Private Internet Access vs PureVPN vs 2018

After comparing these VPNs, we have a winner!

 
95 User Reviews
  • 4.6
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401 User Reviews
  • 4.0
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Which VPN is better?

Daniel Krohn
Technical writer, ex-robot manual creator gone privacy enthusiast/VPN expert
PureVPN, out of Hong Kong, and the US-based PIA are two superb VPN services with differing strengths and weaknesses. PureVPN has a lead when it comes to speed; however, its server locations, including Central America, Oceania and Africa, while impressive, don't match PIA’s abundance of servers, which are spread out in an equally impressive amount of countries. Security wise, they both have comparable 256-bit data encryption to protect users, and kill switches to protect users from unencrypted data leaks. As far as logs go, PureVPN keeps no activity logs, only session logs while PIA keeps no logs. On the other hand, both PureVPN and PIA cannot access Netflix so they are on equal footing there, but both offer a seven-day refund policy should you be unhappy with the service.
 
Rating
Features
  • 4.7
  • 3.7
Pricing
  • 4.6
  • 4.5
Ease of Use
  • 4.7
  • 4.0
Reliability & Support
  • 4.7
  • 4.0
 

Reviews

Review by our expert
Sarit Newman
Content Manager & Internet Security Writer
  • 4.6

PIA is one of the most popular VPNs out there, but it’s not because of advertising. Released in 2010, PIA has grown users through word of mouth and recommendations. And, while they are based in the USA (which we’re usually wary of), they have proven twice that they do not maintain user logs. Although you’re not going to get too many extra features, and PIA isn’t the best when it comes to streaming

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Latest positive user review
BobS
  • 5.0
Private Internet I have been using it for 3 years and it works great on 5 computers Recommend to anyone that want security and easy to connect to servers or use auto connect I wish they had a lifetime subscription like other vpns
Latest negative user review
Alex
  • 1.0
Slow speeds on and off Load of rubbish, join NordVPN. The speed issues are so bad, less than a third of the speed i get without VPN makes it useless. Just getting worse not better. Submit slow speed complaints and it does not help, just milking all the people that join up.
Review by our expert
Alex (Shurf) Frenkel
Ex-Hacker, left the dark side and teaches young padawans to use the force
  • 4.0

After PureVPN provided an IP address for an ongoing FBI investigation, it has come to our attention that PureVPN might maintain more than they let on. Their policy clearly states that, from time to time, they record your connection and bandwidth for their flow of traffic. This is what many VPNs do, and as long as they delete the data after a temporary time, it still falls within the reigns of "no-

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Latest positive user review
Q
  • 5.0
Most polite and helpful Even on a Sunday evening, the two account executives I needed to deal with for a log-in situation were most polite and exceedingly helpful. Problem resolved in a very short while without the feeling that I caused a problem. Thank you Vladimr & Stephen
Latest negative user review
Bob
  • 1.0
PureVPN - Horrible service, Horrible customer service reps 1) Many servers down, or very slow, can't download torrents 2) I've tried using their customer service reps and they just don't help, all they can do is read a script and not think outside the box 3) I tried all their suggestions and got nowhere with my VPN issues 4) I have never had a worse service in my life
Latest positive user review
BobS
  • 5.0
Private Internet I have been using it for 3 years and it works great on 5 computers Recommend to anyone that want security and easy to connect to servers or use auto connect I wish they had a lifetime subscription like other vpns
Q
  • 5.0
Most polite and helpful Even on a Sunday evening, the two account executives I needed to deal with for a log-in situation were most polite and exceedingly helpful. Problem resolved in a very short while without the feeling that I caused a problem. Thank you Vladimr & Stephen
Latest negative user review
Alex
  • 1.0
Slow speeds on and off Load of rubbish, join NordVPN. The speed issues are so bad, less than a third of the speed i get without VPN makes it useless. Just getting worse not better. Submit slow speed complaints and it does not help, just milking all the people that join up.
Bob
  • 1.0
PureVPN - Horrible service, Horrible customer service reps 1) Many servers down, or very slow, can't download torrents 2) I've tried using their customer service reps and they just don't help, all they can do is read a script and not think outside the box 3) I tried all their suggestions and got nowhere with my VPN issues 4) I have never had a worse service in my life
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Pricing
Starting price $2.91/ month $3.25/ month
Money Back Guarantee (Days) 7 7
Devices per license 5 5
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Best VPNs by category

Best VPNs Overall width="111" width="111" PureVPN's low price, fast speeds, and ability to get the Great Chinese Firewall take it to the top
Best VPNs for Torrents width="111" width="111" Read the full review
Best VPNs for Windows width="111" width="111" Read the full review
Best VPNs for Android width="111" width="111" Read the full review
Best VPNs for MAC width="111" width="111" Read the full review
Best VPNs for iOS width="111" width="111" Read the full review
Best VPNs for USA width="111" width="111" Read the full review
 

 The Bottom Line

Daniel Krohn
Technical writer, ex-robot manual creator gone privacy enthusiast/VPN expert

PureVPN wins by offering 3 price plans, with the lowest really a bargain, while PIA offers 8 price plans, which is more flexible, but most of the time more expensive. PIA also has an economical option of a yearly plan, which comes out cheap in the long run. Both of these global VPN providers are tough contenders that support major devices. PIA takes the lead with their good, old-fashioned customer service over PureVPN’s poor support record. In the end, PureVPN is the only contender that works within China, taking it to the top.

Interestingly, if you compare PureVPN with NordVPN, which is our top ranked vpn, you'll see that PureVPN can learn a lot from NordVPN. Compare PureVPN with NordVPN

Winner
Visit website »
www.purevpn.com
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Time to decide which one is best for you

Private Internet Access
Go with Private Internet Access
PureVPN
Go with PureVPN
Or click here to check best VPNs, rated by 7705 users