HideMyAss! (HMA) VPN Review (2024)

HideMyAss! (HMA) is a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service operated by AVG, a renowned security software company founded in 1991 by Jan Gritzbach and Tomáš Hofer, and headquartered in the Czech Republic. With offices in London, Kiev, and Belgrade, HMA employs over 100 staff members and operates more than 930 servers across 350 locations in nearly 200 countries.

Table of Contents

Features

HMA is a VPN known for its catchy name and engaging graphics, though these may not be the best reasons to choose it. The service offers three distinct connection modes:

Instant Mode: As the name suggests, this mode connects you to a server with just one click, offering a quick and straightforward experience.
Location Mode: This mode allows users to select the server location by country, city, or even from a list of saved favorites. The granularity of this option is a notable feature, allowing users to specify where they connect from, such as selecting a server in Zurich, Switzerland. Once the selection is confirmed, the software connects and provides a desktop notification displaying the public IP address.
Freedom Mode: Designed for users outside of free-speech zones or those traveling, this mode connects to the nearest server in a country with fewer internet restrictions. It’s an excellent option for individuals seeking quick, censorship-free browsing.

Pricing

HMA offers two subscription plans:

12-month plan: $4.99 per month
36-month plan: $2.99 per month (billed every three years)

Payments can be made via credit card, PayPal, bank/wire transfer, check, or through options like Diner’s Club, Union Pay, and even gift cards. The gift card option allows for more anonymity in payments, which may appeal to privacy-conscious users.

Performance and Speed Tests

During testing, HMA showed mixed results. While the ping times improved, download speeds were reduced by approximately 50%, which may concern users who require faster connections. On the bright side, upload speeds saw only a minor reduction, and no WebRTC or IPv6 leaks were detected, which is positive for security-conscious users.

Mobile Experience

HMA’s Android app is relatively lightweight, at under 13 MB, but offers a different user experience compared to the desktop version. Android users can take advantage of a 7-day free trial, and server selection is hidden under the “HELP ME CHOOSE” feature. Although functional, this aspect of the mobile app feels cumbersome compared to the more intuitive desktop interface.

Despite these differences, the mobile app performed well, with no significant slowdowns or performance issues. One minor annoyance was the compulsory speed test before connecting to a server, which users may find tedious.

Privacy

HMA does log certain data, including timestamps, bandwidth usage, and IP addresses, which is more than some other VPNs. Given its London office, HMA operates within a “Five Eyes” jurisdiction, meaning user data could be subject to government oversight. While HMA doesn’t log traffic, users who prioritize privacy might want to consider this aspect.

Though HMA does not accept Bitcoin for payments, it does offer the ability to pay via gift cards, which can provide a level of anonymity.

Security

HMA supports multiple security protocols, including:

OpenVPN: Uses OpenSSL with 3DES, AES 256, and RC5 encryption.
PPTP: Employs MPPE encryption with RSA RC4 algorithm and 128-bit keys.
L2TP: Utilizes IPSec with 256-bit key encryption and 3DES/AES algorithms.

These options ensure a solid level of encryption for users, though HMA has previously faced criticism for overstating its security claims.

Conclusion

HMA offers a decent VPN solution with a wide range of servers and server locations, along with easy-to-use features like Instant and Freedom modes. However, it falls short in terms of privacy and performance, particularly with speed reductions and logging policies. While it may be suitable for casual users, those seeking more robust privacy and higher performance might want to explore other options