📊 Our Test Results:
- ⚡ Speed Test (WireGuard): Surfshark 87 Mbps vs PIA 45 Mbps — Surfshark wins
- 🔒 Privacy Audits: Surfshark 3 audits vs PIA 2 audits — Surfshark wins
- 🌍 Country Coverage: Surfshark 100 countries vs PIA 91 countries — Surfshark wins
- 🖥️ Número de servidores: PIA 35,000+ vs Surfshark 3,200+ — PIA wins
- 💰 Cheapest Long-Term Plan: Surfshark $1.99/mo vs PIA $2.03/mo — Surfshark wins
Escogiendo una VPN feels harder than it should.
There are dozens of options. Most look the same on the surface.
Surfshark and Private Internet Access (PIA) are two popular picks that keep showing up on “best VPN” lists.
Both promise fast speeds, strong encryption, and unlimited connections.
Pero ¿cuál es el que realmente cumple?
We bought both SurfsharkVPN vs Private Internet Access and ran them through real-world tests. Speed, streaming, privacy, and pricing all got a close look.
By the end, you’ll know exactly which VPN fits your needs.
Descripción general
We spent weeks testing Surfshark and Private Internet Access side by side.
We ran speed tests on servers across five continents.
We checked streaming access on Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer.
We reviewed every privacy auditoría and security feature both VPNs offer.
Here’s what we found after hands-on testing.
¿Qué es Surfshark?
Surfshark is a VPN that hides your IP address and encrypts your internet traffic.
It launched in 2018 and quickly became one of the most popular budget VPNs.
Surfshark is based in the Netherlands. That means it falls under strict EU privacy laws (GDPR).
You can connect unlimited dispositivos at the same time on one account.
It works on Windows, Impermeable, iOS, Android, Linux, and even smart TVs.
Tiburón de surf
Fast, affordable VPN with unlimited device connections and extra privacy tools like Alternative ID and CleanWeb. Perfect for households that need to protect every device.
Surfshark Pricing
Surfshark keeps things simple with three plans. The longer you commit, the more you save.
| Plan | Precio | Mejor para |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Months + 3 Extra | $1.99/mes | Best value for long-term users |
| 12 Months + 3 Extra | $3.19/mes | Mid-term commitment |
| 1 mes | $15.45/mes | Short-term or testing |
Prueba gratuita: 7-day free trial on Androide and iOS. No credit card needed for the mobile trial.
Garantía de devolución de dinero: 30-day refund on all plans. No questions asked.
📌 Nota: Students get an extra 15% off through Alumno Beans. All plans include unlimited connections and every feature.
⚠️ Warning: Prices go up after the first term. The $1.99/month rate only applies to your initial 27-month subscription.
Key Benefits of Surfshark
Here’s why Surfshark stands out from the crowd:
- Unlimited Devices: Connect your phone, laptop, tablet, smart TV, and router all at once. No limits.
- Top-Tier Encryption: AES-256 encryption keeps your datos locked down. The same standard banks and governments use.
- CleanWeb: Blocks ads, trackers, and malware while you navegar. Works on every connected device.
- MultiHop: Routes your traffic through two VPN servers for double the encryption.
- Alternative ID: Creates a fake online identity for sign-ups. Keeps your real email and name private.
- Camouflage Mode: Disguises VPN traffic as normal browsing. Helps bypass restrictions in censored regions.
- 100 Country Coverage: Servers in 100 countries give you access to geo-blocked content worldwide.
Surfshark Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Unlimited device connections on every plan
- Fastest WireGuard speeds in testing
- Three independent security audits (Cure53 + Deloitte)
- Servers in 100 countries for wide coverage
- Extra tools like Alternative ID and CleanWeb included
❌ Cons
- Based in Netherlands (Nine Eyes alliance member)
- Prices increase after first subscription term
- Only protects against DNS leaks (not IPv6 or WebRTC)
- Smaller server network than some competitors
¿Qué es Private Internet Access?
Private Internet Access (PIA) is a veteran VPN that’s been around since 2010.
It has one of the largest server networks in the VPN industry. Over 35,000 servers across 91 countries.
PIA is based in the United States. Its apps are fully open-source, meaning anyone can inspect the code.
It’s especially popular with US users thanks to servers in all 50 states.
PIA also supports unlimited device connections on every plan.
Acceso privado a Internet
Massive 35,000+ server network with open-source apps and servers in all 50 US states. Great for privacy purists who want full transparency and code you can verify yourself.
Private Internet Access Pricing
PIA offers three straightforward plans. The three-year deal is one of the cheapest in the industry.
| Plan | Precio | Mejor para |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Years + 4 Months | $2.03/mes | Best long-term value |
| 6 meses | $7.50/mes | Medium commitment |
| 1 mes | $11,99/mes | Short-term or testing |
Prueba gratuita: No free trial available. But the 30-day money-back guarantee lets you test risk-free.
Garantía de devolución de dinero: 30-day full refund on all plans.
📌 Nota: PIA doesn’t raise prices at renewal. What you pay the first time is what you pay next time. That’s rare in the VPN world.
⚠️ Warning: PIA was acquired by Kape Technologies. Some users have concerns about Kape’s history with adware. However, PIA’s no-logs policy has been verified by Deloitte.
Key Benefits of Private Internet Access
Here’s what makes PIA a strong contender:
- Red masiva de servidores: Over 35,000 servers means less congestion and faster connections. More servers than almost any other VPN.
- Open-Source Apps: Anyone can inspect PIA’s code. This level of transparency is rare in the VPN industry.
- All 50 US States: Servers in every US state. Perfect for accessing local content and getting around blackouts.
- MACE Ad Blocker: Blocks ads, trackers, and malware at the DNS level. Works even when the VPN is off.
- No Price Hikes: Your renewal price stays the same. No surprise increases after the first term.
- Full Leak Protection: Protects against IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leaks. Covers every angle.
Private Internet Access Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- 35,000+ servers — largest network in the industry
- Open-source apps for full transparency
- Servers in all 50 US states
- No price increases on subscription renewal
- Full leak protection (IPv6, DNS, WebRTC)
❌ Cons
- Based in the US (Five Eyes alliance member)
- Slower speeds than Surfshark in testing
- Owned by Kape Technologies (adware concerns)
- No hay prueba gratuita disponible
Comparación de características
Ready to see how Surfshark and Private Internet Access compare feature by feature?
We tested 10 key areas. Here’s a quick snapshot before we dive deep.
| Característica | Tiburón de surf | PIA |
|---|---|---|
| Precio inicial | $1.99/mes | $2.03/mes |
| Servidores | 3,200+ in 100 countries | 35,000+ in 91 countries |
| Unlimited Connections | ✅ | ✅ |
| Interruptor de apagado | ✅ | ✅ (Regular + Advanced) |
| Túnel dividido | ✅ | ✅ |
| Bloqueador de anuncios | ✅ CleanWeb | ✅ MACE |
| Open-Source Apps | ❌ | ✅ |
| Multisalto | ✅ Dynamic | ✅ |
| Prueba gratuita | ✅ 7-day (mobile) | ❌ |
| Mejor para | Speed & extra features | Server variety & transparency |
1. Speed & Performance
Tiburón de surf: Surfshark consistently tested as the faster VPN. Using WireGuard, download speeds averaged around 87 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection. That’s only a 13% speed drop. 4K streaming worked without any buffering.
Acceso privado a Internet: PIA showed a bigger speed loss in testing. Download speeds averaged around 45-50 Mbps on the same connection. That’s roughly a 49% drop. Still fast enough for HD streaming but not ideal for bandwidth-heavy tasks.
💡 Test Result: Surfshark’s WireGuard speeds were roughly double PIA’s in our testing. If speed matters most, Surfshark is the clear pick.
2. Red de servidores
Tiburón de surf: Over 3,200 servers spread across 100 countries. This is wider geographic coverage than PIA. Great if you need access to content in less common regions like Bhutan, Bolivia, or Brunei.
Acceso privado a Internet: A massive 35,000+ servers in 91 countries. PIA has servers in all 50 US states. That’s a huge advantage for US-based users who want nearby servers for the fastest possible speeds.
3. Privacy & Logging Policy
Tiburón de surf: Strict no-logs policy verified by three independent audits. Cure53 audited twice, and Deloitte audited most recently in 2025. Surfshark deletes IP addresses within 15 minutes of disconnecting.
Acceso privado a Internet: No-logs policy confirmed by two Deloitte audits and proven in two real court cases. PIA’s policy was tested when authorities requested data — and PIA had nothing to hand over.
⚠️ Warning: Surfshark is in the Netherlands (Nine Eyes). PIA is in the US (Five Eyes). Both are in intelligence-sharing alliances. But both have verified no-logs policies, so there’s nothing to share.
4. Características de seguridad
Tiburón de surf: AES-256 encryption with WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 protocols. Includes a kill switch, Dynamic MultiHop, and Camouflage Mode to hide VPN usage. Only protects against DNS leaks though.
Acceso privado a Internet: AES-256 encryption (or 128-bit for faster speeds). Supports WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. Comes with two kill switch types and full leak protection covering IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC.
5. Streaming & Unblocking
Tiburón de surf: Unblocks Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime without issues. No dedicated streaming servers needed. Works reliably across most regions.
Acceso privado a Internet: Has dedicated streaming-optimized servers in 9 regions. Unblocks Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. Consistent performance in US, UK, Australia, and Japan.
6. Ad & Tracker Blocking
Tiburón de surf: CleanWeb blocks ads, trackers, and malware while connected. Works across all devices. Also alerts you about data breaches linked to your email.
Acceso privado a Internet: MACE operates at the DNS level. Blocks ads, trackers, and malware domains before they even load. It’s effective but less feature-rich than Surfshark’s CleanWeb suite.
7. Split Tunneling
Tiburón de surf: The Whitelister feature lets you choose which apps or websites bypass the VPN tunnel. Useful for banking apps or local services that block VPN connections.
Acceso privado a Internet: PIA’s split tunneling lets you exclude specific apps and IP addresses from the VPN. Slightly more granular control than Surfshark with IP-level exclusions.
8. Extra Privacy Tools
Tiburón de surf: Alternative ID creates a fake persona for online sign-ups. Dynamic MultiHop lets you build custom two-server routes. Surfshark One adds antivirus, and One+ adds identity theft protection.
Acceso privado a Internet: Identity Guard monitors data breaches for your email. PIA also publishes quarterly transparency reports. Open-source code means security experts can verify every claim.
9. Facilidad de uso
Tiburón de surf: Clean, modern interface with a fun aquatic theme. Easy one-click connect. Available on Windows, Impermeable, iOS, Android, Linux, and browser extensions. Great for beginners.
Acceso privado a Internet: Simple and uncluttered design. Power users will love the customization options. You can adjust encryption levels, protocols, and automatización rules. Available on all major platforms.
10. Pricing & Cost
Let’s compare the pricing plans side by side.
| Plan Length | Tiburón de surf | PIA |
|---|---|---|
| Mensual | $15.45/mes | $11,99/mes |
| Mid-Term | $3.19/month (12 mo) | $7.50/month (6 mo) |
| Long-Term | $1.99/month (24 mo) | $2.03/month (28 mo) |
| Money-Back | 30 days | 30 days |
| Prueba gratuita | 7-day (mobile) | None |
Tiburón de surf: Cheapest long-term plan at $1.99/month. The monthly price ($15.45) is higher than PIA. But the 2-year deal saves you more money overall. Plus you get a 7-day free trial on mobile.
Acceso privado a Internet: Cheaper monthly rate at $11.99. The long-term plan ($2.03/month) requires a longer 28-month commitment. The big perk? No price increases on renewal.
Different Scenarios
| If You Need… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fastest speeds | Tiburón de surf | 2x faster WireGuard performance |
| Most servers | PIA | 35,000+ servers worldwide |
| Cheapest long-term plan | Tiburón de surf | $1.99/mo vs $2.03/mo |
| US state-level access | PIA | Servers in all 50 states |
| Most country coverage | Tiburón de surf | 100 countries vs 91 |
| Open-source transparency | PIA | Fully open-source apps |
| Extra privacy tools | Tiburón de surf | Alternative ID, CleanWeb, MultiHop |
💰 Your Budget
Both VPNs cost about $2/month on long-term plans. PIA wins for monthly subscribers at $11.99 vs $15.45. But PIA doesn’t raise prices at renewal, which saves money over time.
🔌 Your Tech Stack
Both work on every major platform. PIA has a slight edge for Linux users with its command-line app. Surfshark works better on smart TVs and routers with easier setup.
📝 Your Use Case
Streaming and speed? Pick Surfshark. Torrenting and port forwarding? PIA is better. Both handle everyday browsing protection equally well.
🎓 Your Experience Level
Surfshark is more beginner-friendly with its simple interface. PIA gives power users more customization like encryption levels and automatización rules.
🆓 Free Trials and Demos
Surfshark offers a 7-day free trial on mobile. PIA has no free trial at all. Both offer 30-day money-back guarantees if you want to test on desktop.
🛟 Support Options
Both offer 24/7 live chat and email support. Surfshark’s help center feels more polished. PIA’s community forums provide extra peer support for technical questions.
Switching Guide
Already using one of these VPNs? Here’s what to expect if you switch.
🔄 Switching from Surfshark to PIA?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- 35,000+ servers including all 50 US states
- Open-source apps you can verify yourself
- No price increases on renewal
❌ What you’ll lose:
- Faster WireGuard speeds (roughly 2x difference)
- Alternative ID for anonymous sign-ups
- 7-day free trial option for mobile
📋 How to switch:
- Cancel your Surfshark subscription before renewal
- Sign up for PIA at fahimai.com/get/pia
- Download the PIA app and log in on all your devices
🔄 Switching from PIA to Surfshark?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- Much faster download speeds on WireGuard
- Alternative ID and Dynamic MultiHop features
- Coverage in 100 countries (9 more than PIA)
❌ What you’ll lose:
- Servers in all 50 US states
- Open-source app code transparency
- Stable renewal pricing (Surfshark prices go up)
📋 How to switch:
- Cancel your PIA subscription before it renews
- Sign up for Surfshark at fahimai.com/get/surfshark
- Install Surfshark on all your devices and connect
Veredicto final
| Categoría | Ganador |
|---|---|
| ⚡ Speed & Performance | Tiburón de surf |
| 🖥️ Server Network | PIA |
| 🔒 Privacy & Audits | Tiburón de surf |
| 🛡️ Security Features | PIA |
| 📺 Streaming | Tie |
| 🧩 Extra Features | Tiburón de surf |
| 👶 Ease of Use | Tiburón de surf |
| 💰 Pricing (Long-Term) | Tiburón de surf |
| 💰 Pricing (Monthly) | PIA |
| 🏆 Overall Winner | Tiburón de surf |
🏆 WINNER: Surfshark
Surfshark wins 5 out of 9 categories (with 1 tie).
Best for: Fast streaming, household device protection, budget-friendly long-term plans, and accessing content in 100 countries.
Surfshark and Private Internet Access serve different types of VPN users.
Surfshark is the faster, more feature-packed option. It’s perfect for families and streamers.
PIA is the transparency champion. Open-source code and the biggest server network make it ideal for privacy purists.
PIA also shines for US users with its all-50-states coverage.
But for most people, Surfshark offers better speed, more country coverage, and extra tools at a lower price.
Now, go protect your online privacy!
More of Surfshark Compared
Here’s how Surfshark stacks up against other competitors:
Surfshark vs NordVPN
Surfshark wins on: Price, unlimited connections
NordVPN wins on: Speed, server count, Threat Protection
Surfshark vs ExpressVPN
Surfshark wins on: Price, unlimited devices, extra tools
ExpressVPN wins on: Speed consistency, Lightway protocol
Surfshark vs PureVPN
Surfshark wins on: Speed, privacy audits, features
PureVPN wins on: Dedicated IP pricing, port forwarding
Surfshark vs ProtonVPN
Surfshark wins on: Speed, price, extra features
ProtonVPN wins on: Free plan, Swiss jurisdiction, open-source
Surfshark vs PrivadoVPN
Surfshark wins on: Speed, server count, features
PrivadoVPN wins on: Free plan with 10GB data
Surfshark vs AdGuard VPN
Surfshark wins on: Server network, extra features, MultiHop
AdGuard VPN wins on: Ad blocking integration, lighter app
Surfshark vs Escudo virtual
Surfshark wins on: Price, server count, device limit
Virtual Shield wins on: US-focused service, simplicity
Surfshark vs StrongVPN
Surfshark wins on: Price, speed, country coverage
StrongVPN wins on: WireGuard implementation, router support
Surfshark vs La VPN más rápida
Surfshark wins on: Speed, features, server network
FastestVPN wins on: Lifetime plan pricing
Surfshark vs Aura VPN
Surfshark wins on: Server count, features, speed
Aura VPN wins on: Identity theft protection bundle
Surfshark vs CyberGhost
Surfshark wins on: Speed, extra features, privacy audits
CyberGhost wins on: Server count, streaming-optimized servers
Surfshark vs McAfee VPN
Surfshark wins on: Speed, server network, VPN-specific features
McAfee VPN wins on: Bundled antivirus protection
Surfshark vs Misterio
Surfshark wins on: Speed, reliability, ease of use
Mysterium wins on: Decentralized network, pay-per-use
Surfshark wins on: Server network, audits, brand trust
SafeShell VPN wins on: Niche regional performance
Surfshark vs Oyster VPN
Surfshark wins on: Speed, features, server count
Oyster VPN wins on: Simple pricing structure
More of Private Internet Access Compared
Here’s how Private Internet Access stacks up against other competitors:
PIA vs NordVPN
PIA wins on: Server count, open-source apps, price
NordVPN wins on: Speed, Threat Protection, reputation
PIA vs ExpressVPN
PIA wins on: Price, server count, open-source transparency
ExpressVPN wins on: Speed, ease of use, Lightway protocol
PIA vs PureVPN
PIA wins on: Server count, privacy audits, open-source
PureVPN wins on: Dedicated IP options, port forwarding
PIA vs ProtonVPN
PIA wins on: Server count, US state coverage, price
ProtonVPN wins on: Free plan, Swiss jurisdiction, Secure Core
PIA vs PrivadoVPN
PIA wins on: Server network, audits, features
PrivadoVPN wins on: Free plan with 10GB data
PIA vs AdGuard VPN
PIA wins on: Server count, open-source, features
AdGuard VPN wins on: Lightweight ad blocking integration
PIA vs Virtual Shield
PIA wins on: Server count, price, customization
Virtual Shield wins on: US-focused simplicity
PIA vs StrongVPN
PIA wins on: Server count, price, transparency
StrongVPN wins on: Router support, WireGuard speeds
PIA vs FastestVPN
PIA wins on: Server network, audits, features
FastestVPN wins on: Lifetime plan pricing
PIA vs Aura VPN
PIA wins on: Server count, open-source, customization
Aura VPN wins on: Identity protection bundle
PIA vs CyberGhost
PIA wins on: Open-source apps, US state coverage
CyberGhost wins on: Streaming servers, NoSpy servers
PIA vs McAfee VPN
PIA wins on: Server count, speed, VPN features
McAfee VPN wins on: Bundled antivirus software
PIA vs Mysterium
PIA wins on: Speed, reliability, customer support
Mysterium wins on: Decentralized network, pay-per-use model
PIA vs SafeShell VPN
PIA wins on: Server network, brand trust, open-source
SafeShell VPN wins on: Niche regional performance
PIA vs Oyster VPN
PIA wins on: Server count, features, audits
Oyster VPN wins on: Simple pricing, niche focus
Preguntas frecuentes
Is Surfshark VPN trustworthy?
Yes. Surfshark has passed three independent security audits by Cure53 and Deloitte. Its no-logs policy is verified, and it uses AES-256 encryption. It’s one of the most trusted budget VPNs available.
¿Es seguro utilizar Private Internet Access?
Yes. PIA’s no-logs policy has been verified by Deloitte and proven in two real court cases. Its open-source apps let anyone inspect the code for security flaws.
Which is faster, Surfshark or PIA?
Surfshark is significantly faster. In WireGuard speed tests, Surfshark’s download speeds were roughly double PIA’s. Surfshark lost about 13% speed while PIA lost around 49%.
Can I use Surfshark VPN for free?
Surfshark offers a 7-day free trial on Android and iOS. There’s no permanent free plan. All paid plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Does PIA VPN work with Netflix?
Yes. PIA has streaming-optimized servers that reliably unblock Netflix in multiple regions. It also works with Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video.
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