HideMyAss Review 2025. Is hidemyass.com good or bad on providing VPN services?

📄 Editorial Review

(3*) 🔧 Services: VPN
⇔ Redirected from hmavpn.com
HideMyAss (HMA) is a long-running VPN brand founded in 2005 by Jack Cator in the UK and now operating under the Gen Digital umbrella via Avast. Their proposition is breadth and ease: a big server footprint, straightforward apps, and privacy controls that cover the essentials for everyday users and frequent streamers.

Ownership & Background

HMA became part of Avast in 2017, and Avast itself sits within Gen Digital. That corporate backing shows up in product polish, broad platform support, and the kind of payment/localization range smaller VPNs rarely match.

Network, Apps & Coverage

HMA advertises 3,400+ servers across 100+ locations in 65+ countries. The apps run on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Android TV, and Linux (with up to 5 simultaneous devices on standard plans; the Family Plan extends that to 10). A web account portal manages subscriptions and device slots; setup guides are available for routers when a whole-home configuration is preferred.

Security & Privacy

Encryption uses AES-256 (GCM) with 4096-bit RSA handshakes and SHA-256 authentication on Windows and Android. Core privacy features include a smart kill switch, split tunneling, DNS/IPv4/IPv6 leak protection, and no-log DNS. Their stated no-logs policy excludes originating IPs, DNS queries while connected, browsing history, and transferred data; limited server service data is retained for 35 days on a rolling basis. Servers are described as fully encrypted, adding a layer against data exposure even at the endpoint.

Streaming, Speed & Extras

HMA highlights 20 Gbps server links in key locations and promotes Lightning Connect to auto-pick the fastest server. They list P2P-optimized locations and 189+ streaming-tuned servers, with IP Shuffle to randomize addresses across the network. The pitch is convenience: one-click connects, streaming presets, and decent baseline throughput for HD/4K.

Plans, Pricing & Devices

Plans are time-based—1-month, 12-month, and 36-month terms—priced by the number of concurrent devices (5 by default; 10 with Family). A 7-day free trial is offered in some regions, and there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee on paid subscriptions.

Payments, Localization & Currency

They accept major cards and PayPal, plus a wide set of regional options (e.g., Alipay, iDEAL, SOFORT, Giropay, Bancontact, EPS, Przelewy24, Multibanco, WeChat Pay; availability varies). The website localizes broadly (multiple European, Middle Eastern, and Asian languages) and displays pricing in popular currencies such as USD, EUR, GBP, and SGD depending on region.

Support & Service Experience

Support runs 24/7 in English via live chat and email/tickets, backed by a public knowledge base and a status page for service components. The day-to-day experience centers on quick connections and minimal configuration, with advanced switches available for users who want more control.

Datacenters & Infrastructure Notes

HMA promotes a global VPN server network but does not claim to own physical datacenter facilities. The emphasis is on reach and distribution rather than vertically controlling real estate. A formal uptime/SLA is not published; status dashboards provide transparency rather than contractual guarantees.

Money-Back & Uptime

• Money-back: 30-day refund window on subscriptions.
• Uptime: no formal SLA/credit schedule. Public status pages track availability for apps and gateways.

Strengths

• Wide geographic spread with thousands of servers and specialized options for streaming and P2P.
• Solid security baseline (AES-256, 4096-bit RSA, kill switch, leak protections) and a no-logs stance focused on minimizing identifiables.
• Simple apps across platforms, Lightning Connect, and IP Shuffle for convenience and added privacy.
• Extensive payment and localization options that make signup painless worldwide.

Limitations

• No explicit uptime/SLA beyond status monitoring; enterprises needing credits and response targets will find that thin.
• The blog/news cadence appears dated (e.g., last post from 2021), which doesn’t inspire confidence in communications even if the apps are actively maintained.
• Families beyond 10 devices may still need router setups or multiple plans.

🎯 Conclusion

HMA delivers a familiar, user-friendly VPN with broad coverage, sensible security defaults, and the features most people expect today—streaming profiles, split tunneling, kill switch, and a clear no-logs posture. The generous localization, wide payments support, and 30-day refund policy improve accessibility. The trade-offs are the absence of a formal uptime SLA and a somewhat quiet public communications channel. For individuals and households who want an easy VPN that "just works" across a lot of places, HMA remains a practical, competitively featured option.

📢 Special pages

• About us
• Privacy
• FAQ