Private Internet Access VPN Review 2025: Flexible, Affordable, and Surprisingly Deep

Private Internet Access (PIA) has been around for over a decade, and it’s built a name for itself by focusing on privacy, affordability, and customizability. In 2025, it still offers some of the best US server coverage out there — and one of the lowest long-term prices.

It doesn’t try to wow you with flashy extras. Instead, it sticks to the basics and does them well — with just enough unique tools to satisfy power users. It’s not the fastest or most innovative VPN, but it’s surprisingly capable for the price.

Let’s break it down.

🔐 Solid Privacy, Independently Audited

PIA’s privacy foundation is strong. Based in the United States, it might not sound ideal — but PIA has proven through multiple no-logs audits (most recently by Deloitte in 2024) that it keeps no identifiable data. Even during court requests, PIA has shown it had nothing to hand over.

It also runs its own encrypted DNS servers, meaning your browsing requests don’t leak to third parties or your ISP. And it includes all the privacy must-haves:

• AES-256 encryption
• WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols
• Kill switch on all platforms
• No DNS leaks detected in testing
• Quarterly transparency reports available publicly

The only thing holding it back? Its built-in tracker blocker, Mace, did poorly in phishing tests — only blocking 2 out of 100 fresh malicious URLs. So it’s a nice extra, but not a reliable anti-malware solution.

⚙️ Customization Lovers, Rejoice

Where PIA really stands out is in how deeply you can tweak it. Power users can set:

• Split tunneling by app or IP
• Rules to auto-connect or disconnect on certain Wi-Fi networks
• Shadowsocks or SOCKS5 proxy for obfuscation
• Custom DNS settings
• Dedicated IPs (extra cost)

There’s also a VPN snooze feature, so you can temporarily pause the VPN without disconnecting entirely — handy when troubleshooting or switching networks.

The Android app just got a major facelift, with dark mode, deeper automation, and better match to its desktop siblings.

🌍 Server Network: Best in the US, Just OK Globally

PIA has servers in 91 countries and 152 locations — and it’s the only major VPN with servers in all 50 US states. If you need local coverage across America, it’s unbeatable.

However, coverage in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East lags behind top-tier rivals like NordVPN or ExpressVPN. You’ll still find servers in key countries, but the selection isn’t as deep or broad.

📺 Unblocks Major Streaming Sites With Ease

PIA has become surprisingly reliable for streaming. In our tests, it unblocked:

• Netflix (US, UK, Japan, Canada, Australia)
• Disney+
• Amazon Prime Video
• BBC iPlayer
• ITV Hub, 9Now, Channel 4, and others

No server-switching needed — it just worked.

For torrenting, PIA remains a standout. It allows port forwarding, which helps boost P2P speeds and connections. Very few top VPNs still support this.

⚡ Performance: Reliable, But Not the Fastest

PIA has improved its speeds this year, hitting up to 436Mbps with WireGuard and 257Mbps on OpenVPN. That’s fast enough for:

• 4K streaming
• Video calls
• Gaming

However, it’s still behind leaders like Surfshark and Proton VPN, especially on distant servers. The good news? Latency and jitter are low, making it a solid choice for gaming — just not the fastest one.

🧰 Cross-Platform Apps That Don’t Cut Corners

PIA offers full-featured apps for:

• Windows
• Mac
• Linux
• Android
• iOS

Unlike many VPNs, the desktop clients are feature-matched across all platforms — even Linux. You’ll get the same clean UI, protocol support, kill switch, and automation on every system.

The new Android version looks sharp and now mirrors the desktop interface, including advanced configuration options and a quick-connect bar.

🧠 Ease of Use: Clean or Complex — You Choose

PIA’s apps strike a rare balance. You can:

• Use the simple view with just a big connect button
• Or switch to detailed mode to customize everything from DNS to port settings

Every setting is explained with tooltips, and even beginners should find it straightforward. That said, power users will have a field day with the amount of control on offer.

🧩 Features Worth Noting

Here are a few extras that add real value:

• Mace blocks ads, trackers, and known malware URLs
• Dedicated IPs available in select regions (£2.50/month on 2-year plan)
• Obfuscation tools help bypass VPN bans on restrictive networks
• VPN snooze temporarily disables your connection, then resumes it
• WireGuard and OpenVPN both supported across all apps

💬 Support Needs Work

Customer support is available via:

• 24/7 live chat
• Email ticket system
• Community forums
• Knowledgebase

However, we found live chat and email responses could be slow — not ideal if you’re dealing with connection issues. Also, the support articles need updating to reflect newer app versions and features.

💰 Budget-Friendly Pricing, Especially Long-Term

PIA is one of the most affordable VPNs around:

• 1-month plan: £10.99/month
• 6-month plan: £5.39/month
• 24-month plan: £1.57/month (includes 4 free months)

You’ll get access to all features — no tiered plans or upsells. Dedicated IPs cost extra, but they’re cheaper than most competitors if you commit long-term.

There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee, and you can pay by card, PayPal, or cryptocurrency.

✅ The Bottom Line

Private Internet Access is one of the most customizable and budget-conscious VPNs in 2025. If you’re after strong privacy, loads of advanced options, and solid streaming support — without breaking the bank — PIA is an excellent pick.

It’s not the fastest or most cutting-edge, and support could be snappier. But for day-to-day use across multiple platforms, it does the job and does it well — especially if you’re in the US or want deep Linux support.

Need a VPN with flashier features or faster speeds? Look to Proton VPN or Surfshark. But if value, transparency, and control matter most, PIA still holds its ground.