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SaferVPN vs HMA VPN 2023

Table of Contents

    Which VPN is better?

    Author Image Kate Richards
    Kate Richards

    Managing Editor

    Note: SaferVPN has merged with StrongVPN, so this article will compare StrongVPN with HMA. For places where you see the SaferVPN name, we're referring to StrongVPN.

    StrongVPN and HMA are popular mid-tier VPNs that offer feature-packed services at budget-friendly prices. Both are confident enough in their services to offer 30-day money-back guarantees.

    StrongVPN allows you to secure your connections on up to 12 devices simultaneously on all plans, while you’ll need to pay more for HMA if you want to secure more than five devices at a time. On the other hand, with 950 servers spread across 30 countries, HMA is one of the VPNs with the widest global coverage. Unfortunately, neither offers payments in crypto, while other convenient methods, like credit cards and PayPal, are available.

    These are just the start of the differences between these two providers. Both have taken a very different approaches when it comes to how they help you secure and privatize your online activity, especially regarding the features and protocols they offer on different devices. While HMA offers slightly better speeds and supports multiple platforms, HMA’s customer support is a pain. I also wouldn’t recommend HMA for users in China, as it only uses an RSA-1024 handshake.

    That being said, you’ll enjoy the protection of industry-standard 256-bit AES encryption, IP/DNS leak protection, and a strict no-logs policy with both providers.

    Rating

    Features 9.0/10
    Pricing 8.8/10
    Ease of Use 9.2/10
    Reliability & Support 9.0/10
    Features 8.6/10
    Pricing 8.8/10
    Ease of Use 8.4/10
    Reliability & Support 8.4/10

    Reviews

    Review by our expert
    Author Image Kate Richards
    Kate Richards

    Managing Editor

    9.0/10

    SaferVPN has merged with StrongVPN and it no longer operates independently. Existing users will still be able to use their login credentials. For more information on StrongVPN, check out this review.

    SaferVPN Features — 2023 Update

    9.0
    ...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    A
    AK
    10.0/10
    5 stars

    I tried it for 25 days and bought it for 3 years. In these 25 days I also tried expressVPN. Safervpn w... as much much better. I guess it depends on which country or what you are after. I use it for Asia and India. Works the best especially for India. Now lets see how it goes the next 3 years I paid for lol, I cant cancel it BUT I feel they are good.More

    Latest negative user review
    A
    Avi Schwartz
    2.0/10
    Terrible service

    SaferVPN has terrible service. It is an Israeli-based company but for some reason, their Israeli node ... is missing for a while now. Their answer: "The Israel servers are under maintenance at the moment. It shall be back soon, I request you to please allow us some time." One has to wonder about a company that has no failover and takes weeks if not longer to bring up a server. If they had any competence or care, they could have brought up a new server within hours and a virtual one in half an hour. Gives you an idea of how bad they are. Stay away from this company and take your money somewhere else.More

    Review by our expert
    Author Image Kristina Joshevska
    Kristina Joshevska

    Managing Editor

    8.8/10

    Being on the market for more than 15 years, the UK-based HMA has established an excellent name for itself (literally). But, is HMA really worth a shot when there are so many other high quality VPNs out there? To find out, I performed extensive tests on its speeds, security, unblocking abilities, and more. I also explored its no-logs policy and money-back guarantee to see how trustworthy it is....

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    P
    Paulo
    10.0/10
    Excellent value for money!

    First, it's a full VPN. Very intuitive and easy app. Lots of connection options and without much loss ... of speed. The official website has the payment method in my local currency, with a localized value and thus leaving a fair value through the VPN. Thank VPNMentor for the product recommendation and targeted discount.More

    Latest negative user review
    K
    Kaan
    2.0/10
    Terrible Support

    I had a return request. because my ISP blocked their servers and I contacted their support team. My ti... ckets have not been answered for 14 days. I do not recommend them with this terrible support and no wireguard support. 1/10More

    Pricing

    Starting price $2.13/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 12 devices
    Starting price $2.99/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 5 devices

    Best VPN by Category

    This is a tight race that SaferVPN, now known as StrongVPN, wins by a very fine margin. The fact that many of HMA’s servers are virtual means that the advantage they give in terms of location might not be that big, while you know exactly what you get with StrongVPN. Plus, while HMA’s quirky apps will appeal to some, StrongVPN is the more accessible and easier-to-use option for the majority of people.

    HMA wins this category. It has always been a strong proponent of giving users unfettered internet access, and this extends to its attitude towards torrenting. Torrenting is possible on all servers, but there are 8 specifically optimized for P2P. Plus, with servers in more locations, it’s also more likely that you’ll find a fast one near you using HMA. StrongVPN allows P2P on all of its servers. However, its policies explicitly mention that using it for copyright infringement is against its T&Cs. The team and I also don't condone any unlawful behaviour with any VPN.

    StrongVPN wins by a small margin. HMA’s Windows app has a fun and playful design; however, StrongVPN’s straight-to-the-point approach, which is more inclusive for all types of users.. That doesn’t mean StrongVPN lacks any features. It comes with support for the WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, SSTP, and IPSec/L2TP protocols as well as a kill switch. We are disappointed that StrongVPN doesn’t offer split tunneling, like HMA, but it’s still a highly secure Windows VPN client overall.

    Another win for StrongVPN. Its Android app is the only one to feature split tunneling. This means it can contend with HMA, and almost any other VPN, in regard to that. The Android app is also sleek and modern, just like the Windows version. It’s also capable of establishing connections using WireGuard, OpenVPN, or IKEv2, while HMA only offers OpenVPN. You can also get it for a number of other Android-powered devices, like Fire TV.

    StrongVPN’s macOS app is almost exactly the same as the Windows version, making it the winner of this category as well. You can connect with WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, or L2TP compared to just OpenVPN or IKEv2 with HMA. Both help you browse securely using a kill switch and IP leak protection, so you really can’t go wrong with either.

    Looking at both VPNs' reviews on the App Store, most users would agree that HMA is the better option. It’s a tradeoff between protocols as StrongVPN offers WireGuard, while HMA offers OpenVPN. In the end, it comes down to the fact that most people slightly prefer HMA’s mobile interface and that its auto-connect feature is handy for keeping your online activity private when using public Wi-Fi.

    HMA is the winner here. With servers in nearly all 50 US states, almost anyone living there will be able to find one close to them easily. Similarly, it has servers in roughly four times as many locations as StrongVPN around the globe, giving you access to content from other regions.

    The Bottom Line

    HMA puts on a good fight, but it’s just not strong enough to beat SaferVPN, now known as StrongVPN. StrongVPNs military-grade encryption, P2P support, and 24/7 live chat support mean it offers a premium service at a bargain price. Another reason you might prefer StrongVPN is if you’re looking for a shorter-term plan. Its month-to-month plan is cheaper than HMA’s, and you don’t have to subscribe for a very long period to enjoy significant discounts.

    Time to decide which one is best for you

    FAQ

    Is SaferVPN better than HMA VPN?

    Yes, SaferVPN is better overall than HMA VPN. It has 950 servers in 35 countries, fast speeds, and impressive security features.

    Best of all, you can take advantage of its latest discount and get it for only $2.13 a month.

    What should I keep in mind when choosing between SaferVPN and HMA VPN?

    When choosing a VPN, you want to pay close attention to its number of servers, overall speed score, pricing, and the number of simultaneous device connections it offers. While some VPNs provide a flawless online experience, others will really slow you down.

    If you’re ready to commit, then SaferVPN may be perfect for you due to its performance during the tests .

    Is SaferVPN faster than HMA VPN?

    Yes, SaferVPN is faster than HMA VPN. Since your VPN is your computer’s main connection to the internet, you need to use a service that won’t slow you down by more than 20%.

    If speeds are important to you, then I recommend you take a look at ExpressVPN. It’s the fastest service out there, provides unlimited bandwidth, and you won’t experience any slowdowns even when you connect to the other side of the planet. You can try it out risk-free. It’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can get a full refund if you don’t like it.

    Do SaferVPN or HMA VPN offer any deals?

    Both SaferVPN and HMA VPN offer deals on occasion. You can check out the current coupons and discounts here. However, ExpressVPN has the best deals. Right now, you can get a 49% discount and up to 3 months for free with a new subscription.

    About the Author

    Kate is a Managing Editor at vpnMentor. Kate promotes the use of VPNs as a means to achieve unhindered access to the internet, as she strongly believes in online freedom for everyone.