As digital privacy continues to take center stage in the lives of internet users, VPNs have become more than just a luxury—they’re a necessity. One of the most established names in the VPN world is Private Internet Access (PIA). With over a decade in the industry, PIA has developed a loyal user base. But with so many VPN services now saturating the market in 2025, does PIA still hold up? In this review, we’ll dive into their features, performance, pricing, and security practices to see if it’s worth your money this year.
Overview of Private Internet Access VPN
Founded in 2010, Private Internet Access is known for its no-logs policy and robust encryption standards. It is currently under the ownership of Kape Technologies—also the parent company of other VPNs such as CyberGhost and ExpressVPN. PIA has a reputation for transparency and security advocacy, offering open-source clients and regular third-party security audits.
Despite being a veteran in the VPN space, PIA has continuously evolved to meet modern digital needs. In 2025, the VPN landscape demands speed, reliability, global reach, and enhanced privacy. Here’s how PIA stacks up.
Key Features
Private Internet Access VPN comes with a comprehensive suite of features designed to cater to both novice and power users.
- Strong Encryption: AES-256 encryption with support for multiple protocols including OpenVPN and WireGuard.
- No-Logs Policy: Audited no-logs policy to ensure that your browsing history is never recorded.
- Global Server Network: Over 84 countries with a total of more than 35,000 servers.
- Multi-Hop and Split Tunneling: Options to route traffic through multiple servers or separate VPN vs direct traffic.
- Dedicated IP: For those who need a consistent IP address without sacrificing privacy.
- Ad and Tracker Blocking: MACE feature blocks domains used for ads, trackers, and malware.
These features make PIA competitive with even the most premium VPN services in 2025.
Performance and Speed
Speed is often a major concern when choosing a VPN. PIA uses both OpenVPN and the newer, lightweight WireGuard protocol, which significantly improves connection speed without sacrificing security.
Here are average download speeds during our 2025 tests:
- North America: ~280 Mbps
- Europe: ~260 Mbps
- Asia: ~240 Mbps
While some top-tier VPNs can occasionally exceed these numbers, PIA offers consistent performance suitable for HD streaming, gaming, and large downloads. Switching between servers is nearly instantaneous, with minimal throttling observed, even during peak hours.
User Interface and Experience
One of the standout aspects of PIA’s offering is its interface. Whether on desktop or mobile, users are greeted with a minimalist, customizable dashboard.
PCA allows you to see detailed stats such as:
- Connection duration
- Incoming and outgoing traffic
- Real-time server load
With native apps available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera, accessibility is excellent. The Linux GUI, often overlooked by other providers, is particularly well-designed and maintained.
Privacy and Logging Policy
The cornerstone of any good VPN is its commitment to privacy. PIA’s logging policy has stood the test of time, undergoing legal scrutiny multiple times with no user data being surrendered.
In 2023, PIA underwent a third-party audit, conducted by Deloitte, affirming its no-logs policy once again. It insists on RAM-only servers, meaning data is not persistently stored and is wiped with every server reboot. This architecture adds an extra layer of reassurance for privacy-focused users.
In regions with high surveillance like UAE or China, PIA may struggle against deep packet inspection (DPI) tactics. For users in those regions, a stealth or obfuscation mode would be beneficial—something that PIA currently lacks.
Streaming and Torrenting Capabilities
Many users seek VPNs for unrestricted access to global content platforms, and PIA performs admirably in this department.
Streaming:
- Netflix (US, UK, Japan): ✅
- BBC iPlayer: ✅
- Hulu and Disney+: ✅
- Amazon Prime Video: ❌ (inconsistent access)
PIA bypasses geo-restrictions effectively in most cases, though it occasionally fails with Amazon Prime Video. Switching servers can sometimes resolve this, but it’s not guaranteed.
Torrenting:
PIA is peer-to-peer (P2P) friendly, offering full support for torrenting with no speed throttling. SOCKS5 proxy, kill switch, and port forwarding all contribute to making torrenting safe and efficient.
Pricing Plans
PIA remains one of the most cost-effective VPNs on the market in 2025. Pricing is as follows:
- Monthly Plan: $11.95/month
- Yearly Plan: $39.95/year (~$3.33/month)
- 3-Year Plan: $79.00 (~$2.19/month) and includes 3 months free
PIA allows you to protect up to 10 devices simultaneously on a single subscription—a great value when compared to other providers that limit connections to five or fewer.
The service also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, which provides peace of mind if it ends up not working for your specific needs.
Customer Support
Private Internet Access offers 24/7 live chat support, a comprehensive knowledge base, and community forums. The response times are quick, and the support staff is well-trained. However, resolution of more complex technical issues can sometimes require you to contact support multiple times.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Affordable long-term plans
- High-speed WireGuard protocol
- Strict no-logs policy validated by audit
- 10 simultaneous connections
- Wide range of advanced features
Cons:
- No obfuscated/stealth servers
- Can be inconsistent with Amazon Prime Video
- Based in the US, a Five Eyes country
Conclusion: Is Private Internet Access Worth It in 2025?
Absolutely—for most users, Private Internet Access is worth your money in 2025.
It balances speed, functionality, and price exceptionally well. Although it has a few shortcomings—like occasional streaming hiccups and the lack of advanced obfuscation tools—it excels in core VPN aspects such as privacy protection, open-source transparency, and affordability. All these features make it a top contender for users wanting a reliable VPN for everyday security, browsing, and streaming needs.
For tech-savvy users who want a wealth of customization or those on a tighter budget, PIA is a stellar choice. But for journalists or users in highly restrictive countries, complementing PIA with other tools might be advisable.
Ultimately, Private Internet Access delivers solid value, and its continued updates and attention to user needs ensure it’s unlikely to fall behind any time soon.