Private Internet Access vs Proton VPN: Complete Comparison
Choosing between Private Internet Access and Proton VPN? Our comprehensive analysis compares features, pricing, performance, and security to help you make an informed decision. Both services offer robust VPN solutions, but which one delivers better value for your specific needs?
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison Overview
Private Internet Access
- Founded: 2010 (US-based)
- Servers: 35,000+ in 91 countries
- Starting Price: $2.19/month (2-year plan)
- Connections: Unlimited
- Best For: Budget-conscious users, torrenting
Proton VPN
- Founded: 2017 (Switzerland-based)
- Servers: 13,000+ in 120+ countries
- Starting Price: €4.49/month (2-year plan)
- Connections: Up to 10 devices
- Best For: Privacy-focused users, free tier
Server Distribution Comparison
Detailed Feature Comparison
| Feature | Private Internet Access | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Servers | 35,000+ in 91 countries | 13,000+ in 120+ countries |
| Encryption | AES-256 | AES-256 & ChaCha20 |
| Protocols | WireGuard, OpenVPN | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| Kill Switch | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Split Tunneling | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| No-Logs Policy | ✅ Audited | ✅ Audited |
| Tor Support | ❌ No | ✅ Tor over VPN |
| Free Tier | ❌ No | ✅ Limited |
Pricing Analysis
Private Internet Access Pricing
2-Year Plan + 2 Free Months
$2.19/month
Total: $56.94 for 26 months
6-Month Plan
$7.50/month
Total: $45.00 for 6 months
1-Month Plan
$11.99/month
Add-ons:
- • Antivirus: +$1.45/month
- • Dedicated IP: +$2.50/month
Proton VPN Pricing
VPN Plus 2-Year Plan
€4.49/month
Total: €107.76 for 24 months
VPN Plus 1-Year Plan
€4.99/month
Total: €59.88 for 12 months
VPN Plus Monthly
€9.99/month
Proton Unlimited Bundle:
- • 2-Year: €7.99/month
- • 1-Year: €9.99/month
- • Monthly: €12.99/month
Pricing Comparison (USD equivalent)
Speed & Performance Analysis
Based on independent testing from multiple sources, here’s how Private Internet Access and Proton VPN perform in real-world scenarios. Speed tests were conducted using a 100 Mbps baseline connection across various server locations.
Private Internet Access Performance
- Average Speed Loss: 48% (CNET testing)
- US Servers: Excellent performance
- International Servers: Variable performance
- Best Protocol: WireGuard
Proton VPN Performance
- Average Speed Loss: 25-30% (Various tests)
- US Servers: Good performance
- International Servers: Consistently faster
- Best Protocol: WireGuard with VPN Accelerator
Key Performance Statistics
Security & Privacy Analysis
Private Internet Access Security
- Jurisdiction: United States (5 Eyes alliance)
- Encryption: AES-256 with perfect forward secrecy
- No-Logs: Independently audited multiple times
- RAM-Only Servers: All servers diskless
- Open Source: Client software available
Proton VPN Security
- Jurisdiction: Switzerland (strong privacy laws)
- Encryption: AES-256 & ChaCha20
- No-Logs: Independently audited by Securitum
- Tor Support: Tor over VPN built-in
- Open Source: Fully open-source ecosystem
Security Features Comparison
Streaming & Torrenting Capabilities
Private Internet Access
Streaming Performance
- • Netflix US: ✅ Excellent
- • Netflix International: ⚠️ Limited
- • Amazon Prime: ✅ Good
- • Disney+: ✅ Good
- • BBC iPlayer: ❌ Blocked
Torrenting Features
- • P2P Support: ✅ All servers
- • Port Forwarding: ✅ Yes
- • SOCKS5 Proxy: ✅ Yes
- • Kill Switch: ✅ Yes
Proton VPN
Streaming Performance
- • Netflix US: ✅ Excellent
- • Netflix International: ✅ Good
- • Amazon Prime: ✅ Good
- • Disney+: ✅ Good
- • BBC iPlayer: ✅ Works
Torrenting Features
- • P2P Support: ✅ Plus servers only
- • Port Forwarding: ✅ Yes
- • SOCKS5 Proxy: ❌ No
- • Kill Switch: ✅ Yes
Streaming Platform Success Rate
User Experience & Interface
Private Internet Access Interface
Key Features:
- • Highly customizable settings
- • Advanced protocol options
- • Detailed connection statistics
- • Browser extensions available
Proton VPN Interface
Key Features:
- • Clean, intuitive interface
- • One-click server connection
- • Secure Core routing
- • Built-in DNS leak protection
Pros & Cons Analysis
Private Internet Access
Pros
- • Extremely affordable pricing
- • Unlimited simultaneous connections
- • Excellent for torrenting
- • Strong US server performance
- • Highly customizable
- • Port forwarding support
Cons
- • Based in US (5 Eyes alliance)
- • Variable international speeds
- • Limited streaming capabilities
- • No free tier available
- • Interface can be overwhelming
Proton VPN
Pros
- • Swiss privacy jurisdiction
- • Excellent streaming performance
- • Consistent global speeds
- • Free tier available
- • Tor over VPN support
- • User-friendly interface
Cons
- • More expensive than PIA
- • Only 10 simultaneous connections
- • Limited torrenting on free tier
- • No SOCKS5 proxy support
- • Smaller server network
Ready to Choose Your VPN?
Both services offer excellent value with different strengths. Choose based on your priorities.
Related: ExpressVPN vs Proton VPN
Related: ExpressVPN vs PIA
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for streaming: Private Internet Access or Proton VPN?
Proton VPN is generally better for streaming, particularly for international content. It consistently unblocks Netflix libraries worldwide, BBC iPlayer, and other streaming services. PIA works well for US-based streaming but has limitations with international platforms.
Is Private Internet Access really unlimited connections?
Yes, Private Internet Access offers unlimited simultaneous connections on all plans. This makes it ideal for families or users with multiple devices. Proton VPN limits connections to 10 devices on paid plans.
Which VPN is faster: PIA or Proton VPN?
Proton VPN typically offers faster and more consistent speeds, especially for international connections. PIA can be faster for nearby US servers but shows more variation in performance across different locations.
Do both VPNs support torrenting?
Yes, both support torrenting. PIA allows P2P on all servers with port forwarding support, making it excellent for torrenting. Proton VPN supports torrenting on Plus servers only but still offers good performance.
Which VPN has better privacy protection?
Both have strong privacy protection with audited no-logs policies. Proton VPN has a slight edge due to its Swiss jurisdiction and additional features like Tor over VPN. PIA’s US location may be a concern for some users despite its strong privacy practices.
Can I try these VPNs before committing?
Both services offer 30-day money-back guarantees. Additionally, Proton VPN offers a free tier with limited servers and features, allowing you to test the service before upgrading.
Final Verdict: Private Internet Access vs Proton VPN
Our Recommendation
Both Private Internet Access and Proton VPN are excellent choices, but they excel in different areas. For budget-conscious users who need unlimited connections and excellent torrenting support, PIA offers unbeatable value. For privacy-focused users who want the best streaming experience and don’t mind paying slightly more, Proton VPN is the superior choice.
Consider your primary use case: Choose PIA for affordability and torrenting, or Proton VPN for privacy and streaming. Both offer 30-day money-back guarantees, so you can test either service risk-free.
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