Private Internet Access (PIA) is a surprisingly solid VPN product given its very low prices. Starting at about $2 per month, you might expect a bare-bones VPN service that’s slow and barely gets the job done.

But that isn’t the case at all. Our Private Internet Access review shows a high-quality service with fast speeds, loads of server locations, and a strict no-logs policy that’s been tested in court. We don’t love that PIA is based out of the U.S. (a known Five Eyes Alliance country), but this doesn’t seem to have caused privacy issues so far.

Check out our PIA VPN review to dig into details about speed tests, Netflix compatibility, customer support, and more.

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Private Internet Access

• VPN offering fast internet speeds and strict no-logs policy
• Unblocks Netflix and other streaming services
• Antivirus and dedicated IP address cost extra

Private Internet Access overview

Who is PIA best for?

• Recommended for people who want a fast and affordable VPN that can unblock streaming services, provides plenty of server locations, and has a tested no-logs policy.

Private Internet Access is a virtual private network (VPN) service based out of Denver, Colorado, that offers one of the cheapest VPNs on the market. But “cheap VPN” doesn’t necessarily mean lacking in quality.

Our tests show that PIA can offer fast speeds, high levels of privacy and security, and the opportunity to unblock regional streaming content. It’s especially helpful to know that the PIA no-logs policy has been tested multiple times in court without any user information being leaked — primarily because PIA doesn’t keep logs of user activity.

PIA VPN pros and cons

Private Internet Access features

We primarily tested PIA using its Windows app, so our experience is generally based on the features available to the Private Internet Access VPN app on Windows. You might find that your PIA experience is slightly different depending on which app you use.

But we found that PIA has loads of servers to choose from, a strict no-logs policy, and an app interface that’s fairly easy to use and navigate. The interface itself might fit better in the hands of a more experienced VPN user because of its customization options, such as moving widgets around in the display and setting up your home screen.

However, beginner users should still be able to navigate through the interface easily enough. It wasn’t difficult for us to find the server list or to connect to different servers. And the settings were straightforward and understandable.

PIA's key features include

1. Server count and countries
2. No-logs policy
3. Kill switch
4. Split tunneling
5. Encryption
6. VPN protocol
7. Identity Guard
8. Smart DNS
9. Multi-Hop
10. MACE

1. Server count and countries

• 91 countries and all 50 U.S. states

PIA doesn’t release a list of how many servers it actually has, but it verified with us that you can connect to servers in 91 countries and every U.S. state. That’s a sizable number of server locations and likely more than enough for your average VPN user.

Here’s how PIA compares to other popular VPN providers with its number of countries with servers:

• Private Internet Access: 91 countries + 50 U.S. states
  
• Surfshark: 100 countries
• ExpressVPN: 94 countries
• CyberGhost: 90 countries
• Hotspot Shield: 80 countries
• Proton VPN: 64 countries
• NordVPN: 59 countries

If you look at both countries and U.S. states, PIA offers 134 server locations, making it one of the top VPNs with the most locations to choose from. And even if you just consider locations in 91 countries, PIA is still comparable to other popular VPNs in terms of server locations.

But again, 91 countries plus 50 U.S. states is actually a decent number and the trend seems to be for VPNs to continue providing more and more server locations. This is important because more server locations mean more ways to use VPNs. For example, it could mean additional opportunities for you to unblock streaming services in different regions.

If you look at the PIA server list, you’ll see servers ordered by latency numbers. In general, latency is one way to measure your internet speed. So servers with lower latencies (depicted by a green color) are typically your fastest connection options based on your location.

Servers with higher latencies (depicted by an orange color) are typically your slowest connection options based on your location.

You might also notice some servers have a small globe symbol next to them. This means the server is in a “geo-located region,” which means it isn’t physically located in that country. But for all intents and purposes, connecting to one of these virtual servers still makes it seem like your connection is coming from the applicable country.

2. No-logs policy and headquarters

• PIA logs policy: No logs
• PIA headquarters: Colorado, U.S.

PIA VPN has a strict no-logs policy and is headquartered in Colorado, United States. PIA doesn’t collect or store your data, including your internet protocol (IP) address, browsing history, DNS queries, bandwidth consumption, VPN session timestamps, or connection logs.

In general, PIA doesn’t store any data about your VPN usage or what you do while using its VPN. PIA’s no-logs policy has been tested multiple times in court without PIA releasing any relevant information. This is because PIA doesn’t track or store user information and has nothing to give, as outlined in its transparency reports.

PIA also had an independent audit done of its no-logs policy in June 2022 by Deloitte. The report confirmed PIA’s no-logs policy because Deloitte couldn’t find any trace of user activity on PIA’s servers.

PIA uses RAM-only servers, which means data is frequently deleted and difficult to steal. And so far, the U.S. government hasn’t been able to force PIA to violate its no-logs policy. This is because of U.S. consumer protection laws, according to PIA.

But even though it hasn’t happened yet, that doesn’t mean PIA can’t eventually be forced to breach its own policies. The main fact pointing to this possibility is that Private Internet Access is U.S.-based. And the U.S. is part of the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and 14 Eyes Alliances, which are global networks involved in mass surveillance, including within their own countries.

PIA has done an excellent job so far with its privacy initiatives, and we hope it continues to do an excellent job. But being located in a country that’s part of a global surveillance network might not be the best thing for maintaining user privacy.

Note that Private Internet Access was acquired by Kape Technologies in 2019. Kape Technologies owns other VPNs, including ExpressVPN, CyberGhost VPN, and ZenMate VPN. All VPNs under the Kape brand are believed to run independently of each other. Learn more in our ExpressVPN review.

3. Kill switch

PIA VPN provides a kill switch feature located in the Privacy section of the app settings. A VPN kill switch is designed to prevent data leaks from happening if your secure connection is interrupted.

You can choose between two different kill switch options:

• VPN Kill Switch: Your basic kill switch that prevents leaks by blocking your internet traffic from moving outside the VPN, including during an interrupted connection.
• Advanced Kill Switch: Blocks all internet traffic unless you’re connected to the VPN.

If you want to test the kill switch to see if it’s working, the easiest way is probably turning on the Advanced Kill Switch. This feature makes it so you can’t access the internet at all if you aren’t connected to the VPN. We tested this by turning on the feature, disconnecting the VPN, and trying to connect to a website using Chrome.

We weren’t able to connect to anything online even though our internet connection was still there. It’s safe to say, the kill switch works.

4. Split tunneling

Split tunneling is a feature that allows you to bypass the secure VPN connection with specific apps and IP addresses. PIA offers this feature in the app settings on the Split Tunnel tab.

You might use the split tunneling feature if you don’t want an app to be slowed down by a VPN and you aren’t worried about security or privacy within that app. For example, you might allow an online video game to bypass the VPN connection so you can maintain fast speeds while gaming. In the meantime, your other online activities remain private and secure.

5. Encryption

PIA lets you choose between AES-128 or AES-256 encryption. These are some of the strongest encryption algorithms available and are widely used by organizations worldwide. You can find the encryption options in the Protocols tab of the app settings within the OpenVPN protocol section.

6. VPN protocol

PIA offers multiple VPN protocols to help ensure your security while maintaining high levels of transparency. This includes the open-source WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols, as well as IKEv2/IPsec. You can find the available protocols in your app settings in the Protocols tab.

Note that Private Internet Access with OpenVPN and WireGuard were the only available options we saw on the Windows desktop app. But we did see all three protocols, including IKEv2/IPsec, were available in the iOS app.

7. Identity Guard

PIA Identity Guard is a feature that can help you see whether an email address has been part of a data breach. We found this feature in our online account using a Chrome browser.

Selecting the Identity Guard tab brings you to a breach monitoring page on the PIA website. Here, you can enter an email address and PIA will check to see whether it’s been exposed.

We entered one of our junk emails (an email we use to sign up for all kinds of services and subscriptions) to see what would pop up. We first had to confirm an email from PIA to start the monitoring process.

After confirming the email, we found our junk email had been part of two recent data breaches. This wasn’t surprising, but still helpful information. You can add multiple email addresses and receive notifications from PIA about breach alerts.

8. Smart DNS

Smart DNS is a way to use a VPN on devices that might not typically have access to a VPN app. For example, your PlayStation, Xbox, Apple TV, or smart TV might not have an app store with the PIA VPN app. But you can still use the Smart DNS feature to set up different devices with PIA functionality.

You can find Smart DNS options in your online account in the Smart DNS tab.

Note that Smart DNS won’t give your device a secure VPN connection, but it can change your device’s virtual location. For example, you can choose locations in the U.S., Japan, Germany, the U.K., and the Netherlands. This can be helpful for accessing regional streaming content.

9. Multi-Hop

Multi-Hop is a feature within the PIA app settings in the Multi-Hop tab. This security feature routes your VPN connection through an additional server. This is often called “double VPN” on other VPNs.

Multi-Hop is designed to offer more security with your connection by offering another layer of encryption. You can also hide that you’re using a VPN, which is called obfuscating your connection.

The PIA Multi-Hop feature offers the Shadowsocks and SOCKS5 proxies. SOCKS5 proxy servers, which include Shadowsocks, are designed to mask your true IP address by routing you through a server with a different IP address. They aren’t as secure or private as VPNs, but they can offer an additional layer of anonymity.

10. MACE

PIA MACE is a feature you can find in the app that blocks ads, trackers, and malware. It’s located in the app settings in the Privacy tab.

We wanted to test MACE out with its ad blocker feature, so we opened up a page on Forbes.com, a site that typically has tons of annoying ads. We first opened the page without turning on the MACE feature or connecting to the VPN and we immediately found a giant ad.

We then turned on the MACE feature and connected to the VPN. The same ad had disappeared and we didn’t find any other ads on the page.

PIA VPN test results

We conducted a speed test, DNS leak test, and WebRTC leak test to see how PIA VPN performed with maintaining reasonable internet speeds and overall privacy. We also tested whether PIA could unblock different Netflix content libraries.

These tests were run using the PIA VPN Windows app on a desktop PC running Windows 10 from a physical location in the U.S.

PIA VPN passed all of the tests we performed. Here are the details for each set of tests.

Speed tests

• Private Internet Access speed test results: Private Internet Access passed its speed tests.

How a VPN affects your internet speeds is often one of the primary concerns when choosing a VPN. We tested Private Internet Access by connecting to different servers around the world and measuring how it impacted our internet connection. While it's normal for a VPN to take up some bandwidth and reduce your internet speed, we were looking for unusual, significant dips in speeds.

We began our testing by establishing a baseline and measured our internet speed without PIA turned on. Then we connected to servers in the U.S., Europe, and Australia. We conducted our testing on a Macbook Air from a physical location in the U.S.

Private Internet Access speed test results

Our internet speeds were acceptable for the most part, and you shouldn't have any issues doing everyday internet activities and streaming while using a PIA VPN. However, it's interesting to take a look at the results of the nearby U.S. server.

The download speed dipped quite a bit even though we still had a great internet connection. Yet our latency increased significantly to 418% above our baseline speed — much more than when we connected to servers in Europe and Australia.

Increased latency is an issue for gamers who need a quick response for their playing. You might be able to find other U.S. servers that don't increase your latency so much, but it's something to consider if you’re a frequent gamer.

The good news is that we didn't experience any issues or delays in connecting to any servers. You can easily connect to several different servers to find one with a speed that works for you.

Private Internet Access Netflix tests

• Private Internet Access Netflix test results: Private Internet Access passed its Netflix tests, but there were some errors along the way.

Some people use a VPN to watch Netflix, but sometimes streaming apps block VPN usage. We conducted tests with Private Internet Access to see if we could watch Netflix while connected to different servers around the world.

PIA has streaming optimized servers, so we tried them out for our Netflix tests if they were available. We connected to servers in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia. After connecting to the server, we opened up Netflix to see if it would connect and then sampled a show to see if there were any lag issues.

We had no issues while connecting to the U.S., Canadian, and Australian servers. We were able to connect easily, and our shows didn’t have any buffering problems.

However, the U.K. blocked the connection entirely, even when we used the "UK London - Streaming" server. We switched devices from a Macbook Air to a Chromebook and still couldn't connect to Netflix.

Eventually, we decided to connect to a different U.K. server, which is when we could finally stream U.K. Netflix. While we were able to connect eventually, it's a little concerning that we had issues across multiple devices and the streaming-optimized server didn't work as intended.

Overall, PIA can connect to Netflix, but you may need to experiment with different servers to make it happen.

Private Internet Access Netflix test results

Note that PIA VPN advertises it works with BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, YouTube TV, ITV, and other streaming services.

DNS leak tests

• Private Internet Access DNS leak test results: Private Internet Access passed its DNS leak test.

The domain name system (DNS) leak test reveals if a VPN is successfully masking your IP address, internet service provider (ISP), and general location. If it doesn't, it's leaking data. We used BrowserLeaks to conduct our DNS leak test.

Once we connected to Private Internet Access, we ran the DNS leak test. The VPN was able to hide our information and show the VPN server instead.

WebRTC leak tests

• Private Internet Access WebRTC leak test results: Private Internet Access passed its WebRTC leak test.

A WebRTC leak occurs when there's a vulnerability in your internet connection and it doesn't successfully hide your information from third parties. Instead, it exposes your IP address and makes it easy for third parties to identify you.

Once again, we used BrowserLeaks to conduct the WebRTC leak test. Without the VPN on, we could see our real IP address. Then we connected to Private Internet Access. The leak test showed the VPN server IP address instead of our real IP address, so there were no WebRTC leaks detected.

PIA VPN prices and subscriptions

PIA VPN offers subscription plans for one month, six months, and two years. All plans come with the same features, so the only differences are the price and subscription length. Your overall monthly price goes with the longer subscription options.

The cheapest option for PIA VPN: Two-year plan for $2.03/mo

The most expensive option for PIA VPN: Monthly plan for $11.99/mo

You might only need a VPN for a short period of time, including if you’re traveling abroad for a vacation and want a VPN for streaming purposes. But it’s typically the most expensive option to pay for a VPN one month at a time.

If you want to save money on a VPN, it’s often much cheaper overall to choose a longer subscription length. And with PIA VPN, you can get some dirt cheap prices.

Here’s how PIA VPN compares to other popular VPNs and their lowest monthly rates:

• ExpressVPN: $6.67/mo
• Hotspot Shield: $7.99/mo
• Proton VPN: $4.99/mo
• NordVPN: $2.99/mo
• Surfshark: $1.99/mo
• CyberGhost: $2.03/mo
• Private Internet Access: $2.03/mo

Private Internet Access costs the same or less than all the VPNs listed. And compared with ExpressVPN, PIA is four times cheaper. But remember that price isn’t everything and there are a few competitors that don’t cost much more than PIA.

For example, would it be worth it to pay about an extra $12 per year for NordVPN and its high-quality service and fast speeds?

It depends on your situation, but it’s important to realize that VPNs are generally inexpensive and you have plenty of options to choose from to meet your needs.

Private Internet Access cost

PIA VPN payment methods include:

• Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover)
• PayPal
• Amazon Pay
• Cryptocurrencies through BitPay (bitcoin, ethereum, litecoin)
• Gift cards via PayGarden

PIA makes a point of accepting crypto and gift cards as forms of payment because they’re more anonymous options. It’s important to note that not all VPNs have these options, especially not an opportunity to use a random gift card to pay for a VPN.

Overall, PIA accepts gift cards from around 100 different brands. This includes Best Buy, Walmart, Target, The Home Depot, Bed Bath & Beyond, and more.

PIA compatibility

You can set up the PIA VPN app on an unlimited number of devices, operating systems, mobile apps, and browser extensions, including:

• Windows (8.1, 10, or 11)
• macOS (10.13+)
• Linux (Ubuntu 18.04+, Mint 19+, Arch, Debian)
• Android (Android 5.1+)
• iOS (iOS 12.1+)
• Chrome (v48+)
• Firefox (v57+)
• Opera (v52+)
• FireTV

You can find Private Internet Access download options in your PIA account on a web browser. We were able to find download links for the Private Internet Access Chrome extension and other apps in the Downloads tab.

We noticed that PIA VPN had loads of excellent reviews and high ratings for both its iOS and Android apps. The PIA VPN app on Google Play has 4.5 out of 5 stars with more than 62,000 reviews.

The PIA VPN app on the App Store has 4.7 out of 5 stars with over 92,000 reviews.

PIA customer support

Private Internet Access offers customer support through its support website, email, live chat, and social media channels. You can also submit error reports through the PIA app (we were able to see this option on the Windows app) and fill out a contact form through the support portal.

The PIA social media channels include Facebook, Twitter, and Reddit. PIA also has a YouTube channel, but the last upload was more than a year ago. You can send an email to the PIA support team at support@privateinternetaccess.com.

Live chat

Private Internet Access offers 24/7 live chat available to anyone on its website. We decided to see what the chat experience was like by asking a PIA representative a few questions. You can find the chat button in the bottom right corner of just about any page on the main PIA website.

After starting the live chat, we were quickly (within a few seconds) transferred to a live agent to begin our conversation.

Our first question had to do with how many servers PIA has. This was a legitimate question because the answer wasn’t readily available anywhere we could see on the PIA website.

Unfortunately, we didn’t receive an exact number for the quantity of PIA servers. The agent let us know how many server locations PIA has, but that didn’t quite answer the question. However, ExpressVPN does something similar by advertising its number of server locations rather than the total number of servers.

As we continued chatting with the agent, we got onto the subject of PIA’s ad and malware blocker. We asked how it worked and how to turn it on. We were then directed to a PIA support page about the ad and malware blocker (MACE).

The article didn’t actually tell us how to turn on that feature and the agent didn’t seem to have that knowledge. It wasn’t a big deal because we had already seen the option in the app settings, but this type of interaction likely wouldn’t be helpful for someone new to VPNs who could actually use some help.

Overall, the customer support agent was polite, friendly, and mostly understandable. They didn’t seem to have much technical knowledge of PIA VPN, but that’s not uncommon for customer service representatives in general.

Support portal

The PIA support portal provides loads of resources for PIA users or anyone who’s interested in learning more about this VPN. This includes guides, announcements, and a knowledge base area with FAQs.

The news section of the support website is especially helpful because it provides updates about relevant events for PIA users. For example, an announcement about maintenance on a specific server gives you a heads-up that you won’t be able to use that server for a certain period of time.

The section with different guides can also be helpful if you need a few tips on how to use PIA in different ways or how to set it up on certain devices. This could include installing PIA VPN on Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS devices.

PIA VPN FAQs

Bottom line: Is Private Internet Access good?

Yes, Private Internet Access is a good VPN that does just about everything right. It’s fast, affordable, private, and secure. And you get plenty of server locations with opportunities to unblock regional streaming content. Even better, the PIA no-logs policy has been tested in court and successfully audited by an independent third party.

But the PIA headquarters in the U.S. is a tad concerning. Nothing has happened yet for PIA to breach its no-logs policy, but the U.S. is a well-known member of a global surveillance group of countries.

PIA has a lot going for it, including 24/7 customer service. But for only slightly more money per month, you can get NordVPN, one of the best VPN services available. Nord is often included among the fastest VPNs and it’s known for its reliability. And the NordVPN headquarters are in Panama, a country that isn’t part of a global surveillance alliance. Learn more in our NordVPN review.

5.0

Save 83% on a 2-year subscription + 4 months free

Learn More

On Private Internet Access's website

---

Private Internet Access

• VPN offering fast internet speeds and strict no-logs policy
• Unblocks Netflix and other streaming services
• Antivirus and dedicated IP address cost extra

Author Details

Ben Walker

About the Author

Ben Walker is a writer at All About Cookies with a passion for all things internet and technology, whether it's using VPNs while away from home or organizing his life with password managers.

Sara J. Nguyen