A VPN You Can Trust
Protect Your Privacy
Private Internet Access Review 2023: Good, but Is It Safe?
Private Internet Access has one of the cheapest VPN subscriptions available — you can sign up for as little as $2.03/month . With such a low price, I wondered whether PIA could really stand out against its higher-priced competitors. It’s been around for 10+ years, so it could be one of the best-value VPNs out there.
I decided to find out just how good it is by looking into the company’s logging policy, security features, and testing out its speeds. In addition, I performed in-depth tests on its ability to unblock streaming platforms, its torrenting performance, and every other aspect of the VPN to see where it ranks among other top VPNs.
Overall, Private Internet Access is a secure choice and great value for the money. With its streaming abilities, strong torrenting performance, and customizable security options, it’s impressive that you can get a subscription for so little. On top of that, you get unlimited device connections.
The fact that it comes with a trustworthy 30-day money-back guarantee shows that PIA really stands behind its product. With that said, even though it’s one of the cheapest, I wouldn’t call it the best. There are still a couple of VPNs out there that it falls short of in certain areas.
September 2023 Update: PIA doesn’t usually have deals or discounts (it’s already so affordable), but right now you can get a new subscription for a crazy 83% off !
Short on Time? Here Are My Key Findings
- Good for unblocking streaming sites. I was able to access 17 different Netflix libraries (including the US), Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, and more. Read the complete results of my streaming tests here.
- Great speeds on nearby servers. I had no problems gaming and streaming in Ultra HD on local servers, but speeds were slower at long distances. Find out how much the VPN will slow your connection here.
- Tons of servers to choose from. It has one of the largest server networks of any VPN, but several servers are virtual locations. Check out how reliable the network was during my tests.
- Good security with many customizable settings. PIA passed all of my leak tests, and it also has variable encryption levels, split tunneling, and a kill switch. Here are the full results of my security tests.
- Solid choice for torrenting. I was able to download files at fast speeds on any server. Read ahead to see how its port forwarding option increases speeds.
- No-logs policy is audited and proven. Your privacy is protected since PIA doesn’t store any identifiable information. Check out my analysis of PIA’s privacy policy here.
- Great apps for every major OS. You’ll get full-featured apps on every OS that are super easy to use. Read ahead to see why its Linux app stands out.
- 30-day money-back guarantee. I ordered a subscription for $2.03/month and with its refund policy, I got all of my money back in 3 days. Read about how easy it is to have your refund processed here.
- Customer support is hit-or-miss. When I could access the 24/7 live chat, it worked great. However, there were many times when it wasn’t available, or I never received a response. Find out how well support answered my questions here.
Private Internet Access Features — 2023 Update
9.0
| 💸 Price | 2.03 USD/month |
| 📆 Money Back Guarantee | 30 Days |
| 📝 Does VPN keep logs? | No |
| 🖥 Number of servers | 29650+ |
| 🛡 Kill switch | Yes |
| 🗺 Based in country | United States |
| 🛠 Support | 24/7 Live Chat Support |
| 📥 Supports torrenting | Yes |
Streaming — Unblocks 30+ Streaming Platforms, Including Netflix Libraries and Amazon Prime Video
9.6
PIA can easily unblock more than 30 streaming platforms, including 17+ Netflix libraries, Disney+, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime Video. The VPN offers streaming-optimized servers that gave me access to most platforms on the first attempt. Most of its regular servers are not so reliable at bypassing geo-restrictions for streaming, though.
I tested 35+ servers that gave me access to the following platforms:
| Netflix | Disney+ | HBO Max | Hulu | Amazon Prime Video |
| BBC iPlayer | Paramount+ | Peacock | Crunchyroll | YouTube |
| CBC | Eurosport | FranceTV | Canal+ | ZDF |
| ARD | Hotstar India | RaiPlay | All 4 | ITV |
| ESPN/ESPN+ | Spotify | SlingTV | Comedy Central | CBS |
| Ruutu | YLE | Kodi | C More | C More SE |
| MTV Finland | HBO Nordics | hbonordic SE | DRTV | tv4play |
Unblocked: Netflix (US, Canada, Japan, and 14 Other Libraries)
PIA let me unblock more than 17 Netflix libraries and stream without lag. Its streaming-optimized servers worked seamlessly and unblocked every library I tried with no difficulty. I was able to access US Netflix using PIA’s East Streaming Optimized server, where I could watch Longest Third Date without interruptions.
My speeds on PIA’s optimized servers were fast enough for streaming in Ultra HD
Its regular US servers worked just as well for Netflix US, and I even got faster speeds with some that were closer to my location.
I then tried 20+ other servers around the world and I got easy access to multiple Netflix libraries, including the UK, Canada, Japan, Denmark, Italy, Germany, and Sweden.
Unblocked: Disney+
PIA can easily unblock several Disney+ libraries. Its US East Streaming Optimized server gave me instant access to Disney+ US, where I could watch The Incredibles without buffering.
My connection remained stable while I watched Disney+ with PIA
It also offers servers optimized for Disney+ Hotstar and Disney+ Italy that work very well. There’s no server optimized for Disney+ UK, but I had no problem accessing the platform when connected to a regular UK server.
Unblocked: Hulu
I was only able to access Hulu with PIA’s optimized servers. I first tried its US West Streaming Optimized server and accessed the platform without an issue. I was able to stream smoothly, without buffering or interruptions.
I experienced no lags even when skipping to different parts of the show while streaming Hulu
However, I could not get past Hulu’s geo-restrictions when I switched to a regular server, like US New York City and US Massachusetts.
Unblocked: Amazon Prime Video
PIA’s streaming-optimized servers worked reliably with Prime Video’s US library, where I could watch Lost in Oz in the best quality buffer-free. However, when I switched to a normal server, I lost access to the platform.
I measured high speeds while streaming Amazon Prime Video with PIA
Aside from the US library, PIA also offers optimized servers for Amazon Prime Japan and Denmark. Using these, I could unblock both libraries with no difficulty.
Unblocked: BBC iPlayer
It was easy to access BBC iPlayer using PIA’s UK London-Streaming server. Loading times weren’t longer than a few seconds. and I could watch Queen of Oz in the best possible quality without lag.
PIA’s London Streaming server gave me great speeds while streaming BBC iPlayer
Still, after switching to PIA’s normal London server, I was immediately blocked out.
Also Unblocked: HBO Max, ITV, Crunchyroll, Peacock, and YouTube TV
PIA also works with several other streaming platforms, including Crunchuroll and Peacock.
During tests, I could stream Crunchyroll and Max (HBO) smoothly using its US East and West Streaming Optimized servers. I liked that I was also able to access the platform with some regular US servers, which wasn’t the case with most other services. Accessing Peacock TV and YouTube TV was just as easy, with both its streaming and regular servers. I unblocked ITV instantly using the London – UK server.
The only platform I had difficulty accessing at first was ESPN+. There’s no streaming-optimized server for it, so I tried the US New Hampshire connection, as it was closest to my location, but couldn’t access the platform.
After switching between a few servers with no success, I decided to reach out to PIA’s customer support for help. Finally, I was able to access the platform after a support agent helped me troubleshoot the issue.
Blocked by: DAZN and Sky GO
The only two platforms I couldn’t unblock with PIA were DAZN and Sky Go. I tried troubleshooting techniques, like switching servers and accessing them via browsers (instead of apps), but nothing worked. As a final attempt, I used PIA’s live chat to ask for assistance.
Luckily, it works with tons of other platforms, so I could still find some of the same content via other streaming sites
The support agent made it clear that PIA doesn’t work with DAZN or Sky Go and there is no way to get around their geo-restrictions. I liked that I got a quick and direct response, as it saved me the time I would otherwise spend trying to fix the issue myself.
All in all, I was impressed with PIA’s unblocking abilities. Its streaming servers accessed most platforms without difficulty and gave me good speeds for smooth streaming.
The only thing I didn’t like is that PIA’s regular servers don’t work with most streaming platforms, so you don’t have much choice in case one of the streaming servers gets blocked or overcrowded.
82% Off
Save 82% on PIA now!
Money-Back Guarantee: 30 Days
And get 2 months completely free!
Speed — Great on Nearby Servers, but Speeds Drop At Long Distances
9.8
Overall, PIA offers impressive speeds, especially on nearby servers . Our dedicated speed tester got some speed loss at long-distance servers but reported it wasn’t enough to disrupt their browsing and streaming experience.
When testing PIA’s speeds, we look at 3 different things:
- Download speed is how fast you receive data from the server you’re connected to. It impacts activities like streaming and web page loading and it’s measured in Mbps (megabits per second).
- Upload speed is the rate at which data is sent from your device. It affects how fast you can send files, post on social media, upload videos, etc. It’s also measured in megabits per second.
- Ping is the time it takes for data to travel between the game server and your device. If the ping is too high, you will have noticeable latency in your gaming session. Ping is measured in milliseconds (ms)
Our dedicated speed expert measured PIA’s speeds over several months from the same UK location. In the chart below, you can see the average speeds of 10 tests performed on each server.
Download speeds dropped an average of 8% on nearby servers and 47% on long-distance ones
Overall, these are excellent results you’d expect from a premium VPN like PIA. Considering it’s normal for a VPN to drop your speeds by 20% on nearby servers, PIA’s speeds are impressive. Speeds did drop by nearly half on some long-distance servers, but that is normal when you factor in their distance from the UK.
Local Speed
To check how PIA performs on local servers, our speed tester first checked their base speed with the VPN disconnected.
No VPN (London, UK)
| Ping (ms) | 7 |
| Download (Mbps) | 114.44 |
| Upload (Mbps) | 15.86 |
To make sure our dedicated speed tester got the best speeds, they used PIA’s WireGuard protocol to test its speeds. First, they used the “Choose Automatically” option, which connecteds you to the fastest server based on location. In this case, it was Southampton, UK. They got excellent speeds, with almost no noticeable slowdown.
Southampton, UK
| Ping (ms) | 9 |
| Download (Mbps) | 106.43 (7% drop) |
| Upload (Mbps) | 15.3 (4% drop) |
Then, they tried a server in a nearby country, Paris, France. Surprisingly, our speed tester reported even faster speeds than what they got with the Quick Connect server.
Paris, France
| Ping (ms) | 22 |
| Download (Mbps) | 108.46 (5% drop) |
| Upload (Mbps) | 15.23 (4% drop) |
Next, our speed tester tried servers in two other European countries (Germany and Ukraine) and still got impressive speeds. When connected to the Ukraine server, they recorded 102.41 download speeds, a drop of only 11%. This is impressive considering how far it is from my actual location.
Our speed tester said they could stream and browse uninterrupted when testing PIA’s nearby servers, without any considerable slowdown compared to their base speeds.
I experienced almost no slowdown on PIA’s nearby servers
Long-Distance Speed
PIA’s long-distance servers were much slower than local ones. Our speed tester’s download speeds dropped by nearly half on some US servers, while upload speeds remained almost the same. They also reported some inconsistencies — some connections were faster even though they were further away from their actual location.
They first tested US servers on the East and West coast.
New York, United States
| Ping (ms) | 78 |
| Download (Mbps) | 61.69 (46% drop) |
| Upload (Mbps) | 15.28 (4% drop) |
Los Angeles, United States
| Ping (ms) | 144 |
| Download (Mbps) | 68.2 (40% drop) |
| Upload (Mbps) | 14.73 (7% drop) |
It’s interesting that, when connected to PIA’s Toronto, Canada location, they measured download speeds of 101.34 Mbps, which is an only 11% speed loss.
As expected, speeds dropped much more on the Brazil, India, Japan, and Australia servers. Our speed tester experienced the biggest speed loss when testing the India server, up to 79%.
Speeds dropped by 33% on the Japan server, and by 56% on the Australia one
Although there was a significant speed loss at these distances, our speed testers connection never dropped below the 24 Mbps mark. So they still had decent speeds for high-bandwidth activities, like streaming.
Gaming — Great Speeds on Nearby Servers, but Slowdowns at Long Distances
9.0
PIA offers fast enough speeds for smooth gaming on nearby servers, but I experienced some lagging on long-distance connections.
To begin my tests, I first connected to the optimal server for my location and then launched Counter-Strike: Global Offensive on Steam. I waited for less than a minute for the game to start and I played without any slowdown or interruptions, with a ping of only 17 ms. Next, I connected to a server in France, and my results were nearly identical (19 ms ping).
PIA’s servers each display their ping rate to make it easy to choose a fast gaming connection
I then decided to test PIA’s New York server, to see how it performs at long distances. I waited for nearly 3 minutes for the game to load and measured a ping of 96 ms. This isn’t ideal, considering you need a ping of at least 60 ms to avoid any delays. The game was still playable but with some lagging.
I had an even more significant slowdown when connected to a server on the West Coast. Sadly, the game wasn’t even playable at even longer distances, such as Japan and Australia.
Server Network — A Large Network With Great Coverage
9.6
PIA has one of the largest server networks of any VPN. It currently offers over 29,650 servers in 84 worldwide — more than any other VPN I’ve tested.
That said, PIA’s coverage is not as widely dispersed as some other VPNs. For example, ExpressVPN and CyberGhost both have fewer servers in total, but they cover more countries than PIA.
One thing I really liked, however, is that PIA offers servers in every US state, which is not the case with most VPNs. This makes it one of the best VPNs for unblocking US-based content.
| Continent | Number of server locations | Countries |
| Asia Pacific | 17 | Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japa, Macau SAR China, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Vietnam |
| Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia | 12 | Algeria, Armenia, Egypt, Georgia, Israel, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi, Arabia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates |
| Americas | 13 | United States, Argentina, Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costarica, Greenland, Mexico, Panama, Venezuela |
| Europe | 46 | Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finnland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherland, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom |
Does PIA Use Virtual Locations? Yes
Private Internet Access has virtual servers in 80 locations. There are 145 locations total, so virtual locations make up over 50% of its server network. That’s not a problem for me since I don’t mind using these servers. However, there are VPNs that don’t use any if this concerns you.
You can also disable virtual servers in the app settings. All you have to do is go to “Show Geo-located Regions” in the app settings and toggle it off.
One negative of having virtual locations is that it might lower your speeds. Since the server is actually in another country, it might be farther away from you than it appears, which means your data will have to travel farther.
On the positive side, having virtual locations allows PIA to offer locations in countries where it can be unsafe to have physical servers. It used to have physical servers in Brazil and Russia but removed them over privacy concerns. You can still use locations in these countries, but it’s now done through virtual servers.
The other icons next to the servers are latency and favorites
Private Internet Access also owns all of its servers, so you don’t have to worry about a third party handling your data. PIA’s customer support confirmed this. Most VPNs use outside companies to handle at least a few of their servers, and some VPNs only use rented servers. It also gives you the option to use DNS servers owned by the company. All the work put into these servers is impressive and shows that Private Internet Access is dedicated to protecting your data.
Dedicated IP Addresses
For a small extra fee, PIA offers dedicated or static IP addresses , which means you can use the same IP address every time you log into the VPN. Dedicated IP addresses are used only by you, so they are much less likely to be detected and blocked by streaming platforms and other sites.
PIA has dedicated IPs in seven locations, including the US, the UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, and Singapore. They are only available on PIA’s apps (Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS), so you will not be able to use them on devices that are not VPN-compatible.
RAM-Only Servers
For added privacy, PIA’s entire network runs entirely on RAM (volatile memory). RAM-only servers are much more secure than traditional HDD-based servers, as your private data is automatically wiped from the server with each reboot.
Quick Connect
PIA lets you connect to the fastest server available based on your location. Clicking on the “Choose Automatically” option found at the top of its server list will automatically connect you to the server with the lowest latency.
Plus, the VPN displays the latency next to each server, so you can also choose the fastest server to use manually. This feature is available on all PIA apps, desktop and mobile.
Security — Good, With Several Customization Options
9.8
Private Internet Access has all the standard security features of a premium VPN. This includes military-grade encryption, a reliable kill switch, a powerful ad-blocker, and several security protocols to choose from.
It’s unique in that it lets you choose your encryption level, a feature you will not find in most VPNs. Plus, its apps are fully open-source, which means anyone can check the code for security vulnerabilities. With PIA, you also get full protection against DNS and Web RTC leaks.
PIA doesn’t offer obfuscated or double VPN servers, but you can create an additional proxy connection with SOCKS5 or Shadowsocks. I liked this feature even more than traditional double VPN servers, as it provides extra security without significantly reducing speeds.
Solid Encryption
Private Internet Access offers military-grade 256-bit encryption, which makes it impossible for anyone to spy on your data. With the OpenVPN protocol, the default setting is 128-bit encryption, but I recommend moving it up to 256-bit. I didn’t find any difference in speeds during my tests, so there’s no reason not to use the highest level of encryption for the highest level of protection. If you’re using WireGuard, the encryption level is always 256-bit.
I recommend using 256-bit encryption since it didn’t affect my speeds
In addition, you can no longer change the handshake settings or choose between a few data authentication options. Private Internet Access removed this customization option to fix compatibility issues and make the VPN more stable. While these were nice options for advanced users, I don’t see it as a problem. Now, the VPN defaults to the most secure settings (GCM ciphers and the RSA-4096 certificate), so you’ll still get top-notch security. The same level is used for both protocols. It also offers 4 remote ports for both TCP (8443, 853, 443, 80) and UDP (8080, 853, 123, 53) or you can enter a local port in the PIA client.
Leak Test Results — Passed
PIA offers full protection against DNS, WebRTC, and IP leaks. I tested 10+ virtual and physical servers, including locations in the US, Germany, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, and Australia, and never experienced any data leaks. My real IP address stayed hidden every time.
PIA successfully hid my real IP address during my leak tests
If a VPN leak occurs, it can expose your IP address, browsing activity, and DNS requests to your ISP, so it’s a huge plus that PIA is leakproof. Plus, PIA’s leak protection feature is turned on by default, so you don’t need to enable it manually, which is great news if you’re new to VPNs.
Open Source Apps
All of PIA’s apps are open source, which makes them safer because anyone can check them for security vulnerabilities. Making these applications open source shows that Private Internet Access is transparent with its customers and anyone concerned with internet security.
Reliable Kill Switch
PIA’s kill switch blocks your internet traffic if the VPN gets disconnected. This is an essential feature because it ensures there’s never a chance for hackers to steal your data because your real IP can’t be accidentally leaked. For my tests, I kept a browser open while I switched servers and the page wouldn’t load if the VPN was still connecting. That’s how I knew it was working. You have the option to turn it off, but I recommend always keeping it set to on. You can also use the “Advanced Kill Switch,” which blocks all traffic until the VPN is connected.
The Advanced Kill Switch blocks all traffic until the VPN is connected
This feature is available on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS devices.
Split Tunneling to Reroute Traffic
This feature lets you route some traffic through the VPN tunnel and the rest through your regular connection. I like to keep my banking app outside of the VPN, so my account isn’t blocked, for example.
You can keep access to your local news while you watch a Netflix library from another country
It’s available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and you can exempt apps (not websites) on Android devices. In the Android app, you can find the split tunneling feature under “Per App Settings.” It’s not currently available for iOS devices.
Security Protocols — 3 Good Options
PIA uses OpenVPN and WireGuard — two of the most secure protocols available. They are available on all its desktop apps (Windows, Mac, and Linux) and Android. For iOS devices, it also offers IPSec (IKEv2). This is a good selection of protocols, but unlike some services, like ExpressVPN and NordVPN, PIA doesn’t have its own proprietary VPN protocol.
- WireGuard: If you want to use the VPN for data-intensive tasks, such as streaming and torrenting, the WireGuard protocol is your best option. During speed tests, WireGurad gave me the fastest speeds. It uses ChaCha20 authenticated encryption, a type of “stream” encryption that is quicker and less complex than AES, while also being very secure.
- OpenVPN: This protocol doesn’t offer speeds as fast as WireGuard, but it’s been around for much longer, so it’s considered the safer option. It can transfer data with UDP or TCP and supports several encryption ciphers, up to AES-256-GCM. It’s also open source, so the code is publicly available to be checked and modified.
- IPSec: PIA offers IPSec on iOS devices only. This is an older protocol that offers decent speeds, but it’s not as secure as OpenVPN or WireGuard, so I don’t recommend it.
256-bit encryption is best for security — 128-bit is less secure but better for speeds
PIA automatically chooses the best VPN protocol for you, but you can change it manually if you prefer. You can easily switch between protocols in the Settings menu, under Protocols.
MACE Ad Blocker — Effective At Blocking Malicious Ads, But Not Paid Ads
PIA comes with a powerful ad blocker, called MACE, that serves primarily to block malicious ads. To get more info on PIA’s ad blocker, I contacted a support agent, who confirmed that MACE doesn’t block all ads — only those that contain malicious content.
It also can’t block YouTube ads
To test this, I visited the ad-heavy websites Forbes and Daily Mail, and most of the ads on these sites still got through. MACE also doesn’t block ads on YouTube videos. Plus, there’s no option to exclude certain domains from the ad blocker or make other adjustments. It can be simply turned on or off.
Although not perfect, I still recommend keeping MACE on whenever you use the VPN, as it’s still very effective at preventing malware from entering your device. If you want an ad-free browsing experience, you’re better off using a separate ad-blocker, though.
InBrowser — Fast Incognito Browsing for Mobile Devices
Private Internet Access also offers its own incognito browser called InBrowser. It’s only available for Android and iOS. It can work in conjunction with the TOR network, and it deletes your history, cookies, and session data every time you log off.
iOS users can’t access extensions or InBrowser, but they have an ad-blocker for Safari
It doubled the speeds on my phone (from 22.81 Mbps with Chrome to 46.49 Mbps with InBrowser). I was surprised with how fast it was. Incognito browsers are usually a little faster because they don’t run as many extensions. However, the incognito browser on Chrome is only 17 percent faster on average for me (while InBrowser was 102 percent faster). InBrowser is a nice addition, but you should use it with the VPN. It will only protect your browser and not fully encrypt the device like the VPN will.
Identity Guard
PIA also has a feature that shows you if your email address has been exposed in a data breach . You can access this through the Client Support Panel, under the tab “Identity Guard.” It will regularly search for your email address, and you can set up email alerts to notify you if it’s ever compromised.
Private DNS Servers
Private Internet Access also runs its own private DNS servers. This means that it can handle your DNS requests instead of your ISP, which is more secure. ISPs do store and could share your DNS queries, and since they can tie them back to your IP address, this gives them a way to track you. You can also set the Windows client to use any custom DNS you want, but I recommend using PIA’s.
Privacy — A Proven No-Logs Policy, but It’s Located in the US
9.6
Overall, PIA is a good option for privacy due to its strict no-logs policy and the features it offers. Although, it’s based in the US, which is not so privacy-friendly. Still, you can be assured that even if your data were requested by government agencies, there would be nothing to show. This has been proven on numerous occasions.
Does Private Internet Access Keep Logs? No
Private Internet Access doesn’t store any information that can be used to identify you. It only retains your email address, payment details, state and zip code (for tax purposes), and anonymized data used to improve the service. For maximum security, you can even create a new email address and pay with cryptocurrency. On top of that, it states that it will never rent or sell any customer’s information.
Its privacy policy has been verified in court. In 2016, the FBI requested information about a user, and Private Internet Access couldn’t provide any data on their activities because none were stored. The Russian government also seized PIA servers in 2016, but they did not find any identifiable data. After this, PIA took down all of its Russian VPN servers. In 2018, its policy was proven once again when the US government asked PIA to hand over identifiable information about a user, and it had nothing to share.
It only collects enough data to maintain accounts and comply with tax regulations
Independently Audited
In June 2022, PIA’s no-logs policy was independently audited by Big Four auditing firm Deloitte. It found that PIA’s server configurations are in line with its internal privacy policies, don’t store logs, and cannot identify users or track their activities. This means there is no record of your online activity on PIA’s servers.
Plus, its network architecture is designed to prevent data retention. PIA’s service runs on RAM-only servers. These servers use RAM modules rather than traditional hard disks and restart themselves regularly. All user data is lost when the servers are rebooted, so you can be confident that your data can’t be shared since it’s never stored.
Ownership and Company History
Private Internet Access is owned by Kape Technologies, which was formerly known as Crossrider and operated in the mobile advertisement and browser extension development sectors. In 2018, the company faced criticism when its software was exploited by hackers to include adware in some of its downloads.
However, since the name change, the company no longer works in advertising and now focuses on VPNs. Kape also owns CyberGhost and ExpressVPN, 2 other trustworthy VPNs. Plus, I ran tests on the app, and it was completely free of malware.
Regardless of its ownership, Private Internet Access has been a trusted VPN for over 10 years. It supports non-profit organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation and Creative Commons, which are dedicated to internet freedom. Most importantly, Private Internet Access’ privacy policy has been proven in court, so I trust it to be responsible with my data.
Based in the US
Private Internet Access operates out of the United States, which isn’t the most privacy-friendly country. The US was one of the founding members of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance. This is a pact between governments where they promise to share information on people they’re suspicious of.
Nevertheless, Private Internet Access adheres to a robust no-logs policy that has been frequently audited and verified. Having operated for more than ten years without storing or sharing any identifiable user information, it has earned my trust regarding data protection.
Does Private Internet Access Work in China? No.
PIA lacks key security features (like obfuscation) that would allow it to work in China. So, unfortunately, it’s not the best option for overcoming tough governmental firewalls.
To verify the present situation, I contacted PIA’s live support for clarification. The representative informed me that the Great Firewall is so robust that PIA cannot bypass it.
There are very few VPNs that can overcome the Great Firewall of China as it’s one of the toughest firewalls
Torrenting — Download on Any Server with Fast Speeds
9.0
PIA allows P2P file sharing across all its servers. I found this really convenient as there is no need to look for specialized P2P servers to download torrent files.
To test its torrenting speeds, I first connected to a UK server and started downloading the movie The Last Man on Earth (copyright-free) on uTorrent. It was a 1.23 GB file that took less than 10 minutes to download. This is similar to the speeds I usually get without a VPN connection.
I downloaded a 1.23 GB file in less than 10 minutes
Next, I used a more distant U.S. server to download “The Chase,” a 900 MB file that is free from copyright restrictions. The download process was completed in no more than 3 minutes.
You can also increase your speeds by turning on PIA’s port forwarding feature. This will increase the number of seeders and allow you to download torrent files even faster. I didn’t like that port forwarding is not available on US servers, though. After asking a support agent about this, I was only told that it was due to legal reasons.
There is also the option to use a SOCKS5 proxy, but I don’t recommend it. PIA’s proxies work as a double-hop, meaning it sends your connection to the proxy, then the VPN tunnel. This slows speeds quite a bit (91 percent for me). Even if you could connect directly to the proxy, it’s not a good idea because it wouldn’t encrypt your traffic.
Overall, I was impressed with PIA’s torrenting abilities. It not only offers fast speeds for torrenting but also has military-grade encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and strong leak protection. This will allow you to torrent safely without worrying about your activity and personal data being exposed.
My team and I do not condone any illegal activities. Downloading copyrighted files is now allowed in most countries, so you should always check your country’s local laws and regulations before torrenting with PIA.
Installation & Apps
9.6
PIA has advanced settings options for techies, but can also give you simple connections. After installing the VPN onto your device, all you need to do is click on the large power button and you will be instantly connected to a server. Clicking on the map opens up the full list of servers, and you can look for specific servers using the search box at the top.
You can also “favorite” specific servers by clicking on the heart next to them, which is really handy, as it gives you quick access to the ones you use most frequently. Next to each server, there’s also the latency displayed, which allows you to quickly find the one that is closest to your location.
PIA’s app may seem overwhelming at first, but it’s really intuitive
Clicking on the Settings menu opens up a range of customization options, which can be overwhelming at first, especially for VPN-beginners. For example, there are connection automation rules you can set, different protocols and encryption levels, and a range of DNS settings.
Although, these settings are just there for those who wish to fine-tune their VPN use. The most important security features are pre-configured. That said, once you get familiar with navigating PIA, these adjustable settings make its apps super intuitive.
Setup & Installation — Quick and Easy With Native Apps
Setting up PIA on my devices was very straightforward . I downloaded the Windows app from its official site and waited for a few minutes for the installation to complete. Then, I logged in and started using the VPN.
It took less than 3 minutes to download and install the Windows app onto my device
Setting up PIA on my iPhone and Android tablet was no different. I downloaded the apps from the official website, waited for the installation to complete, and logged in to the VPN. PIA is one of the few VPNs that offer a dedicated Linux app, so installation on Linux is just as easy.
Quick Guide: How to Set up PIA in 3 Easy Steps
- Pick a plan.Go to PIA’s official website and choose your preferred plan. Then, enter your payment info. PIA offers a tried and tested 30-day guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.
- Download the app onto your device. PIA has dedicated apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. Simply download the app from its official website and log in to your account.
- Connect to a server. Start browsing, streaming, or torrenting safely with PIA.
Device Compatibility
PIA offers native apps for every major operating system (Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS), and they’re all full-featured. Its native Android app can also be used on Firestick and Fire TV devices.
PIA also works with almost all routers that are VPN-compatible. This allows you to connect the VPN to devices that don’t natively support VPNs, such as Roku and gaming consoles. There are detailed guides on its official website that can be of great help when setting up the VPN on your router.
Desktop — Apps For Windows, macOS, and Linux
PIA’s desktop apps are easy to use and intuitive. Setting up the VPN on my Windows laptop was simple — installation and setup didn’t take more than 5 minutes.
The Windows and Mac have nearly identical interfaces. The only major difference between the apps is that the split tunneling feature is no longer available on the Mac app. PIA’s support agent confirmed this, explaining that the main reason for disabling the feature was to ensure enhanced security and privacy for users.
The only difference between the desktop apps is that split tunneling isn’t available on macOS
PIA also features a full GUI for Linux. The Linux app has pretty much the same interface and functions as the Windows version. This is convenient, as most VPNs either offer very basic Linux apps or applications that run on command-based systems only. The Linux app is compatible with Ubuntu 18.04+ (LTS), Mint, Debian, Fedora, and Arch.
Android and iPhone (iOS)
PIA’s mobile apps are very similar to desktop ones. There are some features missing, though. For example, if you download the Android app from the Google Play Store, you will miss out on the MACE ad blocker. If you want to use MACE on Android, you need to download an APK file of the app from Private Internet Access directly.
On iOS, MACE is not available. You can use InBrowser though, and you can also enable Safari Content Blocker when using the VPN. One feature unique to the iOS app is the IPSec security protocol. Plus, you can link the iOS app to Siri and use voice commands to connect and disconnect from the VPN.
PIA’s Android and iOS apps also include a 7-day free trial, which is not available on desktop.
You can try PIA for free for 7 days on Android and iOS
Browser Extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera
Windows and Mac users can download browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. Each extension has identical features. The server list is limited, but they offer several unique security options that aren’t available in the VPN app.
For example, you can block WebRTC IP detection and disable access to your microphone, camera, or location. You can also convert websites that use an unencrypted connection (HTTP) to more secure HTTPS connections.
Plus, the extensions allow you to prevent tracking. You can disable third-party cookies and website referrers. This will prevent your browser from sending the address of the page you’re on after following a link. Plus, you can disable hyperlink auditing, which will prevent trackers from receiving notifications when you click on a link.
Overall, I was impressed by the extra features offered by PIA’s extensions. Still, they will only protect your browser, not your entire device, so I still recommend using its apps for full protection.
Apps for Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Roku TV, Chromecast, etc
It is easy to set up PIA on your Android TV. Simply download the Android app and install it on your device. The process is no different from installing it on your Android phone. PIA doesn’t have a native app for Fire Devices, but you can also use the Android app to set up the VPN on your Fire TV and Firestick.
There’s no PIA app available for Apple TV and Roku TV, as they don’t support VPNs.
Apps for Playstation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, etc
The easiest way to connect PIA to devices like these, that don’t fully support VPNs, is to use its Smart DNS feature. This feature doesn’t encrypt your traffic so it’s not as secure. Still, it’s very useful for streaming, as it allows you to stream on devices that are not VPN-compatible.
Setting up smart DNS on my PlayStation didn’t take more than 5 minutes. PIA’s official website contains easy-to-understand guides on how to set up smart DNS on different devices, which was of great help. All I had to do was enter a special smart DNS address into my PlayStation’s network settings.
PIA doesn’t offer information on which platforms the smart DNS can access. Still, my colleague in the US reported that they could access services like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Max without an issue.
Router Compatibility
Unlike some VPNs, PIA offers a dedicated router app . You can still set up the VPN on your router manually, which will allow you to use the VPN on any device connected to your home network. This is another way you can use PIA on devices that aren’t compatible with VPNs, like smart TVs and consoles.
PIA works with TP-Link, DD-WRT, Tomato, Pfsense, LEDE, OpenWRT, Merlin, AsusWRT, and OpenVPN-compatible routers. It also offers detailed tutorials on its site that make the whole process really straightforward.
It didn’t take me more than 15 minutes to configure the VPN on my TP-Link router. Plus, its 24/7 live chat support is always available in case you need help during setup.
Simultaneous Device Connections — Unlimited Devices Connections
You can use Private Internet Access on an unlimited number of devices at the same time with one subscription, making it great value for money. To test it out, I connected my Fire TV, 2 laptops, my phone, and a friend’s. I started streaming shows on each one, and I never noticed any difference in the playback quality. It’s a standout feature since many VPNs only let you use 5 devices.
A VPN You Can Trust
We all need privacy, especially online. Your IP address and your browsing should be hidden from unnecessary surveillance. Rest assured that PIA’s virtual private network never keeps any usage logs — ever.
Secure Data
Keep your data encrypted for extra security. Don’t let anyone get their hands on unencrypted emails, pictures, banking details, or anything else best kept private.
Complete Access
Access all of your favorite content free from ISP throttling and annoying network restrictions. Enjoy unlimited bandwidth to stay connected to the world’s best shows, apps, and games.
Privacy Protection Experts
Years of expertise in the VPN industry
Million satisfied customers worldwide
Live customer support from real experts
Transparency with open-source software
Premium Add-ons For Extra Security
Privacy-First Antivirus
Our state-of-the-art antivirus software scans and removes malware from your Windows PC, all without tracking user activity or logging connection data – making PIA the only antivirus that gives you full control over your data and digital privacy.
Dedicated IP Address
Get a unique IP address that only you can use. This is great if you want all the benefits of a VPN — like accessing restricted content and hiding online activity — but with fewer CAPTCHAs and more stability when doing things like online banking and gaming.
Trusted By Millions Of Satisfied Customers
<"tweetsBtnText":"","userBtnText":"","influencersBtnText":"","techReviewsBtnText":"">
Privacy On All Your Devices
Get simultaneous access on unlimited devices with only one subscription.
The Lightning-Fast PIA Global Server Network
World-class servers in 84 countries.
Choose The Plan That’s Right For You
Back to School Deal: 85% OFF
3 Years + 3 Months FREE
455.91€ 70€ per 3 years
140.28€ 37.19€ per year
All amounts are shown in EUR, and any discounts reflect a reduction based on the current monthly service pricing at 11.69 € per month.
BACK TO SCHOOL DEAL
3 Years + 3 Months FREE
455.91€ 70€ per 3 years
140.28€ 37.19€ per year
All amounts are shown in EUR, and any discounts reflect a reduction based on the current monthly service pricing at 11.69 € per month.
All Plans Are Covered By Our 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Get Access To The Latest Cutting-Edge Features
No Logs
PIA never tracks, records, or stores any kind of usage data. User privacy is at the core of our mission.
Open Source
Our apps are 100% open source. Anybody can inspect and customize our open-source software.
State Of The Art Updates
Private Internet Access uses the latest and greatest encryption standards and VPN protocols — like WireGuard.
Instant Setup
Choose your plan, download the PIA VPN app, verify your account, and be protected in minutes.
Unlimited Bandwidth
Take advantage of unthrottled internet speeds with our extensive server network.
Block Ads, Trackers & Malware
Get rid of advertisements, online trackers, and malicious websites with PIA’s “MACE” feature.
Download a VPN for all your devices now!
Protect all your devices with PIA’s top-rated VPN service. Connect to NextGen servers in 84 countries and discover fast VPN connection speeds.
Install our Windows and Linux apps on your PC, or go with our macOS app for your Mac. Download our VPN .apk file to your Android smartphone and tablet, or our iOS app to your Apple mobile devices.
For safe browsing, set up our VPN extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. Alternatively, use our Smart DNS feature for smart TVs, game consoles, and routers.
What Is a VPN?
The definition of a VPN is a Virtual Private Network. Meaning, it’s a service that provides a secure and encrypted internet connection. It became a popular cybersecurity tool in recent years due to the rise of online threats on public networks.
PIA VPN protects your digital identity by rerouting your internet traffic through private and secure servers. We have a vast global network of advanced VPN servers, and we use the best VPN protocols available to encrypt your personal data.
PIA’s Robust Server Infrastructure
PIA VPN uses the IP Security Architecture (IPSec) open framework to encrypt and authenticate information. It encrypts outgoing data and authenticates incoming data. In both cases, the data is transferred through an intermediate secure server that handles all communication. That’s why the quality of these servers is crucial.
PIA has a network of NextGen servers, designed and optimized with the best hardware components. Our colocated servers guarantee that our infrastructure is unreachable to third parties. We also upgraded our servers to have 10Gbps network cards and allow maximum connection speeds. These features ensure you get the safest and fastest connection possible.
How Does a VPN Work?
A VPN reroutes your internet traffic, encrypts your data, and masks your IP. This boosts your security and increases your anonymity.
When you browse online, your internet traffic can be intercepted. Your data is accessible to your ISP, network admins, packet analyzers, and more. Rerouting your traffic through a remote server creates an effect similar to that of a tunnel — whatever goes through the tunnel can’t be seen by third parties.
Using a private network gives you an advantage by employing high-grade encryption. Enciphering your data secures your private information.
Can I be tracked when a VPN is on?
Your online activities are extremely difficult to track when you’re using a top-shelf VPN. PIA’s VPN servers reroute and encrypt your internet traffic and mask your IP address in real-time. By using PIA you can make sure ISPs, government bodies, and cybercriminals can’t easily monitor your online activities and pinpoint your location.
Concealing your IP address also prevents websites and trackers from identifying your online activities. This way, you’ll stay incognito, and bypass network blocks while traveling. A VPN is crucial to improving your online anonymity and freedom.
6 Benefits of Using a VPN
Change Your Virtual Location
Choose your online location by connecting to PIA’s extensive VPN server network. We have 58173 servers in 84 countries, including in all 50 US states.
Protect Your Privacy
Conceal your IP address to protect your online identity. Stop your ISP from keeping tabs on your online activities. Enjoy secure web browsing anywhere.
Enjoy Complete Digital Security
Make sure ISPs and network administrators can’t store or sell your data. Secure all your devices with PIA. Enjoy a private connection on any network.
Get Public Wi-Fi Protection
Public networks pose a threat to your privacy. Install PIA on your devices to prevent snoopers or cybercriminals from intercepting your traffic.
Mask your IP address when you’re sharing files online. Connect to PIA and encrypt your data when you’re sending or handling private files.
Travel Abroad Securely
When you’re traveling out of state or internationally, you’ll see local content restrictions. Connect to PIA VPN to safely access apps from back home.
What Is a Mobile VPN?
A mobile VPN lets you maintain a VPN session even when you’re switching between different networks, like between your home network and phone carrier.
PIA VPN has mobile VPN functionality, optimized to provide a seamless connection on any device. We have user-friendly apps for smartphones and tablets. They’re optimized with a Kill Switch to protect you from any accidental data leaks.
Get PIA VPN for all your mobile devices in 3 simple steps:
Step 1
Sign up for Private Internet Access
Step 2
Download the PIA VPN app
Step 3
Tap on the power button to connect
What Is an Open-Source VPN?
An open-source VPN releases the source code publicly for anyone to inspect. Through transparent practice, you can achieve stable and secure software. That’s why open-source VPNs are much more trustworthy.
PIA is known as one of the best open-source VPNs. Anyone can analyze our VPN apps and VPN protocols, and verify the steps we take to ensure a safe and seamless connection. We also use WireGuard® and OpenVPN, two of the best open-source VPN protocols.
Open-source coding also helps improve performance and innovate due to its cooperative nature. Having an open-source code lets PIA’s community members send suggestions.
How to Choose the Best VPN for Yourself
Speed
Good speeds are vital. Choose a VPN that has top-of-the-line fast servers that seamlessly support streaming and gaming. PIA has ultra-fast 10 Gbps VPN servers, to allow you to enjoy buffer-free streaming and lag-free online gaming on any device. With our extensive global VPN network, you avoid overcrowding and congestion.
Security
When it comes to online security, quality encryption is crucial. That’s why you should pick a VPN that uses the strongest encryption protocols. It’s the only way to make sure ISPs, network admins, and government bodies can’t access your data. PIA VPN offers the most powerful encryption ciphers available — you can choose between 128-bit AES or military-grade cipher, 256-bit AES.
Privacy
You want a VPN that will protect your privacy. PIA has a strict No Logs policy. It was reviewed in an independent audit conducted by one of the Big Four firms. Our log-less service was proven twice in court. You can feel safe knowing we respect and support your right to privacy, and we don’t keep or store your data.
Split Tunneling
This important VPN feature allows you to create custom VPN connection protocols. For example, if you don’t want your banking service to flag your activity as fraudulent, you shouldn’t keep switching IP addresses. Set a case-based rule for its specific apps and websites easily. PIA VPN has an advanced split-tunneling feature that lets you create automated settings and choose which apps and domains can sidestep your VPN tunnel.
Open-Source
When it comes to VPNs, open-source is crucial for transparency. An open-source code allows you to take a look under the hood, and see how a VPN really operates. PIA VPN is the best open-source VPN. You can inspect our client source code, and see for yourself the steps we take to secure your traffic and data.
Advanced & Convenient Protection
If you feel that you need an extra layer of protection, look for a VPN that has a multi-hop feature. This feature, also known as double VPN, allows you to chain your connection through two VPN servers, boost your anonymity, and bypass censorship. With PIA’s multi-hop feature, you can reroute your internet traffic through a 2 RAM-only VPN that we designed to prevent data retention and protect your digital footprint.
Cost
When it comes to your online privacy and security, you don’t want to settle. Choose a trustworthy and quality VPN that comes at a reasonable price point. PIA VPN is affordable and reliable. Our plans offer the best value for money. Subscribe for only per month. It’s completely risk-free with our 30-day money-back guarantee.
Are VPNs Legal?
Yes, VPNs are completely legal in most countries around the world. In fact, most governments understand the need for better online data safety and support VPNs as a consumer security tool. Some countries don’t feel the same, and allow citizens to use only state-approved VPNs which can have surveillance capabilities.
While more policymakers and individuals are beginning to understand the importance of online privacy, the internet isn’t a safe and free environment yet. You need a quality VPN to protect your digital identity, keep your data private, and enjoy a free and safe internet.
Can I Use a Free VPN?
You can use a free VPN, but it’s not advised. Most free VPNs have a few common problems related to quality and security.
Most free VPNs have fewer server locations because of budget restraints. This means their servers are usually crowded and slow, and they might not have a server in your country.
The second issue is that most free VPNs have older servers. Using outdated hardware can lead to vulnerabilities to cyber attacks, and cause connection issues.
Most free VPNs turn a profit by selling users’ data, showing in-app advertisements, or both. This is a major concern since the main goal of using a VPN is to protect your privacy.
Avoid these issues by trying an affordable and reliable VPN such as PIA. We have ultra-fast NextGen servers in 84 countries, we use the best VPN protocols for encryption, and we abide by a strict No Logs policy.
Private Internet Access VPN review: A low-price, high-value VPN for all
At a Glance
Expert’s Rating
Pros
- Independently verified no-logs policy
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- Incredible number of servers
- Great extra features such as multi-hop and split tunneling
Cons
- App panel awkwardly located on the lower-right corner of screen by default
- Speeds are just okay
Our Verdict
Private Internet Access is one of the top VPN services around. It’s affordable and comes with one of the best feature sets on the market. It has a great global server spread, offers a ton of servers, and it’s been upgraded to allow for unlimited simultaneous device connections. The speeds aren’t exceptional, but they’ll do fine in most situations.
Best Prices Today: Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access
Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide
Price comparison from Backmarket
Private Internet Access VPN in brief:
- P2P allowed: Yes
- Simultaneous device connections: Unlimited
- Business location: U.S.
- Number of servers: 10,000+
- Number of country locations: 84
- Cost: $11.95 per month, or $79 + 3 free months for a three-year subscription
Private Internet Access (PIA) has seemingly been around since the advent of third-party VPNs. Since that time, it’s been a favorite VPN service for many users thanks to its excellent pricing and good privacy guarantees. Recently the service has made some truly promising improvements by lifting the device connection limit and undergoing a third-party audit. So, with these new updates how does it stack up against the other titans of the VPN market? Let’s dive in and have a look.
Further reading: See our roundup of the best VPNs to learn about competing products.
Private Internet Access VPN features and services
Upon first opening PIA you’ll notice that it has maintained the same user-interface design since the company overhauled its Windows app in 2019. You’re presented with a simple panel in the lower-right corner of your screen. By default this panel is locked to that location and you’re unable to move it. This design decision honestly felt a bit constrained and awkward. Thankfully, you’re able to change this in the settings menu, but it isn’t obvious at first glance.
Otherwise the Windows app is pretty straightforward. There’s a big on/off button at the top, and below that is the VPN server location—clicking it takes you to a different screen where you’re able to view and choose a different country or server location. For countries with multiple location options you’re able to click a drop-down menu to display all of the available server locations within that country. And boy are there a lot to choose from. PIA offers an 84 country server spread, and while not officially confirmed, it’s believed to have more than 10,000 servers.
Next to each country location is its latency displayed in milliseconds and there’s a heart icon which allows you to designate a server as one of your favorites. It also denotes which servers are virtual servers with an icon that states “This is a geo-located region” next to the name. A virtual server is not located within the country itself, but rather assigns an IP address of the country location instead. The transparency here should be commended as not many other VPN providers label which of their servers are virtual or physical.
Overall the server-list layout is nice and simple to follow. PIA allows you to sort its server list either by latency or location name, as well. This makes it much easier for people who are only interested in speed to find the optimal connection, or likewise by name to find their desired location.
Once connected, the app displays your actual IP address and the VPN address you’re using. This basic information is all you can see in the compact view, but if you click the downward-facing arrow at the bottom you can see a ton of extra details as well. This includes quick-connect options with locations such as France, Germany, the U.S., and the UK. There are also tiles for bandwidth usage, a performance graph, data encryption and handshake settings being used, and basic settings control. If you prefer to see any of this information on the compact view instead you’re able to click the bookmark icon on any tile to display it. You can add or remove any of these options as you see fit.
Private Internet Access also comes with a plethora of great features such as split-tunneling, multi-hop, and a kill switch. Split-tunneling allows you to pick and choose which apps you wish to run through a VPN, allowing you to optimize bandwidth for low-risk activities such as streaming or gaming. In fact, PIA has one of the most dynamic split-tunneling features we’ve ever seen. Power users can go to town tweaking things such as which apps, IP addresses, and DNS requests are allowed to bypass the VPN. It even allows you to designate an app-based kill switch, which will block traffic only on specific apps should the VPN connection break.
Additionally, taking after other VPN providers such as NordVPN and Surfshark, PIA has added a handy security extra in the form of an ad- and tracker-blocker that it calls MACE. This is something we’re seeing more regularly as a means to entice users with a complete online security suite rather than just a VPN service. You can even opt-in to an antivirus tool from PIA for an additional fee when you sign-up if you so choose. The convenience of this all-in-one approach is appealing, but generally speaking, a standalone antivirus software, like our favorite antivirus suites, will offer you more comprehensive coverage and overall security.
It seems that every time we do an updated review of Private Internet Access it has introduced new upgrades and features and this time is no exception. Since early 2023, PIA now allows for unlimited simultaneous device connections—which is increasingly becoming an industry standard. Also, PIA is in the process of upgrading its servers to NextGen 10Gbps instead of the 1Gbps it’s had in the past. This should increase connection speeds significantly for users in the future.
How is Private Internet Access VPN’s performance?
In our testing we measured connection speeds across PIA’s servers in five different countries all around the world and then compared them to our baseline internet speed. PIA’s speeds were alright, but they weren’t enough to make our top five fastest VPNs. Across all locations tested, the speeds averaged 52 percent of the base download speed and a respectable 80 percent of the base upload speed.
Of course, as one would expect, we noted that locations closer to our physical location had better speed averages, while server locations further away were slower. For a top VPN, these averages are a bit on the slow side. NordVPN, one of PIA’s top competitors, has average speeds of over 70 percent of the base download speed. That being said, they aren’t terrible and should be plenty fast enough to allow you to stream, game, or browse to your heart’s content without noticeable lag—depending on your own home internet connection, of course.
As for streaming, Private Internet Access worked perfectly fine with all of the major streaming services such as Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. We didn’t come across any servers that were blocked and geo-restriction access was never an issue.
Private Internet Access VPN security and privacy
[PIA website services screenshot]
Private Internet Access
When you sign up for PIA, it only asks for your email address. It accepts a good range of payment options including credit card, PayPal, Amazon Pay, and cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin—there’s also an option to use Bitpay instead of direct wallet transfers.
PIA has been owned and operated by Kape Technologies, a UK-based company formerly known as Crossrider, since 2019. There have been some questions in the past about the somewhat dubious practices surrounding Crossrider. Its development platform for browser extensions was used by independent developers to deliver malicious adware and malware to users. Realizing this and facing backlash, Crossrider closed the platform in 2016 and rebranded as Kape Technologies.
Since this reset, and subsequent leadership reorganization, Kape Technologies has pivoted to become a major provider of digital security software. It has gone on a run in recent years of purchasing ownership over some of the largest VPNs on the market today including PIA, ExpressVPN, ZenMate VPN, and CyberGhost VPN, as well as Mac antivirus firm Intego.
To its credit, PIA has made an effort to ease the minds of privacy-focused users with regular transparency reports. Additionally, in 2022 it underwent an independent audit by Deloitte to review its no-logs policy. Deloitte confirmed that PIA stores no logs and no details that could be used to identify users or their activities. Privacy is one of the pillars of a good VPN service and this independent audit and PIA’s continued willingness to strive for transparency has done a lot to rectify concerns over its parent company’s past.
PIA uses the industry standard AES-256 encryption and in the Windows app supports WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols. There is also built-in protection against DNS leaks. We confirmed this by using a DNS Leak test tool and found that our real location information was never leaked while connected to PIA’s servers.
PIA also uses diskless RAM-only servers, which boot on a read-only image and use RAM modules instead of hard disks. By not storing data on hard disks, RAM-only servers are more resistant to tampering both by hackers and physical breaches. This is also becoming increasingly popular among VPN providers, but it means that PIA is staying at the forefront of security.
Is Private Internet Access VPN worth it?
Private Internet Access has been at this game for a long time and it shows. Its VPN is well polished with a nice interface, plenty of servers to choose from, and tons of tweakable features. Its continued publication of transparency reports and up-front nature regarding user privacy and security is commendable as well.
It’s true that the speeds might not be the fastest, and its parent company has had its fair share of dubious issues. But that is all seemingly in the past and PIA has done its best to show that it is removed from all of that anyhow. While there may be other services that do one single thing better, PIA stands apart as a jack-of-all-trades that does everything well. It continues to be a top-tier VPN that is only getting better with age.
Editor’s note: Because online services are often iterative, gaining new features and performance improvements over time, this review is subject to change in order to accurately reflect the current state of the service. Any changes to text or our final review verdict will be noted at the top of this article.