Quick answer: Private Internet Access (PIA) is still sold in October 2026. It is a US-based VPN run by PIA Private Internet Access, Inc. in Denver, Colorado, and since 2019 it has been part of Kape Technologies, the group that also owns ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. PIA allows unlimited devices on one subscription, has servers in 104 countries, publishes its app code as open source and has had its no-logs policy reviewed twice by Deloitte. Its long-term plans are cheap, but the monthly plan costs much more.
This review is based on PIA’s own website, privacy policy and published audit information, plus reporting on its ownership. We have not tested the service ourselves. An earlier version of this article reported speed and streaming tests (“34 Mbps”, “16 Mbps in Germany”, Netflix results by country) without saying who ran them. We have removed those figures because we could not trace them to a named, dated source, and VPN speeds change constantly anyway.
Who owns Private Internet Access?
- Operating company: PIA’s privacy policy names PIA Private Internet Access, Inc. PIA says it is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, which puts it under United States law.
- Parent company: The same privacy policy refers to Kape Technologies. PIA announced its merger into Kape in November 2019; ZDNet reported the deal at about $95 million. Kape also owns ExpressVPN and CyberGhost.
- History: PIA was founded in 2010 by Andrew Lee under London Trust Media. When Kape bought it, some users objected because Kape, under its former name Crossrider, had made browser software bundled with unwanted programs. Readers who weigh ownership heavily may want to know this.
Plans and pricing (as of October 2026)
As of October 2026, per PIA’s pricing page (US dollars; prices shown in India may differ):
| Plan | Price shown | Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | $11.95 a month | $11.95 monthly |
| 1 year | $3.99 a month ($47.88 for the first year) | $47.88 a year |
| 3 years + 3 extra months | $2.03 a month | $79 every 3 years |
Every plan has the same features and a 30-day money-back guarantee for new subscribers. Purchases through Apple’s or Google’s app stores follow those stores’ refund rules. PIA has no free plan. Antivirus and a dedicated IP address are sold as paid add-ons at checkout.
The original article quoted $9.95 a month, $35.95 for six months and $39.95 a year, and said PIA allowed 10 devices. Those figures are out of date: the monthly price has risen, the six-month plan is gone and PIA now advertises unlimited simultaneous devices.
Features PIA documents today
- Server network: RAM-only servers in 104 countries, including locations in all 50 US states, according to PIA.
- Protocols: OpenVPN and WireGuard. The original article described the detailed encryption, handshake and port settings in PIA’s apps; advanced users can still adjust these.
- Open-source apps: PIA says all its VPN apps are open source, so anyone can inspect the code.
- Kill switch: PIA describes a firewall-based kill switch that blocks traffic if the VPN drops. An earlier version of this article said the kill switch was available only on Android and iOS; that is no longer accurate.
- MACE: a DNS-based blocker for ads, trackers and malware domains, as the original article noted.
- Apps: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome and Firefox extensions, Android TV and routers.
- Extras: an email breach monitor, plus the paid antivirus and dedicated IP add-ons.
Privacy, logging and audits
PIA says it does not record VPN usage data. Its privacy policy says it keeps minimal personal data, such as account and payment details, mainly stored in the United States, and that its legal team reviews every legal request it receives.
- Deloitte audits: PIA says Deloitte Audit Romania has reviewed its no-logs policy twice and concluded that its systems do not collect or store data that could identify users or their activity. The first review was in 2022.
- Court records: PIA says its no-logs policy has been tested in US court cases, including ones involving the FBI, in which it could not supply usage records.
- Open source: the published app code lets researchers check what the apps do on your device.
An audit shows how systems were set up when they were checked. It does not guarantee how a service will behave in future, and a US company can still receive valid legal orders.
Torrenting, streaming and India
The original article said PIA allows anonymous torrenting. A VPN hides your IP address from other peers, but it does not make sharing copyrighted files legal. Streaming services block VPN servers from time to time, and getting around a service’s regional licence can break its terms of use, so treat any “unblocks Netflix” claim as temporary.
In April 2022, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) issued directions requiring VPN providers to keep customer records for five years. Several large VPN companies removed their physical servers from India in response; check PIA’s server list for how it currently offers Indian locations. VPN legality varies by country.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Unlimited devices on one subscription | Monthly plan is expensive compared with long plans |
| Open-source apps and two Deloitte no-logs reviews | US jurisdiction, which some privacy-minded buyers avoid |
| Servers in 104 countries, RAM-only | Part of a large group (Kape) rather than independent |
| Detailed settings for advanced users | No free plan |
For comparisons, see our reviews of its sister brands ExpressVPN and CyberGhost, of Mullvad, which needs no email address to sign up, and our list of VPN software for Windows.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Private Internet Access?
Kape Technologies, which merged with PIA in 2019. The service is operated by PIA Private Internet Access, Inc., based in Denver, Colorado.
How many devices can I use with PIA?
PIA advertises unlimited simultaneous devices on one subscription as of October 2026. The original article’s figure of 10 devices is out of date.
Has PIA’s no-logs policy been audited?
Yes. PIA says Deloitte Audit Romania has reviewed it twice, first in 2022. PIA also points to US court cases in which it could not provide user activity records.
Does PIA have a free trial?
There is no free plan. New subscribers get a 30-day money-back guarantee when they buy directly from PIA.
Is PIA open source?
PIA says all of its VPN apps are open source, so their code can be inspected publicly.
Checked in October 2026 against PIA’s pricing page, privacy policy and no-logs pages, ZDNet’s 2019 report on the Kape deal and reporting on the 2022 CERT-In directions. We have not tested PIA ourselves, so confirm current prices and features on its website before you buy.
