Our Verdict
Our Thoughts on PIA
PIA secures a respectable position with a rating of 64.8%. The company’s strength is in its balance. It’s reliable but not groundbreaking. Performance is solid, though it doesn’t top the charts. It offers good functionality at a fair price. All these make PIA a viable choice for those seeking a balanced blend of functionality and affordability in their VPN service.
Market Benchmarks
Our reviews delve deeply into each VPN service, scrutinizing aspects such as privacy, customer feedback, pricing, and usability to provide well-rounded insights.
Ratings are based on our comprehensive research of 96 VPN companies. Out of 96 VPNs we reviewed, only 11 surpass the 75% threshold in our evaluation, while half of the reviewed services score below average (54.1%).
Why Read Our Review?
- Our VPN reviews are unbiased and data-driven. We are not affiliated to any of the VPN companies listed on this website.
- Our rating system covers diverse user needs. We delve deeply into each VPN service, scrutinizing aspects such as privacy, customer feedback, pricing, and usability to provide well-rounded insights.
About PIA
Private Internet Access, established in 2010, is a service of London Trust Media, Inc. While specific details about the founders are not widely publicized, PIA has made a name for itself in the VPN industry. The company is known for its strong commitment to privacy and transparency, offering features like AES-256 encryption and a strict no-logging policy. PIA is compatible with various platforms, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux. The company is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, USA.
PIA offers different subscription plans. The cheapest plan starts at $1.98/mo and require a 36-month commitment.
Visit PIA Online: https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/
PIA Technical Specs
| Features | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | United States |
| Servers | 10,000 |
| Countries with Servers | 91 |
| Works In China | Likely |
| Encryptions | AES-128, AES-256, and ChaCha20 |
| Cheapest Price | $1.98/mo, 36-month Subscription |
| Protocols | OpenVPN, and WireGuard |
| Simultaneous Connections | Unlimited |
| Unblock Streaming Platforms | Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, and HBO |
| Dedicated Device Apps | Both Android and Apple (iOS) |
| Ads Blocking | Yes |
| Support | 24/7 Live Chat |
PIA Pros & Cons
Listed below are what we like and dislike about PIA. As you explore the list, it’s crucial to weigh what sets this VPN apart from competitors against the aspects you might not favor.
The strengths of PIA highlight its unique advantages in the VPN market – offering features and services that may align perfectly with your specific needs. On the flip side, the cons, while not deal-breakers, are areas that may not meet everyone’s preferences or requirements.
It’s important for you to carefully consider these factors in relation to your individual needs and priorities in choosing a VPN service.
✅ Competitive Pricing
PIA offers an economically attractive option in the VPN market. Its cheapest plan, while requires a 36-month commitment, costs only $1.98 per month. This competitive pricing makes PIA a compelling choice for those seeking affordable online privacy solutions.
However, users should still evaluate the overall value of the service, including features, security levels, and customer support, to ensure it meets their specific needs despite the lower price point.
❌ Base in One of 14-Eye Alliance Countries
PIA operates from United States – a country within the 14-Eye surveillance alliance. Users should be aware of potential data sharing agreements in this jurisdiction. Privacy-focused customers might view this as a concern. It’s important to consider how this may affect data privacy and security.
What is the 14-Eyes Alliance?
The 14-Eyes Alliance, also referred to as SIGINT Seniors Europe (SSEUR), is an extended intelligence collaboration originally rooted in the Five- and Nine-Eyes alliance. Countries included in the 14-Eyes Alliances are the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Sweden.
The primary goal of this coalition is the exchange of signals intelligence (SIGINT), encompassing electronic communications and data.
How does the 14-Eyes Alliance affect your privacy and security?
The impact of this alliance on everyday life privacy is profound. Member nations, as disclosed in revelations like those by Edward Snowden (watch video), often engage in extensive surveillance of both their citizens and global communications. This means that data collected by one member could be shared with others in the alliance.
Additionally, online services based in a 14-Eyes country may be legally obligated to provide user data to their respective governments, which can then be disseminated among member states. This surveillance culture erodes personal privacy and can pose threats to digital security as there are pushes for encryption “backdoors” that could inadvertently weaken cyber defenses.
Users often consider the jurisdiction of the VPN provider as a key factor in their decision-making process. Those who are particularly concerned about privacy might opt for VPN providers based outside of the 14-Eyes countries to reduce the risk of surveillance and data sharing among these nations.
✅ Offer a Kill Switch Feature
PIA enhances its VPN services with a robust kill switch feature. This security measure ensures that if the VPN connection unexpectedly drops, the user’s device will automatically disconnect from the internet, thus preventing any accidental exposure of the user’s real IP address and online activities.
A kill switch feature is particularly valuable for users who handle sensitive information or looking an added layer of privacy protection.
✅ Strict No-Logging Policy
Our market study finds that PIA adheres to a strict no-logging policy. The company does not track or store logs of users’ internet activities, including browsing and download history, traffic data, or IP addresses.
A VPN’s no-logging policy is a significant factor for users who prioritize privacy, as it ensures that their online activities are not monitored or recorded. In an era where digital privacy is increasingly valued, PIA’s commitment to not keeping logs enhances its appeal to privacy-conscious individuals seeking a trustworthy VPN service.
✅ Support Double VPN
One key differences between PIA with most other VPNs is the inclusion of a double VPN function. Double VPN is an advanced security feature typically offered by premium VPN providers – it is only available in 26 VPNs (out of the 96) we studied.
What is a Double VPN?
Typically, only one VPN server is used to route data. Double VPN technology routes data through an extra server, making it essentially twice as secure. The core benefits of double VPN are a further boost in security and anonymity. Since all your data is protected with an extra layer of encryption, this makes it twice as hard for hackers to crack. Users requiring higher security levels, such as journalists or activists, might need to look for other providers that offer this enhanced privacy feature.
✅ Support Split Tunneling
PIA also stands out with its split tunneling feature. This functionality allows you to choose which apps or websites are routed through the VPN and which access the internet directly. The split tunneling feature is a plus for those wanting the best of both worlds: speedy local access without VPN interference and protected browsing for select tasks. Compared to VPNs that do not come with such a feature, PIA could save you countless hours of frustration.
✅ Likely to Work in China
According to our research, PIA has demonstrated effectiveness in bypassing China’s stringent internet restrictions. The ability to work in China means PIA can navigate through the Great Firewall, providing access to blocked content and ensuring communication freedom. This can be a notable advantage – especially you are living in or traveling often to the region.
However, it’s important to acknowledge that this capability may not be consistent in the future. The ever-evolving firewall policies and political factors in China could impact PIA’s effectiveness. Users should stay informed about these changes to manage their expectations and plan accordingly.
✅ Above Average Server Fleet Size
PIA operates on more than 10,000 servers in 91 countries. A larger server count typically offers more options for users in terms of server locations, reduces server load, and can provide better speeds and reliability.
✅ Unblock Major Streaming Platforms
Our analysis indicates that PIA excels in bypassing geo-restrictions on most streaming platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, and HBO. Whether you’re a film buff, a TV series enthusiast, or simply wish to enjoy local content while traveling abroad – its proficiency in unblocking streaming platforms enriches your viewing experience without the hassle of geographical limitations.
Bottom Line: Is PIA Right for You?
Verdict Recap
PIA secures a respectable position with a rating of 64.8%. The company’s strength is in its balance. It’s reliable but not groundbreaking. Performance is solid, though it doesn’t top the charts. It offers good functionality at a fair price. All these make PIA a viable choice for those seeking a balanced blend of functionality and affordability in their VPN service.
When considering our VPN ratings, remember they are for reference only and may not reflect every individual’s unique needs. It’s essential for you to understand your specific requirements and choose a VPN service accordingly.
If your priority is extreme security, features like a double VPN and a jurisdiction outside of the 14-Eyes should be your focus, rather than factors like pricing, streaming platforms unblocking, or server count. Conversely, if you’re seeking extra privacy for casual internet browsing, advanced security features might be less critical, allowing you to opt for a more basic, cost-effective VPN solution.
We encourage you to actively try and test various VPNs yourself to find the one that best fits your unique requirements.
Alternatives to PIA
There are many PIA alternatives in the market – many of which are powerful and reasonably priced. Read further to compare and choose below.