How Good Is PIA VPN?

Personal Web Entry has been a long-time participant within the VPN area. It has a large server fleet that spans throughout 91 nations and affords quick speeds by way of its customizable software. Supported platforms embrace Home windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Sensible TVs, and routers.

Whereas its operation within the surveillance-heavy United States might sway some customers, PIA’s stability of safety, pace, and value make it a powerful VPN resolution this yr.

Personal Web Entry VPN pricing

All three subscriptions for PIA include the identical set of options, so that you gained’t have to fret about lacking any key options should you select one plan over the opposite.

PIA VPN’s one-year subscription is the very best worth at $3.33 per thirty days and may be very inexpensive in comparison with different one-year plans supplied by competing VPNs. For instance, ExpressVPN’s annual subscription prices $6.25 per thirty days, whereas NordVPN’s Starter one-year plan prices $4.59. In fact, these VPNs convey their very own standout options to justify the worth, however at face worth, PIA VPN’s one-year plan is a cut price.

The three-year plan can also be very inexpensive at $1.98 per thirty days, however the $2-dollar spend is probably not value it should you don’t need the three-year-long time funding. Lastly, PIA VPN’s one-month plan falls alongside the identical value vary as different VPNs and doesn’t present the identical cost-savings as two former subscriptions.

Like most trendy VPNs, PIA affords a 30-day money-back assure for the three plans. Whereas I want that PIA had a full-fledged free model (which might be nice for first-time VPN customers), it offers a seven-day trial by way of its cellular software (iOS and Android).

In my testing, I discovered that I may use the identical account I acquired by way of the seven-day cellular free trial after which log right into a desktop model of PIA utilizing the identical credentials. Having a devoted desktop free trial is most well-liked, however the workaround for the free trial was painless and straightforward to arrange.

My suggestion could be to totally make the most of the seven-day cellular free trial and apply it to your desktop or machine of alternative. This manner, you get some hands-on time with the service with out spending on an preliminary fee.

Is Personal Web Entry VPN secure?

PIA VPN has two of an important safety protocols at this time: OpenVPN and WireGuard. This offers customers a great stability of safety (with OpenVPN) and pace (with WireGuard). It additionally makes use of 256-bit AES encryption, has a dependable kill swap, and protects towards DNS leaks.

With PIA VPN’s firm background, there are drawbacks. First, PIA operates in america, which could be a pink flag for customers who’re cautious of the nation’s surveillance practices. Subsequent is PIA VPN’s possession. Like CyberGhost VPN, it’s owned by Kape Applied sciences, which acquired PIA in 2019.

Kape (previously Crossrider) had been related to distributing malware and adware earlier than it rebranded and began transferring into the cybersecurity {industry}. PIA itself addressed the acquisition and emphasised that the VPN service operates as a separate entity impartial of Kape.

By way of addressing safety considerations, PIA VPN does have a no-logs coverage, which states that it doesn’t hold information of person IP addresses, shopping historical past, session timestamps and the like.

In 2022, this no-logs coverage was independently confirmed and verified by Deloitte. Luckily, PIA VPN has continued its dedication to impartial testing because it lately accomplished a second audit again in April 2024. This audit was additionally performed by Deloitte and appeared into PIA VPN’s safety infrastructure, which incorporates its server community and community and incident administration techniques.

For my part, third-party audits are important when selecting a VPN. Whereas suppliers can promise to maintain your information safe, the one actual technique to affirm safety claims is thru issues like third-party audits. On this respect, I commend PIA VPN for not shying away from impartial assessments and persevering with to have their service audited. unskippable

As well as, PIA VPN makes use of RAM-only servers, which implies any doable traces of person information are mechanically erased upon reboot. PIA VPN can also be an open-source service, offering public entry to its supply code and permitting privateness lovers to identify vulnerabilities within the code themselves.

Lastly, the corporate has a public Transparency Report that outlines courtroom orders and requests for logs. It reiterates that as a result of the service doesn’t log any info, it doesn’t hand over any information to regulation enforcement.

In my view, whereas PIA’s possession and US operations are legitimate considerations, the service has finished sufficient to point out that it’s a secure and viable VPN service in 2024.

Key options of Personal Web Entry VPN

PIA VPN comes with each industry-standard and distinctive VPN options for potential VPN consumers. Let’s check out a few of PIA’s spotlight options.

Spectacular server fleet

PIA VPN affords servers unfold out throughout 91 nations, giving customers a broad vary of places to select from. As well as, whereas PIA doesn’t promote the precise server rely it has, it reportedly has round 10,000 to virtually 35,000 servers.

These are very spectacular numbers, particularly since high VPN rivals solely have round 3,000-5,000 servers. The excessive server rely will profit customers who plan on unblocking geo-restricted content material or need a high quality server close to their location for sooner speeds.

PIA additionally lately introduced that it now has 50 servers in all 50 U.S. states.

If you happen to’re a US citizen, this can be a helpful value-add permitting you to look at blocked sports activities or information applications or entry geo-restricted accounts and providers solely out there in particular states.

Customizable VPN expertise

PIA permits customers to customise their VPN expertise in just a few methods. A method is thru its automation characteristic, which allows you to set automated actions for the VPN every time it connects to a given community.

For instance, you may set PIA to activate the VPN in case your machine connects to an Open or unsecured community or have it turned off should you join by way of an ethernet cable.

PIA VPN additionally allows customers to bookmark or pin sure components of the applying to seem on high.

It is a easy and handy usability characteristic that enables for better customization, particularly if customers wish to hold observe of sure options or stats over others.

Limitless machine connections

PIA now permits a vast variety of simultaneous machine connections with one subscription. The service previously had a 10-device restrict, and whereas that was within the higher vary of allowed machine connections, the improve to having limitless connections is welcome nonetheless.

That is an underrated characteristic, particularly for VPN customers who’ve a number of gadgets for work or private use.

SEE: SMB Safety Pack (TechRepublic Premium)

Efficiency: Is Personal Web Entry VPN quick?

All through my PIA testing, I obtained moderately quick speeds. I used the VPN to look at 4K and 1080p YouTube movies, attend on-line video conferences and do work on Google Workspace apps (Drive, Docs and Preserve) — with no noticeable lag or real-world slowdown.

It additionally didn’t fail when it comes to DNS leak safety. I ran PIA VPN by way of a public DNS leak instrument a number of instances and didn’t document any leaks after a spherical of assessments with totally different servers.

When it got here to hurry assessments, PIA VPN gave strong outcomes. For downloads, PIA VPN recorded 39.31% slower speeds than my web service supplier. For uploads, it had a 26.9% lower in pace towards my ISP. Whereas not the quickest I’ve examined, I take into account any lower of pace throughout the 20-40% vary to be good — particularly since slower speeds are anticipated when utilizing a VPN.

On this case, I give props to PIA VPN for offering first rate speeds for each uploads and downloads, as some VPNs normally present a lot slower efficiency for uploads.

By way of server switching, PIA was fast. It had no bother establishing new connections or switching to new VPN places rapidly. This was true at the same time as I linked to places that had been farther away.

Sadly, I did expertise one bug that retains PIA’s efficiency from being good. The primary time I converted to the WireGuard protocol, PIA couldn’t connect with a server. This occurred even when I switched to servers that had been nearer my location — a stark distinction to the app’s efficiency whereas on OpenVPN. Nonetheless, after restarting the applying twice, the bug appeared to resolve itself and I used to be capable of join.

Per my analysis, there are just a few customers who’ve skilled an analogous situation, however it does appear to be a bug that’s been fastened and is now simply resolvable.

Personal Web Entry VPN servers and places

Whereas PIA VPN at the moment doesn’t present a precise variety of its server varieties, it has previously declared round 10,000 to 35,000 servers. These servers are unfold out throughout 91 nations. This quantity makes it one of many largest server suites out there at this time.

Location-wise, PIA has servers within the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Center East, Africa and Central Asia. Of observe, PIA has at the least one server in all 50 U.S. states — a plus should you’re a U.S. citizen seeking to make the most of servers in numerous U.S. states.

Sadly, PIA VPN doesn’t supply specialised servers for streaming or torrenting. It does have what it calls PIA NextGen servers. These are colocated servers which are wholly owned and managed by PIA and run on higher, sooner, and safer {hardware}.

Total, it’s arduous to argue towards a server suite that reaches the tens and 1000’s, and the 50 servers for 50 U.S. states are additionally helpful. However I do want that PIA had extra specialised server varieties for safety, streaming, or torrenting to refine its server community much more.

Personal Web Entry VPN ease of use

Relating to its desktop interface, there are professionals and cons to PIA VPN. On the optimistic facet, I actually respect how PIA VPN provides the person management over what they wish to seem on their fundamental dashboard.

Its bookmarking characteristic permits customers to position their most well-liked options, settings, or VPN stats on the high of the applying. Except for bookmarking, PIA VPN additionally enables you to rearrange these sections to your most well-liked order.

On the flip facet, I did discover PIA VPN’s app to be a bit clunky when it comes to person expertise. Specifically, I observed some lag and choppiness every time I navigated by way of its menus, browsed the server listing,  or switched to a brand new VPN server.

To be clear, it’s nonetheless very usable, and all the things works as marketed. Nonetheless, I do assume it makes the entire app expertise really feel much less polished in comparison with different high VPNs like NordVPN or ExpressVPN — whose functions are barely a step above on the subject of UX, in my private opinion.

PIA VPN professionals

• Spectacular 10,000-35,000 server suite.
• Very customizable VPN expertise.
• Servers for all 50 U.S. states.
• Dependable kill swap.
• Quick add and obtain speeds.
• 7-day trial by way of cellular variations.
• Open-source.

PIA VPN cons

• US-based, owned by controversial Kape Applied sciences.
• No free model.
• No specialised servers.
• WireGuard protocol could also be buggy.
• Desktop app feels a bit clunky.

How good is PIA VPN?

Personal Web Entry VPN is a strong VPN alternative in 2024. It has a large server fleet, a customizable VPN app, and the power to make limitless machine connections. Its 50 servers for 50 U.S. states additionally make it a primary alternative for Individuals in search of servers particular to america.

Whereas its U.S. operations and mother or father firm might trigger some concern, PIA VPN will get sufficient issues proper to make it a really viable VPN possibility at this time.

Personal Web Entry VPN alternate options

Whereas PIA VPN is a top quality VPN service, it might not have the proper set of options to your wants. I’ve listed related alternate options beneath that will go well with what you’re in search of higher.

Mullvad VPN

For privateness lovers, Mullvad VPN is a best choice. It implements an nameless account numbering system that lets clients buy subscriptions with zero private info handed over. It additionally has an independently audited no-logs coverage, making certain that no person information is prone to being leaked to malicious actors.

To study extra, learn our full Mullvad VPN assessment.

NordVPN

NordVPN is without doubt one of the most well-regarded VPNs within the area. It affords constant and quick speeds, a sturdy server fleet, and quite a few third-party audits. It additionally options specialised safety features corresponding to built-in malware safety and an encrypted file-sharing system, making it an all-around safety platform.

To study extra, take a look at our full NordVPN assessment.

Surfshark

Surfshark is one other standard VPN possibility in 2024. It has an easy-to-use interface suited to inexperienced persons, robust encryption, and 24/7 buyer assist. It additionally has a great fame for unblocking streaming content material.

To study extra, take a look at our full Surfshark VPN assessment.

How we evaluated Personal Web Entry VPN

My assessment of PIA VPN concerned an in depth evaluation of its spotlight options, price, and real-world efficiency. I additionally had hands-on time with PIA by way of their Home windows software.

For add and obtain speeds, I examined PIA VPN utilizing Ookla’s public Speedtest. In the meantime, I ran PIA VPN by way of DNSLeakTest a number of instances to check for DNS leaks.

Lastly, I scored PIA VPN on all the things from its protocols to its value based mostly on an inner algorithm to get a score of 4.5 out of 5 stars. This score checked out PIA VPN each by itself and with different VPN providers out there at this time.