Private Internet Access vs. NordVPN 2024: PIA Has the Essentials, and It’s Affordable

Best for Affordable Privacy

5.0

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On Private Internet Access's website

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Private Internet Access

• Has servers in 24 more countries than NordVPN
• Offers unlimited simultaneous connections
• Headquartered in the United States, a Five Eyes Country

Best for Additional Security Features

4.9

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.

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On NordVPN's website

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VPN

NordVPN

Up to 66% off 2-year plans + 3 months extra

• Headquartered in Panama, which has no data retention laws
• Has extra features like cloud storage and a password manager
• Doesn't accept crypto or PayPal

Private Internet Access (PIA) is suitable for many people because it has some of the lowest subscription rates on the market, with plans starting at a mere $2.03 per month. It has unlimited device connections and a verified no-logs policy, and it can unblock regional streaming content like Netflix.

NordVPN has several bells and whistles that may justify its higher cost. At the time of writing, plans start at under $4 per month, but it has additional features PIA doesn't include, like malware protection.

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

Private Internet Access vs. NordVPN at a glance

Private Internet Access is more affordable than NordVPN. PIA does everything you expect from a virtual private network (VPN), with its security-grade AES-256 encryption and strong VPN protocols. It also offers WebRTC leak protection and DNS leak protection.

So why pay more for Nord? Well, it has a few more security features than PIA, and many people may find the overall value worth it.

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

How do Private Internet Access and NordVPN compare?

	Private Internet Access Our Pick	NordVPN
Price	Starts at $2.19/mo	$3.99/mo
Max # of connected devices	Unlimited	10
24/7 customer support
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, routers, smart TVs, and more	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, routers, smart TVs, and more
# of servers	Unknown number in 84 countries + all 50 U.S. states	6,300+ servers in 111 countries
VPN protocol	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IPSec	NordLynx, IKEv2/IPSec, OpenVPN
No-logs policy	No logs	No logs
Unblocks Netflix?
	View PIA Plans	View NordVPN Plans

PIA has servers in 24 more countries than NordVPN as well as a server in each U.S. state, but it doesn't disclose its total number of VPN servers. NordVPN has over 5,500 servers in fewer countries, but it could have more servers overall.

Another notable difference is the number of connected devices you can have for each VPN. NordVPN has a cap of 10 connections, while PIA offers unlimited simultaneous connections. This makes PIA an even more affordable option compared to NordVPN.

NordVPN needs to justify its higher cost, and one of the ways it does this is by building and using the NordLynx protocol. It's built around the WireGuard protocol but has improvements for security and speed.

Private Internet Access vs. NordVPN: cost

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 $2.03 per month.

While NordVPN is more expensive, it does come with extra perks. Even the standard 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.

NordVPN vs. Private Internet Access: features

We noticed four 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 how many servers are available for each provider. NordVPN has over 5,500 servers in 60 countries, so you'll easily find several servers in your chosen location. PIA doesn't openly share the number of servers available, but it does share that it has servers in 84 countries and all 50 U.S. states. If you want access to a specific country or state that NordVPN doesn't have, PIA might have it.

Reviewed by Sara J. Nguyen

"NordVPN needs to justify its higher cost, and one of the ways it does this is by building and using the NordLynx protocol. It's built around the WireGuard protocol but has improvements for security and speed.”

NordVPN has a few extra features compared to PIA. If you are willing to upgrade your plan, you can also access features like a password manager, dark web monitoring, file encryption, and cloud storage. 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.

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.

PIA vs. NordVPN: streaming support

PIA and NordVPN scored equally well when unblocking regional content for the tested streaming services. We were able to unlock Netflix Australia using NordVPN, for instance.

We also successfully accessed Netflix U.K. with PIA.

The biggest difference between the two VPNs is that PIA identifies which servers are great for streaming. NordVPN doesn't have this feature.

NordVPN vs. Private Internet Access: internet speeds

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.

PIA experienced minimal impact when connecting to U.S. and Canadian servers. The speeds were noticeably slower in the U.K. and Australia, but that's a normal response since we were connecting to servers further away.

NordVPN had slower speeds than PIA, except in the U.K. It's possible that NordVPN has more servers available in the U.K., and we connected to a relatively fast server. Overall, while NordVPN didn't always have the fastest internet speeds, it was still within a reasonable range.

PIA vs. NordVPN: speed test results

Reviewed by Sara J. Nguyen

"During our testing, NordVPN saw a lower latency in the U.S. and Canada, while PIA had better latency results in the U.K. and Australia. This suggests NordVPN may be a better North American option, while PIA may be better suited for international servers.”

While it's tempting to only review download speeds and upload speeds, you can't forget latency. Measured in milliseconds, latency is the amount of time a packet of data takes to go from its origination to the final destination. The lower the latency, the better the response time. Latency is crucial for real-time gaming and any other online activity that requires a quick reaction time.

You can expect your latency to increase When using a VPN. The goal is to find a connection with minimal impact on latency.

During our testing, NordVPN saw a lower latency in the U.S. and Canada, while PIA had better latency results in the U.K. and Australia. This suggests NordVPN may be a better North American option, while PIA may be better suited for international servers.

Private Internet Access vs. NordVPN: latency comparison

Private Internet Access vs. NordVPN: compatibility and ease of use

Both PIA and NordVPN work across 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 have any problems connecting to different servers, and the features we tested seemed to work well.

PIA vs. NordVPN: customer service

In another tie, PIA and NordVPN offer the same customer support options. You can contact either VPN service via a 24/7 live chat or email. There's no phone option or any support forums. However, they both have online guides, which may provide enough help without needing to contact customer support.

We tested the live chat options to see how well they performed. Both providers had friendly representatives willing to help us with our questions.

Neither VPN has a free trial, but the 30-day money-back guarantee is plenty of time to test a VPN and ask for a refund if it's not for you.

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 (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover)
• PayPal
• Amazon Pay
• Cryptocurrencies
• Third-party gift cards

NordVPN payment options

• Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and JCB)
• Amazon Pay
• Google Pay
• Cryptocurrencies

Private Internet Access vs. NordVPN: FAQs

Private Internet Access vs. NordVPN: which is better?

Private Internet Access is the clear winner if you want to save money on a VPN and still get all the essential features and speedy internet connections. Since this VPN offers more server locations than NordVPN, you may want to consider PIA if you are looking for a specific country.

NordVPN is a great option for security if you're looking for additional protection features. It offers reliable speeds with all the tools you need to protect your online privacy.

Save 82% on a 2-year subscription + 2 months free

5.0

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.

Editorial Rating

Learn More

On Private Internet Access's website

Private Internet Access

• VPN offering fast internet speeds and strict no-logs policy
• Unblocks Netflix and other streaming services
• Antivirus and dedicated IP address cost extra

Author Details

Sara J. Nguyen

About the Author

Sara J. Nguyen is a freelance writer specializing in cybersecurity. She aims to help people protect their data while enjoying technology. She has written about online privacy and tech for over 5 years for several organizations. When she's not writing about the latest cybersecurity trends, you can find her on LinkedIn.