Because of its incredible features and easy interface, HMA VPN, formerly known as HideMyAss, has become one of the most well-known names in the VPN industry. In recent years, due to advancements in technology and better control over access to data, many sites are not allowed in different parts of the world according to the policies of local governments and certain other factors such as regulations. In this situation, the VPN industry is taking over the world by proposing a safe and secure excess to these blocked sites and platforms. HideMyAss is just another good effort towards the cause.
HMA VPN is a fantastic VPN service with a lot of security features. One of the most prominent features is its military-grade encryption system that offers top-notch security over many servers. This strong encryption system also allows users to browse and use torrenting. Its no-logs policy has also been audited independently, and satisfactory results came after the audit as the company does not track or keep any information from its users. It means that you are 100% anonymous when using this VPN service.
On the downside, HideMyAss does not support the WireGuard tunneling technology. It is not a big flaw because other features take good care and fill the gap. Due to the lack of WireGuard tunneling technology, HMA sometimes suffers from inconsistent speeds. This problem affects the performance of this VPN for many streaming services.
In this HMA VPN review, we will analyze if the platform is worthwhile. We will also explore the speeds, streaming capabilities, and security features of HMA.
Pros and cons of HideMyAss
Like any other VPN, HideMyAss has its pro points and certain cons. The good thing about this VPN is that it has more very limited number of cons.
Pros |
Cons |
| No-logs policy | Average speed in Asia |
| A huge selection of countries | WireGuard protocol is not available |
| A free 7-day trial | Weak Linux version |
| Inexpensive long-term plan | Does not work in China |
| 30-day money-back guarantee | |
| Supports torrenting |
Servers and Server Locations
The number of servers and their locations is the most important factor in VPN services. Through these servers, users get connected with other services, and these servers also provide a pathway for anonymous connections. HMA has a credible number of servers, and their locations are also versatile to support all the operations. They have their servers in various areas, and you have a lot of alternatives for changing your location. It also means customers will be more likely to discover a server nearby, no matter where you are.
HMA VPN appears to have the most server locations, according to several sources. The corporation states that it has servers in 290 different sites in 190 other countries. It is a huge number. It means that HMA has its servers in almost every country globally. HideMyAss far exceeds the next-highest contender, Express VPN, with servers in 94 countries.
HMA’s list of available server locations is interesting because it includes regions frequently overlooked by other VPN providers. It, for example, has a large number of server locations around Africa. Some VPNs may have one or two African server locations, but most neglect the continent entirely. HMA also covers South America in-depth, an often-overlooked region, and is one of the few firms with servers in Iran and Iraq. It even has server sites in countries like Turkey, Russia, and Vietnam, with harsh internet rules. It also has servers in Beijing, which is unusual.
Privacy
Privacy is one of the most crucial and unignorable factors in choosing VPN services. Security and secrecy are the prime reasons people decide to use proxy services to reach their target site. HideMyAss is an excellent VPN service provider that ensures the privacy of its users. They have more than 290 servers in 190 countries around the globe. It is almost impossible to track users navigating through all these servers, and enhanced encryption technology makes it impossible to breach privacy protocols for any third party.
Before reviewing a VPN company, we study the company’s privacy policy and often talk to a representative to better understand the terms and conditions. It also helps develop an understanding of how your data is used and preserved in the company’s database. The corporation made significant improvements to its procedures a few years ago, obtaining significantly fewer data and improving user privacy.
For the company’s privacy, it is clear that HideMyAss does not save IP addresses, DNS requests, or any data sent over HMA’s network. The browsing history of users is also not held on servers. These are the statements of the company’s representative. For 35 days, the firm records the day of connection and a “rounded” amount of data sent. In addition, the corporation logs and saves some application operations, such as connection attempts and uninstalls, for two years. The corporation claims that this information cannot be linked to specific users. We like HMA VPN’s openness on these issues and the fact that it explains how it uses this information. Nonetheless, we believe HMA should attempt to collect less data or keep it for a shorter period.
Compatibility with devices
Compatibility is another main issue. Some VPNs are so heavy that it consumes all the device’s power and gives nothing in return. However, it is not the case with HMA. It is a premium VPN service developed to work on all the existing devices. For a better user experience, Apps are available for Windows, Mac OS X, Android, and iOS. For Linux and routers, HMA also provides user-friendly manual installation directions.
There are a few distinctions between devices. A kill switch, IP Refresh, and IP Shuffle are included in HMA’s Windows, macOS, and Android apps. On HMA’s iOS apps, none of these functionalities are available. Another interesting option to enhance users’ control over the apps is to specify which programs are covered by the kill switch using the Windows app.
Split-tunneling is a nice feature in the native Android app. Split tunneling allows you to choose which sections of your connection you want the VPN to cover. You can use HMA on multiple devices. It can support up to 5 devices at once on a single prescription.
Pricing
There is a certain issue that customers have with the pricing plans of HideMyAss. The main problem is that they do not have monthly pricing plans. Many customers complain about this problem.
Other than this, the pricing plans of HMA are better than its competitors keeping in mind the proven illegibility.
HMA has three pricing options, all of which provide the same functionality. HMA’s longer subscription options, as with most VPNs, offer better value for your money. The subscriptions are affordable and reasonable compared to the high level of service provided by HMA. However, HMA’s longer-term savings aren’t as substantial as some other high-quality VPNs offer.
HMA also offers the following
- 7-day free trial and a
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Suppose you are not sure about the services and quality of HMA. These are excellent options to start with.
HMA also offers diverse options to pay for their services. You can pay using Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, American Express, and UnionPay are all accepted payment methods.
Streaming services and their privacy
HMA is a very good VPN when it comes to streaming services. We were able to browse through Netflix while using HMA securely. We connected to a US server and streamed videos on Netflix. You can also browse services such as Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer.
On the other hand, it is a bit of a cat-and-mouse game. The provider that allows you to view Netflix using a VPN today may be blocked tomorrow.
VPN speed
It is very important to analyze the speed of HMA. We tested the speed of this VNP service provider, and the results were satisfactory. We connected to a local server in the UK, and the server gave me 110.00 Mbps download speed, and 6.65 Mbps upload speed.
However, the speed is not consistent on all the servers. It changes with the location change. For example, many services in Asia provide downloading speeds up to 14.00 Mbps.
Is HideMyAss safe to use?
Yes, HMA is a safe and reliable VPN service. They do not collect the users’ data and do not use any information for their gains. It is safe to use HideMyAss.
Conclusion
HMA offers decent services. With a wide network, fast speeds, strong security, 24/7 live chat support, and reliable access to major streaming sites, HideMyAss provide a complete VPN power pack for its users. However, it also depends on your needs to whether you like this platform.
HMA is an excellent option if your main objective with a VPN is geo-spoofing to avoid censorship or access geo-restricted content like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer.
We always recommend using a strong VPN when connecting to an unprotected public WiFi network. HMA will protect your privacy and provide you with enough security to keep your data safe.