The power user's VPN — fully open source, with a no-logs policy that has been 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 | ExpressVPN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £1.33/mo | £1.49/mo | £1.69/mo | £1.99/mo | £2.49/mo | £2.99/mo | £3.19/mo | £5.32/mo |
PIA is one of the cheapest quality VPNs available — only PureVPN is less expensive. Unlimited devices included at this price makes it exceptional value for households.
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 — the code is publicly available on GitHub for anyone to inspect. This is a significant trust signal shared only with Proton VPN in our review set.
The service has an extraordinary server count — over 35,000 servers, more than any other VPN by a wide margin. In 2019 PIA was acquired by Kape Technologies, which also owns CyberGhost and ExpressVPN. Like those services, PIA continues to operate independently, but the Kape ownership is worth noting. In 2022, PIA moved its headquarters to the US, raising some jurisdictional concerns we address below.
"PIA's no-logs policy was tested in real courts twice — and both times, the outcome confirmed no usable data was available. That's a stronger real-world proof than any audit." — TopVPNTested
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. On both occasions, PIA confirmed it had no data to provide. This real-world validation is arguably stronger evidence of a genuine no-logs policy than a standard audit.
The US jurisdiction is a legitimate concern. The US is part of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance and has broad surveillance laws. However, a no-logs policy that has been proven in court mitigates much of this risk in practice — you cannot hand over data you do not have.
PIA supports WireGuard, OpenVPN, and its own MACE feature — a built-in DNS-based blocker for ads, trackers, and malware.
PIA performs adequately on speed but does not lead the market. UK server speeds on WireGuard averaged 200–280 Mbps in our testing. This is sufficient for streaming, browsing, and general use, but trails NordVPN and ExpressVPN at peak performance. The massive server count helps with congestion — there is always a nearby server available.
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 users who primarily want a VPN for streaming, ExpressVPN or CyberGhost are more reliable choices. For users who primarily want privacy and use streaming as a secondary feature, PIA is adequate.
PIA's app offers more configuration options than most — which is a strength for power users and a potential confusion for beginners. The interface is functional but not as polished as NordVPN or ExpressVPN. New users may find the number of settings overwhelming initially, though defaults are sensible and most users will never need to change them.
PIA is one of the cheapest quality VPNs available on a long plan. Unlimited simultaneous connections is an added bonus — similar to Surfshark in this regard. The monthly pricing is less competitive.
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 entirely. For users who want technical transparency and maximum configurability at a low price, PIA is an excellent choice. For users who want the cleanest privacy credentials without compromise, Proton VPN remains the stronger recommendation. For streaming-first users, there are better options.
Get PIA →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 to you — Proton VPN's Swiss base is cleaner. If you want the best streaming performance, ExpressVPN or CyberGhost serve that better.
Answers to the questions people ask most about Private Internet Access (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. This means anyone can inspect the code for security issues or backdoors, making it one of the most transparent VPNs available.
The US jurisdiction is a legitimate concern — the US is a 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. For users who prefer non-US jurisdiction, Proton VPN is the stronger alternative.
PIA allows unlimited simultaneous connections on a single subscription — matching Surfshark for household value. All major platforms are 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. Server switching may be needed. For users whose primary need is reliable streaming across many platforms, ExpressVPN or CyberGhost are more dependable choices.
MACE is PIA's built-in ad, tracker, and malware blocker. It works at the DNS level, blocking requests to known malicious or advertising domains before they reach your device. It is available as a simple toggle in the app settings.