Private Internet Access (PIA) review: honest experience and pricing (2026)
Private Internet Access (PIA) is one of the longest-running VPN services, known for its low price, unlimited devices, and extensive customization options for advanced users.
Pros
- Very low entry price, one of the cheapest well-known VPNs on the market
- 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
- Price rises significantly after the initial two-year period on renewal
Pricing
PIA starts at around $2.19/month on a two-year plan. After that initial period, the renewal price rises to roughly $4.75/month ($57/year). A monthly plan costs $11.99 and mainly makes sense 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 performs solidly in independent tests, with a large number of server locations worldwide, though it typically scores slightly below the very fastest competitors like ExpressVPN on top speed.
What users say
PIA scores around 4.3 out of 5 on Trustpilot in early 2026, based on over 11,000 reviews. Users mostly cite app stability, unlimited devices, and the no-logs policy as strengths.
Verdict
PIA is one of the best options if budget and flexibility (unlimited devices, extensive settings) are your top priorities. Travelers who care specifically about US jurisdiction might find a European or Swiss provider like Proton VPN a better match.