

⚡ Quick Verdict:
- Preisgestaltung: Private Internet Access starts at $2.03/month. OysterVPN starts at $5.99/month.
- Ideal für: PIA for privacy on a budget across all your Geräte. OysterVPN for lifetime access and simple streaming.
- Hauptunterschied: PIA has a strict no logs policy audited by Deloitte. OysterVPN has never had a third-party audit.
- Servernetzwerk: 35,000 servers in 91 countries versus roughly 400+ servers in over 35 countries.
- Our pick: Private Internet Access, because it gives you unlimited simultaneous connections at a lower entry price.

The cheaper VPN service here is also the bigger one.
Private Internet Access asks $2.03 a month on its longest plan.
OysterVPN asks $5.99 a month to start.
Yet PIA runs 35,000 VPN servers and Oyster VPN a few hundred.
So price is not what separates these two vpn providers. Proof, speed, and device limits are.
Überblick
This Private Internet Access vs Oyster VPN comparison covers pricing, Sicherheit features, speeds, and streaming.
We read both privacy policies, both pricing pages, and public user reviews.
Our writers also spent hands-on time with each vpn app.
Those notes sit in the “What Our Team Noticed” sections below.
By the end you will know which virtual private network fits you.
Was ist privater Internetzugang?
Private Internet Access is a vpn service that hides your real ip address.
It wraps your internet traffic in an encrypted vpn tunnel.
Every private internet access review lands on the same fact: cheap and big.
Your ISP sees nothing but noise, which also blunts ISP throttling.
Wondering how many servers it runs? Around 35,000 across 91 countries.
PIA covers Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android from one account.
There are browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox, plus a command line app.
The pia app is also on the Apple App Store for mobile devices.

Here is a walkthrough of how the private internet access vpn works day to day.

Privater Internetzugang
A cheap vpn with a strict no logs policy verified by Deloitte. You get unlimited simultaneous connections and unlimited bandwidth. Current private internet access deals start at $2.03 a month.
Preise für privaten Internetzugang
PIA offers three plans. No hidden costs and no paywalled features.
| Planen | Preis | Am besten geeignet für |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Jahre + 4 Monate | 2,03 €/Monat | Langfristiger Datenschutz mit kleinem Budget |
| 6 Monate | 7,50 €/Monat | A medium commitment |
| 1 Monat | 11,99 $/Monat | Short trips and quick testing |
Pricing verified September 2026.

Kostenlose Testversion: No free trial. You sign up and pay first.
Geld-zurück-Garantie: Yes. A 30 day money back guarantee lets you test the service risk free.
📌 Notiz: Private Internet Access does not raise subscription prices at renewal. Most vpn providers do. Every plan includes the same features, so a cheaper term never means a weaker vpn connection.
⚠️ Warnung: PIA also lists $11.95 monthly, $39.96 yearly, and $79 for three years elsewhere. Our table follows the CSV pricing. Check the cart total before paying.
Wichtigste Vorteile eines privaten Internetzugangs
What you actually get for the money:
- Unbegrenzte Geräteanzahl: PIA allows unlimited simultaneous connections. Most other vpn providers cap you at five to ten.
- Geprüfter Datenschutz: Deloitte verified the strict no logs policy through multiple audits, and transparency reports are published quarterly.
- Open-Source-Apps: Anyone can inspect the code, which is rare among vpn services.
- US Coverage: Servers in all 50 states. Good for US sports, banking, and online gaming.
- MACE Blocking: A built-in ad and tracker blocker working at the DNS level, so ads die before they load.
- Sicherheit bei öffentlichen WLAN-Verbindungen: PIA encrypts your internet connection on shared networks. Your connection data and identifying data stay away from criminals in cafés and airports.
- Zusätzliche Werkzeuge: Multi-hop routing, port forwarding, and Identity Guard breach monitoring.

What Our Team Noticed
Unser Schriftsteller tested Private Internet Access on a laptop and a phone. We tested PIA across US, UK, and Asian server locations, because pia’s servers behave very differently by region. Here is what stood out from that hands-on time:

Vorteile und Nachteile des privaten Internetzugangs
✅ Vorteile
- Long-term plans start at $2.03 per month with no renewal price hike
- Unlimited simultaneous connections cover every device in the house
- Strict no logs policy independently verified by Deloitte audits
- 35,000 servers in 91 countries, including all 50 US states
- Split tunneling, multi-hop, MACE, and port forwarding for power users
❌ Nachteile
- Average download speed loss of 49% hurts bandwidth-heavy work
- Streaming access is inconsistent, and BBC iPlayer can fail
- The one month plan at $11.99 sits above the industry average
Was ist Oyster VPN?
OysterVPN is a smaller vpn provider based in Dublin, Ireland.
Ireland sits outside the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances, which helps user privacy.
The service encrypts your internet connection and hides your physical location.
Most oystervpn review coverage leads with the lifetime deal, and fairly so.
Its network is roughly 400+ servers in over 35 countries.
The oystervpn apps cover Windows and Mac desktop apps, plus an iOS app and Android app.
There are browser extensions too, but no native Linux build.
The draw is lifetime access for one payment.

This clip shows the oystervpn app and how the connection screen behaves.

Oyster VPN
An Ireland-based vpn service with AES-256 encryption and dedicated streaming servers. Torrenting is allowed on every server. Every OysterVPN subscription carries a 30 day money back guarantee.
Oyster VPN Preise
OysterVPN offers one feature set. You only pick the term length.
| Planen | Preis | Am besten geeignet für |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Monat + 2 Monate gratis | 5,99 €/Monat | Ich teste den Service |
| 1 Jahr | 29,99 $/Monat | An annual commitment |
| Lebenslanger Zugriff | 59,99 $/Monat | One payment, no renewals |
Pricing verified September 2026.

Kostenlose Testversion: None. OysterVPN does not offer a free trial or a free vpn tier.
Geld-zurück-Garantie: 30 days on every plan, so you can test the service risk free.
📌 Notiz: When you purchase OysterVPN, only major credit cards and PayPal work. There is no cryptocurrency option, which matters if anonymous billing is part of your threat model.
⚠️ Warnung: Our figures follow the CSV pricing. Other sources list $9.99 monthly with 3 free months, $2.50 per month yearly, and lifetime access at $49.99. Confirm the number at checkout.
Wichtigste Vorteile von Oyster VPN
Where OysterVPN earns its place:
- Lebenslanger Zugriff: One payment and the account never expires. No renewal date to track.
- Streaming-Entsperrung: Dedicated streaming servers reach popular streaming services like Netflix, Max, ESPN+, and BBC iPlayer. Hulu and Disney+ are hit or miss.
- Torrenting Anywhere: P2P file sharing is allowed on all of its servers, with solid security features behind it.
- Zuständigkeit Irland: GDPR applies and the country sits outside the main intelligence alliances. Good baseline online security for a small provider.
- Werbe- und Malware-Blockierung: A built-in blocker trims ads and bad domains, no extra software needed.
- Einfache Apps: A user friendly interface on desktop and mobile. You can install OysterVPN in minutes.
- Five Devices: OysterVPN supports multiple devices, up to five simultaneous connections per account.

What Our Team Noticed
Our writer signed up for OysterVPN and used it for browsing, streaming, and torrenting on a nearby server and a distant one. Here is what stood out:

Oyster VPN: Vor- und Nachteile
✅ Vorteile
- Lifetime access removes recurring bills entirely
- Unblocks Netflix, Max, and ESPN+ through dedicated streaming servers
- Torrenting allowed on every server with DDoS protection included
- Decent speeds on nearby servers for day-to-day browsing
- Intuitive apps that beginners can set up quickly
❌ Nachteile
- No third-party independent audit of its privacy policies
- Speeds can drop by an average of 55% on distant servers
- Customer support has no phone number and no live chat
- No smart TV or gaming console apps, and no native Linux client
Funktionsvergleich
Both tools do the same basic job. They route your connection through a remote vpn server and hide your ip addresses.
The gap shows up in proof, scale, and speed. Twelve areas decide the winner.
| Besonderheit | Privater Internetzugang | Oyster VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Startpreis | 2,03 €/Monat | 5,99 €/Monat |
| Kostenloser Plan | ❌ | ❌ |
| Audited No Logs Policy | ✅ Deloitte | ❌ Keine |
| Servernetzwerk | ✅ 35,000 in 91 countries | ❌ 400+ in 35+ countries |
| Gleichzeitige Verbindungen | ✅ Unbegrenzt | ❌ 5 |
| Not-Aus-Schalter | ✅ Two modes | ✅ One mode |
| Split-Tunneling | ✅ All desktop apps | ❌ Windows and Android only |
| Dedizierte IP-Adresse | ✅ | ❌ |
| Hafenweiterleitung | ✅ | ❌ |
| Lebenslanger Plan | ❌ | ✅ |
| Live-Chat-Support | ✅ | ❌ Nur per E-Mail |
| Am besten geeignet für | Privatsphäre für kleines Budget | One-off payment and streaming |
1. No Logs Policy and Audits
Privater Internetzugang: The privacy policy rules out browsing history, user IPs, connection timestamps, bandwidth logs, and dns queries. Deloitte has confirmed that strict no logs policy through more than one audit. Quarterly transparency reports list the legal requests received.

Oyster VPN: OysterVPN also claims a strict no logs policy and says it collects no user data. The difference is verification. OysterVPN has not undergone a third-party independent audit of its privacy policies or security measures, so the zero logging policy rests on trust alone.

⚠️ Warnung: An unaudited logs policy is not proof of wrongdoing. It only means nobody outside the company has checked. If you need an audited no logs policy, that narrows your choice to one.
2. Encryption Level
Privater Internetzugang: AES 256-bit encryption runs over the OpenVPN protocol, or ChaCha20 on WireGuard. The encryption level is adjustable in settings, which is unusual. PIA supports multi-hop too, routing traffic through two vpn servers.

Oyster VPN: OysterVPN uses AES-256 encryption on every plan. There is no multi-hop and no adjustable cipher. For ordinary browsing that is enough, and it matches the advanced security features most vpn services ship.

3. VPN-Protokolle
Privater Internetzugang: OpenVPN and WireGuard are both built in, switchable inside the app. Test both: PIA’s performance on Windows using the OpenVPN protocol beats WireGuard in several setups.
Oyster VPN: OysterVPN lets you choose from multiple secure vpn protocols, including WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. Coverage is uneven though. OysterVPN does not support the WireGuard protocol in every app, so some platforms fall back to OpenVPN.

4. Not-Aus-Schalter
Privater Internetzugang: Two kill switches ship on Windows and macOS, a regular one and an advanced one. Both cut internet traffic the moment the vpn connection drops, so your data private stays that way.
Oyster VPN: One internet kill switch blocks internet access if the vpn connection drops, stopping accidental data leaks. That is a crucial feature on flaky mobile networks.

5. DNS and Leak Protection
Privater Internetzugang: PIA runs its own dns servers, so your dns requests never reach your ISP. A built-in tool checks for dns leaks any time, and confirms your actual ip address is hidden.
Oyster VPN: OysterVPN prevents IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks. Its dns leak protection held up in published leak tests, and ip leak protection hides your real location. There is no in-app tester, so use an external site.

6. Breach Monitoring
Privater Internetzugang: Identity Guard watches your email addresses and warns you when one appears in a breach. An email leak test shows whether your address is exposed outside the vpn tunnel.

Oyster VPN: No breach monitoring. OysterVPN features stop at the vpn connection and the ad blocker. If you want identity tools bundled in, this is not the vpn app for it.
7. Split-Tunnelbau
Privater Internetzugang: The split tunneling feature excludes specific apps and even specific IP addresses from the vpn connection. Keep browser traffic protected and let a game bypass it at full connection speed. Automatisierung rules connect or disconnect based on the network you join.
Oyster VPN: Split tunneling exists, but only on the Windows and Android apps. iOS and Mac users miss out. You pick which apps use the tunnel, with no per-IP control.

8. Device Limits and Coverage
Privater Internetzugang: Unlimited connections on one account. Router support extends that to consoles and anything that cannot run vpn apps. That is how PIA covers all your devices, including streaming devices.

Oyster VPN: Five simultaneous connections, and no app for smart TVs or gaming consoles. For one person with a phone, laptop, and tablet that is fine. For a family it runs out fast.

9. Gaming and Dedicated IP
Privater Internetzugang: A dedicated ip address is available as an add-on. It cuts CAPTCHAs, helps with incoming connections, and pairs with port forwarding. Handy for online gaming and for unblocking streaming content that flags shared IPs.

Oyster VPN: No dedicated IP, but ddos protection runs on all of oystervpn’s servers. That absorbs flood attacks before they reach you, which competitive players will value more than a static address.

10. Ad Blocking and Extras
Privater Internetzugang: MACE blocks ads and trackers at the DNS level. Paid tiers add antivirus scanning on top, so one subscription handles more than the vpn tunnel.

Oyster VPN: A built-in ad and malware blocker runs across desktop and mobile apps. It does the basics well and saves you installing separate browser extensions.

11. Speed, Streaming and Torrenting
Privater Internetzugang: Average download speed loss is about 49%, and upload speed loss usually runs higher. Speed tests swing a lot by server location and protocol. Streaming optimized servers reach Netflix and Disney Plus, though Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer are less consistent. It is still a top tier vpn for privacy, just not for raw throughput.
Oyster VPN: OysterVPN’s speeds are decent on a nearby server and fall away on long-distance hops, dropping by an average of 55%. A speed test to the fastest server nearby looks fine. Reaching geo restricted content across an ocean is where streaming services start buffering. Torrenting is allowed everywhere on P2P-ready servers.

⚠️ Warnung: Neither tool is built for bandwidth-heavy work. PIA is not ideal for bandwidth-intensive applications, and OysterVPN is not suited to streaming 4K content over distant servers.
12. Pricing & Cost
Here are both pricing plans side by side.
| Planart | Privater Internetzugang | Oyster VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Kostenloses Tarif | ❌ | ❌ |
| Monatlich | 11,99 $/Monat | 5,99 €/Monat |
| Mid term | $7.50/month (6 Months) | 29,99 $/Monat (1 Jahr) |
| Long term | 2,03 $/Monat (2 Jahre + 4 Monate) | $59.99/month (Lifetime Access) |
| Refund window | 30 Tage | 30 Tage |
Privater Internetzugang: The long plan is the whole argument. At $2.03 a month you get unlimited devices, unlimited bandwidth, and an audited record. That makes it an affordable vpn without the usual trade-offs.
Oyster VPN: The one-off lifetime plan is the draw. Keep the account four or five years and the maths works. Just remember a lifetime plan is only as good as the company behind it.
Verschiedene Szenarien
| Falls Sie Folgendes benötigen: | Wählen | Warum |
|---|---|---|
| The lowest running cost | Privater Internetzugang | $2.03 vs $5.99 entry price |
| One payment, no renewals | Oyster VPN | Lifetime access plan |
| Proof of privacy claims | Privater Internetzugang | Deloitte audits, open code |
| To cover a whole household | Privater Internetzugang | Unbegrenzte Verbindungen |
| Torrenting on any server | Oyster VPN | P2P allowed network-wide |
| Live help when stuck | Privater Internetzugang | Real chat support |
💰 Ihr Budget
PIA is the cheap vpn here on any yearly view. OysterVPN only wins if lifetime access has years to pay off.
🔌 Ihre Geräte
Count what you own. Five slots vanish once a partner, a tablet, and a TV box join in.
📝 Your Privacy Standard
Some vpn users want claims checked by outsiders. Others accept a policy at face value. That Frage settles most of this comparison.
🎓 Dein Erfahrungslevel
OysterVPN is the simpler start, with a clean desktop app and few settings. PIA rewards power users with protocol switching and Automatisierung.
🆓 Kostenlose Testversionen und Demos
Neither offers a free tier. Both give 30 days to ask for your money back, so run your own speed test früh.
🛟 Supportoptionen
PIA has live chat and a big help centre. OysterVPN’s customer support is email only, and replies can be slow.
Umstellungsleitfaden
Already paying for one? Here is what changes if you move.
🔄 Switching from Private Internet Access to Oyster VPN?
✅ Was Sie davon haben:
- A one-off lifetime payment instead of a renewal cycle
- Better speeds on nearby servers for everyday browsing
- Built-in DDoS protection on the whole network
❌ Was Sie verlieren werden:
- Unlimited device slots, down to five
- Audited privacy claims and open-source code
- Dedicated IP, port forwarding, and multi-hop
📋 So wechseln Sie:
- Note your PIA renewal date and cancel inside the 30-day window
- Buy an OysterVPN plan and install it on your main device
- Turn on the kill switch, pick a nearby server, check for leaks
🔄 Switching from Oyster VPN to Private Internet Access?
✅ Was Sie davon haben:
- 35,000 servers and far more server location choices
- Unlimited simultaneous connections and router support
- An audited no logs policy and transparency reports
❌ Was Sie verlieren werden:
- The lifetime plan and its fixed one-time cost
- Network-wide DDoS protection
- The simpler, stripped-back app layout
📋 So wechseln Sie:
- Request an OysterVPN refund if you are still inside 30 days
- Sign up for PIA and install the apps on every device
- Enable MACE and the advanced kill switch, then run the leak test
What Our Review Didn’t Cover
This comparison looked at individual users and small households. We did not test Geschäft licensing, router firmware, or reliability in restrictive countries. OysterVPN is reported to struggle in places like China, and we did not verify that. Virtual servers versus owned hardware is another gap, since neither provider publishes a full breakdown.
Endgültiges Urteil
| Kategorie | Gewinner |
|---|---|
| 💰 Preisgestaltung | Privater Internetzugang |
| 🔒 Privacy Proof | Privater Internetzugang |
| 🌍 Servernetzwerk | Privater Internetzugang |
| ⚡ Geschwindigkeit | Oyster VPN |
| 📺 Streaming | Oyster VPN |
| 👶 Benutzerfreundlichkeit | Oyster VPN |
| 🔌 Device Coverage | Privater Internetzugang |
| 🛟 Unterstützung | Privater Internetzugang |
| 🏆 Gesamtsieger | Privater Internetzugang |
🏆 WINNER: PRIVATE INTERNET ACCESS
Private Internet Access gewinnt 5 von 8 Kategorien.
Ideal für: households with many devices, privacy-first buyers, and anyone who wants a quality vpn under $3 a month.
These are not evenly matched products. PIA is a large, audited operation that happens to be cheap. OysterVPN is a small provider with one clever pricing idea.
OysterVPN is still a decent vpn for one person who streams, torrents, and mostly connects to a nearby server. The lifetime plan is a real advantage over several years.
But if you want proof rather than promises, Private Internet Access makes the stronger case.
Mehr zum Vergleich des privaten Internetzugangs
Here is how PIA lands against the other vpn providers people shortlist:
Privater Internetzugang vs. NordVPN
PIA gewinnt in folgenden Bereichen: lower entry price, unlimited device slots, and a far larger raw server count
NordVPN punktet in folgenden Bereichen: faster download speeds, steadier streaming, and bundled threat protection
Private Internet Access vs. ExpressVPN
PIA gewinnt in folgenden Bereichen: price per year, no renewal increase, and deeper settings for power users
ExpressVPN punktet in folgenden Kategorien: connection speeds on long routes, censored-region reliability, and app polish
Private Internet Access vs. Surfshark VPN
PIA gewinnt in folgenden Bereichen: server count, US state coverage, and a longer audit history
Surfshark Siege bei: raw speed, a friendlier setup, and a bundled antivirus suite
Private Internet Access vs. Proton VPN
PIA gewinnt in folgenden Bereichen: cheaper paid tiers, unlimited connections, and more server locations to pick from
Proton VPN Siege bei: a genuine free plan, Swiss jurisdiction, and its Secure Core routing
This video walks through the wider alternatives list.
More of Oyster VPN Compared
And where OysterVPN sits next to its closest rivals:
OysterVPN punktet bei: one-time lifetime pricing, torrenting on every server, and network-level DDoS protection
NordVPN punktet in folgenden Bereichen: an audited privacy record, a far larger network, and access in restrictive countries
OysterVPN punktet bei: the lifetime option, dedicated streaming servers, and a simpler settings screen
Surfshark gewinnt in: unlimited logins, smart TV apps, and much better long-distance performance
Oyster VPN vs CyberGhost
OysterVPN punktet bei: a lifetime purchase, Irish jurisdiction, and an ad blocker switched on by default
CyberGhost gewinnt in: more streaming-specific servers, console and TV support, and 24/7 live chat
Oyster VPN vs FastestVPN
OysterVPN punktet bei: cleaner apps, GDPR-covered jurisdiction, and stronger streaming results
FastestVPN gewinnt in folgenden Kategorien: a cheaper lifetime deal, more device slots, and wider platform support
Häufig gestellte Fragen
Ist privater Internetzugang sicher?
Yes. It uses AES 256-bit encryption, runs open-source apps, and Deloitte has verified the no-logs claim more than once. A kill switch protects you if the tunnel fails.
Ist Oyster VPN seriös?
Yes. It is run by an Irish company, uses AES-256, and blocks IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks. The catch is that no outside auditor has checked those claims.
Wie viel kostet PIA VPN?
Three plans: $2.03 a month on the 2 Years + 4 Months term, $7.50 on six months, and $11.99 monthly. Renewal prices do not go up.
Taugt Oyster VPN etwas?
For basic browsing and streaming on a close server, yes. It handles Netflix and Max well. Long-distance speeds and the missing audit hold it back.
Welches VPN ist besser als PIA?
NordVPN and ExpressVPN beat it on speed and streaming consistency. Neither matches its price or unlimited device policy, so “better” depends on what you value.













