Softwr

Browser Extensions · head to head

Privacy Badger vs Private Internet Access

Privacy Badger logo

Privacy Badger

Browser Extensions

Automatically learn to block invisible trackers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
P

Private Internet Access

Cybersecurity

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 Privacy Badger has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Privacy Badger it is not an ad blocker; the project states its aim is to prevent non-consensual tracking rather than to block ads; Private Internet Access monthly plan is priced noticeably higher than the discounted multi-year commitments, penalizing short-term users.
  • They diverge on capability: Privacy Badger covers Automatic tracker detection, Private Internet Access covers Split tunneling.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Privacy Badger and Private Internet Access differ
AttributePrivacy BadgerPrivate Internet Access
Starting priceFree$11.99/month
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsChrome, Firefox, Edge, Operawindows, mac, linux, ios, android
CategoryBrowser ExtensionsCybersecurity
Founded1990Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Privacy Badger

  • Automatic tracker detection
  • Learning algorithm
  • Do Not Track support
  • No filter lists required
  • Chrome support
  • Firefox support
  • Edge support
  • Opera support

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.

Privacy Badger

  • Blocking third-party trackers that follow users across websitesnot Private Internet Access
  • Sending Do Not Track and Global Privacy Control signalsnot Private Internet Access
  • Disabling social media tracking widgets like Facebook Like buttonsnot Private Internet Access
  • Preventing canvas fingerprinting across websitesnot Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access

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

Where each one falls short

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

Privacy Badger

  • It is not an ad blocker; the project states its aim is to prevent non-consensual tracking rather than to block ads
  • There is no Safari build, and Safari on iOS lacks extension capabilities Privacy Badger needs to work
  • Chrome on Android does not support extensions, so Android users have to switch to Firefox or Edge
  • Protection is aimed at third-party trackers and does not comprehensively cover tracking by the site you are actually visiting

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

Privacy Badger

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Automatic tracker learning
    • Third-party blocking
    • Do Not Track

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 Privacy Badger if

  • You need automatic tracker detection.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera.
  • You also want learning algorithm.
Privacy Badger 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 Privacy Badger or Private Internet Access better?
Neither clearly leads. Privacy Badger 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, Privacy Badger or Private Internet Access?
Privacy Badger has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Privacy Badger and $11.99/month for Private Internet Access.
Does Privacy Badger or Private Internet Access run on more platforms?
Privacy Badger runs on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera. Private Internet Access runs on windows, mac, linux, ios, android.
Can I use Privacy Badger for free?
Yes. Privacy Badger has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Private Internet Access starts at $11.99/month.
What is Privacy Badger best used for?
Privacy Badger is most often used for blocking third-party trackers that follow users across websites, sending do not track and global privacy control signals, disabling social media tracking widgets like facebook like buttons, preventing canvas fingerprinting across websites. Of those, blocking third-party trackers that follow users across websites and sending do not track and global privacy control signals are not what Private Internet Access is typically brought in for.
What can Privacy Badger do that Private Internet Access cannot?
Privacy Badger covers Automatic tracker detection, Learning algorithm, Do Not Track support, No filter lists required. Private Internet Access covers Split tunneling, Kill switch, Ad and tracker blocking, Dedicated IP add-on.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Privacy Badger: How much does Privacy Badger cost?

Privacy Badger is free browser extension made by the Electronic Frontier Foundation. There are no pricing tiers or subscription costs. The project accepts donations to support EFF's work.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on Privacy Badger

More on Private Internet Access

Keep looking

Other head to heads