⚡ Quick Verdict:
- Pricing: Private Internet Access starts at $2.03/month. SafeShell VPN starts at $5.99/month.
- Best for: PIA VPN for privacy on a budget. SafeShell VPN for streaming across multiple regions.
- Key difference: PIA gives you unlimited simultaneous connections and split tunneling. SafeShell gives you App Mode.
- Our pick: Private Internet Access for most vpn users, because it costs less and its no logs policy is audited.
Most people compare these two vpn providers for one reason.
They want streaming services to work without giving up user privacy.
Private Internet Access is a virtual private network built around privacy and control.
SafeShell VPN is built around watching things from different vpn locations.
They cost different money and solve different problems.
Overview
This Private Internet Access vs SafeShell VPN comparison covers pricing, security, speed, and streaming.
We reviewed documentation, pricing pages, and user reviews for both vpn apps.
Our writers tested PIA and SafeShell hands-on, not just on paper.
Those notes sit in the “What Our Team Noticed” sections below.
Our longer private internet access review covers the speed tests in more detail.
By the end, you will know which is the best vpn for your internet connection.
What is Private Internet Access?
Private Internet Access is a vpn service that hides your real ip address.
It wraps your internet traffic in an encrypted vpn tunnel.
Private Internet Access has a server network of 35,000 servers in 91 countries.
PIA covers Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and a command line app.
It also ships browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox.
Wondering how many servers you can reach? Over 35,000 of pia’s servers.
Here is our walkthrough of the pia app.
Private Internet Access
An affordable vpn with a strict no logs policy verified by Deloitte. You get unlimited simultaneous connections and unlimited bandwidth on every plan.
Private Internet Access Pricing
PIA offers three plans. Private Internet Access has a clear pricing structure without hidden costs or paywalled features.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Years + 4 Months | $2.03/month | Long-term privacy on a cheap vpn budget |
| 6 Months | $7.50/month | Medium commitment vpn users |
| 1 Months | $11.99/month | Short trips and quick testing |
Pricing verified September 2026.
Free trial: No free trial period. You sign up and pay first.
Money-back guarantee: Private Internet Access has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test the service risk-free.
📌 Note: Private Internet Access does not increase its subscription prices upon renewal, unlike many other vpn providers. Every plan includes unlimited bandwidth and every feature.
⚠️ Warning: Our research notes list $11.95 monthly, $39.96 yearly ($3.33 per month) and $79 for three years. We publish the data sheet figures above, so check the checkout page before you pay.
Key Benefits of Private Internet Access
Here is what you actually get with this vpn provider:
- Audited privacy: Private Internet Access has a strict no-logs policy that Deloitte has verified through multiple audits. PIA also publishes quarterly transparency reports on legal requests.
- Every device you own: Private Internet Access offers unlimited simultaneous connections, so family and friends fit on one account. Most vpn providers cap you at five to ten devices.
- Open code: PIA’s apps are open-source, so anyone can inspect them. That level of transparency is rare.
- US coverage: PIA has a strong presence in the US with servers in all 50 states. That helps with local sports and news.
- Public Wi-Fi cover: PIA keeps your data private on public Wi-Fi by encrypting it. Cybercriminals cannot read your connection data.
- Ads and trackers gone: MACE blocks ads and trackers at the dns level. It filters dns requests before a page even loads.
- Breach alerts: Identity Guard watches for breaches and emails you when your address leaks.
What Our Team Noticed
Our writer paid for and tested Private Internet Access as a daily driver across five devices. Here is what stood out from that hands-on time:
Private Internet Access Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Long-term plans start at $2.03 per month with no renewal price hike
- Unlimited simultaneous connections on a single account
- No-logs policy independently verified by Deloitte
- 35,000 servers in 91 countries, including all 50 US states
- Split tunneling, multi-hop, MACE, and two kill switch modes
❌ Cons
- Average download speed loss of 49% hurts bandwidth-heavy work
- Unblocking streaming content is not consistent on every service
- No free trial period, only a refund window
What is SafeShell VPN?
SafeShell VPN is a high speed vpn service built for streaming and gaming.
SafeShell VPN is designed to enhance online privacy by hiding users’ ip addresses.
It uses its own ShellGuard protocol for top tier vpn encryption.
SafeShell VPN supports over 70 regional server locations to cut latency.
GearUp Portal Pte Ltd, a Singapore gaming company, built it in 2023.
SafeShell revolutionizes VPN routing by giving each app its own vpn server.
Watch how the app behaves in daily use.
SafeShell VPN
Experience SafeShell and discover a new level of online freedom. Global Mode covers the whole device. App Mode routes each app through its own country.
SafeShell VPN Pricing
SafeShell VPN sells three subscription lengths.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Months | $24.99/month | One streaming season or a long trip |
| 1 Year | $59.99/month | Regular multi-region streaming |
| 1 Week | $5.99/month | A single event or a quick test |
Pricing verified September 2026.
Free trial: SafeShell VPN offers a 3-day free trial for new users who have not previously subscribed.
Money-back guarantee: SafeShell VPN provides a 7-day money-back guarantee on the first subscription purchase.
📌 Note: SafeShell accepts Credit Card, PayPal, Google Play, Apple Pay, WeChat Pay and Alipay. Create an account, pick a plan, then sign in on every device.
⚠️ Warning: The subscription renews automatically unless you cancel at least 24 hours before it expires. Our research notes list $3.99 per week, $9.99 monthly and $49.99 yearly, so confirm the amount at checkout.
Key Benefits of SafeShell VPN
Here is what this vpn provider does well:
- Multiple regions at once: App Mode lets you reach multiple regions simultaneously. Netflix sits on a US server while your bank app stays home.
- No speed limits: SafeShell VPN provides unlimited, high-speed VPN access through a secure global network. Prime Video and YouTube videos load without buffering.
- Zero logs: SafeShell VPN employs a zero-logs policy. It also uses QUIC technology to disguise vpn traffic and beat strict censorship.
- Big device list: Multi device support covers iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Apple TV, Android TV, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro.
- Foreign shows made easy: Subtitle translation supports over 30 languages for a comfortable viewing experience on any channel.
- Lower ping: Game Mode picks faster routes to game servers, so you see real improvements in latency.
- Wide reach: You can access over 100 locations worldwide without worrying about being blocked.
What Our Team Noticed
Our writer subscribed to SafeShell VPN and used it on an iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV. Here is what that turned up:
SafeShell VPN Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- App Mode assigns a different region to each app at the same time
- Over 70 regional server locations tuned for streaming
- Game Mode cuts latency on routes to game servers
- Subtitle translation in more than 30 languages
- 3-day free trial plus a 7-day money-back guarantee
❌ Cons
- No published independent audit of the zero-logs claim
- Some users report refund and subscription management problems
- No permanent free tier once the trial ends
Feature Comparison
Here is the head-to-head on the features that decide most vpn purchases.
| Feature | Private Internet Access | SafeShell VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $2.03/month | $5.99/month |
| Free Trial | ❌ | ✅ 3 days |
| Audited No-Logs Policy | ✅ Deloitte | ❌ Not published |
| Server Network | ✅ 35,000 in 91 countries | ✅ 70+ regions |
| Unlimited Simultaneous Connections | ✅ | ❌ Multi device support |
| Split Tunneling | ✅ | ✅ App Mode |
| Ad and Tracker Blocker | ✅ MACE | ✅ SafeNet AdBlock |
| Kill Switch | ✅ Two modes | ❌ |
| Gaming Mode | ❌ | ✅ Game Mode |
| Subtitle Translation | ❌ | ✅ 30+ languages |
| Best For | Privacy and customization | Multi-region streaming |
1. No Logs Policy and Data Privacy
Private Internet Access: PIA’s privacy policy states it does not collect or store browsing history, connected content, user IPs, connection timestamps, bandwidth logs, or dns queries. Deloitte has verified that strict no logs policy through multiple audits. The only identifying data PIA holds is an email address and payment details.
SafeShell VPN: SafeShell employs a zero-logs policy and keeps no record of your online activities. Built-in protection stops dns leaks from exposing your real ip address. The claim has no published audit behind it yet.
⚠️ Warning: An audited policy and a stated policy are not the same thing. If proof matters to you, that gap is the whole comparison.
2. Encryption and VPN Protocols
Private Internet Access: PIA offers AES 256-bit encryption over the openvpn protocol, or ChaCha20 using WireGuard, and you can change the encryption level yourself. A kill switch blocks internet traffic the moment the vpn connection drops. Windows and macOS get both a regular and an advanced kill switch.
SafeShell VPN: SafeShell uses its own ShellGuard protocol and QUIC technology to disguise vpn traffic, which makes the vpn tunnel harder to spot and block. There is no protocol picker, so power users lose the tuning PIA gives them.
3. Server Network and Server Locations
Private Internet Access: The server network covers 35,000 servers across 91 countries, with servers in all 50 US states. No other vpn provider matches that at this price. Some far-flung entries are virtual servers rather than physical racks.
SafeShell VPN: SafeShell runs over 70 regional server locations chosen to keep latency low. Multiple locations sit in the same country when demand is high, and the network is tuned for video rather than breadth.
4. Streaming Services and Unblocking
Private Internet Access: PIA has streaming-tuned servers that unblock Netflix and Disney Plus, and Amazon Prime Video usually works too. BBC iPlayer is the weak point. PIA has been reported to have issues with unblocking streaming content on some services.
SafeShell VPN: Streaming is the whole point here. Users have reported that SafeShell VPN provides a high-speed connection and excellent performance for streaming. Netflix, Prime Video and YouTube all behave, and Apple TV and Android TV are first-class targets.
5. Split Tunneling vs App Mode
Private Internet Access: Split tunneling lets you route some traffic through the VPN while excluding other apps. You can exclude specific IP addresses too, so browser traffic stays private while a video call skips the tunnel. Automation rules can connect or disconnect based on the network you join.
SafeShell VPN: App Mode goes further than exclusion. Different apps get different vpn locations at once, a personalized connection experience no mainstream rival offers. Global Mode still covers the whole device when you want it simple.
6. Online Gaming and Dedicated IP
Private Internet Access: A dedicated ip address helps with CAPTCHAs, incoming connections, and port forwarding. That combination suits anyone hosting a game server or a home service. Raw speed is the catch, since PIA is not ideal for bandwidth-intensive applications.
SafeShell VPN: Game Mode picks faster routes to game servers for low latency. The team came from GearUp Booster, a lag-reduction tool, so this is home turf. There is no dedicated ip address for hosting.
7. Devices, Connections and Multi Device Support
Private Internet Access: PIA allows unlimited simultaneous connections, which is rare among vpn services. Router support covers hardware that cannot run vpn apps, like consoles and smart TVs. The pia app is on the Apple App Store for mobile devices too.
SafeShell VPN: Multi device support covers iOS, Android, Windows and macOS, plus Apple TV, Android TV, iPad and Apple Vision Pro. One account works across all your devices with no extra fee.
8. Ad Blocking and Extra Security Tools
Private Internet Access: MACE blocks ads and trackers at the dns level using PIA’s own dns servers. Antivirus and Identity Guard sit alongside it in the dashboard. PIA supports multi-hop, routing traffic through two vpn servers for more cover.
SafeShell VPN: SafeNet AdBlock strips ads and trackers across websites, so pages load faster and you navigate ad-heavy sites like Facebook without the wait. It is one tool, not a security suite.
9. Leak Tests and Network Compatibility
Private Internet Access: PIA bundles a DNS leak test and an email leak test in the app. You can confirm your actual ip address never escapes the tunnel. Few rivals let you check that yourself.
The email check sits one click away in the same menu.
SafeShell VPN: SafeShell handles IPv6 properly, which many vpn apps still fumble. Your ips stay hidden on IPv4 and IPv6 networks alike. There is no built-in leak test screen.
10. Speed, Latency and Viewing Comfort
Private Internet Access: PIA’s average internet download speed loss is 49%, and upload loss runs higher still. Connection speeds swing with server location and protocol, and PIA’s performance on Windows using the OpenVPN protocol beats WireGuard in some setups. Download speeds stay fine for browsing, and the tunnel does stop ISP throttling.
SafeShell VPN: SafeShell sells no speed limits and delivers the fastest download speed of the two, with a fast secure connection on nearby servers. Subtitle translation in over 30 languages adds a comfortable viewing experience. Run your own speed tests during the trial.
11. Pricing & Cost
Now the money.
| Plan Type | Private Internet Access | SafeShell VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Shortest plan | 1 Months — $11.99/month | 1 Week — $5.99/month |
| Mid plan | 6 Months — $7.50/month | 3 Months — $24.99/month |
| Longest plan | 2 Years + 4 Months — $2.03/month | 1 Year — $59.99/month |
| Free trial | None | 3 days |
| Refund window | 30 days | 7 days |
Private Internet Access: The long plan is the cheapest entry point here, and private internet access deals rarely get undercut. The 30 day money back guarantee gives you a longer runway than SafeShell does. The monthly plan is the weak spot at $11.99.
SafeShell VPN: The week plan is the cheapest way in, which suits a single event or a short trip. Longer plans carry a premium over budget rivals, and you pay for App Mode rather than raw coverage. The free trial period softens that risk.
Different Scenarios
| If You Need… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A cheap vpn for the year | Private Internet Access | $2.03 entry price |
| Proof of privacy claims | Private Internet Access | Deloitte-audited no-logs |
| Multiple regions at once | SafeShell VPN | App Mode per app |
| Low ping for gaming | SafeShell VPN | Game Mode routing |
| Cover for every device | Private Internet Access | Unlimited connections |
| To test before paying | SafeShell VPN | 3-day free trial |
💰 Your Budget
PIA is the affordable vpn here by a wide margin on long plans. SafeShell only looks cheap on the one-week option.
🔌 Your Tech Stack
Routers, Linux boxes and a command line app point to PIA. Apple TV, Android TV and Apple Vision Pro point to SafeShell.
📺 Your Viewing Habits
If you juggle libraries in several countries, App Mode saves real time. If you watch one region, PIA is enough.
🎓 Your Experience Level
SafeShell is the more user friendly pick out of the box. PIA rewards power users who like to customize every setting.
🆓 Free Trials and Demos
SafeShell hands you three days free before any charge. PIA makes you pay first and claim a refund inside 30 days.
🛟 Support Options
Both run chat and email support. Some users have experienced issues with SafeShell support and subscription management, so contact them early if you plan to cancel.
Switching Guide
Already paying for one of them? Here is what changes.
🔄 Switching from Private Internet Access to SafeShell VPN?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- App Mode across different apps and different vpn locations
- Game Mode routing and subtitle translation
- A 3-day trial and faster streaming performance
❌ What you’ll lose:
- The audited no-logs record and open-source apps
- Unlimited simultaneous connections and router support
- The kill switch, MACE and a dedicated ip address
📋 How to switch:
- Cancel PIA inside the refund window if you are still in it
- Start the SafeShell free trial and create an account
- Set Global Mode first, then assign apps in App Mode
🔄 Switching from SafeShell VPN to Private Internet Access?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- A far lower yearly cost and no renewal price rise
- 35,000 servers and audited privacy
- Split tunneling, multi-hop and port forwarding
❌ What you’ll lose:
- Per-app regions and the low latency gaming routes
- Subtitle translation and native Apple Vision support
- Roughly half your download speed on some servers
📋 How to switch:
- Cancel SafeShell at least 24 hours before the renewal date
- Buy PIA and install the app on all your devices
- Turn on the kill switch, then set split tunneling rules
What Our Review Didn’t Cover
This comparison looked at personal use on desktops, phones and TV boxes. We did not test business deployments, router firmware builds or heavy torrent workloads. We also could not verify SafeShell’s zero-logs claim, because no audit has been published. If you need one specific channel in one specific country, test both inside their refund windows.
Final Verdict
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| 💰 Pricing | Private Internet Access |
| 🔒 Privacy and Audits | Private Internet Access |
| 🌍 Server Network | Private Internet Access |
| 🖥️ Device Coverage | Private Internet Access |
| 🛠️ Customization | Private Internet Access |
| 📺 Streaming | SafeShell VPN |
| ⚡ Speed | SafeShell VPN |
| 🎮 Gaming | SafeShell VPN |
| 👶 Ease of Use | SafeShell VPN |
| 🏆 Overall Winner | Private Internet Access |
🏆 WINNER: PRIVATE INTERNET ACCESS
Private Internet Access wins 5 out of 9 categories.
Best for: Privacy on a budget, households with many devices, power users who tune their own settings
These two vpn providers are not chasing the same buyer. PIA sells audited privacy and control at the lowest price in the category. SafeShell sells a viewing experience, and it does that better than PIA does.
SafeShell is the right call if streaming across multiple regions is your daily reality. App Mode has no equal, and gamers benefit from the routing work.
For everyone else, PIA is the safer purchase. You pay less, you cover every device, and an outside auditor has checked the privacy claims.
More of Private Internet Access Compared
Here is how PIA lands against the rest of the field:
Private Internet Access vs NordVPN
PIA wins on: lower long-plan price, unlimited device connections, open-source apps
NordVPN wins on: less speed loss, steadier streaming unblocks, Threat Protection bundle
Private Internet Access vs ExpressVPN
PIA wins on: price per year, server count, deeper settings for power users
ExpressVPN wins on: raw connection speed, app polish, support response times
Private Internet Access vs Proton VPN
PIA wins on: cheaper paid tiers, bigger network, unlimited connections
Proton VPN wins on: a permanent free tier, Swiss jurisdiction, stronger speed retention
Our full rundown of the alternatives is in the video below.
More of SafeShell VPN Compared
And here is where SafeShell sits next to its closest rivals:
SafeShell wins on: per-app regions, subtitle translation, TV platform coverage
NordVPN wins on: audited logging policy, country count, cheaper two-year pricing
SafeShell wins on: simultaneous multi-region access, gaming routes, Apple Vision Pro support
ExpressVPN wins on: track record, 90+ country footprint, published audits
SafeShell VPN vs CyberGhost
SafeShell wins on: App Mode flexibility, in-app subtitles, low-latency game routing
CyberGhost wins on: 45-day refunds, far more servers, lower yearly cost
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Private Internet Access safe?
Yes. It uses AES 256-bit encryption, runs a Deloitte-audited no-logs policy, and ships open-source apps. A kill switch cuts your connection the moment the tunnel fails.
How much does PIA cost per month?
Three plans: $2.03 per month on 2 years plus 4 months, $7.50 on six months, and $11.99 monthly. A 30-day refund window applies to all three.
Does Netflix block PIA VPN?
Not usually. Streaming-tuned servers handle Netflix and Disney Plus, though some services block certain addresses. BBC iPlayer is the least reliable of the bunch.
How does the App Mode feature work?
You assign each app its own country. Netflix can sit on a US server while your banking app stays local, all at once, with no server switching.
Which VPN is better than PIA?
For streaming across regions, SafeShell wins. For speed, NordVPN and ExpressVPN lead. For value and audited privacy, nothing in this comparison beats PIA.
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