PIA vs NordVPN: how do they compare in 2026?

The PIA and NordVPN comparison brings together two reliable VPN choices with strong reputations. Both services offer solid security, large server networks, and reliable everyday performance. However, when you look closer, their strengths differ. NordVPN focuses on speed, advanced security, and streaming performance, while PIA stands out with its affordability and extensive customization options.

To evaluate the PIA vs NordVPN matchup fairly, I tested both providers across several key categories. These included security features, connection speeds, streaming support, torrenting performance, server networks, and overall usability. I also considered pricing, privacy practices, and how each VPN performs in real-world scenarios.

Read on to see how each provider performed in my tests and which VPN ultimately comes out ahead in the 2026 PIA vs NordVPN comparison.

PIA vs NordVPN comparison overview

When comparing PIA vs NordVPN, both providers stand out as reliable VPN services with strong security and large server networks. They’re capable options for everyday browsing, streaming, and protecting your online privacy.

However, their strengths appeal to slightly different users. NordVPN focuses on performance, offering faster speeds, advanced security tools, and more consistent streaming access. PIA, in contrast, stands out for its lower pricing, unlimited simultaneous connections, and highly customizable settings, which can appeal to more budget-focused or technical users.

	NordVPN	Private Internet Access VPN
⭐ Rating:	4.9★★★★★	3.9★★★★☆
🥇 Overall rank:	#1 out of #41	#14 out of #41
🖥️ Servers:	Thousands of servers in 224 locations	35,000 servers in 90 countries
📖 No logs policy:	No logs	No logs
💵 Price:	From $3.49/month	From $1.33/month
🔥 Coupons:	NordVPN coupon 75% OFF	PIA coupon 89% OFF
🔒 VPN protocols:	OpenVPN, WireGuard (NordLynx), NordWhisper	Wireguard, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec
🍿 Streaming services:	Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more	Netflix, YouTube TV, Hulu, BBC iPlayer
🖥️ Platforms:	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS	Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS
📥 Simultaneous connections:	10	Unlimited
💁🏻 Support:	Knowledge base, FAQs, email, 24/7 live chat	Knowledge base, FAQs, tickets/email, 24/7 live chat

Recent Updates

Key differences between NordVPN and PIA

Both NordVPN and PIA are well-known VPN services, but they focus on different priorities. NordVPN stands out for its speed, advanced security features, and strong privacy protections. PIA, on the other hand, focuses on affordability and flexibility, especially with its unlimited connections.

Choose NordVPN if:

• You want one of the fastest VPNs available. NordVPN uses the proprietary NordLynx protocol, which consistently delivers excellent speeds for streaming, gaming, and torrenting.
• Privacy is your top priority. The provider is based in Panama and follows a strict independently audited no-logs policy, giving it a strong reputation for protecting user data.
• You want advanced security features. Tools like Threat Protection Pro, Double VPN, and other built-in protections offer a more comprehensive security package than many competitors.
• You need broad device compatibility. NordVPN supports a wide range of platforms and devices, making it easy to use across your entire setup.

Choose PIA if:

• You want a more affordable VPN. PIA’s long-term plans start at around $1.33/month, making it one of the cheaper premium VPN options.
• You need unlimited simultaneous connections. Unlike NordVPN’s 10-device limit, PIA lets you secure as many devices as you want with a single subscription.
• You want built-in antivirus protection. PIA bundles antivirus features with some plans, adding extra value beyond standard VPN protection.
• You primarily need a VPN for basic use. PIA still supports P2P traffic and works across many devices, making it a practical option if you want solid functionality without paying more for advanced features.

NordVPN vs PIA: speed, performance, and streaming

VPN speeds rely on your baseline internet connection. So don't expect blazing-fast performance with a VPN if your initial internet connection is slow. You see, data gets encrypted, travels from your device to a VPN server, and reaches the destination, and then the response takes the same route back to your device. Naturally, your device can slow down a bit, but it shouldn’t be visible.

Both NordVPN and PIA use WireGuard, which is currently considered one of the fastest tunneling protocols available. However, the Nord Security product uses a modified version of it called NordLynx, which shows even better performance.

To get some real numbers, our team measured PIA vs NordVPN speeds and then counted the average results from different locations.

• Baseline: 900Mbps download, 900Mbps upload, 1ms ping

	NordVPN (NordLynx)	Private Internet Access (WireGuard)
Avg. download speed	783.88Mbps	443.49Mbps
Avg. upload speed	286.12Mbps	193.93Mbps
Ping	127ms	140ms

NordVPN’s NordLynx showed faster download and upload speed averages than PIA’s WireGuard protocol. NordVPN’s proprietary protocol retained 87% of initial download and 32% of upload speeds. Meanwhile, PIA’s WireGuard protocol retained 49% and 22% of download and upload speeds, respectively.

While the results were pretty close and both providers ensure stable and speedy connections, NordVPN is still the faster option to pick.

Streaming performance

Platform	NordVPN	Private Internet Access
Netflix	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Amazon Prime Video	✅ Yes	❌ No
YouTube	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Hulu	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
HBO Max	✅ Yes	❌ No
Disney+	✅ Yes	❌ No
BBC iPlayer	✅ Yes	✅ Yes

NordVPN is much better at unlocking streaming services than PIA. For instance, when it comes to Netflix, NordVPN effortlessly accessed multiple libraries, including the US, Japan, Australia, and the UK. PIA also worked well with Netflix – an improvement since our last test. I was able to access the US, the UK, Japan, and Australia regions with no issues, buffering, or lag.

Other services that PIA managed to unlock were Hulu and BBC iPlayer (also an improvement since the previous test). In fact, once I downloaded PIA, I could easily access the platform from whatever US server I chose. Plus, YouTube was more difficult to access, but it was still possible to unlock it with PIA.

However, PIA’s lucky streak ended there. I couldn’t access HBO Max or Amazon Prime Video. At first, I was able to access Disney+ on a US server, but there was significant buffering. Everywhere else, I would get an error message. In contrast, NordVPN had little to no problems when bypassing restrictions on any of the sites.

Is NordVPN better than PIA for Netflix?

Yes, NordVPN is much better than PIA for unblocking different Netflix libraries. During our tests, while we did manage to unblock Netflix US with PIA, there were many issues while streaming – the video quality was laggy, not in full HD, and, compared to NordVPN, nothing to brag about.

Testing NordVPN with Netflix definitely made me see why it’s the best VPN for Netflix. But I have to give credit to PIA, too. The last time our research team tested its Netflix compatibility, the video quality was poor, and buffering was constant. Now, PIA works with Netflix just as well as NordVPN, which is a clear indication that this VPN is consistently improving.

Torrenting

NordVPN and PIA are both P2P-compatible. So you can download torrent files with either provider.

PIA doesn't separate its fleet into specialized and non-P2P, so there's no difference in which server you connect to. Meanwhile, NordVPN does have separate specialized servers for torrenting. Technically, you can use any server for this online activity, but if P2P traffic is detected, you are automatically reconnected to a P2P server.

Besides, both providers include free SOCKS5 proxies, so although it's a less secure option, it helps a great deal when you need better speeds. It's configurable on torrent clients and routes your downloads via an intermediary server. However, it doesn't encrypt your connection, unlike the VPN app.

Unlike NordVPN, PIA supports port forwarding, which can be useful when streamlining torrent performance. However, it's a bit frustrating to use since you get assigned a forwarded port randomly. You need to configure your network each time you switch servers. It works on all their servers except the US ones.

Port forwarding comes in handy if you find yourself behind a firewall. This often causes issues with seeding torrents, and that's important if you need to keep a certain download/upload ratio.

PIA vs NordVPN price comparison

Private Internet Access VPN is relatively cheaper than NordVPN. Of course, the longer you subscribe, the lower the price for either provider. So, the short-term price difference isn’t that big.

Plan	NordVPN	Private Internet Access
1 month	$14.99/month	$11.99/month
6 months	–	$7.50/month
1 year	$5.49/month	–
2 years	$3.49/month	$1.33/month
	Get 75% OFF NordVPN + 3 months free	Get PIA, now 89% OFF + 2 Months FREE

Note: Pricing was last checked in June 2026.

It’s visible that the monthly plans of both providers are not cost-efficient. If you want a VPN for a month, it’s a better deal to get a long-term plan. This way, you can make use of the 30-day money-back guarantee before the first month ends.

The yearly subscriptions are much better in terms of pricing. The longest subscription of NordVPN is 2 years (for $3.49/month), which is the same for PIA ($1.33/month).

While PIA offers just one type of VPN plan to pick (price depends on its duration), NordVPN has 4 available options. The standard VPN service is $3.49/month, while the pricier Plus, Complete, and Prime plans (costing $4.49/month, $4.49/month, and $7.49/month, respectively) offer even more features. So, if you want to upgrade your VPN to get more functions and features, you have that option with NordVPN. You can save more with our NordVPN coupon and Private Internet Access coupon pages, which we update regularly with exclusive deals.

Both providers accept credit cards, PayPal, Amazon Pay, Google Pay, and many cryptocurrency options. However, NordVPN extends this list to include Sofort, prepaid cards, and Apple Pay. Still, it's not enough to steal a win from PIA, which is just a more affordable option.

Servers

It used to be clear that Private Internet Access had more servers than NordVPN, which were also distributed across more locations. Although PIA no longer discloses the exact server count, this number should not be significantly lower today. NordVPN, on the other hand, offers more server countries to choose from.

	NordVPN	Private Internet Access
Servers	9,500+	Undisclosed number
Countries	149	90
Virtual locations	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Specialty servers	✅ Yes	✅ Yes

Additionally, both providers have put effort into making their infrastructure much safer. All of their servers are RAM-only, meaning your data gets destroyed after each reboot. This way, no one can gain access to your information.

It’s also worth noting that NordVPN has various types of specialty servers – from Tor over VPN that increases security to P2P servers for torrenting. Here’s an overview:

• Double VPN – passes your traffic through two VPN servers to make your connection even safer.
• Onion over VPN – sends traffic through the VPN and Tor network, completely erasing your real IP traces.
• P2P servers – best for torrenting, but they’re good for any type of P2P traffic. The majority of P2P servers are located in the US.
• Obfuscated servers – hide the fact that you’re using a VPN and bypass VPN detectors. Best for those who live in areas with heavy internet restrictions.

What I like the most is that it’s super easy to switch between specialty servers on the NordVPN app.

PIA also has specialty servers but way fewer than NordVPN. Users can connect to streaming-optimized servers in Finland, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, the UK, Italy, the US (East/West), Canada (Ontario), Australia, and Japan.

PIA vs NordVPN features compared

NordVPN and PIA offer core features, like split tunneling, smart DNS, and a dedicated IP address, that are standard in VPNs. NordVPN has a few unique features to improve your online security, such as Meshnet. Breach scanners and web protection are included in both providers' suites.

Feature	NordVPN	Private Internet Access
Split tunneling	✅ Yes (Windows, Android, and Android TV apps)	✅ Yes (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android apps)
Dedicated IP	✅ Yes (for additional price)	✅ Yes (for additional price)
Smart DNS	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
RAM-only servers	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Meshnet	✅ Yes	❌ No
Traffic obfuscation	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Specialty servers	✅ Yes	❌ No
Web filters	✅ Yes (Threat Protection Pro)	✅ Yes (antivirus)
Breach checker	✅ Yes (Dark Web Monitor)	✅ Yes (Identity Guard)
Tor over VPN	✅ Yes (Onion over VPN)	✅ Yes
Port forwarding	❌ No	✅ Yes

Providing exclusive features is one of the ways VPN services can distinguish themselves. From the consumer's perspective, most providers give you the ability to hide your IP address. However, few will offer additional features, such as RAM-only servers, Smart DNS, or others.

NordVPN vs PIA: which is more secure?

Both NordVPN and PIA are secure VPN services that use one of the strongest AES encryption algorithms. NordVPN uses the AES-256-GCM cipher with the SHA-512 hash function. PIA is more varied – it lets you switch between AES-128-GCM with HMAC-SHA-1 (default setting) and AES-256-GCM with HMAC-SHA-256 (strong setting).

	NordVPN	Private Internet Access
Encryption	AES-256 or ChaCha20Poly1305	AES-128 or AES-256
Hash	SHA-256 or SHA-512	HMAC-SHA-1 or HMAC-SHA-256
RAM servers	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Member of the Five Eyes alliance?	❌ No	✅ Yes
No-logs policy	Yes, the latest audit in December 2025 by Deloitte Audit Lithuania	Yes, the latest audit in 2025 by Deloitte Audit Romania

You should steer clear of PIA's default setting. AES-128-GCM is still a strong cipher, which will hold up against the attacker, but SHA-1 isn't optimal. It is a hash function that dates back 30 years. Federal agencies have banned its use with classified documents since 2010. Nonetheless, HMAC-SHA-1 is still considered secure since HMAC covers collision attacks, which is the main SHA-1 vulnerability. If you are using Private Internet Access, you should stick to a strong setting that uses AES-256-GCM with HMAC-SHA-256.

Infrastructure and encryption

Hardware components used for your connection can be just as important as the cryptographic functions performed by them. That's why the server network must be standing on a solid foundation.

Both Private Internet Access and NordVPN have taken the steps and converted all of their servers to work on RAM-only. Such servers have virtual hard drives that store user data instead of physical ones.

By design, the servers have to make logs. It's just how they're operating. However, the data is wiped out with each reboot.

Jurisdiction

NordVPN is located in Panama, which is a privacy-friendly location. It's outside the scope of the global surveillance alliance. This is good news because it means that they have no leverage against Panama. Seizing someone's data would always require a warrant issued by the Panamanian courts.

The government wouldn't have those obstacles if it wanted to knock on PIA's door. Since Private Internet Access is based in the United States, this puts the service provider at the epicenter of the Five Eyes alliance. Plus, some domestic laws, like the reauthorized Patriot Act, are in full effect, threatening your privacy. However, with RAM-only servers and an audited no-logs policy, PIA negates these dangers.

Independent audits

From the privacy policy standpoint, PIA works against all odds and states that it gathers no activity logs. This has been proven on several occasions in court when PIA has been asked to provide data by authorities. Plus, the service’s no-logging policy has been audited by the Deloitte auditing firm.

NordVPN's privacy policy is very clear. It claims it doesn’t log any of your data. You can even opt out of data collection that’s related to improving its services. So, if the government wants to see data on your activity, NordVPN will have nothing to show. This is reassuring, as it aligns with its RAM-only hardware claims. Additionally, this stance has been proven six times now through numerous independent audits. The latest audit was performed by Deloitte in 2025.

Split tunneling

Both PIA and NordVPN have split tunneling features available, and they're implemented quite similarly. You can use the VPN with only certain apps or exclude those that will be connecting directly. So, you have the freedom to customize the connection however you like.

However, during in-house tests, I found out that in PIA's case, the Bypass VPN option didn't always work as it should. Meanwhile, the same feature worked with no issues on NordVPN for websites and apps.

On mobile, PIA's split tunneling is a simplified version of the desktop feature. For instance, it allows you to use split tunneling for specific apps but not for websites. NordVPN follows the same pattern, allowing you to exclude certain apps.

Dedicated IP

If you'd like to have the same IP each time you connect, both VPNs offer this service. Dedicated IPs cost extra, but this may sometimes be the only solution to avoid circulated IP addresses. This means fewer CAPTCHA requests and better chances at unblocking some web services.

With NordVPN, you can use the same IP on 2 devices at the same time. Available locations are the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, Turkey, Mexico, South Africa, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Norway, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, New Zealand, Romania, Hungary, and France.

PIA's selection is a bit smaller, but you can still choose from the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Sweden, Australia, Switzerland, Japan, Singapore, and Canada.

It's worth noting that with NordVPN, you don't really need to get a dedicated IP. A dedicated IP is only necessary if you need to ensure that you are the only one who has access to that IP.

Smart DNS

Both NordVPN and PIA offer the Smart DNS feature. It allows you to bypass geo-restrictions on devices that don’t support VPNs in the first place. This includes Smart TVs and gaming consoles.

NordVPN’s Smart DNS feature (called SmartDNS) allows you to access various geo-restricted platforms, such as different Netflix libraries. Yet, I couldn’t do the same with PIA. Furthermore, there's a SmartPlay feature that combines SmartDNS with VPN encryption.

Remember that the Smart DNS feature doesn’t hide your IP address or encrypt your data, so you’re not getting any extra security.

NordVPN’s Meshnet feature

Meshnet is NordVPN’s standout feature. It creates a private network for your devices, allowing them to communicate through secure, encrypted tunnels.

There are many benefits to using Meshnet like secure file sharing, gaming with friends, and remote device access. Mainly, it enhances your online security by ensuring that the data is transmitted on your own secure network.

Traffic obfuscation

Both providers offer traffic obfuscation, which is a type of server that hides the fact that you’re using a VPN. It’s ideal for those who want to bypass websites that detect and block VPNs.

With NordVPN, obfuscated servers run on the OpenVPN protocol, which is fast, but don’t be surprised if the connection is slightly slower. That’s because obfuscation adds another layer of encryption to your VPN connection. PIA also has obfuscated servers, but there’s not much information on how they work.

Web filters

Your connection can be made safer by using various DNS filters that block websites associated with malware or advertising. That way, you're getting a safer web experience while you're browsing.

NordVPN and PIA both have such features available, yet they’re not the same. NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro scans the downloaded files for malware and blocks annoying ads, trackers, and websites, securing you from all corners.

Meanwhile, PIA’s version is called MACE. It’s focused on blocking ads like pop-ups or banners, not forgetting websites and trackers.

Of course, I had to test these features to see how they perform in the real world. Once I encountered a blacklisted page, the Threat Protection Pro feature of NordVPN displayed a warning to turn back, as it’s not a secure website.

MACE had a similar success rate. Still, plenty of ads got through, as many of them are delivered through HTTPS or WebSocket. So, PIA's MACE is a much better tool against malware pages than ads.

Breach checker

NordVPN has a Dark Web Monitor, which is a type of scanner that continuously scans the dark web for your email address, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, national IDs, and credit cards. If it detects your personal information in a data breach, you will be notified and urged to take immediate action. With phishing attacks on the rise, Dark Web Monitor is a useful tool to increase your online security.

Conversely, PIA has an Identity Guard feature, which is nearly identical to NordVPN’s Dark Web Monitor tool. PIA’s Identity Guard also scans the web for your email address and sends you an email if your information has been compromised. However, I was disappointed that PIA doesn’t include this feature in any of the apps – it can only be accessed via the website.

Tor over VPN

Tor over VPN allows users to connect to a VPN server and routes the connection through multiple Tor nodes, enhancing online privacy. Both NordVPN and PIA offer Tor over VPN, with NordVPN’s solution (Onion Over VPN) much easier to use, requiring a simple click of the button. On the other hand, PIA needs to be configured, which can be a bit of a hassle, especially if you’re not tech-savvy.

Port forwarding

PIA makes port forwarding secure and straightforward. This feature allows devices outside your home network to connect directly to specific devices inside it. This is ideal for gaming, file sharing, and remote access.

Unlike a traditional router-based setup, PIA’s built-in port forwarding lets you enable it directly within the VPN app on select servers, without extra configuration. By routing traffic through the VPN’s encrypted tunnel, it not only improves connection stability but also adds an extra layer of privacy, keeping your real IP address hidden. Overall, PIA’s port forwarding gives you both flexibility and protection in one easy-to-use package.

Platforms, interface, and ease of use

Whichever device you rely on for your daily tasks, NordVPN and PIA probably have apps for it. Both providers support various operating systems (OSs), browsers, and other software.

	NordVPN	Private Internet Access
Supported OS	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Other software and devices	Apple TV, Kodi, Android TVs, Fire devices	Apple TV, Android TVs, Fire devices
Browser extensions	Chrome, Firefox, and Edge	Chrome and Firefox
Simultaneous connections	10	Unlimited
Usability level	Easy to use	Easy to use

NordVPN supports 10 simultaneous connections, while PIA has no such limit. In both cases, the number of devices you can link to your subscription is enough for any household.

In terms of apps, both providers ensure a smooth and effortless experience, even for people who have never used a VPN.

Desktop apps

NordVPN macOS and Windows desktop apps are virtually the same. There’s the home page that displays all the main features and quick access to server locations. You can simply type the country in the search bar or select it from the list.

Overall, navigating NordVPN is very simple. All features and server locations are simple to find, and switching between servers takes mere seconds.

After selecting the country, you can select specific locations within that country if there is more than one. Additionally, you can see your recent connections for quick access to frequently connected countries.

Moving on, one thing to like about PIA is that its desktop apps for Windows and macOS are pretty informative. The macOS interface is not cluttered and is very easy to navigate.

Meanwhile, it also gives you more data than other VPN services tend to share. PIA's Windows UI looks identical to macOS. You get the same information on both clients and a neat interface that's suitable for beginners. Both apps also show your original IP address and the new one after you connect to one of PIA's servers.

To sum up, both providers have their pros and cons when it comes to the interface, but nothing major that would be worth rejecting in either of them.

Mobile apps

UI-wise, there isn’t a huge difference between Android and iOS apps. This applies to NordVPN and PIA. Both clients take inspiration from their desktop counterparts. The main difference is that NordVPN mobile clients feature a map and a country list, making them especially attractive for users who navigate visually. Your settings are put into a separate tab, so it's easy to jump between tabs, change them, and go back to what you were doing.

Android client, just like iOS, also offers a neat interface with all features and buttons intact. It's easy to navigate the map and select a country from the list that you connect to in just one tap. On Android, there's also a Call Protection feature that detects spam calls and a Smart Troubleshooting Wizard that helps with VPN setup.

On mobile, PIA's apps try to combine minimalism with abundant connection information. Apps aren't cluttered and are easy to navigate.

PIA's Android app looks slightly different from iOS, but you get the same features in the same window.

Both service providers have added a possibility to switch apps from dark to light mode (it applies to desktop versions, too). So, they will nicely fit along with your other apps if you're using a system-wide setting.

Customer support

NordVPN and Private Internet Access both offer great customer support options. In terms of human assistance, you can contact either of the providers by email or a 24/7 live chat.

	NordVPN	Private Internet Access
24/7 live chat	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Email	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Phone line	❌ No	❌ No
Guides or articles	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
FAQ	✅ Yes	✅ Yes

If you like to DIY your way out of arising issues, PIA and NordVPN both also provide various tutorials and FAQ.

While both services offer various support options, my experience was much more pleasant with NordVPN. I contacted its customer support and asked for help to unblock the Netflix UK library, which was still geo-restricted right after the NordVPN installation. The agents were polite and quickly resolved minor issues that arose when using the app.

I asked PIA's customer support how to fix the WireGuard connection, as it wasn't working for me at the time being. The agent suggested a solution to reinstall the app in Safe Mode with Networking, which caused issues with my network card and didn't resolve the issue.

Comparison methodology: PIA vs NordVPN

Together with the research team, I followed our rigorous VPN testing process to compare NordVPN and PIA. Here is a summary of the main criteria I evaluated:

1. Security (20%). Safety features are very important for a VPN provider. An unreliable VPN can be a tool that malicious agents use to access your data or damage your device, so I investigated the security features that each VPN provider has.
2. Privacy (15%). A VPN is nothing without privacy guarantees. And while most can offer fairly reliable privacy features, some VPN providers are simply more private than others. Our team and I researched privacy policies and jurisdiction risks and compared the features to determine which VPN is better for privacy.
3. Servers and streaming (15%). Server count, while important, is only as good as what you can do with the access it provides. I checked how each VPN works with streaming and whether it can unblock content libraries and access other geo-restricted content across multiple locations.
4. Features (15%). This criterion is important because it’s the most obvious indication of whether the VPN provider’s pricing is fair or not. The more features (and the better their functionality), the higher I would rate it.
5. P2P support (10%). A VPN is an excellent tool to ensure privacy while P2P file sharing. In this case, both VPN providers showed somewhat equal torrenting performance and P2P support.
6. Platforms and performance (10%). The final evaluation of both VPNs was also influenced by supported platforms, simplicity of apps, and overall performance.
7. Pricing (10%). I looked at the cost of each provider, what plans they offer, and what features are included in those plans. This information allowed me to evaluate which provider offers better value for money.
8. Customer support (5%). The provider that can offer a better customer experience and is overall more helpful is rated higher than the one that lacks in some areas.

PIA vs NordVPN: final verdict

Both NordVPN and PIA are strong VPNs overall. However, the difference between these two is clear – NordVPN excels in all evaluated categories. Although a bit pricier than PIA, NordVPN is also faster, has more servers, and provides better online security.

Feature	NordVPN	PIA	Verdict
Pricing	★ ★ ★ ★ ☆	★ ★ ★ ★ ★	PIA’s plans start at just $1.33/month, whereas NordVPN costs a bit more at $3.49/month. Although the difference isn’t huge, PIA is the more budget-friendly option if you’re looking to save.
Speed	★ ★ ★ ★ ★	★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆	NordVPN outperforms PIA in both download and upload speeds, maintaining a higher percentage of the original connection speed.
Privacy	★ ★ ★ ★ ★	★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆	Both PIA and NordVPN follow a strict no-logs policy, but NordVPN benefits from being under a more privacy-friendly jurisdiction.
Features	★ ★ ★ ★ ☆	★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆	While both offer core features, NordVPN adds extras like Meshnet and specialty servers for greater versatility.
Streaming	★ ★ ★ ★ ★	★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆	NordVPN unblocked all streaming services during our tests. PIA, on the other hand, failed to unblock HBO Max and Disney+.
Torrenting	★ ★ ★ ★ ★	★ ★ ★ ★ ☆	Both providers are great options for torrenting. However, NordVPN has specialized servers for torrenting.
Customer support	★ ★ ★ ★ ★	★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆	Both providers offer reliable customer support, but NordVPN’s agents appear to be more knowledgeable than those of PIA.

FAQ