Private Internet Access is a solid mid-range VPN, but it's not the fastest and it's not the cheapest

Private Internet Access (PIA) is a VPN service owned by Kape Technologies that encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through servers in over 80 countries. It works on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android. The service costs around $2.19 per month on a three-year plan, or $11.99 per month if you pay monthly. Whether it's right for you depends on what you actually need a VPN to do and how much speed matters to your daily use.

PIA has been around since 2010 and keeps detailed logs of almost nothing — that's a real advantage if privacy is your main concern. The software is open-source, meaning security researchers can read the code and find problems. But the service has had security issues in the past, and it's now owned by a company that also owns other VPN services, which some people see as a red flag for privacy.

Key Takeaways

  • Private Internet Access keeps minimal logs and publishes transparency reports, which is stronger privacy protection than many competitors offer.
  • The service is noticeably slower than some other VPNs, particularly for streaming video or downloading large files.
  • PIA's monthly price is higher than budget VPNs but lower than premium services, putting it in the middle tier.
  • The software works on all major devices and includes a kill switch that stops your internet if the VPN connection drops.
  • PIA had a security breach in 2019 that exposed user IP addresses, though the company's response was transparent about what happened.

Speed and streaming performance

Private Internet Access is slower than ExpressVPN or NordVPN in most real-world tests. When you connect to a PIA server, you'll typically see a 30 to 50 percent drop in your normal internet speed, depending on which server you pick and how far away it is. If your base speed is 100 Mbps, expect 50 to 70 Mbps through PIA.

For everyday browsing and email, this slowdown is invisible. For streaming video, it usually works fine on standard definition and HD, though 4K can buffer. If you download large files regularly or play online games where latency matters, you'll notice the difference. PIA's own speed test tool on their website shows which servers are fastest in your region, and that's worth checking before you commit.

Privacy and logging practices

PIA says it keeps no logs of your browsing activity, DNS queries, or IP address. The company publishes a transparency report twice a year showing how many government requests it received and how many it complied with. In recent reports, PIA received a small number of requests and turned down most of them because the company had no data to hand over.

The catch is that PIA is now owned by Kape Technologies, a company based in Israel that also owns other VPN services and has a history of aggressive marketing. Some privacy advocates worry that Kape's ownership means PIA's privacy claims are less trustworthy, even if the technical setup is sound. The company has never been hacked since Kape bought it, but the 2019 breach under previous ownership exposed some user IP addresses, which damaged trust.

Cost compared to other VPNs

Private Internet Access sits in the middle of the VPN price range. A three-year plan costs around $2.19 per month if you pay upfront, which works out to about $79 total. Month-to-month pricing is $11.99. By comparison, budget VPNs like Windscribe cost less per month, while premium services like ExpressVPN run $12.95 per month on their cheapest plan.

The three-year plan is where PIA becomes competitive on price, but you're committing to three years upfront. If you want to test the service first, the monthly option is expensive relative to what you get. PIA does offer a 30-day money-back may provide, so you can try it and get a refund if it doesn't work for you.

What the software actually does

The PIA app is straightforward. You open it, pick a country or region, and click connect. The interface shows your real IP address and your VPN IP address so you can confirm the connection is working. There's a kill switch that cuts your internet if the VPN drops, which prevents your real IP from leaking. You can set the app to auto-connect when you start your computer or when you join an unsecured WiFi network.

PIA includes a few extras: a built-in ad blocker, a tool to block malware domains, and the ability to route traffic through multiple VPN servers in a chain. These features work, but they're not unique to PIA — most competitors offer the same things. The app is available on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android, and you can use one account on up to 10 devices at once.

When PIA is the right choice

Private Internet Access makes sense if you prioritize privacy over speed and you're willing to pay a moderate price. It's a good fit if you browse the web, check email, and use social media through a VPN, but you don't stream video constantly or download huge files. The open-source code and transparency reports appeal to people who want to understand what they're paying for.

PIA is also worth considering if you use Linux — the app is well-maintained on Linux and works better than some competitors' offerings. If you need a VPN on multiple devices and want to avoid paying per-device, the 10-device limit is generous. The 30-day money-back may provide means you can test it without risk.

When to look elsewhere

If speed is your priority, ExpressVPN and NordVPN are noticeably faster. If you want the cheapest option, Windscribe and ProtonVPN offer lower monthly rates. If you're concerned about the Kape Technologies ownership and want a VPN from a company with a longer independent history, ExpressVPN or Mullvad might feel safer.

If you need to unblock streaming services outside your home country, PIA's slower speeds and smaller server network make it less reliable than services specifically designed for that purpose. If you're in a country with heavy internet censorship, you might need a VPN with obfuscation features that hide the fact that you're using a VPN — PIA has this, but it's not as robust as some competitors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Private Internet Access work in China?

PIA has obfuscation features that can help bypass some censorship, but the company doesn't market itself as a censorship-circumvention tool. Users in China report mixed results. If bypassing censorship is your main goal, services specifically designed for that purpose are more reliable.

Can I use PIA to watch Netflix from another country?

PIA can connect you to servers in other countries, but Netflix actively blocks VPN traffic. Whether it works depends on which server you connect to and how often Netflix updates its blocking. It's not may provide, and Netflix's terms of service don't allow it.

Is PIA safer than not using a VPN at all?

Yes. A VPN encrypts your traffic so your internet provider and the websites you visit can't see your real IP address. But a VPN is not a complete security solution — you still need antivirus software, strong passwords, and caution about what you click on.

What happens if PIA's VPN connection drops?

If you have the kill switch turned on, your internet stops working until you manually reconnect or restart the VPN. This prevents your real IP from leaking. If the kill switch is off, your connection falls back to your normal internet, and your real IP becomes visible again.

Can I get a refund if I don't like PIA?

Yes. PIA offers a 30-day money-back may provide on all plans. You can contact their support team to request a refund within 30 days of purchase, no questions asked.