We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
Advertising Disclosure

vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

Private Internet Access vs HMA VPN 2024

Table of Contents
    Our Score: 9.5/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Our Score: 7.0/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, Cyberghost and Expressvpn are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.

    Which VPN is better?

    Author Image Kristina Perunicic
    Kristina Perunicic

    Managing Editor

    Users have a love-hate relationship with HideMyAss (HMA). This VPN features an extensive server network spread out over 210 countries. Still, HMA falls short in many areas; it does not accept bitcoin while PIA does, and it has simultaneous connection limits while PIA lets you use it on unlimited devices at a time.

    Both VPNs offer strong encryption and the OpenVPN protocol. HMA can unblock some Netflix libraries but it may not be the best client for bypassing robust firewalls in China. Neither offers the best live chat support, and you may not be able to connect with an agent 24/7.

    Unlike HMA, PIA comes with additional features such as SOCKS5, Shadowsocks, and advanced configurations for added privacy and security, as well as impressive speeds that HMA can't match. However, both VPNs are headquartered in the heart of the 5 Eyes Alliance. PIA is based in the US, while HMA is based in the UK. Still, with strict no-logs policies on both sides, you can feel fairly confident that your online data will be protected.

    One thing that will endear both VPNs to most users is their 30-day money-back guarantees and affordable prices.

    Our Score

    Features 9.5/10
    Pricing 9.5/10
    Ease of Use 9.6/10
    Reliability & Support 9.8/10
    Features 7.0/10
    Pricing 7.0/10
    Ease of Use 7.0/10
    Reliability & Support 6.6/10

    Reviews

    Review by our expert
    Author Image Angela Jovanoska
    Angela Jovanoska

    Cybersecurity Researcher

    Our Score: 9.5/10

    Private Internet Access has one of the cheapest VPN subscriptions available — you can sign up for as little as $2.03/month. With such a low price, I wondered whether PIA could really stand out against its higher-priced competitors. It’s been around for 10+ years, so it could be one of the best-value VPNs out there. I decided to find out just how good it is by looking into the company’s lo...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    E
    Ez
    10.0/10
    Best VPN Out on The Market

    I like PIA VPN the best for the following reasons: ● It's a reliable and trustworthy policy; they don... 't record anything harmful to you; strict no logs. ● I've been using it for one month and there are specific times when it speeds up my internet speed (varies by internet) ● It's a distinctive feature of DIP (dedicated IP) - I think not many popular VPNs have this feature, I also purchased this feature to avoid getting the captcha verification and it never showed up ever since. It's only been a month using this VPN but as I gain more experience with this client, I'm pretty sure I will find more good features and utilize them. Thanks for having read my review:)More

    Latest negative user review
    M
    Mike Johnson
    2.0/10
    PIA no longer works on Amazon Fire devices.

    I have used PIA for several years with no issues. Currently, amazon fire devices can no longer sign i... n to the account. Used on 3 TVs with 3 different fire devices with the same result. There is no way to resolve the issue.More

    Read the full review
    Review by our expert
    Author Image Matthew Amos
    Matthew Amos

    Senior Editor

    Our Score: 7.0/10

    HMA (formerly HideMyAss) is a relatively cheap VPN that claims to offer more server locations than anyone else. However, it has faced some serious controversies in the past. Is it a VPN that can keep you safe and anonymous online? To find out, I performed extensive tests on all its features and explored its updated privacy policy. I also checked out several connection issues customers have rep...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    P
    Paulo
    10.0/10
    Excellent value for money!

    First, it's a full VPN. Very intuitive and easy app. Lots of connection options and without much loss ... of speed. The official website has the payment method in my local currency, with a localized value and thus leaving a fair value through the VPN. Thank VPNMentor for the product recommendation and targeted discount.More

    Latest negative user review
    K
    Kaan
    2.0/10
    Terrible Support

    I had a return request. because my ISP blocked their servers and I contacted their support team. My ti... ckets have not been answered for 14 days. I do not recommend them with this terrible support and no wireguard support. 1/10More

    Read the full review

    Pricing

    Starting price $2.03/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license Unlimited devices
    Starting price $2.99/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 10 devices

    Best VPN by Category

    Best VPN Overall

    PIA gets our vote thanks to its massive network consisting of physical servers, plus its feature-rich and customizable apps that cater to both casual and power users. Plus, it has some features that distinguish it from the pack, like MACE (an ad and malware blocker), port forwarding, and SOCKS5/Shadowsocks. HMA put up a good fight and is an excellent choice for torrenting with some servers specifically optimized for P2P. However, its speeds aren't as fast as PIA's.

    Best VPN for Torrents

    It’s a pretty close fight between PIA and HMA when it comes to torrenting, but PIA wins by a fine margin. The main reason is that, while it has fewer server locations, they are mostly physical instead of virtual, which is a better assurance of improved speeds if you choose a server near you. You can also optimize your speeds using port forwarding. But, HMA is also a really solid option considering its P2P-optimized servers. Though its speeds don't match PIA's.

    Best VPN for Windows

    This was a tough choice, but PIA wins this category, too. It comes down to preference, as HMA has the simpler, more user-friendly app, while PIA’s Windows app is aimed more at power users. For example, PIA shows you the latency of all its servers and lets you customize your kill switch, encryption, as well as your connection speed and reliability.

    Best VPN for Android

    With most of the same powerful security and privacy features as the Windows app, plus a mobile-friendly interface, PIA is our top pick for Android. It also has a unique feature, InBrowser, a private browser that doesn’t collect or store any of your browsing data. PIA Android users can also choose between WireGuard or OpenVPN, while HMA users only get support for the latter.

    Best VPN for Mac

    PIA’s app for macOS is nearly identical to its Windows version, so it takes the win. Only split tunneling takes a few more steps to set up. You can expect all the other features and customizability, which means it stays ahead of HMA in this category. Unfortunately, you’ll need to take extra steps to manually set up OpenVPN with HMA on Mac, which is another reason it falls behind.

    Best VPN for iOS

    We have to give this round to PIA, just because it covers all of HMA’s capabilities and then some more. Its iOS app supports no less than three VPN protocols, including WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IPSec/IKEv2. It’s also one of the few VPN apps for iOS that offers a kill switch. With PIA’s advanced Wi-Fi connection rules, it’s still the best way to keep your internet use private while on-the-go.

    Best VPN for USA

    With servers in all US states, PIA wins this category. HMA comes close because it offers servers in a lot of countries where most VPNs don't offer any, which is great if you're interested in changing your IP to other than the US. Additionally, we’re not too worried about the fact that PIA is based in the US because its no-logs policy has been independently audited and also proved that it won’t hand over user data to the authorities in real-life court cases.

    The Bottom Line

    See Plans & Pricing

    PIA comes with all the bells and whistles of a high quality VPN. In addition to supporting anonymous payments via bitcoins, this VPN backs up its service with a generous 30-day money back guarantee. PIA also boasts plenty of pro features including 2 kill switches, DNS leak protection, a choice of encryption protection protocols and cross-platform compatibility. Although the network of servers is limited compared to what HMA provides, PIA still offers an excellent deal considering its super affordable prices. Not to mention the impressive connection speeds as further proof that PIA does offer value for money.

    Time to decide which one is best for you

    Go with Private Internet Access
    Go with HMA VPN
    Or click here to check best VPNs, rated by {{review_count}} users

    FAQ

    Is Private Internet Access better than HMA VPN?

    Yes, Private Internet Access is better overall than HMA VPN. It has 29650 servers in 90 countries, fast speeds, and impressive security features.

    Best of all, you can take advantage of its latest discount and get it for only $2.03 a month.

    What should I keep in mind when choosing between Private Internet Access and HMA VPN?

    When choosing a VPN, you want to pay close attention to its number of servers, overall speed score, pricing, and the number of simultaneous device connections it offers. While some VPNs provide a flawless online experience, others will really slow you down.

    If you’re ready to commit, then Private Internet Access may be perfect for you due to its performance during the tests .

    Is Private Internet Access faster than HMA VPN?

    Yes, Private Internet Access is faster than HMA VPN. Since your VPN is your computer’s main connection to the internet, you need to use a service that won’t slow you down by more than 20%.

    If speeds are important to you, then I recommend you take a look at ExpressVPN. It’s the fastest service out there, provides unlimited bandwidth, and you won’t experience any slowdowns even when you connect to the other side of the planet. You can try it out risk-free. It’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can get a full refund if you don’t like it.

    Do Private Internet Access or HMA VPN offer any deals?

    Both Private Internet Access and HMA VPN offer deals on occasion. You can check out the current coupons and discounts here. However, ExpressVPN has the best deals. Right now, you can get a 49% discount and up to 3 months for free with a new subscription.

    We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
    Learn more
    vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

    About the Author

    Kristina Perunicic is a former editor for vpnMentor. She’s a cybersecurity expert with an interest in VPNs and their importance in the digital privacy landscape.