Private Internet Access vs. Proton VPN 2024

Angela Jovanoska

Cybersecurity Researcher

At first glance, Private Internet Access (PIA) and Proton VPN appear very similar. Both offer fast speeds and strict no-logs policies. However, there are a few differences you should be aware of before choosing one.

For instance, PIA’s server network is notably larger, while Proton VPN is based in a more privacy-friendly jurisdiction. To help you decide, I compared the 2 VPNs side by side in various categories, including speed, security, privacy, and pricing.

After extensive testing, I concluded that PIA is the overall better VPN. It offers specialized streaming servers that make streaming securely and in HD a breeze. It also has stronger security features and is more affordable. Plus, its apps are intuitive and customizable to fine-tune your VPN connection to your specific needs.

Proton VPN is also a solid option, especially if you prioritize privacy. It has high-performance P2P servers, and its Secure Core servers double up your VPN protection. Plus, it has its own protocol designed to overcome tough VPN blocks. However, its customer support could improve.

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Streaming — Private Internet Access Wins by a Narrow Margin

Both PIA and Proton VPN are good for streaming. However, PIA ranks ahead since it offers streaming-optimized servers in 12 countries, including the US, Italy, the UK, Japan, and Australia. These are designed to provide the fastest speeds for streaming in the highest quality.

Our team of testers worldwide tested these platforms in the respective countries where they’re available. Our US tester used the US East Streaming Optimized server with PIA and could watch Seinfeld on Netflix US in smooth quality. They also tested other US platforms like Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video and streamed with zero interruptions.

Seinfeld loaded instantly, and the picture quality remained excellent while streaming

Proton VPN also worked well with major streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu.

My US colleagues reported that it took a few attempts to establish a stable connection for some services, though, including Amazon Prime Video. It was only after switching to a different server and browser that it worked for streaming US shows.

Proton VPN’s US servers were fast enough for smooth streaming after establishing a connection

PIA and Proton VPN gave me good streaming speeds, especially on nearby servers. There was some slowdown at longer distances with both services, but overall, I experienced more buffering with Proton VPN.

PIA has a Smart DNS service that lets you stream on devices that don’t support VPNs, like smart TVs and gaming consoles. Plus, its website contains a detailed guide on setting it up, too. It didn’t take more than 10 minutes to set it up on my LG smart TV and stream on my big screen.

Winner

PIA is the overall winner for streaming. Unlike Proton VPN, it offers servers specialized for reliable domestic streaming. Plus, it provides HD-friendly speeds.

Server Network — PIA Has One of the Largest Server Networks of Any VPN

PIA and Proton VPN both offer a large number of servers, but PIA has one of the largest networks, with 29,650 servers worldwide. It also has servers in all US states.

The vast majority of PIA’s servers are located across Europe and North America, but other regions, like Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, are also well covered.

Proton VPN has a much smaller network. Still, its servers are widely dispersed across the globe. It does, however, lack servers in less popular VPN locations, like the Bahamas, Greenland, Panama, Venezuela, Andorra, and China, while PIA covers these regions.

Winner

PIA has a significantly larger server network than Proton VPN and most other VPNs in the industry, making it the clear winner in this category.

Speed — Both VPNs Offer Fast Connections Speeds

PIA and Proton VPN are both very fast, so there’s no definitive winner in this category.

I tested both nearby and long-distance locations to find how each VPN performs over time. For the best results, both tests were conducted using WireGuard, each VPN’s fastest protocol.

Keep in mind that it's normal for a VPN to reduce your speeds by 10–20%, but you should still be able to browse or stream without major interruptions.

With baseline speeds of 109.88 Mbps, PIA reduced my speeds by only 4% when connected to a nearby UK server.

The minor speed loss of only 4% wasn’t even noticeable while streaming and browsing

Proton VPN performed similarly on local servers — I only experienced a 7% decrease.

Using the WireGuard protocol helped maintain fast connection speeds during tests

PIA’s US server offered faster download speeds, dropping my speeds by only 14%, while Proton VPN lost up to 18%. That said, Proton VPN did perform slightly better on the further away Japan server, with download speeds reaching up to 73.75 Mbps (32% loss).

Winner - draw

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PIA and ProtonVPN deliver pretty similar speeds overall, making this category a tie.

Torrenting — PIA Allows Torrenting on All Its Servers

PIA allows P2P file sharing on all its servers, so you can simply connect to your closest server for the best speeds possible. It also offers a SOCKS5 or Shadowsocks proxy connection, but this is on top of a VPN connection (multi-hop). While this is useful for added privacy, it’s not the best for speeds.

Proton VPN offers specialized P2P servers that are optimized for torrenting, with nearly 200 spread across 20 countries.

The slight drawback is that if you’re not located close to these countries, you may experience slowdowns while torrenting. Proton VPN claims that you can also torrent on its non-P2P optimized servers, but this can lead to errors and a P2P redirect as not all of Proton VPN’s data centers support P2P sharing.

Both VPNs offer a port forwarding feature that allows you to connect to more torrenting peers for faster speeds. Port forwarding isn’t available on any of PIA’s US servers, though.

It took me around 7 minutes to download a 1.5GB file with PIA. When using one of Proton VPN’s P2P-optimized servers, it took roughly 10 minutes to download the same file. This is close to the time without a VPN connection.

My team and I don’t condone any illegal activities, and downloading copyrighted material is illegal almost everywhere. So you should check your local law and torrent responsibly.

Winner

PIA is more convenient for torrenting as it allows P2P sharing on all its servers and gave me slightly faster torrenting speeds, so it’s the winner in this category.

Gaming — Private Internet Access Has Slightly Lower Ping Rates

To see how each VPN performs for gaming, I looked at the ping rate on both nearby and long-distance servers. The lower the ping, the better results you will get. For smooth gaming, it should stay below 100 ms.

To get accurate results, I played a fast-paced online game — Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.

Overall, PIA performed better, as it gave me a slightly lower ping on both nearby and long-distance servers. For instance, the fastest server for my location gave me a ping of 62 ms. With the UK server, it increased to 73 ms, which was still fast enough for lag-free gaming.

I connected to the closest PIA server for the optimal gaming experience

Winner

PIA gave me lower ping rates, making it the overall better VPN for gaming.

Security — Private Internet Access Comes Out On Top Thanks to its Customizable Security

PIA and Proton VPN are both very secure, but PIA offers more customizable security features. That said, Proton VPN is also highly secure, with all the security features you’d expect from a premium VPN.

PIA is one of the few VPN’s VPNs that lets you choose your encryption level. You can choose between the default AES 128-bit encryption or 256-bit. 128-bit encryption is ideal for streaming as it gives faster speeds, but 256-bit boosts your security.

You can only customize your encryption when using the OpenVPN protocol

For added protection, both VPNs use Perfect Forward Secrecy. This feature continuously changes your encryption key, so even if the most recent key is compromised, only a minimum amount of data will be exposed.

A unique Proton VPN security feature is Secure Core — similar to a double VPN or multi-hop feature. These are specialized servers that double your encryption by routing your traffic through 2 VPN locations instead of one. One of which will always be a Secure Core server.

Proton VPN’s Secure Core servers are scattered across Switzerland, Iceland, and Sweden

On the other hand, PIA lets you route your traffic through a VPN plus proxy server (SOCKS5 or Shadowsocks), adding an extra layer of protection. It also offers much better speeds than traditional double VPN servers, so it’s a great option if you want extra security without compromising speeds.

For a small monthly fee, PIA offers a dedicated IP address that only you can use. Unlike shared IPs, dedicated IPs remain the same every time you connect, so it’s less likely you get blocked by certain websites. Proton VPN offers this feature for business accounts but not for personal VPN users.

Another difference between the 2 VPNs is that PIA uses RAM-only servers, while Proton VPN has full disk encryption. Generally speaking, a RAM-only network is considered safer, as it means all your data is wiped from the server upon every reboot.

Finally, both VPNs offer ad and malware blockers — PIA’s is called MACE, and Proton VPN’s NetShield. Both are decent services that can successfully block malware and trackers but aren’t as effective at blocking ads. Still, I recommend keeping them on while using either VPN, as they can at least stop malware from entering your device.

Winner

Overall, PIA wins as it offers more unique security features and is highly customizable.

Privacy — Proton VPN is Based in a More Privacy-Friendly Jurisdiction

Both PIA and Proton VPN have strict no-log policies that have been independently audited.

PIA only retains information necessary to maintain its service, such as your email address and payment data, which is common practice among most VPNs. In 2022, an independent audit conducted by Deloitte proved PIA really stands behind its no-logs claims.

You can create a new temporary email address for added anonymity

Also, both VPNs release regular transparency reports that offer information on the number of court orders they have received and complied with.

Proton VPN only collects the information necessary to create your account and stores no sensitive information, like your IP address or browser history. Its no-logs policy was also proven true by a 2022 audit conducted by Swiss auditing firm Securitum.

However, Proton VPN comes out on top thanks to its privacy-friendly jurisdiction in Switzerland. This country has strong privacy laws and is outside the data-sharing 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances.

On the other hand, PIA is headquartered in the US which is one of the founding members of the Alliance. Still, it’s reassuring that PIA’s privacy policy has been verified by both an independent audit and in a real-life scenario (in 2018, the FBI requested information on one of its users, but PIA had nothing to share).

Winner

Proton VPN wins this round since it’s based in Switzerland, which is a more privacy-friendly jurisdiction than the US, where PIA is headquartered.

Works in China — Neither VPN Is Reliable for China

Although both VPNs offer obfuscation technology — PIA through Shadowsocks and Proton VPN via its Stealth protocol — neither of them was proven reliable for China.

A PIA support representative confirmed through its live chat that the VPN cannot be used reliably in China. It might work at times, but not always. Similarly, Proton VPN states on its official website that, as of 2019, it has been officially banned by the Chinese government.

However, unlike Proton VPN, PIA offers servers in mainland China, so if you want to use a Chinese IP address, PIA is your best option. On the other hand, Proton VPN does have servers in Hong Kong.

Winner - draw

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Neither PIA nor Proton VPN works reliably in China, so there’s no definitive winner in this category.

Installation & Ease of Use — PIA’s Desktop App is One of the Most Intuitive I’ve Tested

Both VPNs are compatible with all the major operating systems and devices, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Windows, and iOS. I downloaded each VPN from its official site, and installation took only a few minutes.

Despite its many customization options, PIA is very intuitive and user-friendly, both on desktop and mobile. All you need to do to connect is click the large power button. Clicking on the small map next to the server name opens a list of all the servers.

By default, the PIA Windows app runs in the system tray, but you can change this if you prefer

Clicking on the heart icon next to each server makes it easy to find it for later use. The latency is also displayed so you can quickly find the server with optimal speeds. The Choose automatically option at the top of the server list automatically connects you to the server with the lowest latency.

The settings menu opens up a range of options that you can use to customize your connection. The good news is that you don’t need to be familiar with any of these advanced settings to start using the VPN, as PIA comes pre-configured and ready to use out of the box.

Proton VPN is also easy to navigate. Immediately after logging in, you see a large map interface where all the locations the VPN has servers in are marked by a triangle.

Proton VPN’s Windows app is the most feature-rich out of all other available clients

There’s also a Quick Connect option that immediately connects you to the fastest server for your location.

One unique feature is that Proton VPN lets you create multiple profiles on your account. For each profile, you can select the protocol used, the country, and the specific server you want to connect to. For instance, you can use a P2P server on your torrenting profile and a Secure Core server on your work profile for added security.

Winner

PIA is a bit more intuitive than Proton VPN, and Proton VPN’s app is a little bulkier.

Reliability & Support — Private Internet Access Has a 24/7 Live Chat Option

If you need help while using PIA or Proton VPN, both VPNs have multiple support options. PIA offers support through 24/7 live chat, a ticket request system, and a comprehensive online knowledge base.

With PIA’s 24/7 live chat, there’s no need to enter any personal information — simply click on the Transfer to Agent button, and you’ll be instantly connected. Any time I had a question, the support agents were knowledgeable and quick to respond.

On the other hand, Proton VPN’s live chat is only available from 9 AM to 5 PM CEST, and it’s only available to paying subscribers. However, when I tested it, the support agent was informative and provided instant answers to all my questions.

Winner

PIA’s 24/7 live chat makes it stand out in this category. It takes no time to get through to an agent, and its representatives are helpful.

Tips on Choosing Between Private Internet Access and Proton VPN

PIA and Proton VPN are both excellent VPN services, so it can be a real challenge to choose which one to use. During my tests, I used several criteria to determine which is the overall better VPN, including:

• Smooth streaming — Many VPNs struggle to work with popular streaming platforms or simply don’t offer fast enough speeds to stream without interruptions. Our team of international testers tried each VPN with their local platforms (including Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and Prime Video) to ensure they work reliably.
• Fast speeds — No matter what you plan to use the VPN for, it can be extremely frustrating if you constantly have to deal with lagging and buffering. You should pick a VPN that offers fast speeds for a smooth streaming, gaming, or torrenting experience.
• Large server network — If the VPN offers a large number of servers worldwide, it’s less likely you’ll experience reduced speeds due to overcrowding. Plus, you’ll get faster speeds if the VPN has servers close to your location.
• Strong security — Any reputable VPN service should have the basics, such as military-grade AES 256-bit encryption, a reliable kill switch, and strong IP/DNS leak protection. Advanced security features like multi-hop, RAM-based servers, and obfuscation are also good to have.
• Privacy-friendly — A VPN’s no-logs policy should also be proven true by audits conducted by independent organizations. It’s also a bonus if the VPN is based in a privacy-friendly jurisdiction.
• Cross-platform support — The VPN should offer user-friendly, intuitive apps for all major platforms, so you can use it on multiple devices with a single subscription.
• Reliable customer support — It’s best if there’s a 24/7 live chat option available. If that’s not the case, the VPN should at least offer support via email and a comprehensive online knowledge base.
• Dependable money-back guarantee — A money-back guarantee lets you try out the VPN without risk for a certain amount of time. If you don’t find it suitable for you, you can get a full refund.

Private Internet Access vs. Proton VPN — Reddit Opinions

Reddit users have shared mixed opinions about these VPNs, but there’s generally more favor towards PIA. Some users appreciate Proton VPN’s privacy guarantees and security features like Secure Core. Others express dissatisfaction with customer support, speed issues (particularly with Secure Core and Switzerland entry nodes), and problems with the Mac app.

On the other hand, many users recommend PIA due to its fast speeds, customer support, reliability, and security features. They highlight PIA's stable apps, satisfactory user experience, and minimal connection issues.