Private Internet Access vs. Proton VPN 2025: Which Is Best for Privacy?

When we compared Private Internet Access and Proton VPN side by side, we found that Proton VPN is the better VPN overall. Although it's more expensive than PIA (and other top VPNs), it offers iron-clad security, an extensive server network, and unique features for enhanced privacy.

That said, Private Internet Access is probably a better choice for most users because it's more affordable and includes advanced security features that you'd expect from a premium VPN service. It also boasts unlimited simultaneous connections and a VPN server in all 50 U.S. states, making it great for sports streaming.

In our comparison of Private Internet Access and Proton VPN, we’ll cover the details of each VPN's offerings in features, security, speed, and more.

Private Internet Access vs. Proton VPN at a glance

• Private Internet Access: Best for affordability
• Proton VPN: Best for ultimate privacy

Server location		Our Pick
Price	$2.19–$11.99/mo	$2.49–$9.99/mo
Max # of connected devices	Unlimited	10
24/7 customer support
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox
# of servers	Unlisted in 91 countries + 50 U.S. states	15,800+ servers in 120+ countries
VPN protocol	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IPsec	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, Stealth
No-logs policy	No logs	No logs
Unblocks Netflix?
Learn more	Get Private Internet Access Read Private Internet Access Review	Get Proton VPN Read Proton VPN Review

Private Internet Access pros and cons

If you're cost-conscious, Private Internet Access wins with its low rates. It also trumps Proton VPN by offering unlimited simultaneous connections. You could cover all the devices in your home with a starting price of $2.19/mo. 

We also like that PIA boasts servers in all 50 U.S. states and in 91 countries. Although PIA doesn't publish its actual server count, this spread of server locations provides you with plenty of servers to choose from.

PIA also excels in customer service, which is available around the clock. It even offers cryptocurrency as a payment method for added anonymity.

Proton VPN pros and cons

Proton VPN shines when it comes to 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.

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.

Although Proton VPN is more expensive than PIA, it does offer one of the best free VPNs. You can cover one device with no ads or bandwidth caps. 

Private Internet Access vs. Proton VPN: prices

	Our Pick
Price range	$2.19–$11.99/mo	$2.49–$9.99/mo
Best value plan	2-year plan for $2.19/mo	2-year plan for $2.49/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 $2.19–$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 $2.49–$9.99/mo. Of particular interest is the two-year plan, a savvy choice at just $2.49/mo. Additionally, Proton VPN offers a free version — but it comes with limited server locations and features.

Rest assured, both VPN services offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, providing an added layer of financial security as you explore what these VPN apps have to offer.

Private Internet Access vs. Proton VPN: payment options

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 3-D Secure for major credit cards to protect your payments. 3-D Secure provides 2FA for every purchase you’ve made, adding another layer of protection.

Private Internet Access payment options

• Credit/debit cards 
• PayPal
• Amazon Pay
• Cryptocurrencies (Bitpay, bitcoin, ethereum, litecoin)

Proton VPN payment options

• Credit/debit cards
  
• PayPal

Which VPN is faster?

With every VPN we review, we test how much the service impacts our internet speeds. We start by taking a test without a VPN connection, known as a baseline speed test. Then, we'll connect to servers in countries worldwide to measure the impact on our baseline speed.

The table below notes the average speed drop caused by Private Internet Access and Proton VPN for every server we tested.

Server location		Our Pick
Average speed change	58% slower	41% 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, Private Internet Access and Proton VPN each had better results, but in different server locations. Although neither VPN provider performed as well during our latest testing, historically, Proton VPN has offered more reliable speeds. 

Proton VPN boasts a VPN Accelerator feature, which claims it can increase your VPN connection speeds by up to 400%. This feature probably helps maintain consistent speeds across servers. 

Private Internet Access vs. Proton VPN: features

Feature		Our Pick
Number of servers	Unlisted in 91 countries + 50 U.S. states	15,800+ servers in 120+ countries
No-logs policy	No logs	No logs
VPN headquarters	United States	Switzerland
Encryption	AES-128 or AES-256	AES 256-bit or ChaCha20
VPN protocol	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IPsec	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, Stealth
Kill switch
Split tunneling
DNS leak protection
Ad blocker
Learn more	Get Private Internet Access Read Private Internet Access Review	Get Proton VPN Read Proton VPN Review

At a glance, PIA and ProtonVPN share many features in common. Both utilize bank-grade encryption, with PIA allowing for AES 128-bit or AES 256-bit encryption, and Proton allowing for AES 256-bit or ChaCha20 encryption. Both also 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, which were 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 allows you to connect to multi-hop servers, and Proton VPN’s Secure Core feature provides multi-hop functionality.

The primary difference between the two is their headquarters location. Proton VPN is based in Switzerland, where privacy laws are taken seriously. PIA, on the other hand, is based in the U.S., a member of the intelligence-sharing alliance known as Five Eyes, which could raise privacy concerns for some.

Private Internet Access vs. Proton VPN: compatibility and ease of use

	Our Pick
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.

Consequently, whether your choice falls on PIA or Proton VPN, each ensures an enjoyable user experience with comprehensive compatibility. 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. 

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.

Private Internet Access vs. Proton VPN alternatives

Private Internet Access and ProtonVPN are just two of our top-recommended VPNs. See how Proton VPN compares to NordVPN, our #1 pick for security, and Surfshark, the best value VPN that also boasts unlimited simultaneous connections. 

PIA vs. Proton VPN FAQs

Private Internet Access vs. Proton VPN: which is better?

Based on our experience, Proton VPN is the better VPN overall. Although both VPNs offer solid features for security and privacy, Proton VPN offers a proprietary Stealth protocol to bypass censorship, Secure Core servers that route your internet traffic through two encrypted tunnels in privacy-neutral countries, and totally transparent records of its no-logs audits. 

However, most VPN users who simply want to unblock popular streaming platforms and browse anonymously would probably prefer PIA due to its lower price point. We recommend PIA for its cost-effective and feature-rich plans, and Proton VPN for its unwavering dedication to security and privacy.