NordVPN vs Private Internet Access 2024

Keira Waddell

Former Senior Writer

Both Private Internet Access (PIA) and NordVPN are trusted names in the industry. PIA has been on the scene for over a decade, and while NordVPN hasn’t been around as long, it quickly gained a huge user base. However, you’ll find a lot of conflicting views online about these 2 top VPNs, and there are some big differences between them.

To ease the confusion, I compared PIA and NordVPN side-by-side, testing their speeds, streaming abilities, torrenting, gaming, customer support, and tons more features. I also inspected their privacy policies thoroughly to find out about their data-handling practices.

Both of these VPNs are trustworthy, fast, safe, and easy for anyone to use. However, if you want more value for money, PIA is the best choice. Its huge server network, unlimited devices, and robust security features make this VPN stand out. Saying that, NordVPN isn’t a bad choice by any means, but it does have some downsides. Read on to find out more about my testing experience.

Short on Time? Here Are My Key Findings

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Streaming — NordVPN Wins by a Narrow Margin

PIA and NordVPN both perform well with different streaming platforms. Even though NordVPN doesn’t have streaming servers, its NordLynx protocol gave me slightly faster speeds.

PIA has specialized streaming servers in the UK, the US (East and West coasts), Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Italy, Australia, and Japan. When my international team and I tested these connections, they worked well with most streaming platforms licensed for our respective regions. However, I noticed more lagging when I connected to the faraway US West server (over 3,500km from my US location).

Both VPNs provide reliable and stable connections that work with tons of global streaming platforms, including Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Max, and more.

I watched Adventure Time: Fionna & Cake lag-free and only had to wait 3 seconds for the videos to load

My global team and I tested PIA with the Netflix library in each of our regions. We confirmed that PIA works with 15+ Netflix libraries (including the US, UK, Japan, Canada, and other great libraries). NordVPN showed similar results.

During my tests in the States, every US sever I tried with NordVPN let me stream US Netflix with zero buffering or lag

While PIA and NordVPN are solid choices for streaming, there are limitations. For example, neither VPN worked with Sky Go (but not many VPNs do). However, I was impressed that NordVPN worked with DAZN in the US, which most VPNs aren’t compatible with.

Winner

PIA and NordVPN performed similarly in terms of reliability with popular streaming platforms, but NordVPN’s faster speeds give it the edge.

Server Network — PIA Has One of the Biggest Server Networks of Any VPN

PIA is a clear winner due to its huge number of servers. It has over 6 times as many servers as NordVPN. But NordVPN has servers in more countries than PIA. A larger server network means that no matter where you are in the world, you’ll be able to find a server nearby, ensuring fast speeds.

What’s particularly impressive is PIA's US server network. It offers 53 US locations — at least one in every state. This makes it a great choice for people traveling to or living in the US since you’ll always be able to connect to a server nearby. It also has optimized streaming servers in 9 locations, and all its servers are P2P-optimized.

That said, NordVPN does have a variety of specialty servers, like Double VPN, Dedicated IP, P2P, Onion Over VPN, and Obfuscated servers. Many VPNs offer some of these, but it’s rare to come across a VPN that offers so many server types.

Winner

While NordVPN offers a variety of specialty servers, PIA's extensive server network remains a compelling advantage.

Speed — NordVPN’s Proprietary NordLynx Protocol Delivers the Fastest Speeds

Our UK-based speed tester ran tests on both VPNs several times throughout the day, and they found that NordVPN offered the best speeds in this comparison thanks to its proprietary NordLynx protocol. This protocol is built around the lightweight and speedy WireGuard protocol.

While PIA was also fast (especially on nearby servers), its speeds on long-distance servers were pretty inconsistent.

The speed only dropped by 9% when our UK tester connected to its server in France

Our tester reported that they never had speeds lower than 44.1 Mbps with PIA. However, this is a 61% drop from the base speed, so it’s a more noticeable drop if you have lower speeds. On the other hand, NordVPN proved really fast, even over long distances.

NordVPN’s US server only dropped our UK-based tester's speeds by 5%, which is really impressive considering the distance

Winner

NordVPN won the speed category, hands down. Our UK-based tester's speed never dropped more than 33%, compared to 61% with PIA.

Gaming — NordVPN Had Slightly Lower Latency for Seamless Gameplay

NordVPN also takes the prize when it comes to gaming, thanks to its low ping rate. A ping of up to 100 ms is acceptable for smooth gaming.

Although, even NordVPN had a rate of 89 ms on its New York server, which, although still playable, wouldn’t be ideal for fast-paced shooter games. However, I haven’t come across a VPN that delivers a lower ping on servers more than 5,000km away, so it’s still impressive.

There wasn’t a huge difference between NordVPN and PIA, though. PIA’s latency was only slightly higher during the speed tests.

Our UK-based tester reported that the Rise of Empires: Ice and Fire gameplay on the France server was smooth

Winner

NordVPN stands out as the top pick for gaming with its low ping rates.

Torrenting — PIA Has a Vast Server Network of P2P-Optimized Servers

Both VPNs are a great choice for torrenting, but PIA has the edge. Its huge server network meant that I had no issues downloading multiple public domain files. It also offers port forwarding, which increases the number of seeders and gives you faster downloads. However, I was a little disappointed that port forwarding isn’t available on its US servers.

Using its London server, I was able to download a copyright-free 1.1GB file in less than 8 minutes.

On the other hand, NordVPN has almost 5,000 P2P-optimized servers, and it offers great speeds that let you download files quickly.

Please be aware that the team and I do not condone using a VPN to download illegal content. Downloading copyrighted material is illegal in nearly every jurisdiction. Before you torrent, check the laws in your region and make sure the files you intend to download are in the public domain or copyright-free.

Winner

Although both VPNs deliver fast speeds and offer tons of servers that support P2P, PIA’s large server network and port forwarding place it on top.

Security — PIA Has Tons of Customizable Security Features

PIA has a comprehensive range of customizable security features that let you tailor your VPN connection to your needs. You can choose between AES 256- and 128-bit encryption with the OpenVPN protocol. The latter is slightly less secure but gives you faster speeds, making it ideal for gaming or streaming.

However, NordVPN doesn’t fall far behind in terms of security. Its proprietary NordLynx protocol, based on WireGurd, uses Double NAT technology, giving every user a unique IP.

PIA’s settings are accessible in another window, so you’re not bombarded with features on the home view

Each has its own tracker and malware prevention, but they work differently. PIA has MACE is enabled with one click and works in the background to prevent malicious sites and links from infecting your devices. NordVPN’s Threat Protection can be customized to protect you even when the VPN is disconnected — it also shows which threats it’s blocked.

Threat Protection and MACE also work as ad blockers. Both blockers successfully prevented banner ads on sites like Forbes.com and CNN.com. This can also contribute to your devices’ security, as some ads are ridden with malware.

The ad box was replaced with a CNN headlines video when MACE was enabled

Winner

Both of these services provide strong security features, but when it comes to taking charge of your connections and tailoring your security settings, PIA is the superior choice.

Privacy — NordVPN’s Privacy-Friendly Jurisdiction Keeps Your Data Safe

I trust both VPNs with my data since they adhere to strong no-logs policies. PIA’s policy has even been proven in court. It was asked by authorities on 2 separate occasions to hand over user data, but it had nothing to share — so you know PIA’s no-logs claims are true.

Both VPNs have undergone third-party audits that have proven their claims (both were conducted by Deloitte). In each case, it found that neither VPN stores any personally identifiable data on its servers. Plus, they both use RAM-only servers, which ensure your data is deleted from its servers after each session.

However, with NordVPN’s headquarters in Panama, it beats PIA, which is based in the US (part of the data-sharing 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance). This means that governments part of the alliance can demand user data, and it would have to comply. However, it doesn’t worry me too much since it doesn’t store data anyway.

PIA and NordVPN accept crypto payments if you want to sign up anonymously. PIA accepts BitPay, and NordVPN accepts CoinGate. Just bear in mind that your plan won’t auto-renew if you use this method.

Winner

With its headquarters in privacy-friendly Panama, NordVPN marginally secures the lead in this category.

Works in China — PIA Might Work

NordVPN doesn't work in China, but PIA's customer support reported that it might work, but it's not guaranteed. China has been strengthening its nationwide censorship network known as the Great Firewall, making it harder for any VPN to work there reliably.

We keep up with any updates about this, and we regularly update our list of the best VPNs for China.

Note that non-government-approved VPNs are illegal in China. However, there haven't been any publicly recorded cases of tourists being penalized for using one there. In any case, we don't condone using a VPN illegally, and we urge you to comply with local laws and regulations to avoid any trouble.

Winner

PIA is the winner here because it might work in China, but it's still not guaranteed due to the country's tough firewall.

Installation & Ease of Use — PIA’s Simple Interface Is Easy to Navigate

Both VPNs are quick to set up and easy to use, so I’d recommend either to a beginner. I was able to download and set up each VPN in under 3 minutes. The apps are really similar across different devices (whether you use macOS, Windows, Android, or iOS). So you don’t have to spend time getting used to them every time you want to use the VPNs on another device.

Despite PIA’s feature-packed app, it's easy to navigate, and I appreciate that you can minimize the view so you’re not overwhelmed with features. The minimal view displays a large connect button showing your IP address and the server you’re connected to.

Clicking the downward arrow lets you access Quick Settings, where you can enable various security settings

NordVPN’s app is a little busy with the map and the server list both on the home view. I’d also prefer if the specialized servers were more obvious to find rather than having to scroll through the server list to find them. That said, it doesn’t offer as many customization options as PIA, so it’s a little less overwhelming if you’re a VPN newbie.

Winner

PIA’s minimized option puts it ahead in this category. It took a little longer to get used to NordVPN’s apps, but once you do, you can take full advantage of its intuitive features.

Reliability & Support — PIA Connects You To a Live Agent Straight Away

I found it easier to get answers to my queries with PIA since it let me speak to a live agent straight away. With NordVPN, I had to go through an annoying chatbot before speaking to an agent.

Plus, I could access PIA’s chat support through its website by clicking the widget at the right-hand bottom of the webpage. With NordVPN, I had to log in to my account to access the live support.

Winner

PIA wins this round hands-down thanks to its instantaneous live chat support.

Tips on Choosing Between NordVPN and Private Internet Access

During my tests, I carefully analyzed several aspects of each VPN. Here's an overview of the key criteria I used when comparing these VPNs:

• Smooth streaming — Fast and reliable connections are crucial for those who want to use a VPN for streaming. In our tests, both PIA and NordVPN worked well with most major streaming platforms.
• Fast speeds — Great speeds are necessary for smooth browsing and streaming. NordVPN wins marginally in this category, offering consistently fast speeds, which is great for gaming, streaming, and torrenting.
• Server networks — Vast server networks usually provide stable, less-crowded connections for enjoying online content. PIA has one of the most impressive server networks, with over 29,650 servers.
• Robust security features — Strong security features are vital for keeping your data private. Both PIA and NordVPN offer strong encryption, a kill switch, IP/DNS leak protection, and multiple secure protocols, ensuring a high level of security.
• Strong privacy practices — Opt for a VPN with a firm commitment to user privacy. NordVPN's headquarters is in privacy-friendly Panama. PIA's location is in the US, which is in the data-sharing 5 Eyes Alliance.
• Easy to use — A user-friendly interface ensures a quick and easy connection. Both PIA and NordVPN are great for both VPN beginners and experienced users.
• Trustworthy money-back guarantee — A reliable refund guarantee allows you to try a VPN risk-free. In my experience, both PIA and NordVPN promptly processed full refunds with no complications.

NordVPN vs. Private Internet Access — Reddit Opinions

There are conflicting reviews about Private Internet Access and NordVPN on Reddit. Multiple threads concern PIA’s privacy standards, with questions arising about its jurisdiction and ownership.

However, after some digging, I found there is nothing to be concerned about. PIA has undergone security audits that assure users it doesn’t collect any data. Its no-logs policy has even been proven in court.

On the other hand, there are some threads concerning NordVPN’s performance going downhill. Contributors have claimed that it no longer works with some major streaming platforms. However, it didn’t take long to realize these claims don’t hold true. The team and I found NordVPN to be consistent and reliable with almost every platform we tested.