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VPN Comparison 2026

ProtonVPN vs Hide.me

Comprehensive comparison of features, pricing, speed, and security to help you choose the best VPN for your needs.

ProtonVPN

Rating: 4.5/5
Winner
Best Price:$2.49/mo
Servers:15,000+
Countries:120
Speed Score:88%

Hide.me

Rating: 4.1/5
Best Price:$2.59/mo
Servers:2,400+
Countries:89
Speed Score:84%

Based on our comprehensive testing, ProtonVPN comes out ahead overall.

Last updated: maart 2026

Detailed Feature Comparison

Feature
ProtonVPN
Hide.me
Overall Rating
4.5/5
4.1/5
Monthly Price
$9.99/mo
$9.95/mo
Best Price (2yr plan)
$2.49/mo
$2.59/mo
Money-Back Guarantee
30 days
30 days
Free Tier
Total Servers
15,000+
2,400+
Countries
120
89
Simultaneous Devices
10
10
Speed Score
88%
84%
Security Score
99%
89%
Streaming Score
80%
75%
Protocols
WireGuardOpenVPNIKEv2
WireGuardOpenVPNIKEv2SoftEther
Encryption
AES-256
AES-256
Kill Switch
No-Logs Policy
Netflix Support
Torrenting Support
Get Started
Read Review
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Pros and Cons

ProtonVPN

Pros

  • Free tier available (no data limits)
  • Based in privacy-friendly Switzerland
  • Open source and audited
  • Secure Core servers
  • Integrates with ProtonMail

Cons

  • Free tier has limited servers
  • Streaming support is inconsistent
  • Fewer server locations

Hide.me

Pros

  • Generous free tier (10GB)
  • Based in Malaysia (no data retention)
  • Multiple protocol options
  • Independent security audit
  • Good speeds overall

Cons

  • Free plan is limited
  • Not the fastest option
  • Interface could be better
  • Streaming is hit or miss

Final Verdict

ProtonVPN comes out ahead in this comparison with a higher overall rating of 4.5/5 compared to Hide.me's 4.1/5. Swiss-based VPN with strongest privacy focus and free tier.

Choose ProtonVPN if:

  • You prioritize faster speeds (88%)
  • You need stronger security (99%)
  • You want more server options (15,000+ servers)
  • You're looking for better value ($2.49/mo)

Choose Hide.me if:

    ProtonVPN

    4.5/5 Rating$2.49/mo
    Read Full Review

    Hide.me

    4.1/5 Rating$2.59/mo
    Read Full Review

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is ProtonVPN better than Hide.me?+
    ProtonVPN is rated higher overall with a score of 4.5/5 compared to Hide.me's 4.1/5. ProtonVPN Swiss-based VPN with strongest privacy focus and free tier. However, both VPNs have their strengths, so your best choice depends on your specific needs.
    Which is cheaper, ProtonVPN or Hide.me?+
    ProtonVPN is the more affordable option at $2.49/mo on a 2-year plan, compared to Hide.me at $2.59/mo. ProtonVPN offers better value on long-term plans, though both services frequently run promotional discounts.
    Which is faster, ProtonVPN or Hide.me?+
    ProtonVPN achieves a higher speed score of 88% in our tests, compared to Hide.me's 84%. ProtonVPN uses modern VPN protocols that minimize speed loss, making it the better choice for bandwidth-heavy activities like 4K streaming and large file downloads.
    Does ProtonVPN or Hide.me have more servers?+
    ProtonVPN has a larger server network with 15,000+ servers, compared to Hide.me's 2,400+ servers. More servers generally means less congestion and more location choices, giving you better connection reliability and more options for bypassing geo-restrictions.
    Which VPN is better for streaming, ProtonVPN or Hide.me?+
    ProtonVPN scores higher for streaming at 80% compared to Hide.me's 75%. ProtonVPN reliably unblocks popular streaming platforms and maintains fast enough speeds for HD and 4K content without buffering.

    Compare More VPNs

    Not sure yet? Check out our full VPN comparison tool or read detailed reviews of each service.