NordVPN vs. PIA: Superior Privateness for Energy Customers or Finances-Priced Fundamentals

Evaluating NordVPN and PIA is like deciding whether or not to buy the collector’s version 4K Blu-ray full of making-of featurettes and director’s commentary tracks or the discount bin Blu-ray. Both manner, 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 non-public community possibility in the marketplace. PIA, in the meantime, is wallet-friendly, non-public and clear, however lacks the superior settings or velocity you’ll discover with premium VPNs akin to Nord. To pit them in opposition to each other, I ran over 500 whole web velocity exams, streamed hours of movies and used every VPN for every day duties like net searching or gaming. 

Based mostly on my hands-on assessments, of us in search of cutting-edge privateness and the very best web speeds ought to select NordVPN, whereas PIA is healthier for anybody wanting privateness fundamentals on a price range. Right here’s a take a look at NordVPN vs. PIA to resolve which VPN is best for you.

NordVPN vs. PIA

Ease of use: NordVPN and PIA are each user-friendly

NordVPN and Non-public Web Entry are each extremely intuitive. Though neither is as streamlined as ExpressVPN, they’re every simple sufficient for VPN newcomers and seasoned tech lovers alike. Even when you’ve by no means used a VPN earlier than, Nord and PIA make getting linked a breeze. 

I had no points discovering settings when altering VPN protocols or toggling on options like cut up tunneling. PIA is even simple to make use of on Linux. Its graphical consumer interface — or GUI — app is less complicated for Linux newcomers than a command-line interface or CLI app, which requires punching in particular instructions. 

Velocity take a look at: 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 usually discover a mean web obtain velocity lack of 25% or much less completely sufficient. 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 purposes 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 wonderful for most people with a quick, dependable web connection — assume fiber or cable — however satellite tv for pc web or 5G house web customers ought to look elsewhere. 

Streaming and gaming efficiency

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 supplied US and UK Disney Plus and Amazon Prime Video library entry. I had a number 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 Defend 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 (sometimes, it requires a Hulu subscription within the US even to view within the Disney Plus app).

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 easy 4K Extremely Excessive-Definition films. Likewise, NordVPN is a much better selection for gaming, the place the quickest attainable web connection is good. Nord is a unbelievable possibility when you’re searching for a VPN to make use of along with your gaming PC, Xbox Sequence X/S, PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Change.

Value 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 yr or $79 for 3 years. NordVPN goes for $13 per thirty days, $69 the primary yr or $100 whole for the primary two years (the one- and two-year plans renew at $100 yearly). Not like most VPN providers — 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 enables 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 observe your subscription.

Due to its relative affordability in comparison with most rivals, PIA is likely one of the greatest low-cost VPNs. Often, I don’t advocate subscribing to a VPN for greater than a yr at a time due to how rapidly issues change — your VPN supplier may undergo a knowledge breach or sluggish servers — however PIA’s $79 three-year tier is cheaper than most annual plans. You will get three years with PIA for simply $10 greater than Nord’s annual value.

Whereas PIA is clearly the extra inexpensive of the 2 choices, Nord however boasts a ton of worth. It’s a premium service that jostles with different high-end VPNs — together with our Editors’ Alternative ExpressVPN — however at a decrease upfront price. 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 on 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 international locations

PIA’s 35,000 whole 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 international locations, 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 people. 

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’ll be able to and doubtless ought to be skeptical of your VPN supplier’s zero-logging braggadocio, however the two corporations bear annual audits to confirm their claims. You’ll get the same old gamut of fundamental privateness options with both possibility, together with a kill swap, cut up tunneling and fashionable encryption (AES-256-bit with OpenVPN or IKEv2, ChaCha20 for WireGuard). PIA nonetheless enables you to choose 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 could 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 reasonably than a second VPN connection. Basically, it’s a distinct means to carrying out the identical objective, making it tougher to hint your knowledge again to its supply. 

PIA’s US jurisdiction might fear some privacy-concerned customers. America is a part of the 5, 9 and 14 Eyes data-sharing alliances, whereas Panama (Nord’s headquarters) shouldn’t be. Nonetheless, Non-public Web Entry compensates for this with sturdy transparency. All of its apps are open-source and it options one of the crucial 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 unhealthy, and it solely has one open-source software: its Linux app. 

Total, Nord gives 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 knowledge.

Extra options: Nord has extra superior settings than PIA

Nord gives extra superior settings to tinker with along with basic privateness facilities, whereas PIA largely sticks to the fundamentals. NordVPN’s Meshnet enables you to arrange a private VPN server, which may assist entry a house server from overseas or host LAN events with mates scattered throughout the globe. Plus, Nord consists of Onion Over VPN and Double VPN servers, which offer additional privateness in comparison with a regular VPN connection.

PIA does permit port forwarding, which could be useful for torrenting, whereas Nord doesn’t. Nord enables 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 gives 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

Finally, whether or not you go for Nord or PIA is dependent upon your wants and price range. 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 healthier for bandwidth-demanding purposes, 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 likely one of the least expensive 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 of us with critical privateness issues. PIA’s sluggish speeds are its fundamental 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. Should you’re on a price range with fundamental privateness wants, go along with PIA, assuming you’ve bought quick (100 Mbps or above) web speeds.