How to Get a Private Internet Access Lifetime Plan (2025)

Does Private Internet Access offer a lifetime subscription? No, Private Internet Access (PIA) doesn’t have a lifetime plan, and that’s a good thing.

Lifetime VPNs rarely provide any real value and, more often than not, go out of business before the ‘lifetime’ term is up. An affordable, long-term subscription is a much better choice for your safety, privacy, and even long-term value.

PIA offers excellent value for money on its plans, especially on long-term ones. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free. If you’re not satisfied, the refund process is simple and hassle-free. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process.

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What Is A Lifetime VPN Subscription?

VPNs that offer lifetime subscriptions take one larger lump sum payment in exchange for you using the VPN for life. More often than not, “life” just means for longer than a standard long-term plan. While you might think this is a win-win for both you and the provider, it often leads to your chosen VPN going bankrupt.

VPNs are expensive to maintain if you do it right and require a steady stream of revenue to be sustainable. If too many people choose the lifetime subscription option, the VPN destroys any chance at a real long-term revenue stream. That means it will eventually need to pay out of pocket for maintenance to servers, upgrades to the service, and security patches, none of which come cheap.

Instead of footing the bill for upgrades and updates, most lifetime VPNs simply go out of business or let the service fall into disrepair. That means you could end up without a VPN, lose a large amount of money, put your privacy and device security at risk, or all three.

Why Doesn't PIA Offer Lifetime Subscriptions?

PIA doesn’t offer lifetime subscriptions because such a model is unsustainable for maintaining the high-quality, long-term service that it aims to provide.

Without a regular source of revenue, PIA couldn’t fund its bug bounty program, which it uses to reward users for reporting potential vulnerabilities in its apps. It also couldn’t offer the huge server network it has, let alone keep every server updated and working reliably. It’s also likely that it couldn’t fund a team to compile and release its quarterly transparency reports, which detail how many legal requests it’s received and how it responded.

In short, having to renew your PIA plan is a minor inconvenience to pay for its impressive security credentials and performance.

PIA's Current Subscription Options

PIA offers a range of subscription plans designed to cater to different needs and budgets. These plans provide flexibility while ensuring the company can maintain its high-quality service.

What is Private Internet Access’ monthly cost? It depends on the plan you choose. Here’s a short summary of PIA’s subscription plans.

Please note that all prices were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change. In addition, renewal prices may be higher than those displayed above.

You can get a PIA subscription via its website, or through the Google Play Store or Apple Store. However, you should know that its money-back guarantee does not apply to purchases through a third-party app store, as you’ll be covered by the app store’s financial terms instead.

PIA also offers antivirus protection and dedicated IPs for an additional fee

PIA supports the following payment options:

Is Private Internet Access Worth the Price?

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Private Internet Access has the largest server numbers of any VPN we’ve tested at just over 29,650 servers worldwide. The network spans impressive 91 countries, so finding a fast, lag-free server shouldn’t be a problem. Our speed tests back this up, too — our US-based speed tester got an impressive 151 Mbps on nearby servers and a surprising 73 Mbps on Australian connections. Most VPNs are unusable at these long distances.

In 2024, PIA was voted the #3 best and most secure VPN on the market by Statista, scoring 9.4/10¹. Our tests confirmed this strong stance. PIA incorporates MACE, a combination ad, malware, and tracker blocker that prevents your devices from loading malicious domains. You can also adjust your security settings. By default, you’ll use 256-bit for WireGuard and OpenVPN, but you can choose 128-bit with the latter protocol.

You can also adjust which transport protocol and port to use

Unlimited simultaneous device connections per license means you can share the subscription with all family members. Plus, it reliably works with Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Max, and more, so everyone can securely stream their favorite shows in HD from anywhere. You can also torrent safely due to its strong security features and solid no-logs policy.

PIA offers 24/7 live chat support if you have any questions about installing or using the service. Due to some more advanced customization options, its interface may seem a bit complex at first. However, its default settings are enough to get you started with the VPN in no time. PIA also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it risk-free.

How to Get the Best Deal on PIA Subscriptions

PIA offers affordable and flexible subscription plans, but there are ways to maximize savings and get the best deal possible:

• Long-term plans for maximum savings. The easiest way to save on PIA is by opting for a long-term plan. The 3-year plan is the most cost-effective option, offering an 83% discount compared to the monthly plan and 3 free months of service. At just $2.19/month, this plan provides the best value if you’re committed to using PIA long-term.
• Coupon codes. PIA frequently offers exclusive coupon codes, which can provide additional discounts on subscription plans. You can check for deals on our coupons page.
• Seasonal promotions and special offers. PIA frequently runs limited-time promotions, especially during holidays like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or the New Year. These deals can include additional discounts on already affordable plans, such as extra months free or further reduced pricing.
• Check for renewal discounts. Before your subscription renews, look for any available discounts or promotions. VPNs often send renewal reminders with special offers to retain customers.
• PIA’s referral program. Invite your friend to sign up for PIA with a referral link, and both of you will get 30 days of free service.

The "Refer a Friend" button will take you to your PIA account dashboard in the browser

Making the Most of Your PIA Subscription

Once you’ve subscribed to Private Internet Access, there are several ways to maximize its benefits by using its settings and features to their fullest potential:

• Customize your security settings. PIA allows you to choose between 128-bit and 256-bit AES encryption. If security is your top priority, switch to 256-bit encryption for maximum protection. On the other hand, 128-bit encryption may give you better speeds for torrenting or streaming in HD from anywhere. Knowing how to set up PIA for each situation will let you get the most out of the service.
• Enable the kill switch. This feature prevents your real IP from being exposed if the VPN disconnects unexpectedly. Make sure it’s enabled in the settings, especially when using public Wi-Fi or torrenting. You can use the vpnMentor IP checker to make sure your IP address stays hidden at all times.
• Use Multi-Hop for extra privacy. PIA offers a Multi-Hop feature, which routes traffic through a VPN server, followed by a proxy. This assigns your encrypted traffic a new IP without encrypting it a second time, unlike other similar multi-hop features, so it’s great for use on restrictive networks with strict VPN blocks.
• Install PIA on all your devices. Unlike many VPNs that limit device connections, PIA supports unlimited simultaneous connections. To secure your entire network, install the app on all your devices, including PCs, smartphones, and routers. To learn more about how to install a VPN on your router, check our detailed guide.
• Use split tunneling. Split tunneling lets you decide which apps use the VPN and which connect directly to the internet. This is useful for maintaining fast speeds on certain websites while still protecting sensitive activities, like when you’re logging into your bank account.

The Problems With Lifetime VPN Subscriptions

PIA, and most legitimate premium VPNs don't offer a lifetime subscription because they know that maintenance and new innovative security and privacy features aren't cheap, While you may be tempted by a lifetime VPN, these types of services present major issues.

Redditors advise against lifetime VPNs due to poor service and data monetization risks

Defining A Lifetime

A big issue with lifetime VPNs is that the definition of 'lifetime' can change between services — there’s no set standard. Some lifetime VPNs give users a set amount of years, while others cover the company's or user's lifetime. This sounds good on paper, but given that most lifetime VPNs go out of service quickly, it’s likely that you won’t get the full service that you paid for.

For example, Ivacy VPN offered lifetime subscriptions, but users found that this expired after 5 years. You could get your subscription extended, but only if you talked to customer support. IvacyVPN was later acquired by PureVPN, which also introduced uncertainties and issues for some lifetime subscribers, despite PureVPN's efforts to honor the lifetime deals.

Account Cancellation

Another problem with lifetime VPN services is the increased chance of account cancellation if the service suddenly decides to stop honoring the lifetime subscription and change over to a more sustainable business model. There isn't a guarantee that you'll get refunded any portion of the fees you paid for your subscription. That means you're out of a VPN and the cost of the initial subscription.

Outdated Service

I touched on this a bit above, but the cost of maintaining services is a big reason lifetime VPNs aren't sustainable. Paying monthly, yearly, or 2-year fees may seem like a pain, but ultimately, it's for your benefit.

Even general maintenance, such as updating VPN apps, is expensive. Imagine what it costs to repair, add, and update servers, onboard new and innovative features, or commission privacy audits.

Without the regular revenue from ongoing subscriptions, VPNs can become outdated quickly. It can also simply go out of business, like VPN Land. This Canadian provider was largely criticized even during its active years for security vulnerabilities and poor customer support. Its website became inactive sometime before 2024 without any official statement.

Compromised Privacy

New vulnerabilities in your devices and the software you use are constantly discovered and circulated, both among security professionals and hackers. Without regular security, privacy, and overall server updates, holes in your VPN service will develop quickly.

VPNs are also regularly targeted by denial-of-service (DoS) and other attacks, so those without regular maintenance may be easier to hack. That means your passwords, browsing data, and other sensitive information will more likely be subject to a data breach.

Outright Scams

Scammers may offer fake lifetime VPNs to take as much money as they can before their “service” gets shut down. Here’s how you can spot the difference between a real lifetime VPN deal and a scam:

• Extremely low prices. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. While prices fluctuate and some services are more affordable than others, if prices are considerably lower than the market rate for a VPN, it’s probably a scam. This is particularly true of fake software resellers.
• Unusual payment methods. Most reputable VPNs offer options like credit cards and PayPal, as these are trusted payment processors. If a service only lets you pay with cryptocurrencies or gift cards, it’s most likely a scam.
• Vague features. VPNs should always have a degree of transparency around how many servers they have, their features, and how they work. It’s a big red flag if you can’t find this information on a VPN’s website.
• Poor user reviews. Check sites like Trustpilot and Reddit to see what other users think about the service. Don’t trust any service that has a huge proportion of negative reviews. I also recommend looking at VirusTotal or MalwareBytes to see if it’s been reported as malicious software.
• No customer support. At the very least, you should be able to contact a VPN by email or a ticketing system. Fake lifetime VPNs won’t have any way to contact them or report issues with the service.
• Poor privacy policies. Low-quality or scam lifetime VPNs may either have an extremely vague privacy policy or none at all. VPNs like

FAQs on Private Internet Access Lifetime Plans

Why doesn't PIA offer lifetime subscriptions?

PIA doesn’t offer lifetime subscriptions because they’re unsustainable for maintaining high-quality VPN services.  Lifetime subscriptions require a one-time payment, which doesn’t generate enough revenue to cover ongoing costs like server maintenance, security upgrades, and customer support.

PIA constantly improves its service, runs a bug bounty, and releases regular transparency reports, all of which require ongoing investment. Subscription-based models, like monthly, yearly, or multi-year plans, provide the steady revenue required to achieve this. These sustainable business practices mean it can continue operating and improving its service for years to come.

Are lifetime VPN subscriptions safe?

While lifetime subscriptions may seem like a great deal, they often compromise on security, reliability, and long-term value. Lifetime plans often come with significant risks, like service degradation, uncertain company longevity, and hidden costs. Such VPNs usually offer only a limited set of features and don’t undergo frequent updates, which means they can quickly become obsolete.

Some lifetime VPNs, like VPNSecure, lack a privacy policy, while services like Setup VPN log an excessive amount of data about you. Both of these put your privacy at risk because you don’t know where your data is going. Seed4.me

PIA’s subscription-based model ensures consistent quality and transparency, making it a safer choice. If you want to learn more about our best subscription-based VPNs, take a look at our picks of the VPNs with the best monthly plans.

Does PIA offer special deals on long-term subscriptions?

Yes, PIA offers significant discounts on long-term subscriptions, making them an excellent alternative to lifetime plans. PIA also runs seasonal promotions, especially during holidays like Black Friday or New Year, which can include additional discounts or free months. You also look for coupon codes to get extra discounts or refer friends to get extra weeks of free service.

Why not just use a free VPN and avoid subscription fees?

Ironically, it’s a bad idea for almost the exact reason that lifetime VPN subscriptions don’t work. Quality VPN services cost money to maintain properly. From software and hardware upgrades to adding new servers, sustainable revenue is a must.

While we’ve found a few safe free VPNs, they follow a freemium model. This means that they also offer a paid service, which subsidizes the free users.

However, free VPNs come with significant drawbacks. They often restrict bandwidth, server locations, or connection speeds, making them unsuitable for streaming, gaming, or other data-intensive activities. They may also monetize their service by collecting and selling user data, which defeats the purpose of using a VPN for privacy. Some are also known for displaying intrusive ads or even bundling malware with their software.

Which premium VPN with a long-term plan offers the best value?

All of our top recommended VPNs offer great value on their long-term plans, and the VPN featured above is no exception. Our international team of experts frequently tests and reviews the VPN services, to make sure our recommendations are up-to-date. Check out our list of the best VPNs in 2025.

The Bottom Line

Opting for a lifetime VPN leaves you vulnerable to network disruptions, security risks, and privacy hazards. That’s because, without a regular income stream, VPNs can’t maintain their hardware or software, leaving you with a service that’s buggy and full of security holes. As a result, most end up going bankrupt or being absorbed by a larger company.

Lifetime VPN subscriptions aren’t good for providers or users, which is why Private Internet Access (PIA) only offers long-term plans. This regular income allows PIA to offer a robust and reliable VPN service, plus other security and privacy features like its bug bounty program and regular transparency reports. PIA is also backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, which gives you time to make sure you’re getting the service you invested in.

The best VPNs with long-term subscriptions are…

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

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1

9.9 /10

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9.7 /10

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9.5 /10

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References

1. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1449500/best-vpns-by-test-score-worldwide/