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Software · head to head

NordVPN vs Private Internet Access

NordVPN logo

NordVPN

Software

The best online VPN service for speed and security

From
$3.99/month
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

  • Each has a real cost: NordVPN the App Store listing states the app is free to download but is non-functional without purchasing a subscription first; no price figure appears anywhere in the listing itself, only the requirement to buy a plan before VPN access works.; Private Internet Access monthly plan is priced noticeably higher than the discounted multi-year commitments, penalizing short-term users.
  • They diverge on capability: NordVPN covers Military-grade encryption, Private Internet Access covers Kill switch.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where NordVPN and Private Internet Access differ
AttributeNordVPNPrivate Internet Access
Starting price$3.99/month$11.99/month
PlatformsWeb, Desktop, Mobile, Apiwindows, mac, linux, ios, android
Founded2012Unknown

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), 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 NordVPN

  • Military-grade encryption
  • No-logs policy
  • Kill Switch
  • Double VPN
  • Onion over VPN
  • Threat Protection
  • Meshnet
  • Chrome extension

Only in Private Internet Access

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

Both cover

  • Split tunneling

What people use each for

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

NordVPN

  • Vpnnot Private Internet Access
  • Privacynot Private Internet Access
  • Online Securitynot Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access

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

Where each one falls short

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

NordVPN

  • The App Store listing states the app is free to download but is non-functional without purchasing a subscription first; no price figure appears anywhere in the listing itself, only the requirement to buy a plan before VPN access works.

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

NordVPN

$3.99/month
  • Standard$3.99/month
    • 6 devices
    • 5,500+ servers
    • Threat Protection Lite
  • Plus$4.99/month
    • All Standard features
    • Threat Protection Pro
    • NordPass password manager
  • Complete$5.99/month
    • All Plus features
    • NordLocker 1TB encrypted cloud
    • Identity theft protection

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 NordVPN if

  • You need military-grade encryption.
  • You work on Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api.
  • You also want no-logs policy.
NordVPN review

Choose Private Internet Access if

  • You need kill switch.
  • You work on windows, mac, linux, ios, android.
  • You also want ad and tracker blocking.
Private Internet Access review

Questions people ask

Is NordVPN or Private Internet Access better?
Neither clearly leads. NordVPN starts at $3.99/month 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, NordVPN or Private Internet Access?
NordVPN starts at $3.99/month and Private Internet Access at $11.99/month.
Does NordVPN or Private Internet Access run on more platforms?
NordVPN runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api. Private Internet Access runs on windows, mac, linux, ios, android.
What is NordVPN best used for?
NordVPN is most often used for vpn, privacy, online security. Of those, vpn and privacy are not what Private Internet Access is typically brought in for.
What can NordVPN do that Private Internet Access cannot?
NordVPN covers Military-grade encryption, No-logs policy, Kill Switch, Double VPN. Private Internet Access covers Kill switch, Ad and tracker blocking, Dedicated IP add-on, Bundled antivirus add-on. Both handle Split tunneling.
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