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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.
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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.

Private Internet Access vs PureVPN 2024

Table of Contents
    Editor's Note: Transparency and impartiality are important to us when bringing you our best selection of VPNs. Some of the industry-leading products on our list, including Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost, and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company. The VPNs we choose are derived from a thorough testing process.

    Which VPN is better?

    Author Image Doris Muthuri
    Doris Muthuri

    Senior Writer

    Private Internet Access (PIA) and PureVPN are two popular services with some similarities. Both offer fast speeds and have solid security and privacy features, so picking one over the other can be tricky. That said, the VPNs’ differences affect how each one performs with various online activities.

    To pick the winner, I tested each VPN based on its performance in security, streaming, affordability, speed, location options, and user-friendliness. I also considered customer support as the final factor in my evaluation. In comparing them side-by-side, I determined which of the two VPNs is superior and provides the most value for your money.

    After extensive testing, I found PIA to be the winner. It offers a larger server network, more advanced security features, and highly responsive customer support. If you want to test it for yourself, you can use PIA’s 30-day money-back guarantee risk-free and get a full refund if it's not for you.

    Short on Time? Here Are My Key Findings

    PIA PureVPN
    Overall Rating Our Score: 9.48/10

    https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/

    Our Score: 7.66/10

    https://www.purevpn.com/

    💲 Lowest Monthly Price $2.19/month on the first 2-year plan, plus 4 months free $2.14/month on the first 2-year Standard plan, plus 4 months free
    🗓️ Price on Renewal $56.94 per year
    (subject to change)
    $54.95 per year
    (subject to change)
    🤑 Coupons PIA offers 82% Off (24-month plan) PureVPN offers 84% Off (24-month plan)
    💸 Money-Back Guarantee 30 days 31 days
    📺 Streaming Works reliably with Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Max, ESPN, BBC iPlayer, DAZN, and more Works reliably with Netflix, Disney+, Max, ESPN, DAZN, and more
    🌍 VPN Servers 91 countries with 29,650 servers 70 countries with 6,500 servers
    Speed 5% speed drop on nearby servers — excellent for UHD streaming & gaming 9% speed drop on nearby servers — good enough for 4K movies and online gaming
    🎮 Gaming Performance Optimal speed and ping Low in-game latency
    🧑‍🤝‍🧑 P2P Support Yes, on all servers Yes, on all servers
    🔐 Security Protocols WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IPSec WireGuard, OpenVPN UDP/TCP, IKEv2
    🔌 Kill Switch Yes Yes
    IP/DNS Leak Protection Yes Yes
    🏢 Based in Country USA Hong Kong
    ⚠️ Does VPN Keep Logs No No
    Works in China Maybe Maybe
    #️⃣ Number of Device Connections Unlimited 10
    💻 Device Compatibility Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, and more Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and more
    🔧 Customer Support 24/7 live chat, knowledge base, FAQs, and email 24/7 live chat, knowledge base, FAQs, and email
    Best alternative to Private Internet Access

    Our Score: 9.9

    As much as I like PIA, ExpressVPN is my top VPN choice. While it doesn’t offer the same customizability, it’s considerably easier to use and offers far more reliable speeds. It’s also backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.

    Streaming — PIA Wins by a Narrow Margin

    Important: While these VPNs can theoretically let you watch content from outside your region, doing so goes against most streaming platforms’ terms of use and could constitute copyright infringement. My team and I don’t condone breaking laws or regulations, so please use a VPN responsibly.

    Both VPNs put up a strong performance, but PIA is a lot more consistent and reliable for streaming.

    While it worked with most popular platforms, PureVPN didn’t work so well for me when I tested it from the States with Hulu. Plus, it caused major slowdowns when I used servers in farther away states. Unlike PureVPN, PIA provides fast and stable streaming across the board.

    Streaming Platform PIA PureVPN
    Netflix ✅ Yes, including popular Netflix
    libraries like the US, UK, Canada,
    Japan, South Korea, and Switzerland
    ☑️ Yes, but significant buffering on
    domestic servers that are further
    away
    Disney+ ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
    ESPN ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
    (HBO) Max ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
    Hulu ✅ Yes ⛔ No
    Sky ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
    Amazon Prime Video ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
    BBC iPlayer ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
    ABC ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
    CBS ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
    NBC ✅ Yes ✅ Yes

    PIA is a dependable streaming VPN for 40+ popular streaming platforms, and our international team confirmed it works with over 17 Netflix libraries. It also gives you fast and smooth connections for streaming your region’s content, such as Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more.

    Plus, it offers streaming-optimized servers, which PureVPN lacks. These are location-based in 8 countries, including the US, the UK, and Australia — they’re designed to give users in these locations stable connections while streaming their local platforms.

    Screenshot of PIA connected while streaming HuluEvery video I tested on Max from Florida loaded instantly

    PureVPN works fine for most popular Netflix libraries, but my colleagues in Japan and France experienced some buffering when testing it in their respective locations. They didn’t experience these problems with PIA.

    However, PureVPN didn’t give me trouble while testing Amazon Prime Video from the US. I was impressed that it took only 3 seconds for videos to load and start playing.

    Screenshot showing that PureVPN works with Amazon Prime VideoMy connection remained stable while I watched Amazon Prime Video with PureVPN in the States

    Winner
    Both VPNs are great for streaming, but PIA is the better choice. It offers reliable connections for most top platforms and excellent speeds for streaming without buffering.

    Server Network — PIA Wins With Its Massive Server Network

    PIA PureVPN
    Total Countries With Servers 91 70
    Number of Servers 29,650 6,500

    PIA has the largest server network of all the VPNs I have tested. It has over 29,650 servers distributed in 91 countries worldwide. A large server network means there is less risk of server overcrowding, which could affect your overall speeds. I also like that PIA has servers in every US state.

    PIA also offers streaming-optimized servers for a few countries, including the US, the UK, and Japan. For better privacy, PIA uses only RAM-based servers, which PureVPN doesn’t have. These servers are safer than traditional HDD servers because they automatically delete your private data every time they restart.

    A snapshot showing PIA's streaming optimized serversThe specialized servers give you fast speeds to stream without interruptions

    They also each have a mix of physical and virtual servers. Physical servers are exactly where you choose to connect to. With virtual servers, you get an IP from your chosen country, but your data goes through a server in a different country. This provides extra privacy when connecting to locations like China and India, where there is stricter surveillance.

    Winner
    PIA has a larger server network distributed more broadly across different countries. It also offers RAM-only servers, which adds to its privacy features.

    Speed — PureVPN Is Slightly Faster Than Private Internet Access

    Our UK-based speed tester recorded the speeds of both VPNs. They tested dozens of servers worldwide, including in the UK, the US, and Japan. The baseline download speed was 117.49Mbps, with an upload speed of 17.3Mbps.

    Overall, PureVPN’s speeds are a tad more consistent, especially on long-distance servers. Both performed best with the WireGuard protocol.

    Speed Tests PIA Average Download Speed PureVPN Average Download Speed PIA Average Upload Speed PureVPN Average Upload Speed
    Connected to a UK server 110.66Mbps 112.57Mbps 16.31Mbps 16.71Mbps
    Connected to a US server 95.34Mbps 103.66Mbps 16.28Mbps 16.45Mbps
    Connected to a Japanese server 72.52Mbps 77.94Mbps 11.02Mbps 14.57Mbps

    On local UK servers, PureVPN had a speed drop of a mere 3%, while PIA’s drop was 6%. The speeds for both VPNs were slower over long distances, but PIA was a bit slower. However, this slight difference in the results wasn't very noticeable.

    A snapshot of PIA's Ookla speed test results on UK local serversMy colleague in the UK streamed BBC iPlayer in HD without issues

    Even though PIA had slightly slower speeds on long-distance servers, I never had trouble streaming in UHD. Even when I connected to Seattle (I’m in Florida), it was plenty fast for buffer-free streaming. However, I did experience slight buffering with PureVPN when I connected to faraway US states.

    Winner
    PureVPN gave me consistently fast speeds, even over long distances.

    Gaming — Both Have Low Latency Over Short Distances

    Both VPNs showed very similar ping rates on most of the short and long-distance servers that were tested, but PIA showed better results on US servers. When it comes to gaming, a low ping rate is key for a smooth experience. You should aim for a ping rate of under 100ms for lag-free gaming.

    Below are the ping results on different servers and how this translated during gameplay.

    PIA (WireGuard) PureVPN (WireGuard)
    Quick Connect 6 ms 5 ms
    Connected to a US server 78 ms 137 ms
    Connected to a UK server 8 ms 8 ms
    Connected to a Japan server 264 ms 241 ms

    Both VPNs had a high ping rate over longer distances, but they still worked for playing simple games without significant issues. While PIA showed better results on US servers, the difference in the Japan server ping results between both VPNs wasn't very noticeable. I had no issues with lag when playing Minecraft connected to a US server with any of these VPNs.

    Screenshot of gaming with one of PIA's US serverMy games loaded in approximately 20 seconds

    PureVPN’s Japan server took over one minute to load, but once the game started, there was no lag. The same applies to PIA. However, most of the long-distance servers with both VPNs had too high of a ping rate to play more complex multiplayer games comfortably. This is often the case with faraway servers — your data has to travel further, therefore slowing your connection.

    Winner - draw
    /
    Both VPNs showed similar results when it comes to latency and gaming, so this category is a draw.

    Torrenting — PIA Is the Best for Torrenting

    PIA permits P2P file sharing on all its servers, which I found very convenient since there's no need to search for dedicated P2P servers when downloading torrent files.

    On the other hand, PureVPN officially allows torrenting in just 37 locations. Its website mentions that it blocks P2P in the UK, the US, and Canada.

    Both VPNs are well-equipped with the essential security features to protect your data while torrenting. However, PIA offers more security features, such as MACE, which blocks malicious files from downloading.

    PIA’s speeds are generally faster for P2P sharing. With PIA, I downloaded a 1.23 GB copyright-free file on uTorrent in less than 15 minutes. This is similar to the speeds I get without a VPN connection. PureVPN didn’t lag too far behind — I downloaded the same file in 17 minutes.

    Winner
    PIA allows torrenting on all its servers and comes with fast speeds and more security features, such as its malware blocker, MACE.

    Security — PIA Has More Security Features

    Both VPNs offer robust security features to protect your information online. Your data is kept secure with strong military-grade encryption, and you have the option to select from various security protocols for both VPNs.

    They both work with reliable protocols such as OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2. WireGuard, which is relatively new, offers a good mix of speed and security and is one of the fastest VPN protocols available.

    Security Feature PIA PureVPN
    Encryption level AES-256-GCM, RSA certificates with 4096-bit key AES-256-GCM with 4096-bit DH key
    Kill Switch Yes Yes
    DNS/IP Leak Protection Yes Yes
    Protocols WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IPSec WireGuard, OpenVPN UDP/TCP, IKEv2
    Split Tunneling Yes Yes
    Private DNS servers Yes Yes
    Tor Over VPN servers No, but supports Tor No, but supports Tor
    RAM-only servers wipes data Yes No
    Ad & malware blocker Yes No
    Double hop servers Yes No
    Dedicated IP addresses Yes Yes
    Obfuscation technology Yes Yes

    Both VPNs offer robust DNS/IP leak protection. I tested a dozen servers from each VPN and never experienced any leaks. PIA and PureVPN also have a kill switch feature to safeguard your data if your connection drops unexpectedly. In addition to a regular kill switch, PIA offers an advanced one that doesn't let you use the internet before you connect to the VPN.

    However, PIA is much better equipped as it comes with additional features such as an ad and malware blocker (MACE), which blocks ads and popups from the sites you visit. It also offers a Multi-Hop and Obfuscation feature, which doubles up on privacy protection. It routes your internet traffic through a proxy connection and a VPN server before it reaches its final destination.

    A screenshot of PIA's dashboard showing how to activate Multi-HopIf you’re a techie like me, you’ll enjoy navigating through all of PIA’s customization options

    PureVPN also offers obfuscation. Obfuscation scrambles your metadata to keep it safe from prying eyes or interception.

    Winner
    Both VPNs will protect your data and privacy online, but PIA comes on top with its customizable security features.

    Privacy — RAM-Only Servers Give PIA an Advantage Over PureVPN

    Both PIA and PureVPN have a transparent no-logs policy that has been audited and verified by a third party. This is reassuring because it’s proof that the services uphold the claims they make in their privacy policies.

    PIA has even proven in real-life court situations that it protects your privacy — when user data has been demanded, there was none to hand over. Conversely, PureVPN has a somewhat controversial past due to its involvement in the 2017 arrest of an alleged cybercriminal. The company provided the FBI with the individual's logs. However, it’s now working tirelessly to regain customer trust.

    PIA is located in the US, which is in the heart of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance. This might be concerning if you’re sensitive about your online privacy. However, it uses RAM-only servers that delete every trace of data with every reboot, ensuring that no information is ever available to share.

    On the other hand, PureVPN is headquartered in Hong Kong, which is much more privacy-friendly, but it doesn’t offer RAM-only servers.

    Winner
    PIA has a court-proven, audited no-logs policy and uses RAM-only servers, while PureVPN has a controversial privacy history.

    Works in China — Both Might Work In China

    I contacted customer support to find out the status of each VPN’s capabilities in China. Both PIA’s and PureVPN’s reps claim that they can both work, but this isn’t guaranteed. China has continued to strengthen its VPN-blocking technology over the years, so you might need to take a few troubleshooting steps to get either of them to work in the country.

    Also, both VPN sites are blocked in China, so the apps can’t be installed once you enter the country.

    Be aware that most VPNs are illegal in China. There have been no publicly reported cases of tourists being penalized for using a VPN in China, but the team and I still don’t condone using a VPN in a way that would break the law in the country.

    Winner - draw
    /
    Both PIA and PureVPN claim to work in China, but it’s not guaranteed.

    Installation & Ease of Use — PureVPN Is a Beginner-Friendly Choice

    PIA and PureVPN both offer intuitive apps, but PureVPN’s apps are more beginner-friendly. Both support popular devices, including Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux. From downloading the app to connecting to your server, you’ll have no issues with either option.

    A snapshot showing PureVPN's clutter-free user interfaceSimply click the round button to connect to a server closest to you

    The thing is, PIA has many more customization options, which is nice if you’re a techie but can be overwhelming if you just want simple connections. Fortunately, like PureVPN, it has a quick connect feature that simply connects you to the fastest available server.

    Both VPNs also support almost all types of routers, which is a big plus for people who want to simultaneously protect all their household devices. They also both offer browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera.

    Winner
    Both VPNs are quick to set up, but PureVPN takes the win because it’s more accessible for beginners.

    Reliability & Support — PIA Gives Instant Support

    Both VPNs have 24/7 chat support, but PureVPN starts you with a bot and only transfers you to an agent if your query is super specific. On the other hand, PIA connects you to a real human agent within seconds.

    Customer Support Features PIA PureVPN
    24/7 Live chat Yes, responds immediately Yes, after chatbot
    Email support Yes Yes
    Phone support No No
    Step-by-step setup guides Yes, but no video tutorials Yes, but no video tutorials
    Searchable knowledge base Yes Yes
    Exhaustive FAQ section Yes Yes

    PIA and PureVPN also have a comprehensive help center with plenty of guides and FAQs. These guides are both thorough and user-friendly, catering to both beginners and experts. They cover most of the information you might require. I wish they would offer video tutorials, though.

    Winner
    PIA 24/7 chat support connects you to a real agent in seconds, while PureVPN makes you chat with a bot first.

    Tips on Choosing Between Private Internet Access and PureVPN

    Here are the criteria you should consider when choosing between PIA and PureVPN:

    • Smooth streaming. Check if the VPN works with the streaming platforms licensed for your country. In theory, VPNs can connect you to a different location, allowing you to stream content from abroad. You should bear in mind that this goes against most platforms’ T&Cs and can even constitute copyright infringement, which the team and I don't condone.
    • Fast speeds. Look for a VPN that provides fast and stable connection speeds to ensure smooth online activities. Both VPNs gave me stable speeds, but PureVPN was slightly faster over long distances.
    • Server networks. Having lots of servers in different places means you can connect to the internet from more locations. It also ensures you’ll have no problem finding a fast and reliable connection for streaming in your location.
    • Robust security features. Look for a VPN with strong security features such as AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and options for secure protocols like OpenVPN. These features help protect your data and maintain your online privacy.
    • Privacy-friendly. Ensure the VPN has a strict no-logs policy that doesn't store or track your online activities. RAM-only servers are a plus as they ensure your data is wiped on every reboot.
    • Easy to use. Choose a VPN that offers a user-friendly interface. A simple and intuitive client or app makes connecting and configuring the VPN easier, even if you're not tech-savvy.
    • Trustworthy money-back guarantee. Look for a VPN with a reliable money-back guarantee. This gives you the opportunity to test the service risk-free and request a refund if it doesn't meet your expectations. Both VPNs offer this.

    Private Internet Access vs PureVPN — Reddit Opinions

    PIA users on Reddit tend to be pretty satisfied, acknowledging its wealth of customization options, reliability, and affordable price. I also noticed that anytime someone complained about an issue, there were 5+ satisfied customers who came to defend PIA and/or offer troubleshooting tips.

    PureVPN got mixed reviews. Several Redditors agree that it can be “hit or miss.” The main complaints involve laggy speeds and unreliable streaming connections. There’s also concern about a case when PureVPN handed over user data. It turns out it only provided anonymous timestamps, which the FBI lined up with other services the cybercriminal used simultaneously.

    Our Score

    Features 9.5/10
    Pricing 9.5/10
    Ease of Use 9.6/10
    Reliability & Support 9.8/10
    Features 7.7/10
    Pricing 8.0/10
    Ease of Use 9.0/10
    Reliability & Support 6.0/10

    Reviews

    Review by our expert
    Author Image Keira Waddell
    Keira Waddell

    Senior Writer

    Our Score: 9.5/10

    Private Internet Access (PIA) offers one of the cheapest VPN subscriptions, starting at just $2.19/month. With such a low price, I wondered whether PIA could really stand out against its higher-priced competitors. However, it prides itself on a 10-plus-year reputation of being safe and trustworthy, so it’s also one of the best-value VPNs available. I’ve used PIA for a while and have examine...

    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

    Review by our expert
    Author Image Matthew Amos
    Matthew Amos

    Senior Editor

    Our Score: 7.7/10

    PureVPN is a highly-rated and affordable VPN, but its had its share of controversies. A past incident involving the FBI caused significant damage to its reputation. So, has it done enough to improve its policies since then? To find out, I did a deep dive into its privacy policy and everything else it offers. I also tested its speeds, thoroughly explored its server network, examined its securit...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    R
    Rich
    10.0/10
    An excellent value, all things considered

    While they will absolutely throttle p2p in most servers, it's easy to find and log into the p2p server... s. They responded promptly when I had questions (although once it was basically to say "sorry, tough luck"). Overall though, I think I paid something like $20 for a year's subscription - I really can't complain. I'm sold on the service, although I think the fact that it's based out of HK is a bit spooky. 9/10More

    Latest negative user review
    J
    John
    2.0/10
    Not Private! They cooperate with FBI! Application will NOT CLOSE (only minimizes)

    PureVPN COOPERATES WITH FBI INVESTIGATIONS! You can verify this with any search! PureVPN REQUIRES ... USERS TO PROVIDE REAL NAME TO USE THE SERVICE! VPN Does NOT Support Close Application, Against Windows Standards! Close Actually Minimizes and it Keeps Running. Company refuses to change this back (used to operate correctly) A clear violation of your rights as owner of your PC.More

    Pricing

    PIA PureVPN
    Starting Price $2.19/month on the first 2-year plan, plus 4 months free $2.14/month on the first 2-year Standard plan, plus 4 months free
    Price (On Renewal) $56.94 per year
    (subject to change)
    $54.95 per year
    (subject to change)
    Money-Back Guarantee (Days) 30 days 31 days
    Number of devices per license Unlimited 10
    Router Setup (for Unlimited Devices) Yes Yes

    Both PIA and PureVPN offer excellent value for your money. PureVPN lets you subscribe monthly, annually, and for 2 years, while PIA’s plans are monthly, every 6 months, or for 2 years. Both offer the best value on the 2-year plans.

    With PureVPN, you can also choose between more add-on features like a Secure Password Manager, File Encryption, and Privacy Manager.

    Winner
    PIA offers more value for money with its broad range of features and capabilities.

    Best VPN by Category

    Best VPN Overall

    PIA is better overall thanks to its massive global server network, reliable customer support, and more advanced security features. Its privacy policy has also proven to be flawless, and RAM-only servers ensure that even if a server is compromised, your data won’t be available.

    Best VPN for Torrents

    PIA is best for torrenting because it has reliable speeds, malware protection, and supports P2P across its entire network. However, both VPNs offer essentials, like encryption, a kill switch, and DNS/IP leak protection to safeguard your data while torrenting.

    Best VPN for Windows

    PIA is my top choice for Windows due to its wide range of security features that keep your Windows devices secure. It also offers a lot more servers, giving you a broader range of capabilities on your desktop. Both VPNs are easy to install on Windows devices.

    Best VPN for Android

    PIA wins by a small margin since it offers a few extra features and more servers. Both offer public Wi-Fi protection, and a kill switch. PIA has a nifty geo-spoofing feature for Android to keep your device’s location consistent with that of your VPN connection when you visit apps and sites.

    Best VPN for Mac

    PIA is the better option for macOS has a larger server network, and provides far more security features. This includes MACE to block ads, trackers, and malware. PureVPN isn’t a bad option for Mac users since it’s equipped with the security essentials and also offers obfuscation for added privacy.

    Best VPN for iOS

    Private Internet Access wins this category since it offers more in terms of server selection and security features. PIA’s Safari Content Blocker is super useful for preventing ads, malware, and trackers while you browse. That said, both VPNs offer WireGuard and a kill switch on their iOS apps.

    Best VPN for USA

    PIA is more reliable for streaming American content from the country since it has servers in all US states. You’ll be able to easily locate a fast server near your US location to enjoy the country’s regional content, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Max.

    The Bottom Line

    Private Internet Access and PureVPN are both pretty decent services, but PIA wins this comparison. It has a ton of servers worldwide, highly responsive customer support, and additional security and privacy features. Plus, it offers better value for money.

    While PureVPN isn’t a bad contender overall, PIA’s all-around performance and deep commitment to data privacy make it the better choice. If you want to check it out for yourself, you can try out PIA for free with its 30-day money-back guarantee.

    FAQ

    Is Private Internet Access better than PureVPN?

    Yes, PIA outperformed PureVPN in almost all of my tests. While both offer great speeds and are good options for streaming, PIA has more advanced security features, like a powerful ad and malware blocker and multi-hop servers.

    Is Private Internet Access faster than PureVPN?

    PureVPN was just a tiny bit faster than PIA during my tests. While both offer excellent speeds, especially on nearby servers, PureVPN is a bit speedier when it comes to long-distance servers. This is beneficial since it doesn’t offer nearly as many servers as PIA. That way, if you can’t find a server near your location, you won’t have to worry too much about speed loss.

    Do Private Internet Access or PureVPN offer any deals?

    Both Private Internet Access and PureVPN often run great deals and discounts. I'd recommend you check out our VPN discounts page for the latest offers. PIA is currently offering 82% off on its long-term plans.

    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

    Doris is a tech writer and a cybersecurity researcher for vpnMentor. She is enthusiastic about educating people about their rights to online freedom and provides actionable ways to protect their data.