Quick answer: Private Internet Access (PIA) is the best VPN for power users and torrenting in 2026. It allows unlimited devices, offers port forwarding and highly customisable open-source apps, and its no-logs policy has been proven in court. The 3-year plan costs about $2.03 per month with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Key takeaways
- Score: 8.8/10
- Unlimited devices and port forwarding
- No-logs proven in real court cases
- From $2.03/mo on the 3-year plan
- US-based, which some privacy users avoid
Last updated: September 26, 2026. Our score: 8.8/10 (editorial rating). Prices are in USD unless stated otherwise and can change at any time.
Private Internet Access at a Glance
| Our score | 8.8/10 |
|---|---|
| Price | From $2.03/mo (3-year plan) |
| Servers | Large network (servers in every US state) |
| Countries | 90+ |
| Speed impact | Low to moderate (WireGuard) |
| Simultaneous connections | Unlimited |
| Logging policy | No-logs (court-tested and independently audited) |
| Jurisdiction | United States |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days |
| Best for | Power users, torrenting and large households |
Our Verdict on Private Internet Access
PIA gives you more control than almost any mainstream VPN. You can adjust encryption, ports, protocols and split tunneling rules in detail, and its unlimited device policy covers your entire home.
Its main drawbacks are its US base and a busier interface. For users who value flexibility and a proven no-logs record, those are acceptable trade-offs.
Private Internet Access Pros and Cons
Pros
- Unlimited simultaneous devices
- No-logs policy proven in court and audited
- Port forwarding and deep customisation
- Open-source apps
- Very low long-term price with a 3-year plan
Cons
- US jurisdiction concerns some privacy users
- Many settings can overwhelm beginners
- Streaming is less consistent than top rivals
Private Internet Access Speed and Performance
PIA supports WireGuard and OpenVPN with detailed controls. WireGuard delivers good speeds on nearby servers, and independent testing generally places PIA in the solid mid-to-upper range.
Because PIA lets you tweak packet size, encryption strength and ports, advanced users can fine-tune performance for specific networks. Beginners will do well sticking with WireGuard defaults.
Private Internet Access Privacy and Security
PIA’s no-logs claims have been tested in court, where it was unable to provide user data, and its policy has also been independently audited. Its apps are open source, allowing public inspection.
Security features include an advanced kill switch, DNS leak protection, MACE for ad, tracker and malware blocking, multi-hop and Shadowsocks proxy options for obfuscation. The main concern for some users is its US jurisdiction.
Private Internet Access Streaming
PIA works with many popular streaming platforms, and it has dedicated streaming-optimised locations. Performance is generally good, but it can be less consistent than NordVPN, Surfshark or ExpressVPN, and results vary by region.
Private Internet Access Torrenting and P2P
PIA is one of the best VPNs for torrenting. P2P is supported across its network, port forwarding is included on supported servers, and the kill switch and proxy options add extra protection.
This makes it a favourite for users who seed actively or run self-hosted services behind a VPN.
Private Internet Access Apps and Ease of Use
Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and browsers, with router setup guides. The interface is compact and fast, but the number of options can feel overwhelming at first.
Beginners can simply connect with the default settings, and advanced users can open detailed menus for custom configurations.
Private Internet Access Server Network
PIA runs a large network across 90-plus countries, with servers in every US state, which is useful for American users who want a local IP. Streaming-optimised and port-forwarding servers are marked in the app.
Private Internet Access Pricing and Value
The 3-year plan costs about $2.03 per month ($79 upfront for 39 months including bonus months). It has recently renewed at $79 for another 36 months, making it one of the cheapest VPNs to keep long term.
Add-ons include a dedicated IP and antivirus, sold separately.
Private Internet Access Customer Support
PIA offers 24/7 live chat and email support and a detailed knowledge base with setup guides for many devices and routers.
Who Should Buy Private Internet Access
Torrent users, power users, large households and anyone who wants a long, low-cost commitment.
Who Should Avoid Private Internet Access
People who want the simplest possible app or who avoid US-based services on principle.
Private Internet Access Alternatives
Surfshark also offers unlimited devices with a simpler app and better streaming. AirVPN and PureVPN offer port forwarding too. Mullvad is better for anonymity but lacks port forwarding.
Private Internet Access vs Top-Rated VPNs: Quick Comparison
| VPN | Score | Price | Devices | Jurisdiction | Refund |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Internet Access | 8.8/10 | From $2.03/mo (3-year plan) | Unlimited | United States | 30 days |
| NordVPN | 9.6/10 | From $3.49/mo (2-year plan) | 10 | Panama | 30 days |
| Proton VPN | 9.4/10 | From $2.99/mo (2-year Plus); free plan available | 10 (Plus) | Switzerland | 30 days (prorated) |
| Surfshark | 9.3/10 | From $2.49/mo (2-year plan) | Unlimited | Netherlands | 30 days |
This table compares Private Internet Access with the three highest-rated services in our current reviews. Price is only one part of the picture: the refund window tells you how safely you can test a service, the device allowance tells you whether one plan will cover your household, and jurisdiction affects which privacy laws apply to the company. Use the comparison to shortlist two or three options, then read each full review before deciding.
Private Internet Access Key Specs Explained
Jurisdiction (United States): this is where the company is legally based, which determines the laws it must follow if authorities request data. A strong no-logs policy matters more than location alone, because a provider cannot hand over data it never collected.
Logging (No-logs (court-tested and independently audited)): this describes what Private Internet Access says it records. Independent audits, open-source code and real-world tests such as court cases or server seizures are the best evidence that a policy is followed in practice.
Connections (Unlimited): this is how many devices can use the VPN at the same time. Count your phones, laptops, tablets and TVs before choosing a plan.
Speed impact (Low to moderate (WireGuard)): every VPN slows your connection a little because traffic is encrypted and routed through another server. Modern protocols such as WireGuard keep the slowdown small on nearby servers, while long-distance and multi-hop connections cost more speed.
Is Private Internet Access Right for You?
Private Internet Access is best for: power users, torrenting and large households. It is especially well suited to these use cases: best VPN, torrenting, privacy, families, power users. If that matches how you plan to use a VPN, Private Internet Access deserves a place on your shortlist. If your priorities are different, for example you mainly want the cheapest price, the most devices or the best streaming performance, compare it with the alternatives above before you buy.
PIA Features Worth Knowing
MACE is PIA’s DNS-level blocker for ads, trackers and malware. It works across apps, not just in your browser, which can make browsing cleaner and slightly faster.
Multi-hop lets you route traffic through a proxy and a VPN server, and the Shadowsocks option can help on networks that try to detect VPN use. Split tunneling lets you choose which apps or IP ranges bypass the VPN.
Dedicated IP addresses are available in selected countries as a paid add-on. They are useful for remote work tools that flag shared VPN IPs, for online banking and for reducing captchas.
Our Private Internet Access Rating Explained
We score Private Internet Access 8.8 out of 10, which on our scale means an excellent VPN with only minor trade-offs. Our rating weighs privacy and security most heavily, followed by performance, features, ease of use and value for money over the full cost of ownership, not just the introductory price. A provider can lose points for unclear logging practices, a limited refund policy, a small network or a steep renewal jump, and it can gain points for independent audits, open-source code, generous device limits and fair renewal pricing.
In Private Internet Access’s case, the score reflects these strengths: unlimited simultaneous devices, no-logs policy proven in court and audited and Port forwarding and deep customisation. It is held back mainly by the following: US jurisdiction concerns some privacy users, and many settings can overwhelm beginners. If those drawbacks do not matter for how you use a VPN, Private Internet Access may be an even better fit for you than the number suggests.
What to Check Before You Buy Private Internet Access
Before paying, confirm four things at checkout. First, the total amount due today, because most long-term VPN plans are billed upfront rather than monthly; Private Internet Access currently starts at from $2.03/mo (3-year plan). Second, the renewal price and date, which can be very different from the introductory rate. Third, the refund terms (30 days), including whether refunds are full or partial and whether app-store purchases follow different rules. Fourth, the device allowance (Unlimited), so you know whether one plan covers your whole household.
It also helps to decide in advance what you need most. If streaming is the priority, test your platforms early in the refund window. If privacy is the priority, read Private Internet Access’s privacy policy and audit summaries. If you torrent, check whether Private Internet Access offers the P2P features you rely on, such as port forwarding. A few minutes of checking now can save you from paying for the wrong service.
How to Cancel Private Internet Access
To cancel, sign in to your Private Internet Access account on the official website and open the subscription or billing area. Turn off automatic renewal to stop future charges; you normally keep access until the end of the period you already paid for. If you want a refund and you are still within the 30 days window, contact Private Internet Access support by chat, ticket or email and include your account email or order number. Purchases made through the Apple App Store or Google Play usually follow the store’s own refund rules instead.
How to Set Up Private Internet Access
- Visit the official Private Internet Access website using the button on this page and choose a plan.
- Create your account and complete payment. Keep your confirmation email, because you will need it for any refund request under the 30 days policy.
- Download the Private Internet Access app for your device from the official website or your device’s app store.
- Sign in, then turn on the kill switch (if available) before your first connection so your traffic never leaks if the VPN drops.
- Connect to a nearby server for everyday browsing, or choose a specific country when you need a local IP address.
- Check that your IP address has changed using any IP-check website, then install Private Internet Access on your other devices.
How We Review VPNs
This Private Internet Access review is research-based and was last verified on September 26, 2026. We checked Private Internet Access’s current pricing and plan terms, its privacy policy, published independent audits and security reports, supported protocols and platforms, and recent independent coverage of its performance and ownership. Speed notes describe the protocols Private Internet Access uses and how consistently it performs in widely published independent testing; they are not a single lab result, because real-world speed depends heavily on your own connection, device and distance from the server.
Before you commit, we recommend running your own quick test during the refund window: connect to a nearby server, run a speed test with and without the VPN, and try the specific streaming, gaming or work apps you use every day. That is the most reliable way to know whether Private Internet Access suits your setup.
Every OnlyVPNGuide review looks at the same areas: privacy policy and audit history, company ownership and jurisdiction, security features such as kill switches and leak protection, protocol support, server coverage, streaming and P2P policies, app quality across platforms, support options, and the full cost of ownership including renewal prices and refund terms. We check provider documentation, published audits and independent reporting, and we update reviews when prices, features or ownership change. Scores are editorial and are never sold. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links, which does not change the price you pay or how we rate a service.
Private Internet Access FAQ
Is PIA safe even though it is based in the US?
Its no-logs policy has been proven in court and independently audited, which gives strong evidence it does not store identifying data.
Does PIA allow unlimited devices?
Yes.
Does PIA support port forwarding?
Yes, on supported servers.
How much does PIA cost?
About $2.03 per month on the 3-year plan ($79 upfront).
Is PIA good for streaming?
It works with many platforms, though less consistently than top streaming VPNs.
Are PIA apps open source?
Yes.
Final Verdict
PIA is a superb choice for tech-savvy users, torrenters and big households. Its privacy record is proven, its price is low and its customisation is unmatched.