Private Internet Access (PIA) is a long-standing VPN provider known for strong privacy features, high customizability, and good value. It offers a large server network, supports many protocols, and gives users plenty of settings to tweak. It’s especially popular among users who want good protection without paying top-premium prices.
✅ Key Strengths
| Feature | What PIA Does Very Well |
|---|---|
| Privacy & Logging Policy | – Strict no-logs policy, independently audited. ProPrivacy.com+3Security.org+3TechRadar+3 – Policy upheld in court cases (i.e. government/authorities requested data, PIA had none to provide) WizCase+1 – Transparency reports published. Security.org+1 |
| Security Features | – Open source apps on many platforms. Security.org+2Comparitech+2 – Kill switch, encrypted DNS, support for multiple protocols (WireGuard, OpenVPN, etc.). TechRadar+2Comparitech+2 – Tools like “MACE” (ad/tracker/malware filter) and port forwarding for P2P torrenting. TechRadar+2Security.org+2 – RAM-only servers (volatile memory) so no persistent storage of user data. Security.org+2Comparitech+2 |
| Server Network & Device Support | – Large number of servers (~35,000+) and many countries (≈ 90-more) across the world. tech.yahoo.com+2TechRadar+2 – Unlimited simultaneous device connections. Comparitech+1 – Available across major platforms (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux) and features are fairly consistent. Comparitech+1 |
| Unblocking & Streaming / Torrenting | – Works with many streaming services (Netflix, etc.) for many regions. TechRadar+2vpnvox+2 – Good support for torrenting: P2P-friendly servers, port forwarding, SOCKS5 proxy. Security.org+1 |
⚠️ Weaknesses / What Could Be Better
| Feature | Common Complaints / Limitations |
|---|---|
| Speed (especially Upload / Long-Distance) | – Several tests report sizeable download speed drops in many cases — up to ~48% average speed loss in some benchmarks. tech.yahoo.com+2Comparitech+2 – Upload speeds tend to suffer more than download in many reports. Security.org+1 – Speed inconsistent across very distant servers or high-latency links. TechRadar+2vpnvox+2 |
| Jurisdiction | – Based in the U.S., which is part of the Five Eyes surveillance alliance. Some users worry about legal obligations despite PIA’s no-logs stance. Security.org+1 – Even though audits and court protections help, the U.S. jurisdiction is still a concern for privacy purists. |
| Feature Gaps / UX Issues | – On some platforms (e.g. iOS) features like split tunneling may be missing or less mature. Tekpon+1 – The “MACE” ad/track blocker sometimes lags behind in blocking brand-new phishing/malicious sites. TechRadar – Customer support is okay but not always excellent; some reviews mention slow or less helpful responses. Security.org+1 – Streaming unblocking can be hit or miss for certain platforms; sometimes need to try multiple servers. Comparitech+1 |
🔍 Performance & Speed (Real Tests)
-
Some tests show very good speeds with WireGuard, especially for nearby servers. vpnvox+2VPN.com+2
-
But other tests reveal weaker performance in distant server connections, especially for upload or latency-sensitive tasks. tech.yahoo.com+1
-
For streaming HD / 4K content, most of the time PIA delivers well, though if your internet baseline is not fast then speed drops may be more noticeable. VPN.com+2vpnvox+2
📊 Pricing & Value
-
PIA offers very competitive pricing, especially for long-term plans. Some offers are ~$2/month if you pick several-year plan. TechRadar+1
-
Unlimited device connections make it strong value for households or users with many devices. Security.org+1
-
Considering what you get (privacy, number of servers, torrent/unblocking, custom settings), many consider it “good value for money.” Security.org+1
🤝 Comparison with Competitors
Here are some quick ways PIA stacks up when compared to big names:
| Compared With | Where PIA Holds Up | Where It Falls Behind |
|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | More affordable; more customization; good enough speed locally. | NordVPN generally has faster international/distant speeds; may have more polished streaming/unblocking; extra features (double VPN, threat protection etc.). CyberInsider+1 |
| ExpressVPN | Price & customizability favor PIA; PIA offers more settings for users who like tweaking. | ExpressVPN tends to be more consistent globally, sometimes slightly more reliable when unblocking geo-restricted content. |
| Surfshark | PIA might be more stable or give better upload speeds in some tests; or at least similar. | Surfshark often better in speed over distant servers, sometimes more aggressively unblocking; brand / recognition may be higher. |
🔢 Ratings (Out of 100)
Here are my ratings for PIA as of 2025/2026, based on current reviews & tests:
| Category | Score | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Download Speed & Performance | 85/100 | Good for most tasks; not always top in peer group for distant servers. |
| Upload Speed / Latency | 75/100 | Weaker than download; some lag or slower upload especially for large files or streaming up from device. |
| Privacy & Security | 93/100 | Very strong: no-logs, audits, open source, many features. Jurisdiction is the main concern but well mitigated. |
| Streaming / Unblocking | 85/100 | Works well with many services; sometimes needs server-switching or tinkering. |
| Usability & Customization | 90/100 | Highly configurable which is a plus; for non-technical users some settings may be overwhelming. |
| Price / Value | 92/100 | Excellent value, especially long-term and with unlimited devices. |
| Support & Reliability | 80/100 | Good for many; occasional complaints about response times or assistance. |
Overall Score Estimate: ≈ 87-89 / 100
🌟 Best Use Cases for PIA (Who It’s Good For)
PIA is especially well suited for people who:
-
Care a lot about privacy and want proven no-logs with real audits and court history.
-
Want many devices covered under one account.
-
Do P2P/torrenting or upload files often.
-
Need customizable settings (protocols, encryption levels, port forwarding, etc.).
-
Need a cheaper or mid-range VPN that still provides solid features.
💡 When You Might Prefer Something Else
You might choose another VPN if:
-
You need extremely fast speeds across continents or use servers very far away (then NordVPN, ExpressVPN may perform better).
-
You want more consistent streaming capabilities without testing servers.
-
You want simpler, more polished UX / beginner-friendly interface.
-
Jurisdiction matters a lot to you: you might prefer a VPN based outside U.S. or Five Eyes.
✅ Final Verdict
Private Internet Access remains a solid, reliable VPN in 2025-2026. It’s not perfect, but it’s one of the best in the value / privacy-balanced tier. You get strong security, lots of customization, good server coverage, unlimited device support, and competitive pricing. If you accept a trade-off on some speed (especially upload / distant servers) and are comfortable tweaking settings when needed, PIA offers excellent protection for most everyday users.