Private Internet Access review
Choose Private Internet Access when you want open-source apps, a Linux GUI and configurable connections backed by repeated Deloitte assurance work. Watch the ownership overlap: Kape also owns competing VPNs and VPN review sites.
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Score breakdown
One formula for every commercial vpn, explained on how we score VPNs.
Plans and the true 3-year price
| Plan | Term | Monthly | Renews at | 3-year cost | Devices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 1 month | $11.95 | $11.95 | $430 | unlimited |
| 1 year | 1 year | $3.99 | $3.99 | $144 | unlimited |
| 3 years + 3 months | 39 months | $2.03 | $2.19 | $73 | unlimited |
Providers change prices often, and we regularly verify prices against their own pricing pages, though small differences from current prices are possible. Prices checked 11 Oct 2026. Refund window: 30 days.
Who it's for
Pick it if
- You want open-source apps and a Linux GUI.
- You need port forwarding, split tunnelling and custom DNS.
- You value repeated independent scrutiny of the no-logs policy.
- You can commit to a longer subscription for a lower monthly equivalent.
Skip it if
- You prefer a provider outside the Kape group.
- Your main goal is private access to your own machines.
- You want a short commitment at the longer plan’s monthly equivalent.
Audit evidence
| Date | Auditor | Type | Scope | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Dec 2025 | Deloitte | No-logs assurance | Third ISAE 3000 (Revised) review of VPN configuration, management and incident-response processes, and the token-based dedicated IP system against the no-logs policy | Not stated |
| 25 Apr 2024 | Deloitte | No-logs assurance | Second ISAE 3000 (Revised) review of server network configuration, network and incident management systems, and the dedicated IP token system | Gated or summary only |
| 30 Aug 2022 | Deloitte | No-logs assurance | First ISAE 3000 (Revised) review of the VPN server network and management systems against the no-logs policy | Not stated |
Ownership
- 2016 Subpoenaed for user activity logs in 2016 and again in 2017; PIA states it had no logs to provide.
Security and features
- WireGuardYes
- RAM-only serversYes
- Full-disk encryptionUnknown
- Post-quantum optionUnknown
- Open-source appsYes
- Kill switchYes
- Split tunnellingYes
- Multi-hopYes
- Port forwardingYes
- IPv6Unknown
- WireGuard config exportYes
- SOCKS5 proxyUnknown
- Custom DNSYes
- Linux app (GUI)Yes
- Linux CLIUnknown
- Dedicated IPYes
Network Provider-reported
- ServersNot stated
- Countries104
Account and payment privacy
- Sign up without emailUnknown
- Account-number loginUnknown
- CashUnknown
- MoneroUnknown
- BitcoinUnknown
Our take
PIA’s privacy case rests on scoped assurance work, alongside its account of responding to subpoenas. Deloitte’s engagement dated 8 Dec 2025 examined VPN configuration, management and incident-response processes, plus the token-based dedicated IP system, against the no-logs policy. That gives you evidence about operational processes beyond an app’s settings screen. The engagement dated 25 Apr 2024 has gated report access or a summary only, which limits direct inspection. PIA also states it had no user activity logs to hand over when subpoenaed. These are reasons to take the policy seriously, while recognising that an assurance engagement cannot guarantee future behaviour.
PIA Private Internet Access, Inc. is part of Kape Technologies, which also owns CyberGhost VPN, ExpressVPN, vpnMentor and Wizcase. The practical concern is concentration: switching between those VPN brands leaves you within the same parent group. The review-site ownership also matters when you seek independent corroboration, because those publications share an owner with products they cover. This relationship does not invalidate Deloitte’s work. It does mean you should assess the audit evidence separately from recommendations published within the group, and decide whether that ownership structure suits your trust preferences.
The longer subscription makes the price case, but the introductory monthly equivalent needs context. The 3 years + 3 months plan covers 39 months, starts at $2.03 a month and renews at $2.19 a month. Its comparison cost is $73, against $144 for the 1 year plan and $430 for the 1 month plan over the same comparison horizon. Choose the longer commitment only if you expect to keep using the service. Use the 30 days refund window to check whether its controls suit your setup.
For developers, PIA earns consideration through practical controls: WireGuard configuration export, port forwarding, split tunnelling, custom DNS and a Linux GUI. Open-source apps let you inspect client code, while RAM-only servers address a separate part of the infrastructure; neither substitutes for evidence about operational logging practices. When comparing PIA with AirVPN, Mullvad VPN or Proton VPN, start with the controls your workflow requires and then weigh ownership and commitment. If your actual task is reaching your own machines, define access permissions and device connectivity first. A commercial VPN subscription should not be your default answer to that separate problem.
FAQ
Can I trust PIA’s no-logs claim?
Deloitte’s no-logs assurance engagement dated 8 Dec 2025 examined VPN configuration, management and incident-response processes, and the token-based dedicated IP system against the policy. That supports the claim within the engagement’s scope, without guaranteeing future behaviour.
Who owns Private Internet Access?
PIA Private Internet Access, Inc. is part of Kape Technologies, which also owns CyberGhost VPN and ExpressVPN. Kape also owns vpnMentor and Wizcase, so recommendations from those sites come from within the same corporate group.
Does PIA’s price go up when I renew?
The 3 years + 3 months plan starts at a monthly equivalent of $2.03 and renews at $2.19 a month. The 1 year and 1 month plans have matching introductory and renewal monthly equivalents, so the renewal increase depends on the plan you choose.
Is PIA useful on Linux?
PIA has a Linux GUI, open-source apps and WireGuard configuration export. Those options make it worth considering if you want a graphical client alongside configuration you can use in your own setup.
Can I use PIA to reach my home server?
PIA supports port forwarding, which can be relevant when you need an inbound connection through the VPN. For private access to your machines, assess device connectivity and access controls separately; port forwarding alone does not establish a private network between your devices.
Can I get a refund if PIA doesn’t suit my setup?
PIA lists a 30 days refund window and chat support. Check the refund terms before paying, and use that window to test the connection controls your setup depends on.