The Private Internet Access Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Private Internet Access in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Private Internet Access
The Insider’s Guide
Open-source VPN with unlimited devices and servers in all 50 US states
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among VPNs, read from Private Internet Access’s own pages.
Made by PIA Private Internet Access, Inc. · checked Oct 17, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Private Internet Access’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Private Internet Access’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 17, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.2
GPA, above 4 of the 16 other VPNs we grade
Private Internet Access (PIA) is a subscription VPN whose apps are open source and whose servers run from RAM only. One subscription covers unlimited devices, and its network reaches 104 countries, including every US state. Antivirus and a dedicated IP are sold as add-ons at checkout.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Private Internet Access, taken from its own pages and our grades.
No App Store rating on record, but it's an app you install, sign in to and connect, with nothing to configure first.
- 1
Best for unlimited devices without renewal surprises
Private Internet Access covers unlimited devices, has servers in all 50 US states and open-source apps.
- 2
Paid plans start at $3.99 a month when paid by the year
As its pricing page puts it: $47.88 per year (1 Year plan, the same price at renewal).
- 3
It runs on 5 platforms
macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android, with a browser extension too.
- 4
Unlimited devices
One subscription can be used on as many devices at the same time as you like.
- 5
Servers in 104 countries
The network reaches 104 countries, including servers in all 50 US states, and the servers run from RAM only.
- 6
Open-source apps and protocols
PIA's apps are open source, and it connects over WireGuard or OpenVPN.
- 7
A 2.2 GPA, above 4 of 16
That is against the other VPNs we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
To replace Private Internet Access you would be making servers in dozens of countries, kept fast and private. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
Private Internet Access at a glance
- Pricing
- Paid, from $47.88 per year (1 Year plan, the same price at renewal)
- Free plan
- No
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
- Made by
- PIA Private Internet Access, Inc.
- Category
- VPNs
- Our grade
- 2.2 GPA, fair
The report card
Best for unlimited devices without renewal surprises
Private Internet Access covers unlimited devices, has servers in all 50 US states and open-source apps. The 1-year plan is $47.88 and renews at the same price, which is refreshingly plain for a VPN. There's no free trial, though, only a 30-day money-back guarantee.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | C | $47.88 a year, the same at renewal, so two years cost $95.76, about $3.99 a month, just above the cheaper quarter of VPNs at $3.33. The 3-year plan is $2.03 a month for the first 39 months, then $79 every 3 years, but that's three years up front. Monthly is $11.95. |
| Free plan and trial | F | Nothing free: no free plan and no trial. There's a 30-day money-back guarantee for new subscribers, but that isn't a trial. |
| Features | B | Unlimited devices, servers in 104 countries including all 50 US states, RAM-only servers, WireGuard and OpenVPN, ad and malware blocking, split tunneling, multi-hop and port forwarding. It covers the whole job. |
| Ease of use | B | No App Store rating on record, but it's an app you install, sign in to and connect, with nothing to configure first. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | Mac, Windows, Linux, iPhone, Android and browser extensions, with open-source apps. There's no integration list or API on record, so it stops at B. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Private Internet Access is for
- Great if you want a VPN price that doesn't jump after the first year
- Handy when you need a server in a particular US state
- Good for torrenting, with port forwarding on selected servers
Who it is not for
- Not for you if you want to try it free first, as there's no trial
- Pricey if you pay monthly, at $11.95 a month
- Skip it if you want antivirus or a dedicated IP priced up front, as both are added at checkout
Good to know
Good for
- Households with more devices than a capped VPN allows
- People who want a server in a specific US state
- Torrent users who need port forwarding
Worth knowing
- The 3-year plan's $2.03 a month is a first-term rate; it renews at $79 every 3 years, and the page gives no total for the first 39 months.
- There is no free trial; the 30-day money-back guarantee is for new subscribers, and app store purchases follow Apple's or Google's refund terms.
- Antivirus and a dedicated IP cost extra and are added at checkout; their prices are not shown on the plans page.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$3.99
A month to start, paid by the year
Private Internet Access is a paid product, starting at $47.88 per year (1 Year plan, the same price at renewal).
Nothing free: no free plan and no trial.
1 Month
$11.95
per month
Billed monthly and renews at the same $11.95.
1 Year
$47.88
per year
$3.99 a month. The first year and each renewal are both billed at $47.88.
3 Years + 3 Months
$79
every 3 years at renewal, after a first term of 39 months
Shown at $2.03 a month for the first 39 months, labelled 83% off; the page does not state the first bill. Renews at $79 every 3 years.
Read from privateinternetaccess.com on Oct 17, 2026.
Ways to pay less
Other savings
3 years plus 3 extra months at $2.03 a month
The 3-year plan comes with 3 extra months at $2.03 a month for the first term, which the page calls 83% off the monthly price. It then renews at $79 every 3 years.
Stated on privateinternetaccess.comAnnual discount
About 67% off with yearly billing
The 1-year plan costs $47.88, against $143.40 for twelve months at the $11.95 monthly price.
Stated on privateinternetaccess.com
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
6
Places it runs: macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android and Browser extension
Open-source VPN with unlimited devices and servers in all 50 US states. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, vPN, ad and tracker blocking.
Mac, Windows, Linux, iPhone, Android and browser extensions, with open-source apps.
- Unlimited devices
- One subscription can be used on as many devices at the same time as you like.
- Servers in 104 countries
- The network reaches 104 countries, including servers in all 50 US states, and the servers run from RAM only.
- Open-source apps and protocols
- PIA's apps are open source, and it connects over WireGuard or OpenVPN.
- MACE
- Blocks ads, trackers and malware at the DNS level.
- Split tunneling, multi-hop and port forwarding
- Choose which apps skip the VPN, route traffic through more than one server, and open a forwarded port on selected servers for torrenting.
- Email breach monitor
- A built-in alert tells you if your email address shows up in a data breach.
Where it runs
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
- iOS
- Android
- Browser extension
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
Private Internet Access is made by PIA Private Internet Access, Inc.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
4/16
Other VPNs it is graded above
Private Internet Access's GPA of 2.2 is higher than 4 of the 16 other VPNs we grade, and level with 1.
It stands best on ease of use (B, above 6 of 16) and worst on free plan and trial (F, above 0).
Its paid plans start at $3.99 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $5 for the category: 4 of the 15 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 3.0 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 17 VPNs we grade, cut by the letter each got. Private Internet Access’s own letter is outlined.
- CValue for moneyAbove 1 of 16
- FFree plan and trialAbove 0 of 16
- BFeaturesAbove 5 of 16
- BEase of useAbove 6 of 16
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 16
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 16 VPNs. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Private Internet Access is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
To replace Private Internet Access you would be making servers in dozens of countries, kept fast and private. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
That makes this kind of software worth paying for, not this one in particular: 11 of the 16 other VPNs grade higher. It costs $47.88 a year. Private Internet Access is open source, so there is a third way: take its code and run it yourself.
What you could make
- Ad and tracker blocking: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- Servers in dozens of countries, kept fast and private.
- Apps for macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android that stay in step with each other.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. Private Internet Access’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
NordVPN, Surfshark, CyberGhost, Proton VPN and Mullvad VPN
The 5 tools Private Internet Access is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.4GPA
NordVPN
Free trial · from $139.08/yr
Subscription VPN with threat protection and Meshnet device links.
- Private Internet Access is open source, according to its own site.
- 2.8GPA
Surfshark
Free trial · from $79/yr
VPN with no device limit, sold alone or in security bundles.
- Private Internet Access is open source, according to its own site.
- 2.4GPA
CyberGhost
Free trial · from $56.94/yr
VPN for seven devices with a 45-day money-back window on long plans.
- Private Internet Access is open source, according to its own site.
- 2.8GPA
Proton VPN
Free plan · from $83.88/yr
Open-source Swiss VPN with a free plan that has no data cap.
- Proton VPN has a free plan. Private Internet Access does not.
- 1.8GPA
Mullvad VPN
From €5/mo
Flat-rate Swedish VPN with anonymous numbered accounts.
- Only Private Internet Access lists a browser extension.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
10
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Private Internet Access free?
No. Private Internet Access is a paid product, starting at $47.88 per year (1 Year plan, the same price at renewal).
How much does Private Internet Access cost?
Private Internet Access lists 3 plans. 1 Month: $11.95 per month.
What platforms does Private Internet Access work on?
Private Internet Access is available on macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android.
Does Private Internet Access offer any discounts?
Private Internet Access publicly lists the following: 3 years plus 3 extra months at $2.03 a month; About 67% off with yearly billing.
Is Private Internet Access open source?
Yes. Private Internet Access is open source, according to its own site.
Who makes Private Internet Access?
Private Internet Access is made by PIA Private Internet Access, Inc.
What are the alternatives to Private Internet Access?
The closest alternatives to Private Internet Access in our directory are NordVPN, Surfshark, CyberGhost, Proton VPN and Mullvad VPN.
How does Private Internet Access compare with other VPNs?
Private Internet Access's GPA of 2.2 is higher than 4 of the 16 other VPNs we grade, and level with 1.
Is Private Internet Access good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Private Internet Access C for value for money. Its paid plans start at $3.99 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $5 for the category: 4 of the 15 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of Private Internet Access?
To replace Private Internet Access you would be making servers in dozens of countries, kept fast and private.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Private Internet Access’s own pages on Oct 17, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 17, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Private Internet Access's own pages on 17 October 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by PIA Private Internet Access, Inc. Prices change, so check privateinternetaccess.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
1,858
Tools graded, in 46 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
ToolGPA is free to read. It may earn a commission from affiliate links and it works with sponsors, but anything paid for is labelled and no one can pay for a grade. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
1,858
tools graded
46
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Private Internet Access, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/private-internet-access
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Private Internet Access: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 17, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/private-internet-access
Know someone choosing between VPNs?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/private-internet-access/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded VPNs after Private Internet Access, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- VPNs Insider's GuideEvery one of the 17 VPNs we grade, compared
- hide.me Insider's GuideMalaysia-based VPN with a no-signup free plan and flat renewal prices3.0 GPA
- PrivadoVPN Insider's GuideVPN with a 10GB free plan and ad blocking on paid plans2.8 GPA
- Proton VPN Insider's GuideOpen-source Swiss VPN with a free plan that has no data cap2.8 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Private Internet Access’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. ToolGPA uses affiliate links and may earn a commission from them, and it works with sponsors; anything paid for is labelled, and no one can pay for a grade. Private Internet Access is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by PIA Private Internet Access, Inc. Prices and plans change: check privateinternetaccess.com before you buy.