Hide.me scores 3.0/5 overall in our tests, against 3.7/5 for Private Internet Access. That 0.7-point gap is decisive in one direction, but the right pick still depends on what you actually need.
| Criteria | Hide.me | Private Internet Access |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 3.0/5 | 3.7/5 ★ |
| Jurisdiction | Malaysia | USA |
| 14-Eyes / 5-Eyes | No | Five |
| No-logs policy | Not audited 2/5 | Not audited 4/5 ★ |
| Speed score | 5/5 ★ | 4/5 |
| Protocols score | 4/5 | 5/5 ★ |
| Streaming score | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Leak protection | 4/5 | 5/5 ★ |
| RAM-only servers | 0/5 | 5/5 ★ |
| Encryption score | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Security subtotal | 2.2/5 | 3.8/5 ★ |
| Trust subtotal | 2.3/5 ★ | 2.0/5 |
| Price (monthly) | $9.95/mo | $11.95/mo |
| Price (1-year total) | $53.88/yr | $39.95/yr |
| Price (2-year total) | $129.99/yr | $52.56/yr |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes, 30 days | Yes, 30 days |
| Pricing score | 3.5/5 | 4.0/5 ★ |
Where Hide.me wins
Hide.me leads on speed (5/5 vs 4/5), transparency and trust (2.3/5 vs 2.0/5).
Where Private Internet Access wins
Where Private Internet Access has an edge: privacy and security (3.8/5 vs 2.2/5), value for money (4.0/5 vs 3.5/5), features (4.3/5 vs 3.1/5). If these are your priorities, Private Internet Access is the better fit.
Who should pick what
The simplest rule: Private Internet Access 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.
Private Internet Access wins this comparison (3.7/5 vs 3.0/5). It leads on privacy and offers strong value overall. Hide.me is worth considering if speed is your priority. Try Private Internet Access with their money-back guarantee.
For more context, check our full VPN comparison table or the best cheap VPN guide. Read our full Hide.me review for a complete breakdown. See our Private Internet Access review for more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our 2026 data: Private Internet Access (3.7/5) outscores Hide.me (3.0/5) overall. Choose Private Internet Access for features, or Hide.me if you need speed. Still unsure? Take our [VPN quiz](/) for a personalised recommendation.
Hide.me: Not audited no-logs policy (score: 2/5). Private Internet Access: Not audited no-logs policy (score: 4/5). See our [comparison table](/compare) for full audit details.
Obfuscation support and firewall conditions change frequently. Check our [best VPN for China guide](/blog/best-vpn-china-2026/) for up-to-date information on which VPNs reliably bypass the Great Firewall.