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A virtual private network (VPN) can serve as an answer to someone seeking a higher level of online privacy, or a small company looking to secure your work documents or a traveler who frequently connects to public Wi-Fi.
NordVPN and Private Internet Access are two incredibly popular VPNs that provide users high-speed encrypted internet access and online security. In this comparison, we’ll examine how these companies stack up from the perspective of price, servers, device compatibility and customer service.
Read on to find out which VPN is the best choice for you.
Featured Partners
1
NordVPN
Lowest Monthly Price
INR 329.07 ($3.99) + 3 months free
Money Back Guarantee
30 days
No. of Servers
5,000+
2
Surfshark
Lowest Monthly Price
INR 197.29 + one month free
Money Back Guarantee
30 days
No. of Servers
3,200+
3
Private Internet Access
Lowest Monthly Price
INR 158.89
No. of Devices
Unlimited
No. of Servers
30,000+
NordVPN vs. Private Internet Access: At a Glance
Both NordVPN and Private Internet Access (PIA) are rated one of our top 10 VPNs. While they’re both well-established names, they vary slightly in terms of cost and features, with PIA offering a lower annual price. Both companies allow you to pay by month and by year, while PIA offers a steep discount for a three-year plan and NordVPN does the same for a two-year plan.
Private Internet Access
Cost
INR 4739.80 ($56.94) for the first two years and two months
then per year after that
Compatibility
Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux
Maximum number of devices
10
Cost
INR 4739.80 ($56.94) for the first two years and two months
then per year after that
Compatibility
Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux
Maximum number of devices
10
Private Internet Access offers an incredibly competitive price and the highest number of servers of any VPN we tested. If you’re looking for an everyday VPN, this one is a great choice. That being said, it’s worth mentioning that PIA has been met with reservations from the cybersecurity community because of their parent company, Kape Technologies. This company has a past of creating malware and their products do not undergo third-party review, like other VPNs on the market. This is something to keep in mind when you are choosing a VPN, especially in situations where privacy is the utmost priority.
- A high number of servers (35,000)
- Dedicated IP (DIP) add-on available
- 24/7 support
- Cost for dedicated IP is higher than some competitors
- Transparency report is not that detailed
NordVPN
Cost
INR 4984.53 ($59.88) per year for the first year
INR 8280.91 ($99.48) thereafter
Compatibility
Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, Android TV
Maximum number of devices
6
Cost
INR 4984.53 ($59.88) per year for the first year
INR 8280.91 ($99.48) thereafter
Compatibility
Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, Android TV
Maximum number of devices
6
NordVPN is a reliable VPN on the market for individuals and businesses. NordVPN is a great choice for individuals seeking a higher level of internet privacy, small businesses and even large teams through a separate service, NordLayer. NordVPN also offers the option of a dedicated IP, a feature not all VPNs provide.
- A high number of servers (5000+)
- Dedicated IP (DIP) add-on available
- 24/7 support
- More expensive than other VPNs
- Fewer server connections than competitors
- Cost for dedicated IP is higher than some competitors
How NordVPN and Private Internet Access Stack Up
Private Internet Access is considerably cheaper than NordVPN. As far as similarities, both companies offer 24/7 customer service, both have the same encryption (AES with 256-bit keys) and both are compatible with Android, iOS, Windows, Mac and Linux, while NordVPN is also compatible with Android TV.
While PIA allows you to connect to a total of ten devices, NordVPN has a limit of six. Private Internet Access also has a substantially higher number of servers and by far the highest of all the VPNs we’ve tested. NordVPN still has a high number of servers relative to other VPNs at 5,500, but Private Internet Access is a clear winner here.
Private Internet Access has servers located in 78 countries while NordVPN’ has 60 server locations. Rather than compare the number though, it could be beneficial to check which ones have server locations in countries you plan to connect your VPN to. You can check whether NordVPN server locations will match yours on the company’s website.
Both VPNs offer the option of a dedicated IP for an additional fee, which grants you the ability to access IP-restricted networks while still maintaining your anonymity. PIA has a slightly more competitive offer here, too, at INR 416.21 ($5) per month or INR 4994.52 ($60) per year, compared with INR 485.30 ($5.83) per month or INR 5826.94 ($70) per year.
Additional Features
PIA offers users access to Boxcryptor, an encrypted software that protects sensitive files on cloud storage platforms, when you sign up for the three-year plan. This will ensure the files you store on the cloud are kept private.
NordVPN also offers a similar service called NordLocker Premium, which allows you to encrypt up to 500 GB of cloud files. This service costs an additional INR 665.10 ($7.99) per month, or, if you’re signing up for the annual plan, it comes out to INR 332.14 ($3.99) per month.
Featured Partners
1
NordVPN
Lowest Monthly Price
INR 329.07 ($3.99) + 3 months free
Money Back Guarantee
30 days
No. of Servers
5,000+
2
Surfshark
Lowest Monthly Price
INR 197.29 + one month free
Money Back Guarantee
30 days
No. of Servers
3,200+
3
Private Internet Access
Lowest Monthly Price
INR 158.89
No. of Devices
Unlimited
No. of Servers
30,000+
Bottom Line
Overall, Private Internet Access is a great choice if you’re looking for an everyday fast-speed VPN. It ranked number one on our list of the 10 best virtual private networks of 2024.
On the other hand, NordVPN’s service NordLayer makes it a great choice for securing the privacy of large teams. Finally, given that PIA does not undergo third-party reviews, if privacy is your main concern—as it often is when it comes to VPNs—consider NordVPN over PIA.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How secure are VPNs?
Both NordVPN and Private Internet Access provide military-grade AES 256-bit encryption. This is the same security that governments and armed forces around the world use to protect sensitive information. Both VPNs include a kill switch, which automatically disconnects your internet connection when your device isn’t connected to the VPN. Private Internet Access has a built-in ad-blocker, PIA MACE, which adds an extra layer of protection by blocking harmful ads, scripts and trackers before they even have a chance to load. And NordVPN offers NordLayer, which provides internet privacy for companies and businesses.
Are there any VPNs that are less expensive than NordVPN and Private Internet Access?
There are some free VPNs available, such as Hotspot Shield, though we recommend choosing a paid solution because free VPNs are less secure and come with many advertisements. If budget is an issue, you can find many cheap VPNs to choose from.
How do I connect to a VPN?
The process for connecting to a VPN varies, depending on your device and operating system. Generally, you need to download the VPN’s app or software, enter your username and password and select a server. For more detailed instructions, check out the VPN’s website or contact customer service.
