Quick Verdict
Private Internet Access Pros and Cons
What We Liked
- 35,000+ servers (largest network by far)
- Fully open-source apps
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Court-proven no-logs policy
- Very affordable ($2.03/mo)
- MACE ad and malware blocker
- Audited by Deloitte
Where It Falls Short
- US jurisdiction (Five Eyes)
- Poor streaming access (limited unblocking)
- No Smart DNS feature
- Slower than top-tier competitors
- Owned by Kape Technologies
Speed & Performance
PIA retained 81% of our 487 Mbps baseline using WireGuard - delivering 394 Mbps download and 367 Mbps upload with 15ms added latency. This places it 5th in our rankings, performing well for a budget VPN and suitable for 4K streaming and gaming.
With 35,000+ servers, PIA rarely experiences congestion. The massive network ensures you can always find a fast, uncrowded server in your desired location.
Privacy & Security
PIA's no-log policy isn't just audited - it's court-proven. When subpoenaed by US law enforcement (FBI), PIA demonstrated it had zero user data to provide. This real-world verification goes beyond any third-party audit.
Deloitte additionally verified the no-log policy in January 2024. All PIA apps are fully open-source, meaning anyone can audit the code for backdoors or vulnerabilities.
Security Features
- Encryption: AES-256 or AES-128 (user choice)
- Kill Switch: Advanced (system-level, prevents all leaks)
- Split Tunneling: Per-app rules
- MACE: Built-in ad, tracker, and malware blocker
- Open Source: All apps publicly auditable on GitHub
- Port Forwarding: Available (useful for torrenting)
- Multi-Hop: Not available
Jurisdiction note: PIA is based in the United States (Five Eyes member). While this concerns some privacy advocates, the court-proven no-log record demonstrates that jurisdiction matters less than actual data practices.
Streaming & Unblocking
Streaming is PIA's weakest area. It unblocks some Netflix libraries (5 regions) and Amazon Prime, but fails on Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu in our ratings. If streaming access is important, PIA is not the right choice.
| Platform | Works? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix | Partial | 5 regions only, inconsistent |
| Disney+ | No | Blocked on most servers |
| BBC iPlayer | No | Blocked |
| Amazon Prime | Yes | Intermittent, HD only |
| Hulu | No | Blocked |
Pricing & Plans
PIA's 3-year plan at $2.03/month is among the cheapest available. Combined with unlimited device connections and open-source transparency, it's excellent value for privacy-focused users who don't need streaming access.
Private Internet Access Pricing Plans
Server Network
PIA operates 35,000+ servers across 91 countries - by far the largest network in the VPN industry. This reduces server congestion and ensures fast connections even during peak hours.
- Total servers: 35,000+
- Countries: 91
- All servers support: P2P/torrenting
- Port forwarding: Available
- Dedicated IP: Available (US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany)
- Unlimited connections: Yes
If PIA Isn't Right for You
PIA excels for torrenting and open-source transparency, but if streaming or raw speed are priorities, these perform better:
Strong Alternatives to Private Internet Access
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