Score Breakdown — 7.8 / 10
Tested 2025-10-10
Torrenting King, Streaming Not So Much
PIA excels at privacy and torrenting with proven no-logs audits, port forwarding, and a massive server network. But streaming support is inconsistent, and the apps feel dated compared to newer competitors.
Tested over 14 days from three US locations. Speed tests used WireGuard and OpenVPN on 500 Mbps connections. Streaming verification across major platforms. Privacy policy and audit documentation reviewed.
Full methodologyPros & Cons
What sets Private Internet Access apart — and where it falls short.
Pros
Proven no-logs policy with Deloitte audit
Port forwarding on all servers — best in class for torrenting
MACE ad/tracker/malware blocking at DNS level
Generous 10 simultaneous connections
Competitive pricing on long-term plans
Cons
Streaming access varies and requires server switching
Desktop apps feel outdated
Based in the US (Five Eyes jurisdiction)
No multi-hop or dedicated IP options
Basic split tunneling (exclude IPs only)
Plans & Pricing
$11.99 billed monthly
$39.95 billed annually
$69.75 billed every 2 years
Features & Compatibility
Features
Protocols
Server Locations (92)
DNS Handling
Private DNS servers via MACE DNS-level filtering. Blocks ads, trackers, and malware at the DNS level across all devices.
Leak Protection
Built-in DNS and IPv6 leak protection. Advanced kill switch on all major platforms. Split tunneling available on Windows, Android, and macOS.
Obfuscation
Type: Stealth
Streaming Support
Verified compatibility with major streaming platforms
P2P & Torrenting
Port forwarding supported on all servers. P2P traffic allowed and optimized across the network. Best VPN for torrenting.
In-Depth Overview
Private Internet Access has been operating since 2010 and is one of the longest-running consumer VPN services. Based in the United States, the company operates RAM-only servers across over 10,000 IPs in 84 countries. While the US is a Five Eyes member, PIA’s proven no-logs policy has held up in court — the company has demonstrated it cannot provide user data in response to legal requests.
PIA supports WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 protocols. The service includes MACE, a DNS-level ad, tracker, and malware blocker. Port forwarding is available on all servers, making PIA a top choice for torrenting. The service offers unlimited bandwidth and up to 10 simultaneous connections.
Pricing is competitive, with the three-year plan bringing the effective monthly cost under $2. The service accepts credit cards, PayPal, Bitcoin, and gift cards.
Explore More
Browse VPNs by feature, protocol, platform, country, or streaming service.
Related Content
PIA vs CyberGhost — Which Kape-Owned VPN Wins?
Both owned by Kape Technologies, but PIA and CyberGhost serve very different users. We compare their strengths in torrenting, streaming, privacy, and value.