How Good Is PIA VPN?

Non-public Web Entry has been a long-time participant within the VPN house. It has a large server fleet that spans throughout 91 nations and provides quick speeds by means of its customizable software. Supported platforms embody Home windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Sensible TVs, and routers.

Whereas its operation within the surveillance-heavy United States might sway some customers, PIA’s steadiness of safety, velocity, and usefulness make it a robust VPN answer this 12 months.

Non-public Web Entry VPN pricing

All three subscriptions for PIA include the identical set of options, so that you gained’t have to fret about lacking any key options for those who select one plan over the opposite.

PIA VPN’s one-year subscription is the most effective worth at $3.33 per 30 days and may be very reasonably priced in comparison with different one-year plans provided by competing VPNs. For instance, ExpressVPN’s annual subscription prices $6.25 per 30 days, whereas NordVPN’s Starter one-year plan prices $4.59. After all, these VPNs carry their very own standout options to justify the worth, however at face worth, PIA VPN’s one-year plan is a discount.

The three-year plan can be very reasonably priced at $1.98 per 30 days, however the $2-dollar spend is probably not price it for those who don’t need the three-year-long time funding. Lastly, PIA VPN’s one-month plan falls alongside the identical worth vary as different VPNs and doesn’t present the identical cost-savings as two former subscriptions.

Like most fashionable VPNs, PIA provides a 30-day money-back assure for the three plans. Whereas I want that PIA had a full-fledged free model (which might be nice for first-time VPN customers), it supplies a seven-day trial by means of its cell software (iOS and Android).

In my testing, I discovered that I may use the identical account I bought by means of the seven-day cell free trial after which log right into a desktop model of PIA utilizing the identical credentials. Having a devoted desktop free trial is most well-liked, however the workaround for the free trial was painless and simple to arrange.

My advice can be to completely make the most of the seven-day cell free trial and apply it to your desktop or system of alternative. This fashion, you get some hands-on time with the service with out spending on an preliminary fee.

Is Non-public Web Entry VPN secure?

PIA VPN has two of a very powerful safety protocols as we speak: OpenVPN and WireGuard. This offers customers a great steadiness of safety (with OpenVPN) and velocity (with WireGuard). It additionally makes use of 256-bit AES encryption, has a dependable kill swap, and protects in opposition to DNS leaks.

With PIA VPN’s firm background, there are drawbacks. First, PIA operates in america, which generally is a crimson flag for customers who’re cautious of the nation’s surveillance practices. Subsequent is PIA VPN’s possession. Like CyberGhost VPN, it’s owned by Kape Applied sciences, which acquired PIA in 2019.

Kape (previously Crossrider) had been related to distributing malware and adware earlier than it rebranded and began transferring into the cybersecurity {industry}. PIA itself addressed the acquisition and emphasised that the VPN service operates as a separate entity impartial of Kape.

By way of addressing safety considerations, PIA VPN does have a no-logs coverage, which states that it doesn’t hold data of person IP addresses, searching historical past, session timestamps and the like.

In 2022, this no-logs coverage was independently confirmed and verified by Deloitte. Fortuitously, PIA VPN has continued its dedication to impartial testing because it not too long ago accomplished a second audit again in April 2024. This audit was additionally carried out by Deloitte and seemed into PIA VPN’s safety infrastructure, which incorporates its server community and community and incident administration techniques.

For my part, third-party audits are important when selecting a VPN. Whereas suppliers can promise to maintain your knowledge safe, the one actual technique to affirm safety claims is thru issues like third-party audits. On this respect, I commend PIA VPN for not shying away from impartial assessments and persevering with to have their service audited. unskippable

As well as, PIA VPN makes use of RAM-only servers, which suggests any doable traces of person knowledge are robotically erased upon reboot. PIA VPN can be an open-source service, offering public entry to its supply code and permitting privateness fanatics to identify vulnerabilities within the code themselves.

Lastly, the corporate has a public Transparency Report that outlines courtroom orders and requests for logs. It reiterates that as a result of the service doesn’t log any data, it doesn’t hand over any knowledge to regulation enforcement.

For my part, whereas PIA’s possession and US operations are legitimate considerations, the service has completed sufficient to indicate that it’s a secure and viable VPN service in 2024.

Key options of Non-public Web Entry VPN

PIA VPN comes with each industry-standard and distinctive VPN options for potential VPN consumers. Let’s check out a few of PIA’s spotlight options.

Spectacular server fleet

PIA VPN provides servers unfold out throughout 91 nations, giving customers a broad vary of areas to select from. As well as, whereas PIA doesn’t promote the precise server rely it has, it reportedly has round 10,000 to nearly 35,000 servers.

These are very spectacular numbers, particularly since prime VPN opponents solely have round 3,000-5,000 servers. The excessive server rely will profit customers who plan on unblocking geo-restricted content material or desire a high quality server close to their location for sooner speeds.

PIA additionally not too long ago introduced that it now has 50 servers in all 50 U.S. states.

Should you’re a US citizen, it is a helpful value-add permitting you to look at blocked sports activities or information packages or entry geo-restricted accounts and providers solely out there in particular states.

Customizable VPN expertise

PIA permits customers to customise their VPN expertise in just a few methods. A technique is thru its automation function, which lets you set automated actions for the VPN each time it connects to a given community.

For instance, you may set PIA to activate the VPN in case your machine connects to an Open or unsecured community or have it turned off for those who join through an ethernet cable.

PIA VPN additionally permits customers to bookmark or pin sure components of the appliance to look on prime.

It is a easy and handy usability function that enables for higher customization, particularly if customers need to hold monitor of sure options or stats over others.

Limitless system connections

PIA now permits a vast variety of simultaneous system connections with one subscription. The service previously had a 10-device restrict, and whereas that was within the higher vary of allowed system connections, the improve to having limitless connections is welcome nonetheless.

That is an underrated function, particularly for VPN customers who’ve a number of gadgets for work or private use.

SEE: SMB Safety Pack (TechRepublic Premium)

Efficiency: Is Non-public Web Entry VPN quick?

All through my PIA testing, I obtained moderately quick speeds. I used the VPN to look at 4K and 1080p YouTube movies, attend on-line video conferences and do work on Google Workspace apps (Drive, Docs and Hold) — with no noticeable lag or real-world slowdown.

It additionally didn’t fail when it comes to DNS leak safety. I ran PIA VPN by means of a public DNS leak software a number of instances and didn’t document any leaks after a spherical of assessments with totally different servers.

When it got here to hurry assessments, PIA VPN gave strong outcomes. For downloads, PIA VPN recorded 39.31% slower speeds than my web service supplier. For uploads, it had a 26.9% lower in velocity in opposition to my ISP. Whereas not the quickest I’ve examined, I contemplate any lower of velocity inside the 20-40% vary to be good — particularly since slower speeds are anticipated when utilizing a VPN.

On this case, I give props to PIA VPN for offering respectable speeds for each uploads and downloads, as some VPNs often present a lot slower efficiency for uploads.

By way of server switching, PIA was fast. It had no bother establishing new connections or switching to new VPN areas shortly. This was true whilst I linked to areas that have been farther away.

Sadly, I did expertise one bug that retains PIA’s efficiency from being good. The primary time I converted to the WireGuard protocol, PIA couldn’t hook up with a server. This occurred even when I switched to servers that have been nearer my location — a stark distinction to the app’s efficiency whereas on OpenVPN. Nevertheless, after restarting the appliance twice, the bug appeared to resolve itself and I used to be capable of join.

Per my analysis, there are just a few customers who’ve skilled the same problem, nevertheless it does appear to be a bug that’s been mounted and is now simply resolvable.

Non-public Web Entry VPN servers and areas

Whereas PIA VPN presently doesn’t present an actual variety of its server sorts, it has previously declared round 10,000 to 35,000 servers. These servers are unfold out throughout 91 nations. This quantity makes it one of many largest server suites out there as we speak.

Location-wise, PIA has servers within the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Center East, Africa and Central Asia. Of be aware, PIA has at the very least one server in all 50 U.S. states — a plus for those who’re a U.S. citizen trying to make the most of servers in numerous U.S. states.

Sadly, PIA VPN doesn’t provide specialised servers for streaming or torrenting. It does have what it calls PIA NextGen servers. These are colocated servers which can be wholly owned and managed by PIA and run on higher, sooner, and safer {hardware}.

Total, it’s arduous to argue in opposition to a server suite that reaches the tens and hundreds, and the 50 servers for 50 U.S. states are additionally helpful. However I do want that PIA had extra specialised server sorts for safety, streaming, or torrenting to refine its server community much more.

Non-public Web Entry VPN ease of use

In the case of its desktop interface, there are professionals and cons to PIA VPN. On the optimistic aspect, I actually admire how PIA VPN offers the person management over what they need to seem on their important dashboard.

Its bookmarking function permits customers to put their most well-liked options, settings, or VPN stats on the prime of the appliance. Apart from bookmarking, PIA VPN additionally helps you to rearrange these sections to your most well-liked order.

On the flip aspect, I did discover PIA VPN’s app to be a bit clunky when it comes to person expertise. Specifically, I observed some lag and choppiness each time I navigated by means of its menus, browsed the server listing,  or switched to a brand new VPN server.

To be clear, it’s nonetheless very usable, and every thing works as marketed. Nevertheless, I do suppose it makes the entire app expertise really feel much less polished in comparison with different prime VPNs like NordVPN or ExpressVPN — whose purposes are barely a step above relating to UX, in my private opinion.

PIA VPN professionals

• Spectacular 10,000-35,000 server suite.
• Very customizable VPN expertise.
• Servers for all 50 U.S. states.
• Dependable kill swap.
• Quick add and obtain speeds.
• 7-day trial through cell variations.
• Open-source.

PIA VPN cons

• US-based, owned by controversial Kape Applied sciences.
• No free model.
• No specialised servers.
• WireGuard protocol could also be buggy.
• Desktop app feels a bit clunky.

How good is PIA VPN?

Non-public Web Entry VPN is a strong VPN alternative in 2024. It has a large server fleet, a customizable VPN app, and the flexibility to make limitless system connections. Its 50 servers for 50 U.S. states additionally make it a first-rate alternative for Individuals searching for servers particular to america.

Whereas its U.S. operations and mum or dad firm might trigger some concern, PIA VPN will get sufficient issues proper to make it a really viable VPN choice as we speak.

Non-public Web Entry VPN alternate options

Whereas PIA VPN is a high quality VPN service, it might not have the best set of options in your wants. I’ve listed comparable alternate options under that will go well with what you’re searching for higher.

Mullvad VPN

For privateness fanatics, Mullvad VPN is a best choice. It implements an nameless account numbering system that lets prospects buy subscriptions with zero private data handed over. It additionally has an independently audited no-logs coverage, guaranteeing that no person knowledge is vulnerable to being leaked to malicious actors.

To study extra, learn our full Mullvad VPN overview.

NordVPN

NordVPN is likely one of the most well-regarded VPNs within the house. It provides constant and quick speeds, a strong server fleet, and quite a few third-party audits. It additionally options specialised security measures akin to built-in malware safety and an encrypted file-sharing system, making it an all-around safety platform.

To study extra, take a look at our full NordVPN overview.

Surfshark

Surfshark is one other fashionable VPN choice in 2024. It has an easy-to-use interface fitted to inexperienced persons, robust encryption, and 24/7 buyer help. It additionally has a great status for unblocking streaming content material.

To study extra, try our full Surfshark VPN overview.

How we evaluated Non-public Web Entry VPN

My overview of PIA VPN concerned an in depth evaluation of its spotlight options, value, and real-world efficiency. I additionally had hands-on time with PIA by means of their Home windows software.

For add and obtain speeds, I examined PIA VPN utilizing Ookla’s public Speedtest. In the meantime, I ran PIA VPN by means of DNSLeakTest a number of instances to check for DNS leaks.

Lastly, I scored PIA VPN on every thing from its protocols to its worth based mostly on an inner algorithm to get a ranking of 4.5 out of 5 stars. This ranking checked out PIA VPN each by itself and with different VPN providers out there as we speak.