When evaluating NordVPN and Private Internet Access VPN, users will find that while NordVPN consistently receives top ratings, it comes with a higher price tag. This leads many individuals to consider alternatives like the more cost-effective Private Internet Access VPN. In this evaluation, we pit NordVPN against PIA VPN to help you determine whether NordVPN’s enhanced speed and additional features justify the increased expense, or if the more affordable PIA VPN will suffice.
- PIA VPN is ideal for thrifty individuals seeking an economical VPN solution, unconcerned with occasional speed fluctuations and lack of advanced features.
- NordVPN is best suited for users desiring faster VPN speeds, more sophisticated features, and who are willing to pay a premium for these capabilities.
PIA VPN vs. NordVPN: Side-by-Side Comparison
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PIA VPN vs. NordVPN Pricing
Private Internet Access VPN Pricing
Private Internet Access offers three straightforward subscription options for its standalone VPN service. It’s worth noting that PIA maintains consistent pricing post-introductory period, allowing subscribers to renew at the same rate. The pricing varies based on the chosen subscription plan.
for the specified plans is illustrated below:
- 3 years + 4 months: $1.98 per month.
- 1 year: $3.33 per month.
- 1 month: $11.95 per month.
PIA VPN also provides two paid extras, including antivirus protection for Windows PC and a dedicated IP address. Many other VPN providers incorporate these functionalities with premium packages, so it’s crucial to calculate the costs to ensure you’re receiving the best value. Here’s the pricing breakdown for these add-ons from PIA:
- Antivirus for Windows PC
- 3 years: $1.00 per month.
- 1 year: $2.00 per month.
- 1 month: $4.50 per month.
- Dedicated IP address
- 3 years: $2.50 per month.
- 1 year: $4.25 per month.
- 1 month: $5.00 per month.
A trial version is accessible for PIA VPN, exclusively through the App Store or Google Play Store. Once you download the application and subscribe, you receive a seven-day window to try it out for free before any charges apply. This trial period isn’t available through the PIA store or for desktop applications. Nonetheless, after initiating the trial on my iOS device, I managed to download the Mac app on my laptop and log in using my credentials. Additionally, PIA offers a 30-day refund policy, so you can request a reimbursement if you decide otherwise within the initial month.
For additional details, check out our comprehensive review of PIA VPN.
Pricing for NordVPN
NordVPN presents three distinct subscription durations: two years, one year, and month-to-month. Moreover, it offers three tiers of packages, with the higher-priced ones encompassing extra features. The Essential plan grants VPN access for up to 10 devices. The Enhanced plan introduces malware protection, a password manager, a tracker and ad blocker, along with a data breach scanner. The Ultimate plan integrates all features from Enhanced and provides 1 TB of encrypted storage. NordVPN does elevate prices post the introductory phase, occasionally offering discounts (especially if you suggest cancellation of the subscription). The pricing details for these packages are as follows:
- 2-year plan
- Essential: $3.09 per month + 3 additional months.
- Enhanced: $3.99 per month + 3 additional months.
- Ultimate: $5.99 per month + 3 additional months.
- 1-year plan
- Essential: $4.59 per month + 3 additional months.
- Enhanced: $5.59 per month + 3 additional months.
- Ultimate: $7.59 per month + 3 additional months.
- Month-to-month
- Essential: $12.99.
- Enhanced: $13.99.
- Ultimate: $15.99.
A trial version is not provided by NordVPN. However, it furnishes a 30-day money-back guarantee, enabling you to claim a refund if you opt out during the initial month. I had previously signed up for a two-year NordVPN plan for personal use and therefore did not require a trial to assess its efficacy.
For more details, explore our detailed review of NordVPN or compare it with NordVPN vs. Surfshark and NordVPN vs. Express VPN.
PIA VPN vs. NordVPN: Feature comparison
Speed and performance
Poor to moderate speeds are a significant downside of PIA VPN. Upon logging into the desktop app (Figure A) and linking to the nearest server in Atlanta, I observed immediate latency. A speed test validated this: I achieved download speeds of 295.66 mbps and upload speeds of 75.23 mbps while operating PIA VPN. These rates are notably slower compared to NordVPN and another popular affordable VPN selection, Surfshark. To provide context, testing Surfshark last month yielded download speeds of 503.19 mbps and upload speeds of 330.90 mbps.
NordVPN (Figure B) comes at a higher cost compared to PIA VPN, yet I experienced significantly faster speeds throughout my two-year subscription period. Speed was a pivotal factor influencing my decision to opt for NordVPN initially. Though occasional lags occurred, especially when connecting to distant servers, the average speed surpassed that of PIA VPN by a noticeable margin.
Do bear in mind, though, that connection velocity can fluctuate significantly based on a variety of factors, such as the number of other individuals connected to the same server or the type of media you’re attempting to stream to your location. For example, TechRepublic writer Luis Millares observed favorable speeds and minimal latency when evaluating PIA VPN extensively. This is why I suggest trying out PIA VPN and NordVPN yourself to determine which performs better at your residence or workplace.
Watching
Streaming media was a breeze with both PIA VPN and NordVPN. I managed to link to a UK server to watch Studio Ghibli movies on Netflix and then switched to a Canadian server to stream “The Office.” Even when connected to PIA’s “streaming optimized” servers (Figure C), there was a noticeable delay compared to NordVPN.
While connected to PIA servers, I encountered waiting times for each Netflix page to load, and clicking the “play” button required 15 to 20 seconds for the content to commence streaming. Following that initial pause, the video playback was smooth. Nevertheless, I’d have reservations about using PIA for more extensive tasks, such as uploading lengthy high-definition videos to YouTube or streaming intricate games that demand substantial computing power.
User-Friendliness
PIA’s various interfaces aren’t the most user-friendly VPN platforms I’ve experimented with, but they aren’t the worst either. The layout of the iOS app was very straightforward, taking only a couple of moments to locate the region selector tool in the left sidebar and connect to the UK. However, the design of the desktop app was a tad perplexing, especially when compared to the uncomplicated mobile apps.
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On a Mac, the PIA VPN desktop interface provides two perspectives, compact and expanded, with fixed dimensions for each. The compact view (Figure D) only exhibits the connect/disconnect buttons and the presently selected server. Conversely, the expanded view elongates the toolbar vertically until it covers the entire screen height, which is a somewhat peculiar design decision. The expanded view supplies access to additional settings and measurements but conceals the connect button — you must collapse the window again to reveal the button once more.
In contrast, the NordVPN desktop opens in a separate window that can be resized and repositioned at your convenience. Personally, I find this favorable so that I can have the VPN running in a background window.While I’m at work or streaming content, I also value the map feature provided by NordVPN, which indicates the server I’m currently linked to. However, some users may consider this feature redundant or visually disturbing. To explore additional settings, all you need to do is click on the icons located in the left menu bar. The NordVPN mobile applications are equally user-friendly, as shown in Figure E, and they maintain a consistent design with the desktop version, creating a seamless user experience.
Security and privacy
Private Internet Access (PIA) offers numerous security and privacy features that have become standard in VPN services, such as AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and multi-hop routing. Additionally, its applications are entirely open source, enhancing transparency and allowing anyone, including yourself, to scrutinize the source code. PIA VPN strictly adheres to a no-logs policy and maintains a clear privacy policy, which has been independently audited by Deloitte to validate these assertions.
One potential security concern that may give some users pause is PIA’s affiliation with U.S. jurisdiction, as opposed to a location outside of intelligence-sharing alliances. In 2019, PIA was acquired by Kape Technologies, a company with a history of distributing malware and adware. (PIA asserts that it operates autonomously from Kape.)
For most everyday users like myself, the U.S. jurisdiction of PIA and its ties to Kape Technologies may not be a dealbreaker. If this is a concern for you, NordVPN, based in Panama—a country not part of intelligence-sharing alliances such as Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, or Fourteen Eyes—may be a preferable option.
NordVPN also provides a range of security and privacy features similar to those of PIA VPN, including AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and multi-hop routing (referred to as “Double VPN” by the platform, as shown in Figure F). NordVPN boasts a robust no-logs policy, independently verified by Deloitte on four occasions, with the most recent audit conducted at the end of last year.
PIA VPN advantages and disadvantages
Pros of Private Internet Access VPN
- More cost-effective compared to NordVPN.
- No unexpected price increases post the introductory period.
- Supports unlimited simultaneous connections.
- Offers a range of security features.
- Free trial accessible via App Store or Google Play Store.
Cons of Private Internet Access VPN
- Additional features like antivirus protection and dedicated IP addresses require separate payments.
- Possible significant speed reduction.
- Room for improvement in desktop app design.
- U.S. jurisdiction may concern privacy-oriented users.
NordVPN advantages and disadvantages
Pros of NordVPN
- Generally faster speeds than PIA VPN.
- Panama jurisdiction provides better data privacy.
- Resizable and movable desktop app.
- Advanced plans offer additional features like malware protection.
Cons of NordVPN
- Higher pricing compared to PIA VPN.
- Price increments after the introductory period.
- Restricted to 10 simultaneous device connections.
- No free trial option available.
Should your organization opt for PIA VPN or NordVPN?
The decision between PIA and NordVPN for your organization relies on various factors. If you prioritize affordability and are willing to overlook potential speed variations and U.S. jurisdiction drawbacks, then PIA VPN could meet your requirements well. The consistent pricing structure post the introductory period is particularly appealing, a feature lacking in most other major VPN providers.
On the other hand, if you seek fast and stable speeds, robust privacy features, and are prepared to invest more for enhanced security, then NordVPN might be the preferable choice. Additionally, businesses requiring extra features like malware protection and a password manager may find it economically smarter to bundle these services with NordVPN rather than purchasing them individually.
If neither PIA VPN nor NordVPN aligns with your needs and budget, consider exploring our recommendations for the best free VPNs.
Methodology of assessment
To evaluate PIA and NordVPN, I signed up for a trial of PIA VPN and already had a prior subscription to NordVPN for personal use. I conducted performance, streaming, and usability tests on both services. Additionally, I scrutinized their security and privacy measures to confirm their reliability and safety as VPN solutions.
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