Trying to decide between Private Internet Access (PIA) and NordVPN? Both are solid VPN services, but they take different approaches to privacy, speed, and features. Here’s a straightforward comparison to help you pick the right one.
This article contains affiliate links.
Quick Comparison
Key specs side by side
| Feature | NordVPN | PIA |
|---|---|---|
| Servers | 8,900+ in 120+ countries | 35,000+ in 84 countries |
| Protocol | NordLynx (WireGuard-based) | WireGuard / OpenVPN |
| Simultaneous devices | 6 | Unlimited |
| Starting price | $3.39/mo | $2.19/mo |
| No-logs audit | ✅ PwC audited | ✅ Court-proven |
| Open-source apps | ❌ | ✅ |
| Ad/malware blocking | Threat Protection Pro | PIA MACE |
Security and Privacy
How each provider handles your data
| Security feature | NordVPN | PIA |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption | AES-256 | AES-256 (or AES-128 option) |
| Double VPN | ✅ | ❌ |
| Onion over VPN | ✅ | ❌ |
| RAM-only servers | ✅ | ❌ |
| Kill switch | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open-source code | ❌ | ✅ |
| No-logs proof | Independent audit (PwC) | Proven in court (multiple times) |
Both providers take privacy seriously, but in different ways. NordVPN offers more advanced security features like Double VPN and RAM-only servers. PIA wins on transparency — their apps are fully open-source and their no-logs policy has been tested in real court cases.
Speed and Performance
Real-world speed comparison
| Test | NordVPN | PIA |
|---|---|---|
| Nearby server speed retention | 90-95% | 80-88% |
| Long-distance speed retention | 70-85% | 65-78% |
| Fastest protocol | NordLynx | WireGuard |
| Latency (nearby) | Very low | Low |
NordVPN is consistently faster, thanks to NordLynx — their custom WireGuard implementation with additional optimizations. PIA delivers perfectly usable speeds, but NordVPN has a clear edge if speed is your priority.
Features Comparison
Extra tools and capabilities
| Feature | NordVPN | PIA |
|---|---|---|
| Threat Protection (ad/malware blocking) | ✅ Advanced | ✅ Basic (MACE) |
| Meshnet (private network) | ✅ | ❌ |
| Dark Web Monitor | ✅ | ❌ |
| Split tunneling | ✅ | ✅ |
| Dedicated IP | ✅ (add-on) | ✅ (add-on) |
| Obfuscated servers | ✅ | ❌ |
| Port forwarding | ❌ | ✅ |
NordVPN has a bigger feature set overall — Meshnet, Dark Web Monitor, and obfuscated servers give it an edge for most users. PIA’s advantage is port forwarding, which is important for torrenting and self-hosting.
Pricing
Cost breakdown
| Plan | NordVPN | PIA |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $12.99/mo | $11.95/mo |
| 1-Year | $4.59/mo | $3.33/mo |
| 2-Year+ | $3.39/mo | $2.19/mo |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
PIA is cheaper across every plan length. If budget is your top concern and you don’t need NordVPN’s advanced features, PIA offers strong value.
Which Should You Choose?
Best pick by priority
| Your priority | Better choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fastest speeds | NordVPN | NordLynx outperforms standard WireGuard |
| Most features | NordVPN | Meshnet, Dark Web Monitor, Double VPN |
| Open-source transparency | PIA | Fully open-source apps |
| Lowest price | PIA | $2.19/mo vs $3.39/mo |
| Unlimited devices | PIA | No connection limit |
| Port forwarding | PIA | NordVPN doesn’t offer it |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NordVPN worth the extra cost over PIA?
For most users, yes. NordVPN’s faster speeds, larger country coverage, and advanced features like Threat Protection Pro and Meshnet justify the price difference. PIA is the better pick if budget and open-source transparency are your priorities.
Which has better privacy?
Both are excellent. NordVPN has independent audits and RAM-only servers. PIA has open-source apps and court-proven no-logs claims. It depends on which form of verification you trust more.
Can I try both risk-free?
Yes — both offer 30-day money-back guarantees. You can test each one and decide which fits your needs better.
Conclusion
NordVPN wins on speed, features, and server coverage across more countries. PIA wins on price, unlimited devices, open-source transparency, and port forwarding. For most people, NordVPN delivers the better overall experience — but PIA is a strong choice if you’re budget-conscious or value open-source software.
