In 2025, the VPN world has evolved even more aggressively. Governments are tightening surveillance, streaming platforms are getting smarter at blocking VPNs, and users are demanding both simplicity and advanced privacy features.
Private Internet Access (PIA) remains one of the oldest and most advanced VPN providers, known for its transparency, customization, and raw control. But with fierce competition from newer VPNs like ProtonVPN, Mullvad, and AI-enhanced smart routing from Surfshark and NordVPN, is PIA still relevant?
I spent one full month using PIA daily across multiple devices — Windows, Android, Mac, Linux, Fire TV Stick, and even my router — to find out how well it performs in 2025.
PIA 2025: Updated Technical Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Encryption | AES-128 / AES-256-GCM (user-controlled) |
| Protocols | WireGuard (2025 hardened), OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| Server Network | 36,000+ servers in 91 countries |
| Kill Switch | Enhanced Kill Switch (system-wide & app-level) |
| Split Tunneling | Available on Windows, Mac, Android |
| Multi-Hop / Obfuscation | Multi-Hop + Shadowsocks + SOCKS5 |
| Dedicated IP | Optional, multiple country options |
| Port Forwarding | Full support (rare among VPNs today) |
| No-Logs Policy | Independently audited 2025 (Deloitte) |
| Simultaneous Devices | Unlimited |
| Threat Protection (PIA MACE 2.0) | Upgraded ad/tracker/malware blocking |
| Open Source | 100% open-source apps for all platforms |
| Jurisdiction | USA (but court-proven zero logs) |
Personal Experience After 1 Month of 2025 Use
Installation & Onboarding
PIA remains one of the easiest VPNs to install — with an edge for power users:
- Setup on Windows, Mac, Android, Linux, iOS, Fire TV, and even routers was fast and smooth.
- Full GUI support on Linux continues to make PIA a standout.
- The 2025 interface is more modern and responsive, with redesigned dashboards that finally feel “consumer-ready” while retaining deep customization.
New onboarding tutorials help first-timers navigate encryption settings, kill switch modes, and split tunneling with ease.
Streaming: Reliable, But Occasionally Requires Tweaking
PIA successfully unblocked:
- Netflix US, UK, Japan, Australia
- Disney+ (US, Canada)
- Max (formerly HBO Max)
- BBC iPlayer
- Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock
However, unlike NordVPN’s SmartPlay or Surfshark’s SmartDNS, PIA occasionally requires manual server switching for certain locations when Netflix or Prime get aggressive about VPN detection.
Once connected, 4K streaming was smooth, with zero buffering. PIA’s US East Streaming-Optimized servers worked best.
Speed Test Results (WireGuard Protocol — 1 Gbps Fiber)
| Server Location | Baseline | PIA Speed (WireGuard 2025) | Speed Drop |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA (New York) | 950 Mbps | 890 Mbps | ~6% |
| UK (London) | 950 Mbps | 830 Mbps | ~12% |
| Japan (Tokyo) | 950 Mbps | 790 Mbps | ~17% |
| Australia (Sydney) | 950 Mbps | 780 Mbps | ~18% |
PIA’s upgraded WireGuard 2025 stack is extremely efficient — offering top-tier speeds across continents, now on par with NordVPN’s NordLynx.
Gaming: Surprisingly Strong
I tested PIA while playing:
- Call of Duty: MW3
- Valorant
- Counter-Strike 2
- Fortnite
Ping increases were minimal (~40–60ms depending on server). No noticeable rubber-banding or packet loss during multiplayer sessions. The ability to enable port forwarding gave me a measurable advantage in peer-to-peer connections.
Bonus: DDoS protection on servers is automatically included — something not all VPNs advertise anymore.
Public Wi-Fi and Work Security
While traveling, I used PIA extensively at:
- Airports
- Hotels
- Cafés
- Co-working spaces
PIA’s enhanced MACE 2.0 Threat Protection blocked:
- Ads (Google Ads, Facebook trackers)
- Known phishing sites
- Malicious script injections
- Suspicious hotel Wi-Fi DNS hijacking
For remote work, I used PIA to securely access my company’s internal resources and region-locked SaaS tools like Jira, AWS dashboards, Notion, and private Git servers.
Split tunneling worked flawlessly — routing work apps outside the VPN to minimize latency while keeping everything else encrypted.
PIA 2025: What It Does Best
- Ultimate Customization: Encryption levels, protocols, obfuscation — you control everything.
- 100% Open-Source Transparency: Rare level of auditability.
- WireGuard Speeds: Top-tier global speeds with minimal slowdowns.
- Port Forwarding for Gamers & P2P: A disappearing feature elsewhere.
- Unlimited Devices: One subscription secures your whole family.
- Advanced Work Features: Dedicated IPs, static routing, customizable DNS.
- GUI for Linux: Still one of very few VPNs offering a full graphical Linux client.
- Court-Proven No-Logs: Despite being US-based, PIA has never handed over logs.
Where PIA Still Lags
- Less beginner-friendly than Nord or Surfshark: Advanced options may overwhelm casual users.
- Streaming access requires occasional server trial-and-error: No Smart DNS system yet.
- Jurisdiction concerns for ultra-paranoid users: Based in USA (Five Eyes member state).
- UI still more “utility” than “premium design”: Though improved, it’s still aimed at power users.
Who Should Use PIA in 2025?
| User Type | Why PIA? |
|---|---|
| Privacy Purists | Fully open-source apps + court-tested no-logs policy |
| Gamers | Port forwarding + stable ping + DDoS protection |
| Torrenters | Port forwarding + SOCKS5 proxy + strong kill switch |
| Remote Workers | Dedicated IP, secure remote access to geo-locked resources |
| Large Families | Unlimited simultaneous devices for entire households |
| Linux Users | Full GUI support, advanced controls |
PIA 2025 Pricing (USA Updated)
| Plan | Price (Billed Every) | Monthly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 3-Year Plan (Best Deal) | $79 total (billed every 3 years) | ~$2.03/month |
| 1-Year Plan | $39.95/year | ~$3.33/month |
| Monthly Plan | $11.95/month | Pay-as-you-go |
- Dedicated IP: +$5/month (optional)
- 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
PIA vs Competitors (2025 Quick Comparison Table)
| Feature | PIA | NordVPN | ExpressVPN | Surfshark | ProtonVPN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Servers | 36,000+ | 6,300+ | 3,000+ | 3,200+ | 3,100+ |
| Simultaneous Devices | Unlimited | 10 | 8 | Unlimited | 10 |
| Jurisdiction | USA | Panama | BVI | Netherlands | Switzerland |
| Audit | Deloitte 2025 | Deloitte 2024 | PwC | Cure53 | SEC Consult |
| Best For | Power users | Balanced users | Stability & simplicity | Budget & beginners | Hardcore privacy |
| Streaming | Very good (requires tweaking) | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Torrent Support | Full (w/ port forwarding) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Port Forwarding | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| Price (long term) | ~$2.03/mo | ~$3.99/mo | ~$6.67/mo | ~$2.29/mo | ~$4.99/mo |
PIA 2025 Final Verdict
After a full month of real-world usage, Private Internet Access remains one of the strongest VPNs for power users, families, and tech-savvy professionals who want maximum customization, rock-solid privacy, fast global speeds, and full open-source transparency — all for one of the lowest long-term prices on the market.
If you’re the kind of user who appreciates full control over your VPN, PIA continues to offer an unmatched feature set in 2025.