Private Internet Access VPN Review

9.1

Very Good

Our verdict:
Hands down the most secure VPN available today. What makes people gravitate towards this VPN service is its strict zero-logs policy and their strong commitment to maintaining complete online anonymity.

Private Internet Access (PIA) is highly regarded by experts and users as a popular online security tool. It competes effectively with other top providers in terms of security, ad blocking, and user-friendly apps, while also offering some of the most affordable prices in the market. Additionally, it prioritizes privacy by providing anonymous payment methods. However, PIA VPN does have some drawbacks that set it behind major services. These include lower speed retention rates and limited access to several major streaming platforms.

To help you make an informed decision about whether this budget-friendly VPN is worth considering, we conducted an extensive review of its features and apps in this Private Internet Access VPN review. We also assessed its performance for torrenting, its ability to unblock streaming sites, and its speed retention rates. While PIA VPN is a cost-effective service that provides basic security, it may not be the optimal choice for those who prioritize fast browsing or streaming. The market offers much faster VPN options that can also unblock various streaming sites and provide advanced security features, such as NordVPN and Surfshark.

Private Internet Access Specifications

About Private Internet Access

Let’s begin this review by providing some background details about Private Internet Access. It is important to note that Private Internet Access is a locally established company situated in Denver. Although it may appear insignificant, the location of a VPN company actually plays a significant role in safeguarding the privacy of its users. In particular, a VPN company operating in the United States necessitates more thorough scrutiny of its privacy policy.

This is due to the existence of an international surveillance alliance known as the Five Eyes, which is also part of the larger Nine Eyes and 14 Eyes alliances. As part of this international alliance, countries have agreed that, in matters relating to national security or major criminal investigations, companies within their jurisdictions must comply with court-mandated requests for customer data. Furthermore, member countries are authorized to share information with one another.

PIA, headquartered in the United States, is subject to data collection laws as it is a founding member of the alliance. This is why other VPNs opt to establish their bases in countries that prioritize privacy, such as Panama. However, it is important to note that this does not automatically make Private Internet Access an unsuitable choice for privacy. The company is aware of the risks associated with being located in the U.S., and has incorporated a “no-logs” clause into its privacy policy to safeguard user privacy. Essentially, this clause ensures that PIA will not keep records of user interactions or usage. It will not have access to information regarding the websites visited or the IP addresses used. Additionally, it will not monitor data usage.

The importance of the “no-logs” policy cannot be overstated. While Private Internet Access may be legally required to disclose a user’s browsing data, they do not possess any data to share in the first place. Naturally, the successful implementation of the “no-logs” policy is crucial. In order to demonstrate their commitment to adhering to their own data logging regulations, Private Internet Access enlisted Deloitte Romania in 2022 to conduct an audit of their server network and management systems. This renowned auditing firm confirmed that PIA complies with its internal policies regarding data logging. This provides strong justification for trusting Private Internet Access’ privacy policy.

Private Internet Access pros & cons

Pricing

Private Internet Access is priced very reasonably compared to other VPN services that offer similar features. Currently, you have the option to subscribe monthly for $9.99 or $5.99 for a 6-month subscription. However, the best value is obtained by paying for a year upfront, which reduces the monthly cost to just $3.33. The only downside is that there is no free trial available. Instead, Private Internet Access provides a 30-day money-back guarantee period. Unlike other VPN services that only allow one refund, Private Internet Access is more generous. For example, if you purchased a subscription, canceled it, and received a refund, you can still get another refund if you decide to subscribe again within the guarantee period.

Speed and Reliability

Speed and reliability are important factors to consider, so we decided to assess PIA by connecting to multiple private internet access locations. We measured the connection time, verified the server location using geolocation, and conducted ping tests. The results were impressive. The location tests confirmed that each server accurately matched its advertised location. In terms of connection times, Private Internet Access performed exceptionally well. When compared to other VPNs we tested, which typically had speeds ranging from 150-200Mbps, PIA delivered an average speed of 314Mbps, with the fastest connection reaching a speed of 452Mbps. There was only a negligible drop of approximately 4% when using this VPN.

performance

First and foremost, it should be noted that Private Internet Access is not the most speedy VPN available. If you require extremely fast speeds, this particular service may not always meet your requirements completely. Although Private Internet Access has a large number of servers, it does not consistently deliver speeds that are as impressive as those offered by NordVPN or Surfshark. To have the best experience with Private Internet Access, it is often necessary to select the server closest to your location.

Unfortunately, this can be inconvenient if you wish to access streaming libraries from countries that are further away. However, it is worth mentioning that the WireGuard protocol, which is currently considered the fastest protocol on the market, demonstrated satisfactory performance. Across five locations, there was an average decrease in download speed of 45%. On average, WireGuard retained 54% of the original upload speed, slightly more than the download speed. In comparison to other leading VPN providers, here is how Private Internet Access’ average download speed fares:

Unique Advantages

• Strict no-logs policy

• Massive network with 3,267+ gateways

• Supports 10 devices simultaneously

•Download large files quickly and anonymously

• User-friendly interface

• Touted as the most anonymous VPN service

Company Background

Established in 2010 by Andrew Lee, Private Internet Access (PIA) is a software company that provides a personal virtual private network (VPN) with the same name. Presently, they are based in the Great Lakes region of the Midwest and employ over 50 individuals. In November 2019, PIA was purchased by Kape Technologies, which also owns two other rival VPNs: Cyberghost and Zenmate.

Server Locations

Ease Of Use & Performance

Upon initial observation, you may assume that the app caters to individuals with a strong understanding of technology. However, in reality, it boasts an incredibly user-friendly interface. The installation process is relatively swift and we were able to configure everything promptly. As previously stated, customization options are available to tailor the app to your preferences, and it is also accessible in 19 diverse languages. Additionally, if you tend to forget important details, you have the option to display the app in its detailed view mode which includes a reminder of the remaining days on your subscription.

VPN Features

Private Internet Access provides users with unlimited bandwidth and also offers ad-blocking, malware-blocking, and tracker-blocking capabilities. However, what sets this VPN service apart is its unwavering commitment to strict privacy practices and the preservation of online anonymity. Private Internet Access stands firm in its assertion that it does not gather or record any traffic or usage information related to its Virtual Private Network (VPN) or Proxy services.

To safeguard the privacy of their users, PIA employs highly secure military-grade encryption technology and incorporates the industry-standard OpenVPN protocol to protect and encrypt private data. Moreover, PIA provides additional measures such as DNS leak and IP leak protection, MACE ad blocker (excluding the iOS app), and a crucial kill switch feature, which guarantees that your actual IP address remains concealed in case of VPN service failure. The greatest advantage is that you have the flexibility to personalize PIA’s in-app security features based on your specific requirements and preferences.

If you have multiple devices connected in your household, Private Internet Access allows you to use up to 10 devices at the same time with just one account. This is twice the number of devices compared to most other VPNs. Additionally, PIA provides dedicated apps for all major platforms such as Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. Furthermore, you can also configure your router to extend the Wi-Fi connection to cover the entire household using its OpenVPN feature. In addition, PIA offers browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera and has a substantial network size of more than 3,267 servers in 29 countries.

Customer Support

PIA’s support page is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive. It includes a Knowledge Base section with a wide range of resources, as well as a Guides section that provides simple, step-by-step installation guides and troubleshooting instructions. In addition, Private Internet Access offers round-the-clock support in English through live chat from Monday to Friday MST between 9:00 and 18:00. They can also be reached via email, and their response time is typically fast.

Summary

Private Internet Access sets itself apart from other VPNs by offering truly private browsing on the internet. Unlike some other VPNs, it does not log any of our browsing data. This means that we can freely surf the web, watch Netflix, and torrent files without any concerns about our privacy being compromised.

Private Internet Access provides a comprehensive VPN service that comes with numerous advanced features, a user-friendly interface, and the ability to connect up to 10 devices simultaneously. It is compatible with a wide range of platforms and delivers impressive performance at an affordable price. The only drawback is the absence of a free trial, but they do offer a 30-day guarantee, allowing you to request a refund if you are not satisfied.