Private Internet Access (PIA) review: honest experience and pricing (2026)

Pros

• Typically among the most competitively priced commercial VPN services on longer plans
• Unlimited devices on a single subscription, similar to Surfshark
• Extensive customization options like split tunneling and a customizable connection screen, great for advanced users

Cons

• PIA is based in the United States, a country that's part of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, which may matter to privacy-focused users. That said, PIA has shown in multiple US court cases (2016 and 2018) that it had no usable user logs to hand over when asked, which supports its no-logs policy in practice
• A higher rate typically applies once the introductory period ends, check this in advance

Pricing

PIA starts at around $2.19/month on a two-year plan. Some examples as of writing:

• Two-year plan: from roughly $2.19/month
• Renewal after the first period: typically a higher rate, check the current price beforehand
• Monthly plan: $11.99, mainly worth it within the 30-day money-back guarantee window

Installation and ease of use

PIA's apps are available on all major platforms and are praised for their ease of use, with extra automation options for users who want to dig deeper into the settings.

Speed and servers

PIA generally delivers good performance in independent tests, with a large number of server locations worldwide, though some competitors rank among the very top in independent speed tests.

Features

PIA supports WireGuard, offers MACE (DNS-level ad, tracker and malware blocking), works with open-source apps, and supports a SOCKS5 proxy. The service works with most major streaming platforms and supports torrenting/P2P, with an independently audited no-logs policy.

How does PIA compare to other providers?

PIA and Surfshark are the two best-known VPNs with unlimited devices, with PIA typically a bit cheaper but under US jurisdiction. If a VPN provider's home country matters a lot to you, it's worth looking at services based outside the US, such as Proton VPN (Switzerland).

What users say

PIA scores (as of early 2026) around 4.3 out of 5 on Trustpilot, based on over 11,000 reviews. Users mostly cite app stability, unlimited devices, and the no-logs policy as strengths.

Frequently asked questions about PIA

Is PIA safe?

Yes, PIA uses strong encryption and an independently audited no-logs policy. A US base doesn't automatically mean less privacy: PIA has shown in multiple court cases that it had no usable logs to hand over.

Does PIA slow down my internet connection?

Some speed reduction is inherent to any VPN. PIA generally delivers good performance, though some competitors rank among the very top in independent speed tests.

Does PIA work on multiple devices at once?

Yes, like Surfshark, PIA has no limit on simultaneous devices within a single subscription.

Verdict

PIA is especially appealing to users looking for an affordable VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections and extensive customization options. Check the renewal rate after the introductory period beforehand, and compare with a European provider like Proton VPN if the provider's home country matters to you.