How Good Is PIA VPN?

Personal Web Entry has been a long-time participant within the VPN house. It has an enormous server fleet that spans throughout 91 international locations and gives quick speeds by its customizable software. Supported platforms embrace Home windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Good TVs, and routers.

Whereas its operation within the surveillance-heavy United States might sway some customers, PIA’s steadiness of safety, velocity, and value make it a powerful VPN resolution this 12 months.

Personal Web Entry VPN pricing

All three subscriptions for PIA include the identical set of options, so that you gained’t have to fret about lacking any key options for those who select one plan over the opposite.

PIA VPN’s one-year subscription is one of the best worth at $3.33 monthly and could be very reasonably priced in comparison with different one-year plans provided by competing VPNs. For instance, ExpressVPN’s annual subscription prices $6.25 monthly, whereas NordVPN’s Starter one-year plan prices $4.59. After all, these VPNs carry their very own standout options to justify the worth, however at face worth, PIA VPN’s one-year plan is a cut price.

The three-year plan can also be very reasonably priced at $1.98 monthly, however the $2-dollar spend might not be price it for those who don’t need the three-year-long time funding. Lastly, PIA VPN’s one-month plan falls alongside the identical worth vary as different VPNs and doesn’t present the identical cost-savings as two former subscriptions.

Like most trendy VPNs, PIA gives a 30-day money-back assure for the three plans. Whereas I want that PIA had a full-fledged free model (which might be nice for first-time VPN customers), it gives a seven-day trial by its cellular software (iOS and Android).

In my testing, I discovered that I may use the identical account I obtained by the seven-day cellular free trial after which log right into a desktop model of PIA utilizing the identical credentials. Having a devoted desktop free trial is most popular, however the workaround for the free trial was painless and straightforward to arrange.

My suggestion could be to completely make the most of the seven-day cellular free trial and apply it to your desktop or gadget of alternative. This manner, you get some hands-on time with the service with out spending on an preliminary cost.

Is Personal Web Entry VPN secure?

PIA VPN has two of a very powerful safety protocols at this time: OpenVPN and WireGuard. This offers customers steadiness of safety (with OpenVPN) and velocity (with WireGuard). It additionally makes use of 256-bit AES encryption, has a dependable kill swap, and protects in opposition to DNS leaks.

With PIA VPN’s firm background, there are drawbacks. First, PIA operates in america, which generally is a crimson flag for customers who’re cautious of the nation’s surveillance practices. Subsequent is PIA VPN’s possession. Like CyberGhost VPN, it’s owned by Kape Applied sciences, which acquired PIA in 2019.

Kape (previously Crossrider) had been related to distributing malware and adware earlier than it rebranded and began shifting into the cybersecurity {industry}. PIA itself addressed the acquisition and emphasised that the VPN service operates as a separate entity unbiased of Kape.

When it comes to addressing safety issues, PIA VPN does have a no-logs coverage, which states that it doesn’t maintain data of person IP addresses, looking historical past, session timestamps and the like.

In 2022, this no-logs coverage was independently confirmed and verified by Deloitte. Fortuitously, PIA VPN has continued its dedication to unbiased testing because it lately accomplished a second audit again in April 2024. This audit was additionally performed by Deloitte and appeared into PIA VPN’s safety infrastructure, which incorporates its server community and community and incident administration methods.

For my part, third-party audits are important when selecting a VPN. Whereas suppliers can promise to maintain your knowledge safe, the one actual approach to verify safety claims is thru issues like third-party audits. On this respect, I commend PIA VPN for not shying away from unbiased assessments and persevering with to have their service audited. unskippable

As well as, PIA VPN makes use of RAM-only servers, which implies any potential traces of person knowledge are mechanically erased upon reboot. PIA VPN can also be an open-source service, offering public entry to its supply code and permitting privateness lovers to identify vulnerabilities within the code themselves.

Lastly, the corporate has a public Transparency Report that outlines court docket orders and requests for logs. It reiterates that as a result of the service doesn’t log any info, it doesn’t hand over any knowledge to regulation enforcement.

For my part, whereas PIA’s possession and US operations are legitimate issues, the service has finished sufficient to indicate that it’s a secure and viable VPN service in 2024.

Key options of Personal Web Entry VPN

PIA VPN comes with each industry-standard and distinctive VPN options for potential VPN patrons. Let’s check out a few of PIA’s spotlight options.

Spectacular server fleet

PIA VPN gives servers unfold out throughout 91 international locations, giving customers a broad vary of places to select from. As well as, whereas PIA doesn’t promote the precise server depend it has, it reportedly has round 10,000 to nearly 35,000 servers.

These are very spectacular numbers, particularly since high VPN opponents solely have round 3,000-5,000 servers. The excessive server depend will profit customers who plan on unblocking geo-restricted content material or need a high quality server close to their location for sooner speeds.

PIA additionally lately introduced that it now has 50 servers in all 50 U.S. states.

In the event you’re a US citizen, this can be a helpful value-add permitting you to look at blocked sports activities or information packages or entry geo-restricted accounts and companies solely obtainable in particular states.

Customizable VPN expertise

PIA permits customers to customise their VPN expertise in a number of methods. A method is thru its automation function, which lets you set automated actions for the VPN each time it connects to a given community.

For instance, you may set PIA to activate the VPN in case your machine connects to an Open or unsecured community or have it turned off for those who join by way of an ethernet cable.

PIA VPN additionally allows customers to bookmark or pin sure components of the applying to look on high.

This can be a easy and handy usability function that enables for larger customization, particularly if customers need to maintain observe of sure options or stats over others.

Limitless gadget connections

PIA now permits a limiteless variety of simultaneous gadget connections with one subscription. The service previously had a 10-device restrict, and whereas that was within the higher vary of allowed gadget connections, the improve to having limitless connections is welcome nonetheless.

That is an underrated function, particularly for VPN customers who’ve a number of units for work or private use.

SEE: SMB Safety Pack (TechRepublic Premium)

Efficiency: Is Personal Web Entry VPN quick?

All through my PIA testing, I obtained fairly quick speeds. I used the VPN to look at 4K and 1080p YouTube movies, attend on-line video conferences and do work on Google Workspace apps (Drive, Docs and Maintain) — with no noticeable lag or real-world slowdown.

It additionally didn’t fail when it comes to DNS leak safety. I ran PIA VPN by a public DNS leak device a number of instances and didn’t document any leaks after a spherical of checks with totally different servers.

When it got here to hurry checks, PIA VPN gave stable outcomes. For downloads, PIA VPN recorded 39.31% slower speeds than my web service supplier. For uploads, it had a 26.9% lower in velocity in opposition to my ISP. Whereas not the quickest I’ve examined, I take into account any lower of velocity inside the 20-40% vary to be good — particularly since slower speeds are anticipated when utilizing a VPN.

On this case, I give props to PIA VPN for offering first rate speeds for each uploads and downloads, as some VPNs often present a lot slower efficiency for uploads.

When it comes to server switching, PIA was fast. It had no bother establishing new connections or switching to new VPN places rapidly. This was true at the same time as I related to places that have been farther away.

Sadly, I did expertise one bug that retains PIA’s efficiency from being excellent. The primary time I converted to the WireGuard protocol, PIA couldn’t connect with a server. This occurred even when I switched to servers that have been nearer my location — a stark distinction to the app’s efficiency whereas on OpenVPN. Nevertheless, after restarting the applying twice, the bug appeared to resolve itself and I used to be in a position to join.

Per my analysis, there are a number of customers who’ve skilled an identical challenge, however it does appear to be a bug that’s been mounted and is now simply resolvable.

Personal Web Entry VPN servers and places

Whereas PIA VPN at the moment doesn’t present a precise variety of its server sorts, it has previously declared round 10,000 to 35,000 servers. These servers are unfold out throughout 91 international locations. This quantity makes it one of many largest server suites obtainable at this time.

Location-wise, PIA has servers within the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Center East, Africa and Central Asia. Of word, PIA has no less than one server in all 50 U.S. states — a plus for those who’re a U.S. citizen trying to make the most of servers in several U.S. states.

Sadly, PIA VPN doesn’t supply specialised servers for streaming or torrenting. It does have what it calls PIA NextGen servers. These are colocated servers which can be wholly owned and managed by PIA and run on higher, sooner, and safer {hardware}.

General, it’s arduous to argue in opposition to a server suite that reaches the tens and hundreds, and the 50 servers for 50 U.S. states are additionally useful. However I do want that PIA had extra specialised server sorts for safety, streaming, or torrenting to refine its server community much more.

Personal Web Entry VPN ease of use

Relating to its desktop interface, there are execs and cons to PIA VPN. On the constructive facet, I actually recognize how PIA VPN provides the person management over what they need to seem on their important dashboard.

Its bookmarking function permits customers to put their most popular options, settings, or VPN stats on the high of the applying. Except for bookmarking, PIA VPN additionally helps you to rearrange these sections to your most popular order.

On the flip facet, I did discover PIA VPN’s app to be a bit clunky when it comes to person expertise. Particularly, I observed some lag and choppiness each time I navigated by its menus, browsed the server listing,  or switched to a brand new VPN server.

To be clear, it’s nonetheless very usable, and every little thing works as marketed. Nevertheless, I do assume it makes the entire app expertise really feel much less polished in comparison with different high VPNs like NordVPN or ExpressVPN — whose functions are barely a step above in the case of UX, in my private opinion.

PIA VPN execs

• Spectacular 10,000-35,000 server suite.
• Very customizable VPN expertise.
• Servers for all 50 U.S. states.
• Dependable kill swap.
• Quick add and obtain speeds.
• 7-day trial by way of cellular variations.
• Open-source.

PIA VPN cons

• US-based, owned by controversial Kape Applied sciences.
• No free model.
• No specialised servers.
• WireGuard protocol could also be buggy.
• Desktop app feels a bit clunky.

How good is PIA VPN?

Personal Web Entry VPN is a stable VPN alternative in 2024. It has an enormous server fleet, a customizable VPN app, and the flexibility to make limitless gadget connections. Its 50 servers for 50 U.S. states additionally make it a first-rate alternative for People in search of servers particular to america.

Whereas its U.S. operations and mum or dad firm might trigger some concern, PIA VPN will get sufficient issues proper to make it a really viable VPN possibility at this time.

Personal Web Entry VPN alternate options

Whereas PIA VPN is a top quality VPN service, it might not have the correct set of options on your wants. I’ve listed comparable alternate options under that will go well with what you’re in search of higher.

Mullvad VPN

For privateness lovers, Mullvad VPN is a best choice. It implements an nameless account numbering system that lets prospects buy subscriptions with zero private info handed over. It additionally has an independently audited no-logs coverage, guaranteeing that no person knowledge is liable to being leaked to malicious actors.

To be taught extra, learn our full Mullvad VPN evaluate.

NordVPN

NordVPN is without doubt one of the most well-regarded VPNs within the house. It gives constant and quick speeds, a strong server fleet, and quite a few third-party audits. It additionally options specialised safety features comparable to built-in malware safety and an encrypted file-sharing system, making it an all-around safety platform.

To be taught extra, take a look at our full NordVPN evaluate.

Surfshark

Surfshark is one other standard VPN possibility in 2024. It has an easy-to-use interface fitted to learners, sturdy encryption, and 24/7 buyer help. It additionally has repute for unblocking streaming content material.

To be taught extra, take a look at our full Surfshark VPN evaluate.

How we evaluated Personal Web Entry VPN

My evaluate of PIA VPN concerned an in depth evaluation of its spotlight options, price, and real-world efficiency. I additionally had hands-on time with PIA by their Home windows software.

For add and obtain speeds, I examined PIA VPN utilizing Ookla’s public Speedtest. In the meantime, I ran PIA VPN by DNSLeakTest a number of instances to check for DNS leaks.

Lastly, I scored PIA VPN on every little thing from its protocols to its worth based mostly on an inside algorithm to get a ranking of 4.5 out of 5 stars. This ranking checked out PIA VPN each by itself and with different VPN companies obtainable at this time.