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Bitwarden vs Private Internet Access

Bitwarden logo

Bitwarden

Software

Open source password management for everyone

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Private Internet Access logo

Private Internet Access

Software

Long-standing VPN service with a large server network and flexible multi-year plans

From
$11.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Bitwarden has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Bitwarden the integrated TOTP authenticator, encrypted file attachments, vault health reports and Emergency Access are all withheld from the free plan and need Premium at $1.65 per month; Private Internet Access monthly plan is priced noticeably higher than the discounted multi-year commitments, penalizing short-term users.
  • They diverge on capability: Bitwarden covers Unlimited password storage, Private Internet Access covers Split tunneling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bitwarden and Private Internet Access actually diverge.

Attributes where Bitwarden and Private Internet Access differ
AttributeBitwardenPrivate Internet Access
Starting priceFree$11.99/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, Cliwindows, mac, linux, ios, android
Founded2016Unknown

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Bitwarden

  • Unlimited password storage
  • Cross-platform sync
  • Secure password sharing
  • Password generator
  • Two-factor authentication
  • Encrypted file attachments
  • Vault health reports
  • Emergency access

Only in Private Internet Access

  • Split tunneling
  • Kill switch
  • Ad and tracker blocking
  • Dedicated IP add-on
  • Bundled antivirus add-on

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Bitwarden

  • Personal password managementnot Private Internet Access
  • Team credential sharingnot Private Internet Access
  • Enterprise securitynot Private Internet Access
  • Compliance requirementsnot Private Internet Access
  • Developer secrets managementnot Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access

  • Encrypting traffic on public Wi-Fi with a kill switchnot Bitwarden
  • Blocking ads and trackers network-wide via MACEnot Bitwarden
  • Maintaining a consistent connection identity with a dedicated IP add-onnot Bitwarden
  • Committing to a long-term plan for a lower effective monthly ratenot Bitwarden

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Bitwarden

  • The integrated TOTP authenticator, encrypted file attachments, vault health reports and Emergency Access are all withheld from the free plan and need Premium at $1.65 per month
  • Free accounts can share vault items with one other Bitwarden user and no more
  • File storage is capped at 5 GB on Premium and 5 GB personal plus 5 GB family on the Families plan
  • Two-step login accepts up to 10 hardware security keys per account
  • The Families plan is capped at 6 people, so a seventh member means moving to a Teams subscription at $4 per user per month

Private Internet Access

  • Monthly plan is priced noticeably higher than the discounted multi-year commitments, penalizing short-term users.
  • Dedicated IP and antivirus are paid add-ons rather than included features.
  • Headquartered in a jurisdiction whose privacy reputation some competitors market against, despite audited no-logs claims.
  • App interface is less streamlined than some higher-priced premium VPN competitors.

Pricing, plan by plan

Bitwarden

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited passwords
    • 2 users (organizations)
    • Sync all devices
  • Teams$3/month
    • Everything in Free
    • Unlimited users
    • Shared collections
  • Enterprise$6/month
    • Everything in Teams
    • SSO integration
    • Enterprise policies

Private Internet Access

$11.99/month
  • Monthly$11.99/month
    • Billed month to month
    • Full server network access
    • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • 1-Year$3.1/month
    • Billed annually at $37.19
    • Full server network access
  • 2-Year$2.19/month
    • Lowest advertised rate, billed every 2 years
    • Full server network access

Which should you pick?

Choose Bitwarden if

  • You need unlimited password storage.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, Cli.
  • You also want cross-platform sync.
Bitwarden review

Choose Private Internet Access if

  • You need split tunneling.
  • You work on windows, mac, linux, ios, android.
  • You also want kill switch.
Private Internet Access review

Questions people ask

Is Bitwarden or Private Internet Access better?
Neither clearly leads. Bitwarden starts at Free and Private Internet Access at $11.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bitwarden or Private Internet Access?
Bitwarden has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Bitwarden and $11.99/month for Private Internet Access.
Does Bitwarden or Private Internet Access run on more platforms?
Bitwarden runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, Cli. Private Internet Access runs on windows, mac, linux, ios, android.
Can I use Bitwarden for free?
Yes. Bitwarden has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Private Internet Access starts at $11.99/month.
What is Bitwarden best used for?
Bitwarden is most often used for personal password management, team credential sharing, enterprise security, compliance requirements. Of those, personal password management and team credential sharing are not what Private Internet Access is typically brought in for.
What can Bitwarden do that Private Internet Access cannot?
Bitwarden covers Unlimited password storage, Cross-platform sync, Secure password sharing, Password generator. Private Internet Access covers Split tunneling, Kill switch, Ad and tracker blocking, Dedicated IP add-on.
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