IPVanish vs. Private Internet Access 2025: Which Is More Reliable and Cost-Effective?

Private Internet Access (PIA) is the superior VPN when compared to IPVanish, but it's a close race. Both provide excellent value and unlimited connections, but PIA's security features work better in our tests than IPVanish, ultimately giving it the win. Still, IPVanish is not a bad choice either.

It's more important than ever to safeguard your online privacy and security. As there are numerous virtual private network (VPN) services available, it can be daunting to choose the right one. That's why we pit the best VPNs against each other to find the best of the pack.

In this article, we will compare the costs, features, performance, and more between IPVanish and Private Internet Access, two popular VPN providers, so that you can make an informed decision about which to purchase.

IPVanish vs. Private Internet Access at a glance

Both IPVanish and Private Internet Access offer specific benefits that can cater to different user needs. The former is best suited for those seeking a VPN that offers high-speed performance, robust customer support, and good streaming. In contrast, PIA has an extensive server network and it is suitable for users who care most about ultimate anonymity, providing an affordable service without compromising any security features.

• IPVanish: Best for users seeking high-speed performance
• Private Internet Access: Best for security features

How do IPVanish and Private Internet Access compare?

		Our Pick
Star rating	4.6 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	4.7 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Price range	$2.19–$14.99/mo	$2.19–$11.99/mo
Max # of connected devices	Unlimited	Unlimited
24/7 customer support
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and more	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and more
# of servers	3,200+ servers in 110+ countries	Unlisted in 91 countries and 50 U.S. states
VPN protocol	WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN, IPsec	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IPsec
No-logs policy	No logs	No logs
Unblocks Netflix?
	Get IPVanish Read IPVanish review	Get PIA Read PIA review

IPVanish pros and cons

IPVanish is a strong option for a VPN, letting you have unlimited simultaneous connections for an affordable price point. It has a good amount of servers at your disposal, plus gives you access to some top-notch security features, like split tunneling and even an ad blocker. Not only does IPVanish have a no-logs policy, it has also been independently verified, which helps support their image as a company that cares about your privacy.

Unfortunately, the included kill switch consistently does not stand up to our in-house testing, making it extremely likely your real IP will leak when switching servers or in the event that the server goes down while you're connected. The company is also headquartered in the United States, which makes it susceptible to Five Eyes Alliance rules as well.

PIA pros and cons

PIA offers a similar amount of features as IPVanish for a comparable price, with the biggest difference being that its kill switch has stood up to our in-house testing. You'll get a decent amount of server locations, a court-tested no logs policy, and the shiny security features, like split tunneling, multihop, and more. As a bonus, you can even check to see if your email has been part of a data breach, thanks to Identity Guard.

The main downside is PIA, like IPVanish, is also headquartered in the U.S., giving it less robust data privacy laws than other options (like NordVPN).

Which VPN is the better value?

While both IPVanish and PIA are very affordable VPN options, PIA pulls out ahead and offers the slightly better value.

		Our Pick
Price range	$2.19–$14.99/mo	$2.19–$11.99/mo
Best value plan	24 months for $2.19/mo	26 months for $2.19/mo
Money-back guarantee	Yes — 30-day risk-free	Yes — 30-day risk-free
	Get IPVanish Read IPVanish review	Get PIA Read PIA review

IPVanish offers two tiers — Essential and Advanced — which you can buy monthly, yearly, or biannually. The Essential plan just comes with the VPN and ranges between $2.19/mo and $12.99/mo, depending on what time range you opt for. The Advanced plan gives you up to 2 TB of cloud backup and phone support, bringing the price up slightly to between $3.29/mo and $14.99/mo a month. While it's nice to see options, we're used to seeing a lot more extras included when going for the upper plan, but it could be worth it if you were considering getting extra cloud storage anyway.

PIA only comes with on tier, which you can buy in one month, six months, or 26 month plans. These range from $2.19/mo to $11.99/mo, depending which time period you choose.

Both products offer the industry-standard 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you some peace of mind if the product doesn't work for you after using it for a bit.

Payment options

Both IPVanish and Private Internet Access offer a variety of payment options for users to choose from, including traditional credit card payments, PayPal, and various cryptocurrencies. For users seeking additional privacy and anonymity, using cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin can provide an extra layer of security, as these transactions do not require the disclosure of personal information.

IPVanish payment options

• Credit cards
• PayPal
• Google Pay
• Amazon Pay

PIA payment options

• Credit cards
• PayPal
• Cryptocurrency (bitcoin, ether, litecoin, etc.)
• Amazon Pay
• Paygarden (supported U.S. gift cards)

Which VPN is faster?

When comparing IPVanish and PIA speeds, our tests found that IPVanish was more consistently able to deliver better speeds, though sometimes the results were very close.

Server location	Our Pick
Average speed difference	23% slower	58% slower
	Get IPVanish Read IPVanish review	Get PIA Read PIA review

The influence of a VPN on internet speeds is an important part of its performance, so we tested IPVanish and Private Internet Access’s internet speeds.

We began the speed testing by measuring download, upload, and download latency (ping) without a VPN connection. Then, we used IPVanish and Private Internet Access to connect to VPN servers in the following locations:

• U.S. (to evaluate if the VPN creates a delay even while connecting to a nearby server)
• U.K. or Europe
• Canada
• Australia

In our speed test results, both IPVanish and Private Internet Access demonstrated varying download speed, upload speed, and latency results depending on the server location. IPVanish provided consistently better speeds over each round of testing.

Which VPN is more secure?

Both VPNs offer the basic security features, but PIA takes things a step further thanks to its stronger offerings and open-source backing.

		Our Pick
Number of servers	3,200+ servers in 110+ countries	Unlisted in 91 countries
No-logs policy	No logs	No logs
VPN headquarters	United States	United States
Encryption	AES-256	AES-256
VPN protocol	WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN, IPsec	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IPsec
Kill switch	Yes, but consistently fails our tests
Split tunneling
DNS leak protection
Ad blocking
	Get IPVanish Read IPVanish review	Get PIA Read PIA review

IPVanish and Private Internet Access share several features, such as a no-logs policy, AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, split tunneling, Netflix, and torrenting support. Both VPNs are headquartered in the United States, which may raise some privacy concerns due to the country's data retention policies. That said, both VPNs have passed a public third-party audit for its no-logs policy, so that may help you feel more secure.

While both VPNs offer multiple VPN protocols, IPVanish supports WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN, and IPsec, whereas PIA only utilizes WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IPsec (on iOS).

Private Internet Access offers a built-in ad and tracker blocker called PIA MACE. IPVanish also offers an ad and tracker blocker called Threat Protection. This feature enhances your online privacy and security by preventing unwanted ads and trackers from collecting your data.

The main difference between the two when it comes to security is the capability of their kill switch. Unfortunately, IPVanish has consistently failed our kill switch tests, leaving your IP address unmasked when switching servers. If keeping your real location hidden is your main concern, then PIA will provide better protection here.

Another plus for PIA is that it offers data breach monitoring, while IPVanish doesn’t. This feature allows you to check if your email addresses have been part of a data breach, which is a handy security feature.

Which VPN has the better compatibility and customer service?

Both VPNs offer convenient customer service with a variety of options, but PIA takes this round thanks to its better compatibility (including browser extensions) and more user-friendly interface.

		Our Pick
Windows
macOS
Android
iOS
Linux
Router
Smart devices
Browser extensions		Yes — Chrome, Firefox, Opera
24/7 customer support
Customer support options	Live chat, phone, email, online guides	Live chat, email, forums, online guides
	Get IPVanish Read IPVanish review	Get PIA Read PIA review

Compatibility

As far as compatibility, both IPVanish and Private Internet Access provide support for the same operating systems, mobile apps, and even routers and smart devices.

However, PIA has the edge with its browser extension compatibility, which IPVanish does not offer.

Ease of use

When it comes to user interfaces, both IPVanish and Private Internet Access offer intuitive and user-friendly designs. Each VPN has taken care to ensure that its applications are easy to navigate, making it simple for users to connect to servers, adjust settings, and access other features.

That being said, some users might find minor differences in layout and design preferences between the two VPNs. IPVanish features many more data points to get a better insight into how each server is performing, including a map view and easy-to-find settings, while PIA opts for a more minimalistic design with a focus on functionality. Overall, both VPNs provide a seamless experience, and users should have little trouble finding the settings they need or understanding how to use the applications.

Customer service

Both IPVanish and Private Internet Access offer comprehensive customer support options to assist their users. With 24/7 live chat, you can expect prompt assistance in resolving any issues you might encounter.

In addition, to live chat, both VPN providers offer email support and a wealth of resources, such as support forums and knowledge bases, to help users troubleshoot problems or learn more about their VPN's features. IPVanish also offers phone support, but they have this paywalled behind their higher-tier Advanced plans.

In general, users have reported positive experiences when interacting with the customer support teams of both IPVanish and Private Internet Access. The representatives are knowledgeable and responsive, ensuring that users receive the help they need in a timely manner.

Top alternatives

Curious about other options at your disposal when it comes to the best VPNs on the market? Here's how IPVanish and PIA compare against three more highly-rated VPNs:

FAQs

Is IPVanish or Private Internet Access better?

Considering the features, security, price, and server network, Private Internet Access is the better overall choice for most users. With its extensive server network, more-than-competitive pricing, and suitable strong security features, PIA is an excellent option for those looking for a reliable and cost-effective VPN service.

Still, IPVanish offers excellent features, superior speeds, and unlimited simultaneous connections, making it a great choice for performance-conscious users. However, its kill switch has consistently failed our tests and its interface can be overwhelming for new users.