Personal Web Entry Quick infoOur ranking: 4.5 stars out of 5
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Personal Web Entry has been a long-time participant within the VPN house. It has an enormous server fleet that spans throughout 91 international locations and provides quick speeds by its customizable software. Supported platforms embrace Home windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Good TVs, and routers.
Whereas its operation within the surveillance-heavy United States could sway some customers, PIA’s steadiness of safety, pace, and value make it a powerful VPN resolution this yr.
Personal Web Entry VPN pricing
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| 1 yr | $3.33 monthly |
| 3 years (+4 months free) | $1.98 monthly |
| 1 month | $11.95 monthly |
| 7-day free trial | Free through Android and iOS (account can be utilized in desktop apps after cell sign-in) |
All three subscriptions for PIA include the identical set of options, so that you received’t have to fret about lacking any key options in the event you select one plan over the opposite.
PIA VPN’s one-year subscription is one of the best worth at $3.33 monthly and could be very inexpensive in comparison with different one-year plans supplied by competing VPNs. For instance, ExpressVPN’s annual subscription prices $6.25 monthly, whereas NordVPN’s Starter one-year plan prices $4.59. After all, these VPNs carry their very own standout options to justify the value, however at face worth, PIA VPN’s one-year plan is a discount.
The three-year plan can be very inexpensive at $1.98 monthly, however the $2-dollar spend might not be value it in the event you don’t need the three-year-long time funding. Lastly, PIA VPN’s one-month plan falls alongside the identical value vary as different VPNs and doesn’t present the identical cost-savings as two former subscriptions.
Like most trendy VPNs, PIA provides a 30-day money-back assure for the three plans. Whereas I want that PIA had a full-fledged free model (which might be nice for first-time VPN customers), it offers a seven-day trial by its cell software (iOS and Android).
In my testing, I discovered that I may use the identical account I obtained by the seven-day cell free trial after which log right into a desktop model of PIA utilizing the identical credentials. Having a devoted desktop free trial is most well-liked, however the workaround for the free trial was painless and straightforward to arrange.
My suggestion can be to totally make the most of the seven-day cell free trial and apply it to your desktop or system of selection. This manner, you get some hands-on time with the service with out spending on an preliminary fee.
Is Personal Web Entry VPN protected?
PIA VPN has two of an important safety protocols as we speak: OpenVPN and WireGuard. This offers customers a superb steadiness of safety (with OpenVPN) and pace (with WireGuard). It additionally makes use of 256-bit AES encryption, has a dependable kill swap, and protects in opposition to DNS leaks.
With PIA VPN’s firm background, there are drawbacks. First, PIA operates in the USA, which could be a crimson flag for customers who’re cautious of the nation’s surveillance practices. Subsequent is PIA VPN’s possession. Like CyberGhost VPN, it’s owned by Kape Applied sciences, which acquired PIA in 2019.
Kape (previously Crossrider) had been related to distributing malware and adware earlier than it rebranded and began transferring into the cybersecurity {industry}. PIA itself addressed the acquisition and emphasised that the VPN service operates as a separate entity impartial of Kape.
By way of addressing safety issues, PIA VPN does have a no-logs coverage, which states that it doesn’t preserve information of consumer IP addresses, shopping historical past, session timestamps and the like.
In 2022, this no-logs coverage was independently confirmed and verified by Deloitte. Happily, PIA VPN has continued its dedication to impartial testing because it not too long ago accomplished a second audit again in April 2024. This audit was additionally performed by Deloitte and regarded into PIA VPN’s safety infrastructure, which incorporates its server community and community and incident administration programs.
For my part, third-party audits are important when selecting a VPN. Whereas suppliers can promise to maintain your information safe, the one actual method to affirm safety claims is thru issues like third-party audits. On this respect, I commend PIA VPN for not shying away from impartial assessments and persevering with to have their service audited. unskippable
As well as, PIA VPN makes use of RAM-only servers, which suggests any doable traces of consumer information are routinely erased upon reboot. PIA VPN can be an open-source service, offering public entry to its supply code and permitting privateness lovers to identify vulnerabilities within the code themselves.
Lastly, the corporate has a public Transparency Report that outlines courtroom orders and requests for logs. It reiterates that as a result of the service doesn’t log any info, it doesn’t hand over any information to regulation enforcement.
For my part, whereas PIA’s possession and US operations are legitimate issues, the service has carried out sufficient to point out that it’s a protected and viable VPN service in 2024.
Key options of Personal Web Entry VPN
PIA VPN comes with each industry-standard and distinctive VPN options for potential VPN consumers. Let’s check out a few of PIA’s spotlight options.
Spectacular server fleet
PIA VPN provides servers unfold out throughout 91 international locations, giving customers a broad vary of areas to select from. As well as, whereas PIA doesn’t promote the precise server rely it has, it reportedly has round 10,000 to virtually 35,000 servers.
These are very spectacular numbers, particularly since high VPN rivals solely have round 3,000-5,000 servers. The excessive server rely will profit customers who plan on unblocking geo-restricted content material or desire a high quality server close to their location for sooner speeds.
PIA additionally not too long ago introduced that it now has 50 servers in all 50 U.S. states.
For those who’re a US citizen, this can be a helpful value-add permitting you to look at blocked sports activities or information packages or entry geo-restricted accounts and companies solely out there in particular states.
Customizable VPN expertise
PIA permits customers to customise their VPN expertise in a number of methods. A method is thru its automation characteristic, which allows you to set automated actions for the VPN each time it connects to a given community.
For instance, you’ll be able to set PIA to activate the VPN in case your machine connects to an Open or unsecured community or have it turned off in the event you join through an ethernet cable.
PIA VPN additionally allows customers to bookmark or pin sure components of the applying to look on high.
It is a easy and handy usability characteristic that enables for better customization, particularly if customers wish to preserve monitor of sure options or stats over others.
Limitless system connections
PIA now permits a vast variety of simultaneous system connections with one subscription. The service previously had a 10-device restrict, and whereas that was within the higher vary of allowed system connections, the improve to having limitless connections is welcome nonetheless.
That is an underrated characteristic, particularly for VPN customers who’ve a number of units for work or private use.
SEE: SMB Safety Pack (TechRepublic Premium)
Efficiency: Is Personal Web Entry VPN quick?
All through my PIA testing, I obtained moderately quick speeds. I used the VPN to look at 4K and 1080p YouTube movies, attend on-line video conferences and do work on Google Workspace apps (Drive, Docs and Hold) — with no noticeable lag or real-world slowdown.
It additionally didn’t fail when it comes to DNS leak safety. I ran PIA VPN by a public DNS leak device a number of occasions and didn’t file any leaks after a spherical of checks with completely different servers.
When it got here to hurry checks, PIA VPN gave stable outcomes. For downloads, PIA VPN recorded 39.31% slower speeds than my web service supplier. For uploads, it had a 26.9% lower in pace in opposition to my ISP. Whereas not the quickest I’ve examined, I contemplate any lower of pace inside the 20-40% vary to be good — particularly since slower speeds are anticipated when utilizing a VPN.
On this case, I give props to PIA VPN for offering respectable speeds for each uploads and downloads, as some VPNs often present a lot slower efficiency for uploads.
By way of server switching, PIA was fast. It had no bother establishing new connections or switching to new VPN areas rapidly. This was true at the same time as I related to areas that had been farther away.
Sadly, I did expertise one bug that retains PIA’s efficiency from being good. The primary time I converted to the WireGuard protocol, PIA couldn’t hook up with a server. This occurred even when I switched to servers that had been nearer my location — a stark distinction to the app’s efficiency whereas on OpenVPN. Nevertheless, after restarting the applying twice, the bug appeared to resolve itself and I used to be in a position to join.
Per my analysis, there are a number of customers who’ve skilled an analogous concern, nevertheless it does appear to be a bug that’s been mounted and is now simply resolvable.
Personal Web Entry VPN servers and areas
Whereas PIA VPN at the moment doesn’t present a precise variety of its server sorts, it has previously declared round 10,000 to 35,000 servers. These servers are unfold out throughout 91 international locations. This quantity makes it one of many largest server suites out there as we speak.
Location-wise, PIA has servers within the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Center East, Africa and Central Asia. Of be aware, PIA has a minimum of one server in all 50 U.S. states — a plus in the event you’re a U.S. citizen seeking to make the most of servers in several U.S. states.
Sadly, PIA VPN doesn’t supply specialised servers for streaming or torrenting. It does have what it calls PIA NextGen servers. These are colocated servers which might be wholly owned and managed by PIA and run on higher, sooner, and safer {hardware}.
Total, it’s onerous to argue in opposition to a server suite that reaches the tens and hundreds, and the 50 servers for 50 U.S. states are additionally useful. However I do want that PIA had extra specialised server sorts for safety, streaming, or torrenting to refine its server community much more.
Personal Web Entry VPN ease of use
With regards to its desktop interface, there are professionals and cons to PIA VPN. On the constructive facet, I actually recognize how PIA VPN offers the consumer management over what they wish to seem on their important dashboard.
Its bookmarking characteristic permits customers to put their most well-liked options, settings, or VPN stats on the high of the applying. Other than bookmarking, PIA VPN additionally helps you to rearrange these sections to your most well-liked order.
On the flip facet, I did discover PIA VPN’s app to be a bit clunky when it comes to consumer expertise. Particularly, I seen some lag and choppiness each time I navigated by its menus, browsed the server checklist, or switched to a brand new VPN server.
To be clear, it’s nonetheless very usable, and every little thing works as marketed. Nevertheless, I do suppose it makes the entire app expertise really feel much less polished in comparison with different high VPNs like NordVPN or ExpressVPN — whose purposes are barely a step above on the subject of UX, in my private opinion.
PIA VPN professionals
- Spectacular 10,000-35,000 server suite.
- Very customizable VPN expertise.
- Servers for all 50 U.S. states.
- Dependable kill swap.
- Quick add and obtain speeds.
- 7-day trial through cell variations.
- Open-source.
PIA VPN cons
- US-based, owned by controversial Kape Applied sciences.
- No free model.
- No specialised servers.
- WireGuard protocol could also be buggy.
- Desktop app feels a bit clunky.
How good is PIA VPN?
Personal Web Entry VPN is a stable VPN selection in 2024. It has an enormous server fleet, a customizable VPN app, and the flexibility to make limitless system connections. Its 50 servers for 50 U.S. states additionally make it a main selection for People on the lookout for servers particular to the USA.
Whereas its U.S. operations and mother or father firm could trigger some concern, PIA VPN will get sufficient issues proper to make it a really viable VPN possibility as we speak.
Personal Web Entry VPN alternate options
Whereas PIA VPN is a high quality VPN service, it might not have the proper set of options on your wants. I’ve listed comparable alternate options beneath which will go well with what you’re on the lookout for higher.
| Mullvad VPN | NordVPN | Surfshark | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginning value (annual) | $5.27 monthly | $4.59 monthly | $2.99 monthly |
| Server community | 610+ servers in 48 international locations | 6,800+ servers in 111 international locations | 3,200 servers in 100 international locations |
| Spotlight characteristic | Nameless fee strategies, independently audited, and inexpensive month-to-month subscription | Encrypted file-sharing characteristic, double VPN, and obfuscated servers | Limitless system connections, persistently quick VPN speeds, and a number of plan choices |
Mullvad VPN
For privateness lovers, Mullvad VPN is a best choice. It implements an nameless account numbering system that lets prospects buy subscriptions with zero private info handed over. It additionally has an independently audited no-logs coverage, making certain that no consumer information is susceptible to being leaked to malicious actors.
To study extra, learn our full Mullvad VPN evaluate.
NordVPN
NordVPN is without doubt one of the most well-regarded VPNs within the house. It provides constant and quick speeds, a strong server fleet, and quite a few third-party audits. It additionally options specialised safety features akin to built-in malware safety and an encrypted file-sharing system, making it an all-around safety platform.
To study extra, take a look at our full NordVPN evaluate.
Surfshark
Surfshark is one other well-liked VPN possibility in 2024. It has an easy-to-use interface fitted to freshmen, sturdy encryption, and 24/7 buyer assist. It additionally has a superb fame for unblocking streaming content material.
To study extra, take a look at our full Surfshark VPN evaluate.
How we evaluated Personal Web Entry VPN
My evaluate of PIA VPN concerned an in depth evaluation of its spotlight options, price, and real-world efficiency. I additionally had hands-on time with PIA by their Home windows software.
For add and obtain speeds, I examined PIA VPN utilizing Ookla’s public Speedtest. In the meantime, I ran PIA VPN by DNSLeakTest a number of occasions to check for DNS leaks.
Lastly, I scored PIA VPN on every little thing from its protocols to its value based mostly on an inner algorithm to get a ranking of 4.5 out of 5 stars. This ranking checked out PIA VPN each by itself and with different VPN companies out there as we speak.
