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Private Internet Access vs Proton VPN 2023

Table of Contents
    Rated: 9.5/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Rated: 9.2/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info

    Which VPN is better?

    Author Image Kristina Perunicic
    Kristina Perunicic

    Managing Editor

    Both Proton VPN and PIA have made great strides to stay ahead of the pack. Located in Switzerland, which is outside the 5-Eye and 14-Eyes, Proton offers protection from government surveillance. PIA is equally serious about security with its wide array of protocols including OpenVPN and standard AES-256 encryption. Proton’s best feature is arguably the Secure Core, which hides users’ IP and location. Proton will not keep logs, either. With a no-log policy, Bitcoin, and robust encryption, PIA has a firm grip on online security. Boasting servers in over 20 countries, PIA will bypass firewalls in China. Both PIA and Proton make a good impression with their average speeds but PIA takes the lead with its support for five simultaneous devices. Proton offers five simultaneous connections too, but only if you upgrade to its Plus plan (basic accounts get three). Whether you are a Mac, iOS, Android or Linux user, both VPNs will offer great compatibility.

    Rating

    Features 9.5/10
    Pricing 8.0/10
    Ease of Use 9.6/10
    Reliability & Support 9.8/10
    Features 9.2/10
    Pricing 8.0/10
    Ease of Use 9.0/10
    Reliability & Support 8.0/10

    Reviews

    Review by our expert
    Author Image Matthew Amos
    Matthew Amos

    Senior Editor

    9.7/10

    Private Internet Access has one of the cheapest VPN subscriptions available — you can sign up for as little as $2.19/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
    B
    Bert
    10.0/10
    Best VPN I have used

    I have been using PIA for three years and I have been very pleased. My internet connection is 270MB up...  and 270MB down. I get on average 250MB up and 250MB down. I have found that turning on the wire guard speeds up my internet speed by 50mb.More

    Latest negative user review
    A
    Artaban
    2.0/10
    PIA is a perfect backdoor to your computer

    Briefly said, all my accounts were compromised few days after PIA installation only on Chrome, includi... ng services that I have never used like Facebook Ads (corrupted from far far away in Kazakstan). Yesterday, someone changed my PIA email for a one-shot usage email @yopmail.com and stole around 100 euros on my VISA for payment to PIA - Private Internet Access. There is no doubt that PIA is a perfect and complete security hole direct to your computer and personal stuff.More

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    More Info
    Review by our expert
    Author Image Matthew Amos
    Matthew Amos

    Senior Editor

    7.0/10

    As a long-time customer of ProtonMail, I was curious to see whether its world-renowned privacy and security standards would carry over into its sister product, Proton VPN. The CERN scientists behind the world-class encrypted email technology have a lot of competition amongst premium VPNs. I wondered if these privacy pros could offer any new, innovative features that aren’t already available wit...

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    Latest positive user review
    E
    Ephraim
    10.0/10
    The best VPN to use

    I’ve used a few VPN. Torguard, Wevpn, hide.me, Nord, Surfshark, Mullvad, and nothing compares to Proto... nvpn. Fast, consistent connections, easy-to-use app, and streaming work brilliant, better than Nord or Surfshark. The best of the best.More

    Latest negative user review
    B
    B. L.
    2.0/10
    SCAM, FRAUD, DISHONEST, NON-FUNCTIONAL

    LYING ABOUT 30 DAY REFUND. WROTE THEM 2 TIMES TO CXL AFTER 10 DAYS. NO REPLY. YOU CAN DOWNGRADE ON THE... IR SITE, BUT.... REFUNDS WILL BE APPLIED AS CREDITS! I DON'T WANT TO BE ON THE SAME PLANET WITH THEM. WHY WOULD I WANT CREDITS? JUST AS HORRIBLE AS EVERY OTHER VPN FOR MAC. OF COURSE, THEY DON'T MENTION IT ON THEIR SITE BUT RECOMMEND TUNNELBICK OR WHATEVER IT'S CALLED, WHICH DOESN'T CONNECT. SWISS CAN BE JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.More

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    More Info

    Pricing

    Starting price $2.19/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 10 devices
    See Plans
    Starting price $4.99/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 10 devices
    See Plans

    The Bottom Line

    While PIA may not be the cheapest client on the market, the features are well worth it. This VPN has put together a solid no-log policy, strong encryption based on OpenVPN, the strongest on the market, and reliable speeds to offer formidable online security and privacy. Admittedly, the lack of a live chat option can be quite frustrating but other features such as payment anonymity with Bitcoin, a seven-day money-back guarantee and diverse server coverage make up for the shortfall, making PIA a clear winner.

    Time to decide which one is best for you

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

    FAQ

    Is Private Internet Access better than Proton VPN?

    Yes, Private Internet Access is better overall than Proton VPN. It has 29650 servers in 84 countries, fast speeds, and impressive security features.

    Best of all, you can take advantage of its latest discount and get it for only $2.19 a month.

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

    Yes, Private Internet Access is faster than Proton 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 Proton VPN offer any deals?

    Both Private Internet Access and Proton 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.