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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.

Hidemy.name VPN Review 2024 — Read This Before Buying

Our Score: 6.0/10
Ranked 201st out of 305 VPNs
MJ Marsden Updated on 31st January 2024 Cybersecurity Researcher

HideMy.Name markets itself as being a VPN you can trust. At first glance, it seems to have some excellent privacy and security features — but can it live up to the best VPNs I've tested?

I wanted to see if the VPN was as strong at streaming, speeds, and server network as it is on online safety — unfortunately, the service failed in many of my test areas. It might keep your online activities private, but it can’t help you with much else.

Try HideMy.Name VPN Today!

Short on Time? Here Are My Key Findings

HideMy.name Features — 2024 Update

4.2
💸 Price 4 USD/month
📆 Money Back Guarantee 30 Days
📝 Does VPN keep logs? No
🖥 Number of servers 140+
💻 Number of devices per license 5
🛡 Kill switch Yes
🗺 Based in country Belize
🛠 Support Ticketing system
📥 Supports torrenting Yes

Streaming — Can’t Unblock Most Platforms

Although HideMy.Name VPN helped me access a couple of top streaming platforms, it didn’t let me watch many of my favorites. Its speeds were also too low for quality streaming.

Unblocked: Netflix and HBO Max

HideMy.Name VPN’s servers only managed to unblock 2 platforms.

Worse, my connection was so slow I could only stream in SD.

creenshot showing Netflix streaming with HideMy.NameIts US server let me watch Netflix immediately, but streaming quality wasn’t great

The US server also gave me instant access to HBO Max, but again the slow speeds meant the picture quality was poor.

Screenshot showing HBO Max streaming with Hidemy.NameThe VPN let me watch shows on HBO Max but there was some lag

Blocked by: Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+

None of the other platforms I tried worked. Hulu’s log-in page came up with a warning message telling me that it knew I wasn’t in the US.

Screenshot showing Hulu blocking HideMy.NameIt wasn’t possible to gain access on any of the US servers I tested

I switched to a UK server and attempted to watch BBC iPlayer, but I had a similar problem. A warning message appeared, telling me I wasn’t allowed to watch anything because I wasn’t in the UK.

Screenshot showing BBC iPlayer blocking HideMy.Name VPNI couldn’t get past BBC iPlayer’s geoblocks with HideMy.Name’s UK servers

Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ didn't work either — even when I tested servers in a number of different countries.

Even though the US servers managed to get me into Netflix and HBO Max, I can’t recommend Hide.MyName for streaming. Most of the platforms I tried blocked me right away or came up with an error telling me that I was using a VPN. Not only that, but my speeds were too slow for HD streaming when I did manage to access anything.

Instead, I recommend you use one of my top VPNs for streaming shows and movies from anywhere.

Speeds — Extremely Slow on Most Servers

HideMy.Name VPN’s speeds are shockingly slow on both local and international servers.

During my speed tests, I looked at:

  • Download speed — this measures the amount of data you can receive from the internet to your device per second. Faster download speeds mean you have less buffering during streaming.
  • Upload speed — shows how much data you can send through your connection at any given time.
  • Ping — refers to how long it takes for your device’s data to reach its intended location and come back again. Unlike speed readings, the higher your ping, the worse the lag. Ping of under 150 ms is usually required for gaming online (though under 100 ms is preferable). Any higher and the lag makes gameplay very difficult.

Local Speeds

I started my tests with a base reading of 37.04 Mbps, an upload speed of 9.31 Mbps, and ping of 19 ms. A base reading means the speeds I had on my own home connection without a VPN being used.

My download speed dropped by 63% on the nearest server I tested, which was a really bad result. When you connect a VPN, you can usually expect a 10-20% drop in your download speed. You should also get better speeds on servers close to your real location, so my tests got off to a bad start.

After trying a few other servers in countries that are located close to me, I found that none of them gave me decent speeds. The Netherlands server had a drop of 93%, which was really dreadful.

graphic showing HideMy.Name VPN's speed test results on local serversThe results of my tests on local servers showed drops of up to 93%

Speeds of less than 25 Mbps make streaming in HDR or 4K impossible. All of the servers I tested would have likely given me buffering and lag if I’d been able to connect to streaming platforms with them.

Ping results on these servers weren’t dreadful, and if the Mbps was higher they might have allowed me to game and download large files. However, there were still large ping jumps of 221% (19 to 61), which is not what I expect from nearby servers.

Long Distance Speeds

Unsurprisingly, my speeds were also bad when I tested distant servers. The US and Canada servers performed a little better than the locations that were closest to me. This was a surprise as the US is 7500km away from my location. That said, the outcomes were still quite poor, with the best performing server (Canada) giving me over 40% speed loss.

When I tested servers even further afield, in Australia and India, my speeds fell so much it would have been impossible to stream or download anything.

Speeds test results of HideMy.Name VPN on distant serversThe VPN’s India and Australia servers gave me dreadful speeds

The ping rates on the farthest servers were also very bad. Almost none of the long-distance servers I tested gave me ping low enough for gaming.

Here is a rundown of all of my server tests:

Country Download Speed Upload Speed Ping
My location 37.04 Mbps 9.31 Mbps 19 ms
US 13.16 Mbps (64% decrease) 3.38 Mbps (63% decrease) 137 ms
UK 13.69 Mbps (63% decrease) 8.14 Mbps (12% decrease) 33 ms
Netherlands 2.42 Mbps (93% decrease) 5.50 Mbps (40% decrease) 57 ms
France 3.59 Mbps (90% decrease) 6.55 Mbps (29% decrease) 61 ms
Australia 0.71 Mbps (98% decrease) 1.93 Mbps (79% decrease) 310 ms
India 0.55 Mbps (98% decrease) 1.38 Mbps (85% increase) 555 ms
Canada 20.65 Mbps (44% decrease) 5.32 Mbps (42% decrease) 114 ms
Egypt 1.04 Mbps (97% decrease) 0.83 Mbps (91% decrease) 176 ms

Because of the extremely bad results on all of the servers tested, I can’t recommend HideMy.Name VPN for its speeds. Though the US and Canada servers performed better than local servers, drops in speed of 40%+ are still way too much.

Instead, I suggest you try one of these superfast VPNs. These services give you reliable connections,with speeds fast enough for all online activities.

Are HideMy.Name’s Speeds Fast Enough for Gaming? No

A combination of low download speed and high ping makes these servers unsuitable for gaming. During my tests, even the servers closest to me dropped my Mbps by 63%, and increased my ping. On servers far away from me, my ping rose so high that gaming would be impossible — even if the download speeds were better.

This is unfortunate as HideMy.Name promotes the fact that the servers give access to PSN and Xbox Live. Sadly, this feature is rendered pretty useless by slow connections.

If you need a good VPN for playing onlin, why not try one of these gaming VPNs, which are proven to give high speeds and low ping?

Server Network — Small, Mostly Across Europe

HideMy.Name VPN has 140 servers in 46 countries. This is a small network in comparison to others I’ve tested, like ExpressVPN.

It’s best to choose a VPN that has a large server network because there’s a better chance there will be a fast server close to your location. When there are fewer servers, congestion caused by overcrowding can happen. This could explain why I got such bad speed results with HideMy.Name.

The server locations are:

Europe Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, UK
North America Canada, The US
Asia India, Israel, Japan, Singapore, S. Korea
Oceania Australia
Africa Egypt

Often, a VPN will provide a number of locations within each country. However, the only HideMy.Name locations that feature more than one server option are the US, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Switzerland, and the UK.

There are no optimized servers for activities such as streaming, P2P file sharing, or gaming.

You can request a dedicated IP address upon subscription by contacting support. A dedicated IP address is one that only you can use, unlike the other servers which can have hundreds of people connecting at the same time. Purchasing a dedicated IP address gives you extra privacy, security, and performance.

Although it is good to see sometimes overlooked locations in the locations list (such as Israel, South Korea, and Egypt), HideMy.Name VPN’s server distribution is just too small for me to recommend it. Instead, try one of these VPNs — all of them have thousands of locations across the globe.

Security — Keeps Your Devices Safe

HideMy.Name’s security features are good and should keep your devices safe. This is a rundown of its security features:

Encryption and Protocols

HideMy.Name uses AES-256-CBC cipher as standard. This is the highest encryption level available and almost impossible to hack. It would take someone a few hundred years to decrypt your traffic. It’s also great against brute force attacks, as the keys are extremely long. That means your online activity, location, and identity should stay hidden.

You can change your level of encryption too. For example, AES-128 is faster than AES-256, but not as secure. A cool feature is that HideMy.Name provides warnings with its least secure options. For example, I chose to switch from AES 256-bit encryption to BF-CBC — out-of-date encryption — and the VPN warned me that I wouldn’t be as safe online.

The VPN also lets you choose between OpenVPN, L2TP/PPTP, and IKEv2 security protocols. I always used OpenVPN, as it’s the industry standard and is both fast and secure.

Graphic showing HideMy.Name VPN's protocols and encryption settingsI appreciated how much control you get in the settings area

Activating the Chameleon technology function may give you greater access to geoblocked websites, particularly in restricted areas. Chameleon scrambles OpenVPN metadata, which means it hides your VPN traffic. This helps you get around firewalls or access sites and services that might block VPNs.

IP, DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 Leaks

I used an online leak test tool and I detected no IP, WebRTC, or DNS breaches on any of the servers I tried.

A DNS leak allows your ISP to see your internet activity. Additionally, if there was a cyberattack during an IP and WebRTC leak, your real IP address would be revealed. That means your data and devices would be at risk. It’s reassuring that HideMy.Name protects against these kinds of leaks.

screenshot of hidemy.name vpn ip and dns leak testMy location and online activity were always kept hidden

Kill Switch

There’s also a kill switch to protect your privacy. It isn’t automatically enabled, but you are given the option to activate it in your settings.

You can also leave the kill switch off, but I wouldn’t recommend it. A kill switch kicks in if your VPN fails, disconnecting you from the internet completely. This stops malware attacks, IP address leaks, and your data from being exposed to third parties.

I tested HideMy.Name’s kill switch by disconnecting the VPN while a web page was loading. My internet immediately shut down and only started working again when I reconnected the VPN. This showed me that my data and devices were secure.

Auto Connect

The auto-connect option launches the VPN every time you go online. This is a handy feature if you frequently use public WiFi, as it ensures you’re instantly protected. You can also turn off this setting if you’d rather keep control over when the VPN kicks in.

Because of the features included in all subscriptions, I can recommend HideMy.Name for its security. It uses secure protocols and settings that are designed to protect you online.

Privacy — Doesn’t Keep Connection Logs

HideMy.Name VPN seems to have a solid no-logs policy. There is a lot of information on the company’s website, covering all bases. This shows a level of transparency that is reassuring for a VPN.

Graphic showing HideMy.Name VPN's privacy policyThe policy has a lot of information about user data

The only information retained by the VPN is your email address, which may be used to send promotional emails unless you choose to unsubscribe. This is a fairly standard requirement; most VPN subscriptions need a valid email address in order for you to sign up.

Apart from that, your browsing activity is not monitored or logged and there is no way of linking any data back to your personal IP address.

Location

HideMy.Name is based in Belize, which is technically outside of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance. However, the website states that it “operates under British Law.” Since the UK is in the 5 Eyes Alliance, this means HideMy.Name may be legally required to hand over data to the government should they request it.

But, as this VPN has a strict no-logs policy, it is unlikely they would have any information to give even if they were asked.

Warrant Canary

The company also has a warrant canary, which is a guarantee that HideMy.Name has never shared user information with any form of government body. This is not a usual step for a VPN company to take, and shows that it is dedicated to proving its user trust.

This, coupled with its no-logs policy, means that this VPN appears to be a company that keeps your data secure.

Torrenting — Allowed on All Servers

You are allowed to torrent using HideMy.Name VPN’s servers.

Graphic showing HideMy.Name's torrent policyYou can use HideMy.Name to torrent, but the VPN suggests you respect your country’s laws

Like myself, HideMy.Name doesn’t condone torrenting copyrighted files, so always be sure to double-check the files you download and make sure you adhere to your own country’s laws. The VPN’s torrenting policy also requests that users are mindful about leaving files open after download to avoid server congestion.

Because of this VPN’s no-log policy and good security protocols, I believe it is safe to torrent with. However, as they are governed by UK law you may wish to proceed with caution.

My main concern about torrenting with HideMy.Name is server speed. Torrenting may be safe with the VPN, but the drops in speed I recorded made file sharing pretty much impossible. If you need a VPN that gives you fast uploads and downloads on reliable servers, try one of my top choices for P2P sharing.

Does HideMy.Name VPN Work in China? Unlikely

It is very unlikely that HideMy.Name VPN works in China. This is due to China’s very strict firewall and constant monitoring and blocking of VPN IP addresses.

I wanted to double-check whether this is the case for HideMy.Name, as some VPN providers can and do work in China. The customer support rep confirmed my suspicions:

graphic showing that Hidemy.Name VPN may not work in ChinaGetting a VPN to work in China is extremely difficult

Because of this, I can’t recommend this VPN for use in China. But you can get other VPNs that have been proven to bypass China’s blocks.

Simultaneous Device Connections — Only 5

You get 5 simultaneous device connection with all its subscriptions. This isn’t a big number, but it allows you to install it on routers, so you can get unlimited connections from it. I tested it on my Windows laptop, iPhone, and MacBook and I didn’t experience any slowdowns, so the 5 connections are useful.

Installation & Apps

6.0

Device Compatibility — Available on Most Devices

HideMy.Name’s compatibility is pretty extensive. It covers iOS, Windows, macOS, Android, Linux, and supported routers. Due to its router compatibility you can also use it with PlayStation, Xbox, smart TVs, Amazon Firestick, Fire TV, and more.

graphic showing HideMy.Name VPN's device compatibilityYou can find helpful guides regarding router compatibility on the website

Set-Up & Installation — Quick and Easy

It was really easy to set HideMy.Name up on my PC and other devices. Simply choose which OS you want to run it from, and click the button to subscribe. You’re then sent a private code to your email address.

It takes a few moments for the app to install, at which point you type your code into the VPN window, unlocking the interface. The app itself is extremely user-friendly, and it is easy to navigate regardless of how experienced you are with VPNs.

You can choose which server location you need from the dropdown list, and simply click the large green “connect” button to initiate a connection. To switch servers, just press “disconnect” and the link drops, ready for you to select a new country.

Graphic showing HideMy.VPN's easy interfaceChoosing server location and additional options is easy

The app has 3 icons at the bottom — a paper bag which links to additional purchases and subscription upgrades, a help icon which brings up a handy support ticket page (plus a search option for available troubleshooting web pages), and the settings button. When you click the settings button, a window opens which allows you to change protocol and encryption and activate features like the kill switch. You also have the option to set your favorite servers from the list so you can go straight to them every time you log in.

Downloading HideMy.Name on mobile devices is a quick and simple process, and it's readily available on both the App Store and the Play Store.

There were no problems with any of the platforms I tried, and I found this VPN to be super easy to install and use.

Pricing

7.6
1 Year
$ 4 / month per month
6 Months
$ 5 / month per month
1 Month
$ 11 / month per month

HideMy.Name VPN accepts payments made using credit cards, cryptocurrencies, and SMS. Upon request, you may also be able to pay using Skrill. There is no option to pay by PayPal, which is disappointing as this is my go-to payment type online.

You can choose from 6 different plan options. The 5-year plan is cheapest at $4/month. It’s possible to try the VPN out for free for 24 hours before you commit, which is a nice touch.

There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee too, although it does have some catches. You can only get the refund if you have used less than 5GB of data. You must also demonstrate that you had technological issues with the VPN, and attempted to resolve these by contacting customer support.

Worse, the dedicated IP is exempt from the refund offer so you can’t get your money back on the additional price paid for this.

I don’t like refund policies with caveats, or that ask me to prove why I want a refund. I prefer VPNs like IPVanish, that let me cancel and get a refund through my dashboard without even having to talk to anyone.

However, HideMy.Name does suggest that you explore the free 24-hour option prior to committing to a paid plan. I would advise taking that step initially to ascertain the service's fit for you, as obtaining a refund can be challenging if it's not a match.

Although the price per month on the longer-term plans works out quite cheap overall, be aware that you do have to fork out the whole lump sum when you subscribe. This is a little off-putting, particularly since the money-back guarantee has such strict rules.

I don't think HideMy.Name is quite worth the money. I've tried better VPNs that are similarly priced — all of which have money-back guarantees with no strings attached.

Reliability & Support

6.3

HideMy.Name’s customer support is good. I submitted a query using the ticket form that came up when I clicked the help icon at the bottom of the VPN — I had an answer within 15 minutes.

After asking about using the VPN in China, the answer I received was informed and honest. Often, when I ask VPN providers about China, I get a pretty vague response. The rep who contacted me was clear and concise, and the speed at which my ticket was answered was reassuring. I also had the option to reply and continue the same ticket conversation.

The inclusion of a help icon directly on the app interface is a commendable feature, providing convenient access to the VPN's support pages. By selecting this icon, you are directed to the support section where you have the option to either submit a ticket with your specific query or search for a troubleshooting article that addresses your concerns.

However, there’s no 24/7 chatline. I prefer live chat as you can engage in an instant back-and-forth with the rep if you have additional queries. But the contact form and help pages are still pretty effective, so I can recommend HideMy.Name VPN’s customer support.

Compare HideMy.name With The Top Alternative VPNs
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The Bottom Line

Final Verdict

HideMyName VPN has great security and privacy measures. It's just a shame it falls short elsewhere.

While I enjoyed the easy-to-use apps and great customer support, slow speeds and poor unblocking abilities hampered my experience. The network is also pretty small, which may account for a number of the problems I experienced during my tests.

Add a money-back guarantee laced with caveats and you get a VPN that isn't really worth the price tag. If you want to find a fast service with great streaming abilities, a vast server network, and a no-strings money-back guarantee, check out my top recommended VPNs instead.

  • Unblocks Netflix and HBO Max
  • 256-bit encryption and OpenVPN protocol
  • Connect up to 5 devices
  • Compatible with Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, and routers
  • Doesn’t keep logs
  • Allows torrenting
  • Easy to install and use
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

FAQs on HideMy.Name VPN

Can HideMy.Name VPN unblock Netflix?

Yes, HideMy.Name VPN can unblock Netflix. In my tests, I accessed Netflix with its US, Australian, and European servers. However, it did fail to unblock most other streaming platforms.

Will HideMy.Name VPN slow down my speed?

Yes, HideMy.Name VPN slows down your speeds. I recorded some of the lowest speeds I’ve ever seen on both its local and distant servers, including a decrease of 63% Mbps on a server location just 73km from me.

Is HideMy.Name VPN safe?

Yes, HideMy.Name VPN has excellent safety features. It uses 256-bit encryption to keep your data safe from hackers, and all of its servers passed my IP and DNS leak tests. Its no-log policy is thorough and the company also has a warrant canary, for extra reassurance that it has never shared any user data.

Does HideMy.Name VPN offer dedicated IP addresses?

Yes, you can purchase a dedicated IP address at any time. You have to pay extra though. Plus, be aware that this additional payment is exempt from the 30-day money-back guarantee. So if you buy one and then decide you don’t like the VPN, you can’t get a refund for the add-on.

Money Back Guarantee (Days): 30
Mobile app:
Number of devices per license: 5
VPN Plans: hidemy.name
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.
HideMy.name User Reviews (User reviews are not verified)
9.5
Based on 111 reviews in 5 languages

Write a Review on HideMy.name

Please rate VPN.

All Speed Streaming Security Сustomer service
Daryl
Daryl
Mar 2, 2024
10/10
Great service!

I've been using your VPN for the last two years and I just want to say thank you for the great service you provide! Very pleased with the speed and ease of use. I plan to renew my subscription for another year.

Michael
Michael
Feb 3, 2024
10/10
High speed and no restrictions

I recently discovered Hidemyname's VPN and it was a pleasant discovery. A very intuitive interface, high speed and no restrictions on traffic - everything I need to surf the Internet in a comfortable and secure way.

ALXX
ALXX
10/10
Fast customer support

Whenever I've had questions or needed assistance, Hidemy.name customer support team has been quick to respond and resolve any issues. Their commitment to helping users and addressing concerns promptly demonstrates their dedication to providing an excellent service overall.

About the Author

MJ Marsden is a former Editor at vpnMentor. Her understanding of cybersecurity issues and keen eye for accurate information means her work consistently focuses on readers’ online safety.

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