Private Internet Access (PIA) Review: Is it a VPN You Can Trust?

I'm Donny. I'm a world traveler, investor, entrepreneur, and online marketing aficionado who has a big appetite to compete and disrupt big markets. I thrive on being able to create things that impact change, difficult challenges, and being able to add value in negative situations.

Private Internet Access is a leading virtual private network provider with high customer satisfaction, reliable security, and a vast number of available servers to choose from. While it does allow torrents and file sharing, its slower speed can be an issue for streaming content or gaming requiring higher bandwidth.

Private Internet Access logo

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VPN Service

AT A GLANCE

  • Privacy for up to 10 devices
  • World-Class Servers In 78 Countries
  • Transparency with open-source software
  • Million satisfied customers worldwide
Overall Rating
4.0/5

Best VPN for Windows

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Pros & Cons

Let's break down some pros and cons of Private Internet Access:

Pros

  • It has an Ad-Blocking feature that can be turned on or off.
  • Supports P2P file-sharing and torrents.
  • Easy to use for beginners and customizable for advanced users.
  • Allows ten simultaneous connections.

Cons

  • It will slow down your web browsing and download speeds.
  • PIA, or any VPN, will not replace having anti-virus software.

We protect our PIN at the gas station when we fill up, and we pull our hair out if we think our credit card is lost, so why do people not apply that same level of concern to their internet use?

Your ISP can reveal so much information about you: the content of your emails, your financial information, your purchases, your search tendencies. These will make you the target of marketing schemes at best and outright identity theft at worst.

Are you a sitting duck? Essentially, without a virtual private network (VPN), yes, you are. 

By using a virtual private network, you're now cloaking your online traffic and activity and sending it through an encrypted tunnel of safety to a separate server.

This process effectively covers your virtual footprint and keeps your information secure from prying eyes.

Due to the increase in demand, there are more virtual private network providers in the market all the time, and Private Internet Access is one of them. 

In this Private Internet Access review, we'll take an in-depth look at what the company offers its customers and the overall pros and cons. 

We'll also try to answer any questions you might have about this VPN brand and help you decide if this software is right for you.

Private Internet Access icon

Quick Summary

Service: VPN Network

Pricing: $2.19 - $9.95/month

Promotion: Up to 78% off with yearly plans

What is Private Internet Access?

Private Internet Access is a VPN service provider that has been around since 2010. It was one of the first VPNs for private users and continues to garner strong customer loyalty.

PIA provides you with a secure connection to a remote server. This ensures your personal information is encrypted, allows you to bypass geographic content restrictions, and affords you the safety of anonymity.

Features

Here are some features unique to Private Internet Access:

Connections

Since using multiple devices at the same time is now the new normal, Private Internet Access has ensured that a user can connect ten devices simultaneously and still get the same level of protection. 

Moreover, PIA has apps for many various devices and platforms, including Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, and iOS. It also has extensions for Chrome and Firefox browsers and can be installed on gaming devices and SmartTVs.

Servers and Distribution

Private Internet Access boasts a staggering 26,206 servers at the time of this writing, a massive jump from the 2,000 it offered until September 2020. PIAs servers also span 77 countries.

In comparison, ExpressVPN has 3,000 servers in 94 countries, and NordVPN has 5,500 servers in 59 countries.

Kill Switch

There is a useful Kill Switch within PIA's apps to block your data and traffic until the connection is restored. 

This means that your identity remains encrypted in the event of a connection failure, and there is no chance of your activity getting leaked.

File Sharing

The 'P2P Support' icon on Private Internet Access' site may not immediately jump out at you, but if you're interested in torrents and file sharing, then this VPN may be right for you.

No P2P connections are monitored or restricted, so PIA is coming out in front as not only allowing file sharing but actively supporting it.

Account Setup

Once you've signed up for Private Internet Access, you then log in to their app using credentials emailed to you.

You will automatically be connected to the fastest server available, but you can also choose a connection from another location. Keep in mind you're choosing a location, not a specific server. 

If, within the first 30 days, you find that the PIA VPN is not for you, go to your account page and click the big cancel button.

How Much Does It Cost?

While Private Internet Access may not offer a free trial period, they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on any subscription package you opt for. 

These prices are in US dollars, and as of the writing of this article, their offers are:

Plans

Price (per month)

3 years

$2.19

1 year

$3.33

1 month

$9.95

Whatever package you sign up for, you'll be paying the total price on sign up.

PIA FAQ's

Still have questions? We've got you covered:

Is Private Internet Access Legit?

Yes. For over a decade, PIA has maintained a reputation for being reliably secure and easy to use. Private Internet Access VPN uses robust encryption protocols and doesn't keep user logs.

Is it Safe to Use Private Internet Access?

Yes, your online data and activity are in safe hands if you sign up with Private Internet Access.

However, it would be best if you still read through the company's privacy policy because of the importance of this information.

Can You Be Tracked Using Private Internet Access?

No. Your IP and ISP address is hidden, and PIA states that they keep no activity or user logs. PIA is serious about this claim by providing regular transparency reports.

However, Private Internet Access is based in the US and has to comply with any US government court orders.

Is Private Internet Access Legal?

Yes, since using virtual private networks are legal (in most places). Businesses have been using VPNs for years to encrypt their information and keep data safe from competitors.

Now individual users are demanding that same level of security.

Compare to Other VPNs

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN logo
  • Access to 160 servers
  • Interface is minimal
  • Solid and proven reputation

NordVPN

NordVPN logo
  • Privacy on multiple devices
  • 5,500+ VPN servers worldwide
  • Dedicated IP address

Surfshark VPN

Surfshark logo
  • Super secure encryption
  • Good overall speed
  • Unlimited device use

Who is PIA Best For?

PIA has now been a significant player in the VPN provider market since 2010. It continues to land in the top lists of virtual private networks for individual users and is a customer favorite. 

It doesn't upsell customers or exclude features for those who choose shorter subscriptions.

Any VPN will affect your browsing and download speeds, and that's no different for PIA. It is an excellent option for those looking for fast, reliable, and safe connections but may not be the first choice for streaming or gamers who require high-bandwidth.

Final Verdict

Now that we've covered what you need to know in this Private Internet Access review, it's time to make a decision that's right for you. 

Private Internet Access is a company that customers have trusted with their most private information and data for many years. The company offers robust security, supports file sharing, and provides ad-blocking, all while being easy to use and affordable to try.

Unless you're looking for ultimate speed and bandwidth, choosing to go with PIA is a good choice that won't disappoint. Check out Private Internet Access if this sounds like the perfect solution to your web browsing needs.

Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access has 10+ years of experience leading the VPN industry. With a strict no-logs policy, world-class server infrastructure, and transparent open-source software.

Private Internet Access icon

I'm Donny. I'm a world traveler, investor, entrepreneur, and online marketing aficionado who has a big appetite to compete and disrupt big markets. I thrive on being able to create things that impact change, difficult challenges, and being able to add value in negative situations.

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