Private Internet Access vs. NordVPN 2026: Can PIA's Unique Feature Outshine NordVPN?

NordVPN is the better VPN in our experience. But we also find Private Internet Access (PIA) to be suitable for many people because it has some of the lowest subscription rates on the market, with plans starting at a mere $1.75/mo. It also offers unlimited device connections, so you can encrypt all the devices in your home. 

NordVPN plans start at $3.09/mo, offering a vast server network, iron-clad security, and one of the best-performing VPNs we've tested. 

Let's dive into the details of what you can get with PIA and NordVPN and how they compare on security features, prices, speeds, and ease of use.

Private Internet Access vs. NordVPN at a glance

• Private Internet Access: Best for affordable privacy
• NordVPN: Best for security 

		Our Pick
Price	Starts at $1.75/mo	Starts at $3.09/mo
Max # of connected devices	Unlimited	10
24/7 customer support
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Edge, Firefox
# of servers	Unlisted in 90 countries	9,300+ servers in 130+ countries
VPN protocol	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IPsec	OpenVPN, NordLynx (WireGuard), NordWhisper
No-logs policy	No logs	No logs
Unblocks Netflix?
	Get Private Internet Access Read Private Internet Access Review	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review

Private Internet Access pros and cons

Private Internet Access is a budget-friendly VPN provider that packs a punch. PIA offers unlimited simultaneous connections, while NordVPN only offers up to 10. Its starting price is $1.75/mo for a two-year plan, usually with some extra months thrown in. 

Despite the lower price, Private Internet Access still offers essential VPN features. These include two types of kill switches, split tunneling, and a variety of VPN protocols. It also offers some bonus features, like an ad blocker and add-ons like antivirus and a dedicated IP.

NordVPN pros and cons

NordVPN is the golden standard for VPNs. Its headquarters are in Panama, which has no data retention laws, and it makes an effort to get its no-logs policy audited consistently. Its server network is spread across 130+ countries, which is toward the top of the VPNs we've reviewed.

NordVPN has a higher cost than Private Internet Access, but it offers lots of extra features to justify it. For one, it offers the NordLynx protocol. NordLynx is built around the WireGuard protocol but has improvements for security and speed. It also offers bonus cybersecurity tools like an ad blocker, dark web monitoring, and Meshnet.

Private Internet Access vs. NordVPN: cost

		Our Pick
Price range	$1.75–$11.95/mo	$3.09–$25.29/mo
Best value plan	2-year plan for $1.75/mo	2-year Basic plan for $3.09/mo
Money-back guarantee	Yes — 30 days	Yes — 30 days
	Get Private Internet Access Read Private Internet Access Review	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review

At first glance, Private Internet Access offers the lowest monthly costs. Part of the reason PIA is so affordable is its long-term subscription plan. The longest subscription plan for most VPN providers is two years, but PIA offers a three-year plan for $1.75/mo.

While NordVPN is more expensive, it does come with extra perks. Even the Basic NordVPN plan comes with malware protection (PIA users must purchase it as an add-on). NordVPN also has additional security features that PIA doesn't offer with its VPN plan, including a password manager and cloud storage.

PIA vs. NordVPN: payment options

Of course, a VPN provider needs to accept your preferred method of payment. But payment options can also provide another layer of privacy. Cryptocurrencies can mask your identity and make it more difficult to trace you since they don't need a name or other personal information to use.

Here's a quick overview of what payment options each VPN accepts.

Private Internet Access payment options

• Credit card
• PayPal
• Amazon Pay
• Cryptocurrencies

NordVPN payment options

• Credit or debit cards
• PayPal
• Google Pay
• Cryptocurrencies

Which VPN is faster?

At the top of your VPN wish list is that it doesn't have a huge impact on your internet speeds. After all, what good is a VPN if you can't use the internet because it's so slow?

We tested each VPN using a MacBook and Safari browser in the U.S. We connected to various servers across the globe and ran a speed test.

Server location		Our Pick
Average speed change	39% slower slower	1% slower slower
	Get Private Internet Access Read Private Internet Access Review	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review

During historic testing, NordVPN increased the number of its servers in every single location. It almost doubled our speeds with a U.S. server and still increased our speeds with an Australian server by about 12%.

On the other hand, Private Internet Access had some standard effects on our internet speeds. It slowed our connection by less than 10% with the U.S. and Canadian servers. But once we started connecting to servers overseas, it dropped our internet speeds by about 50%.  

Because VPNs reroute your internet traffic through a remote server, they can negatively impact your internet speed. Factors that can impact your speed include distance to the server, server load, VPN protocol, and more. 

Therefore, Private Internet Access's results are more expected, while NordVPN's were a pleasant surprise.

Which VPN is more secure?

Feature		Our Pick
Number of servers	Unlisted in 90 countries	9,300+ servers in 130+ countries
No-logs policy	No logs	No logs
VPN headquarters	United States	Panama
Encryption	AES-128 or AES-256	AES-256-GCM
VPN protocol	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IPsec	OpenVPN, NordLynx (WireGuard), NordWhisper
Kill switch
Split tunneling
DNS leak protection
Ad blocker
	Get Private Internet Access Read Private Internet Access Review	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review

We noticed several noteworthy features while reviewing NordVPN and PIA. First, both VPNs have a no-logs policy that has been independently audited and verified.

One difference is the number of servers available for each provider. NordVPN has over 9,300+ servers in 130+ countries, so you'll easily find several servers in your chosen location. It's also added server locations in all 50 U.S. states, so it'matched with PIA in that regard.

PIA doesn't openly share the number of servers available, but it does share that it has servers in 90 countries and all 50 states. If you want access to a specific state that NordVPN doesn't have, PIA might have it.

Both VPNs offer an ad blocker that can also tackle trackers and malicious sites. NordVPN offers Threat Protection, while PIA offers MACE.

NordVPN has a few extra features compared to PIA. Available to all NordVPN users, the Meshnet feature can connect devices so you can share files, access devices remotely, or create a private network for gaming. And if you're willing to upgrade your plan, you can also access features like a password manager, dark web monitoring, file encryption, and cloud storage. 

It's also important to take note of each VPN headquarters. PIA is headquartered in the United States, which is part of the Five Eyes alliance. These groups conduct global surveillance and monitor your online activity. NordVPN is headquartered in Panama, which has no data retention laws.

Private Internet Access vs. NordVPN: compatibility and customer support

Windows
macOS
Android
iOS
Linux
Routers
Smart devices
Browser extensions	Yes — Chrome, Firefox, Opera	Yes — Chrome, Firefox, Edge
24/7 live chat
Customer support	Live chat, email, online guides, forums	Live chat, email, online guides
	Get Private Internet Access Read Private Internet Access Review	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review

Both PIA and NordVPN are compatible with multiple operating systems, browsers, and even routers. It was easy to find and connect to servers, as both Android apps have intuitive interfaces. We also didn’t experience any issues connecting to different servers, and the features we tested appeared to function well.

PIA and NordVPN also offer similar customer support options. You can contact either VPN service via a 24/7 live chat or email. Both have online guides, which may provide sufficient help without requiring contact with customer support. 

We tested the live chat options to assess their performance. Both providers had friendly representatives willing to help us with our questions.

Private Internet Access vs. NordVPN alternatives

We've tested 50+ VPNs and like NordVPN the best for its price, performance, and perks. But we'd also recommend Surfshark as the best value VPN and Proton VPN for ultimate privacy. Here's how NordVPN compares:

Private Internet Access vs. NordVPN: FAQs

Is Private Internet Access or NordVPN better?

NordVPN is the better VPN provider, though plenty of users would do fine with PIA based on its budget pricing and U.S. server network. However, NordVPN offers the best long-term value with its advanced security protocols, reliable speeds, and transparent server network across the globe.