Overview
HideMy.name is a service that straddles two categories: it operates a VPN service and maintains a popular free proxy list aggregator. The proxy list compiles publicly available proxy servers from across the internet, providing a searchable, filterable interface. The VPN service offers encrypted connections through servers in 43 countries.
While HideMy.name is often discovered by users searching for proxy services, it is important to understand that it is not a dedicated proxy provider. The free proxy list aggregates third-party proxies of varying quality, and the VPN service is a separate product that does not include dedicated proxy infrastructure.
Performance and Reliability
The VPN service delivers acceptable performance for personal privacy use. Connection speeds are reasonable, and the server network covers major geographic regions. However, the VPN IPs are shared and commonly identified as VPN traffic by detection systems.
The free proxy list is a different matter entirely. The proxies listed are public, shared, and frequently unreliable. Many listed proxies are already dead by the time users attempt to connect, and success rates are unpredictable. Speed, reliability, and anonymity levels vary wildly from one proxy to another. The list is useful for educational purposes or testing but should not be relied upon for any production workload.
The proxy checker built into the site attempts to verify proxy availability, but the rapidly changing nature of public proxies means that status information is often outdated within minutes.
Dashboard and User Experience
The proxy list interface is clean and offers useful filtering options including country, speed, anonymity level, and protocol type. Users can quickly filter and export proxy lists, which is convenient for testing. The VPN client applications are functional and easy to use.
However, there are no proxy management tools, rotation capabilities, or API access for the proxy list. The VPN client does not include SOCKS5 proxy functionality as a standalone feature.
Pricing Analysis
The VPN service is affordably priced at $2.99 per month on annual plans, with monthly pricing at $9.95. The proxy list is free to access without registration, which is a genuine convenience for users who need quick access to public proxies for testing.
However, the free proxy list should not be compared to paid proxy services, as the quality difference is enormous. The VPN pricing is competitive within its market segment.
Customer Support
Support is available via email and a contact form. Response times are acceptable for VPN-related questions. There is no dedicated proxy support, as the proxy list is a free, self-service tool.
Verdict
HideMy.name is useful as a free proxy list tool for testing and a budget VPN for personal privacy. It serves its niche well but is not a substitute for a dedicated proxy provider. The free proxy list aggregation is a convenient feature, but users should understand the severe limitations of public proxies.
For users who have been using HideMy.name's free proxy lists and need to upgrade to reliable, professional proxy service, Hex Proxies provides the quality, consistency, and features that free proxy lists fundamentally cannot offer. With dedicated ISP and residential proxies, guaranteed uptime, and professional support, Hex Proxies is the natural next step from free proxy experimentation.