Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) is a virtual private network (VPN) client that routes a device's internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel, hiding the user's IP address and location from websites and network observers. It supports the WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols with a choice of 128-bit or 256-bit AES encryption, connecting to a large network of servers spread across many countries.

Beyond basic tunneling, PIA includes a kill switch that blocks network traffic if the VPN connection drops, split tunneling to route only selected apps through the VPN, multi-hop routing through two servers for extra obfuscation, and a built-in ad and tracker blocker (MACE). The publisher states the service does not log browsing activity, and the client applications are published as open source so their code can be independently reviewed. A single subscription can be used on an unlimited number of devices at the same time.

The service is subscription-only, with no free tier. Plans are billed monthly or at a discount for one-year and three-year terms, with the effective monthly price dropping substantially on longer commitments; the multi-year plan renews at the discounted rate stated at purchase. New subscribers get a 30-day money-back guarantee rather than a trial period. Optional paid add-ons include a dedicated (static) IP address and a separate antivirus product for Windows.

This fits users who want a general-purpose consumer VPN for privacy on public networks, ISP tracking avoidance, or changing apparent location. It is not aimed at enterprise network administrators or teams needing centralized device management.