Private Internet Access vs IVPN

PIA and IVPN are both fully open-source VPNs, but that is where the similarities end. PIA is owned by Kape Technologies, has 35,000 servers, unlimited connections, and focuses on torrenting and feature breadth. IVPN is independently owned, has 80 servers, 2 connections on the Standard plan, and focuses on ethical business practices and maximum privacy. Two open-source philosophies, two very different products.

Quick Verdict

PIA is the more capable VPN. More servers, more features, unlimited connections, port forwarding, and US streaming support. IVPN is the more principled VPN. Anonymous signup, ethical marketing, independent ownership, and post-quantum encryption. PIA for functionality; IVPN for privacy purity.

At a Glance

| Category | PIA | IVPN | Winner | |----------|-----|------|--------| | Overall Score | 8.1 | 7.9 | PIA | | Privacy Score | 8.5 | 9.6 | IVPN | | Speed | 76.3 Mbps | 74.1 Mbps | PIA | | Torrenting | 9.0 | 7.5 | PIA | | Streaming | 7.9 | 4.8 | PIA | | Connections | Unlimited | 2 (Standard) | PIA | | Transparency Score | 74 | 92 | IVPN | | Open Source | Yes | Yes | Tie |

Speed Comparison

| Location | PIA | IVPN | Difference | |----------|-----|------|------------| | US (New York) | 76.3 Mbps | 74.1 Mbps | +3.0% | | UK (London) | 71.8 Mbps | 70.6 Mbps | +1.7% | | Germany (Frankfurt) | 69.5 Mbps | 72.3 Mbps | -3.9% | | Japan (Tokyo) | 58.9 Mbps | 56.8 Mbps | +3.7% | | Australia (Sydney) | 55.4 Mbps | 53.2 Mbps | +4.1% |

Winner: Tie. Nearly identical speeds. IVPN actually edges ahead in Frankfurt. Despite PIA having 437x more servers, the speed difference is negligible. Both sit in the lower tier of VPN speeds.

Pricing Comparison

| Metric | PIA | IVPN | |--------|-----|------| | Monthly | $11.99/mo | $6.00/mo (Standard) | | 2-Year | $2.03/mo | $6.00/mo | | Renewal | $3.33/mo (yearly) | $6.00/mo | | 3-Year True Cost | $111.48 | $216.00 |

Winner: PIA on long-term plans. PIA's 2-year plan costs a third of IVPN's flat rate. Over three years, PIA saves $105. IVPN's flat pricing is more transparent, but the cost difference is substantial.

Torrenting

| Factor | PIA | IVPN | |--------|-----|------| | P2P Support | Yes (all servers) | Yes | | Port Forwarding | Yes | No | | Kill Switch | Yes | Yes | | Connections | Unlimited | 2 (Standard) | | Court-Tested No-Logs | Yes (twice) | No |

Winner: PIA. Port forwarding, unlimited connections, and FBI-tested no-logs make PIA the far superior torrenting choice. IVPN's 2-connection limit alone makes it impractical for heavy P2P use.

Streaming

PIA unblocks US streaming platforms (Netflix US, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Max). IVPN scores 0/12.

Winner: PIA. Limited to US platforms, but functional. IVPN does not attempt streaming.

Privacy and Ethics

| Factor | PIA | IVPN | |--------|-----|------| | Jurisdiction | United States | Gibraltar | | Parent Company | Kape Technologies | IVPN Limited | | Email Required | Yes | No | | Anonymous Payment | Crypto | Cash, crypto | | Open Source | Yes (all apps) | Yes (all apps) | | Post-Quantum | No | Yes | | Court-Tested No-Logs | Yes (twice) | No | | Ethical Marketing | Standard | Discourages unnecessary purchases | | Transparency Score | 74 | 92 |

Winner: IVPN. Independent ownership, anonymous signup, cash payments, post-quantum encryption, and the most ethical marketing in the industry. PIA's court-tested no-logs is a strong point, but IVPN's overall approach to privacy and business ethics sets a higher standard. PIA's US jurisdiction and Kape ownership remain concerns.

Who Should Choose PIA

• Torrenters who need port forwarding and unlimited connections
• Budget buyers who want an open-source VPN at the cheapest price
• Users who value court-proven privacy records
• Anyone who needs US streaming support
• Households with many devices

Who Should Choose IVPN

• Privacy advocates who want zero personal data shared
• Users who value independent ownership and ethical practices
• Post-quantum encryption advocates
• Anyone who prefers honest, no-tricks pricing
• Users with minimal device needs (IVPN Pro offers 7 connections)

Our Recommendation

PIA for most users between these two. More features, more servers, better torrenting, cheaper pricing, and streaming support. IVPN for privacy purists who prioritize ethics and anonymity over functionality. If privacy is paramount but you also want usability, consider Mullvad or Proton VPN instead.