Private Internet Access vs. NordVPN: Differences, pros and cons in 2024
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BLUEPRINT
Updated 3:45 p.m. UTC April 2, 2024
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Pros
- Several specialty servers.
- Supports zero-trust user provisioning.
- Second fastest average upload speed.
Cons
- Business plans cost more than its rivals.
- Limited to six simultaneous connections.
- Servers in fewer countries than Surfshark.
Pros
- Servers in 50 U.S. states.
- Cheapest VPN with triennial billing.
- Advanced browser settings for security and privacy.
Cons
- No central business dashboard.
- Fewer dedicated IP server locations than competitors.
- Slower than other VPNs.
NordVPN and Private Internet Access are two reputable VPN service providers. To help you decide which is best for you, here’s an in-depth comparison of their costs, features, servers, customer support options, user reviews and more. Learn when and why one may be better than another for your company’s needs.
Featured VPN service offers
NordVPN
Free plan
No
Cheapest monthly plan
$12.99
Download speed (average)
235 Mbps
Surfshark
Free plan
No
Cheapest monthly plan
$15.45
Download speed (average)
263 Mbps
Private Internet Access (PIA)
Free plan
No
Cheapest monthly plan
$11.95
Download speed (average)
124 Mbps
NordVPN vs. Private Internet Access: Cost
| Lowest monthly plan price (per month) | Lowest annual plan price (per month) | Highest monthly plan price (per month) | Highest annual plan price (per month) | Free trial available | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NordVPN
| $12.99
| $4.59
| $15.99
| $7.49
| Yes, through the Google Play Store
|
Private Internet Access
| $11.95
| $3.33
| Single-tier
| Single-tier
| Yes, through the Google Play Store and Apple App Store
|
NordVPN offers Basic, Plus and Ultimate plan options with terms of one month, one year and two years. The longer the term you choose, the lower your plan price. For example, its month-to-month price starts at $12.99, but its one-year plan starts at $4.59 per month (billed annually). Also, if you choose a one or two-year plan, you get three extra months of service.
Private Internet Access offers three plan options that only differ based on their term lengths. You can choose between a monthly plan, a one-year plan and a three-year (plus four free months) plan. Again, the longer the term, the lower the price. The three-year (plus four free months) plan brings down the annual plan price of $3.33 to $1.98 per month (billed upfront for three years at $79).
When it comes to the lowest price, Private Internet Access is a little over a dollar cheaper than NordVPN’s cheapest monthly and annual plans and around $4 cheaper than NordVPN’s highest-tier plans. Both offer 30-day money-back guarantees and free trials if you sign up for the service via their mobile apps.
With Private Internet Access, you can secure unlimited devices for one price. With NordVPN’s standard plans, you can cover up to 10 devices. However, you can also purchase NordLayer. NordLayer ranges from $10 to $18 per user per month, with an Enterprise plan that has custom pricing for larger businesses. It allows you to cover more devices with five or more licenses.
NordVPN vs. Private Internet Access: Features
| ANONYMOUS BROWSING | DEDICATED IP | KILL SWITCH | SPLIT TUNNELING | MULTI-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NordVPN
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
|
Private Internet Access
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
|
NordVPN and Private Internet Access both offer a comprehensive lineup of features. They include unlimited bandwidth, WireGuard encryption, multi-hop capabilities, anonymous browsing, kill switches, split tunneling, malware protection, ad blocking, tracking blocking and dedicated IP add-ons.
In addition, the Plus NordVPN plan includes a cross-platform password manager and data breach scanner. The company’s Ultimate plan also adds 1 TB of cloud storage and file encryption, identity theft protection and cyber extortion protection. You can also add a dedicated IP address ($8.99 per month with the Basic plan) or Incogni ($3.99 per month with Basic) to your plan. Incogni contacts data brokers to request that your personal data be removed from their databases.
Private Internet Access only offers one type of plan with various term options. However, at checkout, you can add the dedicated IP ($2.50 to $5.00 per month, depending on plan length) along with Antivirus from PIA ($1.00 to $4.50 per month, depending on plan length). The Antivirus service scans, detects and removes viruses and malware from PCs without logging or tracking user data.
NordVPN vs. Private Internet Access: Servers
| Number of continents with servers | Total number of servers | Number of countries with servers | |
|---|---|---|---|
NordVPN
| 6 | 6,200+
| 110+
|
Private Internet Access
| 6 | 64,500+
| 90+
|
Private Internet Access comes out ahead on the server front. It has more than 64,500 servers in over 90 countries and six continents. The company also upgraded its VPN network to become “Next Generation” in 2020, which improves privacy, speed and security. NordVPN doesn’t mention anything about Next Gen upgrades to its servers but does offer a decent-sized network of more than 6,200 servers that spans over 110 countries and six continents.
James Irwin, Director at Straight Search, said, “A larger, well-distributed server network can provide better speed and reliability and access to more regional content.” He added, “There’s no hard-and-fast rule about a minimum number of servers or countries, but the broader the distribution, the better the chances of finding a nearby server, which generally leads to better performance.”
NordVPN vs. Private Internet Access: Speed
| DOWNLOAD SPEED (AVERAGE) | UPLOAD SPEED (AVERAGE) | DOWNLOAD SPEED (MIN TO MAX) | UPLOAD SPEED (MIN TO MAX) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
NordVPN
| 235 | 186 | 90 to 97 Mbps
| 26 to 98 Mbps
|
Private Internet Access
| 124 | 154 | Not found
| Not found
|
NordVPN wins in speed tests with an average download speed of 235 and an average upload speed of 186. In comparison, Private Internet Access had an average download speed of 124 and an average upload speed of 154.
In either case, you’ll be able to perform multiple online activities simultaneously. For example, Netflix recommends download speeds of just 15 Mbps or higher to watch videos in Ultra High Definition (UHD).
However, to get the best speeds out of both providers, you can tap into their split tunneling feature. This feature allows you to decide which device or app data goes through your VPN by selecting only the apps and devices you want to secure while leaving the others to run their traffic through your regular internet connection. As you cut down on traffic sources, you reduce the risk of slowing down your computer due to data flowing through your VPN.
NordVPN vs. Private Internet Access: Customer support
| 24/ CUSTOMER SUPPORT | PHONE SUPPORT | LIVE CHAT | KNOWLEDGE BASE / HELP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
NordVPN
| Yes
| No
| Yes: Human
| Yes
|
Private Internet Access
| Yes
| No
| Yes: Human
| Yes
|
The two companies offer similar levels of customer support and have similar TrustPilot ratings. Both offer 24/7 customer support through live chat and a knowledge base where you can self-serve to find much of the information you may need. Unfortunately, neither offers phone support. If you prefer to speak to a customer support representative via phone when issues arise with your VPN service, check out IPVanish.
Private Internet Access has a 4.4-star rating after over 10,000 reviews on Trustpilot, while NordVPN has a 4.2-star rating after over 31,000 reviews. Private Internet Access users say they love the responsive service and lack of downtime. However, some cite that its shared IP addresses are blocked by quite a few popular sites. NordVPN users mention that the service is fast, secure and stable. On the other hand, some say the renewal tactics are underhanded and refunds can be difficult to get processed.
Featured VPN service offers
NordVPN
Free plan
No
Cheapest monthly plan
$12.99
Download speed (average)
235 Mbps
Surfshark
Free plan
No
Cheapest monthly plan
$15.45
Download speed (average)
263 Mbps
Private Internet Access (PIA)
Free plan
No
Cheapest monthly plan
$11.95
Download speed (average)
124 Mbps
Which VPN is right for your business?
The right VPN company for your business will depend on your needs and priorities. If you’re looking for the cheapest option or the provider with the largest server network, Private Internet Access wins. On the other hand, NordVPN comes out ahead on the speed front and has a much larger volume of generally positive reviews.
Your decision may also hinge on the features offered beyond the main VPN service. If you’re interested in protecting your passwords across various platforms, real-time data breach alerts, a 1 TB storage solution with encryption and/or removal of your data from third-party databases, NordVPN is better. If you’re interested in a corporate VPN add-on or cybersecurity add-on for your PCs, Private Internet Access is better.
Want to compare how these two stack up to other VPN service providers? Check out our top picks of 2024.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
