Non-public Web Entry Quick informationOur ranking: 4.5 stars out of 5
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Non-public Web Entry has been a long-time participant within the VPN house. It has an enormous server fleet that spans throughout 91 international locations and affords quick speeds via 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 usefulness make it a powerful VPN resolution this 12 months.
Non-public Web Entry VPN pricing
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| 1 12 months | $3.33 per thirty days |
| 3 years (+4 months free) | $1.98 per thirty days |
| 1 month | $11.95 per thirty days |
| 7-day free trial | Free through Android and iOS (account can be utilized in desktop apps after cell sign-in) |
All three subscriptions for PIA include the identical set of options, so that you gained’t have to fret about lacking any key options when you select one plan over the opposite.
PIA VPN’s one-year subscription is one of the best worth at $3.33 per thirty days and may be very inexpensive in comparison with different one-year plans provided 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 value, however at face worth, PIA VPN’s one-year plan is a discount.
The three-year plan can also be very inexpensive at $1.98 per thirty days, however the $2-dollar spend will not be value it when 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 fashionable 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 supplies a seven-day trial via its cell software (iOS and Android).
In my testing, I discovered that I may use the identical account I obtained via 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 popular, however the workaround for the free trial was painless and straightforward to arrange.
My advice could be to completely make the most of the seven-day cell free trial and apply it to your desktop or machine of alternative. This fashion, you get some hands-on time with the service with out spending on an preliminary cost.
Is Non-public Web Entry VPN protected?
PIA VPN has two of an important safety protocols as we speak: OpenVPN and WireGuard. This provides customers an excellent stability of safety (with OpenVPN) and pace (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 is usually a purple 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.
When it comes to addressing safety issues, PIA VPN does have a no-logs coverage, which states that it doesn’t hold information of consumer IP addresses, looking historical past, session timestamps and the like.
In 2022, this no-logs coverage was independently confirmed and verified by Deloitte. Thankfully, 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 seemed into PIA VPN’s safety infrastructure, which incorporates its server community and community and incident administration methods.
In my opinion, 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 suggests any attainable traces of consumer information are routinely 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 court docket 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 issues, the service has executed sufficient to indicate that it’s a protected and viable VPN service in 2024.
Key options of Non-public 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
PIA VPN affords servers unfold out throughout 91 international locations, giving customers a broad vary of areas to select from. As well as, whereas PIA doesn’t promote the precise server rely it has, it reportedly has round 10,000 to nearly 35,000 servers.
These are very spectacular numbers, particularly since high VPN opponents 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 quicker 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, it is a helpful value-add permitting you to look at blocked sports activities or information packages or entry geo-restricted accounts and companies solely out there in particular states.
Customizable VPN expertise
PIA permits customers to customise their VPN expertise in a number of methods. A technique is thru its automation characteristic, which lets you set automated actions for the VPN each time it connects to a given community.
For instance, you’ll be able to set PIA to activate the VPN in case your machine connects to an Open or unsecured community or have it turned off when you join through an ethernet cable.
PIA VPN additionally permits customers to bookmark or pin sure components of the appliance to seem on high.
This can be a easy and handy usability characteristic that enables for larger customization, particularly if customers need to hold observe of sure options or stats over others.
Limitless machine connections
PIA now permits an infinite 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 Non-public Web Entry VPN quick?
All through my PIA testing, I obtained fairly 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 by way of DNS leak safety. I ran PIA VPN via a public DNS leak device a number of occasions and didn’t document any leaks after a spherical of checks with completely different servers.
When it got here to hurry checks, 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 in opposition to my ISP. Whereas not the quickest I’ve examined, I take into account any lower of pace inside 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 respectable speeds for each uploads and downloads, as some VPNs normally present a lot slower efficiency for uploads.
When it comes to server switching, PIA was fast. It had no hassle establishing new connections or switching to new VPN areas shortly. This was true whilst I linked to areas that have been farther away.
Sadly, I did expertise one bug that retains PIA’s efficiency from being excellent. 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 have been nearer my location — a stark distinction to the app’s efficiency whereas on OpenVPN. Nonetheless, after restarting the appliance twice, the bug appeared to resolve itself and I used to be in a position to join.
Per my analysis, there are a number of customers who’ve skilled an identical challenge, however it does appear to be a bug that’s been mounted and is now simply resolvable.
Non-public Web Entry VPN servers and areas
Whereas PIA VPN at present 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 international locations. This quantity makes it one of many largest server suites out there as we speak.
Location-wise, PIA has servers within the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Center East, Africa and Central Asia. Of be aware, PIA has no less than one server in all 50 U.S. states — a plus when 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 which might be wholly owned and managed by PIA and run on higher, quicker, and safer {hardware}.
General, it’s laborious to argue in opposition to 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 sorts for safety, streaming, or torrenting to refine its server community much more.
Non-public Web Entry VPN ease of use
With regards to its desktop interface, there are professionals and cons to PIA VPN. On the optimistic aspect, I actually recognize how PIA VPN provides the consumer management over what they need to seem on their fundamental dashboard.
Its bookmarking characteristic permits customers to position their most popular options, settings, or VPN stats on the high of the appliance. Except for bookmarking, PIA VPN additionally permits you to rearrange these sections to your most popular order.
On the flip aspect, I did discover PIA VPN’s app to be a bit clunky by way of consumer expertise. Specifically, I seen some lag and choppiness each time I navigated via its menus, browsed the server record, or switched to a brand new VPN server.
To be clear, it’s nonetheless very usable, and the whole lot works as marketed. Nonetheless, I do suppose it makes the entire app expertise really feel much less polished in comparison with different high VPNs like NordVPN or ExpressVPN — whose purposes 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 change.
- Quick add and obtain speeds.
- 7-day trial through cell 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?
Non-public Web Entry VPN is a strong VPN alternative in 2024. It has an enormous server fleet, a customizable VPN app, and the flexibility to make limitless machine connections. Its 50 servers for 50 U.S. states additionally make it a primary alternative for Individuals searching for servers particular to the US.
Whereas its U.S. operations and guardian firm might trigger some concern, PIA VPN will get sufficient issues proper to make it a really viable VPN choice as we speak.
Non-public Web Entry VPN alternate options
Whereas PIA VPN is a top quality VPN service, it might not have the precise set of options to your wants. I’ve listed comparable alternate options under which will go well with what you’re searching for higher.
| Mullvad VPN | NordVPN | Surfshark | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginning value (annual) | $5.27 per thirty days | $4.59 per thirty days | $2.99 per thirty days |
| Server community | 610+ servers in 48 international locations | 6,800+ servers in 111 international locations | 3,200 servers in 100 international locations |
| Spotlight characteristic | Nameless cost strategies, independently audited, and inexpensive month-to-month subscription | Encrypted file-sharing characteristic, double VPN, and obfuscated servers | Limitless machine connections, constantly quick VPN speeds, and a number of plan choices |
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, guaranteeing that no consumer information is susceptible to being leaked to malicious actors.
To study extra, learn our full Mullvad VPN evaluation.
NordVPN
NordVPN is without doubt one of the most well-regarded VPNs within the house. It affords constant and quick speeds, a strong server fleet, and quite a few third-party audits. It additionally options specialised security measures 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 evaluation.
Surfshark
Surfshark is one other widespread VPN choice in 2024. It has an easy-to-use interface suited to newbies, robust encryption, and 24/7 buyer assist. It additionally has an excellent popularity for unblocking streaming content material.
To study extra, take a look at our full Surfshark VPN evaluation.
How we evaluated Non-public Web Entry VPN
My evaluation of PIA VPN concerned an in depth evaluation of its spotlight options, value, and real-world efficiency. I additionally had hands-on time with PIA via 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 via DNSLeakTest a number of occasions to check for DNS leaks.
Lastly, I scored PIA VPN on the whole lot from its protocols to its value primarily based on an inside algorithm to get a ranking of 4.5 out of 5 stars. This ranking checked out PIA VPN each by itself and with different VPN companies out there as we speak.
