Private Internet Access vs. Proton VPN 2024: Which Is Best for Privacy?

When we put Private Internet Access and Proton VPN side-by-side, we found that Private Internet Access is best for a budget while Proton VPN is best for privacy enthusiasts.

Private Internet Access has a starting cost of $2.19/mo (billed every two years) and it allows for unlimited simultaneous connections with all plans. On the other hand, Proton VPN is dedicated to security with features like its audited no-logs policy, double VPN servers, privacy-friendly headquarters.

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 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.

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

How does Private Internet Access vs. Proton VPN compare?

		<
Price	$2.19–$11.99/mo	Free–$9.99/mo
Max # of connected devices	Unlimited	10
24/7 customer support
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and more	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and more
# of servers	Unlisted in 91 countries + 50 U.S. states	9,100+ servers in 112 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 (billed every two years). 

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. Plus, Proton VPN Free also doesn't log your activity, which is more common with free VPNs.

Private Internet Access vs. Proton VPN: prices

	Our Pick
Price range	$2.19–$11.99/mo	Free–$9.99/mo
Best value plan	2-year plan for $2.19/mo (billed every two years)	2-year plan for $2.99/mo (billed every two years)
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 (billed every two years) — a deal that's hard to beat.

On the other hand, Proton VPN offers plans from Free–$9.99/mo. Of particular interest is the two-year plan, a savvy choice at just $2.99/mo (billed every two years). 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.

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 note how much our baseline speed was impacted.

The table below notes how much Private Internet Access and Proton VPN dropped our speeds with every server we tested.

Server location		Our Pick
US	6% slower	15% slower
CA	9% slower	6.5% slower
UK	51% slower	21.5% slower
AU	50% slower	35% 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. PIA only dropped our download speed by 6% with the U.S. server, while Proton VPN dropped it by 15%. 

We started seeing more significant slowdowns with PIA once we started connecting to servers overseas. The U.K. and Australia servers dropped our speeds by about 50% each. Yet Proton VPN only dropped our speeds by just over 20% with the U.K. server and just over 30% with the Australia server.

Proton VPN does have 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	9,100+ servers in 112 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 Proton VPN have a lot of features in common. 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. 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 lets you connect to multi-hop servers to do this, and Proton VPN’s Secure Core feature delivers multi-hop functions.

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.

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.

PIA vs. Proton VPN FAQs

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

Private Internet Access and Proton VPN offer solid features for security and privacy. These include bank-grade encryption, secure VPN protocols, 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. 

The fine lines that separate the VPNs are pricing and headquarters. While PIA’s plans are cheaper, Proton VPN goes a step further by introducing a free, limited version for those who cannot afford to dig deeply in their pockets. But Proton VPN limits its connections to 10, while PIA allows for unlimited connections. As far as security, PIA is based in the U.S. (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.

Private Internet Access vs. Proton VPN alternatives

Private Internet Access and Proton VPN are only two of our top-recommended VPNs. Below is a quick overview of the best VPNs available as alternatives.