What is Private Internet Access used for?

Private Internet Access is a consumer VPN service with a no-logs policy, many server locations and apps for desktop, mobile and TV. It is a good fit for hiding an IP address while browsing and protecting devices on public networks.

How much does Private Internet Access cost?

Paid plans for Private Internet Access start at $11.95 per month, and there is no free plan.

Is Private Internet Access open source?

No. Private Internet Access is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. Open-source alternatives to Private Internet Access include OpenVPN, IPsec VPN Server and wg-easy.

What are some alternatives to Private Internet Access?

Private Internet Access competes with NordVPN, ExpressVPN and Surfshark. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source Private Internet Access alternatives.

Private Internet Access: features, pricing and alternatives

About Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access, often called PIA, is a commercial VPN service. It encrypts internet traffic and hides the user's IP address so that browsing is shielded from surveillance and from exposure on unsecured networks. The vendor says it keeps no browsing data and publishes a no-logs policy.

The service offers apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS and Chrome, as well as options aimed at gaming and smart TVs. Its feature list also includes a dedicated IP, an antivirus add-on and a VPN router. A single account can be used on an unlimited number of devices, and the vendor says its software is open source.

PIA is sold as a paid subscription with a 30-day money-back guarantee for new customers, according to the vendor. It is a hosted service and cannot be self-hosted.

Key features

VPN with a published no-logs policy
Apps for desktop, mobile and browser
Dedicated IP option
Support for gaming and smart TV use
VPN router option
One account for unlimited devices

Good fit for

→Hiding an IP address while browsing
→Protecting devices on public networks

Tags: vpn; privacy; no-logs; security; networking; dedicated-ip

Private Internet Access: questions and answers

What is Private Internet Access used for?: Private Internet Access is a consumer VPN service with a no-logs policy, many server locations and apps for desktop, mobile and TV. It is a good fit for hiding an IP address while browsing and protecting devices on public networks.
How much does Private Internet Access cost?: Paid plans for Private Internet Access start at $11.95 per month, and there is no free plan.
Is Private Internet Access open source?: No. Private Internet Access is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. Open-source alternatives to Private Internet Access include OpenVPN, IPsec VPN Server and wg-easy.
What are some alternatives to Private Internet Access?: Private Internet Access competes with NordVPN, ExpressVPN and Surfshark. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source Private Internet Access alternatives.