• Private Internet Access

  • Our Score 8.2
  • User Rating

Private Internet Access Review

As the name suggests, Private Internet Access or PIA focuses on digital privacy. This
emphasis on protecting customers when browsing, gaming, streaming, or other online
activity ensures total peace of mind while accessing the internet worldwide. Aside from
privacy, PIA is also highly regarded for its speed and reliability, making it one of the
most popular VPNs on the market.

We take a look at Private Internet Access’s history, features,
plus, and minuses and find out precisely what the company has to offer.

Private Internet Access Figures
  • Thousands of servers, 84 countries
  • 10 simultaneous connections
  • 24/7 live chat support
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Prices start at €1.99 per month

private-vpn

Private Internet Plans
1 Month€10.69/mo
6 Months€6.79/mo
2 Years€1.99/mo with two free months
added on
Available on

  • Introducing Private Internet Access

Founded by Andrew Lee in 2010, PIA was formed as a reaction to
the exposure of IP addresses in Internet Relay Chat. The company’s goal to take privacy
to the mainstream was built on the foundation of transparency by using open-source
software to appeal to the masses. Over the past decade, Private Internet Access has
become one of the most trusted VPNs in the business, thanks in part to its proven
no-logs record. In 2019, Kape Technologies (formerly Crossrider), owner of Cyberghost,
ExpressVPN, and Zenmate, acquired PIA in a 100-million-dollar deal.

One of the first downsides to PIA is its
location, which is headquartered in Denver, USA. As a founding member of the Five Eyes
alliance, the US collects and shares data with its fellow four members, Australia, New
Zealand, Canada, and the UK. This means that PIA is obliged to give up information when
called upon. In keeping with the company’s transparency commitment, all government
requests are reported explicitly. Yet despite demands, no data is ever actually shared,
as PIA’s strict no-logs policy has proven reliable time and again. So users can rest
assured their data will remain in safe hands.

Which Devices Support PIA and How Easy Is It to Use?

As expected from a first-class VPN, customers can use Private
Internet Access on all major platforms, including the following:

  • Apps: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, router
  • Browser extensions: Chrome, Edge, Firefox
  • Streaming devices and games consoles: Android TV, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV,
    Chromecast, Roku, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo

As the above assortment shows, PIA has made its VPN as accessible as possible. Not only
that, one subscription can be used on 10 different devices, which is double that of many
rivals. This makes it an excellent choice for customers with multiple appliances or, for
say, households with large families, as it ensures everyone can enjoy privacy and
protection when heading online.

Private Internet Access is as easy to use as it is accessible. The mobile apps, in
particular, have received plenty of praise, managing to maintain simplicity while
offering ample customization options for more advanced users. Registering, downloading,
and setting up the app takes a matter of minutes, and customers can connect to their
preferred server in an instant.

    Where Does PIA Rank in Terms of Speed?

The brand stopped publishing its server statistics a while back, although the last count
stood around
the 17,000 mark. Boasting servers in 84 countries and 100 cities, with more than the usual
amount in
Africa, PIA outranks every competitor. While this doesn’t necessarily make them the fastest
VPN
on the market, it does reduce congestion and improve performance, as users are more likely to
find a server close by.

When compared to the likes of ExpressVPN and NordVPN, Private
Internet Access holds its own on speed tests, especially locally and particularly in the
US. Longer distance connection speeds are a little less impressive but still fast enough
to enjoy seamless streaming and browsing across all four corners of the world. PIA is
available on three different protocols, IPSec, OpenVPN, and WireGuard, with the latter
offering the best speed performance of the three.

Can PIA Guarantee Privacy?

As mentioned previously, Private Internet Access
adheres to a strict no-logs policy, which has been proven in court on several occasions.
In addition, the company employs the following features to keep users protected and
anonymous at all times:

  • 1. Encryption: Industry standard AES-256
  • 2. Payment: Customers can pay with a selection of cryptocurrencies, including
    Bitcoin, Bitpay, and Ethereum, among others, to maximize anonymity
  • 3. Dedicated IP address: Double the encryption with an exclusive IP address
    unique to each customer (only available as an add-on)
  • 4. Kill switch: Air-tight protection if the VPN connection suddenly drops
  • 5. Ad blocking: Shields against adverts, trackers, and malware
  • 6. DNS and WebRTC leak blocking: Ensures no information escapes the VPN tunnel
  • 7. Advanced split tunneling: Choose certain apps or IP addresses to exclude from
    the VPN connection

  • Streaming, Torrenting and Round-the-Clock Support

Is PIA a Good Option for Streaming?

PIA has been working hard to remove restrictions
imposed by governments and streaming services so customers can enjoy access to content
wherever they are in the world. For the most part, it has succeeded. PIA unblocks
content on the majority of streaming platforms, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu,
Disney+, Amazon Prime, and HBO. Having said that, Netflix fans may be somewhat
disappointed by the number of regions available. PIA currently works with just two
Netflix libraries, which pales in comparison to ExpressVPN’s much more impressive count
of 10.

And What About Torrenting?

Again, PIA is definitely a worthy VPN for
customers looking to download or upload files. With high speeds, unlimited bandwidth,
P2P sharing with SOCKS5 proxy on all servers, and of course, the no-logs policy, the
service covers all the torrenting basics and more. But Private Internet Access even goes
a step further than most VPNs by offering a port forwarding function, albeit not in
every location, to open up more connections and increase speeds.

Does PIA Offer Round-the-Clock Support?

All the VPN heavyweights now offer 24/7 customer
support, and PIA is no exception. Users can reach the team at all hours via email or
live chat, which is prompt, friendly, and helpful. A support portal is also on hand for
customers to browse at their leisure, brimming with guides, news, and questions from the
community.

  • How Much Does the PIA VPN Cost?

Those looking to sign up can choose between the following three
packages:

  • One month: €10.69 per month
  • Six months: €6.79 per month
  • Two years: €1.99 per month, with two free months added on

While the monthly charge comes in at a standard,
high-rate fee, the two-year plan offers exceptional value for money. What’s more,
customers can try out the VPN without risk, as the 30-day money-back guarantee means a
full refund for unsatisfied users. The mobile apps for iOS and Android also include a
seven-day free trial.

  • PIA Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Huge server network and high speeds
  • Top-level security and a proven no-logs policy
  • Unblocks major streaming platforms and enables P2P torrenting with port forwarding
  • Supports 10 simultaneous devices
  • Open-source software
  • Great value on two-year plan, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
  • Located in the US
  • Rivals offer more Netflix regions

Our Verdict

As one of the only VPNs with open-source software, Private Internet
Access ensures transparency, privacy, and protection for its customers worldwide. For a
reasonable price, users can enjoy high-speed gaming, streaming, and torrenting from the most
extensive server network in the business. Plus, a collection of advanced features and unique
functions to elevate the VPN experience for experts.

While it’s a shame the dedicated IP address and antivirus Windows software have to be
purchased separately, PIA continues to compete at the highest level and remains a worthwhile
VPN choice.