Private Internet Access vs. NordVPN

NordVPN and Private Internet Access sit among our top three VPNs, and it’s easy to see why. Both have an impressive server network, enforce strict no-log policies, and encrypt data using AES 256-bit, which is considered the gold standard in encryption. But which VPN should you choose?

We had to dig deep and get hands-on with NordVPN and Private Internet Access to find out which VPN is better. After three months of testing, we declared NordVPN the winner due to its consistent speeds and larger server network. We also like that NordVPN’s headquarters are out of reach from Five Eyes members. Don’t worry, we’ll explain what that means later. For now, let’s take a look at some similarities and differences between NordVPN and Private Internet Access.

Private Internet Access and NordVPN: Similarities and Differences

Before we dive deep into comparing these two VPN titans, let’s get you up to speed with a quick overview. We’ve tested both extensively over the past few months, and while they’re both solid choices for keeping your online activities private, there are some key differences that might sway your decision.

Similarities

First, let’s take a look at what the two VPNs have in common.

• Torrenting: Both services make P2P file sharing a breeze with optimized servers specifically designed for torrenting. Whether you’re sharing large work files or downloading Linux distributions, you’ll get reliable connections and fast speeds.
• Kill switches: Regardless of what VPN we were on, we were protected by kill switches. A kill switch is always a good thing to have in our back pockets because it essentially kicks in on the off chance that our VPN connection fails. This feature becomes crucial when using public Wi-Fi as any VPN connection drop can open you up to a cyberattack.1
• Split tunneling: NordVPN and PIA VPN let us route some of our apps via the VPN and the rest through our normal connection. Why is this helpful? Maybe you need to keep your existing IP address to log into work apps, but you want to stream something from the U.K. Netflix catalog while you’re pretending to pay attention in a meeting. Split tunneling makes this possible.
• Multi-hop encryption: What’s safer than connecting to one VPN server? Connecting to two. NordVPN and Private Internet Access can double down and run your connection through two different servers in multiple locations. But be warned, it can significantly decrease your network speeds, so use this feature only for activities that need absolute privacy. Remember, even a normal VPN connection provides enough privacy to keep you anonymous online.
• Customer service: Both services offered 24/7 live chats that were speedy in answering our questions about the companies’ logging policies. They both also had a thorough database of past user questions that we could easily search to find information and solutions.

Differences

Now here’s where things get interesting. After months of side-by-side testing, we identified the key differences that really matter for everyday users.

• Server infrastructure: Private Internet Access maintains over 35,000 servers across 91 countries, while NordVPN operates 8,400+ servers spanning 127 countries. While PIA wins on sheer server count, NordVPN’s broader geographic coverage gives you more options for bypassing geo-restrictions.

• Number of devices connected: While NordVPN allowed us to connect 10 of our devices at the same time, Private Internet Access doesn’t have a limit. It might not seem like a big deal, but if you want to protect everyone in your family, you might need a lot of simultaneous connections to the VPN. That said, for most people, 10 devices is more than enough.

• Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and 14 Eyes Membership: These are surveillance alliances that countries can participate in. If a country is involved, it’s possible that the government can force the VPN company to surrender user data, and that’s a big no-no for us. NordVPN is based in Panama, so we’re in the clear there, but Private Internet Access is based in the U.S., meaning that they fall under these agreements.
• Speed: While VPNs impact speed, we never want that impact to be too significant, so we test each service out to see exactly what the tradeoffs are. You can see the full results of our speed tests in our NordVPN review and our Private Internet Access review.

NordVPN consistently delivers better performance, especially for upload-heavy tasks. During our latest tests, NordVPN’s proprietary NordLynx protocol (based on WireGuard) really shines. It maintains speeds that make it hard to tell you’re even using a VPN. We noticed the difference most when video calling or backing up files to the cloud.

• Information logged: Both companies maintain strict no-logs policies that have been independently audited. NordVPN undergoes regular audits on an almost annual basis, whereas PIA recently underwent their second independent audit.2 Both company’s audits confirm their no-logs claims. However, both do collect basic account information like email addresses and payment details – that’s standard across the industry.

Let’s talk money. Private Internet Access remains the budget-friendly option, especially with their current pricing structure.

NordVPN did offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. However, we would need to incur a charge on our cards and then request a refund to get our money back. When we tested this, we received a refund within 5 business days – true to their word, no questions asked.

Additionally, NordVPN offered a 15 percent student discount when opting for their three-year plan. All we’d have to do is prove our student status through Student Beans, Youth Discount, or Descuento Estudiante, and we’d unlock even more cost-savings. While unfortunately, our glory days are behind us, we love helping out those broke college students in whatever small way we can.

The Bottom Line

After extensive testing, NordVPN edges out Private Internet Access as our top pick. While both VPNs deliver military-grade encryption and reliable privacy protection, NordVPN’s superior speeds, Panama jurisdiction (outside surveillance alliances), and consistent performance make it worth the slightly higher price tag.

That said, Private Internet Access isn’t far behind. If you’re managing a large household with tons of devices or working with a tighter budget, PIA’s unlimited device connections and lower pricing make it an excellent alternative. Their massive server network has grown significantly, and the service remains a privacy powerhouse despite being U.S.-based.

If neither of these VPNs speaks to you, have no fear. We’ve got a ton of other resources to help you get closer to making your decision, and would recommend you start by checking out the overall best VPNs. If you’re looking for something a bit more specific, we also put together our recommendations for the best VPNs for the Fire TV Stick and the best VPNs for Windows. Finding a VPN is a big task, so be patient, and we’re confident that you’ll find the perfect fit for what you’re looking for.