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Proton VPN vs Private Internet Access (PIA)

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)
Proton VPN
Open-source apps, four consecutive annual privacy audits, free tier with no data cap
8.0/10WINNER
vs
Private Internet Access (PIA)
Open-source apps, granular protocol settings, unlimited devices
7.8/10
SCORE BREAKDOWN
DIMENSION
Proton VPN
Private Internet Access (PIA)
EDGE
Speed & Performance
How much the VPN slows your connection in real-world tests, and whethe…
7.0
6.0
Proton ↑
Privacy & No-Logs Credibility
Whether the no-logs promise has been independently verified — by audit…
10.0
9.0
Proton ↑
Streaming & Torrenting
How reliably the VPN unblocks Netflix and other major platforms across…
8.0
5.0
Proton ↑
Device Compatibility & Simultaneous Connections
How many devices you can protect at once under one subscription, and w…
7.0
10.0
Private ↑
Pricing & Subscription Flexibility
What it costs per month on the cheapest long-term plan, how much price…
8.0
9.0
Private ↑
Overall Score
8.0
7.8
Proton wins
OUR VERDICT
Proton VPN

Best for: Journalists, activists, and privacy-first users who want fully audited open-source apps backed by a Swiss nonprofit. The free plan has no data cap.

Get Proton VPN
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
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