Private Internet Access VPN Review – Is It a Good VPN?

Private Internet Access VPN

Private Internet Access (PIA) is one of the most popular VPNs on the market. True to its name, this provider is best known for its strict no-logs policy and commitment to user privacy.

Is PIA truly as trustworthy as they claim when it comes to protecting user privacy and anonymity? How does it perform in other categories like streaming, torrenting, and safety?

We tested PIA ourselves to find out, and the results are in. Some of the highlights of PIA’s VPN service include its user-friendly interface, robust security, anonymous torrenting, and support for 10 simultaneous devices.

Downsides include variable speeds and inconsistent ability to access popular streaming sites.

PIA may help to unblock Netflix US, DE, JP and UK, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer.   If you want to unblock Netflix libraries worldwide, we’ve may have more consistent results with ExpressVPN.

 

 

Private Internet Access Pros & Cons

Pros

1. Cheap 2-year plan
2. Huge number of servers
3. Good for torrenting
4. User-friendly
5. Kill switch on all clients
6. Anonymous payment methods
7. Full Linux app
8. 30-day money-back guarantee
9. Highly configurable
10. Good security options
11. Unblocks Youtube
12. Great torrenting speeds
13. Shadowsocks proxy

Cons

1. No independent audit
2. Based in a 5-Eyes country
3. Speeds could be better

 

 

Private Internet Access Price

PIA doesn’t offer a free trial. However, Private Internet Access pricing is quite attractive, especially when looking at long-term subscriptions:

• Monthly – $9.95/month
• Yearly – $3.33 a month ($39.95 a year)
• Two-yearly – $2.69 a month ($69.95 for two years)

PIA offers a 30-day risk-free money-back guarantee.

The pricing system of Private Internet Access VPN is really simplistic. You get the same features together with 10 simultaneous connections with every single plan. The only difference is the duration of your subscription, which affects the price quite significantly.

You’ll pay the least if you commit to the two-year plan, which costs only $2.69 a month, or $69.95 for the whole duration of the subscription. In addition, you’ll get two extra months for free, as well as the Boxcryptor encryption tool.

Buying the yearly subscription results in $3.33 a month, which would cost you $39.95 a year. You will pay the most for a single-month plan, which costs $9.95. As usual, their monthly plan is the most expensive.

However, there’s no free plan or even a trial version for Private Internet Access VPN. On the other hand, you can use their 30-day money-back guarantee if you realize that PIA and you are not a good fit.

Also, you are not limited to a single refund (like in the case with many other VPN services). If you buy a new subscription 3 months after the previous refund, you can cancel your plan once again and get all your money back.

In terms of payment options, Private Internet Access VPN offers a few different credit cards, gift cards, PayPal, and lots of cryptocurrency options like Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Litecoin.

 

Streaming – Does Private Internet Access VPN Work with Netflix?

With popular streaming sites like Netflix constantly cracking down on VPN use, there’s no guarantee that most VPNs will be able to access geoblocked streaming content.

We had mixed results with PIA. The good news is that all of the US servers that we tested were able to access US Netflix content without being blocked by the dreaded proxy error.

We were also able to access UK Netflix on both servers that we tested, as well as Netflix content in Canada, Denmark, and Australia.

The downside is that we were unable to access Netflix in other server locations that we tested, including Germany, Mexico, and Japan.

If you’re looking to unblock Netflix and other streaming sites from across the globe, ExpressVPN is a reliable choice. It’s fast, secure, and unlimited.

 

Is Private Internet Access VPN Good for Torrenting?

PIA states clearly on their website that they offer full P2P support. Torrenting is allowed on all servers in the network.

The provider’s strict no-logs policy is great for anonymous torrenting. The VPN also offers an automatic kill switch, which will keep your P2P activity secure even if the VPN connection unexpectedly drops, as well as port forwarding.

 

 

PIA VPN Advanced Features

These are some of the unique elements that help increase Private Internet Access protection and performance.

WireGuard®

The new WireGuard component is an open-source VPN protocol that is more secure, more stable, and faster than other protocols. PIA addressed privacy concerns with an RSA certificate-protected RESTful API, adding an additional layer of privacy to your connection.

Port Forwarding

Port forwarding gives external devices access to your device on a private network. This is useful for gaming, P2P sharing, remote desktop software, and accessing camera footage. 

Given the risks inherent in opening ports for external access, many VPNs don’t allow port forwarding. PIA allows it for all non-US servers. 

 

 

Conclusion

While Private Internet Access may not be as well-known as some other VPNs, it’s easily one of my favorite VPNs on the market. With powerful security features, a large server network, unmatched customization, and anonymous payment methods, it sets itself apart as a VPN that adapts to your needs. PIA wasn’t able to unblock Hulu, but it easily unblocked my primary streaming services Netflix, HBO Max, and Disney+. You won’t have any issues getting connected as it works on up to 10 devices, so you’re protected however you connect to the internet.

Don’t just take my word for it — you can try PIA risk-free for 30 days, so you can see if this VPN is a good fit for you too.