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PureVPN and Private Internet Access (PIA) are a two of the best VPNs on the market. They both have strong security and privacy features, a large server network, and user-friendly apps for all major platforms.
Both VPNs come with all the industry-standard VPN security features, like 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy. Moreover, they also have the following features:
| Feature | Simple Explanation |
|---|---|
| Perfect Forward Secrecy | Keeps your messages safe even if encryption keys are stolen |
| Full Leak Protection | Stops any accidental sharing of private info |
| Obfuscation | Makes your online activities harder to understand |
| Split-Tunneling | Lets you choose which internet traffic goes through VPN |
| Anti-DDoS Protection | Defends against online attacks that flood servers |
| Dedicated IP Addresses | Gives you a unique internet address just for yourself |
| Port Forwarding | Helps connect to specific internet services securely |
When comparing PureVPN and Private Internet Access (PIA), there are some differences. PIA offers extra features like port forwarding and anti-DDoS protection at no additional cost, while PureVPN charges extra for these. PIA also has fast speeds on both nearby and faraway servers and works well with over 30 streaming sites. Plus, PIA allows peer-to-peer (P2P) support on all servers, not just dedicated ones.
However, PureVPN tends to slow down on distant servers and isn’t always reliable with streaming sites like Amazon Prime. It only allows torrenting on servers in over 30 countries.
I looked at different factors to compare these VPNs, such as security, features, privacy, server locations, speeds, streaming and P2P support, gaming, bypassing censorship, user-friendliness, pricing, and customer support.
Overall, I think Private Internet Access is a better choice than PureVPN. But it’s essential to read the full article to see which VPN fits your needs and budget best.
| PureVPN | Private Internet Access | |
| 💸Starting Price | Starts at INR200 / month | Starts at INR180 / month |
| 📱 Number of Devices | 10 | Unlimited |
| 🔐Security | 256-bit AES encryption, No-logs policy (audited). Kill switch, Full leak protection, Perfect forward secrecy | 256-bit AES encryption, No-logs policy (audited). Kill switch, Full leak protection, Perfect forward secrecy, RAM-only servers |
| 🌍 Number of Servers | 6,500+ in 70+ countries | Unknown number of servers in 91 countries |
| ⚡️ Speeds | Fast on nearby servers and noticeable slowdowns on distant servers | Very fast on nearby servers and fast on distant servers |
| 🎥Streaming Support | Works with Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer | Works with Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer |
| 🔽P2P Support | ✅ (on servers in 30+ countries) | ✅ (on all servers in 91 countries) |
| 💻 Apps | Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Fire TV | Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android TV |
| ❓Customer Support | 24/7 live chat, Email support, In-depth support library | 24/7 live chat, Email support In-depth support library |
| 💰 Money-Back Guarantee | 31 days | 30 days |
| 256-Bit AES Encryption | No-Logs Policy | Kill Switch | Leak Protection | RAM-Only Servers | Perfect Forward Secrecy | |
| Private Internet Access | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| PureVPN | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
Both VPNs are great for securing your data. They have industry-standard security features, including:
On Windows and Mac, PIA includes an Advanced Kill Switch that limits internet access while you are not connected to a VPN server. In my experiments, it prohibited me from accessing the internet if I was not connected to PIA’s servers. I also enjoy that the VPN’s iOS app includes a built-in kill switch, which many VPNs do not.
I enjoy how both VPNs provide comprehensive leak prevention. I did leak tests while connecting to servers in over 20 countries for each VPN, and I found no leaks.
Only PIA uses RAM-only servers. This is a sophisticated security feature that writes data to RAM rather than the hard disk. Thus, after each server reset, all is wiped.
The good news is that both VPNs have perfect forward secrecy. This security feature changes the encryption key for each VPN session, which prevents hackers from compromising past or future encryption keys and using them to access your VPN traffic history.
Each provider offers fast and secure protocols. They both have OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2/IPSec protocols. PureVPN also has a protocol called Proxy, which is a proxy connection that changes your IP address, but it doesn’t encrypt your traffic. This means that you’ll get faster speeds, but no security.
Both VPNs have two-factor authentication — this requires you to verify your login attempts with a time-sensitive code or security key that’s generated by an app.
Winner (Security): It’s a tie
Both VPNs have strong security features. They come with industry-standard features, advanced security features, secure and fast protocols, and two-factor authentication. The only difference is that Private Internet Access has RAM-only servers, an Advanced Kill Switch option on Windows and Mac devices, and an iOS kill switch.
| Split-Tunneling | Obfuscation | Blocks Ads | Blocks Malicious Sites | Tor Support | Smart DNS | Other Features | |
| Private Internet Access | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Port forwarding, SOCKS5 proxy servers, Dedicated IP addresses, Identity Guard |
| PureVPN | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Port forwarding, Dedicated IP addresses, Quantum Resistant servers |
Private Internet Access has more extra features. Although PureVPN’s additional features are decent, it can’t compete with PIA, which has feature-rich apps.
Both VPNs let you choose which apps and IP addresses use the VPN, but PIA’s is better. They both hide your internet traffic for privacy, with PIA using Shadowsocks, especially good for places like China.
PIA has a great ad blocker called PIA MACE that stops ads, trackers, and bad sites. Only PIA works with Tor on all servers, adding more security for .onion sites.
PIA also has a smart DNS for devices like smart TVs. Both VPNs help with faster torrent downloads and fewer reCAPTCHAs with dedicated IP addresses. PureVPN offers IPs from 7 countries, PIA from 5+.
PIA has some features that PureVPN lacks:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| SOCKS5 Proxy Servers | Provides faster download speeds by changing your IP address, though it doesn’t encrypt your traffic. |
| Identity Guard | Monitors for data breaches, allowing you to check if your email has been compromised. |
PureVPN has special servers in over 70 countries called Quantum Resistant servers. These servers use super secure encryption keys that can’t be broken by future quantum computers. This protects your data from possible future hacking attempts using advanced technology.
Private Internet Access Takes the Lead with Extra Features
Private Internet Access has more extra features. It has the best ad blocker on the market, PIA MACE, and Tor support. It also comes with an Identity Guard feature, a SOCKS5 proxy, and a smart DNS feature. That said, both VPNs have split-tunneling, obfuscation, port forwarding, and dedicated IP addresses. In addition, PureVPN also has Quantum Resistant servers.
| Logs User IP Addresses | Logs User Traffic | Audited No-Logs Policy | Headquarters | Open-Source Apps | |
| Private Internet Access | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | US (part of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances) | ✅ |
| PureVPN | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | British Virgin Islands (not a part of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances) | ❌ |
Both VPNs, PIA and PureVPN, promise strong privacy protection. PIA’s no-logs policy was checked by an independent review in 2022, while PureVPN’s policy is subject to random audits by KPMG, a security firm, ensuring ongoing compliance.
PIA operates from the US, which is part of surveillance alliances like the 5/9/14 Eyes. However, since PIA doesn’t keep logs, it can’t provide user data even if requested. PureVPN, based in the British Virgin Islands, enjoys a location that’s outside such surveillance networks, enhancing privacy.
PIA’s apps are open-source, meaning anyone can review the code for security issues. PureVPN lacks this feature. However, it’s suggested that PIA’s app should undergo an independent security review.
It’s great that both providers accept cryptocurrency payments, which provide better privacy than standard payment methods, like credit cards.
Winner (Privacy): It’s a tie
I couldn’t pick a winner here. Both VPNs’ no-logs policies have been independently audited and verified. Although PIA is headquartered inside a 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances country, its no-logs policy proves it doesn’t have any data to hand over to authorities. PureVPN is based in a privacy-friendly location, the British Virgin Islands. Both VPNs accept cryptocurrency payments, but only PIA has open-source apps.
| Number of Servers | Number of Countries | Virtual Locations | P2P Servers | Obfuscated Servers | Dedicated IP Addresses | |
| Private Internet Access | N/A | 91 | ✅ (in 40+ countries) | ✅ (on all servers in 91 countries) | ✅ (on all servers in 91 countries) | ✅ |
| PureVPN | 6,500+ | 70+ | ✅ (in 20+ countries) | ✅ (on servers in 30+ countries) | ✅ (on 10+ servers in 5+ countries) | ✅ |
I’m impressed with both VPNs’ server networks. Private Internet Access doesn’t display the number of servers, but it has servers in 91 countries, while PureVPN has 6,500+ servers in 70+ countries. With a large server network, you’re less likely to connect to overcrowded servers, which can cause slowdowns.
Both VPNs use virtual servers — these servers provide you with an IP address from the country you connect to, but they’re physically located in a different country. PIA has virtual servers in 40+ countries, and PureVPN has virtual servers in 20+ countries.
Each provider also allows P2P traffic on its servers — PIA allows torrenting on all of its servers in 91 countries, while PureVPN allows P2P traffic on servers in 30+ countries.
Both PureVPN and PIA support obfuscation on their servers. PIA allows obfuscation on all of its servers. On the other hand, PureVPN has 10+ obfuscated servers in 5+ countries.
I like that both providers offer dedicated IP addresses for an extra cost. You’ll be assigned an IP address that’s only yours. These dedicated IP addresses are helpful for avoiding reCAPTCHAs, which are quick tests you need to do to access certain sites to prove you are human.
PIA has special servers in several countries like the US, UK, Japan, Italy, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark, just for streaming. These servers change their IP addresses frequently, making it harder for streaming sites to block them.
PureVPN offers Quantum Resistant servers. These servers use encryption keys that are safe from threats posed by quantum computers.
Winner (Servers): It’s a tie
I really like PureVPN’s and PIA’s server networks. PIA offers servers in 91 countries, and PureVPN has 6,500+ servers in 70+ countries. Both VPNs also have virtual servers, support traffic, and obfuscation, and offer dedicated IP addresses. Moreover, PIA has dedicated servers for streaming in 5+ countries, while PureVPN comes with Quantum Resistant servers.
| Website Load Time | HD Video Load Time | 4K Video Load Time | Time to Download a 20 GB File | |
| Private Internet Access | Instantly (on nearby servers) 1–2 seconds (on distant servers) | Instantly (on nearby servers) 2 seconds (on distant servers) | Instantly (on nearby servers) 4 seconds (on distant servers) | 11–12 minutes (on nearby servers) 20–22 minutes (on distant servers) |
| PureVPN | 2–3 seconds (on nearby servers) 5–6 seconds (on distant servers) | 5–6 seconds (on nearby servers) 7–8 seconds (on distant servers) | 8–9 seconds (on nearby servers) 10–12 seconds (on distant servers) | 32–34 minutes (on nearby servers) 40–43 minutes (on distant servers) |
In my tests, I had significantly faster speeds with PIA — this doesn’t come as a surprise, as the VPN is one of the fastest VPNs on the market.
I was impressed with PIA’s speeds on nearby and distant servers. On nearby servers, websites, HD videos, and 4K videos loaded instantly. I was able to download a 20 GB file in 11–12 minutes. On distant servers, websites loaded in 1–2 seconds, HD videos in 2 seconds, and 4K videos loaded in 4 seconds. I was able to download the same 20 GB file in 20–22 minutes.
When I used PureVPN’s servers, I noticed that my internet speed slowed down. When I connected to servers nearby, websites took 2–3 seconds to load, HD videos took 5–6 seconds with a little pausing, and 4K videos took 8–9 seconds with noticeable pausing. Downloading a 20 GB file took 32–34 minutes. On faraway servers, websites took 5–6 seconds to load, HD videos took 7–8 seconds with more pausing, and 4K videos took 10–12 seconds with significant pausing. The same 20 GB file took 40–43 minutes to download.
Winner (Speeds): Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access is the clear winner. In my tests, PIA was able to maintain fast speeds on nearby and distant servers for browsing, streaming, and torrenting. With PureVPN, I experienced noticeable slowdowns on nearby and distant servers.
| Number of Streaming Services the VPN Works With | Works With Netflix | Works With BBC iPlayer, Max, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ | Smart DNS | |
| Private Internet Access | 30+ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| PureVPN | N/A | ✅ | Works with all sites except Amazon Prime | ❌ |
I think PIA is much better for streaming, as it works with 30+ streaming sites. PureVPN couldn’t provide me with an exact number.
Both VPNs work with Netflix. However, PIA’s support team confirmed that it works with 5+ Netflix libraries, including Netflix US, Netflix UK, and Netflix Japan. On top of that, both providers work with other streaming sites, like Max, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer (confirmed by my UK colleague). That said, only PIA is compatible with Amazon Prime.
PIA also comes with a smart DNS feature. This allows you to use the VPN on devices that don’t have a native VPN app, like gaming consoles.
| P2P Servers | Works With Top P2P Apps | Port Forwarding | SOCKS5 Proxy Support | Kill Switch | No-Logs Policy | |
| Private Internet Access | On all servers in 91 countries | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ (independently audited) |
| PureVPN | On servers in 30+ countries | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ (independently audited) |
Private Internet Access (PIA) is better for downloading files through torrenting because you can do it on all of its servers in 91 countries. PureVPN only lets you use torrenting on servers in around 30 countries.
Both VPNs work fine with popular torrenting apps like qBittorrent, Vuze, and Deluge. I tried out 5 different apps with each VPN’s servers for torrenting, and they all worked without any problems.
Both VPNs let you do something called port forwarding, but PureVPN charges extra for it, while PIA includes it in the regular subscription.
Only PIA supports something called SOCKS5 proxy, which can speed up your downloads by changing your IP address without encrypting your data.
For keeping things private and secure, both VPNs have a kill switch and a policy of not keeping logs, which has been checked by someone independent. PIA also has a feature called PIA MACE, which helps block ads that might be harmful on torrenting sites and stops you from accessing risky sites.
Before I started torrenting, I checked for leaks, and there weren’t any. Tests also showed the VPN’s IP address, not mine, which means my real IP stayed hidden.
Winner (Torrenting): Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access is a better choice for torrenting because it allows P2P traffic on all of its servers, has SOCKS5 proxy support, and an ad blocker. That said, both VPNs work with top P2P apps, allow port forwarding, and have great security and privacy features for torrenting.
| Ping on Local Servers (North Macedonia) | Ping on Distant Servers (the US) | Lag-Free Gaming | Anti-DDoS Protection | Router Support | Cloud Gaming Support | |
| Private Internet Access | 19–20 ms | 140–143 ms | ❌ (only minor lag, not game-breaking) | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| PureVPN | 22–26 ms | 175–178 ms | ❌ (noticeable lag sometimes) | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
I tried both PIA and PureVPN while playing Dota 2. PIA was faster, but PureVPN was also okay. Both VPNs gave me good ping on local servers. On faraway servers, PureVPN had a higher ping and more noticeable lag compared to PIA, which kept a lower, more stable ping.
It’s good that both VPNs have protection against DDoS attacks. If someone tries to mess with your connection while you’re using either VPN, they won’t be able to do it. PIA offers this protection on all its servers, and it’s included in the regular subscription. However, PureVPN charges extra for DDoS protection.
I like that you can set up both VPNs on your router. This lets you use a VPN for gaming on devices that can’t run VPN apps on their own, like gaming consoles.
Unfortunately, neither VPN supports cloud gaming. That means you can’t use them to access services like GeForce Now, which let you stream games to devices like smartphones and laptops.
Winner (Gaming): It’s a tie
I like both VPNs for gaming. They provide low ping on local servers. On distant servers, PIA only has minor lag, while PureVPN also has more noticeable lag on distant servers. Moreover, both providers allow manual router setups and have anti-DDoS protection on all servers. However, you won’t get cloud gaming support with either VPN.
| Obfuscation | Works in China | Works in Russia | Works in Iran | Works in Indonesia | Works in Saudi Arabia | |
| Private Internet Access | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| PureVPN | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
PureVPN has a better obfuscation feature. The VPN’s customer support representatives confirmed that the VPN works in restrictive countries.
PIA’s obfuscation feature only works in two restrictive countries — Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. Its customer support can’t guarantee that the VPN will work in countries like China, Russia, and Iran.
Winner (Bypassing Censorship): PureVPN
PureVPN is better for bypassing censorship. It works in more restrictive countries, while PIA only works in Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.
| iOS App | Android App | Windows App | macOS App | Linux App | Smart TV App | Router Support | Other Apps | |
| Private Internet Access | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ (Android TV) | ✅ | ❌ |
| PureVPN | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ (Fire TV) | ✅ | ❌ |
Both VPNs have apps for all major platforms — iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux. PIA has an app for Android TV, and PureVPN has an app for Fire TV.
I’m a big fan of the mobile apps of both providers. PIA’s mobile apps allow customization of 20+ settings. For example, you can change encryption levels, protocol settings, and the look and layout of the app. PureVPN’s mobile apps allow you to create 1-click shortcuts for certain streaming sites and VPN servers. I tested it by setting Netflix with a server in Canada, and it worked perfectly.
The desktop apps are also great. They have a very simple design, which makes it easier to find the server you’re looking for. There’s a quick-connect feature that connects you to the fastest servers, and the settings are easy to understand and configure.
I like that you can manually configure each VPN on your router. Both VPNs provide helpful tutorials that help a lot during the setup process.
Winner (Apps & Ease of Use): It’s a tie
Both VPNs are easy to navigate. They both have apps for most major platforms and come with mobile and desktop apps that are easy to navigate. In addition, they offer setup tutorials for configuring the VPN on your router.
| Starting Price | Free Plan | Simultaneous Connections | Payment Options | Money-Back Guarantee | |
| Private Internet Access | INR180 / month | ❌ | Unlimited | credit/debit cards, PayPal, Amazon Pay, cryptocurrencies | 30 days |
| PureVPN | INR200 / month | ❌ | 10 | credit cards, Google Pay, PayPal, cryptocurrencies | 31 days |
Both VPNs are quite affordable. PureVPN allows 10 simultaneous connections, while PIA allows unlimited devices connected. So, you can use it on as many devices as you want.
PIA has 1-month, 6-month, and 2-year plans starting at INR180 / month. The 2-year plan offers the best value and often offers additional months for free.
PureVPN offers monthly, yearly, and 2-year pricing plans that start at INR200 / month. It also has 3 tier-based subscriptions. The Standard subscription comes with all VPN features, the Plus subscription adds a password manager and end-to-end file encryption, and the Max subscription adds social media privacy.
Both providers accept credit/debit cards, PayPal, and cryptocurrencies. PIA accepts Amazon Pay, while PureVPN accepts Google Pay. Moreover, PureVPN has a 31-day money-back guarantee, while PIA has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Winner (Plans & Pricing): It’s a tie
Private Internet Access and PureVPN offer affordable plans. PIA offers unlimited simultaneous connections, and PureVPN offers up to 10 connected devices. They both accept multiple payment methods. PureVPN offers a 31-day money-back guarantee — one day more than PIA’s 30-day money-back guarantee.
| Live Chat | Email Support | FAQs | Tutorials | Troubleshooting Guides | Phone Support | |
| Private Internet Access | ✅ (24/7) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| PureVPN | ✅ (24/7) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
PIA and PureVPN offer multiple customer support platforms. They have extensive support libraries with FAQs, tutorials, and troubleshooting guides.
I like that each VPN has great 24/7 live chat support. The friendly representatives were capable of answering all of my questions quickly and accurately.
I also tested each VPN’s email support — it usually took less than a day to receive a response from each VPN’s email support team. The replies I received were always detailed and informative.
Winner (Customer Support): It’s a tie
I was really impressed with either VPN’s customer support. Both VPNs have in-depth support libraries, email support, and 24/7 live chat. The support reps were always able to provide me with informative answers.
Private Internet Access is much better than PureVPN — as it comes with more extra features, like an ad blocker, a smart DNS, and faster speeds. It also works with more streaming sites and allows torrenting on all of its servers in 91 countries.
PureVPN has decent security and privacy features. It also offers a vast server network, a great obfuscation feature, and affordable plans. What’s more, its customer support is quite responsive and helpful.
While both VPNs are good, PIA provides much better value. It offers more extra features and can maintain fast speeds across all servers. It works with 30+ streaming sites and allows P2P traffic on all of its servers.
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