Private Internet Access VPN Review: A Highly Customizable, Open-Source VPN

Private Internet Access VPN Review: A Highly Customizable, Open-Source VPN | PCMag

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4.0 Excellent this.$refs.template.innerHTML, onCreate: (instance) => this.tippyInstance = instance, onShow: (instance) => { this.escapeHandler = (e) => { if (e.key === 'Escape') instance.hide(); }; window.addEventListener('keydown', this.escapeHandler); }, onHide: (instance) => { if (this.escapeHandler) { window.removeEventListener('keydown', this.escapeHandler); this.escapeHandler = null; } }, onMount: (instance) => { const closeBtn = instance.popper.querySelector('[data-tooltip-close]'); if (closeBtn) closeBtn.addEventListener('click', () => instance.hide()); }, }; }, }">   What Our Ratings Mean 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies. The Bottom Line Private Internet Access is a robust VPN service with advanced features, a global network, a commitment to transparency, and unlimited device connections. Per Month, Starts at $11.95 82% Off 2-Year Plan + 2 Months Free See It PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing.

Pros & Cons Unlimited simultaneous connections Proxy-based multi-hop Advanced split tunneling Expansive server network Multiple third-party audits Open-source infrastructure Expensive No free version Private Internet Access VPN Specs Name Value tr:nth-of-type(n+6)]:hidden" :class="{ '[&>tr:nth-of-type(n+6)]:!table-row': open }"> Free Version 500+ Servers Simultaneous VPN Connections Unlimited Server Locations 90 Countries Blocks Ads Geographically Diverse Servers Free Version Data Limit No Free Version Supported Protocols on macOS WireGuard, OpenVPN More Specs

Private Internet Access (PIA) is one of the oldest VPNs, launched in 2010. It’s long been a strong service with transparency at the core of its mission. Every aspect of the VPN is open source and available for in-depth review on the company’s GitHub page. PIA offers more customization options than any competitor, along with an expansive server network and unlimited device connections. It’s expensive and doesn't offer a free plan like our Editor’s Choice winner, Proton VPN, but it’s still an excellent VPN that goes to great lengths to protect your privacy.How Much Does Private Internet Access VPN Cost?PIA starts at $11.95 per month, which is above the $10.34 average price among the VPNs I've reviewed. It’s cheaper than premium security suites, but it's more expensive than the best affordable VPNs. That price plummets to $3.33 per month if you sign up for a year, and it drops again to $1.59 per month for its three-year plan, which will renew at $79 every three years. I like that PIA is transparent about its renewal rates and doesn’t use any misleading language; it’s clear how much you’re going to pay right from the start. But keep in mind that long-term VPN subscriptions are less flexible and come with some significant caveats. I recommend sticking to a monthly subscription until you’re certain a VPN is the