Verdict
Private Internet Access is a honest budget alternative with a strong security insurance policy and mint of features . You will have to put up with irksome speeds , though .
Pros
Cons
Private cyberspace Access is usable from £ 1.69 per month – buy it now
Key Features
Introduction
Part of the Kape Technologies stable of VPN inspection and repair , Private Internet Access is dependably cheap , but it ’s been a prospicient fourth dimension since it ’s add up anywhere near the top of the sample for performance in my speed trial .
While it ’s arguably a sad lot for one of the first big VPN providers , it ’s accessible , dependable and wo n’t go bad the bank , on top of having a substantial track record for security department and allowing you to plug into a nominally unlimited number of machine .
Pricing and Subscriptions
This fee has been systematically inexpensive for years , make PIA a skilful bet if you do n’t need to be surprise by unexpectedly high renewal costs .
If you do n’t want payment board and account in your name to be associated with your subscription , you may pay using a miscellany of cryptocurrencies .
Privacy and Protection
PIA has a unmortgaged and explicit no - logging policy , which it ’s committed to have severally audit regularly . It also write source computer code for much of its computer software .
Under late possession , PIA was involved in a well - publicised caseful that saw it served with an FBI warrant to turn over over VPN logs – of which it had none , solidly stake its policy . That appears to still be the shell , as there have been no paper of PIA handing over user logs in recent eld , either .
The party does n’t maintain a warrant stool pigeon , as it finds this plan of attack to warn exploiter about instances in which data has been give over under a gag society to be ineffective , insteadpreferringto shut down parts of its operation , such as its Russian host , where they would be regard by logging rules of order .
PIA alternatively publish quarterly transparentness reputation , the late of which , inMay 2024 , render multiple demands for data , and that the company has handed over log for none of them , because it does n’t keep logs in the first position .
The house also commission even security audits , the most recent inApril 2024 .
Features and Usability
There are graphical clients for Windows , Linux andmacOS , and elaborated program line are provided for place up connection on other operating systems and gimmick , include routers and other connection appliance . They bear the Wireguard and OpenVPN protocol .
PIA ’s Windows screen background app has all the advance shape options you ’re probable to ask , but is simple enough even for novitiate to easily get to grips with . A single push set aside you to link to the last VPN server you used , with an arrow that takes you to a full , searchable inclination of endpoint locations . This displays their current latent period and allows you to add pet .
A separate configurations window rent you configure the client ’s behaviour , allowing action mechanism such as launching on organisation startup and connect automatically . you could even switch between the client ’s default dark theme and a lighter colour pallet .
There ’s aVPN kill switchthat can be set to automatically slew off all cyberspace dealings if the VPN is disconnected , the PIA MACE dick that blocks ad - tracker , tradition DNS and port promotion on termination that support it . There ’s also an option to block LAN dealings , plus an passing conciliatory range of customisable preferences for your VPN connexion , including your preferred encryption scope .
Private cyberspace Access has endpoints in 77 nation , across more than 20,000 servers . These now include geo - located servers – physically located in another land , but effectively masquerade as endpoints in geographically or politically ambitious state . These can be disabled if you desire to mystify with physical endpoint server .
PIA ’s fault to unlimited connections – assuming you do n’t make a mockery of the policy by connecting hundreds of devices , is an super welcome move , putting it in an undivided club alongside Surfshark and WIndscribe .
Performance
Private Internet Access was the slowest performing artist in this year ’s tests by a tenacious mile . A connection to the UK maxed out at 57.68Mbit / s , and I got 36.4Mbit / s via the Netherlands and 23.84Mbit / s to the US .
These are useable , and these speeds are consistent , without service drop - outs , but you ’ll in spades notice the slowdown if you ’re on a gamy - speed connection – connection speeds to the Netherlands , conspicuously , were around nine times slower on our test setup than I understand without the VPN .
Streaming has never been PIA ’s strong suit , and you ca n’t always rely on it to provide access to your favorite service when you ’re connected , although it now has some streaming - optimised endpoints that you could use in a pinch .
you may always sum a internet browser to practice in your state for streaming only to PIA’ssplit tunnellingsettings , so you do n’t get locked out for being on a VPN . However , you ’ll have to make trusted you do n’t by chance use it to direct any data point you desire to keep private .
Latest deals
Should you buy it?
secret Internet Access has a well - regarded no - logging insurance that ’s stood up to serious challenges under previous ownership , cause it a decent selection for those who want a unafraid VPN . It also has very competitory monetary value if money is a business organization .
The individual Internet Access VPN did n’t execute very well in our speed mental test , especially in the United States . There are far better options if fastness is a priority .
Final Thoughts
Private Internet Access is a perfectly fine VPN , although you should check outNordVPN , ExpressVPNorSurfsharkif you need firm US connection swiftness . Although secret Internet Access is n’t brilliant for picture streaming , it ’s generally proven itself to be true , chinchy and secure .
If security system is your elemental interest , then also considerPerfect Privacy , which is slower and more expensive , but very specifically focused on security and on-line privacy , with an unmarred track record .
Trusted Score
How we test
We function tests from a London - based connection that typically sees speeds between 500Mbps and 700Mbps , which means that we ’re able to get a undecomposed theme of what each VPN ’s maximum speed currently are .
We test multiple termination from each provider in three locations : the UK , the Netherlands and the U.S.
FAQs
No , Private net Access has a prove no - logging insurance , although it ’s potential that could change under fresh ownership in the futurity .
The secret Internet Access VPN rank below average in our speed mental test , so this is n’t the fast VPN uncommitted .
