Hide.me vs. NordVPN Comparison Review

Hide.me
5
NordVPN
4.5

Introduction

Hide.me vs. NordVPN, which VPN provider should you go for? In this review, we have compared all the essential features of the two brands, from their reputation to security and privacy, alongside their capabilities.

Hide.me and NordVPN are household names in the VPN industry. Both brands have been in business for over a decade and have asserted themselves as two of the best VPN brands on the market. The duo shares quite a lot in common, but obviously, there are differences that should inform your purchase decision.

important info

The difference between Hide.me and NordVPN is that Hide.me has a free version while NordVPN has paid plans only. Besides, NordVPN offers faster speeds, is more secure, and has a broader server network with highly specialized servers for streaming, torrenting, and obfuscation.

For more regarding how the two VPNs compare, read along.

Pros and Cons

Pros
Offers all-round protection on PCs, mobile devices, routers, smart TVs, gaming consoles, etc
It has a free version with no credit card required to get started
Allows up to 10 simultaneous connections while NordVPN allows a maximum of 6
Unblocks major streaming sites, including Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV, and Crunchyroll among others
Supports torrenting on select P2P-friendly servers
Cons
There are many reports of frequent app crashes and a malfunctioning kill switch
Pros
Offers all-round protection on PCs, mobile devices, routers, gaming consoles, and so on
Guarantees fast speeds courtesy of a robust infrastructure and the proprietary NordLynx protocol optimized for speed.
It has a vast network of highly specialized servers optimized for speed and reliability
It is based in a privacy-friendly jurisdiction, has a strict no-log policy, and uses RAM-only servers
Unblocks all the major streaming sites and facilitates safe torrenting
Works in China perfectly courtesy of its military-grade encryption and obfuscated servers
Cons
Allows a maximum of 6 simultaneous device connections

Comparison table

Platforms
# Devices
Encryption
Protocols
Jurisdiction
Logging Policy
Server Network
Leak Tests
Streaming
Torrenting
Gaming
Support
Free Version
Free Trial
Guarantee
PCs, Mobile, Routers, TV Sticks, Gaming Consoles
10
256-bit AES
SSTP, IKEv2, SoftEther, OpenVPN, and WireGuard®
Malaysia
No logging
2,000+ servers in over 46 countries
Negative
24/7 live chat, FAQ, Guides
30-day money-back guarantee
PCs, Mobile, Routers, TV Sticks, Gaming Consoles
6
256-bit AES
OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, WireGuard (NordLynx)
Panama
No logging
5,500+ servers in over 60 countries
Negative
24/7 live chat, FAQ, Guides
30-day money-back guarantee

Hide.me vs. NordVPN Face-to-Face Comparison Review

Now, onto the main agenda of this Hide.me vs. NordVPN comparison review. How do they compare? What are the similarities and differences? To help you make the best decision, we have compared them based on the vital factors considered when choosing a VPN. So, without further ado, let's get started.

1. Brand Trust

The VPN industry is among the most lucrative markets today, with hundreds of brands. Some are genuine, while others offer substandard services. Having said that, you must assess a brand's reputation before committing. Here, we recommend going for brands that have been in business for long. Besides, you should check what cybersecurity experts and users are saying about the VPN you want to buy. So, how does Hide.me compare to NordVPN in terms of brand trust? Let's find out.

Established in 2012, Hide.me is a trusted brand that has scaled the heights to become a household name in the VPN industry. The company is owned and operated by eVenture Limited, a reputable Telephony/Wireless, Web Development, and Telecommunications firm.

The company boasts over 5 million users globally and is a recommended VPN by top publications, including Forbes and PC Advisor. It is known for state-of-the-art security, privacy, and decent speeds.

We combed through VPN forums and consumer review websites, and we are glad it is a cut above the rest. Even though there were a few negative reviews, Hide.me can be trusted.

On Trustpilot, the VPN has a Trustscore of 4.9/5 after over 480 reviews which is impressive.

Arguably the best VPN today, NordVPN has a good reputation. The company was also established in 2012 and has risen to become a top VPN brand that rivals the likes of ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Surfshark.

NordVPN is owned by Nord Security, the same venture behind ExpressVPN. Besides the VPN, Nord boasts three other products, NordPass, NordPass Business, and NordLocker. It is an award-winning VPN featured in top publications, including TechRadar and PC Mag.

We scoured the internet to find out what experts and users are saying. We are also glad it has positive reviews, except for a few isolated cases of dissatisfied customers.

On Trustpilot, NordVPN commands a rating of 4.5/5 after over 22,000 reviews.

2. Supported Devices

In the second round of this Hide.me vs. NordVPN comparison review, we want to find out which devices the two support and, importantly, the number of simultaneous connections the duo allows. Obviously, you want all-round protection, which means a VPN that works with all the devices you want to protect is the best. In addition, you want a VPN that allows for the maximum number of simultaneous connections. So, which devices do Hide.me and NordVPN work with? How many devices can you connect at once? That's what this segment is all about.

When it comes to supported devices, Hide.me is an all-rounder. The VPN has apps for all the popular PC platforms, talk of Windows, macOS, and Linux.

There are also browser extensions for Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. Besides PCs, you can use it to protect your mobile devices, be it Android or iOS.

Hide.me also works with routers, smart TVs, Apple TVs, gaming consoles, and so on, via manual configuration or when connected to a protected router.

One big advantage of Hide.me VPN over NordVPN is that it allows up to 10 simultaneous device connections.

NordVPN, too, is an all-encompassing VPN that works with multiple devices. It is compatible with several PC platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.

There’s also a Chrome extension. NordVPN is also a mobile VPN that works with Android and iOS devices. Besides PCs and mobile devices, this VPN is also compatible with routers and several other connected devices including gaming consoles, smart TVs, and a host of other streaming devices.

Unfortunately, NordVPN, despite being a top brand, allows a maximum of 6 simultaneous connections, but the good thing is you can add more devices on an already protected router.

3. Usability

How user-friendly is the VPN you want to buy? This is another crucial aspect that must be addressed in this comparison review. Whether you are a techie who understands the ins and outs of how VPNs work, or an average user, it is crucial to assess the usability of the VPN you are about to subscribe to. The critical questions to ask yourself include, how easy is it to get started? Is the configuration process simple or complex? Definitely, you should go for a VPN that is easy to set up and configure. The user interface should also be intuitive for easy navigation.

If you are looking for a user-friendly VPN, Hide.me is the best choice. It has a simple setup and configuration process. The first step is to click the GET HIDE.ME button, which redirects to the plans page.

Next, select a plan, a payment method, and checkout. Now that you have a plan download the client software depending on your device, sign in, and connect to a preferred server. It’s that simple.

For the free plan, the process is a little bit different. Go to the free plans page and click GET HIDE.ME You will then be required to create an account by feeding your email address. An email will be sent to you to activate the account.

Hide.me’s interface is pretty straightforward, and intuitive. On our usability scale, out of 5, Hide.me VPN scores a cool 4.8.

NordVPN is also a user-friendly VPN that anyone can use. The setup process is straightforward and has a clean interface that is easy to maneuver.

To get started, click the ‘Get NordVPN’ button, which redirects you to the plans page where you need to purchase a plan. After getting a plan, create an account and download the client software, obviously, depending on the device you are using.

The next step is logging in to your account and selecting a preferred server before hitting the Connect button.

The user interface is pretty intuitive so you won’t fumble around while navigating. On our usability scale, NordVPN’s usability is 4.7/5.

4. Security (Encryption)

One of the tenets of a VPN's security is the encryption technology. For starters, encryption refers to how the VPN encodes your data to make it unreadable to 3rd parties. VPNs work by encrypting your data so that even if 3rd parties access your data, they won't be able to decode it. There are different encryption technologies with Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 256-bit as the industry standard. Don't settle for anything less than AES 256-bit encryption.

As one of the leading VPN brands in terms of security, Hide.me deploys state-of-the-art AES 256-bit, military-grade encryption, which is virtually impenetrable even with the latest computers.

It would literally take millions of years to perform a successful brute-force attack on this VPN. One unique feature of Hide me is the upgrade to 8192-bit public keys, which takes security a notch higher.

NordVPN also boasts excellent security as it deploys AES 256-bit encryption, the same encryption Hide me boasts. This VPN, too, is virtually impenetrable using all resources that we as humans have right now.

Regarding the security keys, NordVPN uses a 4096-bit DH key which might not be as airtight as 8192-bit public keys, but it still gets the job done.

5. Security (Protocols)

Another important cog in a VPN's security is the protocols supported, otherwise known as tunneling methods. A VPN protocol is a set of rules determining how your internet traffic is routed via the VPN servers. There are several VPN tunneling methods, each specialized for different purposes. For example, there are protocols for speed, security, mobile devices, etc. So, what protocols do Hide.me VPN and NordVPN support?

When it comes to security protocols, Hide.me supports 5. First is Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP), a combination of SSL and TCP.

Second is IKEv2, which is available for Windows and Linux and is known for its ability to resist short-term network connectivity loss.

There’s also SoftEther, an open-source multi-protocol solution, and OpenVPN, which is regarded as the industry standard. The last protocol is WireGuard, a lightweight protocol known for its blend of security and speed.

NordVPN, on the other hand, implements 3 protocols; OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, and NordLynx. OpenVPN, as mentioned earlier, is the industry standard and is known for airtight security, and supports both TCP and UDP ports.

Next is IKEv2/IPsec which enhances the security and reliability on iOS devices.

Last is NordLynx, NordVPN’s proprietary protocol based on WireGuard. NordLynx is basically WireGuard but backed up with a dual NAT system for enhanced security.

6. Security Extras

While encryption and protocols are the main cogs that determine the security of a VPN, there are security extras that take security to the next level for safe and secure browsing. Some security extras are basic and a must-have, for that matter, while others are advanced. In this segment, we have compared all the security extras these two VPNs come with. Find out which brand wins the test as far as security extras are concerned.

Hide.me, as one of the top-rated VPNs, has plenty of security features, both basic and advanced. First is DNS, IP, and WebRTC Leak protection that cover you up completely such that your IP address and DNS requests won’t leak.

Another basic security extra is split tunneling, which lets you nominate which traffic to route via the router and which traffic to connect directly to the internet. Hide.me also comes with MultiHop, a technology that lets you route your traffic via two VPNs, giving you an extra layer of security.

Another security feature worth mentioning is the network kill switch which drops the internet connection when the VPN connection drops, preventing your traffic from leaking.

Regarding advanced features, Hide.me comes with a free proxy dubbed Bolt which further enhances your security and privacy. Essentially, Bolt uses TCP where possible, avoiding UDP.

NordVPN is also well endowed in terms of security extras. First, it comes with IP AND DNS Leak Protection, a feature that prevents your IP address and DNS queries from leaking.

Another security extra is Split Tunneling which lets you choose the apps whose traffic should be routed via the VPN, and a Kill Switch that drops the internet connection when your VPN disconnects inadvertently.

NordVPN also comes with Multihop, which further enhances security and anonymity by routing your traffic via double VPNs.

Unfortunately, this reduces speeds. There’s also a SOCKS5 Proxy which enhances security and privacy and lets you spoof your location.

7. Privacy & Confidentiality (Jurisdiction)

The privacy and confidentiality that a VPN offers is also a matter of concern. One of the key determinants of a VPN's privacy and confidentiality is the VPN’s jurisdiction. There are privacy-friendly countries and countries where the authorities have mandatory data retention laws. They can force the VPN to share users' data when necessary. Avoid VPNs in such jurisdictions. Instead, go for VPNs in jurisdictions where matters online privacy are emphasized. So, where are Hide.me and NordVPN based? Are they in privacy-friendly countries?

Hide.me is based in Malaysia, a country not part of any global surveillance organizations such as the 5-Eyes, 9-Eyes, and 14-Eyes.

It is also a privacy-friendly jurisdiction that protects its citizens’ privacy courtesy of the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (“PDPA”), a law that prohibits data users from collecting and processing data without the owners’ consent.

So, you can be sure that your digital footprint is safe with Hide.me VPN.

NordVPN is also a worthy choice as far as online privacy and confidentiality is concerned. The company is headquartered in Panama, a privacy-friendly jurisdiction.

Panama is not part of the 5-Eyes, 9-Eyes, 14-Eyes, or any other global surveillance organization.

The government is also pro-privacy, so you can be sure that your data will not be compromised.

8. Privacy & Confidentiality (Log Policy)

Another important aspect to consider as far as privacy and confidentiality is concerned is the logging policy. Always go for a VPN with a no-log policy, and a credible no-log policy, for that matter. This is because some VPNs claim they have a 100% no-log policy, yet they collect and store personally identifiable data that can be used to track or profile you. Here it's important to check the privacy policy to find out what information is collected and how it is collected and stored.

Hide.me VPN has a strict no-log policy. The company doesn’t collect or store any personally identifiable information such as your original IP address, assigned IP address, browsing activity, timestamps, or any other data that can be traced back to you.

We, however, wish the company could have deployed RAM-only servers, which guarantee that no logs are stored, as these servers wipe all data after every reboot.

NordVPN, just like Hide.me, has a strict no-log policy. The company doesn’t keep any data that could track or profile you. NordVPN doesn’t log your IP address, assigned IP address, digital footprint, connection logs, timestamps, etc.

One big advantage of this VPN is that it deploys RAM-only servers which wipe out all data after every reboot thus cementing the fact that it is indeed a no-log VPN.

9. Server Network and Distribution

The server network is the heart of a VPN's infrastructure and can be the deal maker or breaker. When selecting the best VPN for you, the first consideration should be the number of servers. A VPN with a large server network spread across the globe is crucial for reliability. Besides the server network, assess the hardware used, with the priority being ultrafast servers optimized for speed. You should also consider a VPN with specialized servers, such as P2P-friendly servers, streaming servers, RAM-only servers, Tor servers, etc. So, how do Hide.me's servers compare to NordVPN?

Hide.me may have been around for over a decade, but it doesn’t have such a wide server network. It operates around 2,000 servers in 46 countries at 75 top city locations in Europe, The Americas, Asia Pacific, and Africa.

Most of the servers are concentrated in Europe. Even though the company claims it owns all the servers, the truth is that it rents its servers from 3rd parties. For the record, there are no virtual servers.

Just to note, Hide.me’s servers are not ideal for China. The success rate was under 20% during our tests, but in other places like Russia, Iran, the UAE, and Turkey, it works, courtesy of the TLS-Crypt obfuscation tool.

On the paid plan, you get access to all the servers, but for the free plan, you are limited to just 5 servers in 4 countries – Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, and the US.

One of the areas NordVPN beats Hide.me is the server network and distribution. NordVPN boasts over 5,600 ultrafast servers. Some are rented, while the majority are owned and managed by NordVPN.

The servers are in 59 countries in Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa.

Unlike Hide.me, these are highly specialized servers. There are specific servers optimized for P2P activity, streaming, Onion Over VPN servers, double VPN servers, obfuscation servers, dedicated IP servers, and so on.

For the record, NordVPN has invested in RAM-only servers, which enhance privacy and confidentiality.

10. Streaming, Torrenting, and Gaming

VPNs are not just about security and privacy. There are several other applications. They can be used to unblock streaming sites with geo-locked content. VPNs can also help users download torrents safely without bandwidth throttling or the risks associated with downloading copyrighted material, which is illegal. Lastly, VPNs for gaming help in unblocking banned games, and improving overall gaming performance by enhancing speeds and reducing pings for lag-free gameplay. They can also unblock geo-blocked gaming content. But not all of them are up to these tasks. So, how do the two compare here?

Hide.me is a good VPN for unblocking the major streaming sites with geo-locked content. In our tests, it unblocked several Netflix libraries including Netflix US, UK, and Japan.

Hide.me also unblocked Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, HBO, Youtube, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer, among others. When it comes to torrenting, we managed to download torrents successfully without any speed loss attributed to bandwidth throttling.

Lastly, Hide.me is superb. It managed to lower pings, and besides, it can help gamers protect their consoles from DDoS attacks and, importantly, to access geo-blocked content and discounts.

NordVPN is also a reliable VPN for streaming as it unblocks all of the streaming sites with geo-locked content. In our tests, it unlocked Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Apple TV, Crunchyroll, Youtube, Fox Sports DAZN, and a host of other streaming sites courtesy of streaming-optimized servers.

On torrenting, it is also exceptional. We launched several torrenting sessions and downloaded files without any speed loss.

Lastly, on gaming, NordVPN is impressive as it lowered pings and maintained stable speeds for lag-free gameplay. It can also prevent DDoS attacks and other threats. Gamers can also leverage this VPN to access geo-blocked gaming content and gaming discounts.

11. Customer Support

The customer support channels and the level of support is also a key determinant in the selection of the best VPN. Whether you are an advanced user or a beginner, you need to ensure the VPN you buy has reliable customer support. A good provider should have a multichannel support with 24/7 live chat as the priority. Live chat offers instant feedback. The VPN should also have resources such as guides and video tutorials from the brand and other 3rd party platforms. So, which of the two brands has the best support?

Being one of the best VPN brands, Hide.me has a reliable customer support team. The multichannel support includes live chat, the most reliable channel, as feedback is instant.

However, live chat agents are not available 24/7 as claimed, instead, there is a chatbot. Besides the live chat, you can contact the team at Hide.me via direct email or through an email ticketing system, but the response is not as prompt as live chat.

Besides live chat and email, there are plenty of resources in the form of guides, tutorial videos, and other 3rd party online resources.

NordVPN is equal to Hide.me in terms of support as it is multichannel.

There is 24/7 live chat support that sorts out users’ issues promptly but just like Hide.me, it is not always 24/7.

Besides live chat, NordVPN has provided an email, but the response is not prompt.

There’s also a Help Center with plenty of guides and answers to the frequently asked questions.

12. Plans, Pricing, and Payment Methods

In this last round of this Hide.me vs. NordVPN comparison review, we want to find out about the plans available and pricing. We have also compared other aspects, such as free versions, free trials, money-back guarantees, and the available payment options. Emphasis is on VPNs that have a variety of plans, both short-term and long terms, at affordable prices.

One of the advantages of Hide.me VPN is that it has a free version, but there is no free trial.

There are three paid plans; a 1-month plan for $9.95, a 12-months plan for $6.66 billed annually, and a 24-months plan for $3.84 billed biannually.

A 30-day money-back guarantee covers all the plans, so you can get back your money if you are unsatisfied with the service. Payment options include Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, American Express, and Bitcoin.

NordVPN, on the other hand, doesn’t have a free version or a free trial, but you can take advantage of the 30-day money-back guarantee in case it doesn’t meet your expectations.

There are three products; Standard, Plus, and Complete. The Standard plan costs $3.29 a month if you go for the 2-year plan, while Plus and Complete go for $3.99 a month and $5.29, respectively.

The payment options include Mastercard, American Express, Maestro, JCB, Bitcoin, Ripple, and Ethereum.

Speeds and Performance

Speed and performance is another vital consideration. As you may be aware, even the best VPN incurs a speed loss when data is transferred from one server to another. One thing to note is that VPNs have different speed losses depending on the infrastructure. The best VPNs incur speed losses ranging from 10-20%, while others have significant speed losses of up to 70%. You definitely want a VPN with minimal speed loss for fast browsing and torrenting, smooth streaming, and lag-free gaming. We put them under rigorous testing to give you a glimpse of how Hide.me and NordVPN perform. In the first test, we wanted to determine how fast they could download a 1GB file on a 100Mbps connection. In the second test, we tried out their servers in different locations on the same 100Mbps connection. Below are the results.
Hide.me
Test 1: Downloading a 1GB File
Fastest Servers - 95.567.2 Seconds
Slowest Servers - 111.767.5 Seconds
Test 2: Canada Servers
Fastest Servers - 75Mbps/100Mbps
Slowest Servers - 58Mbps/100Mbps
Test 3: United States Servers
Fastest Servers - 72Mbps/100Mbps
Slowest Servers - 55Mbps/100Mbps
Test 4: United Kingdom Servers
Fastest Servers - 73Mbps/100Mbps
Slowest Servers - 51Mbps/100Mbps
Test 5: Australia Servers
Fastest Servers - 78Mbps/100Mbps
Slowest Servers - 61Mbps/100Mbps
Test 6: France Servers
Fastest Servers - 71Mbps/100Mbps
Slowest Servers - 56Mbps/100Mbps
Test 7: Germany Servers
Fastest Servers - 78Mbps/100Mbps
Slowest Servers - 59Mbps/100Mbps
NordVPN
Test 1: Downloading a 1GB File
Fastest Servers - 85.637.1 Seconds
Slowest Servers - 101.257.9 Seconds
Test 2: Canada Servers
Fastest Servers - 90Mbps/100Mbps
Slowest Servers - 84Mbps/100Mbps
Test 3: United States Servers
Fastest Servers - 89Mbps/100Mbps
Slowest Servers - 81Mbps/100Mbps
Test 4: United Kingdom Servers
Fastest Servers - 88Mbps/100Mbps
Slowest Servers - 79Mbps/100Mbps
Test 5: Australia Servers
Fastest Servers - 85Mbps/100Mbps
Slowest Servers - 79Mbps/100Mbps
Test 6: France Servers
Fastest Servers - 87Mbps/100Mbps
Slowest Servers - 82Mbps/100Mbps
Test 7: Germany Servers
Fastest Servers - 91Mbps/100Mbps
Slowest Servers - 82Mbps/100Mbps

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why are obfuscated servers grayed out in NordVPN?

NordVPN grays out obfuscated servers on IKEv2 and NordLynx protocols as they work with OpenVPN protocol only on TCP and UDP.

FAQ

2. Is NordVPN a stealth VPN?

Yes. NordVPN is a stealth VPN. It features obfuscated servers that disguise your traffic as regular traffic. This feature makes it one of the best VPNs for China and other countries with internet firewalls, such as Russia, Iran, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

3. Is Hide.me legit?

Yes. Hide.me is a legit VPN that offers state-of-the-art security and online privacy. In addition, it is suitable for unblocking streaming sites, has P2P-friendly servers for torrenting, and facilitates smooth gaming.

4. Does Hide.me sell data?

No. Hide.me is a trustworthy VPN provider that doesn’t engage in malpractices such as selling your data. In addition, the VPN has a strict no-log policy, so you can be sure that your data is safe.

5. Is Hide.me better than NordVPN?

While Hide.me is a reliable VPN, it is not better than NordVPN. NordVPN is a more trusted brand, highly secure, and guarantees privacy courtesy of a no-log policy and RAM-only servers. It is also faster, unblocks most streaming sites and banned games, and has P2P-optimized servers for safe torrenting.

Wrapping Up

That’s it, folks, a Hide.me vs. NordVPN comparison review. As seen above, the two share quite a lot. They are both robust VPNs that guarantee online security and privacy courtesy of AES 256-bit encryption and a strict no-log policy. However, there are some differences.

Hide.me has a free version, so it’s the best choice for those looking for a free VPN. It also has a good mix of security features, unblocks most streaming sites, and supports torrenting and gaming.

However, NordVPN is the best choice as it is more secure, guarantees faster speeds, has a wider server network, and unblocks all streaming sites with a high success rate. If you want the best VPN, NordVPN is the best choice.

Comparison with other products