ProtonVPN vs PIA 2025 - Privacy vs Speed
ProtonVPN offers stronger privacy fundamentals with Swiss jurisdiction and open-source code, while Private Internet Access provides faster speeds, more server locations (29,650 vs 3,000+), and better value at $2.03/month compared to ProtonVPN's $3.99/month.
ProtonVPN
Swiss-based VPN focused on privacy with free tier and integrated security features
Privacy-conscious users willing to pay premium for Swiss jurisdiction, journalists, activists, and those using ProtonMail who want maximum transparency
Private Internet Access (PIA)
US-based VPN with massive server network, aggressive pricing, and strong performance
Budget-conscious users prioritizing speed and content unblocking, streamers, torrent users, and those who don't have specific jurisdiction concerns
Quick Answer
AI SummaryProtonVPN offers stronger privacy fundamentals with Swiss jurisdiction and open-source code, while Private Internet Access provides faster speeds, more server locations (29,650 vs 3,000+), and better value at $2.03/month compared to ProtonVPN's $3.99/month.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose ProtonVPN if you prioritize maximum privacy with Swiss jurisdiction, open-source transparency, and don't mind paying more for Swiss legal protections and independent security audits. Choose Private Internet Access if you want the lowest cost, fastest speeds, maximum server options for unblocking content, and value price over jurisdiction, accepting US-based infrastructure.
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Choose ProtonVPN if
Privacy-conscious users willing to pay premium for Swiss jurisdiction, journalists, activists, and those using ProtonMail who want maximum transparency
Choose Private Internet Access (PIA) if
Best pickBudget-conscious users prioritizing speed and content unblocking, streamers, torrent users, and those who don't have specific jurisdiction concerns
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Monthly Price (Annual Plan):✓ Private Internet Access (PIA) wins($2.03/month vs $3.99/month)
- Server Locations:✓ Private Internet Access (PIA) wins(29,650+ servers in 84 countries vs 3,000+ servers in 68 countries)
- Jurisdiction:✓ ProtonVPN wins(Switzerland (strong privacy laws) vs United States (Five Eyes member))
Key Facts & Figures
58 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | ProtonVPN | Private Internet Access (PIA) | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Server Count(servers) | 3,500+ | — | — |
| Annual Subscription Cost (Best Plan)(USD) | $99.99 (Plus) | — | — |
| Download Speed Performance Impact(% decrease from baseline) | 8-12% decrease | — | — |
| Monthly Cost (Basic Plan)(USD) | $4.99 | — | — |
| Open Source Code(percentage) | Partial (apps only) | — | — |
| Starting Monthly Price(USD) | $9.99/month (1-year) | — | — |
| Server Count(servers) | 2,000+ | — | — |
| Countries Covered(count) | 68 countries | — | — |
| Average Download Speed(Mbps) | 40+ Mbps | — | — |
| Simultaneous Connections(devices) | 10 connections (Pro) | — | — |
| Money-Back Guarantee(days) | 30 days | — | — |
| Annual Plan Price(USD/month) | $4.99/month | $2.03/month | |
| Monthly Plan Price(USD) | $12.99/month | $11.99/month | |
| Server Count(servers) | 2,700+ servers | 35,000+ | |
| Speed Loss (Average)(percent) | 12-15% | 8-10% | |
| Country Coverage(countries) | 91 countries | 91 | |
| Latest Security Audit Year | 2023 (Securitum) | — | — |
| Monthly Pricing (Annual Plan)(USD) | $9.99/month | — | — |
| Average Download Speed(Mbps) | 565 Mbps | 720 Mbps | |
| Total Server Locations(number) | 2000+ | — | — |
| Countries Covered(count) | 68 countries | 84 | |
| Speed Retention Rate(%) | 76% | — | — |
| Simultaneous Device Connections(devices) | 10 devices | 10 | |
| Streaming Service Compatibility(platforms) | 8+ (Netflix, BBC iPlayer, DAZN) | — | — |
| Free Tier Monthly Data(GB) | 10GB | — | — |
| Simultaneous Connections(devices) | 10 devices | 10 | |
| Money-Back Guarantee Period(days) | 30 days | 30 days | |
| Monthly Price (Standard Plan)(USD) | $9.99 | — | — |
| Annual Price (Lowest Tier)(USD) | $59.88 | — | — |
| Server Network Size(servers) | 1,900+ servers | — | — |
| Money-Back Guarantee(days) | 30 days | 30 days | |
| Total VPN Servers(servers) | 3,500+ | 10,000+ | |
| Server Locations(countries) | 65 countries | 91 countries | |
| Annual Subscription Cost(USD) | $119.88/year | $39.95/year | |
| Average Download Speed (256-bit AES)(Mbps) | 200 Mbps | 300 Mbps | |
| Independent Security Audits (Last 3 Years)(audits) | 3 (Securitum, Cure53, 2021-2024) | 2 (Cure53, VerSprite, 2020-2023) | |
| Simultaneous Connections Per Account(devices) | 10 devices | 10 devices | |
| Monthly Price (Annual Commitment)(USD) | $2.03 | $2.03 | |
| Netflix Unblocking Success(%) | 71% | 71% | |
| Maximum Simultaneous Connections(devices) | 10 devices | 10 devices | |
| Total Server Count(servers) | 29,650 servers | 29,650 servers | |
| Monthly Price (Best Annual Deal)(USD) | $2.03/month | $2.03/month | |
| Countries with Servers(countries) | 84 countries | 84 countries | |
| Monthly Subscription Cost (Annual Plan)(USD) | $2.03 | $2.03 | |
| Total VPN Servers Worldwide(servers) | 3,400+ | 3,400+ | |
| Countries with Server Presence(countries) | 84 countries | 84 countries | |
| No-Logs Audit Frequency(audits per year) | Annual (Deloitte) | Annual (Deloitte) | |
| Average Download Speed Loss(%) | 18% slower (OpenVPN) | 18% slower (OpenVPN) | |
| Netflix Streaming Reliability(%) | 62% success rate (tested 13 regions) | 62% success rate (tested 13 regions) | |
| Annual Subscription Price(USD) | $2.03/month | $2.03/month | |
| Countries with Server Coverage(countries) | 84 | 84 | |
| Customer Rating (Trustpilot)(out of 5.0) | 4.6 | 4.6 | |
| Annual Plan Cost (Per Month)(USD) | $2.03/month | $2.03/month | |
| Number of Servers(servers) | 29,650+ | 29,650+ | |
| Number of VPN Servers(servers) | 29,650+ | 29,650+ | |
| Average Speed Retention(%) | 85% | 85% | |
| Netflix Streaming Compatibility(regions) | 8 regions | 8 regions | |
| Annual Cost (3-Year Commitment)(USD) | $72.76 | $72.76 |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- $3.99/monthMonthly Price (Annual Plan)$2.03/month(winner)
- 3,000+ servers in 68 countriesServer Locations29,650+ servers in 84 countries(winner)
- Switzerland (strong privacy laws)(winner)JurisdictionUnited States (Five Eyes member)
- Yes, fully open-source(winner)Open-Source CodePartial (some components proprietary)
- Annual third-party audit (SOC 2 Type II)No-Logs AuditIndependent audit completed 2024
- Yes, includedKill SwitchYes, included
- 12-15%Average Download Speed Loss8-10%(winner)
- Monthly Price (Annual Plan)
ProtonVPN
$3.99/month
Private Internet Access (PIA)
$2.03/month(winner)
- Server Locations
ProtonVPN
3,000+ servers in 68 countries
Private Internet Access (PIA)
29,650+ servers in 84 countries(winner)
- Jurisdiction
ProtonVPN
Switzerland (strong privacy laws)(winner)
Private Internet Access (PIA)
United States (Five Eyes member)
- Open-Source Code
ProtonVPN
Yes, fully open-source(winner)
Private Internet Access (PIA)
Partial (some components proprietary)
- No-Logs Audit
ProtonVPN
Annual third-party audit (SOC 2 Type II)
Private Internet Access (PIA)
Independent audit completed 2024
- Kill Switch
ProtonVPN
Yes, included
Private Internet Access (PIA)
Yes, included
- Average Download Speed Loss
ProtonVPN
12-15%
Private Internet Access (PIA)
8-10%(winner)
Full Comparison
| Attribute | ProtonVPN | Private Internet Access (PIA) |
|---|---|---|
| Global Server Count(servers) | 3,500+ | — |
| Server Count(servers) | 2,000+ | — |
| Server Count(servers) | 2,700+ servers | 35,000+(winner) |
| Server Network Size(servers) | 1,900+ servers | — |
| Countries with Servers(countries) | 84 countries | — |
Show 3 more attributesCountries with Server Coverage(countries) 84 — Number of Servers(servers) 29,650+ — Number of VPN Servers(servers) 29,650+ — | ||
| Annual Subscription Cost (Best Plan)(USD) | $99.99 (Plus) | — |
| Monthly Cost (Basic Plan)(USD) | $4.99 | — |
| Starting Monthly Price(USD) | $9.99/month (1-year) | — |
| Free Version | Available with unlimited data | — |
| Annual Plan Price(USD/month) | $4.99/month | $2.03/month(winner) |
Show 12 more attributesMonthly Plan Price(USD) $12.99/month $11.99/month Monthly Pricing (Annual Plan)(USD) $9.99/month — Free Tier Data Allowance(GB/month) 10 GB/month — Monthly Price (Standard Plan)(USD) $9.99 — Annual Price (Lowest Tier)(USD) $59.88 — Annual Subscription Cost(USD) $119.88/year $39.95/year Free Trial / Free Tier Free tier: 3 servers, 1 GB/month No free tier (30-day money-back guarantee) Monthly Price (Annual Commitment)(USD) $2.03 — Monthly Price (Best Annual Deal)(USD) $2.03/month — Monthly Subscription Cost (Annual Plan)(USD) $2.03 — Annual Plan Cost (Per Month)(USD) $2.03/month — Annual Cost (3-Year Commitment)(USD) $72.76 — | ||
| Download Speed Performance Impact(% decrease from baseline) | 8-12% decrease | — |
| Average Download Speed(Mbps) | 40+ Mbps | — |
| Speed Loss (Average)(percent) | 12-15% | 8-10%(winner) |
| Streaming Services Optimized(platforms) | Most major platforms | — |
| Average Download Speed(Mbps) | 565 Mbps | 720 Mbps(winner) |
Show 4 more attributesSpeed Retention Rate(%) 76% — Average Download Speed (256-bit AES)(Mbps) 200 Mbps 300 Mbps Average Download Speed Loss(%) 18% slower (OpenVPN) — Average Speed Retention(%) 85% — | ||
| US Streaming Platforms Supported(platforms) | 1 (Netflix only) | — |
| Free Trial or Free Plan(monthly data) | 100 MB/month free plan | — |
| Privacy Jurisdiction | Switzerland (5 Eyes only) | — |
| Encryption Standards Offered(algorithms) | AES-256 + ChaCha20 | — |
| Encryption Standard | AES-256 and ChaCha20 | — |
| Audit Frequency(years) | Annual third-party audit | — |
| Multi-Hop Encryption | Available (optimized) | — |
| Encryption Standard | AES-256 with 4096-bit RSA | AES-256-GCM |
Show 9 more attributesKill Switch Feature Yes, all platforms — Code Openness 100% open-source (audited) — Privacy Audit Certification Deloitte no-logs audit (2022) — Kill Switch Protection Yes, always enabled Yes Independent Security Audits (Last 3 Years)(audits) 3 (Securitum, Cure53, 2021-2024) 2 (Cure53, VerSprite, 2020-2023) Encryption Protocol AES-256-GCM — Kill Switch Availability Yes (all platforms) — No-Logs Audit Frequency(audits per year) Annual (Deloitte) — Recent Independent Security Audit Cure53 (2023), Deloitte (2022) — | ||
| Free Trial Available | Yes (free tier) | — |
| Simultaneous Connections(devices) | 10 connections (Pro) | — |
| Simultaneous Device Connections(devices) | 10 devices | 10 |
| Streaming Service Compatibility(platforms) | 8+ (Netflix, BBC iPlayer, DAZN) | — |
| Simultaneous Connections(devices) | 10 devices | 10 |
Show 2 more attributesSimultaneous Connections Per Account(devices) 10 devices 10 devices Maximum Simultaneous Connections(devices) 10 devices — | ||
| Open Source Code(percentage) | Partial (apps only) | — |
| Open-Source Code | Yes (Cure53 audit 2023) | — |
| Open-Source Code Availability | 100% open-source | — |
| Open-Source Client | Yes (GitHub available) | — |
| Countries Covered(count) | 68 countries | — |
| Money-Back Guarantee(days) | 30 days | — |
| Money-Back Guarantee Period(days) | 30 days | 30 days |
| Log Retention Policy | Strict no-logs, Swiss law compliance | No-logs policy verified by audit 2024 |
| Country Coverage(countries) | 91 countries | 91 |
| Countries Covered(count) | 68 countries | 84(winner) |
| Total VPN Servers Worldwide(servers) | 3,400+ | — |
| Latest Security Audit Year | 2023 (Securitum) | — |
| Total Server Locations(number) | 2000+ | — |
| Total VPN Servers(servers) | 3,500+ | 10,000+(winner) |
| Countries with Server Presence(countries) | 84 countries | — |
| Jurisdiction | Switzerland (5-eyes exempt) | United States (5-eyes member) |
| Free Tier Monthly Data(GB) | 10GB | — |
| Money-Back Guarantee(days) | 30 days | 30 days |
| Server Locations(countries) | 65 countries | 91 countries(winner) |
| Netflix Unblocking Success(%) | 71% | — |
| Netflix Streaming Reliability(%) | 62% success rate (tested 13 regions) | — |
| Netflix Streaming Compatibility(regions) | 8 regions | — |
| Total Server Count(servers) | 29,650 servers | — |
| Geographic Coverage(countries) | 91 countries | — |
| No-Logs Audit Year | Deloitte (2020) + Court-verified | — |
| Annual Subscription Price(USD) | $2.03/month | — |
| Customer Rating (Trustpilot)(out of 5.0) | 4.6 | — |
ProtonVPNShow 3 more attributes
Show 12 more attributes
Show 4 more attributes
Show 9 more attributes
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Pros & Cons
10 pros·6 cons across both
ProtonVPN
Pros
- Swiss jurisdiction with strict privacy laws and no government surveillance agreements
- 100% open-source code auditable by security researchers
- Annual SOC 2 Type II third-party audits confirming no-logs policy
- Free tier available with 100 MB/day limit (no credit card required)
- Integrated with ProtonMail for encrypted email ecosystem
Cons
- Slowest speed performance with 12-15% bandwidth reduction on average
- Smallest server network (3,000+ servers) limits unblocking options
- Most expensive option at $3.99/month on annual plan
Private Internet Access (PIA)
Pros
- Lowest cost at $2.03/month (annual plan), 49% cheaper than ProtonVPN
- Largest server network with 29,650+ servers in 84 countries for unblocking
- Fastest speeds with only 8-10% bandwidth reduction
- Independent no-logs audit completed in 2024 by professional auditors
- Includes MACE ad-blocker and malware protection at no extra cost
Cons
- US-based company subject to Five Eyes surveillance alliance
- Proprietary code limits transparency compared to open-source alternatives
- Previous privacy issues in 2017 (logged user activity) though now resolved
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
ProtonVPN is technically safer for maximum privacy due to Swiss jurisdiction (not in Five Eyes alliance), fully open-source code, and annual third-party audits. However, Private Internet Access also provides strong privacy with its completed 2024 independent audit and no-logs verification. ProtonVPN is better if jurisdiction matters; PIA is sufficient for most users.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
Where to Buy
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