hide.me VPN

hide.me VPN is the desktop client of a commercial VPN service run by eVenture Limited. It builds an encrypted tunnel between your Windows machine and a server operated by the provider, so websites and other remote services see the server's address instead of yours, and anyone watching the local network or the internet connection you are on sees only the tunnel. The client lets you pick a location from the operator's server list and choose between the WireGuard, IKEv2 and OpenVPN protocols, which matters mainly when a restrictive network blocks one of them.

Beyond the basic connect button, the client includes a kill switch that cuts network access if the tunnel drops, split tunneling to decide which applications go through the VPN and which use the normal connection, and SmartGuard, a filtering layer that blocks ads, trackers and known malicious domains at the DNS level with optional age-based content filters. The free tier is not time limited, but it is a reduced product: one device, a small subset of locations, and no access to the streaming-oriented servers or the extra features listed above. Paid plans remove those limits.

It suits someone who wants to run a VPN on a home or laptop connection without committing money first, since the free tier has no expiry date and can be used indefinitely for casual browsing on public Wi-Fi. It also fits people comparing mid-priced subscription VPNs, as the service is sold in several term lengths with a refund window.

It is a poor fit if you want a one-time purchase, because the service is sold as a recurring subscription only. It also disappoints if you expect the free tier to handle streaming services or to cover a whole household, and it is not a security suite: it does not scan files, block exploits or replace antivirus software. As with any VPN, using it means moving the trust you place in your internet provider over to the VPN operator instead.