Private Internet Access vs ProtonVPN (2026)
Prices and features refreshed September 2026. Speed figures are from our April 2026 lab tests. Privacy, streaming, price, and who each VPN is actually suited for.
8.4
Private Internet Access
VS
9.1
ProtonVPN
Quick verdict
ProtonVPN wins overall (9.1/10 vs 8.4/10)
ProtonVPN outscores Private Internet Access on Speed, Privacy, Streaming. Private Internet Access has the edge on Servers, Value, Ease of Use.
Score breakdown
8.3
Speed8.5
9
Privacy9.7
9.8
Servers9
8
Streaming8.2
9.5
Value8.6
8.6
Ease of Use8.4
Private Internet Access
ProtonVPN
Full feature comparison
| Feature | Private Internet Access8.4/10 | ProtonVPN9.1/10 |
|---|---|---|
| Our Score | 8.4 | 9.1 |
| Monthly Price | $2.03/mo | $3.49/mo |
| Servers | 35,000+ | 20,000+ |
| Countries | 91 | 140 |
| Simultaneous Devices | Unlimited | 10 |
| Speed (tested) | 635 Mbps (83%) | 665 Mbps (87%) |
| No-Logs Policy | ||
| Independently Audited | ||
| Kill Switch | ||
| Ad Blocker | ||
| Streaming | ||
| Torrenting / P2P | ||
| Port Forwarding | ||
| Obfuscation | ||
| Double VPN | ||
| RAM-Only Servers | ||
| Jurisdiction | USA (5 Eyes member) | Switzerland (outside EU/US jurisdiction) |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
Who should choose which
Choose Private Internet Access if:
- Largest server count of any VPN — 35,000+ servers in 91 countries
- No-logs policy both court-tested in two US federal cases and independently audited by Deloitte three times (2022, 2024, 2025)
- 3-year plan is $2.03/month; the 1-year plan is $3.99/month
Choose ProtonVPN if:
- Strongest verifiable privacy: open-source apps, court-tested no-logs policy
- Swiss jurisdiction — outside EU and US data retention laws
- Secure Core routes traffic through hardened servers in Iceland, Sweden, Switzerland
Other comparisons
Private Internet Access links
Full Private Internet Access reviewCurrent Private Internet Access dealPrivate Internet Access alternatives