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Home/VPN Services/Private Internet Access (PIA) vs Surfshark

Private Internet Access (PIA) vs Surfshark

Head-to-head across 5 dimensions — speed, privacy, value, and more. Scores are independent and not influenced by affiliate relationships.

Reviewed by the Clientele Research Team · Last checked 9 days ago (2026-07-15)
Private Internet Access (PIA)
Open-source apps, granular protocol settings, unlimited devices
7.8/10
vs
Surfshark
Unlimited devices, lowest long-term price among audited VPNs
8.8/10WINNER
SCORE BREAKDOWN
DIMENSION
Private Internet Access (PIA)
Surfshark
EDGE
Speed & Performance
How much the VPN slows your connection in real-world tests, and whethe…
6.0
8.0
Surfshark ↑
Privacy & No-Logs Credibility
Whether the no-logs promise has been independently verified — by audit…
9.0
8.0
Private ↑
Streaming & Torrenting
How reliably the VPN unblocks Netflix and other major platforms across…
5.0
9.0
Surfshark ↑
Device Compatibility & Simultaneous Connections
How many devices you can protect at once under one subscription, and w…
10.0
10.0
Tie
Pricing & Subscription Flexibility
What it costs per month on the cheapest long-term plan, how much price…
9.0
9.0
Tie
Overall Score
7.8
8.8
Surfshark wins
OUR VERDICT
Private Internet Access (PIA)

Best for: Technically advanced users who want manual control over VPN protocols, encryption ciphers, and DNS settings. PIA exposes more configuration options than any other mainstream VPN, with fully open-source apps.

Get PIA
Surfshark

Best for: Households or anyone with more than 10 devices who want one subscription to cover everything. Surfshark is the only major audited VPN with no connection limit, starting at $2.49/month on a 2-year plan.

Get Surfshark
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