Disclosure: OnlyVPNGuide may earn commissions from provider links, but comparisons should be based on evidence and user fit.
Last researched: September 2026
Quick Answer
Private Internet Access is the better choice for most P2P users because it combines strong customization with easier mainstream value, while TorGuard remains a specialist option for advanced users who want dedicated IP and networking controls. TorGuard is best suited to advanced users, p2p, port forwarding, dedicated ip options and users who want extensive technical controls, while Private Internet Access is best suited to torrenting, port forwarding, customization, unlimited devices, and low long-term cost. This page should use the linked VPN Review records as the source of truth for changing facts such as price, servers, refund terms and affiliate URLs.
Compare at a glance
Plan details below come from the linked VPN reviews. Missing or unverified fields are labelled; no speed benchmark is implied.
| Feature | TorGuard | Private Internet Access |
|---|---|---|
| Price / plan | $59.99/year Standard ($5.00/month effective) before current promo codes | $1.79/month on the current 3-year promotional offer |
| Server information | 3,000+ servers | Not independently verified by OnlyVPNGuide |
| Countries / locations | 50 | 91 |
| Simultaneous connections | 8 on the standard pricing page; some promotions list 5 — verify the exact plan at checkout | Unlimited |
| Logging policy | Not independently verified by OnlyVPNGuide | Strict no-logs policy; PIA says it stores no browsing, IP, DNS, timestamp, or bandwidth logs |
| Jurisdiction | United States | United States |
| Refund terms | 7 days for eligible first-time VPN/proxy purchases | 30 days for new subscribers under current terms |
| Best suited to | advanced users, P2P, port forwarding, dedicated IP options and users who want extensive technical controls | Torrenting, port forwarding, customization, unlimited devices, and low long-term cost |
| Full review | Read TorGuard review | Read Private Internet Access review |
Prices, locations and refund rules can change. Confirm the full payment, renewal and eligibility terms on the provider’s website before purchasing.
Key Takeaways
- Overall winner: Private Internet Access.
- TorGuard best for: advanced users, P2P, port forwarding, dedicated IP options and users who want extensive technical controls.
- Private Internet Access best for: Torrenting, port forwarding, customization, unlimited devices, and low long-term cost.
- Price reference — TorGuard: $59.99/year Standard ($5.00/month effective) before current promo codes.
- Price reference — Private Internet Access: $1.79/month on the current 3-year promotional offer.
- Connections — TorGuard: 8 on the standard pricing page; some promotions list 5 — verify the exact plan at checkout; Private Internet Access: Unlimited.
- Resolve all Not independently verified by OnlyVPNGuide fields before publication.
Key Differences
TorGuard and Private Internet Access target different buyers. TorGuard emphasizes advanced users, p2p, port forwarding, dedicated ip options and users who want extensive technical controls, whereas Private Internet Access emphasizes torrenting, port forwarding, customization, unlimited devices, and low long-term cost. Compare the features that affect the reader's use case rather than treating every category equally.
The facts table should be generated from the two review master records so updates to price, server information, device limits, logging summary, refund terms and affiliate links propagate to the comparison.
Speed Comparison
OnlyVPNGuide has not completed a new controlled head-to-head speed test for this comparison. TorGuard's current speed field is 'Not independently verified by OnlyVPNGuide', while Private Internet Access's is 'Not independently verified by OnlyVPNGuide'. Use the same device, ISP, protocol class, time window and nearby/long-distance regions for both services. Record multiple download/upload/ping runs and stability rather than one best screenshot.
If your results are close, say so. Do not manufacture a winner when normal network variation is larger than the observed difference.
Privacy & Security
TorGuard: TorGuard markets a no-logs VPN service; verify current independent audit/evidence and privacy-policy wording before publication Jurisdiction: United States. Private Internet Access: Strict no-logs policy; PIA says it stores no browsing, IP, DNS, timestamp, or bandwidth logs Jurisdiction: United States.
Compare audit recency/scope, ownership, account/payment data, kill-switch behavior, leak protection and protocols. Jurisdiction alone is not a privacy score, and 'no logs' should be defined precisely.
Streaming Comparison
Streaming access changes frequently. Test TorGuard and Private Internet Access against the same Netflix regions and other services close to publication. Use the same device, target country and quality level, and record server switching, buffering and whether HD/4K playback is reached. Also compare TV apps and Smart DNS where relevant.
Torrenting / P2P
For P2P, TorGuard's current review notes: Torrenting and P2P are major strengths. Port forwarding and dedicated IP options make TorGuard especially relevant to experienced users, but setup can be less beginner-friendly. Private Internet Access's current review notes: PIA is one of the strongest P2P-focused VPNs because it supports port forwarding in eligible locations, allows P2P traffic, offers unlimited bandwidth, and provides a kill switch. Current independent testing ranks it extremely highly for file sharing. A reliable P2P review should check more than whether BitTorrent launches. Confirm which servers permit P2P, whether the provider offers port forwarding, whether the kill switch remains active during a forced disconnect, and whether DNS/IP leaks appear while the client is under load. We have not performed that full workflow for this comparison, so any measured P2P speed should remain a sourced external reference rather than an OnlyVPNGuide result. Re Compare port forwarding, allowed servers, kill-switch behavior, leaks and sustained transfer speed. Follow local law and copyright rules.
Apps & Ease of Use
TorGuard currently lists 8 on the standard pricing page; some promotions list 5 — verify the exact plan at checkout simultaneous connections; Private Internet Access lists Unlimited. Check Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, router and TV support separately. Compare auto-connect, split tunneling, protocol controls, server search, kill switch and reconnect behavior.
Server Network
TorGuard network reference: 3,000+ servers / 50+ countries. Private Internet Access: 18,651 (current third-party index) / 91. Provider counts are dated snapshots and use different counting methods. Nearby capacity, routing and required destination locations matter more than a headline server total.
Pricing & Value
TorGuard price reference: $59.99/year Standard ($5.00/month effective) before current promo codes; refund: 7 days for eligible first-time VPN/proxy purchases. Private Internet Access price reference: $1.79/month on the current 3-year promotional offer; refund: 30 days for new subscribers under current terms. Compare upfront payment, term, bonus months, renewal, taxes and whether important features require add-ons. A low effective monthly rate may require a long prepayment.
Customer Support
Test both support teams with the same realistic question. Compare response time, whether a human understands the problem and whether the proposed steps work. Also review the freshness of setup guides for any advanced feature that influences this comparison.
Who Should Choose TorGuard
Choose TorGuard if you prioritize advanced users, p2p, port forwarding, dedicated ip options and users who want extensive technical controls. Read the full TorGuard review and current deal page before buying.
Who Should Choose Private Internet Access
Choose Private Internet Access if you prioritize torrenting, port forwarding, customization, unlimited devices, and low long-term cost. Read the full Private Internet Access review and current deal page before buying.
Final Verdict
Private Internet Access is the better choice for most P2P users because it combines strong customization with easier mainstream value, while TorGuard remains a specialist option for advanced users who want dedicated IP and networking controls. This is a recommendation for the typical reader, not a universal rule. The better choice can change when the main priority is privacy, P2P, streaming, censorship resistance, device count, ecosystem integration or the lowest first-term cost.
FAQs
Which is better overall, TorGuard or Private Internet Access?
For most users in this comparison, Private Internet Access wins overall. Private Internet Access is the better choice for most P2P users because it combines strong customization with easier mainstream value, while TorGuard remains a specialist option for advanced users who want dedicated IP and networking controls.
Which is cheaper, TorGuard or Private Internet Access?
Current references are TorGuard: $59.99/year Standard ($5.00/month effective) before current promo codes; Private Internet Access: $1.79/month on the current 3-year promotional offer. Compare live checkout and renewal.
Which is better for privacy?
Compare current logging/audit evidence: TorGuard: TorGuard markets a no-logs VPN service; verify current independent audit/evidence and privacy-policy wording before publication Private Internet Access: Strict no-logs policy; PIA says it stores no browsing, IP, DNS, timestamp, or bandwidth logs
Which is better for streaming?
Re-test both services against the same streaming platforms because access is time-sensitive.
Which is better for torrenting?
Compare port forwarding, P2P server rules, kill switch, leaks and sustained transfer performance.
Can I try both before deciding?
Refund references are TorGuard: 7 days for eligible first-time VPN/proxy purchases; Private Internet Access: 30 days for new subscribers under current terms. Eligibility can differ by purchase channel.
Decision Framework
Start by eliminating either TorGuard or Private Internet Access if it fails a hard requirement such as your operating system, required location, simultaneous device count or a specialist feature. Then compare privacy evidence and total first-term plus renewal cost. Finally use the refund window to test the remaining choice on your own internet connection and devices.
For long-term SEO, update only sections affected by new evidence. A price change may alter Value without changing Privacy; a new audit may change Privacy without changing Streaming. This avoids unnecessary rewrites and keeps the page aligned with the linked reviews.
Side-by-Side Buying Checklist
- Open the live TorGuard and Private Internet Access checkout pages and compare the full first-term totals.
- Check the renewal price and whether the deal requires a long prepayment.
- Confirm that both apps exist for every device you need to protect.
- Check the specific countries or cities you need rather than relying on network totals.
- Verify current kill-switch and leak-protection behavior on your main operating system.
- If streaming matters, test the exact services and regions you subscribe to.
- If P2P matters, compare port forwarding, server restrictions and kill-switch behavior.
- Use both refund windows early enough to complete your own real-world testing.
Privacy Decision Framework
A privacy comparison between TorGuard and Private Internet Access should separate marketing promises from verifiable evidence. Read the current privacy policies, identify what connection/account telemetry is processed, check audit recency and scope, and consider whether company ownership or infrastructure changed after an older audit.
Also distinguish anonymity from VPN privacy. Logging into Google, Netflix, a bank or social network still identifies the account holder even when the VPN hides the home IP. For high-risk users, account creation and payment metadata can matter more than they do for a normal streaming or travel customer.
Which Differences Actually Matter?
Do not give every comparison row equal weight. A difference in simultaneous connections matters greatly to a large household but barely matters to one laptop-and-phone user. Port forwarding is decisive for some P2P users and irrelevant to a streamer. A proprietary obfuscation protocol matters in restrictive networks but may add little value at home.
The better choice is therefore the provider whose meaningful strengths match the reader's constraints. That is why this page can name an overall winner while still explaining a clear scenario where TorGuard or Private Internet Access is the better fit.
What Could Change This Winner?
A future audit, ownership change, major price increase, new native app, server-network expansion, loss of streaming compatibility or significant security incident can change the recommendation. Update the affected category first, then revisit the overall winner only if the balance materially shifts.
Overall Recommendation
Our current editorial winner is Private Internet Access, but keep the losing provider's strongest use case visible. A useful TorGuard vs Private Internet Access page should help a reader make the right choice in under a few minutes while still showing enough evidence to understand why the overall winner is not automatically best for every person.
If I Had to Choose Today
For a typical buyer choosing between TorGuard and Private Internet Access today, I would start with Private Internet Access based on the current balance described above. I would still use the refund period as a real test window: install it on the devices that matter, confirm the required locations, check the connection on home and mobile networks, and test the one or two features that actually drive the purchase.
If Private Internet Access fails that real-world requirement, switch to the alternative rather than staying with the editorial winner out of loyalty to a ranking. A comparison is a decision aid, not a rule; your own network, country, devices and feature requirements can legitimately change the result.