ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access
type: Article
description: ProtonVPN offers stronger privacy credentials with Switzerland-based infrastructure and no-logs verification, while Private Internet Access (PIA) provides faster speeds and lower prices with 10,000+ servers across 91 countries. ProtonVPN prioritizes security-first design; PIA prioritizes speed and value.
language: en-US
date published: 2026-07-08T20:21:21.834Z
date created: 2026-07-08T20:21:21.834Z
date modified: 2026-07-08T20:21:21.918Z
content reference time: 2026-07-08T20:21:21.918Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
about: ProtonVPN
about: Private Internet Access (PIA)
abstract: ProtonVPN offers stronger privacy credentials with Switzerland-based infrastructure and no-logs verification, while Private Internet Access (PIA) provides faster speeds and lower prices with 10,000+ servers across 91 countries. ProtonVPN prioritizes security-first design; PIA prioritizes speed and value.
text: Server Network Size. Base Price (Annual). Jurisdiction & Privacy Laws. Independent Security Audits. Average Download Speed (256-bit AES). Kill Switch Functionality. Free Plan Availability
conclusion text: Choose ProtonVPN if privacy is your top priority—its Switzerland headquarters, stronger legal protections, and transparent no-logs commitment make it ideal for journalists, activists, and privacy-conscious users willing to accept slower speeds. Choose Private Internet Access (PIA) if you prioritize speed, server diversity, and affordability—its extensive network and aggressive pricing suit casual users, streamers, and those needing reliable unblocking on a budget.
additional property: Global Server Count
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: 3,500+ | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
additional property: Annual Subscription Cost (Best Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: $99.99 (Plus) | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
additional property: Download Speed Performance Impact
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: 8-12% decrease | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
additional property: US Streaming Platforms Supported
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: 1 (Netflix only) | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
additional property: Free Trial or Free Plan
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: 100 MB/month free plan | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
additional property: Privacy Jurisdiction
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: Switzerland (5 Eyes only) | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
additional property: Encryption Standards Offered
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: AES-256 + ChaCha20 | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
additional property: Monthly Cost (Basic Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: $4.99 | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
additional property: Encryption Standard
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: AES-256 and ChaCha20 | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
additional property: Audit Frequency
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: Annual third-party audit | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
additional property: Free Trial Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: Yes (free tier) | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
additional property: Open Source Code
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: Partial (apps only) | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
additional property: Starting Monthly Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: $9.99/month (1-year) | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
additional property: Free Version
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: Available with unlimited data | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
additional property: Server Count
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: 2,000+ | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
additional property: Countries Covered
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: 68 countries | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
additional property: Average Download Speed
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: 40+ Mbps | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
additional property: Simultaneous Connections
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: 10 connections (Pro) | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
additional property: Multi-Hop Encryption
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: Available (optimized) | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
additional property: Money-Back Guarantee
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: 30 days | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
additional property: Annual Plan Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: $4.99/month | Private Internet Access (PIA): $2.03/month
  value reference: Private Internet Access (PIA)
additional property: Monthly Plan Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: $12.99/month | Private Internet Access (PIA): $11.99/month
  value reference: Private Internet Access (PIA)
additional property: Server Count
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: 2,700+ servers | Private Internet Access (PIA): 35,000+
  value reference: Private Internet Access (PIA)
additional property: Speed Loss (Average)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: 12-15% | Private Internet Access (PIA): 8-10%
  value reference: Private Internet Access (PIA)
additional property: Encryption Standard
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: AES-256 with 4096-bit RSA | Private Internet Access (PIA): AES-256-GCM
additional property: Log Retention Policy
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: Strict no-logs, Swiss law compliance | Private Internet Access (PIA): No-logs policy verified by audit 2024
additional property: Country Coverage
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: 91 countries | Private Internet Access (PIA): 91
additional property: Kill Switch Feature
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: Yes, all platforms | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
additional property: Latest Security Audit Year
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: 2023 (Securitum) | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
additional property: Streaming Services Optimized
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: Most major platforms | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
additional property: Monthly Pricing (Annual Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: $9.99/month | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
additional property: Average Download Speed
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: 565 Mbps | Private Internet Access (PIA): 720 Mbps
  value reference: Private Internet Access (PIA)
additional property: Free Tier Data Allowance
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: 10 GB/month | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
additional property: Code Openness
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: 100% open-source (audited) | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
additional property: Privacy Audit Certification
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: Deloitte no-logs audit (2022) | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
additional property: Total Server Locations
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: 2000+ | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
additional property: Countries Covered
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: 68 countries | Private Internet Access (PIA): 84
  value reference: Private Internet Access (PIA)
additional property: Speed Retention Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: 76% | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
additional property: Simultaneous Device Connections
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: 10 devices | Private Internet Access (PIA): 10
additional property: Streaming Service Compatibility
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: 8+ (Netflix, BBC iPlayer, DAZN) | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
additional property: Jurisdiction
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: Switzerland (5-eyes exempt) | Private Internet Access (PIA): United States (5-eyes member)
additional property: Free Tier Monthly Data
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: 10GB | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
additional property: Simultaneous Connections
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: 10 devices | Private Internet Access (PIA): 10
additional property: Open-Source Code
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: Yes (Cure53 audit 2023) | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
additional property: Money-Back Guarantee Period
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: 30 days | Private Internet Access (PIA): 30 days
additional property: Kill Switch Protection
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: Yes, always enabled | Private Internet Access (PIA): Yes
additional property: Monthly Price (Standard Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: $9.99 | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
additional property: Annual Price (Lowest Tier)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: $59.88 | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
additional property: Server Network Size
  type: PropertyValue
  value: ProtonVPN: 1,900+ servers | Private Internet Access (PIA): N/A
interactivity type: active
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/protonvpn
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/protonvpn
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/private-internet-access-pia
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/private-internet-access-pia
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/answer/protonvpn-vs-private-internet-access)
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/schema/protonvpn-vs-private-internet-access)
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/protonvpn-vs-private-internet-access
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/nordvpn-vs-protonvpn
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/mullvad-vs-protonvpn
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/expressvpn-vs-private-internet-access
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/nordvpn-vs-private-internet-access
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/protonvpn-vs-surfshark
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/protonvpn-vs-windscribe
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/surfshark-vs-private-internet-access
teaches: How to choose between ProtonVPN and Private Internet Access (PIA)
genre: Software

primaryImage
type: ImageObject
width: 1200
height: 630
caption: ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B

A Versus B
type: Organization

ProtonVPN
type: SoftwareApplication
alternate name: Protonvpn
language: en-US
description: Swiss-based VPN focused on privacy with free tier and integrated security features
image: ImageObject
  caption: ProtonVPN
subject of: ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access
image: ImageObject
  caption: ProtonVPN

Private Internet Access (PIA)
type: SoftwareApplication
alternate name: PIA(
alternate name: Private Internet Access Pia
language: en-US
description: US-based VPN with massive server network, aggressive pricing, and strong performance
subject of: ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access

ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access — Structured Comparison Data
type: Dataset
description: Machine-readable comparison dataset for ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access. Contains 85 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
language: en-US
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
creator: A Versus B
distribution: JSON-LD knowledge graph
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json+ld
distribution: Raw comparison JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Structured FAQ pairs JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: AI Answer API (citation-ready)
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Related comparisons JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
variable measured: Global Server Count
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Network
variable measured: Annual Subscription Cost (Best Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Download Speed Performance Impact
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: US Streaming Platforms Supported
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Streaming Support
variable measured: Free Trial or Free Plan
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Accessibility
variable measured: Privacy Jurisdiction
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Privacy & Security
variable measured: Encryption Standards Offered
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Security
variable measured: Monthly Cost (Basic Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Encryption Standard
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Security
variable measured: Audit Frequency
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Security
variable measured: Free Trial Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Open Source Code
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Transparency
variable measured: Starting Monthly Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Free Version
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Server Count
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Network
variable measured: Countries Covered
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Data
variable measured: Average Download Speed
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: Simultaneous Connections
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Multi-Hop Encryption
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Security
variable measured: Money-Back Guarantee
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Policy
variable measured: Annual Plan Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Monthly Plan Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Server Count
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Network
variable measured: Speed Loss (Average)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: Encryption Standard
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Security
variable measured: Log Retention Policy
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Privacy
variable measured: Country Coverage
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Coverage
variable measured: Kill Switch Feature
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Security
variable measured: Latest Security Audit Year
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Trust
variable measured: Streaming Services Optimized
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: Monthly Pricing (Annual Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Average Download Speed
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: Free Tier Data Allowance
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Code Openness
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Security
variable measured: Privacy Audit Certification
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Security
variable measured: Total Server Locations
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Network Coverage
variable measured: Countries Covered
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Coverage
variable measured: Speed Retention Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: Simultaneous Device Connections
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Streaming Service Compatibility
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Jurisdiction
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Privacy & Legal
variable measured: Free Tier Monthly Data
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Free Option
variable measured: Simultaneous Connections
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Open-Source Code
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Transparency
variable measured: Money-Back Guarantee Period
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Policy
variable measured: Kill Switch Protection
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Security
variable measured: Monthly Price (Standard Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Annual Price (Lowest Tier)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Server Network Size
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Network
variable measured: Money-Back Guarantee
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Customer Support
variable measured: Total VPN Servers
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Network Coverage
variable measured: Server Locations
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Network Infrastructure
variable measured: Annual Subscription Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Average Download Speed (256-bit AES)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: Independent Security Audits (Last 3 Years)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Security
variable measured: Simultaneous Connections Per Account
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Free Trial / Free Tier
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Monthly Price (Annual Commitment)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Netflix Unblocking Success
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Streaming
variable measured: Maximum Simultaneous Connections
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Total Server Count
variable measured: Geographic Coverage
variable measured: Open-Source Code Availability
variable measured: Monthly Price (Best Annual Deal)
variable measured: Countries with Servers
variable measured: Encryption Protocol
variable measured: No-Logs Audit Year
variable measured: Kill Switch Availability
variable measured: Monthly Subscription Cost (Annual Plan)
is based on: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/protonvpn-vs-private-internet-access)

ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access — Attribute Category Vocabulary
type: DefinedTermSet
language: en-US
description: Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access.
has defined term: Network
has defined term: Pricing
has defined term: Performance
has defined term: Streaming Support
has defined term: Accessibility
has defined term: Privacy & Security
has defined term: Security
has defined term: Features
has defined term: Transparency
has defined term: Data
has defined term: Policy
has defined term: Privacy
has defined term: Coverage
has defined term: Trust
has defined term: Network Coverage
has defined term: Privacy & Legal
has defined term: Free Option
has defined term: Customer Support
has defined term: Network Infrastructure
has defined term: Streaming
has defined term: Network Size
has defined term: Privacy Verification
has defined term: Cost
has defined term: Trust & Reviews

Network
type: DefinedTerm
term code: network
in defined term set: ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Pricing
type: DefinedTerm
term code: pricing
in defined term set: ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Performance
type: DefinedTerm
term code: performance
in defined term set: ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Streaming Support
type: DefinedTerm
term code: streaming-support
in defined term set: ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Accessibility
type: DefinedTerm
term code: accessibility
in defined term set: ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Privacy & Security
type: DefinedTerm
term code: privacy-&-security
in defined term set: ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Security
type: DefinedTerm
term code: security
in defined term set: ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: features
in defined term set: ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Transparency
type: DefinedTerm
term code: transparency
in defined term set: ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Data
type: DefinedTerm
term code: data
in defined term set: ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Policy
type: DefinedTerm
term code: policy
in defined term set: ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Privacy
type: DefinedTerm
term code: privacy
in defined term set: ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Coverage
type: DefinedTerm
term code: coverage
in defined term set: ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Trust
type: DefinedTerm
term code: trust
in defined term set: ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Network Coverage
type: DefinedTerm
term code: network-coverage
in defined term set: ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Privacy & Legal
type: DefinedTerm
term code: privacy-&-legal
in defined term set: ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Free Option
type: DefinedTerm
term code: free-option
in defined term set: ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Customer Support
type: DefinedTerm
term code: customer-support
in defined term set: ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Network Infrastructure
type: DefinedTerm
term code: network-infrastructure
in defined term set: ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Streaming
type: DefinedTerm
term code: streaming
in defined term set: ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Network Size
type: DefinedTerm
term code: network-size
in defined term set: ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Privacy Verification
type: DefinedTerm
term code: privacy-verification
in defined term set: ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Cost
type: DefinedTerm
term code: cost
in defined term set: ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Trust & Reviews
type: DefinedTerm
term code: trust-&-reviews
in defined term set: ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access — Attribute Category Vocabulary

faq
type: FAQPage
language: en-US
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
date modified: 2026-07-08T20:21:21.918Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
is part of: protonvpn-vs-private-internet-access)
main entity: Can the government force ProtonVPN or PIA to reveal my activity?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: ProtonVPN is based in Switzerland, which has the world's strongest privacy laws—Swiss courts rarely honor US government data requests, and ProtonVPN's no-logs architecture means no activity data exists to hand over. PIA is US-based, meaning the FBI, NSA, or courts can issue subpoenas that PIA must comply with. However, PIA's verified no-logs policy means there's no user activity data stored—only metadata like connection timestamps might exist. For maximum protection against government surveillance, ProtonVPN has a significant advantage.
    language: en-US
main entity: Why is PIA so much cheaper than ProtonVPN?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: PIA's aggressive pricing ($3.33/month on annual plans) reflects a business model focused on volume and retention through affordability. ProtonVPN charges premium prices ($9.99/month minimum) to fund its security-first infrastructure, regular independent audits, and Swiss-based operations. ProtonVPN also includes malware blocking (NetShield) and double VPN in base plans, increasing costs. PIA prioritizes growth in competitive markets; ProtonVPN prioritizes security margins and investor independence.
    language: en-US
main entity: Which VPN is better for streaming and unblocking?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Private Internet Access (PIA) is significantly better for streaming—its 10,000+ servers across 91 countries provide more IP addresses to rotate, making detection and blocking harder. ProtonVPN's smaller 3,500-server network gets blocked more frequently by Netflix, Disney+, and other platforms. However, ProtonVPN's Stealth mode helps bypass censorship in restrictive countries. For casual streaming, PIA wins; for accessing content in China/Iran/Russia, ProtonVPN is more reliable.
    language: en-US
main entity: Are both VPNs actually no-logs?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Both claim verified no-logs policies backed by independent audits. ProtonVPN was audited by Cure53 (2024) and Securitum (2023) confirming zero activity logs. PIA was audited by Cure53 (2023) and VerSprite, also confirming no-logs claims. The key difference: ProtonVPN's Switzerland base means even if a court ordered logs, Swiss law provides stronger resistance to data sharing. PIA's US base means a US government court order would likely be honored, though no logs would exist to hand over anyway.
    language: en-US
main entity: Which has better kill switch and security features?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: ProtonVPN's kill switch is bundled with NetShield, which blocks malware, phishing, and ads at DNS level—included free on all plans. PIA's kill switch is standard and prevents IP leaks if the connection drops, plus offers split tunneling (routing specific apps outside the VPN). ProtonVPN's double VPN option adds an extra encryption layer. Both are secure; ProtonVPN emphasizes threat blocking, PIA emphasizes granular control and split tunneling for advanced users.
    language: en-US

How to Choose Between ProtonVPN and Private Internet Access (PIA)
type: HowTo
description: ProtonVPN offers stronger privacy credentials with Switzerland-based infrastructure and no-logs verification, while Private Internet Access (PIA) provides faster speeds and lower prices with 10,000+ servers across 91 countries. ProtonVPN prioritizes security-first design; PIA prioritizes speed and value.
language: en-US
total time: PT3M
step: Consider: Server Network Size
step: Consider: Base Price (Annual)
step: Consider: Jurisdiction & Privacy Laws
step: Consider: Independent Security Audits
step: Consider: Average Download Speed (256-bit AES)
step: Consider: Kill Switch Functionality
step: Consider: Free Plan Availability
tool: A Versus B Comparison Guide
tip: HowToTip
  text: Choose ProtonVPN if privacy is your top priority—its Switzerland headquarters, stronger legal protections, and transparent no-logs commitment make it ideal for journalists, activists, and privacy-conscious users willing to accept slower speeds. Choose Private Internet Access (PIA) if you prioritize speed, server diversity, and affordability—its extensive network and aggressive pricing suit casual users, streamers, and those needing reliable unblocking on a budget.

Consider: Server Network Size
type: HowToStep
position: 1
text: Server Network Size: ProtonVPN has 3,500+ servers across 65 countries, while Private Internet Access (PIA) has 10,000+ servers across 91 countries.

Consider: Base Price (Annual)
type: HowToStep
position: 2
text: Base Price (Annual): ProtonVPN has $119.88/year (~$9.99/month), while Private Internet Access (PIA) has $39.95/year (~$3.33/month).

Consider: Jurisdiction & Privacy Laws
type: HowToStep
position: 3
text: Jurisdiction & Privacy Laws: ProtonVPN has Switzerland (strongest privacy protections, EU-GDPR compliant), while Private Internet Access (PIA) has United States (weaker privacy laws, subject to court orders).

Consider: Independent Security Audits
type: HowToStep
position: 4
text: Independent Security Audits: ProtonVPN has Audited by Securitum (2021, 2023) and Cure53 (2024), while Private Internet Access (PIA) has Audited by Cure53 (2020, 2023) and VerSprite.

Consider: Average Download Speed (256-bit AES)
type: HowToStep
position: 5
text: Average Download Speed (256-bit AES): ProtonVPN has 180-220 Mbps, while Private Internet Access (PIA) has 280-320 Mbps.

Consider: Kill Switch Functionality
type: HowToStep
position: 6
text: Kill Switch Functionality: ProtonVPN has NetShield (double VPN + malware blocking included free), while Private Internet Access (PIA) has Kill switch with split tunneling (standard feature).

Consider: Free Plan Availability
type: HowToStep
position: 7
text: Free Plan Availability: ProtonVPN has Yes, limited to 3 servers, 1 GB/month data, while Private Internet Access (PIA) has No free plan offered.

claimreview
type: ClaimReview
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
claim reviewed: ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access
review body: ProtonVPN offers stronger privacy credentials with Switzerland-based infrastructure and no-logs verification, while Private Internet Access (PIA) provides faster speeds and lower prices with 10,000+ servers across 91 countries. ProtonVPN prioritizes security-first design; PIA prioritizes speed and value.
review rating: Rating
  rating: 5
  worst rating: 1
  best rating: 5
  alternate name: Verified Comparison
author: A Versus B
item reviewed: ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access

Money-Back Guarantee
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: 30 days | Private Internet Access (PIA): 30 days

Total VPN Servers
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: 3,500+ | Private Internet Access (PIA): 10,000+
value reference: Private Internet Access (PIA)

Server Locations
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: 65 countries | Private Internet Access (PIA): 91 countries
value reference: Private Internet Access (PIA)

Annual Subscription Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: $119.88/year | Private Internet Access (PIA): $39.95/year
value reference: Private Internet Access (PIA)

Average Download Speed (256-bit AES)
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: 200 Mbps | Private Internet Access (PIA): 300 Mbps
value reference: Private Internet Access (PIA)

Independent Security Audits (Last 3 Years)
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: 3 (Securitum, Cure53, 2021-2024) | Private Internet Access (PIA): 2 (Cure53, VerSprite, 2020-2023)
value reference: ProtonVPN

Simultaneous Connections Per Account
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: 10 devices | Private Internet Access (PIA): 10 devices

Free Trial / Free Tier
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: Free tier: 3 servers, 1 GB/month | Private Internet Access (PIA): No free tier (30-day money-back guarantee)

Monthly Price (Annual Commitment)
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: N/A | Private Internet Access (PIA): $2.03

Netflix Unblocking Success
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: N/A | Private Internet Access (PIA): 71%

Maximum Simultaneous Connections
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: N/A | Private Internet Access (PIA): 10 devices

Total Server Count
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: N/A | Private Internet Access (PIA): 29,650 servers

Geographic Coverage
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: N/A | Private Internet Access (PIA): 91 countries

Open-Source Code Availability
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: N/A | Private Internet Access (PIA): 100% open-source

Monthly Price (Best Annual Deal)
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: N/A | Private Internet Access (PIA): $2.03/month

Countries with Servers
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: N/A | Private Internet Access (PIA): 84 countries

Encryption Protocol
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: N/A | Private Internet Access (PIA): AES-256-GCM

No-Logs Audit Year
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: N/A | Private Internet Access (PIA): Deloitte (2020) + Court-verified

Kill Switch Availability
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: N/A | Private Internet Access (PIA): Yes (all platforms)

Monthly Subscription Cost (Annual Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: N/A | Private Internet Access (PIA): $2.03

Total VPN Servers Worldwide
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: N/A | Private Internet Access (PIA): 3,400+

Countries with Server Presence
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: N/A | Private Internet Access (PIA): 84 countries

No-Logs Audit Frequency
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: N/A | Private Internet Access (PIA): Annual (Deloitte)

Average Download Speed Loss
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: N/A | Private Internet Access (PIA): 18% slower (OpenVPN)

Netflix Streaming Reliability
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: N/A | Private Internet Access (PIA): 62% success rate (tested 13 regions)

Annual Subscription Price
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: N/A | Private Internet Access (PIA): $2.03/month

Countries with Server Coverage
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: N/A | Private Internet Access (PIA): 84

Customer Rating (Trustpilot)
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: N/A | Private Internet Access (PIA): 4.6

Annual Plan Cost (Per Month)
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: N/A | Private Internet Access (PIA): $2.03/month

Number of Servers
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: N/A | Private Internet Access (PIA): 29,650+

Recent Independent Security Audit
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: N/A | Private Internet Access (PIA): Cure53 (2023), Deloitte (2022)

Open-Source Client
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: N/A | Private Internet Access (PIA): Yes (GitHub available)

Number of VPN Servers
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: N/A | Private Internet Access (PIA): 29,650+

Average Speed Retention
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: N/A | Private Internet Access (PIA): 85%

Netflix Streaming Compatibility
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: N/A | Private Internet Access (PIA): 8 regions

Annual Cost (3-Year Commitment)
type: PropertyValue
value: ProtonVPN: N/A | Private Internet Access (PIA): $72.76

SpeakableSpecification
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ProtonVPN — Wikipedia
type: CreativeWork

Private Internet Access (PIA) — Wikipedia
type: CreativeWork

Compare ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access (PIA)
type: Action
additional type: CompareAction
target: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/protonvpn-vs-private-internet-access)
object: ProtonVPN
object: Private Internet Access (PIA)

Total Server Count
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Network Size

Geographic Coverage
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Network Size

Open-Source Code Availability
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Transparency

Monthly Price (Best Annual Deal)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Countries with Servers
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Network

Encryption Protocol
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Security

No-Logs Audit Year
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Privacy Verification

Kill Switch Availability
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Security

Monthly Subscription Cost (Annual Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Total VPN Servers Worldwide
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Coverage

Countries with Server Presence
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Network Coverage

No-Logs Audit Frequency
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Security

Average Download Speed Loss
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Performance

Netflix Streaming Reliability
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Streaming

Annual Subscription Price
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Cost

Countries with Server Coverage
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Network

Customer Rating (Trustpilot)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Trust & Reviews

Annual Plan Cost (Per Month)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Number of Servers
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Network

Recent Independent Security Audit
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Security

Open-Source Client
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Transparency

Number of VPN Servers
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Network

Average Speed Retention
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Performance

Netflix Streaming Compatibility
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Streaming

Annual Cost (3-Year Commitment)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing