Hide.me vs Proton VPN: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Hide.me and Proton VPN side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Hide.me
Secure your online privacy, bypass censorship, and enjoy fast, encrypted internet access.
Best for you if:
- • You want strong emphasis on privacy with an independently audited no-logs policy
Proton VPN
Swiss privacy protection with unlimited bandwidth
Best for you if:
- • You want secure VPN
| At a Glance | Hide.me | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $2.50/mo flat, billed monthly 24 Months plan | Free plan, paid from $6.99/mo, billed yearly VPN Plus plan |
Category | VPN Security | VPN Security |
Rating | 4.0/5 Trustpilot 4.0 1,025 reviews | 4.3/5 G2 4.3 5 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | n/a | Monthly pricing ($9.99/month) is 3.3x more expensive than the 2-year rate. Casual users testing the service for a few months pay a significant premium. |
Choose Hide.me or Proton VPN?
Choose Hide.me if
- You want strong emphasis on privacy with an independently audited no-logs policy
- You want offers advanced security features like Multihop and SmartGuard
Choose Proton VPN if
- You want secure VPN
- You want swiss-based
In-Depth Analysis
Hide.me
Secure your online privacy, bypass censorship, and enjoy fast, encrypted internet access.
Hide.me offers a very generous free tier with unlimited data, making it accessible for basic privacy needs.
Strengths
- Pro: Strong emphasis on privacy with an independently audited no-logs policy.
- Pro: Offers advanced security features like Multihop and SmartGuard.
- Pro: Provides high speeds and optimized servers for streaming.
- Pro: Supports IPv6 natively, preventing potential leaks.
- Pro: Easy to use with apps for various platforms and simultaneous device connections.
Weaknesses
- Con: Specific pricing details are not immediately available on the main page, requiring further investigation.
- Con: Some advanced features might require a learning curve for less tech-savvy users.
Key features
Proton VPN
Swiss privacy protection with unlimited bandwidth
Proton VPN is the strongest privacy-first VPN on the market, and the 2-year plan at $2.99/month makes it one of the cheapest premium options too.
Watch out
Monthly pricing ($9.99/month) is 3.3x more expensive than the 2-year rate. Casual users testing the service for a few months pay a significant premium.
Strengths
- Pro: Secure VPN
- Pro: Swiss-based
- Pro: Good privacy
- Pro: Free tier
- Pro: Active development
Weaknesses
- Con: Slower than some
- Con: Limited free servers
- Con: Expensive premium
- Con: Server availability
- Con: Better alternatives exist
Key features
Plans and prices: Hide.me vs Proton VPN
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Hide.me |
| hide.me/pricing read Nov 1, 2026 |
| Proton VPN |
| protonvpn.com/pricing read Oct 15, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Hide.me pricing and Proton VPN pricing.
Key Takeaways
Hide.me
- Choose if you want secure your online privacy, bypass censorship, and enjoy fast, encrypted internet access
Proton VPN
- Choose if you want swiss privacy protection with unlimited bandwidth
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.0/5 from 1,025 reviews for Hide.me, 4.3/5 from 5 reviews for Proton VPN; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides).
- Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: Hide.me $2.50/mo flat, billed monthly; Proton VPN $6.99/mo, billed yearly.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Hide.me and Proton VPN compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.0/5 from 1,025 reviews for Hide.me, 4.3/5 from 5 reviews for Proton VPN; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides). Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: Hide.me $2.50/mo flat, billed monthly; Proton VPN $6.99/mo, billed yearly. Both have a free plan.
What are Hide.me and Proton VPN used for?
Hide.me: Secure your online privacy, bypass censorship, and enjoy fast, encrypted internet access. Proton VPN: Swiss privacy protection with unlimited bandwidth.
What does Hide.me cost vs Proton VPN?
Hide.me's cheapest paid plan is 24 Months at $2.50/mo flat, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Proton VPN's cheapest paid plan is VPN Plus at $6.99/mo, billed yearly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 1, 2026.
What's the main difference between Hide.me and Proton VPN?
Hide.me's main strength: strong emphasis on privacy with an independently audited no-logs policy. Proton VPN's main strength: secure VPN.