ExpressVPN scores 3.7/5 overall in our tests, against 3.0/5 for Hide.me. That 0.7-point gap is decisive in one direction, but the right pick still depends on what you actually need.
| Criteria | ExpressVPN | Hide.me |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 3.7/5 ★ | 3.0/5 |
| Jurisdiction | British Virgin Islands | Malaysia |
| 14-Eyes / 5-Eyes | No | No |
| No-logs policy | Audited 3/5 ★ | Not audited 2/5 |
| Speed score | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Protocols score | 5/5 ★ | 4/5 |
| Streaming score | 5/5 ★ | 3.5/5 |
| Leak protection | 1/5 | 4/5 ★ |
| RAM-only servers | 5/5 ★ | 0/5 |
| Encryption score | 5/5 ★ | 2/5 |
| Security subtotal | 3.8/5 ★ | 2.2/5 |
| Trust subtotal | 2.7/5 ★ | 2.3/5 |
| Price (monthly) | $12.99/mo | $9.95/mo |
| Price (1-year total) | $59.88/yr | $53.88/yr |
| Price (2-year total) | $83.76/yr | $129.99/yr |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes, 30 days | Yes, 30 days |
| Pricing score | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
Where ExpressVPN wins
ExpressVPN leads on privacy and security (3.8/5 vs 2.2/5), streaming (5/5 vs 3.5/5). Add transparency and trust (2.7/5 vs 2.3/5) to the list and it becomes a clear recommendation.
Where Hide.me wins
Hide.me does not outscore ExpressVPN on individual criteria. At 3.0/5, it remains a solid option with consistent performance.
Who should pick what
The simplest rule: ExpressVPN is the default recommendation based on overall scores. The only reason to choose Hide.me instead is if speed is critical for your use case.
Want to compare all VPNs side by side? Check our full VPN comparison table with scores across 18 criteria.
Pick ExpressVPN. It scores 3.7/5 vs 3.0/5 for Hide.me, with a clear edge on privacy. Hide.me is not a bad VPN, but ExpressVPN wins this matchup. See ExpressVPN's current deal.
For more context, check our full VPN comparison table or the best VPN for streaming guide. Read our full ExpressVPN review for a complete breakdown. See our Hide.me review for more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
ExpressVPN is the better streaming option, with a 5/5 streaming score. Both VPNs support Netflix, Disney+ and BBC iPlayer.
ExpressVPN scores higher on security (3.8/5). ExpressVPN is based in British Virgin Islands (Audited), Hide.me in Malaysia (Not audited).
Our pricing score gives ExpressVPN 3.5/5 and Hide.me 3.5/5. ExpressVPN is $12.99/mo monthly or $59.88/yr per year. Hide.me is $9.95/mo monthly or $53.88/yr per year. Both include a money-back guarantee.