Pow VPN vs HMA (Hide My Ass): Which Should You Choose?
HMA (Hide My Ass) is one of the better-known names in the VPN category. If you're deciding between HMA (Hide My Ass) and Pow VPN, here's an honest look at where each one actually stands out -- not a one-sided takedown.
HMA (Hide My Ass) at a glance
| Jurisdiction | the United Kingdom |
| Primary protocol | WireGuard and OpenVPN |
| Network | one of the oldest brands in the category, with coverage across a very large number of countries |
| Standout feature | a long operating history and broad location coverage, including many smaller countries |
| Pricing pattern | mid-range pricing, frequently discounted on annual terms |
Where HMA (Hide My Ass) does well
- Very broad country coverage built up over more than a decade in the market.
- Straightforward, beginner-friendly apps.
- Regular discount pricing on longer terms.
HMA (Hide My Ass) is a solid pick for beginners who want a long-established, simple brand with very wide country coverage.
Where Pow VPN is the better fit
- Plans sized to how many devices you actually have -- 1 device on Lite, 2 on Max, 3 on Elite -- instead of one fixed price for everyone.
- AmneziaWG (an obfuscated WireGuard variant) and VLESS Reality, both designed to blend in on networks and countries that actively block ordinary VPN traffic.
- No browsing activity, DNS query or destination logs kept at the network layer -- session metadata used for abuse prevention is short-lived and never includes what you visited.
- A real free plan (2 GB every month on Lite locations) and a genuine 3-day, 10 GB trial before you enter a card for a paid plan.
- One price shown once -- no countdown-timer discounts that quietly renew at a much higher rate.
Pricing side by side
Pow VPN's paid plans start at $1.59/month (Lite, 1 device), $2.99/month (Max, 2 devices) and $4.59/month (Elite, 3 devices) on monthly billing, dropping further on 3-month and annual terms -- see the pricing page for the current annual rates. Compare that against HMA (Hide My Ass)'s pricing pattern above and pick based on how many devices you actually need to cover and which protocol matters more for your network.
Bottom line
HMA (Hide My Ass) suits beginners who want a long-established, simple brand with very wide country coverage. If you'd rather pay only for the devices you use, connect through obfuscated protocols built for restrictive networks, and know exactly what is (and isn't) logged, try Pow VPN free -- no card required to start.