We tested Hide.me (3.0/5) and Surfshark (4.1/5) across speed, privacy, streaming, and price. Surfshark leads on overall score. Here is what drives the gap.
| Criteria | Hide.me | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 3.0/5 | 4.1/5 ★ |
| Jurisdiction | Malaysia | Netherlands |
| 14-Eyes / 5-Eyes | No | Nine |
| No-logs policy | Not audited 2/5 | Audited 5/5 ★ |
| Speed score | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Protocols score | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Streaming score | 3.5/5 | 4.5/5 ★ |
| Leak protection | 4/5 | 5/5 ★ |
| RAM-only servers | 0/5 | 5/5 ★ |
| Encryption score | 2/5 | 5/5 ★ |
| Security subtotal | 2.2/5 | 4.8/5 ★ |
| Trust subtotal | 2.3/5 | 3.0/5 ★ |
| Price (monthly) | $9.95/mo | $15.45/mo |
| Price (1-year total) | $53.88/yr | $38.28/yr |
| Price (2-year total) | $129.99/yr | $47.76/yr |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes, 30 days | Yes, 30 days |
| Pricing score | 3.5/5 | 4.0/5 ★ |
Where Hide.me wins
Hide.me does not pull ahead on any individual scored criteria, but its 3.0/5 overall score reflects consistent performance across the board.
Where Surfshark wins
Surfshark outscores Hide.me on privacy and security (4.8/5 vs 2.2/5) and streaming (4.5/5 vs 3.5/5). For users who care about those factors, Surfshark is worth considering.
Who should pick what
Pick Hide.me if speed matters most. Pick Surfshark if speed is the priority. On a pure score basis, Surfshark is the safer default.
Want to compare all VPNs side by side? Check our full VPN comparison table with scores across 18 criteria.
For most users, Surfshark (4.1/5) is the better pick. Its advantage over Hide.me (3.0/5) comes from stronger privacy performance. The only reason to go with Hide.me is if speed matters most to you. Get Surfshark risk-free.
For more context, check our full VPN comparison table or the best VPN for streaming guide. Read our full Hide.me review for a complete breakdown. See our Surfshark review for more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Surfshark scores 4.1/5 vs 3.0/5 for Hide.me. Surfshark leads on speed. That said, Hide.me may be the better fit if speed is your main priority.
In our speed tests, Hide.me scores 5/5 and Surfshark scores 5/5. Both score equally on speed.
Hide.me costs $9.95/mo month-to-month, or $53.88/yr for a 1-year plan. Surfshark is $15.45/mo monthly, or $38.28/yr per year. Both offer a money-back guarantee.