Behind all the techno-speak of IKEv2, L2TP, IPsec, OpenVPN, SOCKS and SSTP, it’s hard to believe, but VPNs can be fun too! While most of us don’t feel the need to hide our internet activity from government spies, it’s kind of nice to know we could if we wanted to. A solid VPN can make others believe you’re somewhere you are not, which is fun in itself, and even more fun when it grants you access to geographically restricted content, like Netflix. HMA is one of the market leaders when it comes to fun – from name to design to execution – it’s play all the way! The three modes offer the user different layers of anonymity and geographical disparity, even enabling you to choose a server in the nearest country supporting freedom of speech. Buffered is pretty toned as well – young and flexible; this VPN server has managed to fold itself through the cracks and crevices in various blockages, giving users a strong service and impressive streaming.
Features
8.6
Pricing
6.0
Ease of Use
8.8
Reliability & Support
8.4
Features
8.0
Pricing
7.6
Ease of Use
8.4
Reliability & Support
8.4
Features
9.4
Pricing
8.8
Ease of Use
9.4
Reliability & Support
8.0
Rating
Features
8.6
8.0
9.4
Pricing
6.0
7.6
8.8
Ease of Use
8.8
8.4
9.4
Reliability & Support
8.4
8.4
8.0
Reviews
Review by our expert
Katie Kasunic
Technology Researcher
8.2
Update: Buffered VPN merged with Encrypt.me. We have thoroughly tested Encrypt.me, and you can find everything you need to know in our review.
Buffered VPN has a lot to offer due to its user-friendly interface, fast connection speeds, and reliable security. One thing it can't do is unblock Netflix, you'll need a premium vendor like NordVPN for that.
In addition to dedicated apps available for a...
I considered a number of VPN's before going with Buffered which I find excellent.No issues in any aspect, On the rare occasions that I required assistance (in the initial set up stage), the Help Desk was outstanding. Would highly recommend Buffered to anyone considering using a VPN
Latest negative user review
Trev
2.0
They are no moreAfter being a customer for more than 2 years and paying a premium price for a good service. THEY DON'T EXIST ANYMORE.. No warning, just logged in one day and my app doesn't work and they have changed their website name. STAY AWAY, sounds dodgy.
Ariel Hochstadt
Ex-Google, International tech speaker
8.2
hide.me is known for speed, security, and transparency. They do not keep logs, which their privacy policy reasonably reliable. Also, with apps for almost all major platforms, they remain a favorite among millions of users. I'll dive into this more further into the review.
It also joined the i2Coalition, further evidence of its commitment to internet safety. The i2Coalition is a group of VPN pro...
Smooth experienceWorks pretty fast on my macOS Big Sur, previously had it on my Windows laptop, and was blazing fast tbh. I never had any problems, except one time the connection was getting way too slow on an EU server, but after quickly switching to another server, it worked very well. I do not see any reason to switch to another provider, hide.me is as good as a top provider.
Latest negative user review
Penki
2.0
Not working with my Asus RT-AX88UWill not work with Asus routers - Hide.me Service has no Interest in compatibility with Routers.
I had to change the Provider from Hide.me to NordVPN and its all OK now.
I had a Bad Time and now the sun shines on the VPN Sky - thanks NordVPN.
HMA is a popular VPN provider with a large network of 1,100+ servers in 190+ countries.
Some of this VPN’s biggest strengths are its user-friendly interface, impressive speeds, and ability to bypass geoblocks (even Netflix's!)
It's newest update, HMA Version 5, includes new design features and an auto-generated diagnostics mode. Arguably the most impressive update is its Lightning-mode feat...
Working perfectI like this excellent service a lot. It is working absolutely perfect. I have been using it for a couple of weeks, in my PC, in my mobile and also in an Asus router.
It is easy to order and setup, no matter which device.
Latest negative user review
Peter Novak
2.0
That's not trueThat's not true. You can see on their web page, that they don't store logs. Their recently announced no-log policy. And they are not USA based company, but from the UK. Can't tell more about the rest. Have a nice day.
Update: Buffered VPN merged with Encrypt.me. We have thoroughly tested Encrypt.me, and you can find everything you need to know in our review.
Buffered VPN has a lot to offer due to its user-friendly interface, fast connection speeds, and reliable security. One thing it can't do is unblock Netflix, you'll need a premium vendor like NordVPN for that.
In addition to dedicated apps available for a...
hide.me is known for speed, security, and transparency. They do not keep logs, which their privacy policy reasonably reliable. Also, with apps for almost all major platforms, they remain a favorite among millions of users. I'll dive into this more further into the review.
It also joined the i2Coalition, further evidence of its commitment to internet safety. The i2Coalition is a group of VPN pro...
HMA is a popular VPN provider with a large network of 1,100+ servers in 190+ countries.
Some of this VPN’s biggest strengths are its user-friendly interface, impressive speeds, and ability to bypass geoblocks (even Netflix's!)
It's newest update, HMA Version 5, includes new design features and an auto-generated diagnostics mode. Arguably the most impressive update is its Lightning-mode feat...
I considered a number of VPN's before going with Buffered which I find excellent.No issues in any aspect, On the rare occasions that I required assistance (in the initial set up stage), the Help Desk was outstanding. Would highly recommend Buffered to anyone considering using a VPN
Tribal
10.0
Smooth experienceWorks pretty fast on my macOS Big Sur, previously had it on my Windows laptop, and was blazing fast tbh. I never had any problems, except one time the connection was getting way too slow on an EU server, but after quickly switching to another server, it worked very well. I do not see any reason to switch to another provider, hide.me is as good as a top provider.
Hans Bladby
10.0
Working perfectI like this excellent service a lot. It is working absolutely perfect. I have been using it for a couple of weeks, in my PC, in my mobile and also in an Asus router.
It is easy to order and setup, no matter which device.
Latest negative user review
Trev
2.0
They are no moreAfter being a customer for more than 2 years and paying a premium price for a good service. THEY DON'T EXIST ANYMORE.. No warning, just logged in one day and my app doesn't work and they have changed their website name. STAY AWAY, sounds dodgy.
Penki
2.0
Not working with my Asus RT-AX88UWill not work with Asus routers - Hide.me Service has no Interest in compatibility with Routers.
I had to change the Provider from Hide.me to NordVPN and its all OK now.
I had a Bad Time and now the sun shines on the VPN Sky - thanks NordVPN.
Peter Novak
2.0
That's not trueThat's not true. You can see on their web page, that they don't store logs. Their recently announced no-log policy. And they are not USA based company, but from the UK. Can't tell more about the rest. Have a nice day.
While hide.me offers cheaper prices and a free VPN plan, HMA is more popular among users and offers better plans and more options. For what it offers, Buffered VPN is more expensive than both of the others.
While hide.me offers cheaper prices and a free VPN plan, HMA is more popular among users and offers better plans and more options. For what it offers, Buffered VPN is more expensive than both of the others.
HMA and hide.me offer very user-friendly client apps for Windows, while Buffered VPN’s Windows client is less appealing and very basic. However, all three VPNs feature a kill switch within their Windows clients.
HMA and hide.me offer very user-friendly client apps for Windows, while Buffered VPN’s Windows client is less appealing and very basic. However, all three VPNs feature a kill switch within their Windows clients.
HMA, hide.me, and Buffered VPN don’t require any manual configuration on Mac. All three VPNs provide custom clients for Mac with standard features and a kill switch included.
HMA, hide.me, and Buffered VPN don’t require any manual configuration on Mac. All three VPNs provide custom clients for Mac with standard features and a kill switch included.
Much like their Android apps, the three VPNs have native apps for iOS users with basic features and without a kill switch. However, all apps are easy to install and use without a hassle.
Much like their Android apps, the three VPNs have native apps for iOS users with basic features and without a kill switch. However, all apps are easy to install and use without a hassle.
Buffered VPN has 30+ servers in a total of 40+ countries including USA, whereas hide.me has 150+ servers in 30+ countries including USA. On the other hand, HMA has a larger network of 190+ servers in the US alone. In addition, unlike its two rivals, HMA gives you better chances at unblocking geo-restricted services in the US including Netflix and Hulu.
Buffered VPN has 30+ servers in a total of 40+ countries including USA, whereas hide.me has 150+ servers in 30+ countries including USA. On the other hand, HMA has a larger network of 190+ servers in the US alone. In addition, unlike its two rivals, HMA gives you better chances at unblocking geo-restricted services in the US including Netflix and Hulu.
Overall, Hide.me is a solid, dependable client with some add-ons that Buffered VPN lacks, like a kill switch and a ‘Limit Connectivity’ feature. Malaysian-based Hide.me also has a strong no-logging policy, and its location away from 14-Eyes jurisdiction makes it even safer.
Honesty and transparency – our two core values – make the internet a friendly place. Our reviews are written by users themselves, and are not influenced by VPN companies. When you purchase a VPN, we sometimes earn affiliate commissions that support our work. Here is an explanation of exactly what we do and how to support our work.
