⚡ Quick Verdict:
- Pricing: Private Internet Access starts at $2.03/month. PrivadoVPN starts at $1.11/month.
- Best for: PIA for privacy on every device you own. PrivadoVPN for a free vpn with real streaming access.
- Key difference: PIA offers unlimited simultaneous connections and a Deloitte-audited no-logs policy. PrivadoVPN caps you at 10 devices and has never been audited.
- Our pick: Private Internet Access, because 35,000 servers and verified privacy beat a cheaper sticker price.
The cheaper vpn service here is not the weaker one on paper.
PrivadoVPN undercuts Private Internet Access by almost a dollar a month.
It also hands you a free version with no payment details required.
But price is the smallest gap between these two vpn providers.
Server network, audits, and device limits matter far more.
Overview
This Private Internet Access vs PrivadoVPN comparison covers pricing, security features, speed, and streaming.
It also shows who each vpn service actually suits.
Our writers use both vpn apps, and those notes appear below.
Everything else comes from published specs, privacy policies, and independent speed tests.
By the end you will know which one protects your internet connection better.
What is Private Internet Access?
Private Internet Access is a virtual private network that hides your real ip address.
It wraps your internet traffic in an encrypted vpn tunnel.
Your ISP sees noise instead of your browser traffic or dns requests.
So how many servers does it run? Over 35,000 across 91 countries.
PIA covers Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and a command line app.
There are browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox too.
PIA supports both the openvpn protocol and WireGuard for flexible vpn protocols.
Here is what the private internet access vpn looks like in daily use.
🏆 Winner: Private Internet Access
Unlimited devices on one account. A no-logs policy Deloitte checked more than once. Cancel inside 30 days for a refund.
Private Internet Access Pricing
Three plans. No hidden tiers.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Years + 4 Months | $2.03/month | Long-term privacy on a 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 and no free vpn tier. You pay first, then claim a refund if it disappoints.
Money-back guarantee: 30 days on every plan.
📌 Note: PIA does not raise your price at renewal. Most vpn companies do. Every tier includes unlimited bandwidth and unlimited data with no paywalled features.
⚠️ Warning: PIA also advertises a $11.95 monthly rate and a $39.96 annual plan ($3.33/month) on its own site. We publish the CSV figures above. Check the checkout page before you pay.
Key Benefits of Private Internet Access
Here is what you actually get for two dollars a month:
- Unlimited Devices: One account protects all your devices. Most vpn services stop at five or ten.
- Audited Privacy: Deloitte verified the strict no logs policy across multiple audits. Quarterly transparency reports show every legal request.
- Open-Source Apps: Anyone can read the code behind PIA’s native apps. Very few vpn providers allow that.
- US Coverage: Physical servers sit in all 50 US states. Useful for local sports blackouts and banking.
- MACE Ad Blocking: MACE blocks ads and trackers at the dns level. It stops malicious websites before they load.
- Wi-Fi Protection: PIA encrypts your connection data on public networks. Your identifying data stays out of reach of cybercriminals.
- Breach Alerts: Identity Guard watches your email addresses and warns you after a leak.
What Our Team Noticed
Our writer tested Private Internet Access as a daily driver for 90 days before writing our full private internet access review. Here is what stood out from that stretch:
Private Internet Access Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Unlimited simultaneous connections on every plan
- No-logs policy independently verified by Deloitte
- 35,000 servers in 91 countries, including all 50 US states
- Open-source apps, MACE ad blocking, multi-hop, and port forwarding
- Renewal price never increases
❌ Cons
- Average download speed loss of 49%
- Streaming access is inconsistent on some services
- No free plan, only a 30-day refund window
- Owned by Kape Technologies, which some vpn users distrust
What is PrivadoVPN?
PrivadoVPN is a Swiss vpn service run by Privado Networks AG.
Switzerland sits outside Five Eyes and has strict privacy law.
Its headline draw is a free plan with 10GB every 30 days.
Free users get one device and access to 12 free servers.
Paid tiers open the full server network and 10 simultaneous connections.
There are native apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Fire TV, and Android TV.
PrivadoVPN supports OpenVPN and IKEv2 plus WireGuard for online security.
The screenshot below shows how the PrivadoVPN app organizes server locations.
PrivadoVPN
Swiss privacy law and a genuinely useful free service. Start free, upgrade only if the 10GB cap gets in your way.
PrivadoVPN Pricing
Three paid plans sit above the free tier.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Month Unlimited VPN + 3 free | $1.11/month | Cheapest entry into a paid vpn service |
| 12 Month Unlimited VPN + 3 free | $1.33/month | One-year commitment with unlimited data |
| 1 Month Plan | $10.99/month | Testing streaming capabilities short term |
Pricing verified September 2026.
Free trial: Better than a trial. The free version never expires and needs no card.
Money-back guarantee: 30 days on paid subscriptions.
📌 Note: Payment options include major credit cards, PayPal, and cryptocurrency. Paid plans lift the 10GB cap and unlock all 10 simultaneous connections.
⚠️ Warning: Third-party trackers list the annual plan at $2.50/month renewing at $4.99, and the two-year plan at $1.99 renewing at $3.99. Our table uses our own verified figures. Introductory rates do rise at renewal, so read the checkout screen.
Key Benefits of PrivadoVPN
Here is where PrivadoVPN earns its place:
- A Free Plan Worth Using: 10GB a month with no card on file. The best free vpns rarely come this generous.
- Swiss Jurisdiction: Privado Networks AG operates under Swiss privacy law. The stated zero-log policy excludes browsing history, ip addresses, and dns queries.
- Fast Nearby Servers: Local speed loss lands around 8-15%. WireGuard download speeds reached 830-880 Mbps in testing.
- Real Netflix Access: It unblocks US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video, even on the free tier.
- Ten Devices at Once: Paid plans cover 10 mobile devices and desktops together, above the category average.
- Added Protection Layers: Privado Sentry adds optional antivirus with cloud scanning and threat quarantine for malware protection.
- PhantomMode: Introduced in 2026, it keeps system-level privacy alive even when the vpn connection drops briefly.
What Our Team Noticed
Our writer ran the free tier first, then upgraded to a paid plan for our PrivadoVPN review. These notes come from that hands-on time:
PrivadoVPN Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Free plan with 10GB every 30 days and no card required
- Swiss base with strong consumer privacy law
- Unblocks US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video
- Only 8-15% speed loss on local servers
❌ Cons
- No third-party audit of its logging claims
- Small server network of roughly 330 servers
- No multi-hop, no dedicated IPs, no 24/7 live chat
- Split tunneling is missing on iOS and macOS
Feature Comparison
Here is the head-to-head across the ten things that decide most vpn purchases.
| Feature | Private Internet Access | PrivadoVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $2.03/month | $1.11/month |
| Free Plan | ❌ | ✅ 10GB/month |
| Server Network | ✅ 35,000 in 91 countries | ❌ ~330 in 49 countries |
| Independent No-Logs Audit | ✅ Deloitte | ❌ None |
| Simultaneous Connections | ✅ Unlimited | ❌ 10 |
| Multi-Hop | ✅ | ❌ |
| Dedicated IP Address | ✅ | ❌ |
| Split Tunneling | ✅ All desktop platforms | ❌ Windows and Android only |
| Ad and Tracker Blocker | ✅ MACE | ❌ |
| Best For | Privacy across every device | Free streaming access |
1. No Logs Policy and Audits
Private Internet Access: The strict no logs policy has been verified by Deloitte through multiple audits. PIA’s privacy policy rules out browsing history, connection timestamps, bandwidth logs, dns queries, and user IPs. Quarterly transparency reports list every legal request and how it was handled.
PrivadoVPN: The zero-log claim looks similar on paper, covering traffic destination, data content, and dns queries. But it has never faced a third-party audit. There are no transparency reports and no warrant canary, and the policy allows some data to be stored indefinitely.
⚠️ Warning: An unaudited policy is a promise, not proof. If verified privacy is the reason you want a virtual private network, this single row settles the choice.
2. Encryption and VPN Protocols
Private Internet Access: You get AES 256-bit encryption over the openvpn protocol and ChaCha20 on WireGuard. The encryption level is adjustable in the settings menu, which power users like. Multi-hop routes your web traffic through two vpn servers when you want more cover.
PrivadoVPN: It uses the same AES-256 standard with multiple security protocols, including OpenVPN and IKEv2 alongside WireGuard. Servers use disk encryption rather than RAM-only hardware. There is no multi-hop option at all.
3. Server Network and Server Locations
Private Internet Access: 35,000 servers across 91 countries is one of the largest fleets in the category. PIA’s servers cover all 50 US states, which almost no rival matches. That density means a nearby node for most vpn users, plus a mix of physical and virtual servers abroad.
PrivadoVPN: PrivadoVPN’s server network holds roughly 330 servers in 49 countries. The category average sits near 1,600, so this is a small server network by any measure. PrivadoVPN’s servers also skip a map view, so picking server locations means scrolling a plain country list.
4. Download Speeds and Connection Speeds
Private Internet Access: Average download speed loss lands near 49%, which is steep. Upload speeds suffer even more. Results swing with the server and protocol, and on Windows the openvpn protocol sometimes beats WireGuard. Fine for browsing, weak for bandwidth-heavy work.
PrivadoVPN: Average loss across speed tests sits near 48%, but the spread is wider. Local servers give up only 8-15%, while long-distance hops cost 10-25% and latency climbs sharply. WireGuard hit 830-880 Mbps on short routes.
⚠️ Warning: Neither is a speed champion. If a VPN is your fix for ISP throttling during 4K streaming or online gaming, test connection speeds inside the refund window.
5. Streaming Services and Unblocking
Private Internet Access: Streaming optimized servers handle Netflix and Disney Plus, and a dedicated ip address helps with unblocking streaming content and CAPTCHAs. The catch is consistency, since some services block PIA’s ip addresses without warning and BBC iPlayer can fail for days.
PrivadoVPN: It opens US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video, and the free version manages US Netflix too. Other Netflix libraries are harder: Australia, Canada, and Japan stay locked, and Disney Plus does not work. BBC iPlayer access varies by server.
6. Kill Switch and Leak Protection
Private Internet Access: There are two kill switches, regular and advanced, on Windows and macOS. If the vpn connection drops, internet traffic stops until the vpn tunnel returns. PIA runs its own dns servers, so your dns requests never touch your ISP.
The same menu also holds an email leak test, which checks whether your address is exposed outside the tunnel.
PrivadoVPN: The vpn kill switch is present on Windows and Android, and dns leak protection is built in. The gap is the iOS app, which ships without the kill switch feature. That matters if your phone is the device you care about most.
⚠️ Warning: Without a kill switch, a dropped session can expose your actual ip address for several seconds. Check for dns leaks after any protocol change on either service.
7. Split Tunneling and Automation
Private Internet Access: Split tunneling here excludes specific apps and IP addresses from the vpn connection. Automation rules can automatically connect or disconnect based on the network you join. That auto connect behaviour on untrusted Wi-Fi is genuinely useful.
PrivadoVPN: Its split tunneling feature is called SmartRoute and lives in the Windows app. It is absent on iOS and macOS, which limits how you can route traffic on Apple hardware. The Windows client also refuses to resize its main window.
8. Device Limits and Platform Coverage
Private Internet Access: Unlimited simultaneous connections is the headline, and it covers all your devices on one account. Router support extends protection to smart TVs and consoles. The pia app is on the Apple App Store and Google Play alongside desktop and Linux builds.
PrivadoVPN: Ten devices at once is above average for the price. Mobile apps cover Android and iOS, with Fire TV and Android TV builds for the living room. PrivadoVPN’s free version drops you to a single connection.
9. Extra Tools and Customer Support
Private Internet Access: MACE blocks ads and trackers at dns level, and antivirus scanning is bundled in. Port forwarding supports incoming connections for seeding and self-hosting. Identity Guard watches your email addresses for breaches.
PrivadoVPN: Privado Sentry adds optional antivirus with cloud scanning, and a SOCKS5 proxy covers lighter routing jobs. What is missing is an ad blocker and dedicated IPs. Customer support runs on email and limited live chat, with a thin help site.
The proxy tool sits in a separate tab for anyone routing a single app instead of the whole system.
10. Pricing & Cost
Side by side, the plans look like this.
| Plan Type | Private Internet Access | PrivadoVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Free | ❌ | 10GB per 30 days |
| Monthly | $11.99/month | $10.99/month |
| Mid-term | $7.50/month (6 Months) | $1.33/month (12 Month + 3 free) |
| Long-term | $2.03/month (2 Years + 4 Months) | $1.11/month (24 Month + 3 free) |
Private Internet Access: At $2.03/month this is a cheap vpn with the feature set of a quality vpn. The six-month plan at $7.50 is poor value by comparison. The real win is that private internet access deals hold their price at renewal.
PrivadoVPN: $1.11/month is the lowest entry price in this matchup, and the free service costs nothing at all. Introductory rates rise at renewal, so the second term is where the gap narrows against other vpn providers.
Different Scenarios
| If You Need… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| To pay nothing | PrivadoVPN | 10GB free every month |
| Proven no-logs privacy | Private Internet Access | Deloitte-audited policy |
| Protection for a whole household | Private Internet Access | Unlimited device connections |
| US Netflix on a budget | PrivadoVPN | Works even on the free tier |
| Server choice and reach | Private Internet Access | 35,000 vs roughly 330 servers |
| Torrenting with port forwarding | Private Internet Access | Port forwarding plus multi-hop |
💰 Your Budget
PrivadoVPN wins on the sticker at $1.11/month, and its free plan costs nothing. PIA is still an affordable vpn at $2.03/month, and it never raises that rate on renewal.
🔌 Your Devices
Count what you own before you pay. Ten connections covers most people, but only PIA keeps your data private on an unlimited number of phones, laptops, and routers.
📺 Your Streaming Habits
PrivadoVPN is the safer pick for US Netflix and Prime Video. PIA reaches more regions, but its unblocking record swings week to week.
🎓 Your Experience Level
Beginners will find PrivadoVPN’s uncluttered layout easier on day one. PIA rewards people who want to tune protocols, automation, and leak tools themselves.
🆓 Free Trials and Demos
Neither runs a classic trial. Start with PrivadoVPN’s free tier, or buy PIA and use the 30-day refund as your test window.
🛟 Support Options
PIA offers live chat and a deep knowledge base. PrivadoVPN leans on email with no round-the-clock chat, so expect slower replies.
Switching Guide
Already paying for one of them? Here is what changes.
🔄 Switching from Private Internet Access to PrivadoVPN?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- A free tier you can fall back on between subscriptions
- Swiss jurisdiction instead of a US base inside Five Eyes
- More dependable US Netflix and Prime Video access
❌ What you’ll lose:
- Unlimited devices, dropping to a 10-device cap
- Audited no-logs proof, MACE, and multi-hop
- Port forwarding and a dedicated IP option
📋 How to switch:
- Turn off auto-renew in your PIA dashboard
- Create a free PrivadoVPN account and test it for a week
- Uninstall PIA, then rebuild your router setup on the new client
🔄 Switching from PrivadoVPN to Private Internet Access?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- Far more servers and much wider country coverage
- Audited privacy, open-source apps, and transparency reports
- Split tunneling on macOS plus a kill switch on every platform
❌ What you’ll lose:
- The free 10GB safety net
- Swiss jurisdiction and the PhantomMode feature
- Steady US Netflix access, which becomes hit or miss
📋 How to switch:
- Cancel the Privado subscription before the renewal date
- Buy PIA and install it on one device first
- Enable MACE and the advanced kill switch, then add your other devices
What Our Review Didn’t Cover
This comparison looks at individuals and households, not business deployments. We did not measure obfuscated servers in censored countries or benchmark either service on a mesh router. Figures reflect the September 2026 apps, and PrivadoVPN’s newest additions are too recent to judge for long-term reliability. If you rely on a specific Netflix region, test it yourself inside the refund window.
Final Verdict
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| 💰 Pricing | PrivadoVPN |
| 🔒 Privacy and Audits | Private Internet Access |
| 🌍 Server Network | Private Internet Access |
| ⚡ Speed | PrivadoVPN |
| 📺 Streaming | PrivadoVPN |
| 🛠️ Security Features | Private Internet Access |
| 📱 Device Coverage | Private Internet Access |
| 🏆 Overall Winner | Private Internet Access |
🏆 WINNER: PRIVATE INTERNET ACCESS
Private Internet Access wins 4 of 7 categories.
Best for: Households with many devices, torrenting with port forwarding, and anyone who wants audited user privacy.
These two are not really chasing the same buyer. Private Internet Access makes sense when privacy is the point and you want it on every screen in the house. Its audit history, open-source code, and 35,000 servers are things PrivadoVPN cannot answer yet.
PrivadoVPN is the better free vpn, full stop. The 10GB tier unblocks US Netflix, the Swiss base is reassuring, and $1.11/month is hard to argue with. But the missing audit and the 330-server fleet keep it out of top tier vpn territory.
Pick PrivadoVPN if you want streaming for free. Pick PIA if you want privacy you can verify.
More of Private Internet Access Compared
Our writer tested PIA against the wider field before settling on a winner. Here is the short list:
Private Internet Access vs NordVPN
PIA wins on: Unlimited device connections, a far bigger server count, and a lower long-term price
NordVPN wins on: Lower speed loss, steadier streaming unblocking, and Threat Protection built into the client
Private Internet Access vs ExpressVPN
PIA wins on: Price per month, unlimited connections, and open-source clients most vpn providers still refuse to publish
ExpressVPN wins on: Raw throughput, RAM-only servers, and support response times
Private Internet Access vs Surfshark
PIA wins on: Server count, US state coverage, and port forwarding for torrent users
Surfshark wins on: Faster connections, a cleaner first-run setup, and a bundled antivirus suite
Private Internet Access vs CyberGhost
PIA wins on: Audit depth, unlimited devices, and granular protocol controls
CyberGhost wins on: Purpose-built streaming servers, a 45-day refund window, and simpler onboarding
More of PrivadoVPN Compared
All of these hide your originating ip address. They differ in scale and proof.
PrivadoVPN vs Proton VPN
PrivadoVPN wins on: A cheaper paid tier, unblocking US Netflix on the free plan, and 10 connections instead of one on free
Proton VPN wins on: Published audits, unlimited free data, and a stronger track record on online privacy
PrivadoVPN wins on: Free access with no card, a lower entry price, and Swiss jurisdiction
NordVPN wins on: More extensive server networks, independent audits, and double VPN routing
PrivadoVPN vs Surfshark
PrivadoVPN wins on: A free tier, a polished Android app, and no device counting on short plans
Surfshark wins on: Unlimited devices, more servers in more countries, and ad blocking built in
PrivadoVPN vs CyberGhost
PrivadoVPN wins on: A permanent free plan, PhantomMode, and a lower two-year rate
CyberGhost wins on: Extensive server networks, dedicated streaming profiles, and 24/7 live chat
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Private Internet Access safe?
Yes. It uses AES 256-bit encryption, open-source apps, and a no-logs policy Deloitte audited more than once. A kill switch blocks traffic the moment the tunnel drops.
Is PrivadoVPN completely free?
The free tier is permanent and needs no card. It caps you at 10GB every 30 days, one device, and 12 server locations. Paid plans remove those limits.
How much does PIA VPN cost?
Three plans: $2.03/month for 2 years plus 4 months, $7.50/month for 6 months, or $11.99 monthly. Renewal prices stay the same, and refunds run 30 days.
Does the PrivadoVPN work with Netflix?
US Netflix works, including on the free tier. BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime Video usually work too. Australian, Canadian, and Japanese libraries stay blocked, and Disney Plus fails.
Which VPN is better than PIA?
NordVPN and ExpressVPN are faster and unblock streaming more reliably. Both cost more per month. For unlimited devices and audited privacy at this price, little beats PIA.
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