Choosing a VPN might be challenging because you are unsure of what you will receive for your money.
Amongst all VPNs in the industry, there’s HideIPVPN – a VPN and Smart DNS combo – that claims to provide super-fast speeds and highest level of security at an affordable cost.
Moreover, it has several commendable features, that are perfect for unblocking streaming platforms that you might find appealing.
However, by the looks of it, it also offers a limited variety of servers and fewer simultaneous connections per subscription.
In this VPN review, let’s address multiple factors of this VPN to check if it lives up to our criteria and can be called a great choice for all your activities.
So, let’s get right into the HideIPVPN review!
HideIPVPN pros and cons
HideIPVPN offers many incredible features. It does, however, have drawbacks, just like any other VPN. Let’s examine the VPN’s advantages and disadvantages for a quick overview:
| Pros | Cons |
| Offers a Smart DNS service | Small server network |
| Fast speeds | Located in the US |
| Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming platforms | |
| Multiple security protocols | |
| Offers P2P support on some servers | |
| Unlimited bandwidth | |
| 3-day free trial | |
| Doesn’t require users to enter a payment method on its free trial | |
| 5 simultaneous connections |
Speed and performance: Is HideIPVPN fast?
We conducted all speed tests after setting up the VPN protocol to OpenVPN (UDP). While testing, we faced no lags, thanks to HideIPVPN’s fast connection speeds.
However, it’s a fact that the average download/upload speed will inevitably slow down due to the great proximity between your physical location and the server, regardless of which server you choose.
We established a connection to its UK3 server to evaluate its performance. On this server, our speeds dropped slightly on our 100 Mbps connection, but still managed to offer 78.21 Mbps download and 60.72 Mbps upload, which is FAST considering we live far from the United Kingdom.
We then tested its local US1 server, which gave off a 81.27 Mbps download speed and a 68.82 Mbps upload speed. That’s literally what you expect from a top VPN!
Overall, HideIPVPN is great if all you need is anonymity and fast connections.
Streaming: Does HideIPVPN work with Netflix?
With only 20+ servers, we were amazed that HideIPVPN could unblock a variety of well-known streaming services.
While testing, we were able to unblock Netflix, Channel 4, Hulu, Amazon Prime, BBC Player, and HBO Max with HideIPVPN, but we couldn’t access Disney+ at all. The best aspect is that watching the content in HD didn’t cause any buffering, which is fantastic.
However, with the SmartDNS feature, we weren’t as fortunate. We couldn’t unblock Netflix, but we were able to access geo-restricted YouTube videos.
Is HideIPVPN good and safe for torrenting?
HideIPVPN allows torrenting on just a few servers, located in the Netherlands and Germany.
For our HideIPVPN review, we connected to a server in Germany and were able to download a 1.2GB file on Bittorrent in 7 minutes.
We then established a connection to a server in the Netherlands, using which we successfully downloaded a 2GB file on uTorrent in about 12 minutes.
Even though we were happy with the torrenting performance, HideIPVPN should mention more clearly that only servers in Germany and the Netherlands are supported.
HideIPVPN features
HideIPVPN offers a few cutting-edge features to all its users. Let’s check them out in detail below:
Application Killer
An essential component of a VPN service is a kill switch. When the connection suddenly drops, it serves the purpose of protecting your data.
HideIPVPN doesn’t offer a regular kill switch. Its macOS and Windows apps offer ‘Application Killer’, which stops particular apps when there is a network instability. However, the apps need to be manually added.
Smart Location
HideIPVPN makes it simpler for you to choose a VPN server if you are unsure. The quickest and closest server to you is automatically selected by Smart Location when you click the button. If speed is your main concern, then this is that right option for you.
Smart Location is not consistently precise. During testing for our HideIPVPN review, it occasionally picked a far-off server over a nearby one. However, the majority of the time, it optimized speed flawlessly.
Smart DNS
A Smart DNS solution enables you to access geographically restricted online material. It doesn’t change your IP address or encrypt your internet connection, unlike a VPN.
It only modifies your device’s DNS to send requests to its own DNS servers.
Although HideIPVPN offers the functionality, you can also buy it separately. Using Smart DNS, you can unblock Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Netflix pretty easily.
Is HideIPVPN safe and secure?
Yes, this VPN is pretty safe to use, thanks to its robust encryption, protocols, and secure logging policy. Read more about it in detail:
Protocols
HideIPVPN offers 5 VPN protocols: OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec, SoftEther, SSTP, and PPTP, with corresponding 128-bit and 256-bit AES encryptions.
According to us, OpenVPN is the most reliable choice. It is an open-source implementation of a protocol that many people have already inspected. You should choose this when given the option because it is secure and has been proven effective.
Juridiction
A downside of this VPN is that it registered in the anti-privacy state of Delaware in the US.
But, many VPNs headquartered in the US do offer a strict no-logging policy. So, we decided to look through HideIPVPN’s policy thoroughly in the section below.
Logging Policy
HideIPVPN adheres to a strict no-logs policy, which is a promising beginning. However, it hasn’t gone through any independent audits to support the policy. You have to accept HideIPVPN’s statement without an audit to back it up.
In accordance with its privacy policy, HideIPVPN gathers the information required to access DNS and VPN servers. However, it doesn’t clarify what it means by “necessary data.”
HideIPVPN servers and locations
The VPN offers 24 servers across 12 countries. These include 6 servers are located in the United States, 1 in Canada, 5 in the United Kingdom, 1 in Germany, 2 in the Netherlands, 3 in Poland, 1 in Russia, and more.
Additionally, subscribers get access to a Smart Location feature that chooses the best server for you.
Does HideIPVPN work in China?
Yes, HideIPVPN works in China. The VPN service provider made some improvements to its service back in 2009, in order to allow users from China to circumvent its infamous Great Firewall.
Plans and pricing
| Plans | Price |
| 1-month | $6.99 |
| 12-month | $4.99/mo |
| 24-month | $2.99/mo |
HideIPVPN is reasonably-priced, as can be seen from the table above. And, truth be told, the cost really does represent the true worth of the service.
The SmartDNS is a bonus that comes with every package, which is amazing. We were relieved to see that you can use JSB, Discover, MasterCard, Bitcoin, PayPal, Diners Club, VISA, and Amex to pay for its service.
Interface and ease of use
HideIPVPN is compatible with several operating systems, including iOS, Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, and more. You can also use HideIPVPN with TP-Link, D-Link, and DD-WRT routers.
But, how do its apps perform? Let’s see below:
Desktop versions
The Windows client has an easy-to-use interface, a server list that lets you choose locations within each country, and a simple Favorites option that lets you organize your frequently-used servers.
Your nearest server is immediately connected via “Smart Location,” which works pretty smoothly. We tested it from the US and instantly got connected to a Canadian server.
Moreover, it offers numerous protocols and DNS leak protection. There is a kill switch somewhere, but it’s application-based, so you have to configure the apps to shut down when the connection breaks.
Mobile apps
HideIPVPN recently updated the Android/iOS software, which has now become extremely easy to navigate and efficient to use. We tested its Android app and were able to install it easily on our device, as well as connect to a server within seconds.
Customer support
HideIPVPN’s customer support includes email, ticketing, and live chat. You don’t get phone support. But, the most efficient option in case of any queries is its live chat.
Moreover, the provider offers an extensive knowledgebase and FAQs on its website. There are setup instructions to assist you in getting HideIPVPN on a variety of platforms, including Windows, routers, Linux, etc.
We discovered that customer service agents’ were pretty supportive and responded quickly when we first tried it. But, when we tested it again the next couple of times, there was simply no reply to our messages.
Conclusion
HideIPVPN is a great VPN service that unblocks practically everything, offers adequate security, and is affordable. Even though its servers connections are smaller in number, its download and upload speeds are phenomenal.
With HideIPVPN, we were able to enjoy a secure connection for as much as we’d like.
In short, we recommend you try this VPN. In case you’re not up for paying the full amount instantly, you can try the VPN out through is 3-day free trial.