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Private Internet Access Review
Open-source VPN, unlimited devices, port forwarding — the privacy power user's choice
Last reviewed: 2026-03-21 · By GBBR Editorial Team
Our Top Pick · Silver Tier
Private Internet Access
From $2.03/mo
The Bottom Line
Private Internet Access (PIA) is the most technically transparent VPN in the category — open-source apps that anyone can audit, 35,000+ servers across 91 countries (the largest raw server count of any VPN), unlimited simultaneous connections, and port forwarding support that streaming-focused competitors removed years ago. PIA earns Silver tier despite being US-based (a 14 Eyes country) because its open-source codebase and proven no-log record (verified in multiple US court subpoenas) provide a different but credible form of privacy assurance. For privacy power users and torrenters, PIA is the most verifiable VPN available.
What is Private Internet Access?
Private Internet Access was founded in 2010 and is based in Denver, Colorado — US jurisdiction, which places it within the 14 Eyes intelligence-sharing agreement. PIA was acquired by Kape Technologies in 2019. Despite the US jurisdiction concern, PIA's no-log policy has been validated not by auditors but by actual court subpoenas — the US government has demanded user data multiple times and PIA has produced nothing, because there is nothing to produce. PIA's complete apps and clients are open-source on GitHub, making it the most auditable VPN available.
What does Private Internet Access offer?
PIA's 2-year plan runs $2.03/month ($56.94 billed upfront) plus 4 months free. The monthly plan is $11.99/month. All plans include unlimited simultaneous device connections, 35,000+ servers in 91 countries, WireGuard and OpenVPN support, MACE (ad and malware blocker), port forwarding, a kill switch, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. The dedicated IP add-on is available for users who need a stable static IP.
2-Year + 4 Months
$2.03
/month
Monthly
$11.99
/month
Is Private Internet Access worth the price?
$2.03/month (2-year plan) — competitive price with the most transparent VPN infrastructure
PIA ties or beats Surfshark on price, offers unlimited devices like Surfshark, adds port forwarding that no streaming-focused VPN includes, and is the only VPN with fully open-source client code for independent verification
Strong valueHow we scored it
Overall score: 80/100
WireGuard protocol delivers strong speeds — typically 70-85% retention in independent tests; not the category fastest but very capable
No-log policy verified by real-world legal pressure — multiple US court subpoenas have produced zero user data; open-source apps allow independent audit
35,000+ servers in 91 countries — the largest raw server count of any major VPN provider, ensuring fast connections worldwide
Highly customizable interface with advanced settings — excellent for technical users, slightly overwhelming for beginners
$2.03/month for unlimited devices, 35,000+ servers, port forwarding, and open-source apps is excellent value
Unlimited simultaneous connections — matches Surfshark as the only VPNs in this review offering truly unlimited device coverage
Why Private Internet Access is Silver Tier
PIA earns Silver because its open-source transparency, proven no-log record under real legal pressure, unlimited devices, and 35,000+ server network are genuinely best-in-class attributes for privacy power users. It falls short of Gold because US/14 Eyes jurisdiction is a structural disadvantage versus Panama or BVI, Kape Technologies ownership raises mild trust concerns, and speeds in independent tests are good but not the category leaders NordVPN or ExpressVPN achieve.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓Fully open-source apps — anyone can audit the code on GitHub
- ✓No-log policy proven in real US court subpoenas (not just audits)
- ✓35,000+ servers — largest raw server network of any major VPN
- ✓Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- ✓Port forwarding support (rare in modern VPNs) — essential for torrenting
Cons
- ✗US/14 Eyes jurisdiction — structural privacy disadvantage vs Panama or BVI
- ✗Owned by Kape Technologies (shared with ExpressVPN and CyberGhost)
- ✗Interface is more complex than beginner-friendly competitors
- ✗Speeds not quite as fast as NordVPN or ExpressVPN in head-to-head tests
Ready to try Private Internet Access? Plans start at $2.03/mo.
Get Private Internet Access — from $2.03/mo →PIA earns Silver because its open-source transparency, proven no-log record under real legal pressure, unlimited devices, and 35,000+ server network are genuinely best-in-class attributes for privacy power users. It falls short of Gold because US/14 Eyes jurisdiction is a structural disadvantage versus Panama or BVI, Kape Technologies ownership raises mild trust concerns, and speeds in independent tests are good but not the category leaders NordVPN or ExpressVPN achieve.
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