Private Internet Access Review (2025): The right choice?

Private Internet Access Review

Private Internet Access has the most strict no-logs policy. One top of that it’s fast, features a large server network, and works with most streaming services. It’s an excellent choice.

• Privacy: 100%. Private Internet Access has a crystal-clear no-logs policy; it doesn’t store any user data.
• Streaming: 80%. It granted reliable access to most streaming services, but struggled with Disney+ and DAZN.
• Speed: 100%. Private Internet Access delivers excellent download speeds, making it ideal for streaming and gaming.
• Security: 100%. With top-tier encryption, robust protocols, a kill switch, split tunneling, and more, security is airtight.

Thanks to the 30-day return policy, you can try it risk-free.

Privacy

Private Internet Access (PIA) is one of the most privacy-conscious VPN providers available, with multiple layers of protection and independent verification of its no-logs policy. Below is a breakdown of its privacy features, policies, and real-world tests of its claims.

No-Logs Privacy Policy

PIA explicitly states that it does not log or store:

• IP addresses
• Browsing activity
• Connection timestamps
• Server usage data
• Device information
• Bandwidth usage

The only information collected is your email address and payment details during account creation — standard among VPN providers.

PIA’s policy is one of the most transparent, backed by independent audits and court cases proving its no-logs claim.

Real-World Tests and Verifications

PIA has consistently demonstrated its no-logs policy under scrutiny:

Court Cases:

• 2016 FBI Subpoena: PIA was unable to provide user data because none was stored.
• Russian Server Seizure: Similarly, Russian authorities found no usable information when they seized PIA servers.

Independent Audits:

In 2022, Deloitte audited PIA’s no-logs claims and verified that no user-identifying information is retained.

Transparency Reports:

PIA releases regular reports detailing government requests for user data. As of November 2024, PIA has not complied with any requests due to its lack of stored data.

Advanced Privacy Features

• Diskless Servers: PIA uses RAM-only servers, ensuring that no data can persist after the server is powered down.
• Anonymous Payment Options: Users can pay anonymously using cryptocurrencies or gift cards, adding another layer of privacy.
• Jurisdiction: While based in the US (a Five Eyes member), PIA’s verified no-logs policy minimizes concerns about jurisdictional privacy risks.

Jurisdiction and Ownership

• US Jurisdiction: Being headquartered in the United States, a member of the Five Eyes alliance, poses potential risks due to laws like the Patriot Act. However, PIA’s no-logs practices have proven resilient against these risks.
• Ownership by Kape Technologies: Kape, formerly Crossrider, acquired PIA in 2019. While Kape faced criticism for its past in adware, it has since pivoted to focus on privacy and cybersecurity, also owning reputable services like ExpressVPN and CyberGhost.

Conclusion

PIA excels in privacy and transparency, setting itself apart with:

• Verified no-logs policies tested in real-world scenarios.
• Commitment to user anonymity through features like RAM-only servers and anonymous payments.
• A proven track record of resisting government data requests.

Despite being based in a privacy-unfriendly jurisdiction, PIA’s robust privacy practices make it one of the best VPNs for users prioritizing security and anonymity.

Streaming

Private Internet Access (PIA) has made notable improvements in its streaming capabilities, now successfully unblocking multiple platforms and regions. While it still has some limitations, its overall performance makes it a competitive choice for streaming enthusiasts.

PIA unblocks major platforms such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime Video. However, it struggles with certain services like DAZN, Disney+, and Sky Go. Its compatibility extends to multiple Netflix libraries and all major UK-based streaming platforms.

Speed

Private Internet Access (PIA) is one of the fastest VPNs we’ve tested, offering excellent speeds on nearby connections and solid performance over long distances. It leverages the WireGuard protocol for optimal efficiency, making it a top-tier choice for activities like streaming, gaming, and torrenting.

\WireGuard Protocol:

• WireGuard boosts speeds while maintaining robust security, allowing PIA to outperform many competitors.
• Nearby server speeds are consistently high, with minimal speed losses (as low as 6%).

Long-Distance Connections:

• While not the fastest for global performance, PIA’s long-distance speeds are reliable. Even when connecting from New York to Japan, it maintained speeds of 80 Mbps, enough for streaming, gaming, and large downloads.
• For context, other top-performing VPNs like NordVPN and Surfshark tend to perform similar over extreme distances.

Speed Consistency:

• PIA suffers from occasional week-to-week fluctuations in speed, which can impact overall performance compared to more consistent VPNs.

For most users, whether streaming, torrenting, or browsing, PIA delivers more than enough speed for smooth, lag-free experiences.

Security

Private Internet Access (PIA) is a highly secure VPN, offering robust encryption, customizable settings, and advanced features to protect user privacy. Its open-source apps, private DNS servers, and ad-blocking capabilities make it one of the safest VPNs available today.

Encryption and Protocols

PIA offers cutting-edge encryption and protocol options:

• Default Settings: AES-128 encryption with OpenVPN.
• Customizable Options: Users can use AES-256 for maximum security or adjust handshake and authentication methods to RSA-4096 and SHA-384.
• WireGuard Protocol: Provides a balance of speed and security, making it ideal for most users.
• Shadowsocks (SOCKS5): Built-in obfuscation protocol to bypass censorship and enhance torrenting speeds.

PIA’s flexibility in security settings allows users to tailor their protection based on performance and security needs.

Leak Protection

PIA offers comprehensive leak protection:

• IPv4 & IPv6 Leaks: Prevents leaks, though IPv6 addresses are not replaced with spoofed IPs (a feature we’d like to see).
• DNS Leak Protection: Enabled by default on macOS and manual on Windows. In our tests, PIA effectively protected against IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks.
• Private DNS Servers

PIA operates its own private DNS servers, ensuring no third-party interference with DNS queries. Users can also set custom DNS servers via the app for added flexibility.

Advanced Security Features

• PIA MACE: A DNS-based ad and malware blocker. While effective, its “on/off” approach lacks customization, like whitelisting specific domains.
• InBrowser: A private mobile browser that deletes all session data upon exit, enhancing privacy on iOS and Android.
• Open-Sourced Apps: Transparency is a cornerstone of PIA’s security. Publicly available source code ensures no hidden vulnerabilities or malicious code.
• SOCKS5 Proxy & Shadowsocks: Provide additional layers of obfuscation and are ideal for users in restrictive regions or torrenting.

What PIA Does Well

• Independent Audits: Regular third-party audits confirm the security of PIA’s apps and infrastructure.
• Customizability: Encryption, protocols, and DNS settings are easily adjustable for expert users.
• Consistent Leak Prevention: Comprehensive protection against all common leaks.
• Ad and Malware Blocking: MACE blocks ads and trackers, enhancing both security and user experience.
• Transparency: Open-sourced apps foster trust by inviting public scrutiny.

Areas for Improvement

• IPv6 Address Spoofing: While IPv6 addresses are hidden, PIA doesn’t replace them with spoofed addresses, which could reduce the risk of leaks further.
• GPS Spoofing: Adding GPS spoofing would bolster location privacy on mobile devices.
• Full Server Ownership: While PIA rents servers, owning its entire network would provide additional control and security.

Conclusion

PIA’s security offerings are among the best in the industry, with top-tier encryption, flexible customization, and advanced privacy tools. It’s an excellent choice for users seeking a VPN that prioritizes transparency and security. With minor additions like GPS spoofing and IPv6 address replacement, PIA could further cement its position as a leader in VPN security.

Servers

Private Internet Access (PIA) boasts the largest server network of any VPN, with 18,651 servers in 153 locations across 91 countries, including all 50 US states. This extensive coverage reduces server congestion, improves speeds, and offers flexibility for users to connect to specific locations.

Strengths of PIA’s Server Network

Massive Coverage:

• PIA is ideal for obtaining region-specific IP addresses, with standout performance for countries like the US, Canada, and Argentina.
• Its 50-state coverage in the US makes it the best VPN for activities like streaming blackout NHL games.

High Average Servers per Country:

205 servers per country on average ensures low server load and better speeds compared to rivals. For example:

• CyberGhost averages 107 servers per country.
• NordVPN averages 57 servers per country.

Optimized Speed:

The large server count reduces congestion, resulting in an average local speed loss of only 5%. PIA’s server performance benefits are covered in detail in the Speed section.

Dedicated IP Addresses

PIA offers dedicated IPs for an extra $5.00/month, available in:

• Locations: US, UK, Canada, Germany, Belgium, Australia, and Sweden.
• Use Case: Designed for whitelisting on services like online banking, not for streaming.

While a dedicated IP improves access to whitelisted services, it’s disappointing that this feature doesn’t work with streaming platforms, limiting its value.

Virtual Server Locations

• Virtual Servers: Represent 41% of PIA’s locations. These servers assign IP addresses from a specific country while physically residing elsewhere.
• Transparency: PIA clearly labels virtual servers with a globe icon and allows users to disable them via the ‘Include Geo-Located Regions’ toggle in the app.
• Pros and Cons: Virtual servers can improve speeds if the physical server is closer to the user, but performance may drop if the physical server is farther than advertised.

PIA’s approach to virtual servers is transparent, giving users control over their connection preferences.

Rented Servers

PIA rents nearly all its servers but reassures users that it employs a “stringent vetting process” for third-party data centers. However:

• Benefits: Renting servers enables a global network with broad coverage.
• Concerns: Users must trust that PIA’s vetting process ensures data security.
• Transparency Gap: PIA declined to elaborate on its vetting process, leaving room for improvement in addressing user concerns.

Room for Improvement

• Server Ownership: PIA relies on rented servers. While common, owning its hardware would offer greater security and control.
• More Transparent Vetting Process: Further details on how third-party servers are audited and secured would strengthen user trust.
• Expanding Non-US Coverage: While impressive, PIA’s server network still prioritizes Europe and North America, with room to expand in Africa, South America, and Oceania.

Conclusion

PIA’s extensive server network sets it apart as a highly flexible and efficient VPN. With strong server density, global reach, and transparency regarding virtual locations, it caters to diverse user needs. While reliance on rented servers raises minor concerns, its commitment to reducing congestion and enhancing performance makes it one of the most reliable VPNs available.

Prices

Private Internet Access has an excellent price. In price per year, it’s below NordVPN, Bitdefender, and ExpressVPN, and comparable to the more affordable options like Surfshark, Norton, CyberGhost, and TotalVPN.

User reviews

We analyzed user reviews for all major VPN brands, using scores and review counts from TrustPilot, a leading review platform. However, keep in mind that some brands may actively try to boost their ratings, so these results should be taken with a grain of salt.

Private Internet Access stands out with excellent user reviews, performing slightly above the average of the top 10 VPNs on our list. Users particularly value its exceptionally strict no-logs policy—the most rigorous among professional VPN services—making it a top choice for privacy-conscious individuals.

Ownership

Private Internet Access is owned by Kape Technologies, a London-based security software provider with ties to Israel. Kape also owns CyberGhost VPN, Private Internet Access, ZenMate, and Intego Antivirus, with over 7 million paying subscribers across its products.

Kape Technologies

Kape Technologies acquired Private Internet Access in December 2019.

Kape’s history is notable:

• 2012: Teddy Sagi, an Israeli entrepreneur, acquired Crossrider, a browser extension development company later associated with adware.
• 2014: Crossrider went public on the London Stock Exchange.
• 2016: New management pivoted to privacy and security.
• 2017-2021: Kape acquired CyberGhost VPN, Intego, ZenMate, Private Internet Access, and ExpressVPN.
• 2023: Kape delisted from the London Stock Exchange and became private.

Some worry that Kape is largely a financial holding company, focusing on subscriber growth, while limiting the R&D spend in its companies.