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Private Internet Access vs ProtonVPN

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
ProtonVPN logo

ProtonVPN

Software

High-speed Swiss VPN that safeguards your privacy

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only ProtonVPN has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Private Internet Access monthly plan is priced noticeably higher than the discounted multi-year commitments, penalizing short-term users.; ProtonVPN free plan limited to one device at a time
  • They diverge on capability: Private Internet Access covers Kill switch, ProtonVPN covers No-logs policy.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Private Internet Access and ProtonVPN differ
AttributePrivate Internet AccessProtonVPN
Starting price$11.99/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
Platformswindows, mac, linux, ios, androidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
FoundedUnknown2014

Identical on both: 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 Private Internet Access

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

Only in ProtonVPN

  • No-logs policy
  • Secure Core
  • Kill Switch
  • DNS leak protection
  • Tor over VPN
  • NetShield ad-blocker
  • VPN Accelerator
  • Tor network

Both cover

  • Split tunneling

What people use each for

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

Private Internet Access

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

ProtonVPN

  • Privacy-focused browsing without subscription costnot Private Internet Access
  • Multi-device protection with Plus plan supporting 10 devicesnot Private Internet Access
  • Integrated access to Proton email and cloud services via Unlimited plannot Private Internet Access

Where each one falls short

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

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.

ProtonVPN

  • Free plan limited to one device at a time
  • Free plan restricted to 10 countries with random selection
  • Pricing amounts not clearly published; shown as variable

Pricing, plan by plan

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

ProtonVPN

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the ProtonVPN review.

Which should you pick?

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

Choose ProtonVPN if

  • You need no-logs policy.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
  • You also want secure core.
ProtonVPN review

Questions people ask

Is Private Internet Access or ProtonVPN better?
Neither clearly leads. Private Internet Access starts at $11.99/month and ProtonVPN at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Private Internet Access or ProtonVPN?
ProtonVPN has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $11.99/month for Private Internet Access and Free for ProtonVPN.
Does Private Internet Access or ProtonVPN run on more platforms?
Private Internet Access runs on windows, mac, linux, ios, android. ProtonVPN runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
Can I use ProtonVPN for free?
Yes. ProtonVPN has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Private Internet Access starts at $11.99/month.
What is Private Internet Access best used for?
Private Internet Access is most often used for encrypting traffic on public wi-fi with a kill switch, blocking ads and trackers network-wide via mace, maintaining a consistent connection identity with a dedicated ip add-on, committing to a long-term plan for a lower effective monthly rate. Of those, encrypting traffic on public wi-fi with a kill switch and blocking ads and trackers network-wide via mace are not what ProtonVPN is typically brought in for.
What can Private Internet Access do that ProtonVPN cannot?
Private Internet Access covers Kill switch, Ad and tracker blocking, Dedicated IP add-on, Bundled antivirus add-on. ProtonVPN covers No-logs policy, Secure Core, Kill Switch, DNS leak protection. Both handle Split tunneling.
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