Private Internet Access review

Private Internet Access (PIA) is a long-time favourite of torrent users, and the reasons are practical: port forwarding and a SOCKS5 proxy are included at no extra cost, you can connect unlimited devices, and its no-logs policy has held up in court. It is also one of the cheapest VPNs on long plans. The main thing to weigh is that it is based in the United States.

What is Private Internet Access?

PIA launched in 2010 and has been owned since 2019 by Kape Technologies, the same group behind ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. It is headquartered in the United States, a Five Eyes country. Its network covers around 90 countries and every US state, although many locations are virtual. The servers run in RAM only, and all its apps and browser extensions are open source.

Is Private Internet Access safe?

Yes, with one caveat. PIA is one of the few VPNs whose no-logs claim has been tested in court: in cases in 2016 and 2018 it was asked for user data and stated it had none to give. Deloitte has also audited its no-logs setup, most recently in 2024. The caveat is jurisdiction – being in the US means it can receive American legal requests, even if it has nothing to hand over. OpenVPN uses AES-128 by default, which is secure and fast; you can switch to AES-256 in the settings.

Is Private Internet Access good for torrenting?

It is one of the best VPNs for it. P2P is allowed on all servers, and port forwarding is included – historically not on US servers, so pick a location outside the US when you need an open port. The included SOCKS5 proxy can be set directly in your torrent client, and the Advanced Kill Switch blocks internet access even when the app is closed, so your real IP never leaks to the swarm. Split tunneling is available on Windows, macOS and Android.

PIA speed and protocols

PIA supports WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2. Independent tests are mixed: some report solid speeds, others large drops and high latency on distant servers. Use WireGuard and a nearby server for the best results; it is fine for HD streaming and downloads, but not as consistently fast as NordVPN or Surfshark.

Does PIA work with Netflix and streaming?

Partly. Reviews report that it unblocks US Netflix, Disney+ and BBC iPlayer, but results for other Netflix libraries and Amazon Prime Video are inconsistent. Apps cover Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Android TV and Apple TV, plus browser extensions and routers. MACE blocks ads, trackers and malicious domains at DNS level.

PIA price and plans

PIA is one of the cheapest big VPNs on long plans: about $2 per month on the 3-year plan, around $3.33 per month on the yearly plan and about $12 on a monthly plan; prices vary by country and promotion. Antivirus and a dedicated IP are paid extras, but port forwarding and SOCKS5 are included. Every plan has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

PIA vs Proton VPN, PureVPN and Surfshark

PIA and Proton VPN are the two best choices for private-tracker users, because both include port forwarding: Proton wins on privacy and jurisdiction, PIA on price, unlimited devices and the SOCKS5 proxy. PureVPN charges extra for port forwarding, and Surfshark also offers unlimited devices but no port forwarding. All our picks are in the VPN category.

Private Internet Access FAQ

Does PIA keep logs?

No. Its no-logs policy has been confirmed in court cases in 2016 and 2018 and audited by Deloitte.

Does PIA have port forwarding?

Yes, included at no extra cost – historically not on US servers.

How many devices can I use with PIA?

Unlimited, on every plan.

Who owns Private Internet Access?

Kape Technologies, since 2019 – the same group that owns ExpressVPN.

Verdict

Private Internet Access is a top pick for torrenting: port forwarding and SOCKS5 included, unlimited devices, open-source apps and a no-logs policy proven in court, all at a low price on long plans. If US jurisdiction or inconsistent speeds bother you, Proton VPN is the privacy-first alternative.