ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access: Which One Streams Better in 2023?

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ProtonVPN and Private Internet Access are both striving hard to remain at the top. Both VPNs have excellent features and offer a number of services to their users. But one has to be better than the other, that’s how it works right? Without further ado let’s compare the two VPNs and see who comes out victorious. ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access battle begins now.

ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access: At a Glance

ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access
ProtonVPN vs Private Internet AccessProtonVPNPrivate Internet Access
Starting Price$5.39$2.03
EncryptionAES 256 AES 256
Money back30 days30 days
OS CompatibilityAndroid, iOS, Windows, Mac, LinuxAndroid, iOS, Mac, Windows, Linux
Dedicated IP Add-OnYes (for businesses)Yes
Max No. of Devices 10Unlimited
Server Locations6784
24/7 SupportYesYes

At a glance it seems that Private Internet Access is winning. First of all, its starting price is low compared to ProtonVPN. Where Private Internet Access price start from $2.03, ProtonVPN’s price start from $5.39. Coming towards encryption, they both have the same military-grade AES 256-bit encryption. Both VPNs offer a 30-day money back and are compatible with Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux. They both offer dedicated IP addresses but in the case of ProtonVPN the dedicated IP address feature is only for businesses. 

Private Internet Access takes the lead in the number of simultaneous connections and offers unlimited connections whereas ProtonVPN only offers 10. In terms of server locations, Private Internet Access has scattered its servers across 84 locations whereas Proton VPN has only 67 server locations. They both value their customers and offer 24/7 help and support. 

ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access: Features

Features
ProtonVPN vs Private Internet AccessProtonVPNPrivate Internet Access
Simultaneous connections10Unlimited
Devices supportedAndroid, iOS, Windows, Mac, LinuxAndroid, iOS, Mac, Windows, Linux
Manual install devicesRouters, set-top boxesRouters, set-top boxes
Free extrasDNS leak protection, Net-Shield ad-blocker, kill switch, split tunneling browser extensions for Chrome, and Firefox, StealthBrowser extensions for Chrome, and Firefox, DNS protection, split tunneling, ad-blocker, tracking-blocker, malware-blocker, obfuscation, DNS protection, multi-hop, kill switch 

In terms of features, both VPNs are almost one and the same. If you want unlimited simultaneous connections then Private Internet Access is for you, however, ProtonVPN also offers a sufficient number of simultaneous connections. They are both compatible with Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux. 

They both take user privacy and security seriously and offer a plethora of features just to protect users. Both VPNs have DNS leak protection, kill switch, and silt tunneling. They support anonymous browsing and hide the IP address and traffic of the users to fend off trackers and hackers. They have ad-blockers, trackers-blockers, and malware blockers. ProtonVPN has a special ad blocker called Net-Shield that protects users from malicious ads, trackers, and malware. 

Private Internet Access has a feature that’s called obfuscation and helps hide the VPN connection from the ISP. Whereas, ProtonVPN has Stealth that operates the same way obfuscation does. Private Internet Access also has a feature called the multi-hop that helps channel traffic through an additional server, adding an extra layer of security and privacy. 

ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access: Price Comparison

Price comparison
ProtonVPN vs Private Internet AccessProtonVPNPrivate Internet Access
Subscription periodsMonthly, annual, 2-yearMonthly, annual, 3-year
Highest price per month$10.79$11.95
Lowest monthly cost$5.39$2.03
One year price$77.64$39.96
Money back guaranteeYes Yes 
Free trialYesYes 

Both VPNs offer three subscription plans. They both offer monthly and annual plans, plus ProtonVPN offers a 2-year plan, whereas Private Internet Access offers a 3-year plan. Even though the monthly plan of Private Internet Access is costly as compared to ProtonVPN, the annual and 3-year plans are more economical. The three-year plan of Private Internet Access starts at $2.03, whereas ProtonVPN’s 2-year plan starts at $5.39. The annual plan of Private Internet Access is also cheaper than ProtonVPN and only costs $39.96. Whereas in the case of proton VPN, the annual plan costs $77.64. 

Therefore, in terms of pricing and plans Private Internet Access has taken the lead.

VPNMonthly planAnnual plan2/3-year plan
ProtonVPN$10.79/month$6.47/mo$5.39/month (2-year)
Private Internet Access$11.95$39.96$2.03/month (3-year)

ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access:  Streaming Comparison

ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access: UnblocksProtonVPNPrivate Internet Access
NetflixYesYes
HuluYesYes
Disney+YesYes
HBO MaxYesYes
BBC iPlayerYesYes
Apple TVYesYes
YouTube TVYesYes
Prime VideoYesYes
CBSYesYes
ITVYesYes

Both VPNs have high speed, streaming and torrenting optimized servers. You can easily unblock geo-restricted and censored content with the help of either of these VPNs. Moreover, the connection is also fast and stable so you won’t have to suffer through lags and buffering. The VPNs also have no limit on data or bandwidth. Therefore, you can enjoy unlimited data and bandwidth without paying extra. 

ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access: Servers and Performance

ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access ProtonVPNPrivate Internet Access
Total number of servers2,627+3,5000
Server location 6784
Mobile friendly Yes Yes 

Both ProtonVPN and Private Internet Access offer a wide range of servers. Private Internet Access offer 3,5000 highly optimized servers, whereas ProtonVPN offers 2,627 servers. All these services are gaming, torrenting, and streaming optimized plus they are fast and secure. Their VPNs use full-disk encryption in order to prevent data interpretation. 

ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access: Speed Performance

Server locationProtonVPNPrivate Internet Access
USDownload: 75.59 MbpsUpload: 89.59 MbpsDownload: 91.09 Mbps
Upload: 92 Mbps
CanadaDownload: 39.5 MbpsUpload: 92.75 MbpsDownload: 53.17 MbpsUpload: 95.92 Mbps
UKDownload: 68.93 MbpsUpload: 69.38 MbpsDownload: 86.09 Mbps
Upload: 90 Mbps
AUDownload: 81.42 Mbps
Upload: 92.34 Mbps
Download: 85.5 Mbps
Upload: 94.09 Mbps

Both VPNs are fast, but according to the speed test, Private Internet Access seems to be faster. However, speeds tend to fluctuate depending on the location and your speed test might turn out to be different. But it is safe to say that they are both speedy and secure. 

ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access: Comparison of Security Protocols

ProtonVPN vs Private Internet AccessProtonVPNPrivate Internet Access
EncryptionAES-256AES-256
HashSHA-384SHA-1
Obfuscation featureYesYes 
Kill switchYesYes
DNS leak protectionYesYes

ProtonVPN and PrivateVPN are among the most private, highly secure and risk free VPNs . Their users can enjoy secure and anonymous browsing. Anonymous browsing helps mask the IP address as well as the internet traffic of the user. This feature provides the user’s information and data, protection from hackers, traders, the government, and ISP. ProtonVPN and Private Internet Access also offer a feature called the kill switch that helps prevent data leaks when the VPN connection drops. The kill switch cuts off internet activity and prevents hackers from getting their hands on users’ personal data and information. 

Private Internet Access and ProtonVPN both have built-in features that block ads, trackers, malware, and malicious websites to provide an extra layer of protection. 

ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access: Privacy Comparison

ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access ProtonVPNPrivate Internet Access
JurisdictionSwitzerlandUS
Connection logStrict no-logs policyStrict no-logs policy
Activity logsStrict no-logs policyStrict no-logs policy
User details for signupEmail addressEmail address
Anonymous payment optionsCryptocurrenciesCryptocurrencies

Both VPN providers have a strict policy against logs. They don’t keep tabs on user activity, internet traffic, and VPN connections. The VPNs don’t share private user information with the government or other third parties. They even allow anonymous payment via cryptocurrency to protect users’ privacy. With these VPNs, you can enjoy browsing and streaming without compromising your privacy. 

ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access: Customer Service Comparison

Customer support
ProtonVPN vs Private Internet AccessProtonVPNPrivate Internet Access
24/7 live chatYes Yes 
Email supportYes Yes 
Average email response timeCouple of hoursFew minutes  
Searchable knowledge baseYes Yes 
Phone support NoNo 
Articles or guidesYes Yes 

ProtonVPN and Private Internet Access both value their customers and have provided them with various options through which they can contact them. Clients can either chat with them live which is available 24/7 or send an email. ProtonVPN takes a couple of hours to respond to an email whereas Private Internet Access only takes a few minutes to respond. They also have guides and articles available to help out clients if they face any difficulty. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Does ProtonVPN keep tabs on users?

No, ProtonVPN doesn’t keep tabs on users. The VPN provider has a strict no-logs policy and doesn’t store or share user information. 

Does Private Internet Access allow anonymous browsing?

Yes, Private Internet Access allows anonymous browsing. You can browse freely without jeopardizing your privacy. The VPN will mask your IP address, traffic, and VPN connection to prevent data leakage.

Which one is the cheaper option, ProtonVPN or Private Internet Access?

The monthly plan of Private Internet Access is expensive as compared to ProtonVPN, whereas its annual and 3-year plans are cheaper than ProtonVPN’s.

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