NordVPN and Private Internet Access are two of the most popular VPNs on the market. Find out which one is best, who has better features, or why they’re too similar to choose between them.
NordVPN vs PIA is a comparison between two of the most popular VPNs. The NordVPN has been in the market for a long time, and it has a lot of features that you can use. The Private Internet Access is also very similar to NordVPN, but it does have some differences. Read more in detail here: nordvpn vs private internet access.

The VPN sector is becoming more competitive. Many services are battling it out to be the best. NordVPN and Access to the Internet in a Secure Environment are two well-known examples (PIA). Both have a significant user base and a good reputation. As a result, making a decision amongst them might be difficult.
I’ve put up this Comparison chart to assist you decide which service is best. We’ll look at their speed, unique features, security capabilities, and more in this article.
Unlimited Bandwidth
Unblock Netflix
Kill Switch
Support Bitcoin
NordVPN Plans
1 Month Plan $11.99/month
1-year Plan $4.99/month
2-year Plan $3.99/month
30-day money-back guarantee
Get 68% OFF!
Unlimited Bandwidth
Bypass Geo-Restriction
Kill Switch
Support Bitcoin
PIA VPN Plans
1 Month Plan $9.95/month
1-year Plan $3.33/month
2-year Plan $3.29/month
30-day money-back guarantee
Get 67% OFF!
Comparison
Before we get into the specifics, let’s have a look at a list of all the capabilities that both VPNs have to offer. A simple table contrasts one to the other is found below:
![]() NordVPN |
![]() Access to the Internet in a Secure Environment | |
Policy on Logging | Logging is not permitted. | Logging is not permitted. |
Jurisdiction | Panama | The United States of America (Five-Eyes Member) |
Encryption | 4096-bit RSA Key Exchange with AES-256 SHA-256 Hash Authentication | 4096-bit RSA Key Exchange AES-256 AES-128 SHA-256 Hash Authentication |
Protocols | UDP OpenVPN TCP IPSec/IKEv2 WireGuard IPSec/L2TP OpenVPN | UDP OpenVPN TCP OpenVPN
WireGuard IPSec/L2TP |
Anti-Adware and Anti-Malware Software | Yes | Yes |
Turn Off the Lights | Yes | Yes |
Tests for Leaks | There were no leaks discovered. | There were no leaks discovered. |
Tests of Speed | Fast | Fast |
Torrenting & P2P | Yes, indeed (Optimized P2P Servers) | Yes, indeed (On All Servers) |
Streaming | Netflix Amazon Prime is a subscription service that allows you to BBC iPlayer Hulu Firestick Roku is a streaming media player (Via Router) Kodi Apple TV is a device that allows you to watch (Via Router) Android Television (Android TV) | Netflix Amazon Prime is a subscription service that allows you to Hulu
Firestick Kodi |
Gaming | iOS and Android on Windows Xbox One is a video game console that was released (Via DNS or Router) PS4 is a game console that was released in (Via DNS or Router) Nintendo Switch is a game console that was released in (Via DNS or Router) | iOS and Android on Windows Xbox One is a video game console that was released (Via Router) PS4 is a game console that was released in (Via Router) Nintendo Switch is a game console that was released in (Via Router) |
Compatibility | Chromebook Chromebook Chromebook Chromebook Chromebook Chromebook Chromebook Chromebook Chromebook Chromebook Chromebook Chrome Chrome Firefox Selected by Tor Routers | Android iOS Windows macOS Linux
Routers that have been chosen: Chrome Firefox Opera |
Simultaneous Connections are when two or more things happen at the same time. are when two or more things happen at the same time. | 6 | 10 |
Servers | 5161 | 3300+ |
China | Yes | On occasion (1 Out of 3 Servers Worked) |
Tunneling in Two Parts | Yes, indeed (For Android and Browser Extensions) | Yes |
Features Not Included | Over VPN, double VPN Onion | PIA MACE |
Prices |
$11.95 each month $4.92 per month (1-Year) $3.71 per month (2-Years) Special Promotion: Save 68 percent on a 2-year plan and 58 percent on a 1-year plan with this offer. |
$9.95/Month $3.33 per month (1-Year) $2.69 per month (2-Years) Special Promotion: Save 73% on a 2-year membership and get 2 months free. |
Our Opinion | 4.7 | 4.2 |
Website | www.nordvpn.com | www.privateinternetaccess.com |
As you can see, there are a lot of variances in what each VPN has to offer. We’ll now go through each one in depth and categorize them. After that, I’ll choose a winner for each round.
Let the NordVPN vs Access to the Internet in a Secure Environment battle begin!
Privacy & Security
The privacy and security aspects of both will be the first things we look at. This is the one we’ll start with since it’s perhaps the most vital for a VPN. After all, a service that lacks appropriate security features isn’t worth having.
Comparison of Encryption
For authentication, PIA and NordVPN employ the AES-256 encryption and SHA-256. They exchange an RSA-4096 handshake as well.
The difference between the two is that with the VPN software, PIA allows users to manually alter Protocols for Virtual Private Networks and encryption ciphers. NordVPN, on the other hand, has double-encryption choices.
Protocols for Virtual Private Networks
Every service, including WireGuard, supports popular protocols. One feature that distinguishes them is PIA’s absence of IKEv2 Compatibility, with the exception of its iOS app. When compared to NordVPN, this puts the VPN at a little disadvantage.
Protection Against Leaks
User reports concerning Protection Against Leaks have been good for both VPNs. This is only right as PIA and NordVPN are expected to deliver nothing but the best. With that said, I decided to test out the abilities of each VPN using IPLeak.net.
Here’s a snapshot of a test conducted without the usage of a VPN. My true IP address is shown clearly:
No VPN IP Leak Test
Check out the following findings after connecting to NordVPN’s Hong Kong server:
NordVPN Hong Kong IP Leak Test
Finally, after switching to the US server, here are the results:
NordVPN US IP Leak Test
My experience with NordVPN was fantastic. The testing showed that when I use the service, people won’t be able to see my true IP address.
The next thing I did was connect over to Access to the Internet in a Secure Environment’ server in Singapore. I chose that location because it’s the nearest primary server to my current location.
As expected, the service was able to conceal my real IP address, as seen below:
PIA Singapore conducts an IP Leak Test.
Finally, I connected to PIA’s New York server:
PIA US IP Leak Test
PIA, like NordVPN, was a success, which made me happy. I’m now more comfortable using it since it protects my privacy and keeps me anonymous.
I’d have to say that both VPNs were equally effective at keeping leaks at bay. When it comes to security, the two of them will not let you down. If you use them, you may be certain that troublemakers will not learn your IP address.
Server Safety
NordVPN has a tarnished record when it comes to Server Safety. It suffered from a breach back in 2018 when a single server in Finland got hacked. While no critical information got stolen, people’s trust in the VPN was diminished.
NordVPN has updated its security to ensure that its servers are never hacked again. It began a bug bounty program and began using more secure encryption (WireGuard).
When it comes to security, PIA has never had any issues. Despite being under US and hence Five Eyes control, it is required to adhere to severe copyright and cybersecurity rules. Despite the fact that it does not store records, the VPN has been forced to hand up information on two instances. Nothing occurred both times.
Final Thoughts
It’s been hard to decide which VPN is better with providing security. Nevertheless, one has still got to triumph in this Access to the Internet in a Secure Environment vs NordVPN battle. As such, my winner is PIA, as it’s able to match up with NordVPN in every aspect. In addition to that, the service has never encountered a security breach. Thus, its record and reputation remain flawless. It’s just being true to its name.
Test your speed
Virtual private networks (VPNs) all slow down your internet connection to some extent. Some people just hurry things up more than others. According to reports, PIA isn’t the quickest service available. NordVPN has had nothing but positive feedback, and it’s even been dubbed the fastest VPN on the market.
I wanted to see what the two services could do for me, so I put them to the test. The first VPN that I looked at was PIA. Having said that, have a look at my base connection speed:
Test your speed – No VPN
After connecting to PIA’s Singapore server, I got the following results:
Test your speed – PIA Singapore
My connection seems to be unaffected by PIA. I even increased my pace, according to the findings. I credit the improvement to the VPN, which let me avoid throttling.
I connected to PIA’s New York server after my first test. This is what I received:
Test your speed – PIA US
My results from using the New York server surprised me. Despite the distance from my current location, the results were great. It’s for that reason that I must say Access to the Internet in a Secure Environment impressed me.
Then came NordVPN. My expectations were high, given the company’s reputation and PIA’s stellar performance. To begin, I established a connection using the service’s Hong Kong server.
Here are my findings:
Test your speed – NordVPN Hong Kong
My early impressions of NordVPN’s connection speeds were positive. It didn’t significantly slow down my connection, as others have said.
I switched my connection to the UK server to check whether the service would be consistent:
Test your speed – NordVPN UK
When it comes to speed, NordVPN has a minor advantage over PIA. Even if the difference is tiny, it is substantial. NordVPN is my obvious winner in this area. It would be remiss not to say that PIA put up a valiant battle.
Torrenting & P2P
I use torrent to get movies and games on a regular basis. As a result, it’s critical that I have the correct VPN for the task. Without it, anybody with my IP address may rapidly acquire access to it and possibly damage me.
NordVPN and Access to the Internet in a Secure Environment have both got a strict no-logs policy. Besides that, they also utilize P2P servers.
Though only PIA has a network that completely supports P2P, NordVPN compensates for this gap by instantly connecting you to a P2P-supportive server if torrenting activity is detected.
While both sites seem to be wonderful for torrenting on paper, I wanted to try them out for myself to see which is superior. To begin, I used IPLeak.net to do a test without utilizing a VPN:
No VPN Torrenting Leak Test
My unmasked IP address was instantly recognized by the website.
The next step was to repeat the test while connecting to PIA’s Singapore server:
PIA Singapore conducts a torrenting leak test.
Following that, I connected to PIA’s New York server:
PIA US Torrenting Leak Test
The results of my test are clear. Access to the Internet in a Secure Environment is indeed safe for torrenting. It won’t give up your IP address, nor will it keep any logs of your online activities. To see if NordVPN would compare, I repeated the same process.
For my first test, I connected to the VPN’s Hong Kong server:
NordVPN Hong Kong Torrenting Leak Test
Last but not least, I established a connection using NordVPN’s UK server:
NordVPN UK Torrenting Leak Test
Today, it seems that PIA isn’t the only VPN that passed my testing. My IP address was likewise hidden thanks to NordVPN. As a result, selecting which service is the best for torrenting in this round proved difficult.
For one reason, NordVPN gets my vote in this area. It includes a list of torrenting-friendly venues. As a result, consumers will find it easy to manually choose a decent server. Don’t get me wrong: PIA is wonderful for torrenting as well.
Streaming
Access to the Internet in a Secure Environment has got a reputation for being a hit or miss service when it comes to streaming. Meanwhile, NordVPN has received nothing but praise for its ability to bypass geoblocks. But, to accurately judge both VPNs, it’s a must to perform some tests.
Amazon Prime was the platform I chose to utilize. Because it has a vast user base and I already have an account, I selected it.
I started by connecting to the PIA New York server:
PIA – Amazon Prime
Surprisingly, the VPN was able to quickly access the title (The Avengers). It could also load full-resolution videos with no buffering. In fact, this indicates that PIA has some streaming capability.
After my test with Access to the Internet in a Secure Environment, I went ahead and watched the title again using NordVPN. The server that I used was the US server. Below is my screenshot:
NordVPN – Amazon Prime
NordVPN was able to play the movie with ease, as predicted. There was no buffering at all, just as in PIA. The VPN also allowed me to watch in full quality, which really improved my watching experience.
Netflix
For many individuals, Netflix is the only streaming service that counts. It is the most popular platform in the planet. It’s also the one with the most difficult geoblocks to get around. Only a few providers are capable of reliably streaming it.
I opted to watch Kingsman: The Secret Service while connecting to PIA’s London server.
PIA – Netflix UK
Unfortunately, my efforts to access the title were in vain. Access to the Internet in a Secure Environment failed to bypass Netflix UK’s geoblocks.
I went to the New York server to give the VPN another chance and watched Spotlight:
PIA – Netflix PIA – Netflix PIA – Netflix PIA
PIA was able to obtain the title, proving my prediction incorrect. I honestly believed it wouldn’t be possible. It was a great surprise to be able to view the film.
Even though I knew NordVPN had a good track record when it came to Netflix access, I decided to put it to the test. Here’s a screenshot of it utilizing its UK server to access Kingsman:
NordVPN – Netflix UK
I connected to the US server and opened Spotlight once again, just to be sure the VPN was as amazing as everyone claims it is:
NordVPN – Netflix US
While I was streaming with NordVPN connected, everything worked well. There was basically no loading time, and both titles had excellent resolution. It’s true what people say regarding the service. It is, without a doubt, a great VPN for streaming.
The better VPN between the two is apparent. NordVPN is victorious in this round of Access to the Internet in a Secure Environment vs NordVPN. PIA performed decently, but between my experience and user reports, I can’t recommend it to others for streaming.
Gaming
A solid VPN must be able to handle games in addition to being able to broadcast flawlessly. In this round, I had a good experience with both NordVPN and PIA. However, I must admit that NordVPN seems to be more suited to gaming.
It’s worth noting that both VPNs may be utilized with gaming consoles. They’re compatible with routers even if they don’t have native applications for PS4 and Xbox One. Simply download them, connect your console, and start playing.
I used both services to play my favorite game, Call of Duty Mobile. I had sluggish troubles when connecting to PIA’s Singapore server. As I was connected to NordVPN’s Hong Kong server, I couldn’t say the same. All of my matchups ended with me as the MVP due to the zero-lag.
In this area, I’ve made a definite conclusion. Of the two VPNs, NordVPN is the quicker. Its speed advantage translates to improved game performance.
Compatibility
You can’t use a VPN if it’s not compatible with your device. Moreover, it’s also a must for a service to be able to run on many kinds of gadgets. After all, both NordVPN and PIA allow for multiple Simultaneous Connections are when two or more things happen at the same time. are when two or more things happen at the same time. on one account.
Refer to the table below for a better understanding of what each service is compatible with:
NordVPN | Access to the Internet in a Secure Environment | |
Windows | Yes | Yes |
macOS | Yes | Yes |
Linux | Yes | Yes |
Chromebook | Yes | No |
Android | Yes | Yes |
iOS | Yes | Yes |
Chrome | Yes | Yes |
Firefox | Yes | Yes |
Tor | Yes | Yes |
Opera | No | Yes |
Routers that have been chosen | Yes | Yes |
Between the two, NordVPN has the upper hand. It works with a wider range of operating systems and has browser extensions for a wider range of browsers. The only real benefit PIA has over it is that it comes with an Opera browser plugin. Except for that, NordVPN is unrivaled in terms of compatibility.
Simultaneous Connections are when two or more things happen at the same time. are when two or more things happen at the same time.
Access to the Internet in a Secure Environment users can simultaneously connect to 10 accounts at the same time. In Comparison, NordVPN can only link up to 6. As such, the winner of this round of PIA vs NordVPN has to be PIA by a long shot.
Servers
NordVPN and PIA have vastly different numbers of servers. A VPN with many servers is superior in terms of maintaining user anonymity.
With more than 5100 in 59 countries, NordVPN wins this category. Access to the Internet in a Secure Environment’ network is an impressive system, nonetheless. It operates 3300+ servers in 32 countries across the globe. By no means should that number be belittled in any way.
China
VPNs have been finding it more difficult to get beyond China’s Great Firewall. As a result, a service’s capacity to do so is a good approach to assess its quality. Fortunately, both NordVPN and PIA are capable of scaling the barrier. However, it is terrible to note that NordVPN outperforms PIA, which is inconsistent.
NordVPN has even got an exclusive domain to cater to its Chinese customers. Access to the Internet in a Secure Environment has got no such thing. Because of that, determining a winner for this category is easy.
Interface & Usability
The user interfaces of the NordVPN and PIA applications are very different. With a huge connect button and a drop-down choice of servers, PIA makes things easy. On the other hand, all of NordVPN’s applications have a map with markers indicating server locations. Users may choose their server from a drop-down menu as well.
I believe that PIA’s applications are much too basic. When it comes to experimenting with complex settings, there isn’t much leeway. Furthermore, the Windows app’s placement in the sidebar, as well as the fact that it hides itself when minimized, does not sit well with me.
NordVPN’s applications provide you more control over your settings. It redirects visitors to a new window where they may alter advanced options. This clears space on the main interface, making it seem more simple and welcoming.
When it comes to interface and usability, I have no doubts. NordVPN wins another again, thanks to its attractive and user-friendly interface. Aside from that, it allows you to change a variety of options.
Features Not Included
Even though it’s less expensive, PIA doesn’t sacrifice on features. It contains a built-in ad-blocker named PIA MACE and can handle up to 10 simultaneous users. It also supports peer-to-peer (P2P) on all of its servers.
NordVPN offers a hefty amount of features for its price. Although the VPN only allows for 6 Simultaneous Connections are when two or more things happen at the same time. are when two or more things happen at the same time., it has many redeeming features. For example, the VPN offers advanced security measures like Onion over VPN and DoubleVPN.
NordVPN triumphed against PIA in this round of NordVPN versus PIA. It offers a lot of features that PIA does not. The only disadvantage it has is the restricted number of simultaneous device connection choices.
Customer Service
Any VPN must have excellent customer service in order to survive. In this context, NordVPN and PIA are both well-known. Only NordVPN, on the other hand, provides live chat assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It’s also the only one of the two that offers consumers complete video instruction. There are writeups with screenshots on PIA.
Both VPNs have served me well in my own experience. In less than an hour, both services responded to my emails. Each of their responses was succinct and easy to comprehend.
To get a better insight into what each service offers in terms of Customer Service, refer to the table:
NordVPN | Access to the Internet in a Secure Environment | |
Support through live chat | Yes | Yes |
Email Customer Service | Yes | Yes |
Support over the phone | No | No |
Ticket Assistance | Yes | Yes |
Video Instructions | Yes | No |
Average Time to Respond | Thirty minutes | Time: 39 minutes |
Knowledge Base on the Internet | Yes | Yes |
Due to PIA’s lack of video guides, 24/7 chat support, and Video Instructions, my winner for this category is NordVPN. It’s got a slight edge, which means so much for customers like us.
Prices
When it comes to selecting a VPN, many consumers look at the price first. NordVPN has a reputation for being expensive, but PIA does not. Nonetheless, it’s critical to pay attention to the finer points. Here’s a table to help you figure out which VPN is the best deal:
NordVPN | Access to the Internet in a Secure Environment | |
Lengths of Subscriptions | Month-to-Month ($11.95/Month) | Month-to-Month ($9.95/Month) |
1 year ($4.92 per month) | $3.33/month for a year | |
$3.71/month for 2 years | $2.69/month for 2 years | |
The Most Expensive Month | $11.95 | $9.95 |
Lowest Monthly Rate | $3.71 | $2.69 |
Price for a year | $59.00 | $39.95 |
Guaranteed Money-Back | 30 Days | 30 Days |
Special Promotion | For a 2-year plan, you’ll save 68 percent; for a 1-year plan, you’ll save 58 percent. | 73 percent off a two-year plan + two months free |
PIA is the winner in this area in my opinion. It’s a lot less expensive, which is great for budget-conscious clients. The price disparity between the two services is just too great to ignore.
Verdict
Is NordVPN superior than PIA?
Yes. NordVPN is indeed better than PIA. It’s faster, has more features, got better streaming capabilities, and boasts superior Customer Service. The only advantage that PIA has is pricing, which is noticeably cheaper than NordVPN’s.
Don’t get me wrong, though. Access to the Internet in a Secure Environment is a fantastic service. It provides the utmost levels of privacy and security to users. That is despite it being under the Jurisdiction of the Five Eyes Alliance. If anything, it proves that a great VPN can be based in the United States.
I’d have to say that NordVPN is the best service to have if you plan on doing a lot of media streaming. It’s also beneficial if you’re planning a vacation to China. PIA is a good choice for individuals looking for a basic yet trustworthy VPN. When it comes to protecting your online activity, it accomplishes all a VPN is intended to do.
NordVPN is a VPN that has been around for quite some time. It offers a very high level of security and privacy, while being able to unblock Netflix. PIA is a newer VPN that is trying to compete with NordVPN. They have some features that are similar, but also offer more in terms of speed, China access and compatibility with Firestick devices. Reference: pia obfuscation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better NordVPN or PIA?
A: NordVPN and PIA are both good VPNs. The decision, however, comes down to what youre looking for in a VPN.
Is PIA still a good VPN?
A: The answer is no. PIA was created by a company called Private Internet Access, which has recently been taken over by another company that does not offer any support for the software or users who purchased it on their site. This means PIA shuts down and ceases to exist as of this moment in time.
Is a PIA the same as a VPN?
A: No, a VPN encrypts traffic while a PIA is just another name for proxy servers.
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