Hide.me scores 3.0/5 overall in our tests, against 3.8/5 for Windscribe. That 0.8-point gap is decisive in one direction, but the right pick still depends on what you actually need.
| Criteria | Hide.me | Windscribe |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 3.0/5 | 3.8/5 ★ |
| Jurisdiction | Malaysia | Canada |
| 14-Eyes / 5-Eyes | No | Five |
| No-logs policy | Not audited 2/5 | Not audited 2/5 |
| Speed score | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Protocols score | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| 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 | 3/5 ★ |
| Security subtotal | 2.2/5 | 3.4/5 ★ |
| Trust subtotal | 2.3/5 | 3.7/5 ★ |
| Price (monthly) | $9.95/mo | $9.00/mo |
| Price (1-year total) | $53.88/yr | $69.00/yr |
| Price (2-year total) | $129.99/yr | N/A |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes, 30 days | Yes, 3 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 Windscribe wins
Windscribe counters on privacy and security (3.4/5 vs 2.2/5), value for money (4.0/5 vs 3.5/5). Its transparency and trust (3.7/5 vs 2.3/5) makes it the stronger option for certain users.
Who should pick what
For streaming, Hide.me is the better bet (3.5/5). For privacy-first users, Windscribe scores higher on security (3.4/5). If price is the main constraint, Windscribe has the better value score (4.0/5).
Want to compare all VPNs side by side? Check our full VPN comparison table with scores across 18 criteria.
For most users, Windscribe (3.8/5) is the better pick. Its advantage over Hide.me (3.0/5) comes from stronger transparency performance. The only reason to go with Hide.me is if speed matters most to you. Get Windscribe risk-free.
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 Windscribe review for more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Windscribe scores 3.8/5 vs 3.0/5 for Hide.me. Windscribe 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 Windscribe 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. Windscribe is $9.00/mo monthly, or $69.00/yr per year. Both offer a money-back guarantee.