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 way of its customizable utility. Supported platforms embody Home windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Sensible TVs, and routers.

Whereas its operation within the surveillance-heavy United States could sway some customers, PIA’s stability of safety, velocity, and value make it a powerful VPN resolution this yr.

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 if you happen to select one plan over the opposite.

PIA VPN’s one-year subscription is one of the best worth at $3.33 per 30 days and could be very reasonably priced in comparison with different one-year plans supplied 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 convey their very own standout options to justify the value, however at face worth, PIA VPN’s one-year plan is a cut price.

The three-year plan can also be very reasonably priced at $1.98 per 30 days, however the $2-dollar spend might not be value it if you happen to 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 way of its cellular utility (iOS and Android).

In my testing, I discovered that I might use the identical account I bought by way of the seven-day cellular free trial after which log right into a desktop model of PIA utilizing the identical credentials. Having a devoted desktop free trial is most popular, however the workaround for the free trial was painless and straightforward to arrange.

My advice could be to totally make the most of the seven-day cellular free trial and apply it to your desktop or gadget of alternative. This fashion, you get some hands-on time with the service with out spending on an preliminary cost.

Is Non-public Web Entry VPN secure?

PIA VPN has two of an important safety protocols at this time: OpenVPN and WireGuard. This provides customers stability of safety (with OpenVPN) and velocity (with WireGuard). It additionally makes use of 256-bit AES encryption, has a dependable kill change, 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 unbiased of Kape.

When it comes to addressing safety issues, PIA VPN does have a no-logs coverage, which states that it doesn’t preserve 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. Thankfully, PIA VPN has continued its dedication to unbiased testing because it not too long ago accomplished a second audit again in April 2024. This audit was additionally performed by Deloitte and appeared into PIA VPN’s safety infrastructure, which incorporates its server community and community and incident administration programs.

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

As well as, PIA VPN makes use of RAM-only servers, which implies any attainable traces of person information are mechanically erased upon reboot. PIA VPN can also be an open-source service, offering public entry to its supply code and permitting privateness lovers 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 info, it doesn’t hand over any information to legislation enforcement.

In my view, whereas PIA’s possession and US operations are legitimate issues, the service has finished 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 patrons. 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 depend it has, it reportedly has round 10,000 to nearly 35,000 servers.

These are very spectacular numbers, particularly since high VPN rivals solely have round 3,000-5,000 servers. The excessive server depend will profit customers who plan on unblocking geo-restricted content material or need 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.

When you’re a US citizen, this can be 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 a number of methods. A method 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 if you happen to join by way of an ethernet cable.

PIA VPN additionally permits customers to bookmark or pin sure components of the applying to seem on high.

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

Limitless gadget connections

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

That is an underrated function, particularly for VPN customers who’ve a number of units 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 fairly 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 Maintain) — 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 way of a public DNS leak device a number of occasions and didn’t file any leaks after a spherical of assessments with completely different servers.

When it got here to hurry assessments, PIA VPN gave stable 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 take into account any lower of velocity throughout 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 normally present a lot slower efficiency for uploads.

When it comes to server switching, PIA was fast. It had no bother establishing new connections or switching to new VPN areas rapidly. This was true whilst I linked to areas that had 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 connect with a server. This occurred even when I switched to servers that had been nearer my location — a stark distinction to the app’s efficiency whereas on OpenVPN. Nevertheless, after restarting the applying twice, the bug appeared to resolve itself and I used to be capable of join.

Per my analysis, there are a number of customers who’ve skilled an identical problem, but it surely 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 at the moment doesn’t present a precise 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 at this time.

Location-wise, PIA has servers within the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Center East, Africa and Central Asia. Of observe, PIA has a minimum of one server in all 50 U.S. states — a plus if you happen to’re a U.S. citizen trying to make the most of servers in numerous U.S. states.

Sadly, PIA VPN doesn’t supply 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}.

General, it’s laborious 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 useful. 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 terms of its desktop interface, there are execs and cons to PIA VPN. On the constructive aspect, I actually recognize how PIA VPN offers the person management over what they need to seem on their major dashboard.

Its bookmarking function permits customers to position their most popular options, settings, or VPN stats on the high of the applying. Apart from bookmarking, PIA VPN additionally helps you to rearrange these sections to your most popular order.

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

To be clear, it’s nonetheless very usable, and all the pieces works as marketed. Nevertheless, I do suppose it makes the entire app expertise really feel much less polished in comparison with different high VPNs like NordVPN or ExpressVPN — whose functions are barely a step above on the subject of UX, in my private opinion.

PIA VPN execs

• Spectacular 10,000-35,000 server suite.
• Very customizable VPN expertise.
• Servers for all 50 U.S. states.
• Dependable kill change.
• Quick add and obtain speeds.
• 7-day trial by way of cellular 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 stable VPN alternative in 2024. It has a large server fleet, a customizable VPN app, and the flexibility to make limitless gadget connections. Its 50 servers for 50 U.S. states additionally make it a major alternative for Individuals searching for servers particular to america.

Whereas its U.S. operations and mother or father firm could trigger some concern, PIA VPN will get sufficient issues proper to make it a really viable VPN choice at this time.

Non-public Web Entry VPN alternate options

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

Mullvad VPN

For privateness lovers, Mullvad VPN is a best choice. It implements an nameless account numbering system that lets clients buy subscriptions with zero private info handed over. It additionally has an independently audited no-logs coverage, making certain that no person information is prone to being leaked to malicious actors.

To be taught extra, learn our full Mullvad VPN assessment.

NordVPN

NordVPN is without doubt one of the most well-regarded VPNs within the house. It provides constant and quick speeds, a sturdy server fleet, and quite a few third-party audits. It additionally options specialised security measures corresponding to built-in malware safety and an encrypted file-sharing system, making it an all-around safety platform.

To be taught extra, take a look at our full NordVPN assessment.

Surfshark

Surfshark is one other fashionable VPN choice in 2024. It has an easy-to-use interface suited to novices, sturdy encryption, and 24/7 buyer assist. It additionally has popularity for unblocking streaming content material.

To be taught extra, try our full Surfshark VPN assessment.

How we evaluated Non-public Web Entry VPN

My assessment of PIA VPN concerned an in depth evaluation of its spotlight options, price, and real-world efficiency. I additionally had hands-on time with PIA by way of their Home windows utility.

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

Lastly, I scored PIA VPN on all the pieces from its protocols to its worth based mostly on an inside algorithm to get a score of 4.5 out of 5 stars. This score checked out PIA VPN each by itself and with different VPN providers out there at this time.