Private Internet Access VPN Review (2023): Pricing, Pros & Cons

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

Whereas its operation within the surveillance-heavy United States might sway some customers, PIA’s stability of safety, velocity and value make it a robust VPN answer this 12 months.

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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 in case you select one plan over the opposite.

PIA VPN’s one-year subscription is essentially the most cheap at $3.33 per thirty days. It slots in on the center tier by way of VPN pricing for a yearly plan.

The three-year plan can also be very reasonably priced at $1.98 per thirty days, however the $2-dollar spend might not be price it in case you don’t need the three-year-long time funding. Lastly, PIA VPN’s one-month plan is costlier than many rivals, so it’s finest to go along with both of the 2 former subscriptions as a substitute.

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

In my testing, I discovered that I might use the identical account I acquired by means of the seven-day cell 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 cell free trial and apply it to your desktop or machine of selection. This manner, you get some hands-on time with the service with out spending on an preliminary fee.

Is Personal Web Entry VPN protected?

PIA VPN comes with two of crucial safety protocols immediately: OpenVPN and WireGuard. This offers customers a superb stability of safety (with OpenVPN) and velocity (with WireGuard). It additionally makes use of 256-bit AES encryption, has a dependable kill change and protects in opposition to DNS leaks.

With PIA VPN’s firm background, there are drawbacks. First, PIA operates in the US, which could be a crimson flag for customers which are cautious of the nation’s surveillance practices. Subsequent is PIA VPN’s possession. Like CyberGhost VPN, it’s presently owned by Kape Applied sciences — which acquired PIA again 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 unbiased of Kape.

When it comes to addressing safety considerations, PIA VPN does have a no-logs coverage, which states that it doesn’t preserve information of person IP addresses, searching historical past, session timestamps and the like.

This no-logs coverage has been independently confirmed and verified by Deloitte in 2022. The VPN service additionally makes use of RAM-only servers, which suggests any attainable traces of person information are routinely erased upon reboot.

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 performed sufficient to point out that it’s a protected and viable VPN service in 2023.

Key options of Personal Web Entry VPN

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

Spectacular server fleet

Determine A

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 prime 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 desire a high quality server close to their location for quicker speeds.

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

Determine B

Should you’re a US citizen, this can be a helpful value-add that can let you watch blocked sports activities or information packages or entry geo-restricted accounts and companies solely accessible in particular states.

Customizable VPN expertise

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

Determine C

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

PIA VPN additionally allows customers to bookmark or pin sure elements of the applying to look on prime.

Determine D

It is a easy and handy usability characteristic that permits for higher customization, particularly if customers need to preserve monitor 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 units for work or private use.

Efficiency: Is Personal Web Entry VPN quick?

All through my testing of PIA, I acquired 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 Maintain) — with no noticeable lag or real-world slowdown. PIA VPN additionally carried out properly by way of obtain and add speeds. Specifically, the add velocity I acquired whereas utilizing PIA was one of many lowest drops in velocity I’ve recorded up to now.

It additionally didn’t fail by way of DNS leak safety. I ran PIA VPN by means of a public DNS leak instrument a number of occasions and didn’t report any leaks after a spherical of checks with totally different servers.

For in-app efficiency, I discovered that PIA was one of many quickest VPNs I’ve used up to now. Specifically, it was one of many quickest by way of switching servers and establishing new connections. Altering servers felt fast and snappy, at the same time as I related 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 a number of customers who’ve skilled the same challenge, nevertheless 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 presently doesn’t present an actual variety of its server sorts, 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 accessible immediately.

Location-wise, PIA has servers within the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Center East, Africa and Central Asia. Of notice, PIA has a minimum of one server in all 50 U.S. states — a plus in case you’re a U.S. citizen trying 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 wholly owned and managed by PIA that run on higher, quicker and safer {hardware}.

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

PIA VPN execs

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

PIA VPN cons

• US-based, owned by controversial Kape Applied sciences.
• No free model.
• No specialised servers.
• WireGuard protocol could also be buggy.

How good is PIA VPN?

Personal Web Entry VPN is a strong VPN selection in 2023. It has an enormous server fleet, a customizable VPN app and the power for limitless machine connections. Its 50 servers for 50 U.S. states additionally make it a main selection for Individuals in search of servers particular to the US.

Whereas its U.S. operations and dad or mum firm might trigger some concern, PIA VPN will get sufficient issues proper to make it a really viable VPN possibility immediately.

Personal Web Entry VPN options

Whereas PIA VPN is a high quality VPN service, it could not have the proper set of options in your wants. We’ve listed related options under which will swimsuit what you’re in search of higher.

Atlas VPN

Should you’re in search of an reasonably priced VPN answer, Atlas VPN is without doubt one of the finest selections. It has a singular IP-address swapping characteristic, limitless machine connectivity and quick speeds. It even has a full-fledged free model if you wish to strive a service with out an preliminary fee.

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 security measures comparable to built-in malware safety and an encrypted file-sharing system that make it an all-around safety platform.

Surfshark

Surfshark is one other well-liked VPN possibility in 2023. It has an easy-to-use interface suited to newcomers, robust encryption and 24/7 buyer assist. It additionally has a superb fame for unblocking streaming content material.

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 means 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 means of DNSLeakTest a number of occasions to check for DNS leaks.

Lastly, I scored PIA VPN on all the pieces from its protocols to its value primarily based on an inside algorithm to get a score of 4.2 out of 5 stars. This score checked out PIA VPN each by itself and in relation to different VPN companies accessible immediately.