HideMyAss Review

9.0

Very Good

Our verdict:
They say you have 3 seconds to make a good first impression. HideMyAss! wins with the name and goes on to impress with an excellent service, a friendly interface, and kick ass speeds.

HideMyAss (HMA VPN) is a reputable VPN tool that provides strong security features. It utilizes high-level encryption, boasts an extensive server network, and supports torrenting. Additionally, its no-logs policy has undergone independent auditing. Regrettably, HMA does not offer the WireGuard tunneling protocol and experiences inconsistent speeds while struggling with most streaming services. Formerly known as HideMyAss, HMA VPN has gained widespread recognition in the VPN industry – not only due to its playful nature. However, it is important to note that top-tier VPNs like NordVPN offer significantly higher speed retention rates, incorporate secure tunneling protocols, and allow for streaming geo-blocked content.

If you’re interested in learning more about HMA VPN, continue reading to determine if it provides value for your investment. This review of HMA VPN will examine its speed, streaming capabilities, and security features to assess whether it merits inclusion on our list of the top VPNs in the near future.

Unique Advantages

• User Friendly Interface
• Limitless Server Locations
• Above Average Speeds

HideMyAss Specifications & Price

Company Background

The service was first created in 2005 by sixteen-year-old Jack Cator of Norfolk, England, as a workaround to the restrictions his school’s network placed on games and music. Using open source code, he created the program in just a few hours. From there, he promoted the tool on various forums and it was eventually featured on the front page of Digg. By 2014, the service had attracted more than 10 million users. By 2015, it became one of the largest VPN providers in the world. Later that same year, it was acquired by AVG technologies for a sum of $40 million, after which it became part of Avast.

Server Locations

HMA boasts an extensive network of server locations that is too vast to enumerate. In summary, they have a staggering 940 servers spread across more than 280 locations in over 190 countries worldwide. Therefore, it is highly probable that you will be able to locate a server in any desired location.

Features

HMA version 4.0 introduces several new features.

IP Shuffle. By using this feature, you have the ability to configure HideMyAss! to randomly rotate its IP address. There are endless possibilities for you to choose from, such as changing the address on a daily basis, hourly basis, or every 12 hours – whatever suits your preference. The act of randomizing and consistently switching IP addresses effectively deceives trackers, as they are unable to keep up with your frequent changes. This is particularly advantageous when utilizing the extensive range of approximately 900 servers available worldwide.

Kill Switch. By utilizing the IP Shuffle mentioned earlier, this functionality offers an outstanding safeguard. Its purpose is to automatically disconnect your internet connection in the event that your VPN unexpectedly disconnects for any reason, such as when switching IP addresses. This additional level of security guarantees that you are never mistakenly led to believe that you are protected when you are not.

Redesigned Location Mode. This feature allows you to conveniently select and opt for your preferred server locations.

Trusted Networks. You have the ability to designate any network you have confidence in, allowing your VPN to understand that it does not require a connection.

Apart from the recent version update, HMA still utilizes different VPN protocols, which appear to be determined by the platform they are operating on. On Windows, HMA employs OpenVPN, widely regarded as the top protocol. However, this discrepancy seems to arise from limitations imposed by the platform rather than any decision made by HMA itself.

Additional Features

Although it is not an integral component of the main software, HMA has implemented complete server-side encryption within their infrastructure. All the drives responsible for powering HMA’s VPN servers are equipped with safeguards to prevent both physical theft and unauthorized manipulation of data.

Platforms

HMA supports Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux operating systems. Additionally, it also provides support for compatible routers.

Browser Extensions

Regrettably, HMA lacks any browser extensions.

Game Consoles & Other Devices

HideMyAss! has built-in support for the following gaming consoles:

• Chromecast

• PlayStation

• Xbox

Note: Any consoles and devices that HMA does not support directly can still be supported by using a compatible router.

Ease of Use & Performance

The user interface is easy to use and straightforward, so you won’t encounter any problems there. When it comes to performance tests, there was minimal impact on latency and ping when connected to local servers. However, the results were not as good when connected to international servers, so you can expect a slight slowdown in those cases. In terms of download speed tests, the speeds are impressive and rank among the top. However, similar to other VPNs, there was a drop in speed when connected to international servers. It’s worth noting that this decrease in speed and performance is normal and can be expected with any VPN you choose to use.

Number of Licenses & Package Details

You can use a single HMA license to cover up to 5 devices, including both desktop and mobile devices. If your router is compatible, you also have the option to install HMA at the router level, which will protect your entire network. The HMA website provides a list of devices that are compatible with their service, as well as guides on how to install it. While HMA does not offer a free plan like some of their competitors, they do provide a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you the opportunity to try it out before making a long-term commitment.

HMA offers three different plans: a 1-month plan, a 12-month plan, and a 24-month plan. It’s important to note that all plans are billed upfront and not on a monthly basis. The best value option is the 24-month plan, which costs $4.99 per month with a one-time payment of $119.76. Alternatively, you can choose the 1-month plan for $11.99 per month (the most expensive monthly option) or the 12-month plan for $6.99 per month with an upfront payment of $83.88.

Customer Support

The customer support service includes a range of resources such as how-to guides, FAQs, and a knowledge base. Additionally, there is a web forum and 24/7 live chat available. Although the forum is not very active, staff members are still available to answer questions. Rest assured that your queries will be addressed within a reasonable timeframe.

HideMyAss Server List by Continents

HideMyAss have 1000+ VPN servers, these servers are located in different continents, countries and cities. HideMyAss have VPN servers in following locations (continuously increasing).

1. North America = 270 servers
2. South America = 56 servers
3. Europe = 283 servers
4. Asia Pacific = 196 servers
5. Africa = 124 servers
6. Middle East = 39 servers

Full List of HideMyAss Servers

North America

There are 369 HideMyAss! servers across 59 locations in North America.

	Country	City / Location	Server Types	Number of Servers	Number of IPs
	Canada	…	–	57	632
	Canada	Montreal	–	9	135
	Canada	Toronto	–	35	336
	Canada	Vancouver	–	13	161
	Mexico	Mexico City	–	4	52
	United States	…	Virtual	308	3106
	United States	Anchorage, AK	Virtual	2	6
	United States	Ashburn, VA	–	3	42
	United States	Asheville, NC	–	7	50
	United States	Atlanta, GA	–	15	199
	United States	Baltimore, MD	Virtual	2	6
	United States	Bath, ME	Virtual	2	6
	United States	Bedford, NH	Virtual	3	9
	United States	Billings, MT	Virtual	3	9
	United States	Boston, MA	–	10	100
	United States	Cheyenne, WY	Virtual	2	6
	United States	Chicago, IL	–	16	256
	United States	Columbia, SC	Virtual	2	6
	United States	Columbus, OH	–	0	0
	United States	Dallas, TX	–	10	123
	United States	Des Moines, IA	Virtual	4	12
	United States	Grand Forks, ND	Virtual	3	9
	United States	Honolulu, HI	–	4	39
	United States	Idaho Falls, ID	Virtual	3	9
	United States	Jackson, MS	Virtual	2	6
	United States	Jacksonville, FL	–	6	90
	United States	Lansing, MI	Virtual	2	6
	United States	Las Vegas, NV	–	8	94
	United States	Liberty Island, NY	–	2	29
	United States	Los Angeles, CA	–	15	210
	United States	Louisville, KY	Virtual	4	12
	United States	Madison, WI	–	2	8
	United States	Magnolia, AR	Virtual	3	9
	United States	Miami, FL	–	9	112
	United States	Montgomery, AL	Virtual	4	22
	United States	Nashville, TN	Virtual	2	6
	United States	New Orleans, LA	Virtual	4	12
	United States	New York, NY	–	17	212
	United States	New York, NY	Virtual (Canada)	2	6
	United States	New York, NY	Virtual (France)	2	16
	United States	New York, NY	Virtual (Germany)	4	22
	United States	New York, NY	Virtual (United Kingdom)	4	22
	United States	Oklahoma City, OK	–	2	8
	United States	Omaha, NE	Virtual	3	9
	United States	Philippi, WV	Virtual	2	6
	United States	Phoenix, AZ	–	29	342
	United States	Portland, OR	Virtual	3	9
	United States	Providence, RI	Virtual	2	6
	United States	Rutland, VT	Virtual	2	6
	United States	Saint Paul, MN	Virtual	3	9
	United States	Salt Lake City, UT	–	7	62
	United States	San Jose, CA	–	11	142
	United States	Scranton, PA	Virtual	2	6
	United States	Seattle, WA	–	24	334
	United States	Sioux Falls, SD	Virtual	2	6
	United States	South Bend, IN	–	2	22
	United States	St Louis, MO	–	2	22
	United States	Trumbull, CT	Virtual	3	19
	United States	Washington DC	–	21	302
	United States	Wichita, KS	Virtual	3	9
	United States	Wilmington, DE	Virtual	2	6

Europe

There are a very impressive 307 HMA servers in 63 locations in Europe.

	Country	City / Location	Server Types	Number of Servers	Number of IPs
	Aland Islands	Mariehamn	Virtual	2	6
	Albania	Tirana	Virtual	2	6
	Andorra	Andorra la Vella	Virtual	2	6
	Austria	Vienna	–	13	143
	Belarus	Minsk	Virtual	2	6
	Belgium	Brussels	–	4	39
	Bosnia	Sarajevo	Virtual	2	6
	Bulgaria	Sofia	Virtual	2	6
	Croatia	Zagreb	Virtual	2	6
	Cyprus	Nicosia	Virtual	2	6
	Czech Republic	Prague	–	7	67
	Denmark	Copenhagen	–	12	132
	Estonia	Tallinn	Virtual	2	6
	Faroe Islands	Torshavn	Virtual	2	6
	Finland	Helsinki	–	7	91
	France	…	–	26	518
	France	Marseille	–	2	18
	France	Paris	–	24	500
	Germany	…	Virtual	35	613
	Germany	Berlin	–	17	169
	Germany	Frankfurt	–	8	364
	Germany	Frankfurt	Virtual (Canada)	4	32
	Germany	Frankfurt	Virtual (United States)	6	48
	Gibraltar	Catalan	Virtual	2	6
	Greece	Athens	Virtual	2	6
	Greenland	Ilulissat	Virtual	2	6
	Hungary	Budapest	–	8	88
	Iceland	Reykjavik	–	2	27
	Ireland	Dublin	–	9	82
	Italy	Milan	–	10	135
	Latvia	Riga	–	4	32
	Liechtenstein	Vaduz	Virtual	2	6
	Lithuania	…	Virtual	4	32
	Lithuania	Siauliai	Virtual	2	6
	Lithuania	Vilnius	–	2	26
	Luxembourg	Luxembourg	–	3	39
	Macedonia	Skopje	Virtual	2	6
	Malta	Cospicua	Virtual	2	6
	Moldova	Chisinau	Virtual	2	6
	Monaco	Monaco	Virtual	2	6
	Montenegro	Becici	Virtual	2	6
	Netherlands	…	Virtual	7	129
	Netherlands	Amsterdam	–	5	113
	Netherlands	Amsterdam	Virtual (United States)	2	16
	Norway	Oslo	–	14	210
	Poland	Warsaw	–	6	66
	Portugal	Leiria	–	9	119
	Romania	Bucharest	Virtual	2	6
	Saint Pierre and Miquelon	Saint-Pierre	Virtual	2	6
	San Marino	San Marino	Virtual	2	6
	Serbia	Belgrade	Virtual	2	6
	Slovakia	Bratislava	Virtual	2	6
	Slovenia	Vrhnika	Virtual	2	6
	Spain	…	–	21	230
	Spain	Barcelona	–	8	88
	Spain	Madrid	–	13	142
	Svalbard and Jan Mayen	Longyearbyen	Virtual	2	6
	Sweden	Stockholm	–	13	104
	Switzerland	Zurich	–	6	69
	Turkey	Istanbul	–	3	39
	Ukraine	…	Virtual	4	36
	Ukraine	Kyiv	Virtual	2	30
	Ukraine	Odessa	Virtual	2	6
	United Kingdom	…	Virtual	26	511
	United Kingdom	Donkey Town	Virtual	2	20
	United Kingdom	Glasgow	–	11	143
	United Kingdom	London	–	9	336
	United Kingdom	London	Virtual (Portugal)	2	6
	United Kingdom	London	Virtual (United States)	2	6
	Vatican	Vatican City	Virtual	2	6

Oceania

The number of HideMyAss! servers in Oceania is 59 and covers 22 countries.

	Country	City / Location	Server Types	Number of Servers	Number of IPs
	American Samoa	Pago Pago	Virtual	2	6
	Australia	…	–	15	166
	Australia	Melbourne	–	10	110
	Australia	Perth	–	3	33
	Australia	Sydney	–	2	23
	Christmas Island	Flying Fish Cove	Virtual	2	6
	Cocos Islands	West Island	Virtual	2	6
	Cook Islands	Avarua	Virtual	2	6
	Fiji	Nadi	Virtual	2	6
	Guam	Tamuning	Virtual	2	6
	Kiribati	Umwa Village	Virtual	2	6
	Nauru	Anabar	Virtual	2	6
	New Caledonia	Noumea	Virtual	2	6
	New Zealand	Auckland	–	4	44
	Niue	Alofi	Virtual	2	6
	Norfolk Island	Kingston	Virtual	2	6
	Palau	Melekeok	Virtual	2	6
	Papua New Guinea	Alotau	Virtual	2	6
	Pitcairn Islands	Adamstown	Virtual	2	6
	Samoa	Matatufu	Virtual	2	6
	Solomon Islands	Honiara	Virtual	2	6
	Tokelau	Atafu	Virtual	2	6
	Tonga	Nukualofa	Virtual	2	6
	Tuvalu	Vaitupu	Virtual	2	6
	Vanuatu	Loltong	Virtual	2	6

Asia

The HMA server list in Asia currently stands at 127 in 47 countries.

	Country	City / Location	Server Types	Number of Servers	Number of IPs
	Afghanistan	Kabul	Virtual	2	6
	Armenia	Tsaghkadzor	Virtual	2	6
	Azerbaijan	Qusar	Virtual	2	6
	Bahrain	Manama	Virtual	2	6
	Bangladesh	Dhaka	Virtual	2	6
	Bhutan	Thimphu	Virtual	2	6
	Brunei	Jerudong	Virtual	2	6
	Cambodia	Phnom Penh	Virtual	2	6
	China	Beijing	Virtual	4	12
	Georgia	Tbilisi	Virtual	2	6
	India	Mumbai	Virtual	2	6
	Indonesia	Jakarta	Virtual	2	6
	Iran	Isfahan	Virtual	2	6
	Iraq	Baghdad	Virtual	2	6
	Israel	Tel Aviv	–	4	44
	Japan	Tokyo	–	4	41
	Jordan	Amman	Virtual	2	6
	Kazakhstan	Shymkent	Virtual	2	6
	Kuwait	Kuwait City	Virtual	2	6
	Kyrgyzstan	Bishkek	Virtual	2	6
	Laos	Thakhek	Virtual	2	6
	Lebanon	Beirut	Virtual	2	6
	Macau	Macau	Virtual	2	6
	Malaysia	Johor Bahru	–	4	54
	Maldives	Male	Virtual	2	6
	Mongolia	Suhbaatar	Virtual	2	6
	Myanmar	Yangon	Virtual	2	6
	Nepal	Janakpur	Virtual	2	6
	North Korea	Manpo	Virtual	2	6
	Oman	Salalah	Virtual	2	6
	Pakistan	Karachi	Virtual	2	6
	Palestine	Bethlehem	Virtual	2	6
	Philippines	Baguio	Virtual	4	11
	Qatar	Doha	Virtual	2	6
	Saudi Arabia	Riyadh	Virtual	2	6
	Singapore	…	Virtual	19	289
	Singapore	Singapore	–	5	65
	Singapore	Singapore	Virtual (France)	2	32
	Singapore	Singapore	Virtual (Germany)	2	32
	Singapore	Singapore	Virtual (United Kingdom)	4	64
	Singapore	Singapore	Virtual (United States)	6	96
	South Korea	Seoul	–	6	66
	Sri Lanka	Moratuwa	Virtual	2	6
	Syria	Ad Darah	Virtual	2	6
	Taiwan	Taipei	–	4	44
	Tajikistan	Dushanbe	Virtual	2	6
	Thailand	Bangkok	Virtual	2	6
	Turkmenistan	Ashgabat	Virtual	2	6
	United Arab Emirates	Dubai	Virtual	2	6
	Uzbekistan	Samarkand	Virtual	2	6
	Vietnam	Ho Chi Minh City	Virtual	2	6
	Yemen	Sanaa	Virtual	2	6

Central America

HideMyAss has 14 servers in 7 countries in Central America.

	Country	City / Location	Server Types	Number of Servers	Number of IPs
	Belize	Belize City	Virtual	2	6
	Costa Rica	San Jos�	Virtual	2	6
	El Salvador	San Miguel	Virtual	2	6
	Guatemala	Guatemala City	Virtual	2	6
	Honduras	Tegucigalpa	Virtual	2	6
	Nicaragua	Managua	Virtual	2	6
	Panama	Panama City	Virtual	2	6

South America

There are 51 HMA servers across 13 countries in South America.

	Country	City / Location	Server Types	Number of Servers	Number of IPs
	Argentina	Buenos Aires	Virtual	2	6
	Bolivia	Santa Cruz	Virtual	2	6
	Brazil	…	Virtual	27	363
	Brazil	S�o Paulo	–	25	333
	Brazil	S�o Paulo	Virtual (United States)	2	30
	Chile	Santiago	Virtual	2	6
	Colombia	San Andres	Virtual	2	6
	Ecuador	Quito	Virtual	2	6
	Falkland Islands	Stanley	Virtual	2	6
	Guyana	Barima-Waini	Virtual	2	6
	Paraguay	Boqueron	Virtual	2	6
	Peru	Cusco	Virtual	2	6
	Suriname	Paramaribo	Virtual	2	6
	Uruguay	Montevideo	Virtual	2	6
	Venezuela	Caracas	Virtual	2	6

Caribbean

HideMyAss has a total of 44 servers in 22 Caribbean countries.

	Country	City / Location	Server Types	Number of Servers	Number of IPs
	Anguilla	The Valley	Virtual	2	6
	Antigua and Barbuda	Saint John’s	Virtual	2	6
	Aruba	Palm Beach	Virtual	2	6
	Bahamas	Freeport	Virtual	2	6
	Barbados	Worthing	Virtual	2	6
	Bermuda	Hamilton	Virtual	2	6
	British Virgin Islands	Tortola	Virtual	2	6
	Cayman Islands	Spot Bay	Virtual	2	6
	Cuba	Havana	Virtual	2	6
	Dominica	Marigot	Virtual	2	6
	Dominican Republic	Punta Cana	Virtual	2	6
	Grenada	Saint George	Virtual	2	6
	Guadeloupe	Le Gosier	Virtual	2	6
	Haiti	Cap-Haitien	Virtual	2	6
	Jamaica	Montego Bay	Virtual	2	6
	Montserrat	Plymouth	Virtual	2	6
	Puerto Rico	San Juan	Virtual	2	6
	Saint Kitts and Nevis	Basseterre	Virtual	2	6
	Saint Lucia	Gros Islet	Virtual	2	6
	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	Kingstown	Virtual	2	6
	Trinidad and Tobago	San Fernando	Virtual	2	6
	Turks and Caicos	Balfour Town	Virtual	2	6

Africa

HMA has 116 servers in a massive 53 countries in Africa.

	Country	City / Location	Server Types	Number of Servers	Number of IPs
	Algeria	Annaba	Virtual	2	6
	Angola	Luanda	Virtual	2	6
	Benin	Cotonou	Virtual	2	6
	Botswana	Gaborone	Virtual	2	6
	Burkina Faso	Ouagadougou	Virtual	2	6
	Burundi	Bujumbura	Virtual	2	6
	Cameroon	Yaounde	Virtual	2	6
	Cape Verde	Cidade Velha	Virtual	2	6
	Central African Republic	Bangassou	Virtual	2	6
	Chad	N’Djamena	Virtual	2	6
	Comoros	Ouani	Virtual	2	6
	Congo	Kinshasa	Virtual	2	6
	Cote d’Ivoire	Yamoussoukro	Virtual	2	6
	Egypt	Cairo	Virtual	2	6
	Equatorial Guinea	Malabo	Virtual	2	6
	Eritrea	Asmara	Virtual	2	6
	Eswatini	Manzini	Virtual	2	6
	Ethiopia	Gondar	Virtual	2	6
	Gabon	Libreville	Virtual	2	6
	Gambia	Serekunda	Virtual	2	6
	Ghana	Accra	Virtual	2	6
	Guinea	Conakry	Virtual	2	6
	Guinea-Bissau	Bissau	Virtual	2	6
	Kenya	Nairobi	Virtual	2	6
	Lesotho	Peka	Virtual	2	6
	Liberia	Monrovia	Virtual	2	6
	Libya	Ghadames	Virtual	2	6
	Madagascar	Antsiranana	Virtual	2	6
	Malawi	Lilongwe	Virtual	2	6
	Mali	Bamako	Virtual	2	6
	Mauritania	Nouakchott	Virtual	2	6
	Mauritius	Port Louis	Virtual	2	6
	Morocco	Fes	Virtual	2	6
	Mozambique	Pemba	Virtual	2	6
	Namibia	Windhoek	Virtual	2	6
	Niger	Niamey	Virtual	2	6
	Nigeria	Lagos	Virtual	2	6
	Republic of Djibouti	Djibouti	Virtual	2	6
	Republic of the Congo	Brazzaville	Virtual	2	6
	Rwanda	Kigali	Virtual	2	6
	Saint Helena	Tristan da Cunha	Virtual	2	6
	Sao Tome and Principe	Sao Tome	Virtual	2	6
	Senegal	Dakar	Virtual	2	6
	Sierra Leone	Freetown	Virtual	2	6
	Somalia	Afgooye	Virtual	2	6
	South Africa	…	Virtual	12	179
	South Africa	Johannesburg	–	4	59
	South Africa	Johannesburg	Virtual (Canada)	2	30
	South Africa	Johannesburg	Virtual (France)	2	30
	South Africa	Johannesburg	Virtual (United Kingdom)	2	30
	South Africa	Johannesburg	Virtual (United States)	2	30
	Sudan	Khartoum	Virtual	2	6
	Tanzania	Arusha	Virtual	2	6
	Togo	Lome	Virtual	2	6
	Tunisia	Mahdia	Virtual	2	6
	Uganda	Kampala	Virtual	2	6
	Zambia	Lusaka	Virtual	2	6
	Zimbabwe	Harare	Virtual	2	6

Summary

If all you care about is speed and having a server that can be accessed from anywhere, then HMA is the perfect choice for you. However, if privacy is a major concern for you, it would be wise to carefully review their data collection policies. HMA is completely transparent about what information they collect and how long they keep it, which deserves praise. They do collect a time stamp of your connection, your actual IP address, the IP address of the server you connect to, as well as your username. To be honest, this is not very different from what their competitors do. The main difference is that HMA retains this information for up to 3 months, whereas other companies dispose of it almost immediately.