Personal Web Entry VPN Evaluate (2024): How Good is PIA VPN?

Personal Web Entry has been a long-time participant within the VPN area. It has an enormous server fleet that spans throughout 91 international locations and presents quick speeds by its customizable utility. Supported platforms embody Home windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Good TVs and routers.

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Whereas its operation within the surveillance-heavy United States might sway some customers, PIA’s stability of safety, velocity and usefulness make it a powerful VPN resolution this yr.

Personal Web Entry VPN pricing

All three subscriptions for PIA include the identical set of options, so that you received’t have to fret about lacking any key options in case you select one plan over the opposite.

PIA VPN’s one-year subscription is probably the most cheap at $3.33 per 30 days. It slots in on the center tier by way of VPN pricing for a yearly plan.

The three-year plan can also be very reasonably priced at $1.98 per 30 days, however the $2-dollar spend might not be value it in case you don’t need the three-year-long time funding. Lastly, PIA VPN’s one-month plan is costlier than many opponents, so it’s finest to go together with both of the 2 former subscriptions as a substitute.

Like most trendy VPNs, PIA presents a 30-day money-back assure for the three plans. Whereas I do want that PIA had a full-fledged free model (which might be nice for first-time VPN customers), it does present a seven-day trial by its cell utility (iOS and Android).

In my testing, I discovered that I may use the identical account I received by the seven-day cell free trial after which log right into a desktop model of PIA utilizing the identical credentials. Having a devoted desktop free trial is most well-liked, however the workaround for the free trial was painless and simple to arrange.

My advice can be to totally make the most of the seven-day cell free trial and apply it to your desktop or gadget of selection. This fashion, you get some hands-on time with the service with out spending on an preliminary fee.

Is Personal Web Entry VPN protected?

PIA VPN comes with two of crucial safety protocols immediately: OpenVPN and WireGuard. This provides customers stability of safety (with OpenVPN) and velocity (with WireGuard). It additionally makes use of 256-bit AES encryption, has a dependable kill swap and protects in opposition to DNS leaks.

With PIA VPN’s firm background, there are drawbacks. First, PIA operates in america, which generally is a crimson flag for customers which might be cautious of the nation’s surveillance practices. Subsequent is PIA VPN’s possession. Like CyberGhost VPN, it’s at present owned by Kape Applied sciences — which acquired PIA again in 2019.

Kape (previously Crossrider) had been related to distributing malware and adware earlier than it rebranded and began shifting into the cybersecurity {industry}. PIA itself addressed the acquisition and emphasised that the VPN service operates as a separate entity unbiased of Kape.

When it comes to addressing safety considerations, PIA VPN does have a no-logs coverage, which states that it doesn’t hold information of consumer IP addresses, searching historical past, session timestamps and the like.

This no-logs coverage has been independently confirmed and verified by Deloitte in 2022. The VPN service additionally makes use of RAM-only servers, which implies any potential traces of consumer information are robotically erased upon reboot.

Lastly, the corporate has a public Transparency Report that outlines court docket orders and requests for logs. It reiterates that as a result of the service doesn’t log any data, it doesn’t hand over any information to legislation enforcement.

In my view, whereas PIA’s possession and US operations are legitimate considerations, the service has completed sufficient to indicate that it’s a protected and viable VPN service in 2024.

Key options of Personal Web Entry VPN

PIA VPN comes with each industry-standard and distinctive VPN options for potential VPN consumers. Let’s check out a few of PIA’s spotlight options.

Spectacular server fleet

Determine A

PIA VPN presents servers unfold out throughout 91 international locations, giving customers a broad vary of areas to select from. As well as, whereas PIA doesn’t promote the precise server depend it has, it reportedly has round 10,000 to nearly 35,000 servers.

These are very spectacular numbers, particularly since prime VPN opponents solely have round 3,000-5,000 servers. The excessive server depend will profit customers who plan on unblocking geo-restricted content material or desire a high quality server close to their location for quicker speeds.

PIA additionally lately introduced that it now has 50 servers in all 50 U.S. states.

Determine B

For those who’re a US citizen, this can be a helpful value-add that may let you watch blocked sports activities or information applications or entry geo-restricted accounts and companies solely accessible in particular states.

Customizable VPN expertise

PIA permits customers to customise their VPN expertise in just a few methods. A method is thru its automation function, which lets you set automated actions for the VPN every time it connects to a given community.

Determine C

For instance, you possibly can set PIA to activate the VPN in case your machine connects to an Open or unsecure community or have it turned off in case you join through an ethernet cable.

PIA VPN additionally allows customers to bookmark or pin sure components of the appliance to seem on prime.

Determine D

It is a easy and handy usability function that permits for higher customization, particularly if customers need to hold observe of sure options or stats over others.

Limitless gadget connections

PIA now permits a limiteless variety of simultaneous gadget connections with one subscription. The service previously had a 10-device restrict, and whereas that was within the higher vary of allowed gadget connections, the improve to having limitless connections is welcome nonetheless.

That is an underrated function, particularly for VPN customers who’ve a number of gadgets for work or private use.

Efficiency: Is Personal Web Entry VPN quick?

All through my testing of PIA, I received moderately quick speeds. I used the VPN to observe 4K and 1080p YouTube movies, attend on-line video conferences and do work on Google Workspace apps (Drive, Docs and Preserve) — with no noticeable lag or real-world slowdown. PIA VPN additionally carried out nicely by way of obtain and add speeds. Particularly, the add velocity I received whereas utilizing PIA was one of many lowest drops in velocity I’ve recorded up to now.

It additionally didn’t fail by way of DNS leak safety. I ran PIA VPN by a public DNS leak device a number of instances and didn’t report any leaks after a spherical of checks with totally different servers.

For in-app efficiency, I discovered that PIA was one of many quickest VPNs I’ve used up to now. Particularly, it was one of many quickest by way of switching servers and establishing new connections. Altering servers felt fast and snappy, at the same time as I related to areas that have been farther away.

Sadly, I did expertise one bug that retains PIA’s efficiency from being excellent. The primary time I converted to the WireGuard protocol, PIA couldn’t connect with a server. This occurred even when I switched to servers that have been nearer my location — a stark distinction to the app’s efficiency whereas on OpenVPN. Nevertheless, after restarting the appliance twice, the bug appeared to resolve itself and I used to be in a position to join.

Per my analysis, there are just a few customers who’ve skilled the same concern, however it does appear to be a bug that’s been mounted and is now simply resolvable.

Personal Web Entry VPN servers and areas

Whereas PIA VPN at present doesn’t present an actual variety of its server varieties, it has previously declared round 10,000 to 35,000 servers. These servers are unfold out throughout 91 international locations. This quantity makes it one of many largest server suites accessible immediately.

Location-wise, PIA has servers within the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Center East, Africa and Central Asia. Of notice, PIA has not less than one server in all 50 U.S. states — a plus in case you’re a U.S. citizen trying to make the most of servers in numerous U.S. states.

Sadly, PIA VPN doesn’t supply specialised servers for streaming or torrenting. It does have what it calls PIA NextGen servers. These are colocated servers wholly owned and managed by PIA that run on higher, quicker and safer {hardware}.

Total, it’s arduous to argue in opposition to a server suite that reaches the tens and 1000’s, and the 50 servers for 50 U.S. states are additionally helpful. However I do want that PIA had extra specialised server varieties for safety, streaming or torrenting to refine its server community much more.

PIA VPN execs

• Spectacular 10,000-35,000 server suite.
• Very customizable VPN expertise.
• Servers for all 50 U.S. states.
• Dependable kill swap.
• Quick add and obtain speeds.
• 7-day trial through cell variations.

PIA VPN cons

• US-based, owned by controversial Kape Applied sciences.
• No free model.
• No specialised servers.
• WireGuard protocol could also be buggy.

How good is PIA VPN?

Personal Web Entry VPN is a strong VPN selection in 2024. It has an enormous server fleet, a customizable VPN app and the flexibility for limitless gadget connections. Its 50 servers for 50 U.S. states additionally make it a first-rate selection for People in search of servers particular to america.

Whereas its U.S. operations and dad or mum firm might trigger some concern, PIA VPN will get sufficient issues proper to make it a really viable VPN choice immediately.

Personal Web Entry VPN alternate options

Whereas PIA VPN is a top quality VPN service, it could not have the best set of options on your wants. We’ve listed related alternate options beneath that will go well with what you’re in search of higher.

Mullvad VPN

For privateness fans, Mullvad VPN is a best choice. It implements an nameless account numbering system that lets prospects buy subscriptions with zero private data handed over. It additionally has an independently audited no-logs coverage, making certain that no consumer information is prone to being leaked to malicious actors.

NordVPN

NordVPN is without doubt one of the most well-regarded VPNs within the area. It presents constant and quick speeds, a strong server fleet and quite a few third-party audits. It additionally options specialised safety features corresponding to built-in malware safety and an encrypted file-sharing system that make it an all-around safety platform.

Surfshark

Surfshark is one other fashionable VPN choice in 2024. It has an easy-to-use interface fitted to freshmen, sturdy encryption and 24/7 buyer help. It additionally has fame for unblocking streaming content material.

How we evaluated Personal Web Entry VPN

My evaluate of PIA VPN concerned an in depth evaluation of its spotlight options, price and real-world efficiency. I additionally had hands-on time with PIA by their Home windows utility.

For add and obtain speeds, I examined PIA VPN utilizing Ookla’s public Speedtest. In the meantime, I ran PIA VPN by DNSLeakTest a number of instances to check for DNS leaks.

Lastly, I scored PIA VPN on all the things from its protocols to its worth based mostly on an inside algorithm to get a score of 4.2 out of 5 stars. This score checked out PIA VPN each by itself and in relation to different VPN companies accessible immediately.