⚡ Quick Verdict:
- Preisgestaltung: Private Internet Access starts at $2.03/mo vs OpenVPN at $7/mo (Growth plan)
- Ideal für: PIA for everyday VPN users who want a ready-to-use VPN service, OpenVPN for IT teams building custom VPN tunnels
- Hauptunterschied: PIA is a complete VPN service with servers and apps. OpenVPN is a VPN protocol and self-hosted access server platform.
- Our pick: Private Internet Access for most users — it works right out of the box with no manual configuration needed
Private Internet Access vs OpenVPN solve the same problem in different ways.
One gives you a VPN service ready to use on all your Geräte.
The other gives you the tools to build your own VPN server from scratch.
This comparison helps you decide which approach fits your needs.
Überblick
This comparison covers pricing, features, and ease of use for both VPN services.
We also break down who each option works best for.
Our sources include published specs, official documentation, and user reviews.
By the end, you’ll know which VPN solution fits your situation.
Was ist privater Internetzugang?
Private Internet Access is a VPN service that encrypts your internet connection.
It routes your internet traffic through secure VPN servers worldwide.
PIA VPN hides your actual IP address and keeps your Daten Privat.
The PIA app works on Windows, macOS, Linux, Androidund iOS.
PIA covers all your devices with unlimited simultaneous connections.
Privater Internetzugang
PIA offers 35,000 VPN servers across 91 countries. It supports unlimited devices and includes a built-in ad blocker called MACE.
Preise für privaten Internetzugang
Hier erfahren Sie, was privater Internetzugang im Jahr 2026 kostet.
| Planen | Preis | Am besten geeignet für |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Jahre + 4 Monate | 2,03 €/Monat | Long-term users who want the lowest price |
| 6 Monate | 7,50 €/Monat | Users who want a shorter commitment |
| 1 Monat | 11,99 $/Monat | Quick testing or short-term reisen |
Pricing verified April 2026.
Kostenlose Testversion: No free trial, but PIA offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.
Geld-zurück-Garantie: Volle Rückerstattung innerhalb von 30 Tagen, ohne Angabe von Gründen.
📌 Notiz: PIA does not increase subscription prices upon renewal. The price you sign up at is the price you keep, which is uncommon among VPN providers.
⚠️ Warnung: The monthly plan at $11.99 is nearly six times the cost of the long-term plan. If you plan to use PIA for more than a few months, the 2-year deal saves you a lot.
Wichtigste Vorteile eines privaten Internetzugangs
Here’s what makes Private Internet Access worth considering:
- Massives Servernetzwerk: PIA’s servers span 91 countries with 35,000 total servers. That includes every US state for local server locations.
- Unbegrenzte Geräteanzahl: Connect every device you own at the same time. Most VPN providers limit you to five or ten.
- Bestätigte No-Logs-Richtlinie: Deloitte independently audited PIA’s strict no logs policy. PIA does not store browsing history, DNS queries, or connection data.
- Open-Source-Apps: PIA’s VPN apps are fully open-source. Anyone can inspect the source code for security flaws.
- Eingebauter Werbeblocker: MACE blocks ads and trackers at the DNS level. It works across all your devices without extra software.
- Split-Tunneling: Choose which apps use the VPN tunnel and which bypass it. This lets you use local services while staying protected.
- Multi-Hop-Verbindungen: Route your internet traffic through two VPN servers for added privacy. This adds a second layer of encryption.
What Our Team Noticed
Unser Schriftsteller signed up for Private Internet Access and spent several days exploring the platform. Here’s what stood out:
Vorteile und Nachteile des privaten Internetzugangs
✅ Vorteile
- 35,000 servers across 91 countries with servers in all 50 US states
- Unlimited simultaneous connections on a single account
- No logs policy independently verified by Deloitte audits
- Open-source apps let anyone inspect the code for transparency
- No price increases on subscription renewals
❌ Nachteile
- Average download speed loss of 49% can slow bandwidth-heavy tasks
- Streaming unblocking is inconsistent for some services like BBC iPlayer
- Kein kostenloser Tarif verfügbar – nur eine 30-Tage-Geld-zurück-Garantie.
- Der monatliche Tarif von 11,99 $ liegt über dem Branchendurchschnitt.
Was ist OpenVPN?
OpenVPN is an open-source VPN protocol and software platform.
It creates secure VPN tunnels between a client and a server using SSL/TLS encryption.
OpenVPN works as both a tunneling protocol and an access server product. It supports multiple tunneling protocols and creates secure connections for remote workers and businesses.
The OpenVPN Community Edition is free and lets you build your own virtual private network.
OpenVPN Access Server adds a management layer for businesses that need remote access.
OpenVPN
OpenVPN is an open-source VPN protocol used by millions. It supports TCP and UDP protocols and runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
OpenVPN-Preise
Here’s what OpenVPN costs in 2026.
| Planen | Preis | Am besten geeignet für |
|---|---|---|
| Frei | $0 | Self-hosted setups with manual configuration |
| Wachstum | $7/monat | Small teams needing managed VPN access |
| Unternehmen | Brauch | Large organizations with custom security needs |
Pricing verified April 2026.
Kostenlose Testversion: The OpenVPN Community Edition is completely free. The Access Server product offers a free tier with limited connections.
Geld-zurück-Garantie: Contact OpenVPN sales for refund terms on paid plans.
📌 Notiz: OpenVPN’s free Community Edition gives you the full open-source VPN protocol. You only pay for the Access Server if you want a web-based management interface and easier setup for teams.
⚠️ Warnung: The free tier requires manual configuration and technical knowledge. If you’re not comfortable with command line tools, you’ll need the paid plan or a different VPN provider.
Wichtigste Vorteile von OpenVPN
Here’s what makes OpenVPN worth considering:
- Open-Source Protocol: OpenVPN’s code is publicly available. The global community of developers reviews it for vulnerabilities and suggests fixes.
- Dual Protocol Support: OpenVPN supports both TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP (User Datagram Protocol). Pick TCP for reliability or UDP for speed.
- Plattformübergreifend: Install OpenVPN on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and even Solaris. It runs on almost any operating system.
- Custom Encryption: Choose your own encryption algorithms, encryption ciphers, and key lengths. This level of control is rare in other VPN protocols.
- Perfekte Vorwärtsgeheimhaltung: Even if one encryption key is compromised, past sessions stay safe. Each session uses unique encryption keys.
- Firewall-Umgehung: OpenVPN works through firewalls and NAT gateways that block other VPN protocols. It’s effective in restricted network environments.
What Our Team Noticed
Our writer signed up for OpenVPN Access Server and spent several days exploring the platform. Here’s what stood out:
OpenVPN: Vorteile und Nachteile
✅ Vorteile
- Fully open-source protocol with community-driven security updates
- Free Community Edition available for self-hosted VPN connections
- Highly customizable encryption ciphers and authentication settings
- Compatible with almost every operating system including Solaris
❌ Nachteile
- Requires technical knowledge for manual configuration and setup
- Slower than newer protocols like WireGuard in speed tests
- No built-in server network — you must provide your own VPN server
- Not user-friendly on mobile devices compared to commercial VPN apps
Funktionsvergleich
Ready to dive into a detailed comparison of Private Internet Access vs OpenVPN?
We’ll explore 10 key features to help you pick the right VPN solution.
| Besonderheit | Privater Internetzugang | OpenVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Startpreis | 2,03 €/Monat | 0 € (kostenloses Angebot) |
| Kostenloser Plan | ❌ | ✅ |
| Integriertes Servernetzwerk | ✅ (35,000 servers) | ❌ |
| Not-Aus-Schalter | ✅ | ❌ (requires setup) |
| Split-Tunneling | ✅ | ❌ (requires setup) |
| Ad & Tracker Blocker | ✅ (MACE) | ❌ |
| Open-Source | ✅ (apps) | ✅ (protocol + apps) |
| Custom Encryption Settings | Beschränkt | ✅ (full control) |
| Selbstgehostete Option | ❌ | ✅ |
| Am besten geeignet für | Alltägliche VPN-Nutzer | IT teams & power users |
1. No-Logs Policy & Privacy
Privater Internetzugang: PIA has a strict no logs policy verified by independent Deloitte audits. It does not collect browsing history, DNS queries, connection data, or identifying data. PIA also publishes quarterly transparency reports showing how it handles legal requests for user privacy information.
OpenVPN: OpenVPN is a protocol, so privacy depends entirely on how you configure your own VPN server. If you self-host, you control what gets logged. The OpenVPN Access Server logs connection data by default, but you can disable that through manual configuration.
2. Encryption & VPN Protocols
Privater Internetzugang: PIA offers AES 256-bit encryption over the OpenVPN protocol. It also supports WireGuard with ChaCha20 encryption. PIA lets you choose your encryption level, but the options are preset rather than fully customizable.
OpenVPN: OpenVPN uses SSL/TLS to create a secure tunnel for data traffic. It supports AES, Blowfish, and other encryption algorithms. You can configure encryption ciphers, key lengths, and hash message authentication code settings yourself. OpenVPN also includes Perfect Forward Secrecy to protect past sessions.
3. Server Network & Locations
Privater Internetzugang: PIA’s servers cover 91 countries with 35,000 total server locations. That includes servers in all 50 US states. PIA also offers streaming optimized servers, dedicated IP address options, and virtual servers in some regions.
OpenVPN: OpenVPN does not provide any VPN servers. You need to set up your own OpenVPN server or rent one from a hosting provider. This means how many servers you have depends entirely on your budget and technical skills.
⚠️ Warnung: If you need ready-to-use server locations for unblocking streaming content or hiding your real IP address, OpenVPN alone won’t help. You’ll need a VPN provider like PIA that operates its own servers.
4. Ease of Use & Setup
Privater Internetzugang: PIA makes setup simple. Download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, log in, and tap connect. The interface is clean and uncluttered. PIA also supports Automatisierung rules that connect the VPN based on which network you join.
OpenVPN: Setting up OpenVPN requires technical knowledge. You need to install OpenVPN client software, download .ovpn configuration files, and sometimes use the command line app. The OpenVPN GUI helps on desktop, but mobile devices are harder to configure. OpenVPN Connect simplifies the client side, but server setup still needs manual configuration.
5. Not-Aus-Schalter & Leckageschutz
Privater Internetzugang: PIA includes two types of kill switch on Windows and macOS. A regular kill switch stops internet traffic when the VPN connection drops. An advanced kill switch blocks all non-VPN traffic even before connecting. PIA also runs DNS leak tests to prevent DNS requests from leaking your real IP address.
OpenVPN: OpenVPN does not include a built-in kill switch. You need to configure firewall rules manually to block internet traffic when the VPN connection drops. DNS leak protection also requires separate DNS server configuration. This is manageable for power users but hard for beginners.
6. Split-Tunnelbau
Privater Internetzugang: PIA supports split tunneling out of the box. You can exclude specific apps or IP addresses from the VPN connection. This lets you access local services like banking while keeping browser traffic encrypted through the VPN tunnel.
OpenVPN: OpenVPN supports split tunneling through manual configuration of routing tables. You’ll need to edit configuration files to specify which data traffic goes through the VPN tunnel and which bypasses it. It works, but it’s not a one-click feature.
7. Streaming & Content Access
Privater Internetzugang: PIA offers streaming optimized servers designed for unblocking streaming services. It works with Netflix and Disney Plus. However, PIA has been reported to struggle with BBC iPlayer and some other streaming services at times. For unblocking streaming content, PIA is better than most affordable VPN options.
OpenVPN: OpenVPN is a protocol, not a VPN service. It does not offer streaming servers or content unblocking. If you set up your own OpenVPN server in a specific country, you could access content from that region. But managing this yourself takes effort and knowledge.
8. Connection Speed & Performance
Privater Internetzugang: PIA has an average download speed loss of 49% based on published speed tests. Connection speeds vary by server location and protocol. PIA supports both WireGuard and OpenVPN protocol — WireGuard is faster for most users. Speeds are good enough for streaming and web browsing but not ideal for bandwidth-heavy tasks.
OpenVPN: OpenVPN is slower than WireGuard but offers better security flexibility. Using OpenVPN TCP gives you reliable connections. OpenVPN UDP gives faster download speeds but with less guaranteed delivery. Speed depends on your server hardware and internet connection rather than a shared network.
9. Device Support & Compatibility
Privater Internetzugang: PIA has dedicated VPN apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. PIA also supports VPN routers to protect all your devices at the network level. The mobile apps are easy to use on phones and tablets.
OpenVPN: OpenVPN is compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and less common operating systems like Solaris. The OpenVPN Connect app works on mobile devices but is less polished than commercial VPN apps. OpenVPN can also run on routers and embedded devices for site-to-site networking.
10. Preisgestaltung & Kosten
Lasst uns die Preispläne nebeneinander vergleichen.
| Planen | Privater Internetzugang | OpenVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Frei | ❌ | 0 € (Community Edition) |
| Low Tier | 2,03 $/Monat (2 Jahre + 4 Monate) | 7 $/Monat (Wachstum) |
| Mittleres Niveau | 7,50 $/Monat (6 Monate) | N / A |
| Hohe Stufe | 11,99 $/Monat (monatlich) | Kundenspezifisch (Unternehmen) |
Privater Internetzugang: PIA is an affordable VPN with the long-term plan at just $2.03 per month. That includes everything — all servers, all features, unlimited bandwidth, and unlimited devices. PIA does not increase prices on renewal, which saves money long-term compared to other VPN providers.
OpenVPN: OpenVPN is free if you self-host using the Community Edition. But running your own VPN server costs money for hosting. The Growth plan at $7 per month is for teams who want managed remote access. Enterprise pricing is custom. For individual VPN users, the hidden costs of self-hosting often exceed a cheap VPN subscription.
Verschiedene Szenarien
| Falls Sie Folgendes benötigen: | Wählen | Warum |
|---|---|---|
| Ready-to-use VPN service | Privater Internetzugang | Funktioniert sofort nach dem Auspacken |
| Volle Kontrolle über Ihren VPN-Server | OpenVPN | Self-hosted and customizable |
| Knappes Budget | Privater Internetzugang | $2.03/mo with everything included |
| Kostenloses VPN-Protokoll | OpenVPN | Die Community Edition kostet 0 US-Dollar. |
| Streaming-Zugriff | Privater Internetzugang | Streaming optimized servers |
| Geschäft Fernzugriff | OpenVPN | Built for secure remote access |
💰 Ihr Budget
PIA gives you a complete VPN service for $2.03 per month on the long-term plan. OpenVPN is free to download, but running your own server adds hosting costs that often exceed PIA’s price.
🔌 Dein Tech-Stack
PIA works as a standalone app with no extra setup. OpenVPN requires server infrastructure and technical knowledge of VPN protocols, making it better for IT teams who manage private networks.
📝 Ihr Anwendungsfall
For personal browsing, streaming, and keeping your internet connection private, PIA is the clear choice. For building a custom security protocol or connecting office sites, OpenVPN gives you the flexibility you need.
🎓 Dein Erfahrungslevel
Beginners should pick PIA because it requires zero technical knowledge. If you’re comfortable with command line tools, firewall rules, and creating VPN tunnels manually, OpenVPN gives you more control.
🆓 Kostenlose Testversionen und Demos
PIA offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans. OpenVPN’s Community Edition is permanently free, and the Access Server has a free tier with limited VPN connections.
🛟 Supportoptionen
PIA provides 24/7 live chat and email support. OpenVPN relies on community forums for the free edition and offers direct support only on paid Access Server plans.
Umstellungsleitfaden
Nutzen Sie bereits eines dieser Tools? Hier erfahren Sie, was Sie beim Wechsel erwartet.
🔄 Switching from Private Internet Access to OpenVPN?
✅ Was Sie davon haben:
- Full control over encryption algorithms and authentication settings
- Self-hosted VPN server with no third-party involvement
- Free Community Edition with no monthly subscription fees
❌ Was Sie verlieren werden:
- 35,000 ready-to-use VPN servers across 91 countries
- Built-in kill switch, split tunneling, and MACE ad blocker
- 24/7 customer support and easy-to-use VPN apps
📋 So wechseln Sie:
- Kündigen Sie Ihr PIA-Abonnement vor dem Verlängerungsdatum.
- Set up an OpenVPN server on a cloud host or local machine
- Install OpenVPN Connect on your devices and import your .ovpn files
🔄 Switching from OpenVPN to Private Internet Access?
✅ Was Sie davon haben:
- Instant access to 35,000 servers without managing any infrastructure
- Built-in ad blocking, kill switch, and split tunneling features
- Unbegrenzte Geräteverbindungen mit einem Abonnement
❌ Was Sie verlieren werden:
- Volle Kontrolle über Verschlüsselungseinstellungen und Serverkonfiguration
- Self-hosted VPN with no reliance on a third-party VPN provider
- Free usage if you were running the OpenVPN Community Edition
What Our Review Didn’t Cover
This comparison focused on individual and small team use cases. We didn’t test OpenVPN in a large enterprise site-to-site networking deployment. We also didn’t benchmark PIA’s speeds across all 91 countries or test every streaming service. If you need a VPN for online gaming with minimal latency or for use in heavily censored regions, your results may differ from what we’ve described here.
Endgültiges Urteil
| Kategorie | Gewinner |
|---|---|
| 💰 Preisgestaltung | Privater Internetzugang |
| 🔒 Datenschutz & Keine Protokollierung | Privater Internetzugang |
| 🔧 Anpassung | OpenVPN |
| 👶 Benutzerfreundlichkeit | Privater Internetzugang |
| 🌍 Servernetzwerk | Privater Internetzugang |
| 🔌 Flexibility | OpenVPN |
| 📺 Streaming | Privater Internetzugang |
| 🏆 Gesamtsieger | Privater Internetzugang |
🏆 GEWINNER: Privater Internetzugang
Private Internet Access gewinnt 5 von 7 Kategorien.
Ideal für: everyday VPN users, streaming fans, privacy-focused individuals, and anyone who wants a VPN that works without technical setup
Private Internet Access and OpenVPN serve very different audiences. PIA is a ready-to-use VPN service with 35,000 servers, apps for every platform, and features like a kill switch and MACE ad blocker built in.
OpenVPN is a VPN protocol and self-hosted platform. It gives IT teams and power users full control over their VPN connections and encryption settings.
If you need a personal VPN service that protects your internet connection on all your devices, Private Internet Access makes the better choice for most VPN users.
Mehr zum Vergleich des privaten Internetzugangs
Here’s how Private Internet Access stacks up against other VPN providers:
Private Internet Access vs. NordVPN
PIA gewinnt in folgenden Bereichen: unlimited device connections, lower long-term pricing at $2.03/mo, open-source apps with public code inspection
NordVPN punktet in folgenden Bereichen: faster connection speeds, better streaming unblocking, dedicated server categories like Double VPN
Privater Internetzugang vs. ExpressVPN
PIA gewinnt in folgenden Bereichen: much cheaper pricing ($2.03 vs $8+/mo), unlimited devices vs 8 device limit, built-in ad blocker MACE
ExpressVPN punktet in folgenden Kategorien: faster raw speeds, better for unblocking geo-restricted content, simpler interface for beginners
Private Internet Access vs. Proton VPN
PIA gewinnt in folgenden Bereichen: larger server network with 35,000 servers, lower pricing on long-term plans, port forwarding support
Proton VPN punktet in folgenden Bereichen: free plan with unlimited bandwidth, Swiss privacy jurisdiction, Secure Core routing
Private Internet Access vs. SurfsharkVPN
PIA gewinnt in folgenden Bereichen: more server locations across 91 countries, independently audited no-logs policy, open-source apps
Surfshark gewinnt in: CleanWeb ad blocker with cookie pop-up blocking, rotating IP feature, bundled antivirus and search tools
Mehr zu OpenVPN im Vergleich
Here’s how OpenVPN stacks up against other VPN options:
OpenVPN gewinnt in folgenden Bereichen: free self-hosted option, full encryption customization, open source VPN protocol with community updates
NordVPN punktet in folgenden Bereichen: ready-to-use server network in 60+ countries, built-in threat protection, no technical setup needed
OpenVPN gewinnt in folgenden Bereichen: zero cost for Community Edition, site-to-site networking for businesses, complete control over server infrastructure
ExpressVPN punktet in folgenden Kategorien: Lightway protocol for faster speeds, one-click connection on any device, 24/7 customer support
OpenVPN vs CyberGhost
OpenVPN gewinnt in folgenden Bereichen: self-hosted flexibility, custom encryption cipher selection, no dependency on a third-party VPN provider
CyberGhost gewinnt in: beginner-friendly interface with streaming profiles, dedicated IP addresses, servers in 100 countries
Häufig gestellte Fragen
Ist privater Internetzugang sicher?
Yes. This Private Internet Access review confirms that PIA uses AES 256-bit encryption protocols and has a strict no logs policy verified by Deloitte. The apps are open-source, so anyone can check the code. If you have tested Private Internet Access or tested PIA yourself, you will notice the quality VPN protection it provides against ISP throttling and DNS leaks across all DNS servers it routes through.
Ist OpenVPN kostenlos nutzbar?
The OpenVPN Community Edition is completely free. OpenVPN is one of the safest VPN protocols and the open source OpenVPN protocol lets anyone audit the code. The OpenVPN company (OpenVPN Technologies) offers a paid Access Server with managed features. The OpenVPN software uses the OpenSSL library for Secure Sockets Layer encryption and supports TLS auth for authentication. OpenVPN connections use public key infrastructure for secure key exchange and HMAC firewall protection to block unauthorized incoming connections.
How does a Private Internet Access VPN work?
Private Internet Access VPN routes your internet traffic through an encrypted VPN tunnel. This hides your real IP address and keeps sensitive data safe from your internet service provider. PIA is an OpenVPN compatible service that also supports WireGuard. Private Internet Access deals on the long-term plan bring the cost to $2.03 per month, making it a cheap VPN and an affordable VPN for most budgets. PIA also supports Amazon Prime Video and other streaming services on its streaming optimized servers.
Kann PIA VPN nachverfolgt werden?
PIA does not store connection logs, DNS queries, or browsing history. Without logs, there is no identifying data to trace back to you. PIA is a top tier VPN for user privacy and works well for VPN clients who want verified protection. PIA also offers virtual private networks through multi-hop routing for extra security.
What is the difference between a VPN protocol and a VPN service?
A VPN protocol like OpenVPN creates the secure tunnel using UDP protocol or TCP transmission control protocol. OpenVPN UDP gives faster speeds while OpenVPN TCP offers more reliable data traffic. OpenVPN safe practices involve using the OpenVPN GUI or OpenVPN Connect client software to install OpenVPN on your devices. A VPN service like PIA adds servers, apps, browser extensions, port forwarding, and a command line app for Linux power users. Many VPN clients rely on the open source VPN protocol, and authentication OpenVPN uses is based on digital certificates and user datagram protocol or UDP user datagram protocol for faster connections. For online gaming or streaming, most VPN protocols work well when paired with a good server network.
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