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vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

HideIPVPN Review 2024 — Keep This in Mind Before Buying

Our Score: 8.1/10
Ranked 24th out of 305 VPNs
Ernest Sheptalo Updated on 12th March 2024 Senior Writer

Promising blazing internet speeds but a low 24 server count, HideIPVPN, a young but growing service provider, has been on my radar for a while now. With so many good deals out there, I just had to see how HideIPVPN differs from the competition. Especially with its unusual price.

And so I did just that. I took the time and tested the VPN’s speed, streaming performance, security features, device compatibility, network options, and even tried the SmartDNS system. I also dabbled into some P2P downloads and even took a look at the included OpenVPN, L2TP, PPTP, IKEv2, SSTP, and SoftEther protocols.

During my research, I tested the 24-hour free trial to see whether it is limiting or not. I also found some interesting things about the company’s privacy policy, terms of use, and refund policy. The results are fascinating, and there’s a lot to talk about so join me on this vpnMentor in-depth review of HideIPVPN.

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HideIPVPN Features — 2024 Update

8.4
💸 Price 2.99 USD/month
📆 Money Back Guarantee 30 Days
📝 Does VPN keep logs? No
🖥 Number of servers 24+
💻 Number of devices per license 5
🛡 Kill switch Yes
🗺 Based in country United States
📥 Supports torrenting Yes

Streaming — Good Enough

With HideIPVPN, I managed to unblock Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, HBO MAX, BBC Player, and YouTube but failed with Disney+ and iTV. The VPN provider streaming speeds are incredible, and it even offers a dedicated SmartDNS feature that allows you to unlock more than 200 websites. In my testing, I got suboptimal results.

Using the VPN feature and connecting to the specialized servers US2 and US4, I could unblock geo-blocked Netflix content. Yet, I wasn’t so lucky with the SmartDNS function. It didn’t unlock anything on Netflix, but I managed to access restricted YouTube content and even view geo-blocked social media content. Still, you can’t use the DNS feature and VPN simultaneously, which is bad since the DNS system is not as protective as a VPN.

Unblocked: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, YouTube.

In my tests, I managed to unblock most streaming platforms. I could easily unblock Twin Peaks on Netflix US. And the best part, I didn’t get any buffering when viewing the content in HD, which is excellent news.

A screenshot of HideIPVPN unblocking Twin Peaks.Twin Peaks, anyone?

Blocked By: Disney+ and iTV

No matter what server connection I used, I couldn’t unlock Disney+ and iTV. Perhaps if there were more server connections to pick, I would eventually stumble on a working one, but none of the 24 servers worked so far.

A screenshot of HideIPVPN being unable to unblock to Disney+ and ITV.Only ITV and Disney+ failed to load

Speeds — Better Than Expected

The VPN speeds are fast, and I didn’t have any latency on streaming platforms. No matter what server you pick, it is expected that the average download/upload speed drops due to the distance between your physical location and that of the server being large.

My 100Mbps connection took a noticeable hit in speeds only on the Australian server, where it reached just 79Mbps download and 66Mbps upload speeds. Even with this reduction, I say these are phenomenal results and not the norm. If all you want is anonymity and good speeds, HideIPVPN is excellent.

A graph showing HideIPVPN's speed test results globally.HideIPVPN is very fast

Are HideIPVPN’s Speeds Fast Enough for Gaming? Yes, the Speed is Great

The speeds are suitable for both console and PC gaming but not game streaming. If you are talking about gaming on a console such as the Nintendo Switch, you won’t have any trouble. If you primarily game using streaming services such as Microsoft’s xCloud or Nvidia’s GeForce Now, they will not work well.

A screenshot of HideIPVPN failing to connect to a game.I didn’t even load the game and already have a “spotty connection" error.

When testing GeForce Now, I had several disconnects using the US server. I couldn’t even manage to finish a match of Rocket League without a single stutter. I wouldn’t recommend HideIPVPN for game streaming.

Server Network — Pretty Small

HideIPVPN has only 24 servers, but some are designed for P2P connections, which means you’ll get better torrent speeds. Now I didn’t expect plenty of servers from this particular vendor. However, I didn’t think the selection would be that limited, especially if you consider the somewhat above-average pricing.

Now the reason this is bad is the more servers you have access to, the better the connection you’ll get since the server isn’t packed with subscribers. The more people start to use the server, the more severe speed cuts you can expect, and as you already know, they aren’t that fast. And it isn’t just about speeds either, as features such as location spoofing directly rely on the number of individual servers available to it. HideIPVPN desperately needs more servers.

I took a look at the proxy feature too. It’s not available in the app and requires manual setup. Thankfully, the provider offers an in-depth, step-by-step tutorial for various platforms. On my Windows 10 machine, I had zero issues configuring, and the proxy worked as intended with no perceptible speed loss.

HideIPVPN doesn’t have servers in China, Middle East, and Russia. It’s not the end of the day, but if you were hoping to use this particular provider to browse Chinese stuff, tough luck. The VPN provider guarantees undisrupted access to the service, so that’s a plus.

A screenshot of HideIPVPN's privacy policy.So far, they live up to the promise.

Subscribers also get access to a smart location feature that’ll pick the most optimal location for you. Kind of redundant considering how small the server list is, but perhaps this is the provider trying to future proof its service. As for the type of servers the company uses, I can’t state anything definitively, but it does look like the VPN provider is not using virtual servers.

Server locations

United States Canada United Kingdom Poland
Netherlands Germany France Lithuania
Luxembourg Singapore Australia

Security — Checks All the Boxes Except for One

HideIPVPN has an excellent security system. For starters, the VPN offers 5 VPN protocols: SSTP, OpenVPN, SoftEther, PPTP, and L2TP/IPSec, with 128-bit AES and 256-bit AES encryptions, respectively.

I’d opt to use OpenVPN if I were you. It is an open-source protocol implementation that many people already inspected. It is proven, it is secure, and this is what you should select when prompted to pick. Another critical security aspect I need to mention is that HideIPVPN doesn’t leak your data through IP, DNS, and WebRTC.

I even went as far as using a DNS Leak Test, and HideIPVPN passed the test effortlessly. Notice, all servers point to Google’s public DNS address and not a single one to my ISP and country (I live in Europe), which means no private info is leaking.

A screenshot of HideIPVPN passing DNS leak tests.HideIPVPN security engineers did a good job!

In other words, there’s proper DNS-leak protection in place. It’s a security system that prevents your personal information from accidentally leaking outside of your VPN network. This feature helps ensure continuous anonymity.

You also get access to the App Killer feature, which is essentially a kill switch that’ll close any software as soon as the VPN connection drops. It works well, but there’s a requirement, you need to manually add apps that should be “killed" once the connection drops. It is not optimal, especially if you are using a ton of software simultaneously, but it’s there.

Before I jump to the next section, I’d like to mention that HideIPVPN supports IKEv2 on Android, iOS, and Windows 10. If for some reason, you don’t want to use OpenVPN, you have options, and that’s always a plus in my books.

Privacy — Bad, Very Bad

The company hasn't provided any evidence to support its claims of prioritizing privacy. Unlike many leading VPN providers that have undergone third-party audits and posted the results on their websites, HideIPVPN has not taken part in such evaluations. Consequently, no security expert can vouch for whether HideIPVPN truly values user privacy.

The company also didn’t respond to the CDT questionnaire. It asks VPN providers corporate accountability and business models, privacy practices, and security protocols and protections. All these “tests" would have alleviated some of my security concerns, but alas.

Their Privacy Policy mentions that the company collects data necessary to log into their VPN and DNS servers through client and manual connection. However, the vendor might store every session or just the username or bandwidth use, or even IP address. Another issue I found out is that the provider might also keep personally identifiable info at the checkout.

The final nail in the coffin is HideIPVPN jurisdiction. It wouldn’t be such an issue if the company weren’t so silent and unreasonably secretive about its jurisdiction. I had a tough time figuring out where they legally operate using their website, but Apple App Store revealed Server Management LLC’s publishing name. A single Google search revealed that the company is registered in the US, Delaware, in an anti-privacy country.

All this means that the VPN provider is legally required to provide personal information such as log files and account data. And to make things even more troubling, they will not ask your permission or even give a heads up if a gag order is issued.

That’s just anti-consumer.

When I dug further into their ToS, I also found that if you refuse to cooperate and provide your identity, HideIPVPN will terminate your account without a refund. Your privacy is not safe, even though their ToS states otherwise.

Torrenting — Works Great

HideIPVPN's torrenting capabilities are superb. The company offers several dedicated servers designed to work with P2P connections. These servers are faster and usually operate in safe jurisdictions meaning there are fewer hoops and hops the server has to jump through. Therefore, fewer Mbps are lost. HideIPVPN even provides a torrent-only plan.

On a 100Mbps connection, I got 64Mbps download and 59,2Mbps upload, which resulted in a 2.9Mb/sec using the German server. As evident in the screen up above, a 1.7 GB file will be ready in less than 10 mins. The rest of the P2P-supported countries are Lithuania, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. If you are using a different server to torrent, the provider will issue a warning, or at least they will. I’ve used the US server to download a large torrent file and didn’t get a single message from HideIPVPN, but I also wasn’t getting any download speeds, as if the connection was blocked. But other than that, the results are satisfactory.

My team and I do not condone the illegal torrenting of copyrighted files. It always pays to check if the file you're downloading is copyrighted first.

Does HideIPVPN Work in China? No

It is a shame that HideIPVPN doesn’t work in China. I would have loved to test the performance and geo-unblocking capabilities of the platform. Perhaps in the future, we’ll be able to do so, but I am left to wait as things stand.

Simultaneous Device Connections — Limited

HideIPVPN can be used on up to 5 devices on the same account simultaneously. A small number, no matter how you look at it. Even if you live alone, you are more than likely to have more than 5 devices you can pair with a VPN.

I used the VPN on two of my phones and my PC. The connection remained reliable, and all my devices were able to browse and view geo-blocked content. Video streaming didn’t take a hit, and I did not experience any buffering. As for the SmartDNS feature, there are no device limitations here. For convenience purposes, you can pair the DNS feature with a router and share it with as many people as you like or set up each device manually; the call is yours.

Device Compatibility — Excellent

HideIPVPN works on several versions of Windows (including Windows 10), Mac X OS, iOS, Android, Linux, and more. You can use the VPN on desktop and laptop computers, and most tablets, smartphones, and even on D-Link, TP-Link, and DD-WRT routers. The VPN can also use it on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, smart TVs, and Roku devices. Oh, I should also mention that there’s a browser extension for Chrome.

Personally, I used an Android-based phone, my PC, and a PS4. I even went as far as hooking a 2005-era device, a PSP, and, well, all devices worked great. The company covers everything that has a network module in it, and that’s excellent news.

Installation & Apps

8.7

Set-Up & Installation — Simple and Short

It took me 5 minutes to set up HideIPVPN on my PC. I had zero issues downloading the client from the providers’ website. A couple of screen prompts later, and I was greeted with a mobile-like app.

Instead of reinventing the wheel, HideIPVPN just ported the Android/iOS application, along with its large connect button, to Windows 10 and called it a day. The app is feature-complete, though. You can select the connection protocol you want to use and specify whether the VPN should boot along with your OS. There’s also a setting that allows you to pick between UDP and TCP.

Speaking of, I suggest that you stick to UDP. It is less taxing in terms of bandwidth, making it perfect for online gaming and on-demand video streaming, not to mention IP telephony. As for the server list, you can organize, sort, and even group countries, the usual. You can also access many guides and tutorials from the app, which is perfect and convenient for newbie users. The only drawback is that the app is required to access special features, and it does take a while to connect. You can go off without the app. The provider offers all the necessary details for manual connections. But I doubt the speed will improve. It didn’t improve for me, at least.

All in all, I have no complaints about the app as it performs its functions well. As it is a mobile app ported to PC, it doesn't affect the performance of my relatively low-spec computer. Additionally, the straightforward interface of the app makes it an ideal choice for individuals who don't want to deal with complex interfaces or have limited time.

Pricing

6.7
24 Months
$ 2.99 / month per month
12 Months
$ 4.99 / month per month
1 Month
$ 6.99 / month per month

If you look at the table above, it is clear that HideIPVPN isn’t exactly cheap. But pricing is subjective and doesn’t always reflect what the service’s actual value is. What disappoints me the most is that only Mac, Win, and Linux users are eligible for a refund directly from the vendor.

HideIPVPN offers a 30, but I doubt you’ll be able to take advantage of it. If you don’t like the speeds or can’t unblock a site or configure the router, you won’t get a refund. Oh, and if you are on mobile, your refund is subject to iTunes/Google Play refund policies.

On the plus side, the SmartDNS comes as a freebie with every plan. And if you just want safe torrenting, I already mentioned that there’s a plan for that. Finally, if you just want the complete package, you can pick the all-inclusive package with 24 VPN servers, SmartDNS feature, and Proxy. I was glad to find out that for all these services, you can pay using VISA, MasterCard, PayPal, Bitcoin, Discover, JSB, American Express, and even Diners Club.

Reliability & Support

8.6

HideIPVPN has a robust support system in place. They offer a 24/7 live chat, a ticketing system, and an FAQ page. Let’s discuss each and start with the live chat system. I asked the VPN provider what encryption methods they use. I got a response from HideIPVPN in less than three hours.

A screenshot of HideIPVPN's customer support email.

The FAQ page has dedicated buttons at the top that’ll take you to much more detailed tutorials on how to install different services, including SmartDNS, proxy server, among other things. The knowledge base is quite extensive and covers many uncommon problems, so that’s a kudos from me.

However, the ticketing system doesn’t work website-wide. Let me explain. HideIPVPN offers a small contact form at the bottom of the FAQ page, but here’s the thing, when I submitted a request, I realized that the submission system doesn’t create tickets, meaning you might (never) get a reply through that form.

Lastly, we would like to highlight a noteworthy feature within the app under the Support tab, which allows you to generate a log file. This log generation system proves to be invaluable when you encounter an issue and are unsure of how to precisely describe the occurrence or provide contextual details. It greatly aids in accurately reporting and addressing any problems you may encounter.

Compare HideIPVPN With The Top Alternative VPNs
Our Score: 9.9
Our Score: 9.7
Our Score: 9.5
Our Score: 9.4

The Bottom Line

Final Verdict

On paper, HideIPVPN is a pretty good service, but once you start to dig deeper, plenty of issues arise. Download speeds are incredible, but the number of connections is minimal. I managed to unblock most streaming platforms with the VPN option, but somehow, Disney+ refused to load regardless of connection type. Device support is excellent but hindered by the 5 simultaneous connections per account limitation. It is as if the provider takes one step ahead and two back.

Yet, what ultimately broke the deal was the privacy and safety aspect of the platform. HideIPVPN operates under the US jurisdiction, which means your identity is not safe from government eyes, making the service terrible in my books. A VPN should protect you, not give you the illusion that it can protect your identity online.

  • Effective, fast support
  • Simple setup and connection
  • SmartDNS
  • Lots of personal information taken
  • Sometimes variable speeds

FAQs on HideIPVPN

Is HideIPVPN safe?

As things stand, HideIPVPN cannot be considered safe. The main culprit is the provider’s privacy policy. It is anti-consumer.

Can HideIPVPN unblock Netflix?

Yes. The provider did an excellent job with Netflix blocks. You can unlock and view geo-blocked shows hassle-free.

Will HideIPVPN slow my speeds down?

Yes, your connection speed will degrade slightly. But they are still fast, even if you connect to the Australian server.

Money Back Guarantee (Days): 30
Mobile app:
Number of devices per license: 5
VPN Plans: hideipvpn.com
We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
Learn more
vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
HideIPVPN User Reviews (User reviews are not verified)
7.6
Based on 9 reviews in 3 languages

Write a Review on HideIPVPN

Please rate VPN.

All Speed Streaming Security Сustomer service
Twister
Twister
8/10
Great provider, same experience for more than 5 years

I have been using these guys since 2016 when I found myself suddenly in need of a VPN service due to my traveling needs. It started with the use for privacy and learned over time what a nice addition is it for streaming my favorite shows, during this time they had some struggles when service like Netflix or BBC started a wide VPN block but they managed to stay on top, after all, been compensated a few times with extra days of service for the delay in fixing. Overall a loyal company with good customer support and decent service.

Anonymous
Anonymous
10/10
Works well, no app needed

Because you can connect with just an L2TP connection, you can create connections in Windows, macOS, iOS (and although I haven't tried in a while, I'm sure Android and various versions of Linux as well). You don't need to worry about installing an app, whether it runs on your OS or not, or other issues like that. The one disadvantage of not using a VPN app would be if the VPN connection drops and your device doesn't have an option to block connections unless the VPN is up. If you're using it to watch a show in another country, this isn't much of an issue (in fact, it looks like most streamers don't monitor once the stream starts, so intentionally dropping the VPN might increase your streaming speed). Depending on the streaming service, you might not even NEED to use a VPN, if you change your DNS server address to a HideIpVPN server. You can even change your router's DNS server, and all your connections will use it (they use your home IP address to verify you're a subscriber). If your IP address changes, you go to a web page that updates your IP address, and it's back up. The only issue I've had is outages on some VPN server addresses, but since each county has multiple servers, you can just pick another one.

Paul
Paul
2/10
They stole my money!

I didn't want to extend my package, but they steal my money anyway! And they said they didn't offer refunds! That's a robbery! Worst service ever and worst customer experience ever! I can't recommend this service for anyone!

About the Author

Ernest Sheptalo is a Senior Writer at VPNMentor, and an expert in the field of VPNs. Ernest produces detailed reviews, comparisons, and guides that help people access geo-restricted content, protect sensitive data, and bypass censorship.

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