such promises may be tricky, and behind the scenes, they can be realized not so unambiguously. Our investigation is aimed at revealing the actual state of being.

Privacy and Logging

The majority of VPNs display on their websites bright banners with the affirmation of 100% anonymity or something in that spirit. After meticulous investigation of their privacy policies, it appears that they collect some users’ data for various reasons, like legal obligations or maintaining their system. And we will now see what real conditions the current provider offers.

The first piece of information ensuring zero logs comes on the main page.

HideMe’s no-logging policy page confidently affirms that the method of work they have chosen does not apply to storing or logging client data. 

As presented on the banner, they do not log any user activity. At the bottom of the no-logs policy page is placed an additional confirmation of their true attitude toward a secure privacy culture.

As presented on the banner, they do not log any user activity. At the bottom of the no-logs policy page is placed an additional confirmation of their true attitude toward a secure privacy culture.

To be honest, nothing is critical. Email is such a kind of data that we always share with a variety of third parties hundreds of times a year, for service subscriptions generally and for other purposes.

They have shared information devoted to log storage.

The temporary logs have a technical character. Provider persuades that this is a measure for troubleshooting. Every few hours, these logs are erased.

Our investigation revealed any compromising factors towards HideME VPN. The fact that they collect users’ emails does not entail mistrust. It is an ordinary operation to provide the email to some third party for registration purposes, for example.

Speed Tests – How Fast is HideMe VPN

Good VPN has a set of balanced properties: security options, privacy policy, internally featured settings, speed rates, etc. If one component is absent, the use of the software can be uncomfortable. A speed test is an important part of our assessment. The indexes of speed directly impact whether you enjoy your web experience or not.

Our team separated an examination into three divisions:

• PC app;
• mobile apps;
• browsers extensions.

In the next turn, the PC division includes testing on:

• Windows;
• macOS

Browsers division includes:

• Chrome;
• Firefox;
• Edge.

Mobile division includes:

• Android;
• iOS.

The PC block will start the investigation, then browsers and mobile’s part. 

PC Test

The main purpose of the test is to define how current VPN influences pure internet service provider (ISP) speed. We have tested the software on each operating system, utilizing two locations: the US and one randomly selected European country from the list of available geos.

We will present the results first for Windows, then for macOS. The tests were conducted with a single ISP and a single speed checker.

Windows

The screenshot below depicts the comparison among ISP speed, VPN speed connected to the US server, and VPN speed connected to the Netherlands server.

Vertical image shows the results of the ISP. The indexes are:

• download speed is 76.13 mbps;
• upload speed is 51.05 mbps;
• ping time is 3 ms.

The top-right image shows the performance of the US server. The indexes are:

• download speed is 25.01 mbps;
• upload speed is 5.21 mbps;
• ping time is 134 ms.

The output is under average results. The download speed fell by nearly 67%, and the upload speed is nearly 90% below too. Ping time has increased from 3 ms to 134 ms.

The bottom-right image shows the performance of the Netherlands server. The indexes are:

• download speed is 25.22 mbps;
• upload speed is 4.97 mbps;
• ping time is 38 ms.

The NL geolocation has almost the same losses. The download speed is 67% below the ISP speed, the upload speed has been downgraded by 91%, and the ping time has jumped from 3 ms to 38 ms.

Test demonstrated the low capability of HideMe VPN to ensure a reliable internet connection for both locations on the Windows operating system.

MacOS

The screenshot below displays the comparison among ISP speed, VPN speed connected to the US server, and VPN speed connected to the German server.

Vertical image shows the results of the ISP. The indexes are:

• download speed is 80.6 mbps;
• upload speed is 65.1 mbps;
• ping time is 4 ms.

The top-right image shows the performance of the US server. The indexes are:

• download speed is 21.4 mbps;
• upload speed is 4.66 mbps;
• ping time is 136 ms.

Results are very lean. The download speed is 73% lower than the ISP speed, and the upload speed is 93% lower too. Ping time has heightened from 3 ms to 136 ms.

The bottom-right image shows the performance of the German server. The indexes are:

• download speed is 24.2 mbps;
• upload speed is 4.61 mbps;
• ping time is 39 ms.

The German server is proximate to the US server. The download speed has been cut by nearly 70%, the upload speed scaled down by 93%, and the ping time has elevated from 3 ms to 39 ms.

The application for macOS is poorly optimized in terms of speed. Both locations are experiencing significant losses.

Conclusion

Either Windows application or macOS application performed results below the average line. Speed rates are very similar to each other on both platforms for the downloading and uploading speeds, with a tiny distinction. The speed connection is a weak chain of the VPN system for PC operation systems and requires refinement.

Browsers’ Extensions Test

Considering that browsers are a very extensive instrument for web surfing and act as transporters of enormous internet traffic, we identify them as high-priority utilities for our investigations.

HideMe has issued extensions for Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge browsers, and we made tests for all of them. From the first steps of the examination, we met an obstacle repeating on all the browsers, so this section is going to be terse.

Google Chrome Extension

The top image shows the initial speed of the ISP. The indexes are: 

• download speed is 48.92 mbps;
• upload speed is 34.58 mbps;
• ping time is 4 ms.

The central image shows an error, and the third – nothing. Exactly the same issues we faced on Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Edge. Hence, on this note, the investigation was over. The speed downgrade is so high that the speed checker, in some cases, could not even launch, and sometimes it threw an error. The examination for browsers failed because of the extensions’ inability to connect to the server. 

Mobile Test

Nowadays, mobile gadgets are an indispensable element of our social and digital being. More than a decade ago, it was just a cell phone for communication at a distance, but now it is an essential pocket EDC gadget that contains sensitive private data and a gateway to an open network called “Internet”.

The connection speed is a highly important index that impacts comfort and convenience a lot. We execute innumerable operations on mobile gadgets. If the speed is low, then satisfaction is not predicted.

We have conducted tests for Android and iOS systems, utilizing a single internet provider and two locations for each platform: the US server and one randomly selected European country. The first on-the-go will be Android, then iOS.

Android

The first image in a row shows the results of the ISP. The indexes are:

• download speed is 45.4 mbps;
• upload speed is 48.0 mbps;
• ping time is 2 ms.

The central image corresponds to the performance of the US server. The indexes are:

• download speed is 14.8 mbps;
• upload speed is 5.08 mbps;
• ping time is 184 ms.

The results are decreasing, which is palpable. The download speed fell 67% below the ISP speed, and the upload speed is nearly 89% lower. Ping time has increased from 3 ms to 184 ms.

The right image shows the performance of the French server. The indexes are:

• download speed is 24.8 mbps;
• upload speed is 4.77 mbps;
• ping time is 42 ms.

FR location as well downgraded a lot, but the results are better than for the US server. The download speed is nearly 45% lower, the upload speed is about 90% below, and the ping time has increased from 2 ms to 42 ms.

On our experience, we have seen various faster and slower cases. We cannot affirm that the results of the current provider are negligible, but we know other vendors who offer a more decent speed connection than HideMe VPN. A meaningful piece of work has to be done for this company to raise its rating.

IOS

Vertical image is about the ISP speed. The indexes are:

• download speed is 40.7 mbps;
• upload speed is 47.2 mbps;
• ping time is 4 ms.

Top-right image describes the performance of the US server. The indexes are:

• download speed is 26.1 mbps;
• upload speed is 4.5 mbps;
• ping time is 57 ms.

Results downfall is moderate for the download speed, 36% below the ISP speed, and very intensive for the upload speed, which is nearly 90% lost. Ping time has increased from 4 ms to 57 ms.

The bottom-right image shows the performance of the Spanish server. The indexes are:

• download speed is 24.6 mbps;
• upload speed is 5.09 mbps;
• ping time is 136 ms.

SP location paces in parallel range with the US server. The download speed fell nearly 40% below the ISP speed, the upload speed is about 89% below it, and the ping time has increased from 4 ms to 136 ms.

IOS application demonstrated some losses. As was mentioned above, it is not so significant to compromise this VPN, and at the same time, they have where to grow. We know providers who offer much faster connections with approximately similar general conditions.

About Safety – How Secure is HideMe VPN?

Our mission is to reveal the available features of free VPNs or free plans and to describe it in simple words for users. So an overview of the security measures was conducted for the free plan of the current provider. Let us see what is under the hood on the instance of the Windows app and then compare it to other distributives.

Windows

On this screen, we can observe 7 fields related to security:

• Bolt ‘Fast Proxy’;
• Kill Switch;
• Port Forwarding;
• SmartGuard;
• Split Tunnel;
• StealthGuard;
• VPN Protocol.

For the free plan, only a few of them are available: Kill Switch, SmartGuard, Split Tunnel, Stealth Guard, and VPN protocols.

Kill Switch
This feature is a protection from data leaks or real users’ IP address exposure in case the VPN’s connection fails. It can happen for various reasons, such as a server’s issue or a network interruption. At this moment, your private data and web activity may be exposed to third parties.

In two words about how the kill switch works. When a VPN connection drops for any reason, this feature cuts you off from the internet. As soon as the VPN connection has been restored, kill switch technology puts you back on the internet connection.

SmartGuard

This feature is HideMe’s creation.

Their own description is simple and clear. The feature is available to turn on for the free version.

Split Tunnel

It’s a convenient feature that allows you to selectively route apps traffic through the VPN or directly to the ISP network. A similar remedy accumulates bandwidth and may speed up your web operations. For example, you can select one browser to be routed through the VPN while working and sharing important data. At the same time, the second browser with some films or tv shows works directly through the ISP. 

StealthGuard

This property allows you to bind any app or the whole network connection to a VPN. Again on the example of your working space: the browser you have chosen for the job’s purpose will never launch until you do not connect to the VPN. As well, if the VPN connection is disrupted for any reason, this browser will be blocked from the internet network.

VPN Protocols:

HideMe proposes five protocols for manual selection:

• IKEv2
  • It is an effective protocol that involves solid encryption methods. As well it is compatible with mobile devices, performs Network Address Translation (NAT), and supports different authentication (EAP) approaches. It has prospective reconnection values, which efficiently works with frequently changing networks or connection disruption.
• OpenVPN
  • It is an open-source protocol widespread for establishing encrypted tunnels between devices. OpenVPN is based on OpenSSL libraries and compatible with distinctive encryption algorithms including AES. Its configuration is quite flexible with multiple authentication methods. High versatility allows it to be applicable for various operating systems and to action over UDP or TCP protocols.
• SoftEtherVPN
  • This protocol sustains diverse encryption types including AES. Multiple VPN protocols are supported by SoftEtherVPN: OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec, and SSTP. It is available for different operating systems and considered as a highly performance and scalable technology nowadays.
• WireGuard
  • This protocol is recognized for its superior performance and negligible overhead costs. It encompasses modern and the most enhanced cryptographic algorithms and protocols: Noise protocol framework, Curve25519 for key exchange, and ChaCha20Poly1305 for encryption and authentication. It is prepared for Linux, Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. It ensures sustainable connectivity while switching between WIFI and mobile networks.
• SSTP
  • This protocol uses SSL/TLS encryption type and supports reliable cryptographic encryption including AES, and SHA-1/SHA-256 hash functions. It is applicable for diverse operating systems and can bypass firewalls and NAT devices. As well, it demonstrates high performance.

MacOS
Compared to the prior operating system macOS yields to it. The kill switch feature is absent  and on the protocols field has two items less. Also, the SmartGuard option is available only for the paid version.

Android and iOS applications

Both apps do not entail any available flexible security settings for the free plan. Only HideMe’s developers are aware of the protection measures built into the free version.

Browsers’ Extensions

• Google Chrome extension
  • Does not provide adjustable security settings.
• Mozilla Firefox offers
  • WebRTC on/off;
  • SOCKS protocol on/off;
  • Enable Proxy on/off.

Desktop Apps

Windows and macOS apps obtain a united design.

In the center, there is an Enable/Disable button that turns on/off the connection. Under it, there are details about the connected server, time of the connection, selected protocol, and IPv6 protocol. As well, in the footer, there are five interactive elements.

Location tab contains only countries; the streaming tab includes only servers that are optimized for streaming services around the world. Inside the settings tab, there is a pack of general and security configurations. The support field is also inside it, and the messages tab contains just messages from the provider.

The installation and first-time launch processes are simple for both apps.

Mobile Apps

By the way, the visual interface is single for desktop and mobile apps. Now we will see iOS and Android’s designs.

All the stuff is identical. We will not describe the mobile apps, for the reason that the information about desktop apps is relevant here too. 

Browser Extensions

HideMe’s software for browsers has a single visual interface for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browsers. We will utilize an instance of Google Chrome browser to show it to you.

The bottom image stands for the main screen of the app, the central image shows the settings screen, and the bottom image illustrates locations’ screen. The extension has very poor security possibilities on the settings screen.

Work in Highly Restricted Countries

No information is mentioned about this query either on the official website, apps, or extensions.

Server’s locations

The first information from the website about the location.

As reflected above, more than 2100 servers within 81+ locations are under their control.

Also, they provide another mode of this data representation. 

The European region contains 34 countries; America’s region contains 6 countries with 12 servers that are placed in the USA; and other regions distribute 19 countries. So, based on this information, the total numbers are 59 countries with 78 servers.

MacOS app encompasses 48 countries with 80+ servers, and only 7 countries are accessible for the free version. The Windows app counts 51 countries with 85+ servers, and only 6 countries are prepared for the free version.

Android app is filled with 48 countries with 80+ servers, and only 7 countries are available for the free version. The IOS app contains 50 countries with 85+ servers, and only 7 countries are useful for the free version.

Each browser’s extension shows on its location’s screen only two countries.

What Bonuses Does the Paid Version Offer, and How Much Does It Cost?

The subscription offers more useful features and possibilities.

Premium plan increases the quantity of simultaneously connected devices from 1 to 8, opens all locations, offers specially prepared servers for streaming, no logging, and dynamic port forwarding. The next screenshot better describes the paid plans.

The minimum fee per month is $3.45 under the condition that you need to buy a subscription for 26 months at a price of $89.95. If you purchase only one month of subscription, then it will cost $9.95 per month.

About Support

What can we say about the support?

“Get 24/7 support…”. We have written to them via the app’s support interface, and already after 3 days, we are waiting for their response.

HideMe VPN Review: Final verdict

This provider has gathered different impressions about itself. Considering the speed tests of the desktop apps, we may conclude that there is a lot of work to be done to enhance PS software in the speed aspect. 

Browser extensions demonstrated such awful performance that even the speed checker could not manage to launch on any browser. What is the point of creating an extension that does not work at all? HideMe VPN earns a big negative mark on this point.

Mobile apps demonstrated the best results among all the products. But in general, they are very average and could not pretend to be in the layer of fast providers, as well as worth.

Overall outline of the speed examination is under the medium index; only mobile apps have shown potential among all products.

On the other hand, this provider proposes very decent security options for macOS and Windows operating systems. The set of security options is rich and flexible, especially for Windows. Not many companies provide such valuable stuff within free products. But the satisfaction of security opportunities leaves us now because mobile apps and browsers products have an extremely limited stack.

Barely, you can use this software if you are a citizen of a country with strict limitations on web usage. We found no information on their official source about this important query.

The situation with locations is also on a medium level: 6–8 free locations. One fat remark is that extensions possess only 2 locations with an extremely low speed.

It looks like the support service is having a difficult period in its life, and we believe when it has undergone it, we will receive an answer to our message.

We may recommend this VPN, exceptionally if you are a Windows or macOS user and want to be sure about your security, but with a slow connection speed. Or if you are not worried about security and just want to get some restricted content.

Nonetheless, if you seek a balanced combination of speed and security, we would suggest you pay attention to another VPN provider.