HideMy.Name VPN Review 2026: The Privacy-First Option

What Is HideMy.Name VPN?

HideMy.Name (formerly known as HideMyAss, then rebranded — not to be confused with the Avast-owned HMA) is a VPN provider that has positioned itself as a privacy-first alternative in a crowded market. Based outside the 14-Eyes surveillance alliance, HideMy.Name focuses on minimal data collection, strong encryption, and user anonymity above all else.

We tested HideMy.Name for three months across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. This review covers everything — speed, privacy, usability, streaming, pricing, and how it compares to the bigger names in the VPN space.

How We Tested

Our testing methodology is consistent across all VPN reviews. We ran the following tests from our base in Norway on a 500 Mbps fibre connection:

• Speed tests: 50 tests per server location (Norway, US East, UK, Germany, Japan) using Ookla Speedtest and fast.com
• DNS leak tests: Using dnsleaktest.com and ipleak.net on every supported platform
• WebRTC leak tests: Using browserleaks.com with Chrome, Firefox, and Edge
• Kill switch testing: Forced connection drops to check for traffic leaks
• Streaming access: Tested Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, NRK (Norway), and YouTube Premium
• Torrenting: Tested P2P performance and IP exposure on dedicated torrent test sites
• Usability: Evaluated the app on all four platforms for interface clarity, connection speed, and server switching

Speed Test Results

Speed is where most VPN reviews lose credibility — they either test once or test in ideal conditions. We tested 50 times per location and calculated averages.

Average speed retention (percentage of base 500 Mbps connection):

• Norway (local server): 88%
• US East (New York): 79%
• UK (London): 83%
• Germany (Frankfurt): 85%
• Japan (Tokyo): 62%

For context, the industry leaders score roughly:

• NordVPN: 92% local, 82% US East
• Surfshark: 87% local, 78% US East
• ExpressVPN: 89% local, 80% US East

HideMy.Name is slightly behind the top tier on local and nearby servers but competitive on transatlantic connections. The Japan server showed more significant degradation, which is common for VPNs without extensive Asian server infrastructure.

For daily browsing, streaming, and even video calls, these speeds are perfectly adequate. You will not notice the VPN running. For competitive gaming or large file transfers to distant servers, the top-tier providers still have an edge.

Privacy and Security

This is where HideMy.Name makes its strongest case.

Encryption

HideMy.Name uses AES-256-GCM encryption with WireGuard as its primary protocol. They also support OpenVPN (UDP and TCP) and IKEv2 for compatibility with older devices. The WireGuard implementation is standard — no proprietary modifications, which is actually a good thing for auditability.

No-Logs Policy

HideMy.Name publishes a detailed no-logs policy that states they do not record:

• Connection timestamps
• IP addresses
• Browsing activity
• DNS queries
• Bandwidth usage per session

They do record aggregate bandwidth statistics (total data transferred across all users per server) for capacity planning, which is standard and does not compromise individual privacy.

Their no-logs policy has been audited once by an independent security firm. This is fewer audits than NordVPN (three) or ExpressVPN (two), but more than many smaller providers. We would like to see more frequent auditing going forward.

Jurisdiction

HideMy.Name is incorporated in Belize, which is outside the 5-Eyes, 9-Eyes, and 14-Eyes surveillance alliances. Belize has no mandatory data retention laws for VPN providers. This is a strong jurisdictional choice for a privacy-focused VPN.

Kill Switch

The kill switch worked correctly in all our tests on Windows and macOS. It blocked all internet traffic when the VPN connection dropped, preventing IP exposure. On iOS, the kill switch worked but required manual enabling in settings. On Android, it integrated with the system-level "always-on VPN" feature.

Streaming Performance

Streaming is not HideMy.Name's primary selling point, and the results reflect that:

• Netflix US: Worked on 3 out of 5 tested servers. Required server switching.
• BBC iPlayer: Did not work during our testing period.
• Disney+: Worked reliably on US servers.
• NRK (Norway): Worked on Norwegian servers without issues.
• YouTube Premium: Worked on all tested servers.

If streaming geo-restricted content is your primary use case, HideMy.Name is not the best choice. For that, we recommend checking our best VPNs roundup where ExpressVPN and NordVPN consistently lead. For pure privacy and browsing protection, HideMy.Name delivers.

Torrenting and P2P

HideMy.Name allows P2P traffic on all servers, which is increasingly rare as many VPN providers restrict torrenting to specific server locations. In our testing:

• Torrent download speeds averaged 78% of our base connection
• No IP leaks detected during P2P sessions
• Port forwarding is not supported, which may affect seeding speeds

For casual torrenters, HideMy.Name is a solid choice. Power users who need port forwarding should look elsewhere.

App Design and Usability

The HideMy.Name apps are functional but not flashy. Here is our platform-by-platform assessment:

Windows: Clean interface with a server list, quick-connect button, and settings menu. Connection is fast — typically under 3 seconds with WireGuard. The settings menu is well-organized with clear explanations of each option.

macOS: Nearly identical to the Windows app. Native Apple Silicon support for M-series Macs, which some smaller VPN providers still lack.

iOS: Simplified interface suitable for mobile use. WireGuard is the default protocol. The kill switch requires manual enabling, which is a minor usability issue.

Android: Solid app with quick-connect widget support. Integrates with Android's always-on VPN feature for automatic protection.

The apps are not as polished as NordVPN's or ExpressVPN's. There are no fancy server map visualizations or one-click streaming profiles. But everything works, and the interface never gets in the way. For a privacy-focused VPN, that is exactly right.

Server Network

HideMy.Name operates servers in 45 countries with approximately 900 servers total. This is smaller than NordVPN (6,000+ servers, 60+ countries) or Surfshark (3,200+ servers, 100+ countries), but adequate for most use cases.

Server coverage is strong in Europe and North America, decent in Asia-Pacific, and limited in Africa and South America. If you regularly need servers in less common locations, a larger provider like Surfshark would be a better fit.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Strong privacy credentials — no-logs policy, Belize jurisdiction, independent audit
• WireGuard support — fast, modern protocol on all platforms
• P2P allowed on all servers — no restrictions on torrenting
• Competitive pricing — cheaper than most mainstream VPNs
• No bandwidth caps — unlimited data on all plans
• Kill switch works reliably — tested and verified on all platforms

Cons

• Smaller server network — 900 servers in 45 countries is limited compared to industry leaders
• Streaming is inconsistent — not reliable for Netflix US or BBC iPlayer
• Only one independent audit — we want to see more frequent third-party auditing
• No port forwarding — limits P2P seeding speeds
• iOS kill switch requires manual setup — should be enabled by default
• Limited Asian server coverage — speeds to Japan and Southeast Asia are below average

Pricing

HideMy.Name offers straightforward pricing as of April 2026:

• Monthly: $9.99/month
• 12-month plan: $4.99/month (billed $59.88)
• 24-month plan: $2.99/month (billed $71.76)

All plans include the same features — no tiered feature gating. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.

The 24-month plan is competitive with Surfshark ($2.49/mo) and cheaper than NordVPN ($3.09/mo). For a privacy-focused VPN, this pricing is excellent value.

HideMy.Name vs Surfshark: Quick Comparison

Since both are in a similar price range, here is a head-to-head:

Feature	HideMy.Name	Surfshark
Monthly cost (2yr)	$2.99	$2.49
Servers	900	3,200+
Countries	45	100+
Simultaneous devices	5	Unlimited
Streaming reliability	Fair	Good
Privacy jurisdiction	Belize	Netherlands
No-logs audits	1	1 (Deloitte)
P2P on all servers	Yes	Yes

Choose HideMy.Name if: Privacy jurisdiction and minimal data collection are your top priorities.

Choose Surfshark if: You need more servers, better streaming, unlimited devices, or broader geographic coverage. Read more in our VPN comparison guide.

How to Set Up HideMy.Name

Getting started takes about five minutes:

• Visit HideMy.Name and choose your plan
• Create an account (you can use an anonymous email for extra privacy)
• Download the app for your platform
• Log in and connect to your preferred server
• Verify your connection by checking your IP at ipleak.net

For a more detailed setup guide covering all platforms, including router configuration, see our VPN setup tutorial.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is HideMy.Name safe to use?

Yes. HideMy.Name uses AES-256-GCM encryption, supports WireGuard, has a verified no-logs policy, and is based in a privacy-friendly jurisdiction. It is a legitimate, safe VPN provider.

Does HideMy.Name work with Netflix?

Sometimes. In our testing, it worked with Netflix US on some servers but not all. It is not the most reliable choice for streaming. If Netflix access is critical, consider NordVPN or ExpressVPN.

How many devices can I use with HideMy.Name?

All plans support up to 5 simultaneous connections. This covers most individuals but may be limiting for families. Surfshark offers unlimited connections if this is a concern.

Does HideMy.Name have a free trial?

There is no free trial, but all plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can test the service risk-free for a month.

Can I use HideMy.Name for torrenting?

Yes. P2P traffic is allowed on all servers with no restrictions. This is a significant advantage over VPNs that restrict torrenting to specific server locations.

How does HideMy.Name compare to free VPNs?

Free VPNs typically monetize your data, impose bandwidth caps, or inject ads. HideMy.Name is a paid service with no data selling, no caps, and no ads. The comparison is not even close — paid VPNs like HideMy.Name provide real privacy protection.

Does HideMy.Name work in China?

We were unable to test this directly. HideMy.Name does not specifically advertise stealth protocols designed for use in heavily censored countries. If you need a VPN for China, look for providers with dedicated obfuscation features.

Our Verdict

HideMy.Name is a solid, privacy-focused VPN that does exactly what it promises. It will not win awards for streaming reliability or server network size, but that is not what it is trying to do. It is trying to provide genuine, no-nonsense privacy protection at a competitive price — and it succeeds.

Our rating: 4.0 out of 5

It loses points for the smaller server network, inconsistent streaming, and limited audit history. It earns points for strong encryption, reliable kill switch, P2P support on all servers, excellent jurisdiction, and honest pricing.

Recommended for: Privacy-focused users who want a reliable, affordable VPN without the marketing fluff of the bigger brands. Not recommended for streaming enthusiasts or users who need extensive Asian or African server coverage.

Reviewed by Thomas — NorwegianSpark SA. We test everything we recommend. Affiliate links are disclosed.