Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
Private Internet Access ( PIA ) offers a racy feature typeset that makes it one of the more telling VPNs out there . That does come at the cost of download speeds , but there are few better VPNs for seclusion - witting users .
Best Prices Today: Private Internet Access
While we do love a decent , gentle - to - use VPN ( and there are enough out there ) , individual cyberspace Access ( often referred to as PIA ) feels gear towards more savvy users .
That ’s not to say you ca n’t connect to a server within a click or two , and the Mac app can be just as simple as many of its contemporaries , but it offers a whole host of “ mightiness user ” cock that set it apart – particularly at this toll .
While many VPNs offer more features on Windows , the PIA Mac app offer pretty much everything its Microsoft counterpart can do , include custom DNS , connection rules , tear tunneling , and much more .
Private Internet Access even offers two Kill Switch options.
That all comes at a cost that ’s depleted than many rivals , and the open - origin nature of the PIA apps signify they can be taken apart by just about anyone in the hunt for germ or other invasions of a user ’s privacy , and the “ no log insurance ” is just as full-bodied as others , too .
Find out how PIA compare to other VPNs in our rhythm - ups of theBest VPNs for Mac , Best VPNs for iPadandBest VPNs for iPhone .
Features & Apps
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As is to be expect of a VPN in 2024 , Private Internet Access can be used on somewhat much any machine you could need it on .
Once it ’s running , you may click to drop straight into one of the servers available in 91 countries ( the company boosted its web last year ) . In my testing , the “ auto ” circumstance did a good job of pick servers that balanced speed and privacy , stir my positioning to somewhere else in the U.K. , for model .
Private Internet Access even offers two Kill Switch options.
Naturally , you’re able to manually select a server with a yoke of clicks , and the app has its own Chrome extension , too .
The main windowpane volunteer batch of information , too . Rather than just showing a server , you ’ll see a performance graph , download and upload speeds , and a legion of quick preferences that can well be toggle on and off , admit Light Mode , Port Forwarding , and LAN link .
While you could use PIA for getting around geoblocked substance on your streaming serving of selection , it ’s more privacy - focus in many ways .
Multi-Hop might get you around even the most stubborn Geo blocks.
The Advanced Kill Switch will block all traffic outside the VPN , even when it ’s off , lock down your equipment unless you ’re connected to a PIA waiter , but the basic Kill Switch is also available . you could use split tunneling to send some traffic via the VPN and some around it , too .
Port forwarding is easy to use , and an automation rule frame-up have you make your own automation for telegraph , protect , and open Wi - Fi connections . That means PIA can instantly spring into action once you link up in Starbucks , or entrust you to your own devices when you ’re somewhere you trust .
Multi - Hop will let you reroute dealings through multiple VPN servers , but this also has the benefit of potentially hiding the fact you ’re using a VPN at all .
OpenVPN and WireGuard are supported.
Performance
In our testing so far , we ’ve found the likes of NordVPN and Surfshark to proffer better speeds than most , and sadly Private cyberspace Access wo n’t be take exception for the crown mighty now .
Its stablemate CyberGhost VPN put up more impressive speeds at the cost of some power feature film , and its the opposite here .
In our examination on a comparatively humble 60mbps connector , we saw a drop of around 8 % on Mac while using the PIA VPN . That ’s no big drop , really , and still remains relatively competitive , but upload speeds dropped well – by around 25 % .
Press the big button to connect with ease on iPhone or iPad.
It ’s not a huge drop , but it ’s certainly something to consider if you expend any time share orotund Indian file in your computing life .
Privacy & Security
apart from the aforementioned Kill Switch and Multi - Hop server obfuscation , Private Internet Access has a whole legion of customizable features .
There ’s the automation setup I mentioned earlier , which is very easy to lay out up , and a whole host of DNS options to help it fit into your existing setup .
As with CyberGhost VPN , Deloitte Audit Romania has verified the zero - logarithm insurance policy of PIA as recently as April of this year . you may see thefull results here , but the main result is that after the auditor respect the host and incident direction arrangement , PIA guide with flying colors .
Private Internet Access has some servers specifically geared for streaming.
That entail PIA wo n’t report on what you ’re doing , and data point ca n’t be used to place a user , either .
For our recommendations of Mac Antivirus Software that we have tested see : Best Antivirus for Mac 2024 : Top Security Software Compared .
Pricing and plans
turn over it commence at just $ 2.19/£1.69 a calendar month for all of the feature of speech I ’ve mentioned ( there are no subscription tier up here to fuddle things ) , secret Internet Access is a compelling option .
Still , we ’re always wary of locking into too farseeing a plan , with VPN legislation shift with the wind . On the other hand , that ’s air pocket change for many , and since it comes with no gadget limit , you could run it on just about everything you own for around $ 2/£2 .
Other plans include $ 7.50/£5.39 per month on a six - calendar month deal , while you’re able to pay month - to - month for $ 12.95/£10.99 . There ’s a 30 - twenty-four hours money - back guarantee , too , for peace of mind .
Should you buy Private Internet Access (PIA)
discrepant accelerate aside , Private Internet Access is a fantastic VPN for all budgets that has a wealth of features for privateness - slope users . It volunteer a robust feature rig that make it one of the more impressive VPNs out there . That does get along at the cost of download speeds , but there are few sound VPNs for privateness - witting user .
