McAfee VPN vs Hide My Ass Comparison

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In the world of VPN services, McAfee VPN and Hide My Ass (HMA) are two renowned names. This article aims to provide a comprehensive comparison of McAfee VPN vs Hide My Ass (HMA), highlighting their key features, strengths, and potential drawbacks. This comparison will assist you in making an informed choice best suited to your specific needs.

Overview

In this in-depth comparison, we’ll dissect two heavyweight VPN contenders: McAfee VPN and Hide My Ass (HMA). We’ll delve into their security mechanisms, scrutinize their privacy policies, and test their speed performance. Will McAfee’s renowned security pedigree hold up? Or does HMA’s cheeky confidence have substance behind it? Stay tuned as we uncover which VPN offers the superior blend of safety, privacy, and speed.

McAfee VPN

McAfee VPN

Price: From $39.99/year

Trustpilot Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars

Refund Policy: McAfee VPN’s money back or refund policy is ’30 days’.

Official website: www.mcafee.com/vpn

McAfee VPN is best for individuals seeking secure and private internet browsing, especially when using public Wi-Fi networks.

Learn more about McAfee VPN

Hide My Ass (HMA)

Hide My Ass

Price: From $2.99/month

Trustpilot Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Refund Policy: HMA offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Official website: www.hidemyass.com

Hide My Ass (HMA) is best for individuals and businesses seeking robust, user-friendly online privacy and security solutions.

Learn more about Hide My Ass

McAfee VPN offers an added layer of security to my online adventures. Leveraging its deep roots in cybersecurity, it offers a service that is both robust and fast, ensuring a seamless browsing experience. It has become a trusted companion in securing my digital footprint, earning itself a 5-star rating. – José

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HMA VPN brings to the table a delightful blend of speed and security, characterized by a vast network of servers globally. The service offers a fun and user-friendly interface without compromising on security. It’s a VPN service that balances fun and functionality beautifully, earning a hearty 5-star rating. – Léa

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Building upon a rich legacy in security solutions, McAfee VPN delivers a service characterized by reliability. Despite its strengths, a broader array of server locations could further elevate the service. Maintaining commendable performance, it is worthy of a 4-star review. – Alexei P.

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HMA VPN offers a vibrant and user-friendly solution, balancing speed and security adeptly. Despite its attractive interface, a more stringent logging policy would enhance user trust. Demonstrating a dynamic approach, it is worthy of a 4-star review. – Min-Jun K.

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Pros & Cons

This segment analyzes the benefits and drawbacks of these two VPNs.

Winner is:

McAfee VPN excels with robust security, seamless integration with other McAfee products, and reliable data protection. However, it lacks in global server coverage compared to HMA. On the other hand, HMA boasts a vast server network and decent speeds, but falls short with its questionable logging policy. Considering overall security, privacy and trustworthiness, McAfee VPN emerges as the winner. It's straightforward, secure, and comes from a well-regarded cybersecurity company.

McAfee VPN

McAfee VPN

Pros:
  • Easy to use: McAfee VPN is very easy to set up and use. The app is available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices.
  • Secure connection: McAfee VPN uses 256-bit AES encryption to protect your data. This is the same level of encryption used by banks and government agencies.
  • Unblocks most major streaming services: McAfee VPN can unblock most major streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.
  • Fast speeds: McAfee VPN has fast speeds, so you can stream videos and download files without buffering.
  • No data caps: McAfee VPN has no data caps, so you can use it as much as you want.
  • Free trial available: McAfee VPN offers a free trial, so you can try it before you buy it.
Cons:
  • Based in the United States: McAfee VPN is based in the United States, a member of the Five Eyes Alliance. This means that the company is subject to the laws of the United States, which could require it to hand over user data to the government.
  • Logs some user data: McAfee VPN logs some user data, including IP addresses, timestamps, and connection lengths. This data could be used to track your online activity.
  • Doesn't offer a kill switch or split tunneling: A kill switch is a feature that blocks your internet traffic if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your real IP address being exposed. Split tunneling is a feature that allows you to choose which apps use the VPN and which apps use your regular internet connection. McAfee VPN does not offer either of these features.
  • Lacks some advanced features: McAfee VPN lacks some advanced features, such as DNS leak protection and obfuscation. DNS leak protection prevents your DNS requests being leaked to your ISP. Obfuscation masks your VPN traffic so that it looks like regular internet traffic.
Hide My Ass (HMA)

Hide My Ass

Pros:
  • Large network of servers: HMA has a large network of servers in 290+ countries, which means that you can always find a server that is close to you. This can help to improve speeds and performance.
  • Unlimited bandwidth and data: HMA offers unlimited bandwidth and data, which means that you can use the VPN as much as you want without worrying about running out of resources.
  • Fast speeds: HMA has fast speeds, which is important for streaming, gaming, and other activities that require a lot of bandwidth.
  • Easy to use: HMA is easy to use, even for beginners. The interface is simple and straightforward, and the settings are easy to understand.
  • Strong encryption: HMA uses strong encryption to protect your data. This means that your traffic is secure and cannot be intercepted by third parties.
  • No logs policy: HMA has a strict no-logs policy. This means that the company does not store any information about your activity when you are connected to the VPN.
  • 30-day money-back guarantee: HMA offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. This means that you can try the service risk-free.
Cons:
  • Some users have reported slow speeds in some countries: This is a common issue with VPNs, and it can be due to a number of factors, such as the distance between your device and the VPN server, the amount of traffic on the server, and the VPN's own network congestion.
  • The company is based in the United Kingdom, which is part of the 5/9/14 Eyes alliance: This means that the UK government may be able to force HMA to hand over user data under certain circumstances.
  • There have been some privacy concerns about the company in the past: In 2011, HMA was acquired by Avast, a Czech cybersecurity company. Avast has been criticized for its privacy practices in the past, and some users have concerns that HMA's privacy policies could change as a result of the acquisition.

Key Features

This section compares the overall features of McAfee VPN vs Hide My Ass (HMA).

McAfee VPN HQ and country of jurisdiction is United States, and McAfee VPN supports Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.

Hide My Ass (HMA) HQ and country of jurisdiction is United Kingdom, and Hide My Ass (HMA) supports Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS platforms and devices.

Winner is:

McAfee VPN offers robust security with bank-grade encryption, perfect for ensuring online privacy. Although Hide My Ass (HMA) boasts a larger server network, it falls short in its logging policy, recording more user information than McAfee. Additionally, McAfee offers integrated antivirus protection, a feature absent in HMA. Both offer decent speeds, but for comprehensive security and privacy, McAfee VPN takes the crown. It’s a solid choice for those prioritizing data protection over server variety.

McAfee VPN

McAfee VPN

  • Easy to use: McAfee VPN is very easy to set up and use. The app is available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices.
  • Secure connection: McAfee VPN uses 256-bit AES encryption to protect your data. This is the same level of encryption used by banks and government agencies.
  • Unblocks most major streaming services: McAfee VPN can unblock most major streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.
  • Fast speeds: McAfee VPN has fast speeds, so you can stream videos and download files without buffering.
  • No data caps: McAfee VPN has no data caps, so you can use it as much as you want.
  • Free trial available: McAfee VPN offers a free trial, so you can try it before you buy it.
Hide My Ass (HMA)

Hide My Ass

  • Large network of servers: HMA has a large network of servers in 290+ countries, which means that you can always find a server that is close to you. This can help to improve speeds and performance.
  • Unlimited bandwidth and data: HMA offers unlimited bandwidth and data, which means that you can use the VPN as much as you want without worrying about running out of resources.
  • Fast speeds: HMA has fast speeds, which is important for streaming, gaming, and other activities that require a lot of bandwidth.
  • Easy to use: HMA is easy to use, even for beginners. The interface is simple and straightforward, and the settings are easy to understand.
  • Strong encryption: HMA uses strong encryption to protect your data. This means that your traffic is secure and cannot be intercepted by third parties.
  • No logs policy: HMA has a strict no-logs policy. This means that the company does not store any information about your activity when you are connected to the VPN.
  • Split tunneling: HMA allows you to split your traffic between the VPN and your regular internet connection. This can be useful for activities that require high speeds, such as gaming or streaming.
  • Kill switch: HMA has a kill switch that will disconnect your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your real IP address being exposed.
  • Double VPN: HMA offers a double VPN feature that encrypts your traffic twice. This provides an extra layer of security.
  • Tor over VPN: HMA allows you to connect to the Tor network through the VPN. This provides an additional layer of anonymity.
  • Ad blocker: HMA has an ad blocker built into the VPN. This blocks ads and trackers, which can improve your browsing experience and protect your privacy.
  • DNS leak protection: HMA has DNS leak protection to prevent your real IP address leaking.
  • Malware protection: HMA has malware protection to scan your traffic for malware.

Security Features

This section looks at important security features of McAfee VPN and Hide My Ass (HMA) such as encryption methods, protocols, split tunneling, kill switch, and more.

Winner is:

McAfee VPN offers robust security with 256-bit AES encryption, IPSEC/IKEv2 protocols, DNS leak protection, and a reliable kill switch. However, it lacks ad-blocking, split tunneling, and no-logs policy isn't independently audited. HMA provides similar security features, plus OpenVPN protocol, ad-blocking, and split tunneling. It also has a no-logs policy but it's UK-based, raising privacy concerns. While both have strengths, McAfee's superior encryption and non-14-Eyes jurisdiction make it the winner, despite missing some features.

McAfee VPN

McAfee VPN

  • 256-bit AES encryption: This is the same level of encryption used by banks and government agencies. It is considered to be unbreakable by current technology.
  • Kill switch: This feature blocks your internet traffic if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your real IP address being exposed.
  • Split tunneling: This feature allows you to choose which apps use the VPN and which apps use your regular internet connection.
  • DNS leak protection: This feature prevents your DNS requests being leaked to your ISP.
  • Obfuscation: This masks your VPN traffic so that it looks like regular internet traffic.
  • Secure DNS: McAfee VPN uses its own secure DNS servers to prevent your DNS requests being intercepted.
  • IPSec: IPSec is a protocol that provides secure communication between two devices. McAfee VPN uses IPSec to encrypt your data as it travels between your device and the VPN server.
  • IKEv2: IKEv2 is a newer protocol that is more secure than IPSec. McAfee VPN uses IKEv2 to encrypt your data as it travels between your device and the VPN server.
Hide My Ass (HMA)

Hide My Ass

  • Military-grade encryption: HMA uses military-grade encryption to protect your data. This means that your traffic is encrypted with a 256-bit key, which is considered to be unbreakable.
  • No logs policy: HMA has a strict no-logs policy. This means that the company does not store any information about your activity when you are connected to the VPN.
  • Kill switch: HMA has a kill switch that will disconnect your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your real IP address being exposed.
  • Double VPN: HMA offers a double VPN feature that encrypts your traffic twice. This provides an extra layer of security.
  • Tor over VPN: HMA allows you to connect to the Tor network through the VPN. This provides an additional layer of anonymity.
  • Ad blocker: HMA has an ad blocker built into the VPN. This blocks ads and trackers, which can improve your browsing experience and protect your privacy.
  • DNS leak protection: HMA has DNS leak protection to prevent your real IP address leaking.
  • Malware protection: HMA has malware protection to scan your traffic for malware.
  • 256-bit encryption: HMA uses 256-bit encryption, which is considered to be unbreakable. This means that your traffic is encrypted with a key that is 256 bits long.
  • AES-256: HMA uses the AES-256 cipher, which is one of the most secure ciphers available.
  • ChaCha20/Poly1305: HMA also supports the ChaCha20/Poly1305 cipher, which is a newer and more secure cipher than AES-256.
  • OpenVPN: HMA supports the OpenVPN protocol, which is one of the most secure VPN protocols available.
  • IPSec/IKEv2: HMA also supports the IPSec/IKEv2 protocol, which is a more secure protocol than OpenVPN.
  • WireGuard: HMA is one of the few VPN services that supports WireGuard, which is a new and very fast VPN protocol.

Privacy Features

This section looks at the privacy features of Hide My Ass (HMA) vs McAfee VPN in terms of country of jurisdiction (five-eyes surveillance) no-logging policy, independent auditing, and more.

Winner is:

McAfee VPN and Hide My Ass (HMA) both offer robust privacy features. McAfee VPN boasts a strict no-log policy, private browsing, and supports crypto payments, but lacks independent audits and is headquartered in a Five Eyes country. HMA, on the other hand, also has a no-log policy, has undergone independent audits, and is based outside the Five Eyes' jurisdiction. However, it doesn't support crypto payments. Although close, McAfee VPN edges out due to its stronger privacy features and support for crypto payments.

McAfee VPN

McAfee VPN

  • No-logs policy: McAfee VPN claims to have a no-logs policy. This means that the company does not store any data about your online activity, including your IP address, browsing history, or traffic data.
  • Kill switch: The kill switch is a feature that blocks your internet traffic if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your real IP address being exposed.
  • Split tunneling: Split tunneling allows you to choose which apps use the VPN and which apps use your regular internet connection. This can be useful if you want to use a streaming service that is blocked in your region.
  • DNS leak protection: DNS leak protection prevents your DNS requests being leaked to your ISP. This can happen if the VPN connection is not secure.
  • Obfuscation: Obfuscation masks your VPN traffic so that it looks like regular internet traffic. This can be useful if you are in a country where VPNs are blocked.
  • No IP address logging: McAfee VPN does not log your IP address. This means that the company cannot track your online activity or see where you are connecting from.
  • No browsing history logging: McAfee VPN does not log your browsing history. This means that the company cannot see what websites you have visited or what files you have downloaded.
  • No traffic data logging: McAfee VPN does not log your traffic data. This means that the company cannot see what data you are sending or receiving over the VPN.
Hide My Ass (HMA)

Hide My Ass

  • No logs policy: HMA has a strict no-logs policy. This means that the company does not store any information about your activity when you are connected to the VPN. This includes your IP address, traffic data, and browsing history.
  • Kill switch: HMA has a kill switch that will disconnect your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your real IP address being exposed.
  • Double VPN: HMA offers a double VPN feature that encrypts your traffic twice. This provides an extra layer of security.
  • Tor over VPN: HMA allows you to connect to the Tor network through the VPN. This provides an additional layer of anonymity.
  • Ad blocker: HMA has an ad blocker built into the VPN. This blocks ads and trackers, which can improve your browsing experience and protect your privacy.
  • DNS leak protection: HMA has DNS leak protection to prevent your real IP address leaking.
  • Malware protection: HMA has malware protection to scan your traffic for malware.
  • Split tunneling: HMA allows you to split your traffic between the VPN and your regular internet connection. This can be useful for activities that require high speeds, such as gaming or streaming.
  • Anonymous payment: HMA accepts anonymous payments, such as Bitcoin, which makes it more difficult to track your activity.
  • No IP address logs: HMA does not store any information about your IP address, including your original IP address, the IP address of the VPN server you are connected to, or the IP addresses of the websites you visit.
  • No traffic logs: HMA does not store any information about your traffic data, including the websites you visit, the files you download, or the amount of data you transfer.
  • No DNS logs: HMA does not store any information about your DNS queries, which are the requests your device makes to translate domain names into IP addresses.
  • No session logs: HMA does not store any information about your VPN sessions, including the start and end time of your sessions, the number of bytes transferred, or the VPN servers you connected to.
  • No payment logs: HMA does not store any information about your payment methods, including your credit card number or PayPal account information.

Speed Features

This section explores the speed features of McAfee VPN and Hide My Ass (HMA) when it comes to server technology for download/upload speeds for streaming and torrenting.

Winner is:

McAfee VPN and Hide My Ass (HMA) both offer competitive speeds, but they perform differently. Third-party speed tests show that McAfee often outperforms HMA, with faster download and upload speeds, especially on local servers. While HMA has a larger server network, McAfee's servers are generally faster. Both VPNs can unblock popular streaming sites, but McAfee edges out in consistency. For torrenting, McAfee also provides better speeds. Considering these factors, while HMA offers commendable services, McAfee VPN wins due to superior speed performance in multiple categories.

McAfee VPN

McAfee VPN

  • Over 200 server locations: McAfee VPN has servers in over 200 countries and regions. This means that you can always find a server that is close to you, which can help to improve your speed.
  • Multiple VPN protocols: McAfee VPN supports multiple VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, and WireGuard. This gives you flexibility in choosing the protocol that best suits your needs.
  • Dedicated streaming servers: McAfee VPN has dedicated streaming servers for popular streaming services, such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. This can help you to unblock these services and watch your favorite content.
  • P2P servers: McAfee VPN has P2P servers that are optimized for file sharing. This can help you to download files more quickly and securely.
  • Obfuscation servers: McAfee VPN has obfuscation servers that can help you to bypass VPN blocks. This can be useful if you are in a country where VPNs are blocked.
  • Fast speeds: McAfee VPN claims to offer fast speeds. However, the actual speed that you experience will depend on a number of factors, such as your internet connection speed, the distance between your device and the VPN server, and the load on the VPN server.
  • No bandwidth caps: McAfee VPN does not have any bandwidth caps. This means that you can use as much data as you want without being throttled.
  • Multiple server locations: McAfee VPN has servers in over 200 countries and regions. This means that you can always find a server that is close to you, which can help to improve your speed.
  • Automatic server selection: McAfee VPN has an automatic server selection feature that will choose the fastest server for you.
Hide My Ass (HMA)

Hide My Ass

  • Large network of servers: HMA has a large network of servers in 290+ countries, which means that you can always find a server that is close to you. This can help to improve speeds and performance.
  • Optimized servers: HMA has optimized servers for different activities, such as streaming, gaming, and torrenting. This ensures that you get the best possible speeds for your activities.
  • P2P-optimized servers: HMA has P2P-optimized servers that are designed for torrenting. These servers have high bandwidth and low latency, which is ideal for torrenting.
  • Obfuscated servers: HMA has obfuscated servers that hide the fact that you are using a VPN. This can be useful in countries where VPNs are blocked or restricted.
  • Tor over VPN servers: HMA has Tor over VPN servers that allow you to connect to the Tor network through the VPN. This provides an additional layer of anonymity.
  • Split tunneling: HMA allows you to split your traffic between the VPN and your regular internet connection. This can be useful for activities that require high speeds, such as gaming or streaming.
  • Multi-hop connections: HMA allows you to connect to multiple VPN servers in a row. This provides an extra layer of security and anonymity.
  • Unlimited bandwidth and data: HMA offers unlimited bandwidth and data, which means that you can use the VPN as much as you want without worrying about running out of resources.
  • Fast speeds: HMA has fast speeds, which is important for streaming, gaming, and other activities that require a lot of bandwidth.
  • Multiple protocols: HMA supports multiple protocols, including OpenVPN, IPSec/IKEv2, and WireGuard. These protocols offer different levels of speed and security, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
  • Near-zero latency: HMA has near-zero latency, which means that there is very little delay when you are connected to the VPN. This is important for gaming and other activities that require real-time communication.
  • Optimized servers: HMA has optimized servers for different activities, such as streaming, gaming, and torrenting. This ensures that you get the best possible speeds for your activities.
  • Automatic server selection: HMA has an automatic server selection feature that will connect you to the fastest server available. This can be useful if you are not sure which server to choose.

Streaming & Torrenting Features

This section compares the streaming and torrenting features and capabilities provided by McAfee VPN versus Hide My Ass (HMA).

Popular Streaming Services
  • Netflix
  • Amazon Prime
  • Disney+
  • HBO Max
  • Paramount+
  • Hulu
  • Apple TV
  • Starz
  • ESPN+
  • Peacock
  • Canal Plus
  • Discovery Plus

Winner is:

McAfee VPN provides secure encryption but lacks dedicated torrenting servers and struggles to unblock some popular streaming services. Conversely, Hide My Ass (HMA) offers specialized torrenting servers and can unblock major streaming platforms like Netflix and BBC iPlayer. However, HMA's logging policy is less privacy-focused than McAfee's. Considering unblocking capabilities and torrenting support, HMA has a slight edge over McAfee VPN.

McAfee VPN

McAfee VPN

  • Can unblock most streaming services: McAfee VPN can unblock most streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. This is because it has dedicated streaming servers for these services.
  • No speed throttling: McAfee VPN does not throttle speeds for streaming. This means that you can stream your favorite content without buffering or lag.
  • Easy to use: McAfee VPN is easy to use. You can simply connect to a streaming server and start watching your favorite content.
  • Supports P2P file sharing: McAfee VPN supports P2P file sharing, which means you can use it to download torrents.
  • No speed throttling: McAfee VPN does not throttle speeds for torrenting. This means that you can download torrents at full speed.
  • Easy to use: McAfee VPN is easy to use for torrenting. You can simply connect to a P2P server and start downloading torrents.
Hide My Ass (HMA)

Hide My Ass

  • Unblock geo-restricted content: HMA can unblock geo-restricted content, such as Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. This means that you can watch your favorite shows and movies no matter where you are in the world.
  • Fast speeds: HMA has fast speeds, which is important for streaming. This means that you can watch your videos without buffering or lag.
  • Multiple protocols: HMA supports multiple protocols, including OpenVPN, IPSec/IKEv2, and WireGuard. These protocols offer different levels of speed and security, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
  • Near-zero latency: HMA has near-zero latency, which means that there is very little delay when you are streaming. This is important for streaming live events.
  • Optimized servers: HMA has optimized servers for streaming. These servers are located close to popular streaming services, which can help to improve speeds and performance.
  • Automatic server selection: HMA has an automatic server selection feature that will connect you to the fastest server available. This can be useful if you are not sure which server to choose.
  • Unlimited bandwidth: HMA offers unlimited bandwidth for torrenting, so you can download as much as you want without worrying about throttling or data caps.
  • No speed limits: HMA does not impose any speed limits on torrenting, so you can get the fastest possible speeds.
  • P2P-optimized servers: HMA has a number of P2P-optimized servers that are specifically designed for torrenting. These servers offer the best speeds and performance for torrenting.
  • Strict no-logs policy: HMA has a strict no-logs policy, which means that they do not store any data about your torrenting activity. This means that you can be confident that your privacy is protected.
  • Kill switch: HMA has a kill switch that will automatically disconnect your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your real IP address being exposed.

Support Features

This section looks at what kind of customer support you can expect from Hide My Ass (HMA) versus McAfee VPN.

Winner is:

McAfee VPN and Hide My Ass (HMA) both offer 24/7 customer support. However, McAfee stands out with its comprehensive support system, which includes live chat, phone support, and a detailed knowledge base for self-help. HMA, on the other hand, lacks phone support but offers live chat and an email ticket system. Customer support is crucial for VPN users to resolve technical issues promptly. Therefore, McAfee VPN wins for providing superior, all-round customer support.

McAfee VPN

McAfee VPN

  • 24/7 live chat: McAfee VPN offers 24/7 live chat support. This means that you can always get help a customer support representative, no matter what time of day it is.
  • Email support: McAfee VPN also offers email support. This is a good option if you need to provide more information about your issue.
  • Knowledge base: McAfee VPN also has a knowledge base that contains articles about common problems. This can be a good place to start if you are having a problem with the VPN.
Hide My Ass (HMA)

Hide My Ass

  • 24/7 live chat support: This is the quickest way to get help HMA support. The representatives are knowledgeable and helpful, and they can usually resolve your issue in a few minutes.
  • Email support: If you prefer to communicate by email, HMA support will get back to you within 24 hours.
  • Knowledge base: The HMA knowledge base is a great resource for finding answers to common questions. The articles are well-written and easy to understand.
  • Tutorials: The HMA tutorials can help you get started with the service, even if you're not a tech-savvy person.
  • Refund policy: HMA offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. This means that you can try the service risk-free. If you're not satisfied with it, you can cancel your subscription and get a full refund.

Check out how McAfee VPN and Hide My Ass (HMA) stack up against other popular VPN services on the market.