IVPN
- Multi-Hop
- Independent Audits
- Anonymous Payment Methods
Gibraltar VPN with open-source apps and yearly Cure53 audits since 2019. Suits privacy-focused users who can accept a small network and patchy streaming.
IVPN and Hide.me take very different approaches to running a VPN and to bringing in new users. IVPN has stayed a boutique service with strong privacy principles and premium prices. Hide.me is built around a free tier…
Gibraltar VPN with open-source apps and yearly Cure53 audits since 2019. Suits privacy-focused users who can accept a small network and patchy streaming.
Malaysia-based VPN supporting WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, SSTP and SoftEther. Suits technical users who value protocol choice over reliable streaming.
IVPN and Hide.me take very different approaches to running a VPN and to bringing in new users. IVPN has stayed a boutique service with strong privacy principles and premium prices. Hide.me is built around a free tier and technical customization, which makes it easy to start with.
Only Hide.me has a free plan, which gives you 10GB of data a month and access to 5 server locations. IVPN has no free tier and sells a premium, ethical service with a boutique focus on privacy. It chose to remove port forwarding, offers anonymous signup and is completely transparent about how it operates.
Hide.me offers detailed protocol customization and stealth options. IVPN focuses on core privacy features and does them well, with cleaner interfaces. IVPN runs on ethical business practices and puts privacy first in its operations. Hide.me is a traditional tech company that relies on its free tier to attract users.
Neither is strong at geo-unblocking, though Hide.me has made more effort in this area. Hide.me's apps are easier to pick up and have more customization options. IVPN's design is privacy-focused, with a boutique feel.
The value on offer differs a lot. IVPN sells an ethical privacy service at a premium price. Hide.me lets you try before you buy.
| Feature | IVPN | Hide.me |
|---|---|---|
Ad & Tracker Blocking | ||
Anonymous Payment Methods | ||
Connection Protocols | ||
Custom VPN Protocols | ||
Customer Support Availability | ||
Dedicated IP Option | ||
Encryption Standard | ||
Independent Audits | ||
IPv6 Leak Protection | ||
Kill Switch | ||
Multi-Hop | ||
No-logs Policy | ||
Open Source Apps | ||
RAM-only Servers | ||
Simultaneous Connections | ||
Split Tunneling | ||
Streaming Support | ||
Support Channels | ||
Torrenting Support |
Your budget and your privacy priorities decide this one. Choose IVPN if you are a privacy purist willing to pay premium prices for an ethical service. It suits people who value ethical business practices, anonymous signup and a boutique privacy focus. Go with Hide.me if you want to try before you buy with its generous free tier. It also suits people who like technical customization and more affordable pricing. Privacy advocates who put ethics ahead of budget will find IVPN's principles stronger. Budget-conscious users still exploring VPNs will find Hide.me easier to get into.

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A mainstream VPN with a no-logs policy audited five times and bundled security extras. It suits households with several devices and frequent travelers.
Surfshark is a lower-priced VPN with unlimited device connections and a no-logs policy verified twice by Deloitte. It suits households with many devices.
ProtonVPN is a Swiss VPN from the Proton Mail team with open-source apps and a free tier that has no data cap or ads. It suits privacy-first users.
Detailed feature analysis, performance benchmarks, and pricing comparison
Security protocols, server networks, and streaming capabilities compared
Speed tests, privacy policies, and user experience evaluation