NordVPN VS PIA (Private Internet Access) 2020

Winner: NordVPN

When it comes to choosing a VPN, the options can seem daunting. There are so many factors to consider, and you want to make sure you do your due diligence to protect your privacy. Fortunately, when it comes to the VPN industry, there are two names that really stand out if we compare top VPNs.

NordVPN and Private Internet Access. However, when it comes down to the two, there is a clear winner in the battle between NordVPN vs PIA. Each one has its advantages, but there is one clear winner when you line the two giants side by side.

NordVPN vs PIA – Face Off!

NordVPN and PIA are two of the biggest VPN brands in the industry. But which one performs better?

NordVPN is the winner in this comparison with PIA in terms of speed, server network, logging policy, Netflix support and more.

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Here’s a quick summary of the key features of NordVPN vs PIA:

Now lets look at the comparison in detail.

Pricing

Result: PIA

Before PIA increased its price to offer more connections, it was the more affordable option. Now, NordVPN is the inexpensive choice. Now, you can purchase a three-year plan for NordVPN for only $3.49 a month. You can purchase a two-year plan for PIA at the exact same price.

Prices will also vary depending on how long you want your subscription to last. For example, if you want to go month-to-month, then you will pay $11.95 a month for NordVPN but only $9.95 a month for PIA. However, you still get the best bang for your buck with the three-year plan from NordVPN but for a more practical package, PIA takes the bet.

Features

Result: NordVPN

NordVPN and Private Internet Access offer many of the same services. With PIA, you will find a great lineup of features that includes an ad blocker, various encryption settings and leak protection. This makes it a good minimal VPN if you do not plan on doing much with your internet access.

Those features pale in comparison to what you find with NordVPN. For example, you receive both double-VPN and tor-over-VPN services, both of which encrypts your online traffic to various servers. You also receive CyberSec, which allows you to block ads as well as malware from entering your computer.

NordVPN also gives you complete access to Netflix and numerous other streaming services, which is a big reason why many people want a VPN in the first place. When you want the full package, NordVPN is the clear winner.

Geo Unblocking Capabilities

Result: NordVPN

NordVPN is the clear victor here. It has significantly more options including Amazon Prime, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. Additionally, Netflix country availability is much higher. This is one of the most common reasons that average users get VPNs. NordVPN wins a big victory in this category.

App Interface and Usability

Result: Draw

Both services offer high-quality apps that are easy to use. PIA offers a little more control over the desktop version but without being overwhelming. It only has a list-based server selection, but it is very easy to use. Users can either choose a country and city or a specific server.

NordVPN is also very simple. Its map-based server selection is especially user-friendly. There are a number of advanced options that are hidden behind warnings. This works well to accommodate both novice and advanced users.

Servers

Result: NordVPN

NordVPN is again the victor in comparison between NordVPN vs PIA. The two services have similar strategies for server options and very similar country offerings. However, NordVPN has almost four times as many servers. It also offers obfuscation and faster speeds.

The sheer number of servers run by NordVPN makes it a great option. It also has many servers in popular countries such as the U.S. and Japan. Anyone trying to use a VPN at peak hours will appreciate the extra servers from NordVPN.

Security and Privacy

Result: NordVPN

A major reason why people want a VPN is that they want to protect their online data. Both services naturally offer you a level of protection, but in this instance, the winner has to be NordVPN.

It is vital to point out that PIA is owned by a company called Kape, which has a history of manufacturing malware. After this information became public, it caused many PIA users to switch to another VPN service. This is in contrast to NordVPN, which offers two different kill switches.

First, you receive an internet kill switch, which blocks all online traffic if your connection ever drops. There is also an app-level kill switch, which automatically closes any app when the VPN connection goes out. For total peace of mind, NordVPN is the one to go with.

Payment Methods

Result: PIA

Each service has its advantages when it comes to making payments and offering refunds. NordVPN offers a superior refund window. You have a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you have a full month to try out your VPN to make sure it is right for you. This guarantee applies to all subscription levels, including the one-month pans.

With PIA, you only have a seven-day refund window. However, you should also consider that PIA provides you with more payment options. You can pay with Zcash, PayPal, bitpay, bitcoin, AmazonPay and all major credit cards. You cannot use PayPal to pay for NordVPN. When it comes to this feature, it comes down to a tie. It ultimately comes down to which is most important to you, and it will vary from one user to the next.

Customer Service

Result: NordVPN

Both services offer email/ticket support, searchable knowledge bases, and video guides. NordVPN offers in-house live chat which is often the best option. Additionally, the response times to emails and tickets are better for NordVPN. Therefore, it takes the victory. However, it is worth noting that PIA customers aren’t hurting for service options.

Who Is the Winner? 

NordVPN wins over PIA.

When it comes down to which VPN you should purchase in between NordVPN Vs PIA, you should consider all of your options. It may also be a good idea to test out each VPN first so that you can get a feel for your connection speeds and features.

However, for most people, the clear winner will be NordVPN every time. With better pricing, security and speed, NordVPN will give you everything you need to be secure while browsing online.