Tired of feeling like someone’s always watching your online activity?
Private Internet Access (PIA) promises secure, private browsing with its robust VPN service.
But does it live up to the hype?
In this review, we examine Private Internet Access’s features, pricing, & performance to help you decide if it’s the right VPN for your needs.
Boost your online privacy with Private Internet Access. Experience a truly secure connection risk-free with Private Internet Access
What is Private Internet Access?
Private Internet Access (PIA) is like a secret shield for your computer when you’re online.
It’s a type of private internet access vpn called a VPN.
Think of a VPN as a disguise for your internet connection. It makes your computer look like it’s in a different location, hiding your actual address.
This helps keep your online activity private & secure.
PIA has lots of VPN servers all over the world. When you use PIA VPN, your internet traffic travels through one of these servers.
This makes it much harder for anyone to track your online activities.
We tested Private Internet Access and found it’s good at protecting your privacy.
It’s like having a secret agent protecting your online activity!
Who Created Private Internet Access?
Private Internet Access (PIA) was started in 2010 by Andrew Lee and a group of people who really cared about online privacy.
They wanted to give everyone a simple way to protect themselves online.
They knew VPN providers could help people hide their IP addresses and keep their information safe.
So, they built PIA with strong VPN protocols to create a secure VPN tunnel for your internet connection.
Their goal was to make this kind of online protection easy for everyone, not just tech experts.
Top Benefits of Private Internet Access
- Strong Security: PIA uses top-notch encryption and secure VPN protocols like OpenVPN to protect your internet connection from hackers and snoops. This is super important when you’re using public Wi-Fi.
- Privacy Protection: PIA hides your actual IP address, making it much harder for websites & advertisers to track you online. This helps protect your privacy & keeps your online activity hidden.
- Bypass Restrictions: A virtual private network like PIA could help you get around censorship & access blocked websites or content. This is helpful if you’re traveling or want to watch unavailable streaming services in your region.
- Anonymous Torrenting: PIA allows P2P file-sharing on all its servers, and its strong encryption keeps your torrenting activity private.
- Kill Switch: PIA has a kill switch that automatically cuts off your internet if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your actual IP address from being exposed.
- Split Tunneling: Split tunneling lets you choose which apps use the VPN and which use your regular internet connection. This is helpful for things like online gaming or using local devices on your network.
- Unlimited Simultaneous Connections: PIA lets you use your VPN on up to unlimited simultaneous connection devices simultaneously. This is great for families or people with lots of gadgets.
- Large Server Network: With servers in tons of countries, PIA gives VPN users plenty of options for finding a fast and reliable connection.
- Easy to Use: PIA has user-friendly apps for all your devices, making it simple to set up and use, even if you’re new to VPNs.
Best Features of Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access has some really cool features that make it stand out from other VPNs.
These features help keep you safe and give you more control over your online experience. Let’s take a look!
1. No Logs Policy
PIA has a strict “no logs” policy.
This means they don’t keep any records of your online activity.
It’s like they never even saw you! This is super important for privacy because no one can track what you do online, not even PIA.
2. Dedicated IP
Usually, when you use a VPN, you share an IP address with other people.
But with PIA, you can get your own dedicated IP address.
This is like having your private parking spot online.
It can be helpful for things like online banking or accessing certain websites.
3. Antivirus
PIA now includes antivirus protection with its VPN.
This helps keep your computer safe from viruses, malware, and other online threats.
It’s like having a bodyguard for your computer, making sure nothing bad gets in.
4. VPN Router
You can set up PIA on your Wi-Fi router.
This means the VPN will automatically protect every device that connects to your Wi-Fi.
It’s like having a big shield around your home network, keeping everyone safe.
5. Privacy Protection
PIA is serious about privacy.
They use strong encryption and have features like a kill switch & split tunneling to keep your information safe.
They also block ads and trackers, so you could browse the web without being followed.
It’s like having a privacy superhero watching over you!
Pricing
| Plan | Price per Month |
|---|---|
| 2 Years + 2 Months Free | $2.19/month |
| 6 Months | $7.50/month |
Pros and Cons
Every tool has its strengths and weaknesses.
To give you a complete picture, let’s weigh private Internet Access’s good and evil.
Pros
Cons
Alternatives to Private Internet Access
Here are some alternatives to Private Internet Access:
- NordVPN: Offers a vast server network and a wide range of features for various online activities.
- ExpressVPN: Known for its consistently fast connection speeds and user-friendly applications.
- PureVPN: Provides a large number of servers across many global locations.
- SurfsharkVPN: Allows unlimited device connections on a single subscription, offering great value.
- ProtonVPN: Emphasizes strong security and user privacy with a base in Switzerland.
- PrivadoVPN: Offers a free option with limited data and a focus on user privacy.
- AdGuard VPN: Integrates with AdGuard for blocking ads and online trackers.
- Virtual Shield: Designed to be simple and straightforward for ease of use.
- StrongVPN: Known for its robust encryption and reliable server performance.
- FastestVPN: Provides affordable subscription options with good connection speeds.
- AuraVPN: Includes identity theft protection along with its VPN service.
- CyberGhost: Features user-friendly applications and specialized servers for different tasks.
- McAfee VPN: A basic VPN option often included within the McAfee security suite.
- Mysterium: Operates as a decentralized VPN using a peer-to-peer network infrastructure.
Private Internet Access Compared
We’ve explored alternatives to Private Internet Access, so how does Private Internet Access compare to them?
- Private Internet Access vs NordVPN: NordVPN generally offers faster speeds, a larger server network spanning more countries, and better streaming capabilities. While PIA provides unlimited simultaneous connections and can be more affordable, NordVPN offers a more robust security package and consistently better performance.
- Private Internet Access vs ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN is known for its consistently fast speeds, user-friendly apps, and reliable unblocking of streaming services. While PIA offers a larger server network and allows unlimited connections, ExpressVPN often provides a smoother and faster overall experience, especially for streaming.
- Private Internet Access vs PureVPN: PIA generally offers faster and more consistent speeds, along with unlimited simultaneous connections. While PureVPN boasts a larger server count and can unblock more streaming services in some tests, PIA’s performance and strong focus on security often give it an edge.
- Private Internet Access vs SurfsharkVPN: Surfshark is often more affordable, especially for long-term plans, and allows unlimited connections. While PIA has a larger server network, Surfshark generally provides faster speeds, better apps, and more features, making it a strong all-around competitor.
- Private Internet Access vs ProtonVPN: ProtonVPN emphasizes strong security and privacy with features like Secure Core servers and a transparent approach. While PIA offers faster speeds on nearby servers and allows unlimited connections, ProtonVPN’s focus on privacy and consistent performance on international servers makes it a strong contender for privacy-conscious users.
- Private Internet Access vs AdGuard VPN: AdGuard VPN’s primary strength lies in its integration with ad and tracker blocking. PIA is a more comprehensive VPN service offering a wider range of server locations and functionalities beyond ad blocking.
- Private Internet Access vs Virtual Shield: PIA offers a more extensive server network, stronger security features, and generally better performance than the simpler Virtual Shield.
- Private Internet Access vs StrongVPN: Both VPNs offer strong encryption, but PIA boasts a significantly larger server network and allows unlimited connections, providing greater flexibility.
- Private Internet Access vs FastestVPN: PIA generally offers a larger server network and more robust security features than FastestVPN, which is budget-friendly.
- Private Internet Access vs AuraVPN: AuraVPN includes identity theft protection alongside its VPN. PIA focuses on providing a secure and private VPN connection with a large server network and unlimited connections.
- Private Internet Access vs CyberGhost: CyberGhost is known for its user-friendly apps and specialized servers for various online activities. PIA offers a larger server network and unlimited connections, appealing to users with many devices.
- Private Internet Access vs McAfee VPN: PIA is a dedicated VPN service with a wider range of features and better performance than the basic VPN included with McAfee’s security suite.
- Private Internet Access vs Mysterium: PIA uses a traditional server network known for its size and consistent performance. Mysterium is a decentralized VPN with a different approach to anonymity and potentially variable speeds.
Personal Experience with Private Internet Access
My team and I wanted to test out Private Internet Access.
We used it for a whole week for all our online activities. We wanted to see if it worked as well as everyone says.
First, we downloaded the PIA app. It was super easy to install and use. We connected to a VPN server in another country.
We were amazed at how fast our internet was, even though it traveled through a faraway server!
It felt like we had unlocked a whole new world of entertainment.
Here are some of the things we liked about PIA:
- Easy to use: The app was simple, even for people new to VPNs.
- Fast speeds: We didn’t notice any slowdown in our internet speed while using PIA.
- Strong security: Thanks to PIA’s strong encryption and OpenVPN protocol, we felt confident that our online activity was private and secure.
- Lots of servers: PIA has VPN servers all over the world, so we had plenty of options to choose from.
- Reasonable price: PIA is an affordable VPN provider, especially if you choose a more extended plan.
Overall, we were impressed with Private Internet Access.
It’s a superb VPN that’s easy to use, affordable, and keeps your online activity private. We highly recommend it!
Final Thoughts
Private Internet Access offers a solid VPN experience with strong security, a no-logs policy, and user-friendly apps.
It’s an wonderful choice for anyone who wants to protect their privacy online, bypass restrictions, & enjoy a secure connection.
While it may have some limitations with streaming and customer support, its overall performance and affordable pricing make it a worthy contender in the VPN market.
Ready to experience a safer and more private internet?
Give Private Internet Access a try with their 30-day money-back guarantee and see the difference for yourself!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Private Internet Access safe to use?
Yes, PIA is safe to use. It has a strict no-logs policy, strong encryption, & advanced security features like a kill switch. Its antivirus feature offers extra protection.
Can I use private Internet access to stream?
PIA can unblock some streaming services but may only work with some of them. PIA is constantly working to improve its streaming capabilities.
Does Private Internet Access work in China?
Due to government restrictions, PIA may have limited functionality in China. It’s best to check their website for the latest information on their service in China.
How many devices can I use with Private Internet Access?
PIA allows unlimited simultaneous connections, meaning you can use it on all your devices simultaneously.
How much does Private Internet Access cost?
PIA offers flexible plans. Their most affordable plan is their 2-year plan, which costs $2.19 monthly. They also have a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you could try it risk-free.
