Evaluating NordVPN and PIA is like deciding whether or not to buy the collector’s version 4K Blu-ray filled with making-of featurettes and director’s remark tracks or the discount bin Blu-ray. Both approach, you’ll watch the movie, however hardcore cinephiles will recognize the added bonuses from the collector’s set. Each are two of CNET’s top VPNs however for various causes. Whilst NordVPN is rapid and sports activities many beneficial privateness options, it’s no longer the most affordable digital non-public community choice available on the market. PIA, in the meantime, is wallet-friendly, non-public and clear, however lacks the complicated settings or pace you’ll in finding with top rate VPNs akin to Nord. To pit them in opposition to one some other, I ran over 500 overall web pace tests, streamed hours of movies and used each and every VPN for day by day duties like internet surfing or gaming.
In line with my hands-on exams, other folks in the hunt for state-of-the-art privateness and the most productive imaginable web speeds will have to make a choice NordVPN, while PIA is best for any individual short of privateness fundamentals on the cheap. Right here’s a take a look at NordVPN vs. PIA to come to a decision which VPN is best for you.
NordVPN vs. PIA
| NordVPN | PIA | |
| Price | $13 a month, $69 for the primary yr or $100 overall on your first two years (the one- and two-year plans renew at $100 once a year) | $12 a month, $40 in step with yr or $79 overall for 3 years |
| Avg. pace % loss (2024 exams) | 11% | 49% |
| Server community | 6,400-plus servers throughout 111 international locations | 35,000-plus servers throughout 91 international locations |
| Encryption | AES 256-bit encryption (OpenVPN, IKEv2) ChaCha20 (NordLynx) |
AES 256-bit encryption (OpenVPN, IKEv2) ChaCha20 (WireGuard) |
| VPN protocols | OpenVPN, IKEv2, NordLynx (WireGuard-based) | OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2 |
| Jurisdiction | Panama | US |
| Suitable platforms | Home windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, Android TV, iOS/iPadOS, Hearth TV, Apple TV, Browsers, Routers | Home windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, Android TV, iOS/iPadOS, Hearth TV, Apple TV, Browsers, Routers |
| Simultaneous connections | 10 | Limitless |
Ease of use: NordVPN and PIA are each user-friendly
PIA is simple to make use of
NordVPN and Personal Web Get entry to are each extremely intuitive. Despite the fact that nor is as streamlined as ExpressVPN, they’re each and every simple sufficient for VPN inexperienced persons and seasoned tech lovers alike. Despite the fact that you’ve by no means used a VPN ahead of, Nord and PIA make getting attached a breeze.
NordVPN’s slick interface makes it easy to do the whole thing from hop on a server to allow complicated privateness settings
I had no problems discovering settings when converting VPN protocols or toggling on options like split tunneling. PIA is even simple to make use of on Linux. Its graphical consumer interface — or GUI — app is more practical for Linux newbies than a command-line interface or CLI app, which calls for punching in explicit instructions.
Pace take a look at: NordVPN is quicker than PIA — and each and every different VPN we examined
NordVPN’s connectivity trounces PIA, and it beats each and every different VPN we examined. All VPNs decelerate your web speeds fairly, and I usually in finding a mean web obtain pace lack of 25% or much less completely ok. In my checking out, NordVPN got here out on height because the fastest VPN, handing over a best-in-class 11% reasonable web obtain pace loss, which is superb for bandwidth-intensive programs like 4K video streaming or Zoom calls. PIA, in the meantime, was once the slowest VPN I examined: I clocked a 49% reasonable web obtain pace loss. PIA will have to paintings effective for many other folks with a quick, dependable web connection — assume fiber or cable — however satellite tv for pc web or 5G house web customers will have to glance somewhere else.
Streaming and gaming efficiency
Nord’s very good geo-unblocking and rapid speeds make it nice for streaming
In my enjoy, PIA and NordVPN are each very good for streaming. I had no problems unblocking Netflix libraries in the United States, UK, Canada, Australia and Romania. Likewise, each VPNs equipped US and UK Disney Plus and Amazon Top Video library get right of entry to. I had a couple of problems viewing Top Video with PIA on a pc, however it labored flawlessly on streaming gadgets akin to my Amazon Hearth TV Stick and Nvidia Defend TV Android TV field. Nord and PIA each and every be offering Apple TV apps for Mac aficionados. I easily streamed Males In Black on Netflix the usage of a UK server (it’s these days to be had on Hulu in the United States) and Elegance of ‘09 on Disney Plus with a UK server (typically, it requires a Hulu subscription in the US even to view in the Disney Plus app).
NordVPN’s blisteringly fast internet speeds make it a solid choice for gaming and downloading large files
Because of its noticeably faster internet speeds, NordVPN takes the cake for streaming despite both VPNs’ similar geographical content unblocking capabilities. Its minimal speed loss means you can stream buttery smooth 4K Ultra High-Definition movies. Likewise, NordVPN is a far better choice for gaming, where the fastest possible internet connection is ideal. Nord is a fantastic option if you’re on the lookout for a VPN to make use of along with your gaming PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Transfer.
Price and worth: PIA is a budget-priced no-frills VPN, whilst Nord supplies top rate privateness at a better value
A Personal Web Get entry to subscription units you again $12 per 30 days, $40 a yr or $79 for 3 years. NordVPN is going for $13 per 30 days, $69 the primary yr or $100 overall for the primary two years (the one- and two-year plans renew at $100 once a year). In contrast to maximum VPN products and services — Nord integrated — PIA doesn’t hit you with value hikes on its one- and three-year plans, so that you’ll renew on the identical value you signed up for. Significantly, NordVPN means that you can stack subscriptions; as an example, you’ll join an annual subscription at $69 after which acquire a reduced two-year plan right through a Black Friday sale, extending your subscription. There are methods to keep away from auto-renewal value hikes with Nord and different VPN suppliers, however you’ll wish to observe your subscription.
On account of its relative affordability in comparison to maximum competition, PIA is among the best cheap VPNs. Generally, I don’t suggest subscribing to a VPN for greater than a yr at a time on account of how briefly issues exchange — your VPN supplier may endure an information breach or sluggish servers — however PIA’s $79 three-year tier is more economical than maximum annual plans. You’ll get 3 years with PIA for simply $10 greater than Nord’s annual value.
Whilst PIA is obviously the extra inexpensive of the 2 choices, Nord nonetheless boasts a ton of price. It’s a top rate carrier that jostles with different high-end VPNs — including our Editors’ Choice ExpressVPN — however at a decrease prematurely charge. Additionally, Nord sports activities area of interest options, like Meshnet for developing a non-public VPN server and Tor Over VPN connectivity. You’ll pay extra for Nord, however you get so much on your cash, together with rapid web connectivity and plenty of complicated options.
Shuttle: PIA has extra servers, however Nord has a presence in additional international locations
PIA has a beneficiant world server fleet
PIA’s 35,000 overall servers a ways outstrip Nord’s nonetheless plentiful 6,400 server fleet, however that’s no longer the entire tale. Personal Web Get entry to servers pepper 91 international locations, whilst Nord is unfold throughout 111, so Nord in truth has a extra complete world footprint. Every VPN corporate maintains a powerful world server community, so each are nice for domestic and worldwide travel. Nord has a slight edge on account of its better world internet of servers, even if both choice will have to paintings for many other folks.
Privateness and transparency: Nord and PIA are robust in numerous spaces
NordVPN and PIA are each and every nice for privateness. Each have strict no-logging insurance policies. You’ll and most certainly will have to be skeptical of your VPN supplier’s zero-logging braggadocio, however the two corporations go through annual audits to ensure their claims. You’ll get the standard gamut of elementary privateness options with both choice, together with a kill transfer, break up tunneling and trendy encryption (AES-256-bit with OpenVPN or IKEv2, ChaCha20 for WireGuard). PIA nonetheless means that you can select 128-bit encryption, which I don’t suggest as it’s no longer as protected as 256-bit. I didn’t discover any DNS leaks in my Nord or PIA checking out. PIA and Nord each supply obfuscation, covering the truth that you’re the usage of a VPN, which can also be useful in scenarios the place a VPN is frowned upon, like on school Wi-Fi.
Nord packs extra complicated privateness facilities, together with Tor Over VPN servers (which bolster your pseudo-anonymity with Tor), customized DNS settings and double VPN servers (which encrypt your visitors much more than a unmarried VPN connection). PIA helps multi-hop connections, very similar to Nord’s double VPN, however Personal Web Get entry to depends upon a proxy connection slightly than a 2nd VPN connection. Necessarily, it’s a unique method to undertaking the similar function, making it tougher to track your information again to its supply.
PIA’s US jurisdiction might concern some privacy-concerned customers. The USA is a part of the 5, 9 and 14 Eyes data-sharing alliances, while Panama (Nord’s headquarters) isn’t. Nonetheless, Personal Web Get entry to compensates for this with robust transparency. All of its apps are open-source and it options one of the crucial reader-friendly privateness insurance policies I’ve perused, which boosts its dedication to consumer privateness. In my deep dive, I discovered Nord’s privateness coverage much less clear, even if no longer dangerous, and it solely has one open-source software: its Linux app.
Total, Nord gives extra complicated privateness choices and a privacy-friendly jurisdiction, whilst PIA is a little more clear. There are minor variations, however I think assured sufficient within the privateness guarantees of Nord and PIA to accept as true with both VPN corporate with my information.
Further options: Nord has extra complicated settings than PIA
Nord gives extra complicated settings to tinker with along with basic privateness facilities, whilst PIA in large part sticks to the fundamentals. NordVPN’s Meshnet means that you can arrange a non-public VPN server, which might assist get right of entry to a house server from in another country or host LAN events with buddies scattered around the globe. Plus, Nord contains Onion Over VPN and Double VPN servers, which offer further privateness in comparison to a typical VPN connection.
PIA does permit port forwarding, which can also be recommended for torrenting, whilst Nord doesn’t. Nord means that you can allow customized DNS settings, that are useful for scenarios the place you’re having problems with Nord’s personal nameservers, like regional restrictions or streaming carrier content material blocks. Both VPN gives a devoted IP choice, however Nord’s nation variety (the United States, UK, Germany, France, Japan and the Netherlands) is bigger than PIA’s (the United States, UK, Canada, Japan and Germany). Nord proves extra enjoyable to energy customers who need area of expertise servers, non-public VPNs and extra.
NordVPN vs. Personal Web Get entry to: Final analysis
In the long run, whether or not you go for Nord or PIA depends upon your wishes and finances. NordVPN is a top-shelf VPN that delivers blazing-fast web speeds, a beneficiant server community and tool consumer options like Meshnet or Onion over VPN servers. You’ll pay extra for Nord than PIA however accordingly get extra in go back. Nord is best for bandwidth-demanding programs, akin to 4K streaming, gaming and hopping on Zoom calls. Moreover, its suite of privateness gear, akin to VPN servers with Tor, make it an outstanding selection for privacy-conscious customers.
PIA is among the most cost-effective VPNs to be had however doesn’t compromise privateness or transparency. It punches neatly above its weight category, providing limitless simultaneous connections (Nord supplies a still-generous 10), an in depth server community and user-friendly apps. Personal Web Get entry to is forged for unblocking streaming carrier content material, and its open-source apps, along a reader-friendly privateness coverage, will have to fulfill other folks with critical privateness issues. PIA’s sluggish speeds are its primary shortcoming; it was once molasses-slow in my benchmarking, with a leisurely 49% reasonable web pace loss.
If you need a quick VPN with complicated options, move with NordVPN. In case you are on the cheap with elementary privateness wishes, move with PIA, assuming you’ve were given rapid (100 Mbps or above) web speeds.
PIA is best than NordVPN for other folks in the hunt for financial financial savings, however Nord is best total as it’s considerably quicker, gives a bigger server community and packs extra complicated options for energy customers.
PIA prices $12 per 30 days, $40 a yr or $79 overall for 3 years’ value of carrier. NordVPN units you again $13 per month, $69 for the primary yr or $100 overall for the primary two years (each the one- and two-year plans normally renew at $100 once a year).
Sure, each NordVPN and PIA are two of the most productive VPNs available on the market. NordVPN is outstandingly rapid, stuffed with helpful complicated privateness trappings and very good for streaming, whilst PIA is a no-cost VPN that’s nice for elementary privateness.
In our checking out, NordVPN was once the quickest total VPN, with a best-in-class 11% reasonable web pace loss. Mullvad, Surfshark, Proton VPN and ExpressVPN had been all dependable as neatly, handing over a mean web pace lack of 25% or much less. PIA’s relatively upper 49% reasonable web pace loss may no longer paintings as neatly for other folks with slower or much less dependable connections, like satellite tv for pc web.
Sure, NordVPN and PIA are very good for streaming. Every carrier effectively unblocked dozens of streaming products and services, together with world Netflix, Disney Plus and Amazon Top Video libraries. Moreover, each PIA and Nord permit get right of entry to to US-only streaming apps, like Hulu and Max (previously HBO Max), whilst attached to US servers from in another country. Nord’s quicker connectivity method it’s going to carry out higher than PIA relying in your base web speeds, particularly when observing 4K movies.
NordVPN boasts extra complicated privateness options than PIA, akin to Onion Over VPN servers (which use Tor and a VPN), a double VPN for additonal encryption and Meshnet for a non-public VPN server. Moreover, its Panama jurisdiction is privacy-friendly. Alternatively, PIA contains open-source apps with supply code that any one can check up on, one of the crucial reader-friendly privateness insurance policies we’ve noticed and forged basic privateness choices. Its US jurisdiction is probably not perfect for some severely privacy-concerned other folks, however its transparency and dedication to consumer privateness assuaged our issues.
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