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Best for Affordability
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More affordable than most other VPNs, including ExpressVPN and NordVPN
Fast internet speeds and strict no-logs policy
Unblocks Netflix and other streaming services
Best for Ultimate Privacy
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Easy to use
A strict no-logs policy that’s been tested in court
Private Internet Access and Proton VPN are both notable for their strong security features and commitment to privacy. Both VPN services offer competitive pricing, but only Proton VPN offers a free plan.
Even so, PIA may offer more value with unlimited simultaneous connections compared to Proton’s 10, and PIA also offers 24/7 live chat support where Proton VPN does not.
In our review, we’ll cover the details of each VPN's offerings in terms of privacy and security such as AES-256 encryption and VPN protocols. We’ll also discuss their compatibility with a wide range of platforms, their no-logs policies, pricing plans, and much more to help you decide between Proton VPN and PIA. Let’s dive in, shall we?
If you're cost-conscious, Private Internet Access wins with its unbeatable low rates (Proton VPN does throw in a free, but basic, plan). PIA also trumps with unlimited connections, while Proton VPN caps you at 10 simultaneous connections. PIA also excels in customer service, which is available around the clock.
The main disparity between these two VPN providers? PIA calls the U.S. home (the U.S. is a member of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance), while Proton VPN hails from privacy-friendly Switzerland.
 Private Internet Access |
 Proton VPN |
|
| Price | $2.03–$11.99/mo | $4.99–$9.99/mo |
| Max # of connected devices | Unlimited | 10 |
| No-logs policy | No logs | No logs |
| Headquarters | United States | Switzerland |
| # of servers | Servers in 91 countries + 50 U.S. states | 4,400+ in 91 countries |
| VPN protocol | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IPsec | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, Stealth |
| Streaming support | Yes — Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, and more | Yes — Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, and more |
| 24/7 customer support | ||
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and more | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and more |
| Learn more | Get Private Internet Access Read Private Internet Access Review |
Get Proton VPN
Read Proton VPN Review |
When you compare the cost, PIA edges out Proton VPN, coming in at a slightly more affordable $2.19/mo versus Proton's $4.49/mo charge. As far as server locations go, PIA hasn't disclosed the exact number, but its coverage is spread across 91 nations and 50 U.S. states. Proton, on the other hand, is open about its server tally, with over 4,400 servers spread across 91 countries.
Both PIA and Proton VPN pride themselves on their no-logs policy, which have been independently audited.
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However, Proton VPN does seem to outshine PIA a bit in terms of its security features. It boasts its Secure Core service, which provides multi-hop connections and acts akin to a double VPN. It routes network traffic through servers in privacy-friendly nations such as Switzerland and Iceland, obscuring your location and adding an extra layer of privacy.
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Proton VPN’s paid plan also gets you access to its Plus servers, which are optimized for streaming, torrenting, and routing through the Tor network.
| Our Pick
|
|
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| Price range | $2.03–$11.99/mo | $4.99–$9.99/mo |
| Best value plan | 2-year plan for $2.19/mo | 2-year plan for $4.49/mo |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — 30 days | Yes — 30 days |
| Learn more | Get Private Internet Access Read Private Internet Access Review |
Get Proton VPN
Read Proton VPN Review |
Cost is often a significant factor when deciding which VPN to choose. As a result, most people opt to save money on a VPN by signing up for a longer subscription. PIA offers the most affordable pricing plans of the two, but Proton VPN’s one-year and two-year plans knock its monthly cost down significantly.
PIA offers a broad price range, with monthly plans falling between $2.03–$11.99/mo. This flexibility is augmented by the cost-effective two-year plan, priced at a modest $2.19/mo — a deal that's hard to beat.
On the other hand, Proton VPN offers plans from $4.99–$9.99/mo. Of particular interest is the two-year plan, a savvy choice at just $4.49/mo. Additionally, Proton VPN offers a free version — but it comes with limited server locations and features.
Rest assured, both VPN services cater to the cautious spender with a 30-day money-back guarantee, offering an added layer of financial security as you explore what these VPN apps have to offer.
| Feature |
|
Our Pick
|
| Number of servers | Servers in 91 countries + 50 U.S. states | 4,400+ servers in 91 countries |
| No-logs policy | No logs | No logs |
| VPN headquarters | United States | Switzerland |
| Encryption | AES 128-bit or AES 256-bit | AES 256-bit or ChaCha20 |
| VPN protocol | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IPsec | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, Stealth |
| Kill switch | ||
| Split tunneling | ||
| Netflix support | ||
| Torrenting support | ||
| Learn more | Get Private Internet Access | Get Proton VPN |
At a glance, PIA and Proton VPN have a lot in common when it comes to features. Both of them have various server locations worldwide, though PIA offers more countries. Both utilize bank-grade encryption, with PIA allowing for AES 128-bit or AES 256-bit and Proton allowing for AES 256-bit or ChaCha 20. And both implement secure VPN protocols, namely WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec. Proton also offers the Stealth protocol, which evades detection and fights censorship.
Additionally, both VPN services' no-logs policies have undergone audits by outside vendors Deloitte and Securitum, and both passed. Both VPNs also provide P2P support, which allows for torrenting.
Aside from essential VPN features like a kill switch and split tunneling, they both offer multi-hop capabilities that route traffic through multiple servers to obscure your identity and online activities. PIA lets you connect to multi-hop servers to do this, and Proton VPN’s Secure Core feature delivers multi-hop functions.
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The main difference between the two is where they’re headquartered. Proton VPN is based in Switzerland, where privacy laws are taken seriously. PIA, on the other hand, is based in the U.S., which is a member of the intelligence-sharing alliance Five Eyes and could raise privacy concerns for some.
| Platform |
|
|
| Netflix | ||
| Amazon Prime Video | ||
| Hulu | ||
| BBC iPlayer | ||
| Disney+ | ||
| HBO Max | ||
| Learn more | Get Private Internet Access | Get Proton VPN |
When it comes to the best streaming VPNs, you can't go wrong with either PIA or Proton VPN. Both excel at unblocking Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and others, providing you with a wealth of content beyond your regional limits.
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Private Internet Access successfully unblocked multiple Netflix libraries during our testing.
We did find that PIA had trouble unblocking Hulu in our tests, but this could change. Streaming platforms and VPNs are in a constant battle to outdo each other, and a streaming service that works one day may detect your VPN and deny access the next. If this happens, we recommend trying a different VPN server to see if that helps.
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Proton VPN also unblocked multiple Netflix libraries, including Australia.
We completed speed tests with Private Internet Access and Proton VPN to gauge how each VPN affected connection speeds. Speed tests were conducted on a Macbook Air from a physical location in the U.S. We connected to server locations in the United States, U.K., and Australia.
| Server location |
|
Our Pick
|
| US | 32% slower | 17% slower |
| UK | 42% slower | 22% slower |
| AU | 75% slower | 33% slower |
| Learn more | Get Private Internet Access Read Private Internet Access Review |
Get Proton VPN
Read Proton VPN Review |
When it comes to download speeds, Proton VPN demonstrated speedier performance across all the tested server locations. PIA slowed down our connection about twice as much as Proton. It's important to note that our speed slowed more the further the server location was from our physical location, which is to be expected with any VPN.
Proton VPN does have a VPN Accelerator feature, which claims it can increase your VPN connection speeds by up to 400%. This probably helped with maintaining consistent speeds across servers.
| Our Pick
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|
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| Windows | ||
| macOS | ||
| Android | ||
| iOS | ||
| Linux | ||
| Router | ||
| Smart devices | ||
| Browser extensions | Yes — Chrome, Firefox | Yes — Chrome, Firefox |
| 24/7 support | ||
| Phone | Live chat, email, online guides | Live chat, email, online guides |
Regarding device compatibility, Private Internet Access and Proton VPN match stride for stride. They support an extensive array of devices and operating systems, proving both choices to be equally viable for users with multiple devices.
When it comes to the user interface, PIA presents a design that's both intuitive and easy to navigate, ideal for those dipping their toes into the VPN realm. Proton VPN also delivers a simple and user-friendly interface that's easy to navigate in a non-intimidating manner for those not so technologically inclined. Consequently, whether your choice falls on PIA or Proton VPN, each ensures an enjoyable user experience with comprehensive compatibility.
As far as customer support, Private Internet Access shines by offering a 24/7 live chat. This on-demand service can be a lifesaver during unexpected technical issues, ensuring that you aren't left in the dark when you need help the most.
On the other hand, while Proton VPN's live chat doesn't operate around the clock, it still offers reliable customer service, particularly with its prompt email responses. Moreover, both Proton VPN and PIA offer a wealth of online guides, giving you a valuable toolkit for troubleshooting common issues on your own.
PIA and Proton VPN accept various payment options. However, PIA offers an extra cloak of anonymity by accepting bitcoin, ethereum, and litecoin through Bitpay when you sign-up for an account. On the other hand, Proton VPN only lets you use Bitcoin to purchase account credits after you’ve signed up for an account with another payment option.
Although Proton VPN doesn’t accept cryptocurrency at first, we applaud its use of 3D Secure for major credit cards to protect your payments. 3D Secure provides 2FA for every purchase you’ve made, adding another layer of protection.
While PIA is a highly-rated choice with impressive security features and affordable pricing, you may find other VPNs like ExpressVPN more suitable, especially for speed considerations and accessing a wider network of server countries worldwide.
Indeed, PIA VPN has earned a reputation for its robust security measures and adherence to a verified no-logs policy. However, it’s based in the U.S., which may cause some privacy concerns.
Despite its strong encryption and Swiss-based operations, Proton VPN's limitations lie in its restricted features in its free version and its limited support of simultaneous connections. Proton VPN caps at 10 devices, while PIA supports unlimited connections. Learn more in our Proton VPN review.
Some Proton VPN servers can bypass Netflix's geo-restrictions. However, since VPN IP addresses are routinely blocked by Netflix, it can be hit-or-miss.
Private Internet Access and Proton VPN offer solid features for security and privacy. These include bank-grade encryption, secure VPN protocols, a kill switch, and split tunneling, not to mention the sophisticated multi-hop capabilities designed to mask your whereabouts and amplify your anonymity. They both also have no-logs policies that were thoroughly vetted by independent third-party audits. Plus, they both offer torrenting support and allow access to popular streaming platforms.
The fine lines that separate the VPNs are these: PIA provides 24/7 live chat support, whereas Proton VPN provides live chat support during business hours. But while PIA’s plans are cheap, Proton VPN goes a step further by introducing a free, limited version for those who cannot afford to dig deeply in their pockets. Also, PIA supports unlimited connections, while Proton VPN only supports 10. Finally, PIA is based in the U.S.A. (a member of the Five Eyes), while Proton VPN is in privacy-friendly Switzerland.
It’s a real pickle to choose one over the other. But given the choice, we'd gravitate toward PIA for its cost-effective, feature-rich plans and toward Proton VPN for its unwavering dedication to security and privacy.
Below is a quick overview of the best VPNs available as alternatives.
More affordable than most other VPNs, including ExpressVPN and NordVPN
Fast internet speeds and strict no-logs policy
Unblocks Netflix and other streaming services
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