Best Alternatives to Private Internet Access (PIA) in 2026
If you’re searching for the best Private Internet Access alternatives, you’ve come to the right place. We love Private Internet Access, but several alternative VPNs offer some distinct advantages over this popular provider. Today, we look at the best of these VPNs and review each of them according to their privacy provisions, performance, and price. PIA users looking to upgrade: read on!
Try these outstanding Private Internet Access alternatives:
- NordVPN – Best Overall VPN – NordVPN sets the standard for all VPNs in terms of encryption, server size, and speed. PIA simply falls short compared to its superior alternative.
- Surfshark – Cheaper than Private Internet Access, but far outclasses it technically.
- ExpressVPN – One of the privacy industry’s favorite providers, offers premium performance and privacy.
- CyberGhost – A great all-rounder for people who aren’t super tech-savvy.
- PrivateVPN – Powerful privacy provisions in a lightweight app.
Private Internet Access (also known simply as “PIA”) is an extremely popular VPN around the world, and for good reason – it’s cheap. With prices starting at just $2.91 per month, the shelf appeal makes perfect sense. But, as with everything – you get what you pay for. And although Private Internet Access is a decent provider, there are better Private Internet Access alternatives for comparable prices. So if you want better global server coverage, faster internet, and greater security away from prying eyes, keep reading.
Editor's Pick August 2026
What makes a good VPN?
Researching and choosing a VPN can feel complicated and overwhelming. There are a lot of things to look for – things such as encryption strength, server distribution, logging policies, and the country of origin of the provider. All these things can affect speed and security in both direct and indirect ways – so you need to make your choice carefully.
We didn’t choose those examples by random, either — Private Internet Access has had issues with each of them. With that in mind, we used the following things as benchmarks to give you a list of the best Private Internet Access alternatives:
- Location – To be on our list, each of the VPNs had to be based out of a country not under the jurisdiction of governmental agencies or snooping laws.
- Fast speeds – VPNs slow your internet down. But these VPNs minimize lag, so you can still download and stream quickly.
- Privacy + Security – Having strong encryption and privacy policies, plus features like DNS leak checks are must-haves in a VPN.
- Network size + distribution – The number of servers and a widespread distribution assure that you can get the best connection and get around geo-blocks. Bigger is better. Zero-logging policy – Going hand-in-hand with privacy, your VPN needs to have a zero-logging policy. Your information will only be safe if your VPN doesn’t keep logs.
Comparison of the Best VPNs for Private Internet Access
Searching for a PIA alternative means you’re comparing tradeoffs, not just price tags. The table below gives you a side-by-side snapshot of PIA and each recommended alternative across the features that matter most to everyday users — from server reach and protocol support to streaming reliability and refund terms. Use it as a quick decision aid before diving into the full reviews below.
| Feature | PIA | NordVPN | Surfshark | ExpressVPN | CyberGhost | PrivateVPN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price/mo | ~$2.03 | ~$3.39 | ~$2.19 | ~$6.67 | ~$2.19 | ~$2.00 |
| Simultaneous connections | Unlimited | 10 | Unlimited | 8 | 7 | 10 |
| Countries | 91 | 111 | 100 | 105 | 100 | 63 |
| Audited no-logs | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Open-source apps | ✓ | Partial | Partial | Partial | ✗ | ✗ |
| RAM-only/diskless servers | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| WireGuard / OpenVPN / IKEv2 | ✓ / ✓ / ✓ | ✓ / ✓ / ✓ | ✓ / ✓ / ✓ | ✓ / ✓ / ✗ (Lightway) | ✓ / ✓ / ✓ | ✓ / ✓ / ✓ |
| Streaming reliability | Good | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Torrenting support | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ad/tracker blocking | ✓ (MACE) | ✓ (Threat Protection) | ✓ (CleanWeb) | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Dedicated IP | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| 24/7 live chat | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Refund window | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 45 days | 30 days |
| Best for | Budget users, power users who customize | All-around performance | Unlimited devices, budget | Streaming, travel | Beginners, streaming | Privacy, streaming |
- 24/7 Live Chat
- 24/7 Live Chat
- 24/7 Live Chat
- 24/7 Live Chat
- 24/7 Live Chat
- Netflix,
- Disney+,
- Amazon Prime,
- iPlayer,
- YouTube,
- Hulu
- Netflix,
- Disney+,
- Amazon Prime,
- iPlayer,
- YouTube,
- Hulu
- Netflix,
- Disney+,
- Amazon Prime,
- iPlayer
- Netflix,
- Disney+,
- Amazon Prime,
- iPlayer,
- YouTube,
- Hulu
- Netflix,
- Disney+,
- Amazon Prime,
- iPlayer,
- YouTube,
- Hulu
The best Private Internet Access alternatives ranked and reviewed
Here’s our list of the best Private Internet Access alternatives, each rated for its superior encryption, server network size, performance, and overall ability to keep your identity hidden online:
1. NordVPN
- SPECIAL OFFER: 2-yr plan (70% off – link below)
- Most VPN servers with different IP addresses
- No IP/DNS leaks found
- “Double” data protection
- Great support (24/7 chat)
- Some servers can be slow and unreliable
- Refund processing can take up to 30 days
NordVPN has a massive network — over 6,400 servers in 111 countries — making it one of the largest and most geographically diverse in the industry. Based in Panama, NordVPN sits well outside the reach of major intelligence-sharing agreements, so you don’t have to worry about the government leaning on them to report on you.
On privacy, NordVPN’s independently audited no-logs policy is among the most thorough available: no traffic logs, no IP addresses, no timestamps, no bandwidth data, and no browsing history — ever. All servers run on RAM-only infrastructure (called “colocated servers”), meaning data physically cannot persist between reboots. It’s one of the most complete privacy setups of any commercial VPN, and a key reason NordVPN ranks so highly among Private Internet Access alternatives.
NordVPN supports WireGuard (via its proprietary NordLynx implementation), OpenVPN, and IKEv2, giving you flexibility across speed and compatibility needs. Its Threat Protection feature goes beyond a standard kill switch by blocking ads, trackers, and malware-laden domains before they reach your device — something PIA’s MACE feature also attempts but with less consistency in testing. Dedicated IP addresses are available as an add-on, and specialty servers cover Onion over VPN, Double VPN, P2P, and obfuscated connections for censorship-heavy regions.
Streaming performance is excellent across Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more. The interface is clean and intuitive, with a world map making server selection genuinely easy regardless of your technical comfort level.
Read our full NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark
- Bypass government censorship with NoBorders mode
- All 800+ servers are P2P-friendly, with private DNS and obfuscation
- Clean, dead-simple app interface makes constant security a no-brainer
- Logging policy independently audited and verified
- Responsive customer support available 24/7
- Speeds occasionally suffer a noticeable drop
- Relatively young VPN still has to prove itself trustworthy over the long haul
People love PIA primarily because it’s cheap, but Surfshark manages to undercut its main feature while adding plenty of value of its own. Don’t be mistaken: this “budget” pick stands tall amongst all the big boys of the VPN market, and you’re about to see why.
Surfshark now operates over 3,200 servers across 100 countries, with every server running on 100% diskless (RAM-only) infrastructure — meaning your usage data is never written to physical storage. Its independently audited no-logs policy backs this up. Protocols include WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and Shadowsocks for bypassing censorship, and the suite can punch through even China’s Great Firewall. A kill switch and full protection against IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks round out the security stack.
One standout differentiator: Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections, which matches PIA but beats every other provider on this list. It’s the obvious pick if you have a large household or a lot of devices to cover. CleanWeb, Surfshark’s built-in ad and tracker blocker, works across all those devices automatically. Dedicated IP addresses are also available as an add-on if you need a consistent exit IP for banking or remote work.
3. ExpressVPN
- SPECIAL OFFER: 3 months free (49% off – link below)
- Super fast, reliable connection
- Secure encryption & VPN protocols
- No logs for personal data
- 24/7 Customer Service
- Expensive month-to-month plan
ExpressVPN operates over 3,000 servers across 105 countries — broad enough that you’ll almost always find a low-latency server wherever you need one. Based in the British Virgin Islands, ExpressVPN sits outside UK jurisdiction and is exempt from the Five, Nine, and Fourteen Eyes surveillance agreements. An independently audited no-logs policy confirms the company doesn’t record your traffic, IP address, or browsing activity.
Every ExpressVPN server runs on its TrustedServer technology — a RAM-only architecture that wipes all data on every reboot, making persistent data storage physically impossible. The proprietary Lightway protocol delivers some of the fastest connection speeds we’ve tested, while OpenVPN and IKEv2 remain available for compatibility. Smart DNS (MediaStreamer) is included at no extra cost, letting you unblock streaming services on devices that don’t natively support VPN apps — smart TVs, gaming consoles, and streaming sticks included. Router app support is also a standout, covering your whole home network in one go.
Streaming is where ExpressVPN consistently shines, with reliable unblocking of Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+ in testing. Customer support via 24/7 live chat is genuinely helpful, and the 30-day money-back guarantee gives you a low-risk trial window.
Read our full ExpressVPN review.
4. CyberGhost
- Works with Netflix
- Fast, constant speeds
- 2,048-bit RSA keys and SHA256 authentication
- Private: Strong no logs policy
- Money-back guarantee
- Some streaming sites cannot be unblocked
CyberGhost gives you privacy and security made easy. They’re incredibly beginner-friendly, keeping things simple and easy to install. Then, once you have the VPN up, they give you 6 simple configuration profiles. With these profiles, you get the option to have the best settings applied automatically for your use case. So for things like surfing anonymously, unblocking streaming, and choosing your VPN server, as well as others, you don’t need to spend a lot of time getting your settings figured out. And, each of those profiles can be customized with simple toggles – so you can add ad blockers, online tracking blockers, and extra speed simply by turning on a toggle.
CyberGhost also utilizes a default encryption protocol that blends speed and security – but if you want one over the other for any reason, you can select one of their other 4 protocols and get connected. With a large network of over 5,900 servers in 100 countries, unlimited bandwidth, no throttling, and high connection speeds, you can rest assured you’ll find the best and fastest server for you.
Notably, for privacy nuts, CyberGhost also logs nearly nothing – just anonymous log-in events once per day to accrue monthly login statistics among unique users. That might sound fishy, but it’s not – there’s no way for this to be traced back to an individual. Get CyberGhost for your Windows, Mac OS, iOS, or Android and connect up to 7 devices at a time. CyberGhost also offers the longest money-back guarantee of any provider on this list at 45 days.
Read our full CyberGhost review.
5. PrivateVPN
PrivateVPN is based out of Sweden – another privacy-friendly home base. There, PrivateVPN is safe from other major powers’ regulations and requests for your data. And even if they did get a court order, there would be nothing to share – PrivateVPN doesn’t keep any details about you that could allow a third party to match an IP address to you. That’s great news – you don’t have to worry about them selling your info to advertising companies on the side.
PrivateVPN gives you 256-bit AES encryption, alongside DNS leak test capability, and automatic kill switch protection. So you can test your connections to make sure your identity isn’t leaking out, and if your connection drops, you’ll still be safe. The kill switch will automatically shut down your internet, preventing any of your data from being vulnerable.
High-speed connections and great customer support are right on point with PrivateVPN. And, due to a unique feature where the best VPNs for getting around VPN blockers are labeled, PrivateVPN is one of the best providers if you want worldwide access to Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and all your other favorites.
Why look for Private Internet Access alternatives in the first place?
Before we dive into PIA’s shortcomings, it’s worth being honest about what the service actually gets right today. PIA has matured considerably as a product. It now offers unlimited simultaneous connections — matching Surfshark and beating every other provider on this list. Its apps are fully open-source, meaning independent security researchers can and do inspect the code. MACE, PIA’s built-in ad and tracker blocker, works across all platforms. Dedicated IP addresses are available as an add-on. And PIA’s no-logs policy has held up under real-world scrutiny, having been tested in court proceedings where no useful logs existed to hand over.
PIA is also genuinely cheap, and its support for WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 gives technically minded users plenty of flexibility to configure exactly the setup they want.
So who actually needs to switch? The honest answer depends on what’s frustrating you. Here’s a breakdown:
- Switch to NordVPN if you want the broadest country coverage (111 countries vs. PIA’s 91), RAM-only servers, and the most consistent all-around performance including streaming. NordVPN’s Threat Protection is also a more robust ad and malware blocker than MACE in day-to-day use.
- Switch to ExpressVPN if streaming is your primary use case or you travel frequently to high-censorship regions. TrustedServer (RAM-only) infrastructure, the Lightway protocol, and Smart DNS for non-VPN devices make it the premium pick for reliability, though you’ll pay more for it.
- Switch to Surfshark if you want a similar price point to PIA but with RAM-only servers, 100 countries, and a clearly audited no-logs policy. Surfshark also matches PIA’s unlimited device allowance, which most rivals cap.
- Switch to CyberGhost if PIA’s interface or configuration depth feels overwhelming. CyberGhost’s one-click profiles and 45-day money-back guarantee make it the easiest entry point for less technical users.
Stay with PIA if: you’re a budget-conscious power user who values open-source apps, unlimited connections, and the ability to customize tunneling settings down to the protocol and port level — and streaming performance isn’t your top priority.
Switch if: you need broader country coverage, RAM-only server infrastructure, more consistent streaming unblocking, or a simpler app experience. The sections below explain the specific areas where PIA still lags behind the alternatives.
Slow speeds
To start, PIA doesn’t offer a server status page with real-time updates about your server’s bandwidth. This means that you cannot see the real-time speed of your bandwidth, or troubleshoot poor speed or connection problems. Alongside this, although Private Internet Access has a great number of servers, their speed isn’t great. Using PIA can slow down your internet significantly, so streaming and downloading can be frustrating ordeals.
Weak global network
PIA’s network has grown significantly and now spans around 91 countries, including servers in all 50 U.S. states — a level of domestic granularity that few rivals can match. That’s a meaningful upgrade from the legacy numbers that once defined the service, and it makes PIA a genuinely global provider rather than the western-only network it used to be.
That said, country count doesn’t tell the whole story. NordVPN covers 111 countries and ExpressVPN reaches 105, both offering meaningfully broader reach into regions where PIA’s presence is thinner — particularly parts of Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. For users whose connection quality depends on proximity to a server (gamers in the Middle East or Southeast Asia, for example, or travelers in less-covered regions), NordVPN and ExpressVPN still hold a clear edge in both coverage and optimized server performance in those areas. PIA’s network is no longer small by any reasonable measure, but if maximum geographic flexibility is your priority, the alternatives still have the advantage.
Support quality still lags the top alternatives
PIA now offers 24/7 live chat support — so the old complaint that it only handled tickets by email no longer applies. In that respect, PIA is on par with every provider on this list.
Where PIA still falls short compared to the top alternatives is in the depth and consistency of that support. In our testing and from user feedback, PIA’s live chat agents are better equipped to handle account and billing questions than they are to walk users through nuanced technical troubleshooting — things like manual router configuration, protocol-specific connection failures, or resolving streaming unblocking issues on specific platforms. ExpressVPN and NordVPN both maintain larger, more technically trained support teams that can resolve these kinds of problems faster and with fewer back-and-forth exchanges. If you rely on your VPN for business use, frequent travel to censorship-heavy regions, or complex device setups, the support gap between PIA and the top-tier alternatives is a real consideration worth factoring into your decision.
Based in the U.S.
Private Internet Access is owned by London Trust Media, Inc., a United States-based company. Because it’s located in the U.S., that means it falls under United States jurisdiction – and the American government likes to know everything about everyone. So, with PIA located there, they could easily be ordered at any time to start keeping logs of your data and traffic – and you might never even know the difference. This is one of the most compelling reasons to consider Private Internet Access alternatives based in more privacy-friendly jurisdictions.
Why is a U.S.-based VPN such a bad thing?
Most of the major governments and countries of modern times have domestic intelligence agencies. In the U.S., you have the NSA and the FBI. These two agencies have been found in recent years to be collecting data on just about everyone – citizens, visitors to the U.S., and diplomats included. And those efforts include spying on what you do online.
What the FBI and NSA do
The FBI was founded in 1908 to “protect the rights and liberties” of United States citizens while fighting criminals throughout the country. Originally, this was proposed so that there would be an organization that had access to government intelligence and resources and could cross state lines – the entire U.S. is their jurisdiction.
The NSA was founded in 1952 to globally monitor, collect information, and protect the United States’ communication networks. They can – and do – do this by any means, including through physical “bugging” of electronic systems, wiretapping phone calls, and watching internet activity.
READ ALSO: Phone apps track your every move, here’s what to do about it
The leaks
Former NSA and CIA contractor Edward Snowden shook the world when he leaked documents in 2013. These documents revealed massive, extensive, extremely invasive measures taken by the NSA to spy on U.S. citizens, travelers, and diplomats. It also showed that the NSA and FBI were increasing their surveillance, without warrants or oversight.
While the United States was perhaps the most publicized country involved, others were revealed to be implicated, showing inter-country networks of spying. According to the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the scope of NSA surveillance was far broader than most people realized — another strong argument for choosing Private Internet Access alternatives headquartered outside U.S. jurisdiction.
You can learn more about this in our comprehensive guide.
Conclusion
Although Private Internet Access can be a solid VPN provider based off its extremely affordable rates, it falls short in many important areas. With a solid list of Private Internet Access alternatives offering better features, performance, and comparable prices, why stick with PIA? There’s a lot that goes into researching the best alternatives, and here we’ve done a lot of the work for you. Use this guide to finish your search, make your choice, and get online, safe and private.
Have you used Private Internet Access? What was your experience with it? Did it parallel the issues we laid out here? Tell us your story below in the comments.
Private Internet Access (also known simply as “PIA”) is an extremely popular VPN around the world, and for good reason – it’s cheap. With prices starting at just $2.91 per month, the shelf appeal makes perfect sense. But, as with everything – you get what you pay for. And although Private Internet Access is a decent provider, there are better Private Internet Access alternatives for comparable prices. So if you want better global server coverage, faster internet, and greater security away from prying eyes, keep reading.
Editor's Pick August 2026
If you need a VPN for a short while when traveling for example, you can get our top ranked VPN free of charge. NordVPN includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. You will need to pay for the subscription, that’s a fact, but it allows full access for 30 days and then you cancel for a full refund. Their no-questions-asked cancellation policy lives up to its name.
