Personal Web Entry VPN Evaluate (2023): Pricing, Execs & Cons

Personal Web Entry has been a long-time participant within the VPN area. It has an enormous server fleet that spans throughout 91 international locations and presents quick speeds by way of its customizable utility. Supported platforms embody Home windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Sensible TVs and routers.

Whereas its operation within the surveillance-heavy United States could sway some customers, PIA’s steadiness of safety, pace and value make it a powerful VPN resolution this yr.

Soar to:

Personal Web Entry VPN pricing

All three subscriptions for PIA include the identical set of options, so that you received’t have to fret about lacking any key options for those who select one plan over the opposite.

PIA VPN’s one-year subscription is probably the most affordable at $3.33 per thirty days. It slots in on the center tier by way of VPN pricing for a yearly plan.

The three-year plan can also be very reasonably priced at $1.98 per thirty days, however the $2-dollar spend might not be price it for those who don’t need the three-year-long time funding. Lastly, PIA VPN’s one-month plan is dearer than many opponents, so it’s greatest to go along with both of the 2 former subscriptions as a substitute.

Like most fashionable VPNs, PIA presents a 30-day money-back assure for the three plans. Whereas I do want that PIA had a full-fledged free model (which might be nice for first-time VPN customers), it does present a seven-day trial by way of its cellular utility (iOS and Android).

In my testing, I discovered that I may use the identical account I obtained by way of the seven-day cellular free trial after which log right into a desktop model of PIA utilizing the identical credentials. Having a devoted desktop free trial is most popular, however the workaround for the free trial was painless and straightforward to arrange.

My suggestion could be to completely make the most of the seven-day cellular free trial and apply it to your desktop or machine of selection. This fashion, you get some hands-on time with the service with out spending on an preliminary fee.

Is Personal Web Entry VPN secure?

PIA VPN comes with two of an important safety protocols right this moment: OpenVPN and WireGuard. This provides customers steadiness of safety (with OpenVPN) and pace (with WireGuard). It additionally makes use of 256-bit AES encryption, has a dependable kill change and protects in opposition to DNS leaks.

With PIA VPN’s firm background, there are drawbacks. First, PIA operates in america, which generally is a purple flag for customers which might be cautious of the nation’s surveillance practices. Subsequent is PIA VPN’s possession. Like CyberGhost VPN, it’s at the moment owned by Kape Applied sciences — which acquired PIA again in 2019.

Kape (previously Crossrider) had been related to distributing malware and adware earlier than it rebranded and began transferring into the cybersecurity {industry}. PIA itself addressed the acquisition and emphasised that the VPN service operates as a separate entity impartial of Kape.

When it comes to addressing safety issues, PIA VPN does have a no-logs coverage, which states that it doesn’t preserve information of consumer IP addresses, shopping historical past, session timestamps and the like.

This no-logs coverage has been independently confirmed and verified by Deloitte in 2022. The VPN service additionally makes use of RAM-only servers, which implies any doable traces of consumer information are mechanically erased upon reboot.

Lastly, the corporate has a public Transparency Report that outlines courtroom orders and requests for logs. It reiterates that as a result of the service doesn’t log any data, it doesn’t hand over any information to regulation enforcement.

For my part, whereas PIA’s possession and US operations are legitimate issues, the service has executed sufficient to point out that it’s a secure and viable VPN service in 2023.

Key options of Personal Web Entry VPN

PIA VPN comes with each industry-standard and distinctive VPN options for potential VPN patrons. Let’s check out a few of PIA’s spotlight options.

Spectacular server fleet

Determine A

PIA VPN presents servers unfold out throughout 91 international locations, giving customers a broad vary of areas to select from. As well as, whereas PIA doesn’t promote the precise server depend it has, it reportedly has round 10,000 to virtually 35,000 servers.

These are very spectacular numbers, particularly since high VPN opponents solely have round 3,000-5,000 servers. The excessive server depend will profit customers who plan on unblocking geo-restricted content material or desire a high quality server close to their location for quicker speeds.

PIA additionally not too long ago introduced that it now has 50 servers in all 50 U.S. states.

Determine B

When you’re a US citizen, this can be a helpful value-add that can will let you watch blocked sports activities or information packages or entry geo-restricted accounts and companies solely obtainable in particular states.

Customizable VPN expertise

PIA permits customers to customise their VPN expertise in a couple of methods. A technique is thru its automation function, which lets you set automated actions for the VPN every time it connects to a given community.

Determine C

For instance, you possibly can set PIA to activate the VPN in case your machine connects to an Open or unsecure community or have it turned off for those who join through an ethernet cable.

PIA VPN additionally permits customers to bookmark or pin sure elements of the appliance to look on high.

Determine D

This can be a easy and handy usability function that enables for larger customization, particularly if customers need to preserve monitor of sure options or stats over others.

Limitless machine connections

PIA now permits a limiteless variety of simultaneous machine connections with one subscription. The service previously had a 10-device restrict, and whereas that was within the higher vary of allowed machine connections, the improve to having limitless connections is welcome nonetheless.

That is an underrated function, particularly for VPN customers who’ve a number of gadgets for work or private use.

Efficiency: Is Personal Web Entry VPN quick?

All through my testing of PIA, I obtained moderately quick speeds. I used the VPN to look at 4K and 1080p YouTube movies, attend on-line video conferences and do work on Google Workspace apps (Drive, Docs and Hold) — with no noticeable lag or real-world slowdown. PIA VPN additionally carried out properly by way of obtain and add speeds. Specifically, the add pace I obtained whereas utilizing PIA was one of many lowest drops in pace I’ve recorded to date.

It additionally didn’t fail by way of DNS leak safety. I ran PIA VPN by way of a public DNS leak software a number of instances and didn’t document any leaks after a spherical of exams with totally different servers.

For in-app efficiency, I discovered that PIA was one of many quickest VPNs I’ve used to date. Specifically, it was one of many quickest by way of switching servers and establishing new connections. Altering servers felt fast and snappy, at the same time as I related to areas that have been farther away.

Sadly, I did expertise one bug that retains PIA’s efficiency from being good. The primary time I converted to the WireGuard protocol, PIA couldn’t hook up with a server. This occurred even when I switched to servers that have been nearer my location — a stark distinction to the app’s efficiency whereas on OpenVPN. Nevertheless, after restarting the appliance twice, the bug appeared to resolve itself and I used to be in a position to join.

Per my analysis, there are a couple of customers who’ve skilled an identical challenge, however it does appear to be a bug that’s been fastened and is now simply resolvable.

Personal Web Entry VPN servers and areas

Whereas PIA VPN at the moment doesn’t present an actual variety of its server varieties, it has previously declared round 10,000 to 35,000 servers. These servers are unfold out throughout 91 international locations. This quantity makes it one of many largest server suites obtainable right this moment.

Location-wise, PIA has servers within the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Center East, Africa and Central Asia. Of be aware, PIA has at the very least one server in all 50 U.S. states — a plus for those who’re a U.S. citizen trying to make the most of servers in numerous U.S. states.

Sadly, PIA VPN doesn’t provide specialised servers for streaming or torrenting. It does have what it calls PIA NextGen servers. These are colocated servers wholly owned and managed by PIA that run on higher, quicker and safer {hardware}.

General, it’s exhausting to argue in opposition to a server suite that reaches the tens and hundreds, and the 50 servers for 50 U.S. states are additionally useful. However I do want that PIA had extra specialised server varieties for safety, streaming or torrenting to refine its server community much more.

PIA VPN execs

• Spectacular 10,000-35,000 server suite.
• Very customizable VPN expertise.
• Servers for all 50 U.S. states.
• Dependable kill change.
• Quick add and obtain speeds.
• 7-day trial through cellular variations.

PIA VPN cons

• US-based, owned by controversial Kape Applied sciences.
• No free model.
• No specialised servers.
• WireGuard protocol could also be buggy.

How good is PIA VPN?

Personal Web Entry VPN is a stable VPN selection in 2023. It has an enormous server fleet, a customizable VPN app and the power for limitless machine connections. Its 50 servers for 50 U.S. states additionally make it a chief selection for People searching for servers particular to america.

Whereas its U.S. operations and guardian firm could trigger some concern, PIA VPN will get sufficient issues proper to make it a really viable VPN possibility right this moment.

Personal Web Entry VPN options

Whereas PIA VPN is a high quality VPN service, it could not have the correct set of options on your wants. We’ve listed related options under which will swimsuit what you’re searching for higher.

Atlas VPN

When you’re searching for an reasonably priced VPN resolution, Atlas VPN is without doubt one of the greatest decisions. It has a novel IP-address swapping function, limitless machine connectivity and quick speeds. It even has a full-fledged free model if you wish to strive a service with out an preliminary fee.

NordVPN

NordVPN is without doubt one of the most well-regarded VPNs within the area. It presents constant and quick speeds, a strong server fleet and quite a few third-party audits. It additionally options specialised safety features similar to built-in malware safety and an encrypted file-sharing system that make it an all-around safety platform.

Surfshark

Surfshark is one other in style VPN possibility in 2023. It has an easy-to-use interface suited to newcomers, sturdy encryption and 24/7 buyer assist. It additionally has fame for unblocking streaming content material.

How we evaluated Personal Web Entry VPN

My overview of PIA VPN concerned an in depth evaluation of its spotlight options, price and real-world efficiency. I additionally had hands-on time with PIA by way of their Home windows utility.

For add and obtain speeds, I examined PIA VPN utilizing Ookla’s public Speedtest. In the meantime, I ran PIA VPN by way of DNSLeakTest a number of instances to check for DNS leaks.

Lastly, I scored PIA VPN on the whole lot from its protocols to its value primarily based on an inner algorithm to get a score of 4.2 out of 5 stars. This score checked out PIA VPN each by itself and in relation to different VPN companies obtainable right this moment.