5 Best Alternatives to Private Internet Access in 2026
By Noahlast updated pricing verified
From our data: Of the 5 listed Private Internet Access alternatives, 3 (NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark) require a multi-year upfront commitment to reach their lowest advertised price, similar to PIA's own promotional 3-year-plus-3-months plan at $2.03/month, while only 1 (Surfshark) matches PIA's unlimited-simultaneous-device model that every PIA plan includes; 2 (Proton VPN, Mullvad) match PIA's open-source, independently audited client apps.
NordVPN
ExpressVPN
Surfshark
Proton VPN
MullvadHow we picked
- Pricing was independently verified for Private Internet Access, Surfshark, and Mullvad (all dated 2026-08-21); NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Proton VPN's listed prices carry no fresh verification timestamp and should be rechecked before publishing.
- Review volume was weighed directly: NordVPN's 1,393 Capterra reviews and ExpressVPN's 287 are the largest independently-sourced samples, both above PIA's own 14 Capterra reviews, while Mullvad has no external ratings on record.
- Device-connection limits were checked against PIA's own unlimited-simultaneous-device model: only Surfshark matches that with unlimited devices on every plan, while NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Proton VPN cap connections at a fixed device count on most tiers.
- Open-source and audit status mattered for a privacy-focused comparison: PIA's own client apps are open source under MIT and Deloitte-audited; Proton VPN and Mullvad also ship open-source, independently audited apps, while NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark do not publish their client source code.
Paid placement never alters editorial rank — read the full methodology.
Private Internet Access alternatives at a glance
| Alternative | Best for | Standout | Biggest weakness | Learning curve | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Internet Accessreference | privacy-focused users who want unlimited simultaneous device connections on a single no-logs VPN subscription at a lower price than premium competitors | Unlimited simultaneous device connections on one subscription, plus client apps (desktop, iOS, browser extensions) published as open source on GitHub under the MIT license. | PIA is owned by Kape Technologies, whose earlier history as adware maker Crossrider still draws skepticism from privacy-focused reviewers; the 1-year plan also renews at $49.99/year after a discounted $39.95 first year, a price jump new subscribers should plan for. | Low | From $2.03/mo |
| NordVPN | individuals wanting a fast, easy-to-set-up VPN with a large server network and native apps across desktop and mobile platforms | A very large global server network with consistently fast connection speeds, bundled with Threat Protection ad/malware blocking on every plan and optional password-manager, cloud-storage, and identity-protection add-ons. | The advertised low prices require committing to a 2-year term paid upfront; the standalone monthly plan costs roughly 4x more per month ($14.99 vs $3.49), and reviewers frequently complain about renewal prices jumping sharply once the promotional period ends, making it easy to be surprised by auto-renewal charges. | Low | From $3.49/mo |
| ExpressVPN | consumers who want a simple, reliable VPN that works out of the box across many device types (routers, smart TVs, browsers) without manual protocol configuration | The proprietary Lightway protocol combined with RAM-only "TrustedServer" infrastructure, so no user data is ever written to a physical disk on any server. | List price is high relative to most VPN competitors ($12.99/month for Basic billed monthly), and the low advertised per-month rates only apply on 1- or 2-year commitments with bundled bonus months, so the effective cost jumps sharply if a user doesn't pre-pay for a long term. | Low | From $2.79/mo |
| Surfshark | individuals who want unlimited-device VPN coverage bundled with antivirus and identity-theft monitoring under one subscription, instead of paying for separate security tools | Unlimited simultaneous device connections on every plan, unusual among VPN providers that typically cap seats at 5-10 devices. | The advertised price requires paying for a full 24-month term upfront; the low headline rate doesn't apply to month-to-month billing, and published renewal prices after the initial discounted term are substantially higher. | Low | From $2.49/mo |
| Proton VPN | privacy-conscious users and journalists who want an open-source, independently audited VPN with a genuinely unlimited-data free tier, or paid subscribers wanting 10-device coverage bundled with Proton's email and storage products | The free tier has no data cap, unlike most competitors' free plans, and VPN Accelerator claims up to a 400% speed boost over standard WireGuard on high-latency or lossy connections. | The free tier is capped at one device and a small pool of server locations, and users who only want a fast, single-purpose VPN end up paying for Mail, Drive, Pass, and Calendar features bundled into the higher-value Unlimited plan if they upgrade past VPN Plus. | Low | Free tier · paid from $4.99/mo |
| Mullvad | privacy-conscious individuals who want anonymous signup and a single flat-rate plan instead of tiered VPN pricing | Anonymous account-number signup with no email required, combined with cash or cryptocurrency payment options and a fully open-source, independently audited client. | No free tier and no long-term discount: the price is a flat €5/month whether paid monthly or in advance, so heavy multi-year commitments don't get cheaper the way many competitors' 2-3 year plans do. | Low | Custom pricing |
Private Internet Access1.NordVPN — best Private Internet Access alternative for individuals wanting a fast, easy-to-set-up VPN with a large server network and native apps across desktop and mobile platforms
NordVPN is the best Private Internet Access alternative for users who want a very large global server network with consistently fast speeds, since NordVPN bundles Threat Protection ad and malware blocking on every plan and adds optional password-manager, cloud-storage, and identity-protection features PIA does not offer at any tier. NordVPN holds a 4.6/5 rating from 1,393 Capterra reviews, nearly 100 times the review volume behind PIA's own 4.3/5 score from just 14 reviews. NordVPN's Basic plan costs $3.49/month on a 2-year term, close to PIA's own promotional 3-year rate of $2.03/month, and both providers require a long-term commitment to reach their lowest advertised price. PIA is still the better choice for anyone who wants unlimited simultaneous device connections on one subscription: NordVPN's plans do not advertise unlimited device connections the way PIA's every tier does, and PIA's client apps (desktop, iOS, browser extensions) are open source under MIT license, a transparency NordVPN's closed-source apps do not offer. PIA's no-logs policy has also been independently audited by Deloitte, matching the caliber of verification serious privacy buyers look for.
Compared to Private Internet Access: much larger review base (1,393 vs 14 Capterra reviews), Threat Protection bundled on every plan, but closed-source apps vs PIA's open-source MIT-licensed clients
Wins:4.6/5 rating from 1,393 Capterra reviews, nearly 100 times PIA's 14-review sample · Threat Protection ad and malware blocking bundled on every plan without extra cost · Optional password manager, cloud storage, and identity-theft protection add-ons not offered by PIA at any tier
Loses:Closed-source client apps, unlike PIA's open-source, MIT-licensed desktop, iOS, and browser extension apps · Does not advertise unlimited simultaneous device connections the way every PIA plan does · Advertised low pricing requires a 2-year upfront commitment, similar to PIA's own multi-year promotional structure
Pros
- Large global server network with fast, reliable connection speeds.
- Native apps across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, plus browser extensions.
- Threat Protection ad/malware blocking included on every plan, not an upsell.
- 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.
Cons
- Advertised low pricing requires a 2-year upfront commitment; monthly-only billing costs significantly more per month.
- Renewal pricing after the promotional period is a frequent source of user complaints.
- No ongoing free tier; only a 3-day trial for new Android users.
- Reviewers report occasional speed drops depending on server load and time of day, plus some Windows app connectivity issues.
Pricing: From $3.49/mo — $3.49/month Basic (2-year term) vs PIA's $2.03/month promotional 3-year-plus-3-months plan
2.ExpressVPN — best Private Internet Access alternative for consumers who want a simple, reliable VPN that works out of the box across many device types (routers, smart TVs, browsers) without manual protocol configuration
ExpressVPN is the best Private Internet Access alternative for users who want RAM-only server infrastructure and a proprietary fast-connecting protocol, since ExpressVPN's TrustedServer technology runs every server on RAM-only disks so no data is ever written to a hard drive, a specific architectural guarantee PIA's own 10 Gbps server network does not advertise. Both providers have independently audited no-logs policies, giving privacy-focused buyers verification on both sides. ExpressVPN holds a 4.6/5 rating from 287 Capterra reviews, more than 20 times PIA's own 14-review sample, though ExpressVPN's Basic plan billed monthly costs $12.99/month, well above PIA's $11.95/month no-commitment monthly rate. ExpressVPN's 2-year Basic plan drops to $2.79/month with bonus months included, close to PIA's own promotional low of $2.03/month. PIA is still the better choice for anyone who wants unlimited simultaneous device connections and open-source client apps: ExpressVPN's top Pro plan caps out at 14 simultaneous connections rather than PIA's unlimited-device model, and ExpressVPN's apps are closed-source, unlike PIA's MIT-licensed, publicly auditable desktop and browser clients.
Compared to Private Internet Access: RAM-only TrustedServer infrastructure, 20x the Capterra review volume, but a 14-device cap vs PIA's unlimited connections and closed-source apps
Wins:RAM-only TrustedServer infrastructure ensures no user data is ever written to a physical disk on any server · 4.6/5 rating from 287 Capterra reviews, over 20 times PIA's 14-review sample · Proprietary Lightway protocol delivers faster connection times than legacy protocols
Loses:Tops out at 14 simultaneous device connections on its Pro plan, versus PIA's unlimited-device connections on every plan · Closed-source client apps, unlike PIA's open-source, MIT-licensed desktop, iOS, and browser extension apps · Monthly billing without a long-term commitment runs $12.99/month, above PIA's $11.95/month no-commitment rate
Pros
- Independently audited no-logs policy and RAM-only server infrastructure for stronger privacy assurances.
- Proprietary Lightway protocol delivers faster connection times than legacy VPN protocols.
- Broad device and platform support, including routers, smart TVs, and browser extensions.
- 30-day money-back guarantee on all subscription terms.
Cons
- Monthly billing without a long-term commitment is notably more expensive than most competitors.
- No free tier; even a short trial requires payment upfront (refundable within 30 days).
- Some reviewers report intermittent connection drops and slower performance when switching servers.
- Pricing structure with bonus months and multiple simultaneous-connection tiers can be confusing to compare against flat-rate competitors.
Pricing: From $2.79/mo — $2.79/month Basic (2-year term) vs PIA's $2.03/month promotional 3-year-plus-3-months plan; $12.99/month monthly vs PIA's $11.95/month monthly
3.Surfshark — best Private Internet Access alternative for individuals who want unlimited-device VPN coverage bundled with antivirus and identity-theft monitoring under one subscription, instead of paying for separate security tools
Surfshark is the best Private Internet Access alternative for users who want antivirus, breach alerts, and identity-theft coverage bundled with their VPN, since Surfshark's One and One+ tiers add real-time antivirus scanning, webcam-access blocking, and identity-theft coverage up to $1 million, capabilities PIA's own MACE ad and tracker blocker does not extend to. Both providers allow unlimited simultaneous device connections on every plan, a feature most VPN competitors cap at 5-10 devices. Surfshark holds a 4.5/5 rating from 61 Capterra reviews, more than four times PIA's own 14-review sample. Surfshark's advertised $2.49/month rate requires a full 24-month term paid upfront ($67.23 total), similar to PIA's own 3-year-plus-3-months promotional plan at $2.03/month for the lowest rate. PIA is still the better choice for anyone who wants open-source, publicly auditable client apps: Surfshark's apps are closed-source, unlike PIA's MIT-licensed desktop, iOS, and browser extension clients, and PIA's no-logs policy has been independently audited by Deloitte, a specific third-party verification Surfshark's listing does not name.
Compared to Private Internet Access: bundles antivirus and $1M identity-theft coverage, matches unlimited-device connections, but closed-source apps vs PIA's MIT-licensed clients
Wins:Bundles real-time antivirus, breach alerts, and identity-theft coverage up to $1 million, beyond PIA's MACE ad/tracker blocker · 4.5/5 rating from 61 Capterra reviews, more than four times PIA's 14-review sample · 4,500+ RAM-only servers across 100+ countries
Loses:Closed-source client apps, unlike PIA's open-source, MIT-licensed desktop, iOS, and browser extension apps · Lowest advertised price requires a full 24-month upfront commitment, similar to PIA's own multi-year promotional structure · No independently named audit of its no-logs policy in the sourced listing, unlike PIA's Deloitte-audited policy
Pros
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections on every plan, with no per-device fee.
- 4,500+ RAM-only servers across 100+ countries with a no-logs policy.
- Bundles antivirus, breach alerts, and identity-theft coverage up to $1M instead of requiring separate subscriptions.
- 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.
Cons
- Lowest advertised price requires a 24-month upfront commitment; monthly billing costs significantly more per month.
- Renewal pricing after the initial discounted term is materially higher, a common VPN-industry pattern that catches new subscribers off guard.
- No permanently free tier.
Pricing: From $2.49/mo — $2.49/month Starter/One (24-month term, $67.23 total) vs PIA's $2.03/month promotional 3-year-plus-3-months plan (verified undefined NaN, NaN)
4.Proton VPN — best Private Internet Access alternative for privacy-conscious users and journalists who want an open-source, independently audited VPN with a genuinely unlimited-data free tier, or paid subscribers wanting 10-device coverage bundled with Proton's email and storage products
Proton VPN is the best Private Internet Access alternative for users who want to try a VPN at $0 with no data cap, since Proton VPN's free tier has no data limit at all, unusual among free VPN plans, while PIA offers no free tier of any kind, only paid subscriptions starting at $11.95/month. Both providers publish open-source, independently audited client apps, matching PIA's own MIT-licensed, Deloitte-audited approach to transparency. Proton VPN's paid VPN Plus tier starts at $4.99/month billed annually for 10 simultaneous devices and 140+ countries, more expensive per month than PIA's promotional low of $2.03/month but with a stronger free option beneath it. Proton VPN holds a 4.5/5 rating from 44 Capterra reviews, roughly triple PIA's own 14-review sample. PIA is still the better choice for anyone who wants unlimited simultaneous device connections on a paid plan: Proton VPN's paid tier caps at 10 devices, while every PIA plan allows unlimited simultaneous connections, and PIA's promotional long-term pricing can undercut Proton VPN's paid entry rate.
Compared to Private Internet Access: a genuinely unlimited-data free tier vs no free plan at all, matching open-source audited apps, but a 10-device cap on paid plans vs PIA's unlimited connections
Wins:Free tier has no data cap at all, while PIA offers no free tier of any kind · Open-source, independently audited apps across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, matching PIA's own transparency standard · 4.5/5 rating from 44 Capterra reviews, roughly triple PIA's 14-review sample
Loses:Paid VPN Plus tier caps at 10 simultaneous devices, versus PIA's unlimited-device connections on every plan · $4.99/month paid entry price is above PIA's promotional low of $2.03/month · Free tier is limited to one device at a time and a small set of server locations
Pros
- Free tier has no data cap, unusual among competitors' free plans.
- Open-source, independently audited apps across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
- VPN Plus unlocks 2,000+ servers in 140+ countries with streaming-service unblocking.
- Built-in ad and malware blocker plus a kill switch on paid plans.
Cons
- Free tier limits users to one device and a small set of server locations.
- Proton Unlimited bundles Mail, Drive, Pass, and Calendar, raising cost for users who want VPN only.
- Fewer total server count than the largest competitors like NordVPN or ExpressVPN.
Pricing: Free tier · paid from $4.99/mo — Free (unlimited data, 1 device) vs PIA's no free tier; VPN Plus $4.99/month vs PIA's $2.03/month promotional rate
5.Mullvad — best Private Internet Access alternative for privacy-conscious individuals who want anonymous signup and a single flat-rate plan instead of tiered VPN pricing
Mullvad is the best Private Internet Access alternative for users who want to sign up without providing any personal information at all, since Mullvad generates a random account number with no email required and accepts cash or cryptocurrency payment for full anonymity, a signup model PIA's own account-based system does not offer. Both providers publish open-source client apps, matching PIA's own MIT-licensed, GitHub-published transparency, and both undergo independent security audits. Mullvad charges one flat rate of €5/month (roughly $5.40) regardless of plan length, simpler than PIA's tiered structure that ranges from $11.95/month with no commitment down to $2.03/month on a 3-year-plus-3-months promotional plan. Mullvad has no external ratings on record in our listing data to compare against PIA's own 4.3/5 score from 14 Capterra reviews. PIA is still the better choice for anyone who wants unlimited simultaneous device connections and a lower long-term price: Mullvad caps at 5 devices per account and offers no discount for paying annually or multi-year in advance, unlike PIA's promotional multi-year plans that drop well below Mullvad's flat €5/month rate.
Compared to Private Internet Access: anonymous account-number signup with cash or crypto payment, both open-source, but no long-term discount vs PIA's promotional multi-year pricing
Wins:Anonymous signup with a random account number and no email required, unlike PIA's account-based signup · Cash and cryptocurrency payment options for users who want to avoid linking a card to the account · DAITA traffic-analysis defense and quantum-resistant tunnel options beyond standard WireGuard
Loses:Caps at 5 simultaneous devices per account, versus PIA's unlimited simultaneous device connections · No discount for paying annually or multi-year in advance, unlike PIA's promotional 3-year-plus-3-months rate as low as $2.03/month · No external ratings on record in our listing data, versus PIA's 4.3/5 score from 14 Capterra reviews
Pros
- Anonymous signup with a random account number; no email or personal information required.
- Cash and cryptocurrency payment options for users who want to avoid linking a card to the account.
- Client apps are open source (GPL-3.0) and published on GitHub, with regular independent security audits.
- DAITA traffic-analysis defense and quantum-resistant tunnel options beyond standard WireGuard.
Cons
- No free tier; every user pays the same flat €5/month with no trial beyond the money-back guarantee window.
- No discount for paying annually or multi-year in advance, unlike competitors that cut price sharply on longer commitments.
- Smaller server network than large competitors like NordVPN or ExpressVPN, which can matter for streaming geo-unblocking.
- No bundled extras (password manager, ad blocker as a separate product, antivirus) that some competitors include in higher tiers.
Pricing: Custom pricing — Flat €5/month (~$5.40) with no long-term discount vs PIA's promotional low of $2.03/month on a 3-year-plus-3-months plan (verified undefined NaN, NaN)
Which one is right for you?
- You want the largest server network with fast, reliable speeds for streamingNordVPN
- You want a specific RAM-only server guarantee that no data is ever written to diskExpressVPN
- You want antivirus and identity-theft coverage bundled with your VPN subscriptionSurfshark
- You want to try a VPN for free with no data cap before ever payingProton VPN
- You want to sign up without giving an email address and pay with cash or cryptoMullvad
- You need unlimited simultaneous device connections on every plan, matching PIA's own modelSurfshark
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free alternative to Private Internet Access?
- Yes, Proton VPN offers a free tier with no data cap, though it's limited to one device and a small set of server locations. Private Internet Access itself has no free tier of any kind.
What is the closest alternative to Private Internet Access?
- Surfshark is the closest match, since it also allows unlimited simultaneous device connections on every plan, a feature most VPN competitors including NordVPN and ExpressVPN cap at a fixed device count. NordVPN is the closest match on review volume and server network size.
Can NordVPN replace Private Internet Access?
- Yes, NordVPN can replace Private Internet Access for most VPN use cases, adding Threat Protection ad blocking on every plan. It does not advertise unlimited device connections the way every PIA plan does, and its client apps are closed-source unlike PIA's open-source apps.
Which Private Internet Access alternative is open source?
- Proton VPN and Mullvad both ship fully open-source, independently audited client apps, matching PIA's own MIT-licensed, GitHub-published transparency. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark do not publish their client source code.
Does any Private Internet Access alternative allow unlimited devices?
- Yes, Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous device connections on every plan, matching PIA's own unlimited-device model. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Proton VPN's paid plans all cap connections at a fixed device count.
Is Mullvad cheaper than Private Internet Access?
- Mullvad charges a flat €5/month (about $5.40) with no long-term discount, while PIA's promotional multi-year plan drops as low as $2.03/month. PIA is cheaper for anyone willing to commit to a long-term plan; Mullvad is simpler with one price regardless of commitment length.