Hide.me scores 3.0/5 overall in our tests, against 4.2/5 for ProtonVPN. That 1.2-point gap is decisive in one direction, but the right pick still depends on what you actually need.
| Criteria | Hide.me | ProtonVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 3.0/5 | 4.2/5 ★ |
| Jurisdiction | Malaysia | Switzerland |
| 14-Eyes / 5-Eyes | No | No |
| No-logs policy | Not audited 2/5 | Audited 5/5 ★ |
| Speed score | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Protocols score | 4/5 | 5/5 ★ |
| Streaming score | 3.5/5 ★ | 3/5 |
| Leak protection | 4/5 | 5/5 ★ |
| RAM-only servers | 0/5 | 5/5 ★ |
| Encryption score | 2/5 | 4/5 ★ |
| Security subtotal | 2.2/5 | 4.8/5 ★ |
| Trust subtotal | 2.3/5 | 3.7/5 ★ |
| Price (monthly) | $9.95/mo | $9.99/mo |
| Price (1-year total) | $53.88/yr | $47.88/yr |
| Price (2-year total) | $129.99/yr | $71.76/yr |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes, 30 days | Yes, 30 days |
| Pricing score | 3.5/5 | 5.0/5 ★ |
Where Hide.me wins
Where Hide.me pulls ahead: streaming (3.5/5 vs 3/5). If those criteria matter most to you, Hide.me is the stronger pick.
Where ProtonVPN wins
ProtonVPN’s strongest argument is privacy and security (4.8/5 vs 2.2/5). It also leads on value for money (5.0/5 vs 3.5/5) and transparency and trust (3.7/5 vs 2.3/5).
Who should pick what
Both VPNs cover the basics well. Hide.me is the stronger pick for speed, while ProtonVPN makes more sense if you need speed. When in doubt, check our VPN quiz for a personalised recommendation.
Want to compare all VPNs side by side? Check our full VPN comparison table with scores across 18 criteria.
ProtonVPN wins this comparison (4.2/5 vs 3.0/5). It leads on privacy and offers strong value overall. Hide.me is worth considering if speed is your priority. Try ProtonVPN 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 ProtonVPN review for more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our 2026 data: ProtonVPN (4.2/5) outscores Hide.me (3.0/5) overall. Choose ProtonVPN for speed, 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). ProtonVPN: Audited no-logs policy (score: 5/5). 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.