Private Internet Access vs NordVPN
Pick any two tools to get a head-to-head breakdown.
Overall rating
★★★★☆
4.3/5
★★★★★
4.8/5
Starting price
$2.19/mo
$3.99/mo
Speed
82/10
9/10
Privacy
86/10
9/10
Value for money
96/10
8/10
Ease of use
74/10
9/10
Reader clicks
109
124
Pros
- No-logs policy proven in two separate court cases
- Cheapest mainstream VPN — $2.19/mo on 3-year plan
- 10 simultaneous connections
- Highly configurable — advanced users can tune encryption
- Open source apps — fully auditable code
- MACE feature blocks ads and trackers
- Allows port forwarding for torrenting
- 5400+ servers worldwide
- Double VPN feature
- Built-in malware blocker
Cons
- Interface is less polished than NordVPN or ExpressVPN
- US-based — Five Eyes jurisdiction
- Streaming reliability is inconsistent compared to NordVPN
- 3-year commitment needed for the best price
- Slightly pricier than Surfshark
- Desktop app can feel heavy
Verdict
Private Internet Access is the cheapest mainstream VPN with a no-logs policy that has been proven in court — twice. When the FBI seized PIA servers in 2016 and again in 2018, there was no user data to collect. That real-world proof is more compelling than any audit. At $2.19/month on a 3-year plan, it undercuts even Surfshark. The interface is less polished than NordVPN but the core product is solid. If price and proven privacy matter more than apps and streaming, PIA is the correct choice.
NordVPN is our top pick for most users — great speeds, strong privacy, and an easy-to-use app.
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