Private Internet Access VPN Review

Founded in 2010, Private Internet Access VPN (PIA) is one of the oldest and most established players in the Virtual Private Network (VPN) market. VPNs offer a wide range of features for both users and businesses, from advanced encryption protocols to unlimited simultaneous connections.

Whether you’re still wondering if you need a VPN or are already looking for the best VPN services available, there’s a lot to consider when choosing one. Continue reading this Private Internet Access review to find out if its features, plans, and user experience make it the right VPN provider for you.

Best VPN for Small Businesses

There are two main reasons why PIA stands out as one of the best VPN options for small businesses. The first is its unlimited simultaneous connections policy, which allows users to connect an unlimited number of devices to a single account. The second is that PIA offers a VPN setup specifically designed for small businesses.

PIA’s “Corporate VPN” feature allows company administrators to configure the VPN service to work with an entire office network. Configuring a single VPN for the entire office helps prevent unwanted devices from accessing the network and ensures that business operations are protected from online threats.

Private internet connection VPN pros and cons

Professionals explained

Unlimited simultaneous connections and devices

While many other VPN providers only offer between five and seven simultaneous connections, PIA users can connect an unlimited number of devices to their accounts simultaneously. This is ideal for families or small businesses that want to have multiple devices connected at the same time without purchasing multiple plans.

Advanced customizable feature set

Whether it’s choosing between 128-bit and 256-bit encryption or choosing between several different encryption protocols, Private Internet Access users have a wide range of options when it comes to customizing their VPN experience. Many of these options help advanced users balance security and speed.

Long-term subscriptions at competitive prices

At just $2.03 per month for a 3-year plan, Private Internet Access is one of the most affordable VPNs for those willing to make a long-term commitment.

Disadvantages explained

Customer support is missing

Online review sites show that users feel frustrated with PIA’s customer support. They often cite slow response times and inadequate help.

Customization can be confusing for beginners

The advanced customizability of private internet access is very functional and may appeal to VPN veterans. However, those new to VPNs may find its interface less intuitive and visually appealing than that of other services.

No free version

Unlike some popular competitors, Private Internet Access does not offer a free version of its service. However, it does offer a 30-day free trial.

VPN plans for private internet access

Private Internet Access offers three plans with different subscription length options ranging from one month to three years. All plans offer the same set of features and services.

PIA’s VPN includes:

• Unlimited device connections: PIA allows users to simultaneously connect an unlimited number of devices to its service without bandwidth limitations.

• Access to its wide network of servers: PIA has a large network of VPN servers spread across 84 countries. It is also one of the only VPN providers with servers in all 50 US states.

• P2P support: PIA customers can use its service for file sharing activities, including torrenting.

• Multi-hop: Multi-hop VPN chains allow users to connect through multiple servers for added security and privacy.

• Customizable encryption and security: Users can customize their PIA connection’s encryption and security settings. This includes choosing between 128-bit and 256-bit encryption, selecting a secure encryption protocol (IKEv2, WireGuard, and OpenVPN), and more.

• Advanced kill switch: PIA’s firewall-based kill switch helps protect your data by disconnecting your internet connection when it detects that the VPN has been disconnected.

• No-log policy: PIA has an independently audited no-logs policy which ensures that your data is never recorded or archived.

• Browser extensions: PIA’s free browser extension blocks websites from allowing advertisers to track you by IP address or access your camera and microphone.

Next, we’ll look at the company’s three subscription plans in more detail.

1-month plan

The month-to-month plan costs $11.95 per month and offers the most flexibility in subscription length, with no long-term commitments. The annual cost for the 1-month plan is $143.40, while the three-year cost would be $430.20 (assuming no price changes).

1-year plan

The 1-year plan costs $3.33 per month – significant savings over the 1-month plan – and requires an upfront payment of $39.95 for the full service year. The total cost for three years would be $119.85 (assuming no price changes).

3-year plan

The 3-year plan offers the greatest overall value and a whopping 83% savings over the 1-month plan. It costs just $2.03 per month and requires an upfront payment of $79.

Private Internet Access VPN Pricing

While the company’s monthly plan costs about the same as many of its competitors, its 3-year plan is among the most cost-effective long-term VPN solutions. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing users to try the service risk-free.

Here’s a summary of the plans’ pricing:

PIA also offers two additional services. The first is exclusive access to a dedicated IP address, and the second is an option to add PIA’s Windows antivirus program.

The following table shows the price of these additional services.

Private Internet Access VPN Financial Stability

None of the big three corporate credit rating agencies (Moody’s, Fitch and S&P) have rated private internet access. This makes it difficult to evaluate the company’s financial stability, how profitable it is or how its financial position may be in the future.

The company claims to have 15 million customers worldwide. This claim does not prove its financial stability, but a large customer base is a positive sign.

Private Internet Access VPN Availability

Availability

Private Internet Access VPN has a large server network, with servers in 84 countries and across the United States. In addition, Private Internet Access offers specialized applications for Android (with APK download for advanced users), macOS, Windows, iOS and Linux operating systems. PIA’s VPN is also compatible with consoles, Smart TVs, routers and other devices.

Contact information

PIA provides email support and has 24/7 live chat support. The company’s live ticketing system typically resolves customer inquiries within minutes.

You reach email support via the company’s contact page. For all postal correspondence, the company can be reached at:

Private Internet Access, Inc.
5555 Dtc Pkwy Ste 360
Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111

User experience

PIA offers an easy-to-use and intuitive user interface that enables fast and easy VPN connection. The company also provides a wide range of tutorials and useful information on the support section of its website, so that users can quickly find answers to their questions.

Beginners may be confused by some advanced features of the VPN’s interface. However, you do not need to use or access these tools to use the Service on a day-to-day basis.

Private Internet Access VPN customer satisfaction

For the most part, PIA has a solid reputation among customers. Most online customer reviews express satisfaction with the VPN’s reliable connections, fast customer support, and overall low prices.

On the other hand, the company is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), where it has an F rating. This rating primarily reflects inactivity on the BBB platform rather than poor performance on the part of the company. Much of the BBB rating depends on how companies respond to customer reviews and complaints filed specifically on BBB’s platform.

How we evaluated Private Internet Access VPN

To review Private Internet Access, we considered factors ranging from available features and server locations to customer reviews and availability. The following are the main criteria we considered for this review:

• security: We evaluated the security protocols offered by PIA to ensure that they adequately protect users from malicious online threats.

• Pricing: We evaluated PIA’s plans to ensure they were both affordable and competitive.

• Server coverage: We evaluated the number of servers offered by PIA to determine whether customers can access a wide range of locations.

• Ease of use: We have reviewed the usability of PIA to ensure that customers can easily configure and manage their VPN connection.

• Customer support: We evaluated the different types of customer support and their opening hours.

• Reviews: We read through customer reviews of Private Internet Access to better understand users’ experience with the service.

• Availability: We considered PIA’s compatibility with different platforms and devices to ensure users have access to a wide range of options.

Summary of Money’s Private Internet Access VPN Review

With about a decade and a half of experience, Private Internet Access has proven to be a reliable and secure VPN provider. Robust security protocols, competitive plans and extensive server coverage make PIA an excellent choice for those who want to keep their online activities secure.

The company’s unlimited concurrent connections and specialized Corporate VPN make it a particularly attractive option for small businesses that require a secure network. However, PIA’s customizable features can be overwhelming for new users, and its customer service could use some improvement.