HideMyAss VPN Review in December 2024

HideMyAss VPN Review 2021

HideMyAss

$11.99
8.5

Price

8.5/10

Speed

8.5/10

Support

8.5/10

HideMyAss (www.hidemyass.com) was founded in 2005 and is one of the oldest VPN providers. So, what have they learned in all these years of running a VPN service?

First, let’s talk about the strong points of HideMyAss – this service has a huge amount of servers. You can choose any from more than 760 in more than 190 countries. That means that you can connect to almost any country in the world, and that is really impressive! Additionally, you can choose from more than 320 available server locations! In this regard, HMA can be called a truly global service, where you can connect even to servers in the most exotic corners of the planet. But the number of servers does not mean anything if the connection speed is too low.

HideMyAss VPN

HideMyAss understands this perfectly, and therefore you cannot complain about the speed when working with this service. Even if you watch a stream in the heaviest format you do not have to wait for the video to load! And yes, you can watch Netflix and BBC iPlayer using this VPN service. The versions of the HMA client for all major operating systems work without any complaints — well, maybe, except the design, because the preferences are individual.

However, there are some pitfalls. The disadvantages of this service include a rather meager range of features, where there is neither the possibility of an emergency disconnection from the network on Android nor forced DNS leaks protection (although the service swears that you will never face such a problem). It still supports some popular security protocols like PPTP or L2TP. 

Please note that you should NOT use HideMyAss to download illegal torrents according to HideMyAss reviews on Reddit.

The most unpleasant aspect I found in my HideMyAss VPN review has to be the geography of the service — namely, the country where it is registered. Also, the service keeps your logs! Yes, this service now belongs to Czech-based Avast known for its great antivirus, but it is still registered in Britain, and the laws of this country are some of the strictest ones when it comes to data control.

Of course, HMA states that it will not disclose the data of law-abiding users. However, a relatively controversial reputation and the keeping of the logs can cause some users to go to some other competitive services.

In general, HideMyAss is a quite good VPN service, which does an excellent job of bypassing access blocks. However, this service does not provide its users with complete confidentiality. In general, it’s up to you whether to use it or not.

Facts about HideMyAss:

  • More than 760 servers in 320 locations and more than 190 countries.
  • Fast connection speed.
  • Unblocks US Netflix and British BBC iPlayer.
  • Supports all modern security protocols.
  • Attractive apps for all popular devices and operating systems.
  • Fast support via online chat and email.
  • Free trial and 30-days money-back guarantee.

Find our top VPN-provider alternatives to HideMyAss below.

VPN Service
NordVPN
www.nordvpn.com



NordVPN
Review
Price: $11.95 $3.71/month
Servers: 5500+ in 59 countries
Simultaneous connections: 6
Jurisdiction: Panama
Payment: PayPal, AmazonPay, Crypto, Google Pay, Klarna
Torrenting: OK
Unblocks US Netflix: Yes
Dedicated IP: $70/yr
TrustPilot Score: 4,7/5
Money-back: 30 days
Extra: Double VPN, Obfuscated servers
Visit NordVPN »
ExpressVPN
www.expressvpn.com



ExpressVPN
Review
Price: $12.95 $8.32/month
Servers: 3300+ in 94 countries
Simultaneous connections: 5
Jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands
Payment: PayPal, Crypto, AliPay, Klarna,
Torrenting: OK
Unblocks US Netflix: Yes
Dedicated IP: Not provided
TrustPilot Score: 4,7/5
Money-back: 30 days
Visit ExpressVPN »
CyberGhost
www.cyberghostvpn.com



CyberGhost
Review
Price: $11.99 $2.25/month
Servers: 6600+ in 89 coutrines
Simultaneous connections: 7
Jurisdiction: Romania
Payment: PayPal, Crypto
Torrenting: OK
Unblocks US Netflix: Yes
Dedicated IP: $51/yr
TrustPilot Score: 4,8/5
Money-back: 45 days
Visit CyberGhost »
Surfshark
www.surfshark.com



Surfshark
Price: $11.95 $2.49/month
Servers: 3200+ in 65 coutrines
Simultaneous connections: Unlimited
Jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands
Payment: PayPal, Crypto, Google Pay, Amazon Pay
Torrenting: OK
Unblocks US Netflix: Yes
Dedicated IP: Not provided
TrustPilot Score: 4,3/5
Money-back: 30 days
Visit Surfshark »
PureVPN
www.purevpn.com



PureVPN
Review
Price: $9.60 $3.33/month
Servers: 6500+ in 140 coutrines
Simultaneous connections: 10
Jurisdiction: Hong Kong
Payment: PayPal, Credit Cards
Torrenting: OK
Unblocks US Netflix: Yes
Dedicated IP: $35.88/yr
TrustPilot Score: 4,7/5
Money-back: 31 days
Visit PureVPN »

1. What is the HideMyAss logs policy?

When using a company’s services providing security, a person wants to be sure that this company will defend his interests, and not someone else’s. When you consider the VPN, it is a great idea to read its privacy policy and try to contact the representatives for any clarification you may need. The privacy statement of HideMyAss is written in very clear language. It has been edited on May 25, 2018, and changed according to GDPR.

In particular, it says that the company registers your login, connection and disconnection time, the amount of information transferred your real IP address and the IP address of the server you connected to. Everything is quite common. The difference from the others is that this information is stored for two or three months. Competing VPNs do not store it at all or limit the storage period to 30 days.

The firm claims that it stores information to improve the performance of its system, as well as to prevent the use of VPN to break the law or ethical rules. It is noteworthy that file exchange is named among the illegal acts, although some servers safely work with the BitTorrent protocol. The stored information can indeed be used to track the actions of a particular user, but it will be very difficult to do this. In addition, the declaration clearly states that the company does not register your actions and the file contents.

This is exactly what we would like to hear. As well as the fact that the company does not earn from advertising or selling data about its customers. The headquarters of HideMyAss is located in London, and the company operates under the jurisdiction of England and Wales. The laws of the United Kingdom require firms to store certain information about their customers. We do not think that you can judge a company only considering its location and jurisdiction. However, you need to know the laws and internal regulations of the company that you have business with.

HideMyAss VPN

2. Monthly price for HideMyAss

The HideMyAss plans are about the same as most competitors. They offer three billing plans: monthly, biannually, and annually. The longer period you sign up for, the better price you get. How much does the service cost?

Plans for HideMyAss

It is quite affordable and not too expensive. Actually, there are many more expensive competitors. Additionally, the company offers 30 days free trial period but it is not included by default. You will have to click the link that you want to use the free trial period. The registration is fast and easy. You can register right in the application but better do it on the website.

  1. On the home page, click the Buy Now button, and choose the plan. If you need a trial period to test how the service works, click on the Want a free trial? Button.
  2. Select a payment method. You can choose from bank cards, PayPal, WebMoney, QIWI Wallet, and UnionPay. If you opt to use the trial period, only the credit card and PayPal options will be available. Enter the required data and click on the Place Order button.
  3. Registration and payment options for HideMyAss
  4. After that, you get a confirmation email and your subscription activates.

Once your subscription is activated, download and install the application for your device. Remember that you can hold up to 5 simultaneous connections on any device.

HideMyAss VPN

3. Setup and install HideMyAss

The applications are available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. For other devices, you will be able to use the manual configurations. The app interface is very similar to the one on other different platforms. For example, when you compare the clients for Windows and Android, you will not see many differences. Recently, the interface was redesigned and it is even more attractive. Let’s have a closer look at the Windows and Android apps.

The new Windows app interface contains three tabs/modes. Each mode provides you with all the necessary features to use the VPN with no confusion or extra settings.

Setup and install HideMyAss app for Windows

Windows main menu for HideMyAss

  1. Instant Mode. Do you want to hide your identity and get absolute privacy? Then you should use this mode. Your connection will be encrypted with the best server.
  2. Location Mode. Here you can select which specific server you want to connect to. Is there a specific website which you would like to unlock? For such cases, you will need Location Mode. The list of servers is huge, and there are filters for countries and cities, as well as a search feature.
  3. Freedom Mode. If you live in a country where there are many restrictions on sites (gambling, betting, 18+), then this mode will give you absolute freedom, as well as complete confidentiality. The mode will automatically connect you to a closer country where there is no censorship.

In the new version of the service, the HideMyAss developers minimized the possible settings you are able to choose. In the settings you can:

windows settings for HideMyAss

  • run the application when Windows starts,
  • minify the application when you open it,
  • automatically log in when the application starts,
  • automatically connect to the selected server,
  • choose an action for an unsecured Wi-Fi connection,
  • choose an app to use with the Kill Switch feature.

Finally, in the connection settings, we expected to be able to change the protocols. However, the only settings under your power are changing the connection type from UDP to TCP. The Android app has the same three modes and even fewer settings available to change.

You can:

  • run the VPN service when the device starts,
  • run VPN when the app launches,
  • notify about an unsecured Wi-Fi network,
  • change the IP address.

The interface is very simple, easy to use and fast enough. Again, there are some drawbacks. There is no kill switch feature, and there is no choice of necessary protocols. On the other hand, the software will provide you with one of the most positive VPN experiences when using.

Freedom mode on Android with HideMyAssInstant mode on Android

Location mode on Android Settings on Android

HideMyAss VPN

4. Features

There is no specific page on the website with all the features listed. Moreover, HideMyAss does not provide any features that are unique in comparison to other competitors. We would like to tell you about three of the most significant ones.

Secure online banking

As more and more people use online banking systems, it is important to be the most secure to make sure you do not lose any. HideMyAss provides great protection so you can be sure while using online banking via their servers.

Kill switch for apps

The feature that is standard for most competitors is not available for all devices with HMA. For example, on Windows, you can choose what apps will use the feature.

Unblock streaming

This is one of the services that provide a real solution to unblock American Netflix. Also, you can watch the content from practically any country.

Free services and features

HideMyAss offers several free services for its users.

  • The company offers free proxy servers every day. There is a special page where you can customize the location in accordance with the purpose of use.
  • Free web proxy. This type of proxy server provides more privacy when unblocking sites. The service is free, however, for a quick experience, it is recommended to purchase the Premium account.
  • Anonymous email. This service allows you to quickly create a free account and hide your real email address from third parties when registering for various services.
  • Anonymous referrer. When you post links, you can be easily tracked. HMA offers you its solution. You can easily anonymize your links and hide your website from being tracked. HideMyAss also offers JavaScript codes to convert your links to an anonymous version.

HideMyAss VPN

5. Servers

It is important to not only have a lot of servers but also a diversity of the regions where they are located. If you have, for example, 30 servers in 3 cities, you can still connect only to these three cities. In addition, the ratio of servers to the number of users is not less important. Usually, the more servers, the faster the connection speed, but if the VPN service X has a little more servers than the VPN service Y, but twice more users, then the VPN service X is likely to have slower connection speeds.

Unfortunately, VPN providers do not publish the number of their users, but they all try to connect more servers to their network than the competitors. Consider the number of IP addresses and server locations. The more IP addresses, the better your privacy is protected, and the more server locations, the easier it will be for you to access a wide variety of content.

The number of servers and geographic coverage are the key characteristics of any VPN. Here HideMyAss has something to brag about. If the total number of servers it has is 887, and it is an average level (the leaders have more than 3 thousand), then the geographical coverage — more than 320 locations in more than 190 countries – is the largest among all the VPNs we examined.

This list covers regions that most VPN providers ignore, in particular, Africa, and countries with repressive relation to the Internet: China, Russia, and Turkey. You can find the full list of them on the official website.

However, not everything is as beautiful as it seems. A company representative told us that many locations are nothing more than virtual servers. Real servers are installed in only 61 locations. All others are virtual servers. He further explained that the main part of the HideMyAss infrastructure is located in the following cities: Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Miami, New York, Prague, Seattle, and Singapore. Unfortunately, it is impossible to find this information on the company’s website.

It would be great to fix this defect in the future, so the user can clearly understand when he connects to a hardware server, and when to a virtual one, as it is impossible to know now.

HideMyAss VPN

6. Speed Test

We tried some servers in different parts of the world to check how fast they are.

Find out more about how to check your VPN connection in this article.

We tried some servers in different parts of the world to check how fast they are. We are physically located in Ukraine and we first used SpeedTest by Ookla to check the speed without a VPN.

Hide My Ass No VPN

Germany, Berlin

HideMyAss DNS-leak test - Germany, Berlin

Netherlands, Amsterdam

Norway, Oslo

Czech, Prague

Switzerland, Zurich

United Kingdom, London

Poland, Warsaw

Italy, Milan

Albania, Tirana

Spain, Barcelona

Portugal, Leiria

Greece, Athens

Turkey, Istanbul

Georgia, Tbilisi

Ukraine, Odesa

Russia, Moscow

Uzbekistan, Samarkand

India, Mumbai

China, Beijing

Singapore

Japan, Tokyo

Philippines, Baguio

Australia, Melbourne

New Zealand, Auckland

USA, Miami

USA, Billings, Montana

USA, San Jose

Canada, Vancouver

Brazil, Rio de Janeiro

Venezuela, Caracas

Antigua and Barbuda, Saint John’s

Greenland, Ilulissat

South Africa, Johannesburg

Kenya, Nairobi

Nigeria, Lagos

Algeria, Annaba

Saudi Arabia, Riyadh

Jordan, Amman

As we see, almost all the servers provide great speed. It was interesting to see that all of them connected to the closest server to your physical location.

HideMyAss VPN

7. DNS-Leak Test

HideMyAss supports all of the most common VPN protocols. VPN protocols are rules that control how data is exchanged between computers on a VPN network. The most common VPN protocols are L2TP, PPTP, and Open VPN. Open VPN is considered the most reliable because it uses a stable OpenSSL for cryptography and authentication. HideMyAss supports Open VPN. Also, we used whoer.net to check how secure our VPN connection is.

Without VPN

After that, we checked all the servers used in the previous test.

Germany, Berlin

Netherlands, Amsterdam

Norway, Oslo

Czech, Prague

Switzerland, Zurich

United Kingdom, London

Poland, Warsaw

Italy, Milan

Albania, Tirana

Spain, Barcelona

Portugal, Leiria

Greece, Athens

Turkey, Istanbul

Georgia, Tbilisi

Ukraine, Odesa

Russia, Moscow

Uzbekistan, Samarkand

India, Mumbai

China, Beijing

Singapore

Japan, Tokyo

Philippines, Baguio

Australia, Melbourne

New Zealand, Auckland

USA, Miami

USA, Billings, Montana

USA, San Jose

Canada, Vancouver

Brazil, Rio de Janeiro

Venezuela, Caracas

Antigua and Barbuda, Saint John’s

Greenland, Ilulissat

South Africa, Johannesburg

Kenya, Nairobi

Nigeria, Lagos

Algeria, Annaba

Saudi Arabia, Riyadh

Jordan, Amman

The connection was always secure, as HideMyAss provided its own IP and DNS. We did not register either IP or DNS leaks. And it’s really great.

HideMyAss VPN

8. Does HideMyAss work with Netflix, BBC iPlayer and Torrents?

HMA can also be used with torrents, but only on certain servers. In other words, this service will not be the fastest option, if you intend to use it primarily for torrents. We also checked the download speed. We tried downloading Linux Mint distributive via Qbittorrent.

Here is the speed without VPN:

Torrenting with no VPN using HideMyAss

Let’s compare the speed connected to HideMyAss:

Torrenting using HideMyAss connected to Paris server

Then, we tried to connect to some geo-restricted streaming services.

Netflix

Netflix with HideMyAss

BBC iPlayer

BBC iPlayer and HideMyAss

 

ZDF

ZDF with HideMyAss

Canal+

Canal+ with HideMyAss

ABC Australia

ABC Australia with HideMyAss

The HideMyAss VPN does a really great job. We could use almost all the services as promised. The only issue we had was with the BBC iPlayer, but users say that it is quite individual.

Visit HideMyAss VPN

9. How to access HideMyAss in censored areas

One of the best features of any VPN is the ability to use the locked services and sites being located in censored areas. One of the most strict countries is China. Unfortunately, the company does not guarantee to work in China via the application but you can try the manual configuration. We advise checking the settings before you are going to the area.

10. Support

The support service is available via email, online chat, or even on the phone. We tried the online chat, and asked the following question:

Hello, could you please explain how to access your service in restricted countries like China?

Support chat

In a few seconds, we got an answer:

Even though providing censorship-free access to the Internet to our customers based in China has been an important goal for us, due to necessary changes in our infrastructure and efforts by the Chinese government to block us, connecting to our service from China will no longer be possible. For the time being, although we are working hard on a solution, we do not have any workaround or suggestion that can overcome this change and make the connection from China possible. Please accept our sincere apologies for all the inconvenience this might have caused.

In shorter terms, access depends mainly on the local provider. Some users report that manual connections work. If you want to try, we have a generous refund policy. 🙂

It was clear and not automatic. In a few minutes, we got an email with our chat log.

Knowledge base Chat with HideMyAss

Live support Chat log

11. How to cancel your HideMyAss subscription

HideMyAss has a very strict refund policy. Here are the refund policy restrictions:

  1. The service is based on a subscription, and it is updated every month, 6 months, or a year. You have 30 days to request a refund. However, it is not available when you update a subscription.
  2. If you violate the usage rules, you cannot request a refund.
  3. If you have used more than 10 GB of data, it means that you used the service without problems. In that case, you have no reason to request a refund.
  4. If the number of connection sessions — the number of connections to HideMyAss servers — exceeds 100, you cannot request a refund.

12. HideMyAss Pros and cons

Pros:

  • A huge amount of available servers.
  • Fast connection speed.
  • Free trial and money-back guarantee.
  • Fast human support.
  • All modern security protocols.

Cons:

  • Refund policy restrictions.
  • Kill switch is not available for all devices.
  • Could not unblock BBC iPlayer.

HideMyAss VPN

I’m very interested in hearing about your experience with HideMyAss VPN. Don’t hesitate to leave a HideMyAss VPN review in the comment section!

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