Private Internet Access Review
PIA is the value pick for people who like knobs: open source apps, port forwarding, unlimited devices and a no-logs record repeatedly tested in US courts, at a price nothing else in this tier matches.
Review last updated 2026-08-20 · How we rate providers
Scorecard
Pros
- No-logs claim proven in US court more than once, which no marketing audit can match
- Open source apps with unusually deep configuration control
- Unlimited devices and port forwarding, a rare combination
- Very cheap on the long plan and still cheap on renewal
- Enormous server footprint including every US state
Cons
- US jurisdiction, squarely inside 5 Eyes
- Owned by Kape Technologies
- Streaming support is patchier than the leaders
- Advanced settings can overwhelm a beginner
Privacy, jurisdiction & audits
Who the company answers to legally, what it keeps, and whether anyone independent has checked.
| Legal jurisdiction | United States in the 5 EyesUS base is the weakest jurisdiction on paper; PIA counters with court-tested proof of no logs. |
|---|---|
| Logging policy | No-logs, independently audited |
| Independent audits | Deloitte, 2024 no-logs policy assurance |
| Owned by | Kape Technologies |
| RAM-only servers | ✓ |
| Warrant canary | ✓ |
| Anonymous payment | Crypto accepted |
Private Internet Access plans & pricing
Advertised rates as of August 20, 2026. VPN promo rates normally require the prepaid term shown and renew at the higher rate; proxy pricing falls with volume. Confirm on Private Internet Access's own site before buying.
| Plan | Price | Renews at | Devices | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-year planConsumer VPN | $2.03/mo39 mo prepay$79 billed up front | $4.42/mo | Unlimited | Promo term includes extra free months |
| 1-year planConsumer VPN | $3.33/mo12 mo prepay | $4.42/mo | Unlimited | |
| MonthlyConsumer VPN | $11.95/momonthly | $11.95/mo | Unlimited |
Features
Our Private Internet Access review
Private Internet Access has the single most persuasive no-logs evidence in the industry, and it did not come from an accounting firm. US federal courts have subpoenaed PIA for user data more than once, in 2016 and again in later cases, and PIA produced nothing because nothing existed. Deloitte has since audited the policy as well, but the court record carries more weight.
That matters because PIA is a US company, in the heart of the 5 Eyes. There is no national security letter regime that makes stored data safe, so the only real defense is not to store anything. PIA has demonstrated that under legal pressure, which is a stronger position than a favorable jurisdiction plus untested claims.
The apps are open source and unusually configurable. You can pick your encryption cipher, set the handshake, control port forwarding, use split tunneling per app or per IP, run multi-hop through SOCKS5 or Shadowsocks, and block ads at the DNS layer with MACE. Beginners will find this intimidating; anyone who has ever edited a config file will feel at home.
The network is huge, with tens of thousands of servers, coverage in every US state, and unlimited simultaneous connections. Port forwarding plus unlimited devices plus low pricing makes PIA a common recommendation for seedbox-adjacent and heavy torrent use.
Weak spots: streaming is inconsistent compared to Nord, Express or Surfshark, with Netflix working from some regions and not others. And PIA is another Kape Technologies property, which for some buyers is disqualifying regardless of the court record.
At roughly $2/mo on the three-year plan and around $4.42/mo on renewal, PIA is the least punishing renewal in the mainstream tier. If you want maximum control per dollar and are unbothered by US incorporation, it is hard to beat.
Notable facts
- Produced no user data in response to US federal subpoenas, twice
- Owned by Kape Technologies since 2019
- Open source apps across every platform
At a glance
| Founded | 2010 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Denver, Colorado, US |
| Service types | Consumer VPN |
| Servers | 35K |
| Country coverage | 91 |
| Protocols | WireGuard, OpenVPN |
| Apps | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Router, Browser extension |
| Streaming unblocked | Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video |
| Starting price | $2.03/mo |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days |
| Free tier | No |
| Support | chat, tickets, knowledge-base (24/7) |
Frequently asked questions
Is a US-based VPN safe?
It is the weakest jurisdiction on paper, since US authorities have broad compulsion tools. The counterargument specific to PIA is that it has been compelled in court and had nothing to produce, which is stronger evidence than an untested claim from a friendlier country.
Does PIA allow torrenting?
Yes, on the whole network, with port forwarding available and unlimited simultaneous devices. That combination is why PIA is a common torrenting recommendation.
How cheap is PIA really?
Around $2/mo on a 39-month prepay, renewing near $4.42/mo. That renewal figure is far gentler than most rivals, whose prices triple after the intro term.
Bottom line
PIA is the value pick for people who like knobs: open source apps, port forwarding, unlimited devices and a no-logs record repeatedly tested in US courts, at a price nothing else in this tier matches.
Check current Private Internet Access pricing →
