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Best for Affordable Privacy
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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 Additional Security
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Ultra-secure, high-speed VPN complete with malware protection and automatic blocking of intrusive ads and third-party trackers
Other benefits include a premium password manager, dark web monitoring, and access to IP-restricted content
3 plans to choose from for custom protection on up to 10 devices
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 $2.19/mo (billed every two years). 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 $3.39/mo (billed every two years), 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, speeds, and ease of use.
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.
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| Price | Starts at $2.19/mo (billed every two years) | Starts at $3.39/mo (billed every two years) |
| 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 | Unknown number in 91 countries + all 50 U.S. states | 6,400+ servers in 111 countries |
| VPN protocol | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IPsec | NordLynx, IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN |
| No-logs policy | No logs | No logs |
| Unblocks Netflix? | ||
| Get Private Internet Access | Get NordVPN |
We complete standardized hands-on tests for each VPN we review so we can put their claims to the test. This includes vigorous third-party testing by comparing our internet speed while connected to different servers, checking for DNS leaks, making sure the kill switch actually works, and more. We also make sure we can comfortably access popular streaming sites, like Netflix, and still do our day-to-day work without interruption.
Once we’ve completed the testing, our editorial rating is calculated by taking into account key features you’d expect from a good product. We score each VPN in the following categories and use a weighted average to calculate the final rating out of 5 stars: price, server count, speed, security, and features.
To learn more about how we test, check out our full VPN methodology here.
Private Internet Access is a budget-friendly VPN provider that packs a punch. PIA offers unlimited simultaneous connections, while NordVPN only offers up to 10. Its starting price is $2.19/mo (billed every two years) for a two-year plan, usually with some extra months thrown in.
Despite the lower price, Private Internet Access still offers essential VPN features. These includes two types of kill switches, split tunneling, and a variety of VPN protocol. It also offers some bonus features, like an ad blocker and add-ons like antivirus and dedicated IP.
NordVPN is the golden standard for VPNs. Its headquarters are in Panama, which has no data retention laws, and it makes an effort to get its no-logs policy audited consistently. Its server network is spread across 111 countries, which is toward the top of the VPNs we've reviewed.
NordVPN has a higher cost than Private Internet Access, but it offers lots of extra features to justify it. For one, it offers the NordLynx protocol. NordLynx is built around the WireGuard protocol but has improvements for security and speed. It also offers bonus cybersecurity tools like an ad blocker, dark web monitoring, and Meshnet.
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Our Pick
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| Price range | $2.19–$11.99/mo | $3.39–$15.99/mo |
| Best value plan | Private Internet Access 2-year plan for $2.19/mo (billed every two years) | NordVPN 2-year Standard plan for $3.39/mo (billed every two years) |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — 30 days | Yes — 30 days |
| Get Private Internet Access | Get NordVPN |
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 $2.19/mo (billed every two years).
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.
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.
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.
| Server location |
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Our Pick
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| US | 5.85% slower | 44.72% faster |
| Canada | 9.01% slower | 41.30% faster |
| UK | 51.11% slower | 31.47% faster |
| AU | 50.23% slower | 12.21% faster |
| Get Private Internet Access | Get NordVPN |
During our latest round of testing, NordVPN increased our servers with every single location. It almost double our speeds with a U.S. server and still increased our speeds with an Australian server by about 12%.
On the other hand, Private Internet Access had some standard effects on our internet speeds. It slowed our connection by less than 10% with the U.S. and Canadian servers. But once we started connecting to servers overseas, it dropped our internet speeds by about 50%.
Because VPNs reroute your internet traffic through a remote server, they can negatively impact your internet speed. Factors that can impact your speed include distance to the server, server load, VPN protocol, and more.
Therefore, Private Internet Access's results are more expected, while NordVPN's were a pleasant surprise.
| Feature |
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Our Pick
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| Number of servers | Unknown number in 91 countries + 50 U.S. states | 6,300+ servers in 111 countries |
| No-logs policy | No logs | No logs |
| VPN headquarters | United States | Panama |
| Encryption | AES 128-bit or AES 256-bit | AES 256-bit |
| VPN protocol | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IPsec | NordLynx, IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN |
| Kill switch | ||
| Split tunneling | ||
| DNS leak protection | ||
| Ad blocker | ||
| Get Private Internet Access | Get NordVPN |
We noticed several 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 6,300 servers in 111 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 state that NordVPN doesn't have, PIA might have it.
Both VPNs offer an ad blocker that can also tackle trackers and malicious sites. NordVPN offers Threat Protection, while PIA offers MACE.
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NordVPN has a few extra features compared to PIA. 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. And if you're willing to upgrade your plan, you can also access features like a password manager, dark web monitoring, file encryption, and cloud storage.
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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.
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| Windows | ||
| macOS | ||
| Android | ||
| iOS | ||
| Linux | ||
| Routers | ||
| Smart devices | ||
| Browser extensions | Yes — Chrome, Firefox, Opera | Yes — Chrome, Firefox, Edge |
| 24/7 live chat | ||
| Customer support | Live chat, email, online guides, forums | Live chat, email, online guides |
| Get Private Internet Access | Get NordVPN |
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.
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PIA and NordVPN also offer similar customer support options. You can contact either VPN service via a 24/7 live chat or email. 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.
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Yes, you can use Private Internet Access on an Amazon Fire Stick. However, PIA doesn't have a dedicated app for Fire Stick.
One option is to install PIA on your router, which will cover connected devices (including Fire Stick). Another alternative is to use SmartDNS to get a new virtual location.
Overall, NordVPN is a safe VPN to use. It has a no-logs policy, which has been verified by an independent audit. This means it's keeping its promise not to track or store your online activity.
NordVPN is also based in Panama, which isn't part of international surveillance groups like the Five Eyes Alliance.
Private Internet Access is a good VPN for Netflix. Our testing showed we could access Netflix content abroad without significant speed issues.
NordVPN can be a good option for torrenting because it offers P2P servers.
Simply open the app, choose Specialty Servers, and then select P2P. NordVPN makes it as easy as clicking a button to connect to a P2P server.
NordVPN wins if you're looking a great-value VPN with additional protection features. It offers top-notch speeds along with tools like an ad blocker, dark web monitoring, a password manager, and more to protect your device from every angle.
However, Private Internet Access is still a great option if you want to save money on a VPN with all the essential features.
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Ultra-secure, high-speed VPN complete with malware protection and automatic blocking of intrusive ads and third-party trackers
Other benefits include a premium password manager, dark web monitoring, and access to IP-restricted content
3 plans to choose from for custom protection on up to 10 devices
PIA and Nord are among the best VPNs we've reviewed, but there plenty of others on the market. Here are some additional VPNs we recommend:
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| Price | $2.19–$17.95/mo | $2.03–$12.99/mo | $8.32–$12.95/mo |
| Free version | |||
| Max # of connected devices | Unlimited | 7 | 8 |
| # of servers | 3,200 in 100 countries | Servers in 100 countries | Servers in 105 countries |
| VPN protocol | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| Encryption | AES-256-GCM | AES 256-bit | AES 256-bit |
| No-logs policy | No logs | No logs | No logs |
| Headquarters | The Netherlands | Romania | British Virgin Islands |
| Netflix access | |||
| Learn more | Get Surfshark | Get CyberGhost | Get ExpressVPN |
Ultra-secure, high-speed VPN complete with malware protection and automatic blocking of intrusive ads and third-party trackers
Other benefits include a premium password manager, dark web monitoring, and access to IP-restricted content
3 plans to choose from for custom protection on up to 10 devices
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