PureVPN vs HideMyAss Comparison 2020
Where PureVPN stands tall as a famous “premium” VPN in the industry, HideMyAss is a popular choice among layman users mostly because of its catchy name.
Which service is better though? To find out, read this in-depth PureVPN vs HideMyAss comparison analysis, where I will be assessing both providers on multiple crucial aspects:
Highlights
| PureVPN | HMA VPN |
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Pricing and Discounts
| PureVPN | HMA VPN | |
| Subscription Period | 1 Month | 1 Month |
| 1 Year | 1 Year | |
| 2 Years | 3 Years | |
| Special offer | 73% Off on a 2-Year Plan | 67% Off on a 3-Year Plan |
| Highest price per month | $10.95 | $9.99 |
| Lowest price per month | $2.91 | $3.99 |
| One-Year Price | $49.92 | $71.88 |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 31-Days | 30-Days |
Despite offering more in the way of features, technologies, and unblocking capabilities, PureVPN tends to be the cheaper option, after comparing it with HMA VPN.
The Hong Kong-based provider offers plans of three varied durations. The monthly starts at $10.95, which is still $2 lesser than the industry average pricing.
The 1-year plan costs $4.16/mo., totaling to a minimal $49.92. For the best value though, I recommend going for PureVPN’s 2-year subscription.
This plan starts off at a budget-friendly $2.91/mo. As such, you will only pay $69.84 for a total of 24-months, making it one of the most inexpensive VPNs.
HMA VPN, on the other hand, starts off their monthly plan at $9.99. However, similar to PureVPN, they offer discounts for lengthy subscriptions.
For instance, the 1-year plan starts at $5.99/mo, giving you a 50% discount. As a result, you pay $71.88 for 12-months, which is $21 more expensive than PureVPN.
The 3-year plan gives you a 67% discount, lowering the monthly pricing to $3.99/mo, billed as $143.64. This is extremely costly for a low-end service!
As far as money back’s are concerned, PureVPN offers a 31-day refund guarantee. Meanwhile, HMA VPN offers a 30-day refund, which is a day lesser.
Get This Best Deal for PureVPN: Save 73% on their 2-year special
Get This Best Deal for HideMyAss: Save 67% on their 2-year special
Features
| PureVPN | HMA VPN | |
| Simultaneous Connections | 5 | 5 |
| Operating System Apps | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, and Fire TV | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, and Routers |
| Manual Install Devices | Linux, Routers, Set-Top Boxes | Routers, TVs, and more |
| Split Tunneling | Yes (All Apps) | Yes (All Apps) |
| Free Extras | Official Kodi addon, ad-blocker, malware-scanner, browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox | Smart Kill Switch, IP Shuffle, Leak Protection, DDoS Protection |
HideMyAss VPN and PureVPN both offer a good list of advanced features. This gives users the ability to leverage better anonymity/security when exploring the internet.
With either provider, you have dedicated apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Fire TV, Android/Apple TVs.
Albeit, PureVPN gains an edge over HMA VPN by offering a native add-on for Kodi. Not to mention, the provider even offers manual setup guides and preconfigured routers.
In terms of simultaneous connections, both services support multi logins on 5 devices only. However, the setting up of apps is quite easy and uncomplicated.
As far as extra features are concerned, PureVPN offers NAT Firewall, Split Tunneling, Ad/Tracker blocking, IPv6 Leak Protection, Port Forwarding, DDoS Protection, and dedicated IPs.
HMA VPN, on the other hand, gives users access to features like Smart Kill Switch, IP Shuffle, Leak Protection, DDoS Protection, and Split Tunneling.
Unblocking Capabilities
| PureVPN | HMA VPN | |
| Netflix | Yes | No |
| Hulu | Yes | No |
| Sky Go | Yes | No |
| Amazon Prime | Yes | No |
| BBC iPlayer | Yes | No |
| ABS | Yes | No |
| CBS | Yes | No |
| NBC | Yes | No |
| ITV | Yes | No |
| Channel 4 | Yes | No |
Lots of review websites and the provider itself claims that HMA works for unblocking streaming platforms and bypassing geographical restrictions or VPN bans.
Nothing could be further from the truth, as my tests on their servers revealed that none of them work smoothly for unblocking popular VoDs in the marketplace.
PureVPN, on the other hand, was way more successful in bypassing geo-restrictions on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Voot, Hotstar, and even Disney Plus.
All of its apps come equipped with a “popular websites” menu that lists all famous streaming platforms like the ones above. Simply click on the icon of the service you want to unblock.
The best part of all: this menu is also available on Chrome and Mozilla and allows users to unblock even Netflix directly from within the browser!
China
China does not take blocking VPNs lightly and “The Great Firewall” employs numerous technologies and algorithms for stopping residents/expats from using one.
Sadly, HMA VPN fails at offering any benefits to either audience. The UK-based provider does not provide access to a mirror website, neither does it have Chinese servers.
PureVPN, on the other hand, works for both: those wanting a VPN to China for accessing local content and those in the country, who need a working VPN.
The provider is the only name in the industry offering 12 Chinese servers (6 in Beijing and 6 in Shanghai). At the same time, it offers apps that work in the country.
Albeit, currently the list is only limited to Windows, macOS, and Android. This is still quite an achievement, nevertheless, as many VPNs fail at providing access in China!
Setup and Interface
| PureVPN | HMA VPN | |
| Automatic Setup Wizard | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS |
| Main Location Selection | List-based | List-based |
| Extra Settings Pages | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Friendly | Yes | Yes |
PureVPN is among the few providers in the marketplace that supports almost all platforms/devices, including Xbox One, PS4, Nvidia Shield, and even Nintendo Switch.
In terms of the user interface, their apps are quite easy-to-use and intuitive, catering to both: rookie and tech-y VPN users, boasting a neat and clean design.
As an added incentive, PureVPN’s app even has a port changing option, which assists in bypassing geo-restrictions and VPN bans in countries with tough laws.
The mobile apps also have the same set of features but tend to be different in appearance. They boast a darker design and UI, but one that is incredibly user-friendly.
As compared to PureVPN, the infamous HMA VPN boasts a broader interface and styling. Their app covers at least half of the screen on desktops/laptops.
As such, it cannot exactly be considered user-friendly. The best apps feature a minimalistic design but meet all aspects of ease-of-use, which is not available with HMA.
There is not much visible difference between the desktop/laptop and smartphone applications, as their color theme, accessibility, and navigations are pretty much identical.
Just the size of the VPN clients varies device-to-device and platform-to-platform. For instance, the browser extensions boast a more minimalistic appearance.
Servers
| PureVPN | HMA VPN | |
| Server Countries | 140+ | 190+ |
| Total Number of Servers | 2,000 | 1,000+ |
As compared to PureVPN, the UK-based HMA VPN offers more in “server countries”. In fact, their network infrastructure is among the largest.
You have access to 1000+ servers in over 190 countries worldwide. This high server count results in even distribution of users on different servers.
PureVPN, on the other hand, boasts more in the way of “server count”. It has 2,000+ servers in 140+ countries worldwide, which is quite an achievement.
Speed
| PureVPN | HMA VPN | |
| Speed Loss | 9% | 29.28% |
To get a better idea of the performance of both providers, I conducted a speed analysis. This process required the testing of different servers from both providers on a myriad of aspects.
In bare speed tests on a 100 Mbps connection, PureVPN managed to deliver an average of 91 Mbps in uploads and downloads, indicating a speed loss of 9%.
HMA VPN, on the other hand, delivered mediocre speed averaging at 70.72 Mbps. This indicates a speed loss of over 29.28%, which is not suitable for any VPN user!
Security
| PureVPN | HMA VPN | |
| VPN Protocols | PPTP, L2TP, IPSec, IKEv2, OpenVPN | OpenVPN, PPTP, IKEv2/IPSec |
| OpenVPN Data Encryption | AES-256-CBC | AES-256-GCM |
| OpenVPN Control Channel Encryption | RSA-4096 | RSA-4096 |
| Cloaking Technology | None | None |
| App Security | Kill Switch and Leak Protection | Kill Switch and Leak Protection |
| DNS Status | Private DNS | Private DNS |
PureVPN supports a great variety of protocols. These include PPTP, L2TP, IKEv2, SSTP, and OpenVPN (TCP and UDP) to give users of all kinds of freedom of choice.
As default though, PureVPN deploys the OpenVPN protocol on all devices, with the exception of iOS devices that use the IKEv2 protocol for faster speeds and security.
For encryption, the provider utilizes AES-256-CBC cipher with HMAC SHA1 hash authentication for the data channel, which is quite impressive and highly-secure.
Meanwhile, it deploys the AES-256-CBC cipher with HMAC SHA384 hash authentication and RSA-4096 handshake encryption for the control channel.
HMA VPN, on the other hand, only supports the PPTP, IKEv2/IPSec and OpenVPN protocol on all of its devices. As a default, all of its apps use OpenVPN.
For encryption on Windows and Android, it uses AES-256-GCM coupled with SHA-256 authentication and the strongest 4096-bit RSA key for handshaking.
On Mac and iOS, HMA uses the same Galois Counter Mode cipher, but with IKEV2/IPSec, as to give users better speeds and performance.
Leak Tests
To get a better idea of the app security, I conducted a leak test on PureVPN and HMA VPN. The process involved the usage of 6 different tools to check for;
WebRTC and HTTP Request Leaks:
DNS Leaks:
IPv4/IPv6 and Torrent IP Leaks:
Both HMA VPN and PureVPN managed to clear the tests from the 6 different tools above and did not reveal our original IP, DNS, or WebRTC information.
Privacy
| PureVPN | HMA VPN | |
| Headquarters | Hong Kong | United Kingdom |
| Connection Logs | None | None |
| Activity Logs | None | None |
| Sign Up Information | Email Address | Email Address |
| Anonymous Payment Methods | Various Cryptocurrencies | None |
In terms of privacy, deciding the winner is actually an easy task. PureVPN has its headquarters in the safe, Hong Kong, whereas HMA VPN is based in the UK.
As you probably know, UK is a founding member of the Five Eyes Alliance, which indulges in intelligence sharing by imposing mandatory mass surveillance and data retention laws.
Therefore, it may not be a good option exactly to sign up with HMA, despite them claiming to be a “zero logs” provider. They will have to comply with their country’s laws!
This has been verified in two circumstances; one involving a case of harassment, leading to the arrest of the perpetrator after HMA handed over logs.
In another case, HMA revealed the personal details of one of its customers, Cody Kretsinger, a member accused of hacking Sony Pictures.
Configuration
| PureVPN | HMA VPN | |
| Address Allocation | Shared/Static | Shared |
| Static IPs | 8+ Countries | None |
| DDoS Protection | Yes | No |
| NAT Firewall | Yes | Yes |
Where PureVPN supports a shared/static network infrastructure, HMA VPN sticks to the traditional shared only system of IP addresses.
This is quite problematic, as static IPs serve an important purpose in the VPN industry. They allow users to access sensitive banking information and access their LAN networks.
Luckily for you, PureVPN has static IPs in 8+ countries. These include the US, UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, Malta, Hong Kong, Singapore.
Customer Support
| PureVPN | HMA VPN | |
| Video Guides | Yes | Yes |
| Searchable Knowledge Base | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | No | No |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Average Email Response Time | 39 Minutes | 30 Minutes |
| Ticket Support | Yes | Yes |
| Live Chat Support | Yes | Yes |
PureVPN and HMA VPN both offer good support through multiple channels. These include ticketing, email, live chat, FAQs, knowledgebase, and video guides.
Since email support is still the go-to option for many, I conducted a small test for their response times. This was just to see how proactive their customer representatives are.
Below you can see the stats of both providers on the basis of four different questions. Typically, PureVPN has an average response time of 39 minutes and HMA 30 minutes!
PureVPN
| Question | Initial Response Time | Number of Emails | Question Answered |
| Is PureVPN good for Torrenting? | 25 Minutes | 1 | Yes |
| Does PureVPN work with Netflix? | 39 Minutes | 1 | Yes |
| Can I Install PureVPN on LibreELEC | 50 Minutes | 1 | Yes |
| How to setup PureVPN on Firestick? | 44 Minutes | 1 | Yes |
HideMyAss
| Question | Initial Response Time | Number of Emails | Question Answered |
| How strong is HMA VPN? | 35 Minutes | 1 | Yes |
| How much does HideMyAss cost? | 27 Minutes | 1 | Yes |
| Does HMA work with Netflix? | 22 Minutes | 1 | Yes |
| How do I buy HMA VPN? | 33 Minutes | 1 | Yes |
The Winner: PureVPN
After comparing both providers, it is safe to say that PureVPN is the winner. The VPN, despite being incredibly budget-friendly, stands as an all-rounder.
It faces no trouble unblocking platforms like Netflix, boasts a good server count, works in China, and even offers dedicated IPs. In short, it is a great service to buy!
