HideIPVPN VPN Review & Test Results – Does It Measure Up in 2024?

At a Glance

HideIPVPN service is a secure, bare-bones, U.S.-based Virtual Private Network (VPN) provider. The service, while doing a workperson-like job of protecting your online security, doesn’t offer many other features to provide more bang for the buck.

In this review, I’ll provide the information you need to make an informed VPN-buying decision. I’ll offer a look at how well the service protects your online activities from prying eyes, whether it slows down your connection to untenable speeds, its global server coverage, app offerings, and more.

Last but certainly not least, I’ll deliver my verdict on the provider, letting you know if the service is worth its asking price, and whether or not there are better options, like my #1 VPN service provider, NordVPN.

My Verdict

HideIPVPN offers solid VPN protection, but that’s just about all I can say. The provider comes up short in several important VPN categories, and several other providers can offer you more.

The provider’s global server network is much smaller than what most well-known VPN providers offer, with servers stationed in only 11 countries. While the provider accesses Netflix, the limited server selection means you won’t be getting all you could out of your streaming dollar.

The provider’s native app support is limited to the four major platforms and only allows up to three simultaneous connections (with a gotcha; more about that below).

HideIPVPN connections are well-protected, but their connection speeds were disappointing. Plus, if you’re looking for more than the usual kill switch and DNS leak protections, you’ll also find the provider is lacking.

What I’m trying to say is that while HideIPVPN isn’t bad, there’s better VPN protection and enhancement to be had. While the provider is reasonably priced, there are better value options for your hard-earned money, such as NordVPN.

OVERALL RANK:	3/5
Speed:	3.5/5
Tested Speed:	65.1 Mbps average download speed (independently tested)
Streaming Support:	HD
Streaming Score:	2.5/5
Unblocks Netflix?:	Yes
U.S. Streaming Services Supported:	Netflix, Hulu
U.K. Streaming Services Supported:	Netflix, BBC iPlayer
Security Score:	3.5/5
Privacy Rating:	3.5/5
Supports Torrenting:	Yes, on select servers
Value for the Money:	3/5
Money-Back Guarantee:	30-day money-back guarantee (with conditions). 24-hour free trial.
Website:	HideIPVPN.com

Features of HideIPVPN

HideIPVPN offers three subscription lengths, which are a one-month option, three-month option, and a full-year option.

Native app support for HideIPVPN is limited to the big four platforms (Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows). No browser extensions are currently available, but the service can be manually set up on DD-WRT routers.

It should be noted that the provider also offers a Smart DNS service that works with most routers, gaming consoles, streaming devices, and smart TVs, which provides access to geo-blocked content. A seven-day free trial is available for the Smart DNS service.

You can have three devices connected concurrently using the same set of login credentials, but none of the three connections can be to the same server. That could cause a bit of a problem for multiple users who may inadvertently pick the same server.

Government-grade encryption protects your connections, and the provider also offers DNS leak protection, a kill switch option (on an app-by-app basis), and an auto-reconnect feature. That’s where the feature list ends, as extra “bells and whistles” – like ad or tracker blocking, or malware and phishing protections – are nowhere to be found.

Global server coverage is another category where the provider falls short, as its global server network includes servers in just 11+ countries. (An exact server count isn’t available.) This severely limits the amount of geo-blocked content you can access around the globe, so keep that in mind when considering this provider.

While the provider allows P2P BitTorrenting action on their network, they restrict it to their servers in Germany and the Netherlands. If you use P2P applications with the service on their other servers, you will be warned by the provider’s system. If you repeatedly conduct P2P activity on those servers, your account will be suspended without any refund.

HideIPVPN customer support isn’t the best around, but it’s far from the worst I’ve seen. The provider offers live chat, an FAQ section, and step-by-step instructions for setting up the provider’s VPN technology or Smart DNS service on various devices. A Contact Us form is also available.

Streaming

In addition to protecting your online activities from prying eyes, accessing geo-blocked content from geo-blocked streaming services is one of the most popular reasons for using a VPN service provider.

Now, in the early days of the streaming industry, using a VPN to access streaming content from other regions of the world was almost a sure bet. However, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and other streamers all caught on to this trick and began blocking IP addresses that VPNs were providing.

When IP address-blocking started, this caused many VPNs to give up on playing this game of virtual whack-a-mole, as they stopped adding new IP addresses when old IPs were blocked. This makes finding a reliable VPN provider that’s willing to offer new IP addresses on a regular basis a definite plus for streaming fans.

HideIPVPN claims to offer access to numerous streaming services, but only in a few countries. I tested a few popular streaming services (Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer).

While the provider offered good access to Netflix in the U.S., U.K. and Singapore, the Netflix website showed the listing for the U.S., even when connected to U.K. or Singapore servers. That said, Netflix content played back smoothly in HD and with no extended buffering.

While Amazon Prime turned me away at their virtual door in all three countries, Hulu connections were successful and provided an enjoyable viewing experience, and BBC iPlayer also reacted favorably to my overtures.

Unfortunately, HideIPVPN’s limited global server network will not provide optimal access to all that your favorite streamer offers.

Security and Privacy

HideIPVPN provides top-notch protection for your online activities, but don’t expect the extra protections you might see from other providers, like CyberGhost.

The provider offers government-grade encryption for your connection and also offers DNS leak protection, a kill switch that can be set on an app-by-app basis, and an auto-reconnect feature. The provider’s VPN software lacks bells and whistles like ad and tracker blocking, as well as phishing and malware protection.

Your privacy is protected by the provider’s no-server-logs policy. Unfortunately, the fact that there’s no cryptocurrency payment option means you’ll have to rely on the privacy protections offered by the VPN’s credit card payment processor or PayPal.

The provider’s base of operations is in the United States, so they would be forced to turn over any info they have about you or your online habits if Johnny Law shows up, search warrant in hand.

Connection Speeds

HideIPVPN’s protected connections aren’t the fastest I’ve ever seen, but they certainly perform better than I’ve seen from many smaller VPN providers that I have tested.

My HideIPVPN connection speed testing proved to offer connection speeds that can easily handle HD and 4K streaming, as well as P2P sharing of large files. You might want to take advantage of the provider’s 24-hour trial to see how well it performs if you’re an online gamer, as the ping numbers I saw during testing were less than impressive.

My unprotected connection speeds during testing averaged 377.33 Mbps. I connected to three different VPN server locations at three different times of the day and saw average protected download speeds of 65.1 Mbps. Upload speeds took a heavier performance hit.

The provider does not spoil the fun with data caps or bandwidth throttling.

Cost

HideIPVPN offers three different subscription options. The provider’s one-month subscription option will cost you just a little more than a large latte at your favorite franchised coffee shop. Their three-month and one-year subscriptions drop the monthly cost down to a medium and small latte, respectively.

The provider offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, but only if you have connection issues with the provider’s servers.

They will not refund your money simply because you don’t like their connection speeds, because they offer a three-day full-speed free trial that allows speed testing. (You can get a seven-day free trial of their Smart DNS service.) No credit card or PayPal commitment is required for the trial.

While the provider’s asking price is not overly expensive, there are better value options available when it comes to VPN protection. Budget-minded users are advised to check out NordVPN, which offers excellent service for a low multi-year price. It provides much better value for the money.

A VPN Alternative

Since my verdict for HideIPVPN was less than glowing, I feel the need to recommend an alternative that will better fit most folks’ needs.

If you’re looking for the best premium (yet inexpensive) VPN service provider, then take a closer look at NordVPN.

I would never recommend a VPN provider without first testing it by using it myself, and NordVPN is no exception. I have been “testing” the provider almost daily for over two years now.

NordVPN offers some of the fastest connections of any provider I’ve tested. The provider’s download speeds measured in at 196.4 Mbps in my most recent connection speed tests. The connections can easily handle 4K and HD streaming, online gaming, as well as sharing and downloading large files. (NordVPN allows P2P file sharing on several servers.)

Those fast connections are provided by NordVPN’s comprehensive global server network of 5,600+ servers located in 60+ countries around the globe. That extensive network offers reliable access to all types of geo-blocked content, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and many other streamers. NordVPN is moving its server network over to a completely owned-and-operated model, which keeps third-party contractors away from your personal data.

No matter what your favorite device is, there’s a very good chance that NordVPN offers native app support for it. Platforms supported include Android, Amazon Fire, iOS, Android TV, macOS (with native M1/M2 Mac support), Linux, and Windows devices.

Browser extensions are available for the Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browser platforms. For devices not covered by the above options, the provider’s extensive router compatibility has the rest of your devices covered.

No worries about online security when you use NordVPN thanks to its banking-grade encryption, kill switch, and DNS leak protection. The provider also offers its NordLynx connection protocol, which is based on the WireGuard protocol.

Privacy is also a sure bet with NordVPN thanks to its lack of any server logs and a cryptocurrency subscription payment option.

NordVPN is moving to an owned-and-operated server model, which keeps outside contractors away from your personal data. The provider runs all operations from RAM, never writing any data to a physical hard drive. All data is completely wiped from a NordVPN server whenever it is rebooted.

For more information about NordVPN, read my review.

HideIPVPN Service FAQs