HideMyAss VPN 2025 Review: Tested and Reviewed by Experts

I think privacy and anonymity are the most critical factors when browsing the internet, so I always use VPNs.

That brings me to HideMyAss VPN, also known as HMA.

It’s a fantastic choice if you want an affordable service with the latest selection of OpenVPN protocols and plenty of encryption options.  

HMA is still not among the highest-ranking VPNs, but it shows great potential for people who like to surf the web without leaving a trace. Here is our thorough HideMyAss review.

 What Is HideMyAss Used for?

HMA homepage

Before we get into the details, let’s start with the general overview of HMA’s features.

  • It’s currently ranked as the 52nd VPN in the world.
  • It’s super easy to use, even for total beginners.
  • The service keeps some logs of your activity.
  • HMA has more than 1,100 servers in 290+ locations across 190 countries. Of these servers, 160 are specifically optimized for streaming.
  • You can contact support via email or social media.
  • It unblocks Netflix USA and lets you enjoy your favorite shows at an incredible speed of 20Mbps.
  • It also comes with a free HMA proxy, which hides the user’s IP and encrypts the internet connection.
  • It has 256-bit AES encryption, OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP/IPSec encryption, and protocols.
  • It is loved by hardcore streaming lovers as there is no data capping.

Key Features 

I’m very impressed with the number of servers and their locations. Currently, the HideMyAss IP list boasts over 1,100 servers in 190 countries, giving me plenty of connection options.

Some servers are in Greenland, the Middle East, Africa, and even the small Pacific Islands. 

The second thing that got me excited was the ease of use. I was able to start streaming minutes after creating an account.

Also, the platform is available in many different languages, making it very useful for users worldwide.

Some other noteworthy features include:

A kill switch

✅ Split tunneling

✅ IP Shuffle

✅ Leak protection

Military-grade encryption

✅ Automatic connection rules

✅ DDoS protection

✅ P2P-optimized servers

Performance and Speed: How Fast Is HMA VPN? 

One of the things that impressed me the most about HMA is the speed of its internet connection.

For such an affordable service, it offers pretty good speeds that can compete with the industry’s best services.

My original connection speed was 110 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload. 

HMA has a Lightning Connection feature automatically connects you to the nearest server.

The server closest to me is located in the UK (the UK VPN).

As a result, my download speed was 105 Mbps, and the upload speed was 8.5 Mbps. As you can see, the loss was almost non-existent. 

HMA speed test

That was to be expected, but what got me fired up was a test on the closest US server.

Even though I was thousands of miles away, the internet connection speed was pretty impressive. My download speed was 101.99 Mbps, and the upload speed was 2.79 Mbps.

Those are impressive numbers, given the vast distance between me and the servers.

However, the farther away I connected, the lower the speeds I got.

For example, connecting to an Asian server in Japan left me with a considerable ping. My download speed dipped to 24.69 Mbps, while the upload was only 1.47 Mbps

That said, most servers provided excellent speeds. So, I could do most of my work using a desktop PC without any problems. My only issue was with the server farthest from my physical location.

Security: Is HideMyAss Safe?

What this VPN offers end-users on the security front seems highly promising. For instance, the VPN claims its security profile is so strong that hackers would need nearly three years to break it.

Well, claiming isn’t enough. One has to prove that all the claims are valid, and I carried out extensive tests to unveil the truth.

Let’s talk about the leak protection it offers. After running the DNS and WebRTC tests, I found that HMA has no DNS leaks. It was an impressive job.

The VPN also claims to offer built-in IPv4 and IPv6 leak protection, but I didn’t check it. However, VPNs have a wide choice of secure internet protocols. These include UDP, TCP OpenVPN, PPTP, and L2TP/IPsec. The service didn’t break a single law.

The VPN could hide my location every time, and the IPsec protocol had impressive connection speeds, which is excellent.

How can I forget the kill switch? I tested its kill switch, which is offered only for Windows, Mac, and Android devices. I loved its Windows kill switch; it was flexible and allowed customization at every front. It gets activated automatically. If you’re using its Android app, you’re lucky, as you will also get a split tunneling feature.

HMA VPN Kill Switch

If you don’t want your IP address revealed to anyone, HMA Pro VPN has an exciting IP Shuffle feature. It will make you untraceable in no time, as the IP address changes every 10 minutes. The best part is that you can decide how frequently your IP address can change.

Considering all these factors, I can conclude that HMA VPN offers good security. But it could be better. For instance, it’s missing advanced security protocols like WireGuard, the kill switch on the Android app is a bit rigid, and I felt that it should offer a DoubleVPN feature as hackers have become smart these days. One VPN may not be enough to stop them. Still, it’s worth trying.

Privacy and Logging Policy 

There’s always a question of safety, so many people want to know if HideMyAss is safe. Yes, it is.

I say this with such confidence because I found that it features no-log servers. Such servers don’t keep logs of crucial information like bank details, OTPs, credit card details, etc.

However, the company does keep some logs. HMA’s privacy policy clearly states that information like usernames, email IDs, basic demographic data, and corresponding details will be logged for seamless business processing.

HMA VPN Anonymity

However, it doesn’t do things like:

  1. Keeping IP addresses used by HMA servers.
  2. Saving websites accessed through the VPN.
  3. Maintaining logs of the data sent through the service.

Besides the information mentioned above, HideMyAss keeps some data for 30 days. That includes:

  1. Your VPN license ID.
  2. The time and date of every connection.
  3. The amount of data transferred through the VPN.
  4. Your original IP address, excluding the last four digits.
  5. The IP addresses of the VPN servers you used.

Everything is deleted after 30 days, so there’s no reason to worry.

Compatibility

If you are still wondering what is HideMyAss, it’s simply a fantastic VPN with impressive compatibility features.

It supports Windows, iOS, Mac, Android, and Linux devices. Setting it up on MacOS or Windows takes little time.

HMA VPN Compatibility

Recently, the VPN started offering support for PlayStation, Xbox, and Android TV. So, you can protect all your devices with one VPN. In general, the basic plan can protect up to five devices.

However, choosing the Family plan allows you to protect 10 devices simultaneously. Of course, setting up an HMA VPN on the router eliminates the need to install it on separate devices. In one go, you can protect all the connected devices.

Opting for a business plan provides support for multiple devices. This includes FlashRouters, which you can use to safely connect any device to the internet. Everything is protected with OpenVPN 256-bit encryption and PPTP and L2TP/IPSec protocols. HMA VPN is sufficient to keep your major devices safe and sound in a world of cyber vulnerabilities.

HMA VPN v/s HMA Proxy

HMA VPN is not the only security tool that the company offers. It also provides a proxy. The HideMyAss proxy is a great way to keep your IP address a secret. However, it’s only a web-based solution, so you don’t need to download a separate app or browser extension to use it. This was something that irked me. If I needed to use it, I had to visit the website every time. Even though it’s an easy-to-use tool, opening the HMA website for every use was a little annoying.

Let’s talk about its performance, which is more important now. Its usage is no rocket science. All you need to do is go to the HMA website, enter the URL of the website you want to access using the HideMyAss IP proxy, select a server from the many Hide My Ass proxy servers, and set up your preferences.

Once all these steps are completed, you must agree to the Terms and Conditions and proceed. In no time, you will be able to access the restricted website if you get lucky. I am using the term ‘Luck’ because this tool isn’t responsible for the website’s proper functioning. It can’t fix its operational flaws, and the Hide My Ass proxy has made it clear already.

It also clarified that using a proxy can possibly reveal your personal information to the website, which is not what anyone wants.

During my HMA VPN v.s HMA proxy testing, I discovered some interesting facts I want to share.

  • The Hide My Ass free proxy isn’t as security-focused as HMA VPN. The only security feature you get with an HMA proxy is URL encryption. There is no kill switch, leak protection, or split tunneling.
  • HideMyAss free proxy servers are limited as compared to HMA VPN. With an HMA proxy, you can use limited servers in countries like the US, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic. HMA VPN has globally distributed servers.
  • Device compatibility of the Hide My Ass IP proxy is also restricted. As mentioned above, there is no app support. It’s a web solution. So, at max, you can use it on tablets, laptops, and mobile phones. You can secure your Android TV, router, Xbox, and other data-driven devices, which is possible with HMA VPN. With a proxy, you only have one-tab accessibility. With HMA VPN, you can simultaneously secure internet access via 5 or more devices.
  • HMA proxy isn’t good for streaming, torrenting, or online games, as it can’t unblock streaming apps and other platforms. The best aid it can provide is access to geo-restricted websites. That’s it. HMA VPN unfolds a whole world of possibilities in front of you. You can do whatever you want to do.

To summarize this section, HideMyAss free proxy is good enough only if you want to keep your IP address a secret. You can’t expect more from it. But HMA VPN is here to assist you with every requirement. Look at the table below for detailed information on HMA VPN v/s HMA Proxy testing and review. If you want to know which proxy is best, read this article.

 

              HMA VPN 

                  HMA Proxy 

Number of Servers and locations

1100+

5 servers are present only at 4 locations

Security features 

Kill switch, IP Shuffling,  Split tunneling, and many more

Only encrypted URL

Compatibility

Works with almost all the leading devices

It can be accessed on one device at a time via a browser

Streaming and Torrenting

Yes

No

Pricing and Plans: How Do I Buy HMA VPN? 

HideMyAss software offers three different plans with the same features.

Like other VPNs, HideMyAss offers better rates for bigger plans. A 36-month plan offers the best value for the money, while the one-month plan costs the most. 

One of the first things I found great about HMA is that it’s very cheap compared to many other VPNs.

7 Days 12 Months 36 Months
Free Trial $4.99/mo $2.99/mo

The one-month plan costs $4.99, but you get a 30-day money-back guarantee, so it’s a good idea to try it first. I did that and thought it was more than fair for the asking price.

If you decide to get a 12-month plan, the average monthly price is $2.99, while a 3-year or 36-month plan costs $4.29.

Of course, the more significant plans have to be paid for immediately, but I think it’s a pretty good deal if you always use VPNs.

HideMyAss comes with a 7-day trial, so you can try it for free if you don’t want to spend any money.

If you decide it’s for you, HMA supports Mastercard, PayPal, Visa, American Express, and UnionPay.

Is HMA VPN Good for Torrenting? 

Everyone likes downloading torrents, and this VPN provider has good torrenting capabilities. I could use P2P traffic on high-speed servers I found in the HMA app.

However, you shouldn’t do that since the company keeps some logs. The long arm of the law could see you, and there are better alternatives for torrenting.

Does HMA VPN Work with Netflix? 

Despite what other users say, I could access US Netflix with VPN. However, I couldn’t reach Hulu or Amazon Video. It seems that they have a list of IPs used by HMA. So, as you can guess, the hide my ass free proxy list is blocked.

The good news is that every Netflix I tried to log into, worked without getting flagged. 

Customer Support 

Even though I had no issues, I tried contacting customer support to test it out. I could submit a request ticket on the official website and through live chat support.

I received a response within minutes, and the support team was beneficial.

The company also offers guides on online privacy, cybersecurity, and even a user forum.

Final Verdict: Is HideMyAss a Good VPN? 

When all things are considered, HideMyAss is a great VPN. It offers a user-friendly interface, fast speeds, many connection locations, secure datum transfer, and Netflix support. 

Here are the pros and cons that I found out:

+ Easy to use Unavailable in some parts of China
+ A huge number of servers   
+ 30-days money-back guarantee  
+ Great download speeds  
+ Good encryption  

It’s a sleek service that allows you to hide your internet activity from the government at reasonable prices. I highly recommend this VPN to everyone looking for a safe connection.

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Author Philipp Stein Foto

Philipp Stein

26 years, Content Manager and SEO Copywriter


Philip is a promising young author with a passion for language. He recently completed his Master’s degree in Digital Marketing in Berlin and is particularly knowledgeable about Internet security. Phil also enjoys creating videos and photos for marketing purposes.

FAQs

Does HMA VPN Keep Logs?

Yes, HideMyAss VPN collects certain user logs, which it keeps for 30 days. Once the 30-day mark passes, all user logs are deleted. However, it doesn’t save users’ IP addresses or internet activity.

Does HMA VPN Have an AdBlocker?
Does HMA VPN Work in China?
Is HMA VPN Free?

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