NordVPN vs PIA: which is the best?

NordVPN and Private Internet Access (PIA) are two of the most popular premium VPN services available today, known for their security, privacy, and reliability. While both are excellent options, choosing which one to use can be difficult.

To help you make an informed decision, we have tested and compared NordVPN and PIA in terms of privacy, security, speed, servers, and streaming capabilities. While both services performed well in our tests, one emerged as the better option overall.

Below, you can find a table that outlines the disparities between NordVPN and PIA in case you need a quick reference.

Overview: NordVPN vs PIA

NordVPN vs PIA: encryption & security

NordVPN and PIA are popular VPN services known for their robust encryption and security features. Both services use AES-256 military-grade encryption and support WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols.

Both VPNs offer additional security features like a kill switch, split tunneling, and DNS leak protection. Although NordVPN also offers Double VPN, which encrypts traffic twice for added security. For more advanced additional security features, like Multi-Hop routing and Onion over VPN, NordVPN is a more reliable VPN service.

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NordVPN

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Encryption and protocols

NordVPN and PIA use AES-256 military-grade encryption and support OpenVPN and WireGuard VPN protocols for your online safety. Both of these protocols are safe and reliable to use in any online activity as a majority of the best VPN services use these.

NordVPN’s WireGuard is called NordLynx which is a proprietary protocol that is a revolutionary technology built by this provider. It is made to help users connect to servers faster without compromising security or privacy. NordVPN's proprietary protocol and streamlined protocol options make it a better option for those looking for a simpler and faster experience.

On the other hand, PIA has strong encryption on both of its protocols that has no vulnerabilities. It is a great provider for those that want to customize everything as it lets you choose which encryption you want to use.

Although the providers are similar in terms of encryption, NordVPN stands out with its additional values, such as PIA’s WireGuard implementation is not as fast as NordLynx. Additionally, PIA’s protocol options may be overwhelming for some users and can lead to confusion but it might be useful for advanced users.

Kill switch and split tunneling

Kill switch and split tunneling are important features for VPN users, as they offer additional security and control over their online activity. NordVPN and PIA offer these features, with some differences in their implementation.

NordVPN’s kill switch is automatic and cuts off your internet connection if your VPN connection drops. This ensures that your real IP address is not exposed to the internet and your online activity remains private. PIA works in the same way, without exposing your data even if the connection is down. In our tests, both VPN’s kill switches worked without fail and protected sensitive information every time. It is also worth mentioning that, unlike some other premium VPNs, a kill switch is integrated into all of the supported platforms and apps.

Both NordVPN and PIA offer split tunneling, which allows users to select which apps or websites will use the VPN connection and which will use the regular internet connection. This feature is available on Windows and Android apps in NordVPN’s case and only on desktop apps in PIA’s case.

Additional security features

In addition to strong encryption, NordVPN and PIA offer several other security features to protect their users’ online privacy and security. These premium VPNs have SOCKS5 proxy, DNS leak protection, and IPv6 leak protection to ensure that users’ real IP addresses are not exposed. But in terms of additional security features, NordVPN is a winner as the provider offers its users an extra layer of safety features that are lacking from PIA.

NordVPN offers Double VPN, which encrypts traffic twice by routing it through two different VPN servers, providing an extra layer of security. NordVPN also has an automatic malware and ad blocker called Threat Protection, which helps protect against malicious websites and unwanted ads. Furthermore, NordVPN’s Onion Over VPN feature allows users to access the Tor network through a VPN connection, providing added anonymity and security. Moreover, it has obfuscated and colocated servers that are missing from PIA’s apps.

PIA offers its users MACE technology that blocks ads, trackers, and malware at the DNS level, preventing them from reaching the user’s device. It works similarly to NordVPN’s Threat Protection. The one thing that is built differently in PIA’s apps is open-sourced apps that can decrease the number of possible threats.

NordVPN vs Private Internet Access: Privacy

When it comes to privacy, NordVPN also stands out more than PIA as its headquarters are located in Panama, which has strong privacy laws. PIA is located in Denver, USA, and that makes it a member of the 5 Eyes alliance which is not the best thing for a VPN. Besides that, both providers declare to have a strict no-logs policy and treasure your security more than anything.

Winner

NordVPN

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Privacy

NordVPN is headquartered in Panama, a country with strong privacy laws that do not require VPNs to keep logs. It is an important fact as it is outside of the 5-Eyes alliance range and the user’s information is as safe as it could be.

PIA is not behind with its privacy and data keeping but unfortunately, it is located in the USA which is within the 5-Eyes alliance territory. It may not be anything unreliable but it is a weaker link compared to laws that are applied for NordVPN because of its location.

Logging

NordVPN and PIA have a strict no-logs policy, which means that it does not collect any user data, including browsing history, traffic logs, IP addresses, or any other identifiable information. This means that providers don’t keep any record of user activities, and users can remain anonymous while using the service.

NordVPN’s no-log policy was audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), and PIA’s no-log policy was audited by the Big Four firm Deloitte. This should assure you that you can trust both of these providers to keep your data away from any kind of snoopers or online threats that seek to get your sensitive information.

Plans & pricing

PIA’s prices are more user-friendly than NordVPN – it is affordable to anyone especially if you are looking for a long-term plan, like a 1-year subscription.

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PIA

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NordVPN isn’t as expensive as ExpressVPN but its plans are significantly pricey. It's worth noting that both services offer excellent value for the price and have competitive pricing in the VPN market.

NordVPN offers three main plans: a monthly plan, a yearly plan, and a 2-year plan. The monthly plan is the most expensive at $11.99 per month, while the 1-year plan is priced at $4.49 per month (with three free months) and the 2-year plan at $3.69 per month (with three free months), offering savings of 45% and over 50%, respectively.

NordVPN’s subscription plans and pricing (source: nordvpn.com)

PIA offers two main plans: a monthly plan, a yearly plan, and a plan for three years. The monthly plan costs $11.95 per month, the yearly plan costs $3.33 per month and the subscription for 3 years is $2.05.

PIA’s subscription plans and pricing (source: privateinternetaccess.com)

Both NordVPN and Private Internet Access offer a 30-day money-back guarantee for their plans. Additionally, both services offer multiple payment options, including credit cards, PayPal, and Bitcoin.

Speed performance: NordVPN vs PIA

When it comes to speed performance, NordVPN has an edge over PIA. With a wide network of its servers, NordVPN has impressive speed almost anywhere. PIA is not so far away – it showed good results on our speed tests but the additional features of NordVPN make it way harder to reach higher numbers.

Winner

NordVPN

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We have conducted speed tests in the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe to determine the actual speed of each VPN. The average results of the download speed test can be found in the table below.

As we are aware that the speed of the VPN depends on many factors such as the chosen server, VPN protocol, and the distance between the actual location and the picked server, we did our tests under the same circumstances: on a Mac desktop app and iOs mobile app. We did it at different times of the day as the speed may vary if more or fewer people are connected to the same country and server.

NordVPN is faster with its NordLynx technology.

We did our tests on the same WireGuard VPN protocol as it is claimed to be the fastest and both providers support it on its applications. Although the unique technology of NordLynx showed its capabilities and was able to connect faster even to the servers that are far away from the actual location. PIA’s results were stable and very decent – the difference between the two providers isn’t that big but it may be a key for activities like streaming or gaming where any kind of buffering can be annoying. In that way, NordVPN is a slightly better choice.

PIA vs NordVPN: Streaming

If you're looking for a VPN service that can provide a seamless streaming experience, NordVPN is the way to go – it is a better option for streaming, as it offers better speed performance, reliable access to popular streaming platforms, and is the best choice for sports streaming.

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NordVPN

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PIA also provides access to popular streaming services with great speed and almost-to-none buffering but it may struggle with anti-VPN policies which are used by multiple platforms.

NordVPN has a reputation for being an excellent VPN for streaming, with reliable access to popular services such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and many more. NordVPN offers specialized servers optimized for streaming, which ensures fast and stable connections. Additionally, NordVPN’s advanced encryption and security features can bypass geo-restrictions imposed by streaming services and its speed won’t let you face any kind of lagging or buffering even on 4k.

PIA also provides access to popular streaming services – you can watch Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, HBO, and other platforms in no time. It unblocks geo-restricted content and lets you enjoy your favorite shows even when you are on the road and traveling abroad. Although there were a few cases when this VPN struggled with anti-VPN policies.

Servers and locations

When selecting a VPN, the quantity and locations of servers are vital for a reliable and secure connection. PIA offers more servers than NordVPN, making it a better option in terms of servers and locations.

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PIA

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Although NordVPN's server network may not be as vast as PIA’s, it is more dependable with faster speeds, particularly when connecting to servers distant from your actual location.

In terms of locations, both PIA and NordVPN offer a wide range of server locations across the world, which allows users to access geo-restricted content and browse the internet with greater privacy and security.

PIA, on the other hand, has a network of over 10,000 servers in 84 countries. This vast network of servers also ensures that users can access geo-restricted content from different parts of the world.

NordVPN boasts an extensive network of over 5,500 servers in 59 countries, which provides users with a wide range of options for secure and fast connections. That is still a significant number, but not as extensive as PIA’s network. Although it is worth mentioning that NordVPN has been known to offer faster connection speeds than PIA in some cases, especially when it comes to long-distance connections.

Platforms, interface, and ease of use

Both VPN services offer easy-to-use and intuitive apps, NordVPN has a slight advantage in terms of interface and overall user experience. NordVPN’s apps have a sleek and modern interface that is easy to navigate. Its apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android are well-designed and user-friendly, with clear and straightforward options. Additionally, NordVPN has a user-friendly website that makes it easy to sign up and download the app.

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NordVPN

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PIA’s apps, on the other hand, have a more basic interface that may not be as visually appealing or easy to navigate – some of the features look like they are designed for an advanced user and may be harder to customize by fresh VPN users. However, they still offer straightforward options and are easy to use overall.

Desktop apps

NordVPN's desktop app for Windows and Mac has a sleek and modern interface that is visually appealing and easy to navigate. The main screen displays a world map with server locations that are color-coded based on their type (standard, P2P, Double VPN, etc.). Users can easily select a location by clicking on the country or searching for a specific server and can choose their preferred VPN protocol, also they can use a kill switch.

A PIA’s desktop app for Windows and Mac has a more basic and less visually appealing interface, but it is still easy to use and offers simple access to server locations and settings. The main screen displays a list of server locations, and users can connect by simply clicking on a location. PIA also includes features like a kill switch and the possibility to switch between VPN protocols.

Both NordVPN and PIA also offer services for Linux users. NordVPN’s Linux app is available through the official repository and can be installed on popular Linux distributions such as Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, and CentOS. PIA’s Linux app is available as an OpenVPN configuration file that can be manually imported into the Network Manager on Linux. This may require some technical know-how, but PIA provides step-by-step instructions to help users through the process.

Mobile apps

NordVPN’s mobile app for Android and iOs is well-designed and easy to use. It has a clean interface with a world map and server locations that are color-coded based on their type. The app includes a ‘Quick Connect’ feature that automatically connects users to the fastest available server. Users can also select specific servers and customize their options for the smoothest experience. One downside is that there is no built-in kill switch so you need to enable it on your device’s settings.

PIA’s mobile app for Android and iOs is also user-friendly and simple to navigate. It features a list of server locations and a search bar for finding specific servers. Users can select from different server types, including P2P and dedicated IP. The app includes a kill switch and split tunneling.

Customer support

NordVPN has a better customer support system than PIA – it offers more options for support, including a more helpful live chat support system. Additionally, NordVPN's support team is typically more responsive and able to provide quick solutions to user issues.

NordVPN offers several support options, including a comprehensive knowledge base with frequently asked questions, tutorials, and troubleshooting guides. Users can also submit a ticket through the support page, which is typically answered within a few hours. NordVPN also offers 24/7 live chat support, which is available in multiple languages. The live chat support is responsive and helpful, providing users with quick solutions to their problems.

PIA also offers a knowledge base and a ticket-based support system. Their support team is typically quick to respond to tickets, but it may take longer to receive a resolution depending on the issue's complexity. PIA also offers a live chat support system, which is available 24/7. However, users report mixed experiences with PIA’s live chat support so it may take some time to get your answers.

NordVPN vs Private Internet Access: which is better?

NordVPN is the better option for users who prioritize security, speed, and ease of use and are willing to pay a premium for it. However, PIA is a more budget-friendly option that still offers good security and privacy features and is suitable for users who are looking for a reliable VPN service at an affordable price.

NordVPN offers superior security and privacy features, faster speeds, better streaming capabilities, and a more user-friendly interface. Additionally, NordVPN has a more comprehensive and responsive customer support system.

With that being said, PIA is still a good and reliable VPN service with more affordable prices. PIA offers excellent security and privacy features, a large number of servers, and supports multiple devices and platforms. While PIA's desktop apps and mobile apps are not as user-friendly as NordVPN’s, they are still functional and easy to use.

Winner

NordVPN

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