NordVPN vs Private Internet Access (PIA) in 2023

NordVPN vs Private Internet Access Reviews – The Comparison

In our comparison today, we looked into several important aspects listed below:

1. Servers and Network
2. Speed
3. Streaming
4. Torrenting
5. Ease of Use
6. Compatibility
7. Jurisdiction
8. Privacy
9. Security

1. NordVPN vs Private Internet Access – What are the available servers and network?

Number of Servers

A VPN service is really as good as the number of servers available for users to connect to. All the best VPNs can afford to maintain a huge server and IP address park. This way the users can be evenly distributed among the servers to maintain speed and stability.

As of today, NordVPN is packed with more than 5,600 servers while PIA is at 3,375. Does Private Internet Access work? While NordVPN wins in this category by a huge margin, PIA is still one of the top VPNs in terms of number of servers.

Number of Countries

The servers locations offered by Private Internet Access or IPVanish must be considered, to allow great internet accessibility to their uses.. Generally, most VPN users prefer to hide their IP addresses, however, there is still a significant number of netizens that need an IP based in an “obscure” state such as in the case of accessing location restricted media content.

NordVPN supports 60 different countries while Private Internet Access has 32. Below is a list of countries available on NordVPN but not on Private Internet Access.

Overall, NordVPN offers much almost double the download speed of PIA across different countries. This could partly be due to NordVPN’s larger server network as compared to Private Internet Access. If performance is your top priority, NordVPN may be the better option to go for.

3. NordVPN vs PIA – Which is more ideal to access Netflix & streaming?

If you are a major Netflix lover, you’d be curious on the capability of your VPN in streaming services. Fortunately, NordVPN is able to access US Netflix without any issues but I still get redirected to an error page when I open Netflix through PIA. In any case, streaming Netflix through a VPN is often hit-or-miss as there are only a handful of VPN services that unblock Netflix. 

NordVPN proves to be a better pick for Netflix fans as it works effortlessly to unblock content in the US, UK, Canada, France, Japan, and Brazil. This provider is well-equipped for consistent streaming with their great choice of servers and proprietary SmartPlay DNS feature.

Overall, NordVPN unblocks a large number of streaming services, both in the US and internationally, which includes Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, HBO, Showtime, and others.

Private Internet Access does not reliably block any of the streaming services, although some of their servers do provide access to Netflix at random times. All-in-all, it’s not the VPN to go for if you’re looking to stream media.

4. NordVPN vs PIA – Which offers better Torrenting accessibility?

The great news is that NordVPN and PIA allow P2P connections on their servers. With that said, NordVPN has a quality-of-life torrenting feature that is not present in PIA. This makes it one of the best VPN for torrenting. You can find a separate tab in their app for you to choose from more than 4,400 servers to connect to.

PIA, on the other hand, is a little more spartan. Though you can still connect to any server for secure torrenting, their P2P-optimized servers mean the VPN silently reroutes your connection if P2P traffic is detected. The resulting double-hopping will likely slow your connection down and it is still better to pick the right server from the very start.

To further complicate the mix, PIA even adds a port forwarding feature for you to use. This is a feature that NordVPN does not offer but it’s only available on a handful of servers in Canada, Switzerland, France, Sweden, Germany, Romania, Israel, and the Netherlands. This feature is not too well explained on their website so you may need to take a trip to the forums to find out more details.

On top of that, NordVPN and PIA support SOCKS5 proxies which require an extra authentication instead of just encryption. These proxies also tend to provide better speeds.

Lastly, since PIA is a US-based service, they are obliged to follow a strict Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) policy. This may not be the best thing if you’re a major torrenting fan. NordVPN, however, is based in Panama and is therefore not as vulnerable to DMCA notices.

5. NordVPN vs PIA – Which is more user-friendly?

What good would a VPN be if you face a difficult time trying to use it? Both NordVPN and PIA understands this and that is why their apps have stylish and intuitive interfaces.

NordVPN likes to keep things simple with a sharp design and a one-click protection with their quick connect button. You can also easily access their full server list presented on the main menu to quickly pick a specific location to connect to. The settings tab is easy to find with a decently long and organized list of everything you can tinker with.

For PIA, their app design features a much more compact and mobile-like style. While you can’t move the app around, you can customize it by adding quick settings, recent servers, and info on data usage and performance. PIA’s settings tab is divided into six categories, but their overall features stay about the same as NordVPN.

Another nifty feature is that PIA has the option to enable Dark theme that really boosts the app’s appearance. PIA also provides users with a little more freedom when it comes to connection settings.

6. NordVPN vs PIA – Which is more compatible?

As one of the best commercial VPNs available on the market, NordVPN and PIA work seamlessly on a variety of platforms. They both have dedicated apps for each major operating system, as well as specialized support for many other devices that allow simutalneous connections.

Windows

The majority of internet users prefer Windows operating system and both VPNs work impressively here. NordVPN app support starts from Windows 7 and up – similar to PIA. Although, NordVPN does have a little more flexibility with manual setups for XP and Vista versions.

Macintosh

NordVPN does require you to upgrade to at least version 10.10 (Sierra) for their app to work, while PIA requires version 10.11 (El Capitan) and higher. And again, NordVPN offers slightly more flexibility than PIA here.

Android

PIA and NordVPN are compatible with most of the  the newer and older Android versions, thought PIA requires an Android 4.1 and above. Other than that, the VPN apps can even be installed onto your Android TV.

For those who do not want to go through the Google Play Store, you can opt to download the app’s APK directly from NordVPN or PIA website.

iOS

PIA and NordVPN have native apps for your Apple devices, but you’ll need at least an iOS0 for either to work.

Linux

NordVPN fares a little worse off as it has limited Linux support compared to PIA. Both work on the Debian distros, but PIA is also compatible with Ubuntu (16.04+), Mint (18+), and Arch.

Routers

PIA and NordVPN work with a wide array of router firmware such as DD-WRT, Tomato, and pfSense. Though NordVPN has a slight advantage with their support for additional firmware.

If you’re trying to set up a VPN router by yourself, you can easily browse through their well-written tutorials and extra resources from both services. There are even pre-configured routers available for both VPN services via third-party vendors.

Other Platforms

NordVPN supports the following platforms

• Browser extensions (Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Internet Explorer)
• BlackBerry
• Kodi
• Media and gaming consoles (via router)
• Smart TVs (via router)

Private Internet Access supports the following platforms:

• Browser extensions (Chrome, Firefox, Opera)

7. Jurisdiction

If you’re concerned about the safety of your data, you need to take a good look at where your VPN service provider is based at. There have been many cases in the United States where government agencies have forced VPNs to handover user information. That is why it is important to look for a VPN provider that is in a “Safe” location far away from the fourteen eyes alliances.

In terms of jurisdiction, NordVPN is based in Panama which is much better than the US-based PIA. Panama is not a member of any of the international surveillance alliances and is not obligated to submit your information to the authorities.

Private Internet Access is headquartered in the United States and is considered as a bad privacy jurisdiction due to the country’s mass surveillance practices, data collection, and cooperation between other surveillance states.

However, there is no direct evidence to prove that jurisdiction will affect the privacy of your VPN users in a bad way. Like NordVPN, PIA was never caught gathering or sharing their customers’ private data. By weighing all the risks, NordVPN is still a safer option in the Jurisdiction category.

8. NordVPN vs PIA – Which VPN has better privacy?

Logging Policy

Considering the main reason people subscribe to a VPN service is for better privacy, almost every VPN claim that they do not keep any logs. However, most of the time you’ll find loopholes in the fine print or hidden behind intentionally vague statements. One way or another, VPN service providers do need to retain a certain amount of data on their users. This is where it’s critical to understand the difference between connection logs and activity logs.

While NordVPN is not subjected to any data retentions, the US-based PIA can be pressured by authorities to access user information. However, in order to get around this, Private Internet Access adopts a strict no-logs policy. You can’t give something you don’t possess.

PIA’s no-logs policy was tested in court twice where the company was unable to provide any useful information on specific users’ connection data. The only information the providers were able to offer was the email address you signed up with. This can easily be handled by getting a throwaway email address and paying the subscription with cryptocurrencies.

Similarly, NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy and they also allow payment in cryptocurrencies. However, the option is far fewer than with PIA.

Encryption and Protocols

NordVPN comes with military-grade AES-256 encryption. This uncrackable encryption is generally an industry-standard among all VPN providers. The supported protocols are OpenVPN and IK Ev2/IPSec which are great to have thanks to their good balance between security and performance.

Additionally, NordVPN guarantees Perfect Forward Secrecy thanks to their dynamic 2048-bit GH (Diffie Hell Mann) keys. NordVPN works with the OpenVPN protocol on major platforms like Windows, Mac, and Android while the iOS app runs on IKEc2/IPSec with the option of a manual OpenVPN setup.

PIE offers the same robust AES-256 encryption with 2048-bit DH keys, but in addition, the company even gives you the option to switch to AES-128. While the 128-bit encryption has lesser security levels, the connection speed does improve significantly.

PIA’s Windows, Mac, and Android apps run OpenVPN on default while iOS runs on IPSec. The VPN also can be manually configured with OpenVPN on your iPhone or iPad.

9. Private Internet Access vs NordVPN – Which is more secure?

Both NordVPN and Private Internet Access take security functions very seriously, which is why you’ll find that they offer plenty of useful features with a lot of depth to them.

Is NordVPN safe? It uses CyberSec suite while PIA uses MACE feature that acts as ad blocking and anti-malware tools.

Both service providers offer DNS leak protection where you can choose to either enter your own DNS address or use one of the addresses provided by the service provider.

In terms of kill switch, NordVPN has two of them – one for your connection and another for specific apps on your device. Although PIA does not offer an app kill switch, it has its own feature that comes in two modes – Auto and Always. Auto mode will block outside traffic while the VPN is on and the Always mode prevents any traffic from leaking while the VPN is off.

Additionally, NordVPN features 460+ Obfuscated servers for users that require the extra stealth in their internet usage. These aren’t just any normal servers; they are an elaborate feature that transforms your VPN app with just a single click. When running in Obfuscated mode, you only have access to special Obfuscated servers, some of which even allow you to get past the Great Firewall of China.

PIA also provides a certain degree of obfuscation by allowing you to switch OPENVPN TCP to port 443. This option helps you bypass many OpenVPN blocks in several countries, but PIA still struggles to provide a reliable access into China.

The Final Verdict – NordVPN or Private Internet Access?

Overall, NordVPN is the clear winner in this head-to-head competition. The company supplies excellent privacy protections, great multi-platform support, wide-ranging streaming support, comprehensive global server coverage, and excellent BitTorrent support. While Private Internet Access scored well excellent internet speeds and user-friendliness however, this VPN lacks in terms of server network. 

Regardless of which VPN provider you find is best for you, it is always best to test them out first with a shorter subscription plans where many payment methods avail before committing to a cheaper but much longer payment plan. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is NordVPN better than Private Internet Access?

Yes, NordVPN is proven to be better than PIA in terms of speed, security features, streaming capabilities, and comprehensive servers locations that is 5100 servers in 60 countries.

Most importantly, NordVPN offers attractive and steal deals from time to time.

Is using NordVPN or PIA legal?

Yes, using a VPN is completely legal. It is in your right to protect and encrypt all your internet connection to protect your personal data. It is the same concept as using an envelope to cover your letters. Some information is better kept private to ensure you’re not vulnerable to all kinds of malicious cyber-attacks.

Am I anonymous when browsing through NordVPN or PIA?

No, you are not anonymous when browsing through NordVPN or PIA. Many providers advertise complete anonymity, but their privacy policy may suggest otherwise. Also, there is no real way of knowing how credible their zero-logs claim really is.

While a VPN greatly increases your security and privacy, it does not make you anonymous. By subscribing to their services, you essentially expose yourself and your online activities to the VPN provider.

You also need to take note of where your VPN service provider is based in. Many countries have a data retention law that compels a company to log user activity that they are required to hand over to the authorities. VPN companies that focus on privacy will accept gift cards cash, or Bitcoin as your subscription payment. You will also not be required to submit your real name, phone number, address, or banking details in order to use their services.

Am I safe when using public Wi-Fi hotspots with PIA or NordVPN?

In most cases, it is safe to use public Wi-Fi hotspots with NordVPN or PIA. VPN encrypts the traffic between your device and VPN servers. This way hackers won’t be able to read your data. Even if they somehow are able to intercept your traffic, all they will really see is useless encrypted gibberish.