Non-public Web Entry has been a long-time participant within the VPN area. It has a large server fleet that spans throughout 91 nations and presents quick speeds by its customizable utility. Supported platforms embrace Home windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Good TVs, and routers.

Whereas its operation within the surveillance-heavy United States could sway some customers, PIA’s stability of safety, pace, and usefulness make it a powerful VPN answer this yr.

Non-public Web Entry VPN pricing

All three subscriptions for PIA include the identical set of options, so that you gained’t have to fret about lacking any key options in the event you select one plan over the opposite.

PIA VPN’s one-year subscription is the very best worth at $3.33 per 30 days and could be very inexpensive in comparison with different one-year plans provided by competing VPNs. For instance, ExpressVPN’s annual subscription prices $6.25 per 30 days, whereas NordVPN’s Starter one-year plan prices $4.59. After all, these VPNs carry their very own standout options to justify the worth, however at face worth, PIA VPN’s one-year plan is a discount.

The three-year plan can also be very inexpensive at $1.98 per 30 days, however the $2-dollar spend will not be value it in the event you don’t need the three-year-long time funding. Lastly, PIA VPN’s one-month plan falls alongside the identical worth vary as different VPNs and doesn’t present the identical cost-savings as two former subscriptions.

Like most fashionable VPNs, PIA presents a 30-day money-back assure for the three plans. Whereas I want that PIA had a full-fledged free model (which might be nice for first-time VPN customers), it offers a seven-day trial by its cell utility (iOS and Android).

In my testing, I discovered that I might use the identical account I acquired by the seven-day cell free trial after which log right into a desktop model of PIA utilizing the identical credentials. Having a devoted desktop free trial is most well-liked, however the workaround for the free trial was painless and simple to arrange.

My suggestion can be to completely make the most of the seven-day cell free trial and apply it to your desktop or machine of selection. This manner, you get some hands-on time with the service with out spending on an preliminary cost.

Is Non-public Web Entry VPN protected?

PIA VPN has two of an important safety protocols right now: OpenVPN and WireGuard. This provides customers a great stability of safety (with OpenVPN) and pace (with WireGuard). It additionally makes use of 256-bit AES encryption, has a dependable kill swap, and protects towards DNS leaks.

With PIA VPN’s firm background, there are drawbacks. First, PIA operates in the USA, which could be a crimson flag for customers who’re cautious of the nation’s surveillance practices. Subsequent is PIA VPN’s possession. Like CyberGhost VPN, it’s owned by Kape Applied sciences, which acquired PIA in 2019.

Kape (previously Crossrider) had been related to distributing malware and adware earlier than it rebranded and began transferring into the cybersecurity {industry}. PIA itself addressed the acquisition and emphasised that the VPN service operates as a separate entity unbiased of Kape.

By way of addressing safety considerations, PIA VPN does have a no-logs coverage, which states that it doesn’t maintain data of consumer IP addresses, looking historical past, session timestamps and the like.

In 2022, this no-logs coverage was independently confirmed and verified by Deloitte. Luckily, PIA VPN has continued its dedication to unbiased testing because it not too long ago accomplished a second audit again in April 2024. This audit was additionally carried out by Deloitte and seemed into PIA VPN’s safety infrastructure, which incorporates its server community and community and incident administration techniques.

For my part, third-party audits are important when selecting a VPN. Whereas suppliers can promise to maintain your information safe, the one actual solution to affirm safety claims is thru issues like third-party audits. On this respect, I commend PIA VPN for not shying away from unbiased assessments and persevering with to have their service audited. unskippable

As well as, PIA VPN makes use of RAM-only servers, which suggests any attainable traces of consumer information are routinely erased upon reboot. PIA VPN can also be an open-source service, offering public entry to its supply code and permitting privateness fanatics to identify vulnerabilities within the code themselves.

Lastly, the corporate has a public Transparency Report that outlines courtroom orders and requests for logs. It reiterates that as a result of the service doesn’t log any data, it doesn’t hand over any information to legislation enforcement.

In my view, whereas PIA’s possession and US operations are legitimate considerations, the service has finished sufficient to indicate that it’s a protected and viable VPN service in 2024.

Key options of Non-public Web Entry VPN

PIA VPN comes with each industry-standard and distinctive VPN options for potential VPN consumers. Let’s check out a few of PIA’s spotlight options.

Spectacular server fleet

PIA VPN presents servers unfold out throughout 91 nations, giving customers a broad vary of areas to select from. As well as, whereas PIA doesn’t promote the precise server rely it has, it reportedly has round 10,000 to nearly 35,000 servers.

These are very spectacular numbers, particularly since high VPN opponents solely have round 3,000-5,000 servers. The excessive server rely will profit customers who plan on unblocking geo-restricted content material or need a high quality server close to their location for quicker speeds.

PIA additionally not too long ago introduced that it now has 50 servers in all 50 U.S. states.

Should you’re a US citizen, it is a helpful value-add permitting you to look at blocked sports activities or information applications or entry geo-restricted accounts and companies solely accessible in particular states.

Customizable VPN expertise

PIA permits customers to customise their VPN expertise in a number of methods. A method is thru its automation characteristic, which allows you to set automated actions for the VPN each time it connects to a given community.

For instance, you possibly can set PIA to activate the VPN in case your machine connects to an Open or unsecured community or have it turned off in the event you join by way of an ethernet cable.

PIA VPN additionally allows customers to bookmark or pin sure components of the applying to look on high.

This can be a easy and handy usability characteristic that enables for better customization, particularly if customers wish to maintain observe of sure options or stats over others.

Limitless machine connections

PIA now permits a vast variety of simultaneous machine connections with one subscription. The service previously had a 10-device restrict, and whereas that was within the higher vary of allowed machine connections, the improve to having limitless connections is welcome nonetheless.

That is an underrated characteristic, particularly for VPN customers who’ve a number of gadgets for work or private use.

SEE: SMB Safety Pack (roosho Premium)

Efficiency: Is Non-public Web Entry VPN quick?

All through my PIA testing, I obtained moderately quick speeds. I used the VPN to look at 4K and 1080p YouTube movies, attend on-line video conferences and do work on Google Workspace apps (Drive, Docs and Hold) — with no noticeable lag or real-world slowdown.

It additionally didn’t fail by way of DNS leak safety. I ran PIA VPN by a public DNS leak instrument a number of occasions and didn’t document any leaks after a spherical of checks with totally different servers.

When it got here to hurry checks, PIA VPN gave strong outcomes. For downloads, PIA VPN recorded 39.31% slower speeds than my web service supplier. For uploads, it had a 26.9% lower in pace towards my ISP. Whereas not the quickest I’ve examined, I take into account any lower of pace inside the 20-40% vary to be good — particularly since slower speeds are anticipated when utilizing a VPN.

On this case, I give props to PIA VPN for offering respectable speeds for each uploads and downloads, as some VPNs normally present a lot slower efficiency for uploads.

By way of server switching, PIA was fast. It had no hassle establishing new connections or switching to new VPN areas rapidly. This was true whilst I related to areas that had been farther away.

Sadly, I did expertise one bug that retains PIA’s efficiency from being excellent. The primary time I converted to the WireGuard protocol, PIA couldn’t hook up with a server. This occurred even when I switched to servers that had been nearer my location — a stark distinction to the app’s efficiency whereas on OpenVPN. Nonetheless, after restarting the applying twice, the bug appeared to resolve itself and I used to be in a position to join.

Per my analysis, there are a number of customers who’ve skilled the same difficulty, nevertheless it does appear to be a bug that’s been fastened and is now simply resolvable.

Non-public Web Entry VPN servers and areas

Whereas PIA VPN presently doesn’t present a precise variety of its server sorts, it has previously declared round 10,000 to 35,000 servers. These servers are unfold out throughout 91 nations. This quantity makes it one of many largest server suites accessible right now.

Location-wise, PIA has servers within the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Center East, Africa and Central Asia. Of notice, PIA has a minimum of one server in all 50 U.S. states — a plus in the event you’re a U.S. citizen seeking to make the most of servers in several U.S. states.

Sadly, PIA VPN doesn’t supply specialised servers for streaming or torrenting. It does have what it calls PIA NextGen servers. These are colocated servers which can be wholly owned and managed by PIA and run on higher, quicker, and safer {hardware}.

General, it’s exhausting to argue towards a server suite that reaches the tens and 1000’s, and the 50 servers for 50 U.S. states are additionally useful. However I do want that PIA had extra specialised server sorts for safety, streaming, or torrenting to refine its server community much more.

Non-public Web Entry VPN ease of use

With regards to its desktop interface, there are execs and cons to PIA VPN. On the optimistic facet, I actually respect how PIA VPN provides the consumer management over what they wish to seem on their important dashboard.

Its bookmarking characteristic permits customers to position their most well-liked options, settings, or VPN stats on the high of the applying. Other than bookmarking, PIA VPN additionally permits you to rearrange these sections to your most well-liked order.

On the flip facet, I did discover PIA VPN’s app to be a bit clunky by way of consumer expertise. Specifically, I observed some lag and choppiness each time I navigated by its menus, browsed the server listing,  or switched to a brand new VPN server.

To be clear, it’s nonetheless very usable, and all the things works as marketed. Nonetheless, I do assume it makes the entire app expertise really feel much less polished in comparison with different high VPNs like NordVPN or ExpressVPN — whose purposes are barely a step above in terms of UX, in my private opinion.

PIA VPN execs

• Spectacular 10,000-35,000 server suite.
• Very customizable VPN expertise.
• Servers for all 50 U.S. states.
• Dependable kill swap.
• Quick add and obtain speeds.
• 7-day trial by way of cell variations.
• Open-source.

PIA VPN cons

• US-based, owned by controversial Kape Applied sciences.
• No free model.
• No specialised servers.
• WireGuard protocol could also be buggy.
• Desktop app feels a bit clunky.

How good is PIA VPN?

Non-public Web Entry VPN is a strong VPN selection in 2024. It has a large server fleet, a customizable VPN app, and the power to make limitless machine connections. Its 50 servers for 50 U.S. states additionally make it a chief selection for People searching for servers particular to the USA.

Whereas its U.S. operations and mum or dad firm could trigger some concern, PIA VPN will get sufficient issues proper to make it a really viable VPN possibility right now.

Non-public Web Entry VPN options

Whereas PIA VPN is a top quality VPN service, it might not have the suitable set of options to your wants. I’ve listed related options beneath that will go well with what you’re searching for higher.

Mullvad VPN

For privateness fanatics, Mullvad VPN is a best choice. It implements an nameless account numbering system that lets prospects buy subscriptions with zero private data handed over. It additionally has an independently audited no-logs coverage, making certain that no consumer information is liable to being leaked to malicious actors.

To study extra, learn our full Mullvad VPN overview.

NordVPN

NordVPN is among the most well-regarded VPNs within the area. It presents constant and quick speeds, a strong server fleet, and quite a few third-party audits. It additionally options specialised security measures equivalent to built-in malware safety and an encrypted file-sharing system, making it an all-around safety platform.

To study extra, take a look at our full NordVPN overview.

Surfshark

Surfshark is one other standard VPN possibility in 2024. It has an easy-to-use interface fitted to learners, robust encryption, and 24/7 buyer help. It additionally has a great popularity for unblocking streaming content material.

To study extra, try our full Surfshark VPN overview.

How we evaluated Non-public Web Entry VPN

My overview of PIA VPN concerned an in depth evaluation of its spotlight options, value, and real-world efficiency. I additionally had hands-on time with PIA by their Home windows utility.

For add and obtain speeds, I examined PIA VPN utilizing Ookla’s public Speedtest. In the meantime, I ran PIA VPN by DNSLeakTest a number of occasions to check for DNS leaks.

Lastly, I scored PIA VPN on all the things from its protocols to its worth based mostly on an inside algorithm to get a ranking of 4.5 out of 5 stars. This ranking checked out PIA VPN each by itself and with different VPN companies accessible right now.