Sophie Davenport | July 9, 2025
Do you ever feel like your internet browsing is being watched? Whether it is advertisers, hackers, or maybe even your neighbor's smart TV, online privacy is no longer optional. Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN is built for people who want serious digital protection, flexible features, and streaming freedom, all at a price that makes sense. If you are looking for a VPN that does more than just protect you, PIA may be your next best tool.
Do you ever feel like your internet browsing is being watched? Whether it is advertisers, hackers, or maybe even your neighbor's smart TV, online privacy is no longer optional. Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN is built for people who want serious digital protection, flexible features, and streaming freedom, all at a price that makes sense. If you are looking for a VPN that does more than just protect you, PIA may be your next best tool.
PIA takes privacy seriously. They have a strict no-logs policy that has been independently audited by Deloitte and even proven in court. Their RAM-only servers wipe data on reboot, and their apps are fully open-source for transparency. Although PIA is based in the United States, their refusal to hand over user data in legal cases speaks volumes.
With over 91 countries covered, including all 50 US states, PIA is one of the best VPNs for unblocking region-specific content. Whether it is Netflix Japan or a football stream from another state, PIA gives you access. Some servers may require a bit of switching to find the best one, but the coverage is impressive.
PIA allows you to connect as many devices as you want under one subscription. This makes it ideal for households or power users who want to protect every laptop, phone, smart TV, and even routers all at once.
Most users see only a minor drop in speed when connected, especially with WireGuard protocol enabled. Nearby servers often perform with less than 5 percent speed loss, which is excellent for HD streaming and online gaming.
PIA’s long-term plans offer some of the lowest prices in the premium VPN space, often below the cost of one-year plans from competitors. You also get support for port forwarding, split tunneling, protocol selection, and even customizable encryption strength.
You may encounter more CAPTCHAs on some websites while using shared IPs. This can be resolved by adding a dedicated IP address, an optional upgrade.
PIA is highly customizable, which is great for advanced users, but it can feel a bit less sleek or intuitive for beginners. It is more function than form, but everything you need is there and accessible.
For better speed and connection stability, use the WireGuard protocol.
This helps improve connectivity and download speeds in P2P apps.
Let some apps use your local connection while others go through the VPN.
AES-256 offers maximum security, but AES-128 may be faster if privacy is less critical.
Optional but helpful if you visit sites that block VPN IPs frequently.
Rearrange the app window or pin specific settings for quicker access.
Try it across all your devices and see if it fits your lifestyle before committing.
Feature | Rating | Notes |
Privacy and Logging Policy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | No logs, RAM-only servers, proven in court, independently audited |
Streaming and Unblocking | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Excellent global coverage, works with Netflix, Hulu, Amazon |
Speed and Performance | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Very good with WireGuard, minimal drops on nearby servers |
Security and Customization | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Open-source apps, encryption choice, port forwarding, split tunneling |
Device Support | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Unlimited connections across all devices |
Ease of Use | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Clean but advanced interface, may feel complex to newcomers |
Price and Value | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | One of the most affordable VPNs for long-term plans |
