Private Internet Access Proxy Review 2023

Private Internet Access, which is owned by security firm Kape Technologies, is ranked ninth in our list of the top VPNs for 2023. This VPN service, which has been active for more than ten years, was acquired by Kape Technologies in 2019, a UK firm that currently owns a number of VPNs.

Prices from Private Internet Access (PIA) are reasonably priced, especially for clients who wish to commit for a period of three years. It promotes a no-logs policy and a dedication to transparency, including opening up the source code of its applications and producing transparency reports outlining demands for government data. Read on for a thorough analysis of Private Internet Access.

PRIVATE INTERNET ACCESS Solutions

• Robust Security
• Large Server Network
• User-Friendly Apps
• Kill Switch
• High Speeds
• Ad and Malware Blocking
• Multi-Platform Compatibility

Use Cases

• Privacy Protection
• Geo-Restricted Content Access
• Public Wi-Fi Security
• Gaming Performance
• Torrenting Anonymity
• Business Solutions
• Data Encryption
• Bypassing Censorship
• Identity Protection
• Secure File Sharing

Locations

Private Internet Access VPN now boasts the most servers of any VPN I’ve seen. That’s because there is a ton of choice over 30,000 VPN and proxy servers are currently accessible in 84 different countries.

Europe, South America, North America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and Oceania are among the continents where servers are located. However, a limited number of servers are virtual (PIA refers to this as being “geo-located”) because having a physical server in some countries is not practical due to legislative restrictions. For instance, Hong Kong and other nations, as well as Russian servers, are actually located in Estonia.

Although the virtual server continues to act as if you were in the chosen nation, it may be more aware of other indications that you are using a VPN server.

It is simple to choose a server to connect to. You must choose the “VPN Servers” section of the program when it is opened before connecting to one of the servers.

Pricing

Starting at $11.95, Private Internet Access provides three-month billing options. That costs almost twice as much as the $6.95 the business requested when we originally looked a few years back. Additionally, it is substantially more than the $10.03 monthly average for the VPNs we examined. It costs too much to be included in our list of inexpensive VPNs. Comparable premium VPNs provide less. With a monthly price of under €5 ($5.44 at the time of writing), Mulvad VPN is our most affordable Editors’ Choice winner.

Like the majority of VPNs, Private Internet Access VPN offers substantial discounts to encourage long-term subscriptions. The cost of a one-year service is $39.95, which is considerably less than the $66.95 average price of the VPNs we reviewed. For $79, Private Internet Access also provides a three-year package. Although renewal fees are often the same for subscriptions purchased at these rates, this is not always the case.

Amazon payments, credit cards, cryptocurrencies, and PayPal are all accepted methods of payment for Private Internet Access VPN subscriptions.

To purchase a subscription, Private Internet Access VPN accepts Amazon payments, credit cards, cryptocurrencies, and PayPal.

Dashboard

An easy-to-use interface is provided by the Private Internet Access dashboard for managing your VPN experience. You can choose from their vast global network of servers after logging in because you’ll have instant access to it. You are informed of the connection’s condition in real-time, which includes server load and ping times. You may regulate your online security and ad-free browsing by simply turning on or off the kill switch and ad-blocking capabilities.

The PIA dashboard streamlines the VPN experience, making it a smooth tool to safeguard your online privacy whether you’re a tech-savvy user or a novice.

Proxy Connection Speed

High connection speeds are a need for many VPN users, and PIA is up to the task, especially when it comes to the tried-and-true OpenVPN protocol.

No matter where we connected (including from remote areas) when we tried PIA, the typical connection time was 2.5 seconds with OpenVPN and 2 seconds with WireGuard. We think that’s quite excellent.

On computers at a US location and a UK data center, each with a 1Gbps connection, we tested PIA. We connected to the closest location using the app, and then we used many speed test websites and services (such as the SpeedTest website and command-line software, etc.) to gauge download performance. We conducted the tests using WireGuard and OpenVPN connections and we then conducted them all once more in the evening.

Top speeds with WireGuard hover around 360 Mbps. It has no effect on HD streaming and is far quicker than the majority of residential WiFi connections. With 310 Mbps, OpenVPN speeds are almost as good.

Customer Support

Private Internet Access takes great pleasure in providing outstanding customer service. Their devoted crew is available via live chat around the clock to ensure rapid assistance for any questions or problems you may run across. Additionally, PIA provides a thorough knowledge base with setup instructions, troubleshooting advice, and frequently asked questions to make it simple to find answers on your own.

Their responsive and educated support team, which guarantees that you’re never left in the dark when it comes to maximizing the benefits of your VPN subscription, demonstrates their dedication to customer happiness.

Documentation 

Private Internet Access (PIA) offers a thorough and well-organized documentation library to give consumers access to a wealth of information. To provide a simple setup process, their literature includes step-by-step installation guidelines for various systems, router configurations, and commonly asked questions.

The documentation from PIA is a helpful tool for both new and seasoned VPN users because it covers advanced functionality, security best practices, and troubleshooting advice. This knowledge base enables customers to make the most of PIA services while improving their knowledge about VPN technology.

We Like

• Great value for money
• Servers in more than 80 countries
• Unlimited devices / simultaneous connections
• Excellent kill switch
• Unblocked Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus
• Audited no-logs policy
• Plenty of features
• Open source apps

We Dislike

• Below-average WireGuard speeds
• Apps aren’t always easy to use
• No significant app updates in over a year

Our Take

It is clear why PIA is and has long been a strong competitor in the VPN market. You can choose from a ton of servers, it works on almost any device, the apps are simple to use and packed with useful features, and you won’t have any trouble getting around Netflix’s (and other streaming services from around the world) geographic restrictions.

Although PIA speeds are admittedly quite average, the service is still well worth a look given that it costs around a quarter as much as some of the top competitors.