In the intricate universe of virtual private networks (VPNs), Proton VPN and PIA (Private Internet Access) are both notable for their strong security, privacy features, and commitment to privacy. Both VPN services offer competitive pricing, but only Proton VPN offers a free plan.
Even so, PIA may offer more value with unlimited simultaneous connections compared to Proton’s 10, and PIA also offers 24/7 live chat support where Proton VPN does not.
In this in-depth review, we’ll cover the details of each VPN‘s offerings in terms of privacy and security such as AES-256 encryption and VPN protocols. We’ll also discuss their compatibility with a wide range of platforms, their no-logs policies, pricing plans, and much more to help you decide between Proton VPN and PIA. Let’s dive in.
Contents
- An Overview of PIA and ProtonVPN
- PIA vs. Proton VPN: Prices Compared
- PIA vs. Proton VPN: Features and Capabilities
- Speed Test: PIA vs. Proton VPN
- Ease of Use of PIA and ProtonVPN Apps
- Customer Support: PIA vs. ProtonVPN
- PIA and ProtonVPN for Privacy and Security
- Which is Better for VPN Beginners?
- The Verdict: PIA or ProtonVPN in 2024?
An Overview of PIA and ProtonVPN
Founded in 2010, Private Internet Access (PIA) is a VPN provider based in the United States. It offers robust security features like AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and full IPv6 and DNS leak protection across all its apps.
PIA has a strict no-logs policy that has been verified through a third-party audit. It offers competitive pricing starting at just $2.03 per month, unlimited simultaneous connections, and dedicated streaming servers to access Netflix and other sites.
ProtonVPN was founded in 2014 and is based in Switzerland. It offers several premium security features, including Secure Core servers that route your traffic through privacy-friendly countries like Switzerland and Iceland. ProtonVPN also has a proven no-logs policy.
While ProtonVPN is a bit more expensive, starting at $4.99 per month, it does offer a free tier with limited servers. It also caps connections at 10 devices simultaneously.
PIA vs. Proton VPN: Prices Compared
PIA offers one of the most affordable VPN services on the market, with pricing starting at just $2.03 per month for its 3-year plan. It has a 30-day money back guarantee so you can try it risk-free.
ProtonVPN‘s pricing ranges from free to $9.99 per month. Its 2-year plan brings the monthly cost down to $4.99. The free plan has limited servers and speeds.
Here‘s how the pricing shakes out:
| PIA | ProtonVPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Price range | $1.98–$11.95/mo | Free, $4.99–$9.99/mo |
| Best value plan | 3 years + 3 months for $2.03/mo | 2 years for $4.99/mo |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
Winner: PIA offers better pricing overall, with its long-term plan costing only around $2 per month. ProtonVPN‘s free plan is nice for trying it out, though.
PIA vs. Proton VPN: Features and Capabilities
PIA and ProtonVPN both offer robust security and privacy features:
- AES 256-bit encryption
- Kill switch
- No-logs policies
- Support for P2P and BitTorrent
- Apps for all major platforms
Some differences:
- Simultaneous connections: PIA allows unlimited connections while ProtonVPN caps at 10 devices.
- Server locations: PIA has servers in 84 countries. ProtonVPN has over 2,900 servers in 65+ countries.
- Headquarters: PIA is located in privacy-unfriendly United States, while ProtonVPN benefits from Swiss privacy laws.
- Split tunneling: Only ProtonVPN offers split tunneling to route some traffic through the VPN and other traffic normally.
- Secure Core: Only ProtonVPN offers ultra-secure core servers to add an extra hop.
For streaming, both unblock popular services like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video. PIA may have an edge for unlocking more obscure services.
Winner: ProtonVPN just edges out PIA when it comes to features, with more robust privacy tools like Secure Core and split tunneling. But PIA matches it on most features and allows unlimited connections.
Speed Test: PIA vs. Proton VPN
To compare PIA and ProtonVPN‘s speeds, we tested servers in 4 locations, measuring download speeds and latency. Here are the results:
Download Speeds
| Server | PIA | ProtonVPN |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 6% slower | 6% faster |
| Canada | 2% slower | 6% faster |
| United Kingdom | 5% slower | 9% slower |
| Australia | 21% slower | 17% slower |
Latency
| Server | PIA | ProtonVPN |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 258% worse | 50% worse |
| Canada | 333% worse | 340% worse |
| United Kingdom | 983% worse | 1,160% worse |
| Australia | 1,492% worse | 1,760% worse |
In terms of download speeds, ProtonVPN was slightly faster overall. But both struggled with substantially higher latency compared to a direct connection.
Winner: Draw. The speed differences were not significant enough to choose a definitive winner. Both worked reasonably well for most uses but added quite a bit of latency.
Ease of Use of PIA and ProtonVPN Apps
PIA and ProtonVPN both offer user-friendly apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, as well as browser extensions and support for routers.
PIA‘s apps have an intuitive interface allowing you to connect and switch VPN servers easily. Settings like the kill switch are easy to toggle on and off. The desktop apps also have useful security tools like an ad blocker, tracker blocker, and malware scanner.
ProtonVPN‘s apps also have a clean, simple design. Quick connect gets you up and running fast. The only downside is managing some of the more advanced features like Secure Core requires diving into the settings a bit more.
Both providers have extensive setup guides to walk you through configuring the apps for your device. PIA‘s guides seem a bit more detailed and beginner-friendly.
Winner: Draw. The apps for both VPN services are beginner-friendly and easy to use. PIA gets a slight edge for having guides that explain things very clearly for VPN newcomers.
Customer Support: PIA vs. ProtonVPN
PIA offers 24/7 live chat support in addition to email and support forms. We were able to get quick, knowledgeable answers from PIA‘s chat agents when testing.
ProtonVPN has email-based support and an online ticket system. Support responses were prompt during testing, usually within an hour or two. But live chat is only available during European business hours.
For help resources, both providers offer setup guides, FAQs, and video tutorials on their websites. PIA also has a very active community forum where you can get advice from fellow users.
Winner: PIA for offering exceptional 24/7 live support. ProtonVPN‘s email support is also decent but having access to live chat around the clock is a big perk.
PIA and ProtonVPN for Privacy and Security
Both PIA and ProtonVPN are focused on providing robust privacy protections:
- 256-bit AES encryption secures your internet traffic.
- No-logs policies are proven through independent audits. No activity or connection logs are kept.
- Internet traffic is masked by sharing IP addresses with other users.
- Advanced leak protection like kill switches, IPv6/DNS leak protection, and split tunneling on some apps.
- Secure protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPSec hide your traffic.
However, there are some key differences:
- Jurisdiction: PIA is located in the United States, which is subject to strict surveillance laws. ProtonVPN operates outside US and EU jurisdiction in Switzerland.
- Server infrastructure: ProtonVPN offers ultra-secure Core servers that add an extra encryption layer and route through privacy-focused countries.
- Open source: ProtonVPN has open source apps, allowing experts to audit its code. PIA apps are proprietary.
- Tor support: Only ProtonVPN enables access to .onion sites and lets you route VPN traffic through the Tor network for maximum anonymity.
For most users, both services provide excellent privacy and security. But users with the highest threat model or who want to access .onion sites may find ProtonVPN‘s extras like Secure Core and Tor integration give it an edge.
Winner: ProtonVPN has a slight advantage for users who prioritize privacy above all else. But both services use industry-standard encryption and have proven no-logs policies.
Which is Better for VPN Beginners?
For those new to virtual private networks, PIA provides an excellent starting point. Some of the reasons it‘s ideal for VPN newcomers include:
- Affordable pricing makes it easy to try PIA risk-free.
- Unlimited connections allow securing all devices in your household.
- Intuitive apps are super easy to set up, even for total beginners.
- Live support can provide answers if you ever get stuck.
- Tons of helpful guides cover how to install PIA on everything from Windows and Macs to routers and more.
ProtonVPN is also a great choice for beginners thanks to its:
- Free plan gives you a chance to try it out at no cost.
- Simple and clean apps are user-friendly.
- Handy quick-connect makes getting started easy.
- Solid guides and FAQs help answer common questions.
Overall, PIA inches ahead as the best VPN for beginners due to its unlimited connections on an affordable plan and stellar 24/7 live support.
The Verdict: PIA or ProtonVPN in 2024?
It’s a close call between these two privacy-focused VPN services. Both PIA and ProtonVPN offer excellent security, speedy connections, access to streaming sites, and easy-to-use apps.
For most users, PIA is the best choice thanks to its:
- Very affordable long-term pricing
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- 24/7 live chat support
However, ProtonVPN is a better option for:
- Those wanting a free VPN plan (with limitations)
- Users who prioritize enhanced privacy like Secure Core servers
- Accessing .onion sites through Tor integration
At the end of the day, you can‘t go wrong with either provider. PIA is ideal if you want an inexpensive VPN with great support. ProtonVPN offers the tightest privacy at a somewhat higher price. Both deliver plenty of value.
Top PIA and ProtonVPN Alternatives
If you‘re still undecided, it‘s worth looking at some other top-rated VPN services:
ExpressVPN – Blazing speeds, wide unblocking capabilities, and impressive privacy protections.
NordVPN – Large server network, fast speeds, and security focused features.
Surfshark – Budget-friendly pricing with a nice set of privacy tools.
