Hit enter to show more results
A huge server network and advanced customization at a good price.
Last Updated October 28, 2024
Related VPN Guides:
Table of Contents:
VPNs allow you to access servers in different parts of the world, bypass geo-blocks, and view content from other countries. They work by routing your internet traffic through an encrypted network, making your online activities untraceable, even for your ISP.
Private Internet Access (PIA) is one of the most reliable VPNs. PIA markets itself as the standard in privacy. For this Private Internet Access review, I examined this claim and key PIA features, pros, and cons. I reviewed its security features, conducted speed tests, and tested its ability to unblock streaming services like Netflix from other countries. I also evaluated PIA’s user-friendliness and its customer service, including the efficiency of its live chat support.
I concluded that PIA is an excellent VPN overall. Read on for the full review and to see how PIA compares to other top VPN services.
Pros
Cons
Pricing
Security and privacy are the main priorities for most VPN users. You want to be sure that the information you send out online is safe and only accessible by you and the intended recipients. You also want your online activities to be completely private and free from the prying eyes of your ISP and other third parties.
Unfortunately, some VPNs do not deliver in this essential area. Some log user data and, in some instances, even sell user data to third parties for profit. However, according to Private Internet Access, “privacy and security are the soul of what we do.”
Logs are information regarding your usage of web services. When you access the Internet without a VPN, your ISP sees details of your online activity. If you use a VPN, your VPN provider becomes the only party able to access this information, locking even your ISP out of observing your internet activity.
You want a VPN that does not store your data logs on its servers. That way, the VPN can’t observe you, either. While this is a common promise by VPNs, many providers store users’ logs. You must read the Privacy Policy of any VPN provider before making a decision.
Private Internet Access strongly asserts that it does not store user logs on its VPN servers. According to the PIA privacy policy
“We can unequivocally state that our company has not and still does not maintain metadata logs regarding when a subscriber accesses the VPN service, how long a subscriber’s use was, and what IP address a subscriber originated from. Moreover, the encryption system does not allow us to view and thus log what IP addresses a subscriber is visiting or has visited.”
This is a strong assertion, but it does not carry the same force as an independent audit of its systems. Private Internet Access is a United States-based provider, after all.
That means it falls under the Five Eyes Alliance, also part of the Nine and Fourteen Eyes Alliances. Consequently, all user information collected in these fourteen member states can be subpoenaed by other members at any time.
Fortunately, PIA passed its first independent privacy audit in 2022.
Furthermore, PIA’s no-logs policy has been tested multiple times. In 2012 and again in 2017, the US authorities issued subpoenas to obtain logs from PIA. In both situations, the VPN provider did not provide any logs because there were none to hand over.
Also, PIA issues a bi-annual Transparency Report that lists all the requests for user information it receives. I prefer the report to be from an independent third party, as some top competitors do, but the Transparency Report is certainly better than nothing.
PIA gathers what it calls “audience in rights.” This is done as part of its content measurement system, which is used to improve the VPN’s encryption.
PIA allows you to decide what encryption type you use. It uses OpenVPN over UDP in its default settings, its data authentication uses GCM, and its handshake uses RSA-2048. However, you can change all of these default settings. PIA also offers the option to switch from UDP to TCP.
Private Internet Access comes with AES-128 (CBC) encryption by default. With just a few clicks, you can switch to the more secure AES-256 (CBC or GCM) encryption algorithm. This alternative is the industry standard for VPNs.
Both encryption algorithms offer top-notch security, but there is a bit of a trade-off that can influence your choice. While AES 256-bit encryption would prove a much tougher nut to crack for any hacker, it does take more of a toll on performance. AES 128-bit works just fine on the VPN for light browsing or streaming.
Of course, you can turn off encryption entirely to squeeze out even more juice. But I would not recommend that. After all, the main point of using a VPN is to encrypt and protect your data as a user.
You also get to choose which authentication and handshake methods you prefer. The default settings are SHA1 and RSA-2048, but you can bump it up to SHA256 and RSA-4096. Again, the opportunity cost comes in reduced speeds if you prefer to use the more secure RSA-4096.
With Private Internet Access, there are a variety of protocols to choose from. The default protocol on most of its clients is OpenVPN, which is the most widely used option these days. The iOS app is different because it uses L2TP/IPSec as the default instead. OpenVPN comes with UDP and TCP connection options, with the faster UDP being the default.
Apart from OpenVPN and L2TP/IPSec, PIA now offers support for WireGuard. WireGuard is the fastest protocol, so you may want to switch to it if you’re doing bandwidth-intensive tasks.
Every top VPN has a kill switch, and Private Internet Access is no different. This feature is handy when your VPN connection is interrupted.
When such an interruption or downtime occurs, a kill switch automatically shuts off your internet access until a connection has been restored. This protects your IP address and other data from exposure when your VPN connection is down.
PIA also prevents DNS or IP address leaks. I ran several tests on this security feature using an online leak test tool. I was pleased to find that PIA’s leak protection works perfectly well.
Split tunneling is a feature that lets you select specific apps or websites to bypass the VPN. This comes in handy if you’re carrying out bandwidth-intensive tasks that don’t require privacy. Some banking apps or sites also block access if you’re a VPN, so letting those services bypass the VPN is convenient. Gaming is another potential use of split tunneling—you’ll likely have lower ping on your original connection than on the VPN.
VPNs also help users unblock content libraries and evade government internet restrictions. PIA can unblock geo-restrictions on virtually every streaming service, including Netflix, HBO Max, Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer.
Many popular streaming services restrict the content in their libraries depending on the region. This process is called geo-blocking.
For instance, Netflix users in the US have access to TV shows that those in the UK do not, and vice versa. If you try to stream content from one of these countries when you are in the other, all you will get for your trouble is error messages.
VPNs have varying unblocking abilities. This is especially true for streaming sites like Netflix and Prime Video, which have cracked down on known VPN IPs using new technology. In this PIA VPN review, I tested the VPN’s performance in this area.
The results I got were mixed. First, I tried to unblock Netflix. This is considered the major test for a VPN, and Private Internet Access did reasonably well here. I could access US content from the UK and Canada. Similarly, unblocking Netflix UK was a breeze. The same goes for Canada and Australia.
However, I had trouble accessing other Netflix libraries, such as those in Germany and Japan. This is the only area where I experienced drawbacks during this PIA review.
Test results for other popular streaming services were somewhat inconsistent as well. I could unblock BBC iPlayer on the first try using a UK-based server. Amazon Prime Video was tougher and only worked after I switched servers several times, but I did get it to work. The outcome was similar for Disney+. Unfortunately, the streaming itself was a bit spotty.
I was able to access Hulu using PIA, which is something I’ve struggled with in the past while testing other VPNs.
YouTube is one of the easiest streaming platforms to unblock, so it was no surprise that I unblocked it easily. Connecting to a VPN server in any country granted me access to YouTube content restricted to the country.
Overall, Private Internet Access may not be the ideal VPN for a user looking to stream content from multiple libraries. The service provided inconsistent results, only smoothly unblocking some platforms. Still, PIA is better at unblocking content than other VPNs I’ve tested. I’vesorship
VPN providers make big promises about evading censorship technology. However, government authorities are improving censorship using robust firewalls and VPN-blocking technology.
Like streaming, Private Internet Access is unreliable for bypassing government censorship. Because it currently has the most VPN servers in the industry, you will likely find several servers in many countries. However, using these servers in heavily censored countries produced mixed results.
I gained unrestricted access to the Internet in the UAE and Belarus. Private Internet Access could not overcome the Great Firewall of China, though. If you are looking for a VPN for your next trip to Beijing, consider an alternative like ExpressVPN.
PIA’s limitations in this area likely involve a lack of obfuscation settings.
A VPN will negatively impact your internet speeds due to the extra steps it adds to the connection process. The increased travel time to a remote server, the encryption process, and the server load are all factors that result in increased latency.
Nevertheless, VPN providers that excel in performance ensure that the decrease in speed is barely noticeable. Like most other VPNs, PIA states that it has the fastest speeds in the industry. For this review, I tested this claim.
My first step was to measure the speeds without the VPN. I used the speed test by Ookla. With no VPN, I received a base download speed of 460 Mbps.
When I connected to a local server using PIA, my connection experienced a 15% decrease in speed, with the download speed dropping to 390 Mbps. This is not bad at all. It was better than I expected.
Next, I connected to a few overseas servers to better measure the impact of distance on PIA’s performance. Servers in Europe returned an average speed of 250 Mbps.
Then, I connected to a few servers across Asia and got an average speed of 66 Mbps, which isn’t great. isn’tall, I found PIA’s speedsPIA’se inconsistent. While some servers gave me impressive speeds, others were average or downright poor. It should be noted that the results of this test will vary depending on your location.
Using PIA’s virtuaPIA’svers will also affect speeds because virtual servers route traffic through different countries than the ones they represent. Although virtual servers may play an important role in bypassing censorship, they tend to reduce speeds even further.
PIA offers servers in 84 countries. More servers mean you have a lot more options. This can be useful in several situations, like finding a low-load server or a server in a specific city. As I mentioned, virtual servers help bypass censorship and data retention laws certain countries impose.
Private Internet Access does not restrict P2P activity. PIA is quite popular with torrenters. You can torrent on all its servers without limitations.
A number of its features help make torrenting easy. PIA comes with port forwarding, perfect for bypassing NAT firewalls by redirecting incoming connections. The kill switch also comes in handy by automatically disconnecting your Internet if your VPN connection drops.
If you are an active torrenter, Private Internet Access is easy to recommend.
Private Internet Access is compatible with a wide range of operating systems. You can use PIA on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux. The features and interfaces are largely similar across all clients.
There are also Chrome, Firefox, and Opera browser extensions. The browser extensions are proxies. They will hide your IP when you use them with your browser, but they won’t affect internet traffic outside the browser.
Private Internet Access also works on routers. By setting up PIA on your home router, you can configure a VPN for your entire network of devices.
Most VPN providers limit the number of devices users can connect simultaneously with one subscription. ExpressVPN has a 5-device limit, while CyberGhost’sCyberGhost’sdevices.
Private Internet Access is generous compared to these providers. On PIA, you can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously, which can be useful if you have many devices or a large household.
Generous, though it may be, PIA still falls short of other VPN companies like Surfshark and IPVanish, which allow unlimited simultaneous connections.
All Private Internet Access apps share a sleek, modern-looking, intuitive user interface. The design is easy on the eyes and easy to use, and beginners will not find it challenging to learn the ropes.
After you install the app on your device, you’ll be asked for your login credentials. Since PIA is a premium VPN service, you’ll be redirected to the website if you haven’t purchased a subscription.
You may want to play around with the customization settings when you log in. PIA has both light and dark modes, which you can switch between.
Alternatively, you can connect immediately by clicking on the large Connect button. Doing so automatically connects you to the fastest server close to you. Of course, you can manually select a location using the drop-down menu. The entire process is straightforward and suitable for any level of user.
For more advanced users, Private Internet Access offers Piactl, a command-line tool for desktops. This feature allows someone with technical know-how to write command scripts for the VPN to follow. This feature is not easy for those new to PIA, but it serves its purpose among seasoned VPN users.
Private Internet Access has a reliable customer service system that resolves all customer service issues. The PIA website has live chat support and a repository of articles, guides, and walk-throughs.
Its knowledge base is not the most robust. Some of the articles are outdated and not very detailed. Still, you can find answers to many questions surrounding PIA.
The help center also has a forum for users. PIA is one of the only VPN providers that offers a forum. The forum allowed users to discuss the VPN service, the apps, and online privacy concerns and share relevant news.
In 2020, PIA introduced a live chat support feature on its website. Previously, the lack of this customer support channel was a significant drawback to using PIA. I’m happy I see PIA level up in this respect.
I chatted with a customer service representative to see how responsive the live chat feature is. About 15 minutes later, the support team replied. So, you can expect reasonably prompt responses.
Besides using the live chat feature, PIA customer service allows you to resolve any issue by filling out a customer support ticket.
Private Internet Access also has a Twitter account that handles every PIA customer service issue.
Private Internet Access has a 7-day free trial on Android and iOS. Just download the PIA app from your official app store to get started.
If you purchase a PIA subscription and are unimpressed by the service, you can use PIA’s 30-day money-back guarantee. All plans are eligible for this money-back guarantee if it’s claimed within 30 days of your original purchase.
With PIA, claiming a refund is easy. Open a new ticket on the Support Portal, and a customer support representative will respond quickly.
That wraps up my PIA review. Do I recommend Private Internet Access? Probably, but it depends. PIA is a solid option if you’re looking for a VPN service perfect for privacy and protection and excellent with torrenting.
Conversely, PIA offers inconsistent speeds and isn’t the most reliable way to bypass geo-blocks, government censorship, and VPN-blocking technology. These are significant downsides for certain users.
Overall, PIA is not the best premium VPN provider out there—that title belongs to ExpressVPN. But PIA comes in close second or third, depending on your needs. It’s a dependable VPN that checks the boxes on security, essential features, and ease of use.
Yes, Private Internet Access takes privacy and security very seriously. It has several features to prove this, including military-level encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and a kill switch. PIA also offers data leak protection and an array of protocols.
If you enjoy streaming, PIA may not be your optimal option. It unblocks Netflix US and a few other popular streaming sites but sometimes struggles. Additionally, its inconsistent speed means you may not enjoy your favorite shows without buffering. You're betteYou'restreaming with ExpressVPN.
The Internet's importance cannot be overemphasized. Unfortunately, it's also dangerous, with many threats and bad actors. You need a VPN mainly because of the privacy and security it provides via data encryption and leak protection. Of course, you can also use a VPN to bypass country-specific censorship or content blocks.
Identity Guard is a tool in the PIA Client Control Panel. It lets you search your email addresses to see whether they've been in a data breach and informs you if one occurs.
A data breach is releasing private or confidential information, sometimes intentionally, to an insecure environment. The information released can contain sensitive data, including your email address. Data breaches can lead to disastrous consequences, not least identity theft.
PIA has more than 35,000 servers in 84 countries around the world. But those are not the only countries where PIA works—they're just the ones you can connect to. You can access the Internet safely via PIA in most regions worldwide. However, using a VPN is illegal in just a few countries. Check your local laws before using a VPN.
Yes, you can trust PIA with your data. Although PIA is headquartered in the United States and is a Five-Eyes Alliance member, it keeps no logs in the first place. If authorities coerce it to provide customer data, it would have none to hand over. This has been proven in multiple court cases. PIA also issues a Transparency Report every six months, which reveals all demands for customer data and how many logs it has handed over (which is 0 and will always be 0).
PIA accepts a wide variety of payment methods depending on the subscription term.
If you prefer one-time payments, you can pay through Bitcoin, Ripple, Okpay, CashU, or PayGarden. The last option supports US gift cards. You can only renew one-time payments through a special link sent via email. There is a grace period of 11 days following the renewal due date. Your subscription will be terminated if payment is not made within that grace period.
On the other hand, if you prefer recurring subscription payments, you can pay with a credit card, PayPal, Amazon, Apple/iTunes, or Google Play. However, you can only use Google Play through the PIA app on Android.
In addition to the abovementioned methods, you can make payments through a prepaid Visa or Mastercard. However, unlike a credit card, your prepaid card must be registered with PIA first.
Was this content helpful?
Topic: VPN Reviews
Mar 20, 2024 | by vphadmin
Surfshark VPN Review 2024: Affordable, But Is It Safe?
Mar 20, 2024 | by vphadmin
NordVPN Review 2024: Secure, But What of Its Performance?
Mar 19, 2024 | by vphadmin
IPVanish Review: Is It One of the Best VPNs in 2024?
Mar 19, 2024 | by vphadmin
CyberGhost VPN Review: Value, Features, Extras, & More
Mar 19, 2024 | by vphadmin
ExpressVPN Review: Security, Price, Discount Coupon, & More
