Private Internet Access vs NordVPN
Choosing between Private Internet Access and NordVPN for your online privacy needs? This comprehensive comparison analyzes features, performance, pricing, and security to help you make the right decision. Both VPN services offer strong encryption and no-logs policies, but significant differences in speed, features, and value make one clearly superior.
Quick Comparison Overview
Private Internet Access
Budget-friendly with unlimited connections
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- 35,000+ servers worldwide
- Starting at $2.19/month
- Based in US (Five Eyes)
- Slower speeds
NordVPN
Premium features with superior performance
- Blazing fast speeds (800+ Mbps)
- Panama jurisdiction (privacy-friendly)
- Advanced security features
- Superior streaming support
- Higher price point
Key Statistics Comparison
Detailed Features Comparison
| Feature | Private Internet Access | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Server Count | 35,000+ | 7,150+ |
| Countries | 90+ | 118 |
| Simultaneous Connections | Unlimited | 10 |
| Kill Switch | ||
| Split Tunneling | ||
| Double VPN | ||
| Obfuscated Servers | ||
| Threat Protection | MACE (Basic) | Threat Protection Pro |
| Dedicated IP | $2.50/month | Available |
| RAM-only Servers |
Security Features Analysis
Pricing Comparison
Private Internet Access Pricing
2 Years + 2 Months Free
$2.19/month
83% savings - Best value
6 Months Plan
$7.50/month
Monthly Plan
$11.99/month
Add-ons:
- • Antivirus: $1.45/month
- • Dedicated IP: $2.50/month
NordVPN Pricing
2 Years Plans
Basic: $3.39/month
Plus: $4.39/month
Complete: $5.39/month
1 Year Plans
Basic: $4.99/month
Plus: $5.99/month
Complete: $6.99/month
Monthly Plans
Basic: $12.99/month
Plus: $13.99/month
Complete: $14.99/month
Price Comparison Chart
Speed Test Performance
Speed Test Results by Location
Our comprehensive speed tests reveal significant performance differences between the two services. All tests were conducted using the WireGuard protocol with a 1 Gbps baseline connection.
PIA Speed Performance
- Seattle Server: 299 Mbps
- Los Angeles Server: 263 Mbps
- New York Server: 500 Mbps
- London Server: 261 Mbps
Average speed retention: ~30% of baseline
NordVPN Speed Performance
- Seattle Server: 892 Mbps
- Los Angeles Server: 884 Mbps
- New York Server: 849 Mbps
- London Server: 809 Mbps
Average speed retention: ~85% of baseline
Speed Test Verdict
NordVPN consistently outperforms Private Internet Access by a factor of 2-3x across all tested locations. The difference is particularly notable for bandwidth-intensive activities like 4K streaming and large file downloads. NordVPN's investment in 10 Gbps servers and RAM-only infrastructure clearly pays dividends in real-world performance.
Security & Privacy Analysis
Encryption & Protocols
| Protocol | PIA | Nord |
|---|---|---|
| AES-256 | ||
| WireGuard | ||
| OpenVPN | ||
| IKEv2 |
Jurisdiction Comparison
Private Internet Access
Based in United States
• Five Eyes member
• Mandatory data retention laws
• Government surveillance programs
NordVPN
Based in Panama
• No surveillance alliances
• Strong privacy laws
• No data retention requirements
Privacy Features Comparison
Security Audits
Both providers have undergone independent security audits. PIA was audited by Deloitte, while NordVPN has completed multiple audits by PWC and Versprite. Both maintain verified no-logs policies, though NordVPN's Panama jurisdiction provides additional legal protection against government data requests.
Streaming & Torrenting Capabilities
Netflix & Streaming Support
Private Internet Access
- • Netflix: Works with US library
- • HBO Max: Requires streaming servers
- • Disney+: Limited success
- • BBC iPlayer: Inconsistent
NordVPN
- • Netflix: 15+ regions supported
- • HBO Max: Reliable access
- • Disney+: Consistent streaming
- • BBC iPlayer: Excellent support
Torrenting Performance
P2P Support
Both services support torrenting on all servers with no restrictions.
Download Speeds
NordVPN's superior base speeds translate to much faster torrent downloads, often 2-3x faster than PIA.
Port Forwarding
PIA offers port forwarding on all plans, while NordVPN doesn't support this feature.
Streaming Platform Success Rate
Global Server Networks
PIA Server Network
35,000+
Total Servers
90+
Countries
• High server density in US
• Good coverage in Europe
• Limited Asian presence
• Some virtual locations
NordVPN Server Network
7,150+
Total Servers
118
Countries
• Wider global coverage
• 10 Gbps server upgrades
• Colocated infrastructure
• No virtual locations
Server Distribution Analysis
Apps & Device Compatibility
Platform Support
Desktop Apps
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
Mobile Apps
- Android
- iOS/iPadOS
Other Devices
- Smart TVs
- Gaming Consoles
- Routers
App Quality Comparison
Browser Extensions
Customer Support Comparison
Private Internet Access Support
Response time: Usually within a few hours for chat, 24-48 hours for email.
NordVPN Support
Response time: Immediate chat support, 2-6 hours for email responses.
Support Quality Analysis
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which VPN is faster - Private Internet Access or NordVPN?
NordVPN is significantly faster than Private Internet Access. In our speed tests, NordVPN achieved 800-900 Mbps consistently across multiple locations, while PIA averaged 250-500 Mbps. This 2-3x speed difference makes NordVPN better suited for bandwidth-intensive activities like 4K streaming and large file downloads.
Is Private Internet Access or NordVPN better for Netflix?
NordVPN is superior for Netflix streaming. It reliably unblocks 15+ Netflix regions including US, UK, Canada, and Japan. While PIA can access some Netflix content, it's less consistent and primarily works with the US library. NordVPN's faster speeds also provide better streaming quality with less buffering.
Which service offers better value for money?
This depends on your priorities. PIA offers better pure value with unlimited simultaneous connections starting at $2.19/month. However, NordVPN provides better overall value considering its superior speeds, advanced security features, better streaming support, and privacy-friendly jurisdiction, despite the higher price.
Are both VPNs safe for torrenting?
Yes, both VPNs support torrenting on all servers with strong encryption and kill switches. However, NordVPN's faster speeds make torrenting more efficient. PIA offers port forwarding which can improve P2P connectivity, while NordVPN doesn't support this feature. Both maintain no-logs policies audited by third parties.
Which VPN has better privacy protection?
NordVPN has better privacy protection due to its Panama jurisdiction, which is outside Five Eyes surveillance alliances. PIA is based in the US, making it subject to government data requests and surveillance programs. Both use strong encryption and have audited no-logs policies, but jurisdiction gives NordVPN the edge.
Can I connect unlimited devices with both services?
Private Internet Access allows unlimited simultaneous connections, making it ideal for large households or businesses. NordVPN limits connections to 10 devices, which is sufficient for most users but may be restrictive for families with many devices or small businesses.
Do both VPNs work in China?
NordVPN is more likely to work in China due to its obfuscated servers that disguise VPN traffic as regular HTTPS. PIA doesn't offer obfuscated servers, making it easier for China's Great Firewall to detect and block. However, VPN availability in China changes frequently due to government crackdowns.
Which VPN offers better customer support?
Both offer 24/7 live chat support, but NordVPN generally provides faster email responses and more comprehensive documentation. NordVPN's support team is often more knowledgeable about advanced features, while PIA's support can be slower to respond via email but adequate for basic issues.
Final Verdict: NordVPN Wins
NordVPN is the Clear Winner
Why NordVPN Wins:
- Superior speed performance (2-3x faster)
- Better streaming support (15+ Netflix regions)
- Privacy-friendly Panama jurisdiction
- Advanced security features (Double VPN, obfuscation)
- More reliable and polished apps
- Better customer support
When to Choose PIA:
- Budget is the primary concern
- Need unlimited simultaneous connections
- Require port forwarding for torrenting
- Basic VPN needs without premium features
Our Recommendation
For most users, NordVPN provides significantly better value despite the higher price. The superior speeds, advanced security features, better streaming support, and privacy-friendly jurisdiction make it worth the extra cost. Choose PIA only if you're extremely budget-conscious or need unlimited connections.