Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN Review

With a name that doesn’t exactly flow off the tongue, Private Internet Access is a VPN that offers a good value for the price. The name is helpful as an introduction to what a VPN actually does for you. After installing the VPN app on your computers and smartphones, you create a secure connection that protects your Internet from prying eyes.

While many VPN clients tend to cost around $12 per month when you pay month-to-month, Private Internet Access is a bit more affordable. It costs $9.95 per month or only $2.85 per month when you pay for an entire year.

Our Private Internet Access review dived into the VPN app full on. We tested the VPN connection speed both for uploads and downloads, made sure sites couldn’t read our IP address, analyzed all of the server location options, ran a few Netflix tests (possibly too many), and looked into some of the more unusual features such as the kill switch, port forwarding, WebRTC leaks, split tunneling, and IPv6 leak protection. We also tested the available encryption options.

Private Internet Access prices and plans

Private Internet Access is incredibly affordable

Not every VPN app can be flashy and well-designed. Private Internet Access uses a green animated character for branding that looks like it was designed by someone using MS Paint and has more than a hint of the Android logo. No matter. This VPN provider costs a bit less than most but has all of the features you’d expect for protecting your Internet access. In fact, it even offers some unusual perks, like the ability to use the VPN app on up to 10 devices at the same time and a unique way to pay anonymously.

^{Data effective 4/30/2020. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.}

For these perks, you only have to pay $2.85 per month on average when you register for the one-year paid plan. On a month-to-month basis, Private Internet Access costs just $9.95, which is about a dollar or two less than the major brands like ExpressVPN.

^{Data effective 4/30/2020. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.}

Private Internet Access: Access from 10 devices

Most VPN clients only allow five devices to connect

Being able to connect from 10 different devices is quite unique. With many VPN clients, you can only connect using five or six at most. With 10 devices, you can use multiple laptops and desktops, phones from every member of your immediate family, plus a few other devices. Private Internet Access also works on your home router.

Private Internet Access: Pay with gift cards from Starbucks and Target

Private Internet Access offers a truly unique way to pay anonymously

In our testing, we haven’t found any VPN app that offers such a unique way to pay. (If we find one, we’ll update this review.) With Private Internet Access, you can pay with a gift card from a company like Target or Starbucks. That means instead of purchasing toothpaste or coffee, you can pay for a VPN service by using the gift card code. It means you can skip using a credit card or PayPal, which both use your name.

Private Internet Access: High number of servers

Connect to one of 3,338 servers all over the world

Private Internet Access lets you connect to one of 3,338 servers all over the world. That’s a hair more than ExpressVPN, which offers “over 3,000” servers. (The company does not divulge the exact number of servers.) CyberGhost VPN and NordVPN both offer more servers but also tend to cost more than Private Internet Access by a few dollars per month. With a high number of servers, you have extreme flexibility to connect when you travel or to bypass the country limitations of an app you use.

Our Pick: The best Private Internet Access plan

Best: One Year

Who it’s best for: Customers who want to pay a lower price for a solid VPN

Why we recommend it: The one-year plan is one of the cheapest we’ve found

^{Data effective 4/30/2020. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.}

Recap: Is Private Internet Access good?

One of the most affordable VPN clients we’ve found, Private Internet Access costs just $9.95 per month, which is a few dollars less than some of the major brands. Yet, the VPN is not limited in terms of extra features, including 3,338 servers.

Private Internet Access includes quality features for an incredible price.

Private Internet Access VPN prices and plans:

• One Month: $9.95/mo.
• Six Months: $5.99/mo.
• One Year: $2.85/mo.

Private Internet Access VPN standout features:

• Includes access on up to 10 devices
• Can pay for your plan with gift cards from Starbucks or Target
• High number of servers (3,338)

FAQs

Why pay with a gift card?

With a gift card, you are not revealing your identity in any way. Not even the gift card company like Target or Starbucks knows your name. A friend could buy the gift card for you and it is untraceable in terms of who owns the gift card code, which adds an extra layer of security.

Why connect from so many devices?

Being able to connect from 10 devices is a nice advantage. You might not own 10 different gadgets, but you might have a family member with a phone or laptop who can use your account for their own privacy.

^{Additional contributors}

^{Chyelle Dvorak}