Private Internet Access

Full Private Internet Access Review for UK Users

Private Internet Access, commonly known as PIA, is one of the longest-running VPN providers in the industry, having operated since 2010. Now owned by Kape Technologies, PIA has built a loyal following among privacy enthusiasts, largely due to its commitment to transparency and its proven track record of protecting user privacy.

PIA's most significant differentiator is that all of its client applications are fully open-source. The source code is publicly available on GitHub, allowing anyone to inspect, audit, and verify the security of the software. This level of transparency is rare in the VPN industry and provides a degree of trust that proprietary applications cannot match.

The company's no-logs policy has been tested in real-world legal proceedings on multiple occasions. When served with court orders demanding user data, PIA has consistently demonstrated that it has no information to hand over. These court cases provide stronger evidence of a no-logs commitment than any third-party audit.

With over 35,000 servers across 91 countries, PIA operates the largest server network in the VPN industry. This massive infrastructure means less congestion and more consistent performance, particularly during peak hours. UK users benefit from hundreds of servers located within the country.

The MACE feature is PIA's built-in ad blocker, which operates at the DNS level to block advertisements, trackers, and malware domains. While not as comprehensive as some standalone ad blockers, it provides a useful additional layer of protection.

Port forwarding support is a feature that sets PIA apart from many competitors. This is particularly valuable for UK users who use peer-to-peer applications, host game servers, or need to access their home network remotely.

PIA now offers unlimited simultaneous connections, matching Surfshark's offering. Combined with its affordable pricing starting at £1.69 per month on the three-year plan, this makes PIA an excellent choice for households with many devices.

The main concern with PIA is that it is headquartered in the United States, a founding member of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance. However, the company's proven no-logs policy means that even if compelled to hand over data, there is nothing meaningful to provide. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.