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 commentary tracks or the discount bin Blu-ray. Both method, you’ll be able to watch the movie, however hardcore cinephiles will recognize the added bonuses from the collector’s set. Each are two of CNET’s prime VPNs however for various causes. Whereas NordVPN is quick and sports activities many helpful privateness options, it’s not the most affordable digital personal community possibility in the marketplace. PIA, in the meantime, is wallet-friendly, personal and clear, however lacks the superior settings or velocity you’ll discover with premium VPNs akin to Nord. To pit them towards each other, I ran over 500 complete web velocity assessments, streamed hours of movies and used every VPN for every day duties like net looking or gaming.
Primarily based on my hands-on assessments, people searching for cutting-edge privateness and the very best web speeds ought to select NordVPN, whereas PIA is best for anybody wanting privateness fundamentals on a finances. Right here’s a take a look at NordVPN vs. PIA to determine which VPN is best for you.
NordVPN vs. PIA
| NordVPN | PIA | |
| Price | $13 a month, $69 for the primary 12 months or $100 complete in your first two years (the one- and two-year plans renew at $100 yearly) | $12 a month, $40 per 12 months or $79 complete for 3 years |
| Avg. velocity % loss (2024 assessments) | 11% | 49% |
| Server community | 6,400-plus servers throughout 111 nations | 35,000-plus servers throughout 91 nations |
| 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 |
| Appropriate platforms | Home windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, Android TV, iOS/iPadOS, Fireplace TV, Apple TV, Browsers, Routers | Home windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, Android TV, iOS/iPadOS, Fireplace 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 Non-public Web Entry are each extremely intuitive. Though neither is as streamlined as ExpressVPN, they’re every straightforward sufficient for VPN rookies and seasoned tech fanatics alike. Even in the event you’ve by no means used a VPN earlier than, Nord and PIA make getting related a breeze.
NordVPN’s slick interface makes it easy to do every little thing from hop on a server to allow superior privateness settings
I had no points discovering settings when altering VPN protocols or toggling on options like break up tunneling. PIA is even straightforward to make use of on Linux. Its graphical consumer interface — or GUI — app is easier for Linux newcomers than a command-line interface or CLI app, which requires punching in particular instructions.
Pace check: NordVPN is quicker than PIA — and each different VPN we examined
NordVPN’s connectivity trounces PIA, and it beats each different VPN we examined. All VPNs decelerate your web speeds considerably, and I typically discover a mean web obtain velocity lack of 25% or much less completely satisfactory. In my testing, NordVPN got here out on prime because the quickest VPN, delivering a best-in-class 11% common web obtain velocity loss, which is nice for bandwidth-intensive functions like 4K video streaming or Zoom calls. PIA, in the meantime, was the slowest VPN I examined: I clocked a 49% common web obtain velocity loss. PIA ought to work nice for most folk with a quick, dependable web connection — suppose fiber or cable — however satellite tv for pc web or 5G house web customers ought to look elsewhere.
Streaming and gaming efficiency
Nord’s glorious geo-unblocking and quick speeds make it nice for streaming
In my expertise, PIA and NordVPN are each glorious for streaming. I had no points unblocking Netflix libraries within the US, UK, Canada, Australia and Romania. Likewise, each VPNs offered US and UK Disney Plus and Amazon Prime Video library entry. I had a couple of points viewing Prime Video with PIA on a pc, however it labored flawlessly on streaming gadgets akin to my Amazon Fireplace TV Stick and Nvidia Protect TV Android TV field. Nord and PIA every supply Apple TV apps for Mac aficionados. I effortlessly streamed Males In Black on Netflix utilizing a UK server (it’s presently obtainable on Hulu within the US) and Class of ‘09 on Disney Plus with a UK server (usually, it requires a Hulu subscription within the US even to view within the Disney Plus app).
NordVPN’s blisteringly quick web speeds make it a strong selection for gaming and downloading giant information
Due to its noticeably quicker web speeds, NordVPN takes the cake for streaming regardless of each VPNs’ comparable geographical content material unblocking capabilities. Its minimal velocity loss means you’ll be able to stream buttery clean 4K Extremely Excessive-Definition films. Likewise, NordVPN is a much better selection for gaming, the place the quickest doable web connection is right. Nord is a improbable possibility in the event you’re on the lookout for a VPN to make use of together with your gaming PC, Xbox Sequence X/S, PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Swap.
Price and worth: PIA is a budget-priced no-frills VPN, whereas Nord supplies premium privateness at the next value
A Non-public Web Entry subscription units you again $12 per thirty days, $40 a 12 months or $79 for 3 years. NordVPN goes for $13 per thirty days, $69 the primary 12 months or $100 complete for the primary two years (the one- and two-year plans renew at $100 yearly). In contrast to most VPN companies — Nord included — PIA doesn’t hit you with value hikes on its one- and three-year plans, so that you’ll renew on the similar value you signed up for. Notably, NordVPN allows you to stack subscriptions; for example, you’ll be able to join an annual subscription at $69 after which buy a reduced two-year plan throughout 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 want to watch your subscription.
Due to its relative affordability in comparison with most opponents, PIA is among the finest low cost VPNs. Normally, I don’t advocate subscribing to a VPN for greater than a 12 months at a time due to how shortly issues change — your VPN supplier might undergo an information breach or sluggish servers — however PIA’s $79 three-year tier is inexpensive than most annual plans. You may get three years with PIA for simply $10 greater than Nord’s annual value.
Whereas PIA is clearly the extra reasonably priced of the 2 choices, Nord nonetheless boasts a ton of worth. It’s a premium service that jostles with different high-end VPNs — together with our Editors’ Selection ExpressVPN — however at a decrease upfront value. Furthermore, Nord sports activities area of interest options, like Meshnet for creating a private VPN server and Tor Over VPN connectivity. You’ll pay extra for Nord, however you get quite a bit in your cash, together with quick web connectivity and a great deal of superior options.
Journey: PIA has extra servers, however Nord has a presence in additional nations
PIA has a beneficiant worldwide server fleet
PIA’s 35,000 complete servers far outstrip Nord’s nonetheless ample 6,400 server fleet, however that’s not the entire story. Non-public Web Entry servers pepper 91 nations, whereas Nord is unfold throughout 111, so Nord really has a extra complete international footprint. Every VPN firm maintains a powerful worldwide server community, so each are nice for home and worldwide journey. Nord has a slight edge due to its bigger international net of servers, though both possibility ought to work for most folk.
Privateness and transparency: Nord and PIA are sturdy in numerous areas
NordVPN and PIA are every nice for privateness. Each have strict no-logging insurance policies. You possibly can and doubtless ought to be skeptical of your VPN supplier’s zero-logging braggadocio, however the two firms bear annual audits to confirm their claims. You’ll get the same old gamut of primary privateness options with both possibility, together with a kill change, break up tunneling and fashionable encryption (AES-256-bit with OpenVPN or IKEv2, ChaCha20 for WireGuard). PIA nonetheless allows you to decide 128-bit encryption, which I don’t advocate as a result of it’s not as safe as 256-bit. I didn’t detect any DNS leaks in my Nord or PIA testing. PIA and Nord each present obfuscation, masking the truth that you’re utilizing a VPN, which will be useful in conditions the place a VPN is frowned upon, like on faculty Wi-Fi.
Nord packs extra superior 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 single VPN connection). PIA helps multi-hop connections, much like Nord’s double VPN, however Non-public Web Entry depends on a proxy connection moderately than a second VPN connection. Primarily, it’s a distinct means to engaging in the identical purpose, making it tougher to hint your information again to its supply.
PIA’s US jurisdiction might fear some privacy-concerned customers. The US is a part of the 5, 9 and 14 Eyes data-sharing alliances, whereas Panama (Nord’s headquarters) is just not. However, Non-public Web Entry compensates for this with sturdy transparency. All of its apps are open-source and it options one of the reader-friendly privateness insurance policies I’ve perused, which reinforces its dedication to consumer privateness. In my deep dive, I discovered Nord’s privateness coverage much less clear, though not dangerous, and it solely has one open-source software: its Linux app.
General, Nord provides extra superior privateness choices and a privacy-friendly jurisdiction, whereas PIA is a little more clear. There are minor variations, however I really feel assured sufficient within the privateness guarantees of Nord and PIA to belief both VPN firm with my information.
Extra options: Nord has extra superior settings than PIA
Nord provides extra superior settings to tinker with along with basic privateness facilities, whereas PIA largely sticks to the fundamentals. NordVPN’s Meshnet allows you to arrange a private VPN server, which might assist entry a house server from overseas or host LAN events with pals scattered throughout the globe. Plus, Nord consists of Onion Over VPN and Double VPN servers, which give additional privateness in comparison with an ordinary VPN connection.
PIA does permit port forwarding, which will be useful for torrenting, whereas Nord doesn’t. Nord allows you to allow customized DNS settings, that are useful for conditions the place you’re having points with Nord’s personal nameservers, like regional restrictions or streaming service content material blocks. Both VPN provides a devoted IP possibility, however Nord’s nation choice (the US, UK, Germany, France, Japan and the Netherlands) is bigger than PIA’s (the US, UK, Canada, Japan and Germany). Nord proves extra satisfying to energy customers who need specialty servers, private VPNs and extra.
NordVPN vs. Non-public Web Entry: Backside line
In the end, whether or not you go for Nord or PIA depends upon your wants and finances. NordVPN is a top-shelf VPN that delivers blazing-fast web speeds, a beneficiant server community and energy consumer options like Meshnet or Onion over VPN servers. You’ll pay extra for Nord than PIA however accordingly get extra in return. Nord is best for bandwidth-demanding functions, akin to 4K streaming, gaming and hopping on Zoom calls. Moreover, its suite of privateness instruments, akin to VPN servers with Tor, make it an distinctive selection for privacy-conscious customers.
PIA is among the most cost-effective VPNs obtainable however doesn’t compromise privateness or transparency. It punches nicely above its weight class, providing limitless simultaneous connections (Nord supplies a still-generous 10), an in depth server community and user-friendly apps. Non-public Web Entry is strong for unblocking streaming service content material, and its open-source apps, alongside a reader-friendly privateness coverage, ought to fulfill people with critical privateness considerations. PIA’s sluggish speeds are its important shortcoming; it was molasses-slow in my benchmarking, with a leisurely 49% common web velocity loss.
In order for you a quick VPN with superior options, go along with NordVPN. For those who’re on a finances with primary privateness wants, go along with PIA, assuming you’ve bought quick (100 Mbps or above) web speeds.
PIA is best than NordVPN for people searching for financial financial savings, however Nord is best general as a result of it’s considerably quicker, provides a bigger server community and packs extra superior options for energy customers.
PIA prices $12 per thirty days, $40 a 12 months or $79 complete for 3 years’ price of service. NordVPN units you again $13 month-to-month, $69 for the primary 12 months or $100 complete for the primary two years (each the one- and two-year plans usually renew at $100 yearly).
Sure, each NordVPN and PIA are two of the most effective VPNs in the marketplace. NordVPN is exceptionally quick, stuffed with helpful superior privateness trappings and glorious for streaming, whereas PIA is a no-cost VPN that’s nice for primary privateness.
In our testing, NordVPN was the quickest general VPN, with a best-in-class 11% common web velocity loss. Mullvad, Surfshark, Proton VPN and ExpressVPN had been all dependable as nicely, delivering a mean web velocity lack of 25% or much less. PIA’s comparatively larger 49% common web velocity loss may not work as nicely for people with slower or much less dependable connections, like satellite tv for pc web.
Sure, NordVPN and PIA are glorious for streaming. Every service efficiently unblocked dozens of streaming companies, together with worldwide Netflix, Disney Plus and Amazon Prime Video libraries. Moreover, each PIA and Nord permit entry to US-only streaming apps, like Hulu and Max (previously HBO Max), whereas related to US servers from overseas. Nord’s quicker connectivity means it might carry out higher than PIA relying in your base web speeds, particularly when watching 4K movies.
NordVPN boasts extra superior privateness options than PIA, akin to Onion Over VPN servers (which use Tor and a VPN), a double VPN for additional encryption and Meshnet for a private VPN server. Moreover, its Panama jurisdiction is privacy-friendly. However, PIA consists of open-source apps with supply code that anybody can examine, one of the reader-friendly privateness insurance policies we’ve seen and strong basic privateness choices. Its US jurisdiction is probably not perfect for some critically privacy-concerned people, however its transparency and dedication to consumer privateness assuaged our considerations.
