Hidester VPN Ratings

Overall Score 6.0
6.9

Security

6.5

Speed

5.4

Servers

5.2

Support

6.0

Price

General overview

Hidester VPN is a below-par VPN service based in Hong Kong and has been around since 2016. The VPN fails to excel in any area wherever the service is needed. It doesn’t unblock any streaming site and has a small server network. Moreover, it doesn’t provide any top-notch security features. Surprisingly, the VPN works in highly restricted locations such as China. Hidester VPN allows P2P activities without any bandwidth or speed limitations.

The VPN offers a good logging policy written on its website; however, it collects some private data such as country of origin, choice of server, daily traffic, and dates of connection. Hidester VPN offers apps for various operating networks and devices such as Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. It is also compatible with up to 5 device connections. Lastly, the VPN has an easy-to-use interface; you can choose servers and connect to the VPN easily. Although, there isn’t any explanation regarding advanced features.

Security

Score 6.9

Security

The VPN uses basic security features and protocols to protect users’ data. It uses an unhackable AES-256 encryption cypher and comes with the industry-standard OpenVPN protocol (TCP/UDP) on all its operating platforms. The VPN also has its very own two proprietary protocols known as CamoVPN and CamoWeb. By using VPN’s proprietary protocols, you can easily access blocked sites since it promises fast browsing. However, it isn’t secure enough, so your data would be at risk.

Additionally, the VPN offers a Kill-switch feature necessary to protect the user’s identity in case of any sudden disconnection. Hidester lacks important advanced features like split-tunnelling or port-forwarding, which are essential for torrenting. Also, it has several customisation options for DNS and WebTRC leak protection. Overall, the VPN offers some safety features but needs to improve if it wants to compete among top-tier VPNs.

Score 6.5

Speed

Hidester VPN isn’t among the fastest but quick enough for everyday browsing. The service records less than a 20% speed drop when connected to nearby servers when downloading. However, when connected to distant servers like Australia or US, you may experience drastically low speeds.

Generally, speeds would drop when connected to VPN. The only matter of consideration is how many speeds falls you can accept. Hidester VPN is fast on nearby servers, which could result in 4K streaming and buffer-free browsing. However, distant servers like Singapore, Germany, the US, and Australia drop up to 90% speeds which is indeed not acceptable. Ping times are also underperforming when connected to both nearby and distant servers. On the nearest location, Hidester records 23ms, which means it isn’t an ideal VPN for gamers.

Score 5.4

Servers

Hidester VPN has a carefully selected number of servers. They have a small server network but are well expanded throughout the globe. On paper, they have 45 servers in 41 locations. Most of the servers are in North America and Europe. There are also a few servers in Asian countries like Japan, Singapore, India, and more. Oceania and Africa also possess one server each.

Hidester VPN struggles to unblock any primary streaming site and is blocked by Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer. The VPN has a minimal server network, and none of it is capable of streaming.

The VPN has some dedicated servers for P2P activities and has only a kill switch and protocols for secure torrenting. Although, these features aren’t enough due to low speeds, and the absence of a port-forwarding feature makes Hidester an unreliable VPN for torrenting.

Score 5.2

Support

Hidester VPN has terrible customer support. It doesn’t provide a live chat feature or any FAQs option. However, it has an online resource where you can approach several guides and tutorials related to VPN software.

Lastly, you are offered online ticketing support. There is detailed information regarding installation on all platforms, Protocols comparison, troubleshooting, and more. If you have any queries relating to any matter, you can fill out the form on their website and send it. Hidester’s ticket support system is unreliable; it takes several hours to reply and provides incomplete or irrelevant information.

Overall, Hidester VPN needs to improve its customer support If they want to compete among the other tech giants in the industry.

Score 6

Prices

Hidester VPN’s features don’t match its pricing plans. The monthly plan is quite expensive. However, the other two (12-month and 6-month plans) offer special prices. The VPN offers three subscription plans; the longer you sign-up, the cheaper it gets. Here is the pricing plan of Hidester VPN:

  • 1-Month plan costs $9.99/per month
  • 12-Months plan costs $3.99/per month; billed $46.8 annually
  • 6-Months plan costs $6/per month; billed $36 every six months

 

 Payment Methods

Hidester accepts a range of payment options:

  • Credit Cards (VISA, Master Card, American Express, Discover, JCB, VISA Electron, and DELTA).
  • PayPal
  • Cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Monero, Ethereum, and more).

Refund Policy

The VPN’s refund policy differs depending on the pricing plan you choose. Purchasing the monthly and semi-annually plan would allow you a 3-day refund, whereas the 12-month plan extends to a 7-day refund policy.

Yet, Hidester doesn’t meet the industry standard, a classic 30-day money-back guarantee. To make the condition worse, you only get a refund if Hidester doesn’t work on your device and the support team can’t fix it.

Company Information

  • Company name: Hidester VPN
  • Company incorporation country: Hong Kong
  • Years in market: 6
  • No-logs: Yes

Overview - Conclusion

Hidester VPN is overall secure but gets wrong on many aspects. It has a small server network, doesn’t unblock any streaming site, and lacks advanced security features. On the plus side, It surprisingly works in China and allows crypto payments.