Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access Review

SCORE

8.2

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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.

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91% of our readers choose the Private VPN Yearly Plan!

Rating

9.8 From

$ 2,99

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?

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.

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.

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.

Can PIA Guarantee Privacy?

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.

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:

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

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.

How to choose the
best VPN

Many VPNs limit you to connecting a specific number of devices at the same time. If you have multiple mobile devices, laptops, smart TVs or other hardware to protect.

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