Private Internet Access Review 2026
The power user's VPN — fully open source, with a no-logs policy tested and confirmed in real court proceedings, and the largest server network of any VPN we reviewed. Strong credentials at a budget price, with some caveats around ownership and US jurisdiction.
| PureVPN | PIA | Surfshark | CyberGhost | IPVanish | NordVPN | Proton VPN | hide.me |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £2.15/mo | £1.35/mo | £1.49/mo | £1.55/mo | £2.19/mo | £2.29/mo | £2.39/mo | £2.69/mo |
PIA is the cheapest quality VPN in our review set at £1.35/month on its three-year plan. Unlimited devices included at this price makes it exceptional value for households.
Overview
Private Internet Access (PIA) has been around since 2010 and has built a loyal following among technically minded users who prioritise transparency and control. All of PIA's apps are fully open source — publicly available on GitHub for anyone to inspect. In 2019 PIA was acquired by Kape Technologies (which also owns CyberGhost). In 2022, PIA moved its headquarters to the US.
"PIA's no-logs policy was tested in real courts twice — and both times, the outcome confirmed no usable data was available. That's stronger real-world proof than any audit." — TopVPNTested
Privacy & No-Logs Policy
PIA's no-logs policy has been tested in actual legal proceedings on two separate occasions. In 2016 and 2018, US authorities requested user data from PIA. Both times, PIA confirmed it had no data to provide. This real-world validation is arguably stronger evidence than a standard audit.
The US jurisdiction is a legitimate concern — the US is part of Five Eyes. However, a no-logs policy proven in court mitigates much of this risk. PIA supports WireGuard, OpenVPN, and includes MACE — a built-in DNS-based blocker for ads, trackers, and malware.
Speed & Performance
PIA performs adequately on speed but does not lead. UK server speeds on WireGuard averaged 200–280 Mbps. Sufficient for streaming and general use, but trails NordVPN. The massive server count helps with congestion — there is always a nearby server available.
Streaming Performance
Streaming is not PIA's strongest suit. It unlocks Netflix US and BBC iPlayer with some reliability but results can be inconsistent and may require server switching. For streaming-first users, CyberGhost or NordVPN are more reliable. PIA is adequate if streaming is a secondary need.
Ease of Use
PIA's app offers more configuration options than most — a strength for power users, potential confusion for beginners. The interface is functional but not as polished as NordVPN or Surfshark. Defaults are sensible and most users will never need to change them.
Pricing & Plans
- 3-year + 3 months: from £1.35/month — best value
- 1-year plan: around £2.71/month
- Monthly plan: £9.95/month
PIA is one of the cheapest quality VPNs available. Unlimited simultaneous connections — similar to Surfshark for household value.
Pros
- Fully open source — all apps on GitHub
- No-logs policy proven in court twice
- 35,000+ servers — largest network tested
- Unlimited simultaneous devices
- MACE ad and tracker blocker
- Very low price on long plans
- Highly configurable for advanced users
Cons
- US jurisdiction — Five Eyes member
- Owned by Kape Technologies
- Interface less polished than top competitors
- Streaming performance inconsistent
- Not the fastest VPN tested
Verdict
Our Verdict — Best for Privacy-Conscious Power Users
PIA sits in an interesting position — open source like Proton VPN, court-proven no-logs like no other, but US jurisdiction and Kape ownership raise flags that Proton avoids. For users who want technical transparency and maximum configurability at a low price, PIA is an excellent choice. For the cleanest privacy credentials without compromise, Proton VPN remains stronger.
Get PIA →Who is PIA for?
PIA is ideal for technically minded users who want open-source software, advanced configuration options, and a court-proven no-logs policy. Also excellent for households needing unlimited device coverage at the lowest possible price.
Consider alternatives if jurisdiction matters — Proton VPN's Swiss base is cleaner. If you want the best streaming performance, CyberGhost or NordVPN serve that better.
Frequently Asked Questions — Private Internet Access (PIA)
Answers to the questions people ask most about PIA.
Yes — in the strongest possible way. US authorities requested PIA user data in real legal proceedings in both 2016 and 2018. Both times, PIA confirmed it had no data to provide. This court-proven track record is more powerful evidence than any audit report alone.
Yes. All of PIA's apps — Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux — are fully open source and publicly available on GitHub. Anyone can inspect the code for security issues or backdoors.
The US jurisdiction is a legitimate concern — Five Eyes member with broad surveillance authority. However, PIA's no-logs policy has been proven in real court proceedings twice, meaning even a legal order cannot produce data that does not exist.
PIA allows unlimited simultaneous connections on a single subscription. All major platforms supported including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux.
PIA can unblock Netflix US and BBC iPlayer, but results are less consistent than top streaming VPNs. For users whose primary need is reliable streaming across many platforms, CyberGhost or NordVPN are more dependable.