Private Internet Access Review – Why We Gave It a 8/10 Rating

Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN is a US-based VPN. It has been a top choice for privacy-conscious users since its launch in 2010. The VPN has an outstanding reputation for privacy, security, and transparency, and it’s one of the most popular VPNs on Reddit. PIA enforces a no-logs policy that has been independently audited to verify its privacy claims. It offers unlimited simultaneous connections, making it one of the best VPNs for families to secure multiple devices with a single subscription.

PIA operates a global server network with servers in 91+ countries, including all 50 US states. This extensive US server coverage ensures reliable access to region-locked content, blackout games, state-level streaming services, and gaming platforms. PIA’s apps are feature-packed, with a built-in kill switch, strong encryption, split tunneling, port forwarding, and custom ad blocker. This makes it an exceptional choice for maintaining privacy and unblocking content.

PIA includes streaming-optimized servers for streaming enthusiasts, ensuring access to popular platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. It also fully supports torrenting with advanced encryption and all the security tools needed to keep your downloads private. Whether you want a VPN with fast speeds, affordable pricing, or advanced customization, PIA remains a decent choice in 2025.

In this review, I’ll assess PIA VPN’s features, apps, pricing, speed, security, streaming, unblocking, torrenting, encryption, kill switch, and overall usability to help you decide whether it’s the right VPN for you. Can it still compete with the very best VPNs on the market? Keep reading to find out!

Private Internet Access (PIA) key data

* Average speed over multiple global locations based across multiple speed tests per day.

PIA review pros and cons

PIA VPN is a decent choice for users seeking affordable pricing, strong privacy protections, and extensive server coverage. Below, I’ve listed my top pros and cons based on my in-depth testing. You can learn more about these features by scrolling down to my in-depth analysis.

What I liked about Private Internet Access (PIA):

• Affordable pricing: PIA is one of the cheapest VPNs, especially with long-term plans. The three-year plan is cheaper than many competitors and impressive considering its feature set.
• Strong privacy and security features: PIA enforces a strict no-logs policy, independently verified through audits and court cases. It offers AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption, OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols, and obfuscation settings for bypassing network restrictions. PIA’s apps are also fully open source.
• Extensive server network: PIA has servers in 91 countries, meaning it has one of the largest VPN networks. It has servers in all 50 US states, which makes it an excellent choice for US-based users or people seeking a US IP address.
• Unlimited simultaneous connections: A PIA subscription provides unlimited simultaneous connections, making it ideal for families and power users.
• Streaming support: PIA successfully unblocks major streaming services like Netflix, Disney Plus, and BBC iPlayer. It provides streaming-optimized servers to improve performance and reliability.
• Feature-rich apps: PIA has custom apps for Windows, macOS, Linux (GUI included), Android, iOS, Fire TV, and Apple TV. It includes split tunneling (even on macOS), multi-hop connections, and obfuscation.
• Torrenting support: PIA is a torrent-friendly VPN. It has P2P-optimized servers and port forwarding to enhance download performance and seeding.
• MACE Ad blocker: Helps speed up page load times, saves on mobile data, and helps protect against third-party tracking scripts and malware when surfing.

What I disliked about Private Internet Access (PIA):

• Average speed: PIA provides stable connections and offers decent performance. However, speed lags behind some top competitors. WireGuard speeds were a touch inconsistent during testing.
• US jurisdiction: PIA is based in the US. This country enforces warrants and gag orders and is part of the Five Eyes Alliance. While PIA maintains a strict no-logs policy, some users may have privacy concerns due to its jurisdiction.
• Inconsistent streaming access: Although PIA works well for most streaming platforms, unblocking can be hit-or-miss on certain services, requiring server switching or trial and error.
• Customer support issues: PIA’s customer support can be slow to respond, with some users reporting delays and unhelpful responses.
• Lacks some features: PIA lacks some niche features you get with competitors like Smart DNS and Tor over VPN
• Multi-hop: PIA’s multi-hop connections through multiple servers are confusing and a pain to use when compared to other VPNs.

Do I recommend Private Internet Access (PIA)?

Private Internet Access is an affordable, privacy-focused VPN with unlimited bandwidth. Its no-logs policy, WireGuard support, and unlimited device allowance make it a good choice for families. However, its US base may put some users off.

Servers are available in over 91 countries, making PIA useful for geo-hopping. I used it to stream US Netflix and BBC iPlayer. However, the streaming-optimized servers don’t work with every streaming service: You should test it with your accounts using the money-back guarantee. PIA’s network uses diskless servers for added security. It also offers dedicated IPs for users who need a static IP.

Some critics have expressed concerns about Kape Technologies’ acquisition of PIA in 2019. However, PIA retains operational independence and publishes regular security audit results and transparency reports. Despite the rumors, there is no evidence that the acquisition affected the quality of the VPN.

PIA does not have a server in China and is likely to be blocked because it is a US VPN. This makes it harder for people in China to subscribe and less reliable for bypassing the Great Firewall. However, it does have obfuscation.

PIA’s unlimited simultaneous connections make it a reliable option for families or power users with multiple devices. The WireGuard protocol is available for faster speeds. I used it for activities like streaming, torrenting, and gaming. Still, it isn’t the fastest VPN on the market, so keep that in mind.

Customer support is available via live chat and email. While the agents were polite, responses could be slow and sometimes inaccurate. Overall, I consider PIA a reliable VPN for secure browsing on public wifi and bypassing blocks. It offers strong encryption and a leak-free experience. The only real drawbacks are speed and its US jurisdiction, which may be a deal-breaker for some.

PIA features

Private Internet Access is a highly customizable and privacy-focused VPN. It has apps for all popular devices, packed with useful features. The VPN is designed to provide you with WiFi security, online privacy, and tracking protection, as well as freedom of access. PIA allows you to fine-tune your VPN settings for optimal performance. You can strengthen or weaken the encryption based on your needs.

My analysis revealed that PIA lacks only a few features that you get with competitors like NordVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN. However, for the price point, it is feature-packed. It has everything home internet users need to stay safe online, including strong encryption, an independently audited no-logs policy, and compatibility across all popular devices.

PIA has been making upgrades to stay competitive. These include better regional unblocking capabilities (with access to 17+ Netflix libraries), enhanced server security thanks to its new RAM-only servers, and a new antivirus add-on that protects you from malware in real-time.

The Android app has been redesigned with a cleaner interface and dark mode. It also added a brand new server sorting system and an auto-connect feature to protect you on public Wi-Fi (Trusted Networks). It has also added split tunneling to macOS, bringing it up to par in terms of features with the Windows app.

Finally, PIA has expanded its server network to over 29,000 servers in 91 countries. These include servers in all 50 US states, making it the best VPN for switching between US IP addresses.

Below, I’ve broken down PIA’s complete feature list so that you can see exactly what you get:

Core VPN features

PIA provides all of the critical core VPN features you would expect from a leading VPN. As well as plenty of features we usually only see in VPNS that cost more:

• Encryption: PIA supports AES encryption over OpenVPN and ChaCha20 encryption with WireGuard. Users can adjust the encryption strength between 128-bit and 256-bit encryption to improve speed when security is not as critical.
• Protocols: PIA supports various tunneling protocols: OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2 (on iOS only). These are highly effective and trusted VPN protocols.
• Kill switch: You can set the kill switch to regular or advanced, allowing you to customize how it works for added protection.
• No-logs policy: PIA enforces a strict no-logs policy that has been validated during US court proceedings. The policy has been verified through multiple independent audits by Deloitte.
• Split tunneling: PIA allows you to either include or exclude apps from the VPN tunnel. It has also rolled out split tunneling for macOS (version 11 and later).
• Unlimited simultaneous connections: PIA allows unlimited simultaneous connections, which makes it fantastic for families and power users with many devices.

Advanced security & privacy features

PIA includes robust privacy and security tools to enhance user protection.

• RAM-only servers: PIA operates RAM-only servers, meaning all user data is erased with each reboot. Diskless servers allow the VPN company to wipe any server remotely in an emergency.
• MACE ad blocker: PIA VPN includes MACE, a built-in ad, tracker, and malware blocker. These enhance browsing security and speed up page load times.
• Multi-hop: PIA’s multi-hop feature routes traffic through two VPN servers, providing additional privacy and an extra layer of protection against correlation attacks. However, it is confusingly implemented.
• Auto-connect: Users can set up automation rules that make PIA connect automatically (or deactivate) based on pre-configured network rules. This helps protect against public wifi surveillance and Evil Twin attacks.
• Obfuscation: PIA offers strong obfuscation settings, allowing users to choose between Shadowsocks and a SOCKS5 proxy.
• Dedicated IP: For an extra fee, you can rent a dedicated IP address that is reserved exclusively for your use. You can use this to access web services that may flag you for suspicious behavior if you log in from different IP addresses. It also allows you to host services (such as a website or game server) without exposing your home IP address.
• Streaming support: PIA works with Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and more, using servers optimized for streaming to improve speed and reliability.
• Port forwarding: PIA supports port forwarding on select servers. This makes it a superb VPN for users who regularly seed torrents. Just bear in mind that port forwarding is not available on any of its US servers.

What is PIA’s MACE feature?

PIA’s MACE is a DNS-based blocking service that helps protect against trackers, malicious websites, and ads by using blocklists. It works by preventing third-party scripts, such as tracking and advertising scripts, from resolving at the DNS level before they reach your device.

Because this blocking occurs on the VPN server rather than through a local browser extension or app-based filter, it has a few key benefits:

• Faster page load times: Since ad and tracking scripts are blocked before they are fetched, pages will load quickly. This also saves on mobile data plans, ensuring you have more data left each month for the things you want.
• Lower local resource usage: Because MACE blocks ads and trackers before they reach your device, it reduces strain on local browser extensions and ad-blocking programs.

However, because MACE operates at the DNS level, it cannot provide the same level of granular control as you get with dedicated ad-blocking extensions or anti-tracking extensions, such as uBlock Origin. For this reason, I would recommend using a standalone ad blocker in addition to the protection you get with MACE.

Additional features

PIA ensures cross-platform support with well-designed apps and browser extensions.

• Apps for all major platforms: PIA has apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and Apple TV. Unlike many competitors, PIA offers a graphical user interface (GUI) for Linux.
• Browser extensions: PIA has browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. However, this is a browser-based HTTPS proxy rather than a full VPN connection.
• 500 GB of free cloud storage (provided through a partnership with pCloud)

Missing features? If you are wondering which features PIA does not have, I have listed them below:

1. Tor over VPN
2. An advanced bundle that comes with extras like a password manager, a secure cloud browser, data removal services, or data breach scanning.
3. Smart DNS for streaming on devices that won’t let you install a VPN
4. Labeled streaming servers for specific platforms.

PIA price and plans

Private Internet Access (PIA) is one of the best budget VPN services available in 2025. It offers three pricing plans with the same features across all subscription tiers. The only difference is that users who commit to longer subscriptions get a bigger discount. The link in this guide will give you a better rate. Check the discounts section below for more details.

Unlike most of its competitors, PIA’s subscription rate does not increase when it renews. You won’t get a nasty surprise when your existing plan ends. Remember, however, that renewals are automatic. I advise making a note of when your plan is due to end. This will give you the chance to shop around, explore other options, and check that PIA is still the best deal for you.

The only PIA plan that is a touch expensive is the one-month plan. The cost is comparable to that of competitors like NordVPN and Surfshark. However, it is more expensive than services like ProtonVPN and PrivateVPN. If you only need a VPN for a short vacation, you may prefer one of these alternatives.

There are no hidden costs, but you will need to pay a small extra fee for a dedicated IP. Below, I’ve outlined the cost of PIA’s plans so you can compare PIA VPN to other services:

Price breakdown

PIA keeps its pricing simple, offering three subscription options that all offer the same VPN features. However, the 3-year plan will give you three months extra free and 500 GB of cloud storage for 12 months (provided by pCloud). This makes the 3-year plan even better value.

Add-ons

PIA offers several optional add-ons for enhanced security and functionality:

• Dedicated IP: Available for an extra fee, starting at $5 per month, with discounts on longer subscriptions. (The cost reduces to $2.50 per month if you get a 3-year plan). Locations include Australia, Canada, Germany, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
• Antivirus protection: Available for Windows devices starting at $4.50 per month, with discounted rates for longer-term plans. (The cost reduces to $1 per month when you get a 3-year plan.)
• Encrypted cloud storage: PIA partners with pCloud to provide secure cloud storage. You get 500 GB of cloud storage free for 1 year when you opt for the 1-year or 3-year plan.

Discounts

We negotiate exclusive discounts for our readers. If you follow the link in this review, then you will enable an automatic coupon code that reduces the price of the 1-year plan by 72%.

Checking this review periodically for more deals. PIA runs seasonal sales, such as Black Friday and holiday promotions. These often offer a bigger discount for our readers.

Payment methods & refunds

PIA accepts a variety of payment methods, including:

• Credit and debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover).
• PayPal.
• Amazon Pay.
• Cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, via BitPay).
• Cash payments (accepted at PIA’s headquarters and sent via post for added anonymity).

PIA offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all its plans. Test the service risk-free on all your devices. If you’re not happy for any reason, you can request a refund within 30 days of making the purchase.

Testing the money-back guarantee

To verify PIA’s refund process, I purchased a 1-month subscription and requested a refund within the 30-day period. The process was straightforward:

1. First, I contacted PIA’s customer support team via live chat.
2. I explained my reason for cancellation (I simply said I didn’t need a VPN).
3. The refund was approved without hassle, and the money was returned to me within five business days.

Unlike some VPNs, PIA’s refund process is straightforward. While they ask for a cancellation reason, they don’t impose usage limits, so you can test the VPN as much as you like during the 30-day trial period.

Does PIA offer value for money?

Yes. PIA is one of the most impressive low-cost VPNs on the market. It offers more features and server locations than just about any other VPN in the $ 2-per-month price range, making it a truly wallet-friendly option.

The only real way to get a better deal than PIA is by opting for a competitor that offers a comprehensive security bundle. These bundles often include services that essentially make the VPN free (or extremely cheap). PIA doesn’t have a bundle like this, so if you need a password manager, online data removal, or breach monitoring, then you may be able to get a better deal with NordVPN, Surfshark, or IPVanish.

PIA customers can bolt on an antivirus with real-time protection, customizable scans, secure quarantining, malware removal, automatic virus database definition updates, and protection against zero days. It is a full antivirus program with real-time scanning. Add it to your VPN subscription for as little as $1 per month if you get the 3-year plan.

Private Internet Access speeds: Is PIA fast?

Private Internet Access is built on a network of Tier 1 servers and provides the modern WireGuard protocol, designed to give users faster speeds. Despite this, my tests revealed that PIA’s speeds are average. On the plus side, the VPN app connects to the servers lightning fast, so you do not spend time waiting for it to connect.

While it might not be the fastest VPN I have tested this year, PIA still performs extremely well for a VPN at this price point. I had no trouble streaming in HD and could play Warzone and other data-intensive games while connected. Most users will find the VPN more than adequate for their needs.

Speed test results

I tested the VPN three times at three different times of day (morning, Noon, and evening) at various server locations around the world. I used these results to arrive at location averages and global averages.

The tests were carried out on a Windows PC located in Manchester, England. The baseline speed without the VPN is 250 Mbps. The test server is purposely capped at this speed, despite having plenty of overhead. This ensures that all VPNs are tested under the same conditions. I used the app version of Ookla.

The results below give you a precise idea of the VPN’s performance across its New York, London, and Hong Kong servers.

As you can see, PIA speed results were a bit of a mixed bag. At noon, I received much faster speeds connected to its Hong Kong server. In the evening, the Hong Kong server was substantially slower. This type of yo-yo effect can be pretty frustrating. However, it was still fast enough for HD streaming at its slowest. Overall, this makes it an impressive VPN, even when connected to the farthest location I tested.

The fact that Hong Kong gave me better speeds than the server in the UK is pretty uncommon and could indicate that PIA’s UK and US servers were more congested during peak hours.

Despite this anomaly, the VPN consistently gave me speeds above 60 Mbps. I had more than enough overhead for data-intensive tasks like torrenting, streaming, and gaming.

Are there faster and more consistent VPNs to pick from? Yes, but PIA still performed remarkably well for a VPN that costs $2 per month.

Device compatibility (VPN Apps)

Private Internet Access (PIA) offers dedicated apps for a wide range of platforms, ensuring robust compatibility across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Fire TV, Apple TV, Chrome OS, and routers. It also makes browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera.

Users can connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously with a single subscription. This makes PIA even better value for money because you can easily share your subscription with all family members in your household or even friends if you want to. It’s also a bargain for people who own many devices.

If you prefer, you can set up PIA on a router to automatically protect every device in your home. This will ensure that Smart TVs, consoles, and other devices are automatically protected, without the need to install a VPN app on each device.

You can set the VPN up on any router that is compatible with the OpenVPN protocol. Below, I have included a list of officially supported router models for which setup guides are available on the PIA website. However, other routers will also work if they support OpenVPN.

• DD-WRT: OpenVPN Setup
• LEDE: OpenVPN Setup
• ASUS-WRT: OpenVPN Setup
• ASUS-WRT-Merlin: OpenVPN Setup
• PFSENSE: OpenVPN Setup

Platform-specific details

Want to know which features are available on different PIA apps? Below, I’ve outlined all available features so you can decide whether PIA has the specific attributes you require for your devices.

Windows

MacOS

Android

iOS

Linux

Browser extensions

PIA makes browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. These extensions allow you to change your IP address from inside the browser, which helps access region-based search results, localized pricing, or other location spoofing activities. Just keep in mind that this is a proxy service, not a full VPN tunnel. For added privacy, we recommend using the standalone VPN app.

Ease of use

I tested Private Internet Access (PIA) thoroughly on Windows, Android, and iOS to evaluate its usability, performance, and overall experience. I was particularly interested in how intuitive the apps would be for both beginners and advanced users. Overall, I was impressed by the design of the apps, which have been designed with attention to detail. PIA offers a consistent experience across platforms, so it’s easy to switch between devices without relearning the interface or settings.

PIA for Windows

Downloading and installing PIA for Windows took less than a minute. The setup was effortless, requiring just a few clicks to install and log in. The installation wizard handles everything in the background, so you don’t need to understand any technical details to install the configuration files, firewall settings, background services, and network adapters.

The app gives you a Quick Tour on the first launch.  This tells you a few details about how you can customize the VPN to suit your preferences.

However, I will say that this “tour” felt extremely surface-level. It did not touch on any of PIA’s advanced features or explain general VPN use to beginners. With the tour complete, PIA presented me with a big one-click connect button.

Users who prefer more control can expand the dashboard at the bottom to access a list of advanced settings, including encryption options, protocol selection, and split tunneling. If you want to see any of these permanently, then set them to green, and they will appear in the simple view from then on:

As you can see, I added several modules to the simple view, including port forwarding and protocol details. This made it easier to access the functions I use regularly and allowed me to keep track of the protocol I was testing.

Did PIA for Windows work as advertised?

Yes, the PIA app for Windows worked as expected. I tested split tunneling by configuring Chrome to bypass the VPN while routing my Firefox browser through the VPN.

The feature worked flawlessly. A quick IP address check revealed that Chrome was using my unprotected internet connection, while Firefox had an IP address provided by the VPN in America.

I also tested the kill switch, which has both a standard mode (disconnecting the internet when the VPN unexpectedly drops) and an advanced mode (blocking all internet access unless connected to PIA).

Using a real-time IP tracking tool, I force-closed the VPN and used a page refreshing extension to monitor my IP address every 0.4 seconds. The test revealed that my real IP address never leaked. This means that PIA’s kill switch functions at the system level, which is excellent.

The only slight issue I noticed when using the VPN on my laptop was speed performance. PIA performed pretty well in my speed tests. However, on my laptop, it felt slower than some other VPNs I recently tested.

Specifically, when using WireGuard, my laptop did not seem as responsive as usual. So, if high speeds for gaming or streaming are your primary concerns, then I’d recommend testing it on your device. You can do this risk-free using the 30-day money-back guarantee.

Another minor frustration was server selection. The “Optimal Server” feature occasionally connected me to a different country than expected. I was in the UK, but it would often show me France, Italy, or the Netherlands instead.

This can lead to confusion, so you may prefer to always pick a server location from this list. This will prevent you from connecting to the Netherlands or France when you were expecting the UK, for instance.

PIA for Android

Installing PIA for Android was effortless. The app is available directly from the Google Play Store, and setup takes less than a minute.  I have to say that, having used PIA in previous years, the 2024 redesign of PIA for Android has made the app feel much more polished. And I love that dark mode is available for those late-night streaming and surfing sessions!

The home screen displays an easy-to-use quick-connect button, which makes it easier to connect to the fastest server. Unlike on Windows, it always connected me to the UK.

The main screen provides various settings, including the kill switch, auto-connect, and protocol selection. This allowed me to change the most important mobile VPN configurations without opening the settings menu.

I was impressed by how customizable the Android app is. I could tweak encryption settings – switching between AES-128 and AES-256 depending on whether I wanted faster speeds or better security. WireGuard is set by default, but you can switch to OpenVPN if you prefer. There is also an option to make the packet size smaller, which can help the VPN work on some wifi networks.

When using OpenVPN, PIA lets you select which port you want to use. You can pick between ports 8080, 853, 123, and 53. This can help you get connected on networks that are blocking ports commonly associated with VPNs. Note that PIA doesn’t attempt to connect over UDP 1194, which is the port most commonly used by OpenVPN.

Auto-connect VPN for Android

The automation feature lets you set the VPN to connect automatically on wifi or mobile data. You can set it to connect on all wifi networks and then exclude your home network. This will ensure it always auto-connects out in public but waits for you to connect when you are at home. Perfect for ensuring you are always protected against insecure hotspots and Evil Twin attacks.

PIA MACE is available to block ads and trackers, and the Android app has a kill switch.

Split tunneling is available by clicking on settings in the top lets. It is labeled Per App Settings. This lets you choose which apps are bypassed from the VPN tunnel.

The split tunneling worked flawlessly in my tests, allowing me to keep certain apps on my local connection while securing others through the VPN. Also, Port forwarding is available by heading to Settings > Network > Port Forwarding.

The kill switch leverages Android’s built-in “Always-on VPN” setting, which means it will not allow you to connect to the Internet unless the VPN is connected. This is a highly effective kill switch that often performs better than an app-level kill switch for Android.

Multi-hop (Double VPN) functionality is also available by clicking in the top right of the app. This allows you to easily route your connection through two different locations to protect against correlation attacks.

Did PIA for Android work as advertised?

Overall, I was hugely impressed with the newly released PIA app for Android.  It is snappy, intuitive, and packed with features.

I didn’t experience any crashes or bugs during my tests. Just bear in mind that when you switch from mobile data to wifi (or vice-versa), the VPN may disconnect. It doesn’t always connect automatically. I recommend checking that the app has reconnected when switching.

Overall user experience

Private Internet Access worked consistently on every platform I tested (Windows, iOS, and Android). The ease of use is incredible, and the number of features packed into the mobile apps is hugely impressive when compared to most competitors. I also love that the VPN is completely transparent about the encryption information. Perfect for beginners or advanced users who need extra features like port forwarding – even in mobile apps.

Server network

Private Internet Access offers a huge selection of servers worldwide. The VPN excels in both raw server count and server distribution. However, many of its servers are provided using virtual routing rather than physical server locations. Servers in just 39 out of 91 countries are physically located in the country displayed in the app.

That minor caveat aside, PIA provides a highly reliable global network with a particularly impressive presence in the US and Europe. Coverage in Asia, Africa, and Oceania is weaker but still offers enough for most users.

Server metrics

• Total servers: Over 35,000 servers across 91 countries.
• Number of locations: 91 countries, 151 locations, including servers in all 50 US states. This is a unique selling point compared to most of its competitors.
• Physical vs. virtual servers: PIA is transparent about which servers are virtual, labeling them with a globe icon in the app.

Server features

• 10 Gbps infrastructure: PIA servers run on Tier 1, 10 Gbps servers.
• RAM-only servers: All PIA servers run on RAM, meaning no user data is stored, and all data is erased upon reboot. This allows the VPN to clear any of its servers in an emergency.
• Co-located servers: Some servers are owned and managed directly by PIA, offering enhanced security and privacy. However, you can’t tell which servers are self-owned in the app.
• Streaming-optimized servers: Available in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, and several European countries.
• P2P & torrenting support: All servers support torrenting, though port forwarding is not available on every server.

Comparison with competitors

While NordVPN and ExpressVPN provide coverage in more countries, PIA’s server count is unrivaled. The ability to choose servers in all 50 US states is ideal for users who want to bypass blackout restrictions on live sports or access state-level services, such as betting sites. And its streaming-labeled servers make it easier to find a server that works for watching your streams on vacation.

Below, you can see how PIA’s network compares to its closest rivals:

Does Private Internet Access work in China?

Although PIA offers a SOCKS5 Proxy and obfuscation (Shadowsocks), it is not recommended for users in China. The VPN does not officially support users in China, and it does not offer any server locations in China. The Shadowsocks protocol could work, but overall, users in need of a VPN to bypass the Great Firewall of China will be better off with a competitor that officially supports users in that country.

Streaming and unblocking

Private Internet Access (PIA) is fast and offers decent streaming performance. However, it fails with some streaming services, making it slightly less effective than the best VPNs for streaming (such as NordVPN and Surfshark).

The VPN has specialized streaming servers in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, and several European countries. These should help you access most streaming services. However, the Australian server gave me some trouble (more on that below). In addition, some services, like Amazon Prime Video, were able to detect and block the VPN.

Below, you can learn more about its streaming performance:

Streaming overview

PIA works seamlessly with Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and multiple US-based TV services, maintaining stable speeds to support HD and 4K streaming. The dedicated streaming servers help with many streaming services, but trial and error may be required at times.

Also, don’t be afraid to test non-streaming-labeled servers, because they can work to access some services, as I experienced with France.tv.

Streaming service compatibility

Netflix

PIA successfully unblocks a few popular Netflix libraries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Japan. Streaming performance on Netflix was smooth during my tests, with minimal buffering even during peak hours.

Does PIA work with international streaming platforms?

At Comparitech, we strive to consider international users just as much as those in the US and the UK. To that end, we always run tests on various international services to get a sense of how they perform.

Ultimately, if you’re interested in a specific streaming platform not mentioned in this article, it’s better to test PIA yourself using the money-back guarantee. That said, the test results below still give you a picture of how it performed compared to other VPNs that we reviewed:

• United Kingdom: BBC iPlayer and ITVX streamed without issues when connected to PIA’s UK streaming server.
• United States: Hulu, HBO Max, Peacock, and Paramount+ all worked smoothly while connected to PIA’s streaming servers.
• Japan: Netflix Japan worked without issues, but Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ Japan failed.
• Germany: I streamed Dar Erste on ARD Mediathek. This channel is usually inaccessible outside of Germany. The channel loaded and played while connected to PIA’s Germany streaming-optimized server.
• France: I tested NordVPN to watch France.tv. I was able to stream live TV from channel France 2 while connected to the France server (it wasn’t a streaming-optimized server, but it still worked).
• Brazil: I tested PIA to stream GloboPlay Brazil. There was no streaming-optimized server for that location, and the regular server was unable to stream.
• Canada: I connected to the CA Ontario Streaming Optimized server and was able to watch live Canadian TV for free.
• Australia: Finally, I tested PIA’s Australian streaming server. Sadly, it was recognized as a VPN and caused an error message.

While PIA offers strong unblocking capabilities, Amazon Prime Video is a bit iffy. So, if you need a VPN for this service, then you may prefer to shop elsewhere.

Does PIA allow torrenting?

Yes. PIA allows torrenting throughout its network, and it offers port forwarding for improved seeding. When you turn on port forwarding, you will see a smaller server selection. This is because port forwarding is limited to fewer servers.

PIA is a highly reliable VPN for torrenting, offering decent download speeds. It has a kill switch to ensure that you don’t leak your torrent activities outside the VPN tunnel if the VPN connection fails.

Is Private Internet Access (PIA) safe?

Private Internet Access is a reputable VPN with a decent security reputation on platforms like Reddit. However, it is based in the US, which may put some people off due to the presence of gag orders and warrants.

PIA operates from the US, a Five Eyes country with a history of government surveillance. However, its no-logs policy has been tested in court twice, with no data ever handed over.

PIA offers military-grade encryption, diskless servers, and an independently audited no-logs policy. Advanced security features include multi-hop and obfuscation (Shadowsocks). This makes it a reliable option for privacy-conscious users, despite being based in the US.

PIA stands out for its transparency. Many VPNs require deep digging or direct communication with developers to find out about encryption details, but PIA displays ciphers, handshakes, and authentication methods right in its apps. This leaves no room for doubt.

I carried out leak tests to see if the VPN works properly, providing users with digital privacy. As you can see, PIA successfully prevented IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks, ensuring a secure and private connection at all times.

Logging policy

PIA enforces a strict no-logs policy, meaning it does not store browsing history, IP addresses, connection timestamps, or bandwidth usage. From the policy: “We DO NOT collect or store browsing history, connected content, user IPs, connection time stamps, bandwidth logs, DNS queries, or anything like that. We collect and retain zero user logs.”

PIA’s policy has been independently audited and verified multiple times:

• Deloitte Audit (April 2024): Confirmed that PIA does not store user logs or identifiable data.
• Legal Cases (2016 and 2018): PIA was subpoenaed for user data in two separate court cases, and in both instances, it had no information to provide.

PIA also publishes transparency reports. These quarterly reports list any legal requests for data received. This offers transparency to its users and reinforces its commitment to privacy.

Policy analysis

I decided to carefully review the privacy policy to see if there were any gray areas. Overall, the policy is well-written. It offers decent transparency over the level of privacy users receive. It states that it will comply with legal requests if necessary. But because it keeps no connection logs or usage logs, this will not affect user privacy regarding VPN use.

The only minor issue I found was some vague language surrounding data retention. The policy states that it reserves “the right to rectify, replenish, or remove incomplete or inaccurate information at any time.”

Unfortunately, the VPN does not specify what data this applies to or how long it’s retained. This lack of detail results in a minor grey area.  When it comes to privacy, specifics are important, so I would prefer this part of the policy to state what data is collected and how long it is retained before being removed.

PIA’s US jurisdiction means it could be legally pressured to hand over user data to US authorities, and it could be forced to keep that a secret using gag orders. PIA has proven in court on two occasions that it stores no identifiable user data. Despite this, users may prefer a different VPN if they have an elevated threat model.

Encryption and VPN Protocols

For the techy-minded among you, I have included the strongest encryption settings available with PIA VPN:

• AES-256-bit encryption (military-grade) for OpenVPN and IPsec.
• RSA-4096 key exchange, which is more secure than the RSA-2048 used by some competitors.
• SHA-512 authentication to ensure data integrity.
• ChaCha20 encryption for WireGuard, which offers high-speed security.

PIA also allows users to customize encryption settings, which is ideal for those who want to either maximize their security or lower it to get better speeds.

• AES-256: Provides maximum security but slightly reduces speed.
• AES-128: Offers faster speeds but slightly weaker security.

Controversies

PIA has a strong security record with no known breaches or major security incidents. However, its US jurisdiction remains a concern for users who require maximum privacy protection. While no logs have ever been compromised, to our knowledge, users looking for a VPN outside the Five Eyes alliance may prefer NordVPN or another alternative.

Customer support

PIA has 24/7 live chat support, email, and a knowledge base. In my tests, I found the agents to be decent. However, while I did usually get an agent pretty quickly, they sometimes said hello and then disappeared.

Presumably, they are handling multiple requests and get sidetracked after initiating the conversation. Still, this can be pretty frustrating! When a conversation starts, you expect to have at least your first question addressed without having to wait again.

Agents could usually handle basic inquiries quickly. However, on some occasions, they gave me completely inaccurate information.

When I asked how to find servers for torrenting, the agent told me that the servers would have a P2P symbol next to them. This is false; P2P servers are not labeled in the apps because PIA allows P2P connections on all servers.

This is an example of agents just making stuff up, which is a real head-scratcher.

Another agent made basic mistakes regarding what features are for. For example, the agent implied that split tunneling was the kill switch (or perhaps DNS leak protection) rather than a way to route some apps outside of the VPN tunnel. This reveals that agents are not well-trained.

To conclude, my experience with customer support was less than satisfactory. Some agents provide incorrect answers, which makes support confusing. If you’re a VPN beginner and need help using it, I would advise shopping elsewhere.

Private Internet Access (PIA) review conclusion

PIA is a good choice for many home internet users who need a VPN. Its independently audited no-logs policy, strong encryption standards, and open-source apps make it a reliable VPN for users who value transparency. However, it is based in the US, which may put off some privacy-conscious users.

PIA is one of the few VPNs that allow unlimited simultaneous connections, making it ideal for families or users with multiple devices. This is impressive considering the low cost of its subscriptions.

The VPN works pretty well for streaming, offering dedicated servers that allow safe access to services like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. However, unblocking can sometimes require trial and error. It doesn’t work with Prime Video and some other international services. Torrenting is fully supported, with port forwarding to improve speeds for seeding.

So what are the drawbacks? PIA’s speeds are good, but they vary throughout the day. This could make it inconsistent for data-intensive activities, such as 4K streaming or gaming. Customer support is available 24/7, but it’s hit-or-miss, with some agents providing inaccurate information and slow responses.

I found PIA’s apps to be exceptionally well-designed, and it is worth the cost. It is perfect for users who want to customize their encryption or require advanced features like port forwarding, multi-hop, and obfuscation.

If you’re still on the fence, you can test PIA using its 30-day money-back guarantee. This is a great way to compare it to other VPNs.

What are the best alternatives to PIA?

If you’re looking for a strong alternative to Private Internet Access, NordVPN is an excellent all-around option. It’s fast, reliable, and packed with features that suit most everyday users, especially for streaming and general privacy protection. That said, it doesn’t include port forwarding, which may be a drawback for some torrenters.

For those focused on affordability and flexibility, Surfshark stands out as the best budget-friendly VPN. It supports an unlimited number of devices on a single account, making it ideal for households or power users.

Finally, suppose you want broad server coverage in the US, especially for accessing regional content. In that case, IPVanish is worth considering, particularly when bundled with its secure storage and backup tools in its top-tier plan.