In the arena of VPN services, Surfshark vs Private Internet Access stands as a hot debate. Both these reputable providers possess distinct strengths and features, making the choice quite challenging. This article provides a comprehensive comparison to guide you in making an informed decision.
Overview
Dive in as we compare two heavyweights of the VPN world: Surfshark and Private Internet Access (PIA). We’ll dissect their security protocols, privacy commitments and speed capabilities to determine which truly provides superior online protection. Can Surfshark‘s robust features outshine PIA’s proven track record? Read on to find out in this comprehensive, expert-led analysis.
Surfshark
Price: From $2.49/month
Trustpilot Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Refund Policy: Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Official website: www.surfshark.com
Surfshark is best for individuals and businesses who prioritize secure, private browsing and want easy access to geo-restricted content from anywhere in the world.
Private Internet Access
Price: From $2.03/month
Trustpilot Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars
Refund Policy: Private Internet Access offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Official website: www.privateinternetaccess.com
Private Internet Access (PIA) is best for individuals who prioritize privacy and security while browsing the internet or conducting online transactions.
Surfshark not only ensures secure and private browsing but goes a step further to enhance user experience with features such as ad-blocker and whitelister. Whether it’s for securing your online footprints or unlocking the vast reservoirs of streaming content globally, Surfshark has proven to be the tool par excellence. Its commitment to user-centric service makes it deserving of nothing less than 5 stars! – Michael J.
PIA stands out with its robust network and unwavering commitment to user privacy. The ad and malware blocker is a testimony to its user-centric approach. I have navigated the internet waters safely and swiftly, thanks to the high-speed servers it hosts globally. It isn’t just a VPN service; it is a fortress of solitude in the bustling city of the internet, rightfully earning a 5-star rating! – Diego Rodriguez
Surfshark offers a sea of features with a standout being its ability to connect unlimited devices simultaneously. While the service brings forth excellent security protocols and features, there have been minor glitches in connectivity experienced over time. Despite this, it remains a top-tier service, earning a 4-star rating. – Oskar Lindberg
PIA has stood the test of time, offering a reliable VPN service characterized by a vast network of servers and strong security features. While the user interface could use a modern update, the service remains dependable, earning a sturdy 4-star rating. – Ji-Yong
Pros & Cons
This part analyzes the strong and weak points of these two VPNs.
Winner is:
Surfshark edges out PIA with its unlimited device connections, robust geo-unblocking capabilities, and competitively priced plans. While PIA offers more servers, its U.S jurisdiction is a privacy concern. Surfshark's privacy-friendly jurisdiction and more intuitive interface make it a more appealing choice. It delivers strong security, reliable speeds, and better access to popular streaming services like Netflix. So, in terms of overall value, privacy, and ease-of-use, Surfshark is the clear winner.
Surfshark
Pros:
- Unlimited simultaneous connections: Surfshark allows you to connect an unlimited number of devices to the VPN at the same time. This is great for families or anyone who wants to be able to use the VPN on all of their devices.
- Strong encryption: Surfshark uses strong encryption to protect your data, including 256-bit AES encryption and the OpenVPN protocol. This makes it very difficult for anyone to eavesdrop on your traffic.
- No logs policy: Surfshark has a strict no-logs policy, which means that it does not collect any data about your online activity. This means that your privacy is protected even if the VPN is ever hacked.
- Ad blocker: Surfshark includes an ad blocker that blocks ads, trackers, and malware. This can improve your browsing experience and make it safer to browse the web.
- P2P support: Surfshark supports P2P file sharing, which means that you can use it to download torrents without any problems.
- Price: Surfshark is one of the most affordable VPNs on the market. You can get a subscription for as low as $2.49 per month.
Cons:
- Slow speeds in some countries: Surfshark's speeds can be slow in some countries, especially China and the Middle East.
- Limited server network: Surfshark's server network is not as large as some other VPNs. However, it still has servers in over 65 countries.
- No live chat support: Surfshark does not offer live chat support. However, you can contact customer support through email or a ticket system.
Private Internet Access
Pros:
- Unlimited bandwidth and connections: PIA allows you to connect an unlimited number of devices to its VPN at the same time. This is great for families or anyone who wants to use the VPN on multiple devices.
- Strong security: PIA uses strong encryption and security features to protect your privacy. These features include 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection.
- Wide server network: PIA has a large server network with over 30,000 servers in over 78 countries. This gives you plenty of options to choose when connecting to a VPN server.
- Affordable pricing: PIA is one of the most affordable VPNs on the market.
- Good customer support: PIA has a good customer support team that is available 24/7. You can contact them via live chat, email, or a support ticket.
Cons:
- Speed: PIA's speeds are not the fastest on the market. This can be a problem if you are using the VPN for streaming or gaming.
- Not all streaming platforms work: PIA does not work with all streaming platforms, such as Netflix and Hulu.
- No split tunneling: PIA does not offer split tunneling, which allows you to choose which apps use the VPN and which apps do not.
- Based in the US: PIA is based in the United States, which is a privacy-unfriendly jurisdiction.
Key Features
This section compares the overall features of Surfshark vs Private Internet Access (PIA).
Surfshark HQ and country of jurisdiction is British Virgin Islands, and Surfshark supports a wide variety of platforms and devices including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, as well as other platforms like FireTV, Apple TV, and other Smart TVs. It also provides browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox.
Private Internet Access (PIA) HQ and country of jurisdiction is United States, and Private Internet Access (PIA) supports Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS platforms. In addition, it also supports OpenVPN, routers, and has browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera.
Winner is:
Surfshark offers unlimited device connections, strong encryption, and a no-logs policy, providing a high level of privacy and security. In contrast, PIA also has robust security but lacks in the streaming department. Surfshark excels with its geo-unblocking capabilities and faster speed, making it the preferred choice for streaming and overall VPN use. Therefore, Surfshark edges out PIA as the overall winner in this comparison.
Surfshark
- Unlimited simultaneous connections: Surfshark allows you to connect an unlimited number of devices to the VPN at the same time. This is great for families or anyone who wants to be able to use the VPN on all of their devices.
- Strong encryption: Surfshark uses strong encryption to protect your data, including 256-bit AES encryption and the OpenVPN protocol. This makes it very difficult for anyone to eavesdrop on your traffic.
- No logs policy: Surfshark has a strict no-logs policy, which means that it does not collect any data about your online activity. This means that your privacy is protected even if the VPN is ever hacked.
- Ad blocker: Surfshark includes an ad blocker that blocks ads, trackers, and malware. This can improve your browsing experience and make it safer to browse the web.
- P2P support: Surfshark supports P2P file sharing, which means that you can use it to download torrents without any problems.
- Double VPN: Surfshark's Double VPN feature encrypts your traffic twice, making it even more secure.
- Multihop: Surfshark's Multihop feature allows you to connect to two VPN servers in a row, which can help to improve your privacy and security.
- Split tunneling: Surfshark's Split tunneling feature allows you to choose which apps and websites use the VPN and which ones don't. This can be useful for things like streaming or gaming.
- Kill switch: Surfshark's Kill switch feature automatically disconnects your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This helps to protect your privacy and security in case the VPN connection is ever interrupted.
- 7-day free trial: Surfshark offers a 7-day free trial, so you can try it out before you commit to a subscription.
Private Internet Access
- Unlimited bandwidth and connections: PIA allows you to connect an unlimited number of devices to its VPN at the same time. This is great for families or anyone who wants to use the VPN on multiple devices.
- Strong security: PIA uses strong encryption and security features to protect your privacy. These features include 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection.
- Wide server network: PIA has a large server network with over 30,000 servers in over 78 countries. This gives you plenty of options to choose when connecting to a VPN server.
- Affordable pricing: PIA is one of the most affordable VPNs on the market.
- Good customer support: PIA has a good customer support team that is available 24/7. You can contact them via live chat, email, or a support ticket.
- Open-source apps: PIA's apps are open source, which means that anyone can inspect the code to make sure that it is not doing anything malicious.
- No logs policy: PIA does not keep any logs of your online activity. This means that your ISP, government, or anyone else cannot track what you do online.
- Ad blocker: PIA includes an ad blocker in its VPN apps. This blocks ads, trackers, and malware, which can improve your browsing experience and protect your privacy.
- Split tunneling: PIA allows you to choose which apps use the VPN and which apps do not. This can be useful if you want to use a streaming service that does not work with VPNs.
Security Features
This section looks at important security features of Surfshark and Private Internet Access (PIA) such as encryption methods, protocols, split tunneling, kill switch, and more.
Winner is:
Surfshark and PIA both offer robust security features, including various VPN protocols, adblocking, data tracking prevention, IP and DNS leak protection, no-logging policies, and a kill switch. However, Surfshark outperforms PIA with its advanced features like Private DNS on each server, Split tunneling, Onion over VPN, Obfuscated servers, and Double VPN. While PIA provides basic security features, Surfshark's wider range and innovative security approach make it a clear winner for those prioritizing comprehensive protection.
Surfshark
- 256-bit AES encryption: Surfshark uses 256-bit AES encryption, which is considered to be the gold standard in VPN security. This means that your data is encrypted with a key that is 256 bits long, which is computationally infeasible to crack.
- OpenVPN protocol: Surfshark supports the OpenVPN protocol, which is considered to be one of the most secure VPN protocols available. OpenVPN is open-source, which means that it has been peer-reviewed by security experts and is considered to be very reliable.
- No logs policy: Surfshark has a strict no-logs policy, which means that it does not collect any data about your online activity. This means that your privacy is protected even if the VPN is ever hacked.
- Private DNS: Surfshark uses private DNS on all of its servers, which helps to protect your privacy and security. Private DNS prevents your ISP seeing the websites that you visit.
- Leak protection: Surfshark has leak protection features that help to prevent your real IP address leaking. This includes DNS leak protection, IPv6 leak protection, and WebRTC leak protection.
- Kill switch: Surfshark has a kill switch that automatically disconnects your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This helps to protect your privacy and security in case the VPN connection is ever interrupted.
- Double VPN: Surfshark's Double VPN feature encrypts your traffic twice, making it even more secure. This is done by routing your traffic through two VPN servers instead of one.
- Multihop: Surfshark's Multihop feature allows you to connect to two VPN servers in a row, which can help to improve your privacy and security. This is done by routing your traffic through two different countries or regions.
- WireGuard: Surfshark supports WireGuard, which is a new VPN protocol that is known for its speed and security. WireGuard is still under development, but it has been praised by security experts.
- 256-bit AES encryption: Surfshark uses 256-bit AES encryption, which is considered to be the gold standard in VPN security. This means that your data is encrypted with a key that is 256 bits long, which is computationally infeasible to crack.
- IKEv2/IPsec: Surfshark also supports IKEv2/IPsec, which is a more traditional VPN protocol that is known for its reliability. IKEv2/IPsec is often used by businesses and governments.
- ChaCha20: Surfshark supports ChaCha20, which is a newer cipher that is considered to be just as secure as AES-256. ChaCha20 is also faster than AES-256, which can be beneficial for streaming or gaming.
- HMAC-SHA256: Surfshark uses HMAC-SHA256 to authenticate the VPN connection. This helps to ensure that your traffic is only encrypted and decrypted by the VPN server.
- Perfect Forward Secrecy: Surfshark uses Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS), which means that your encryption keys are changed regularly. This helps to protect your data in case the VPN server's encryption keys are ever compromised.
Private Internet Access
- 256-bit encryption: PIA uses 256-bit encryption, which is the strongest encryption available. This means that your data is scrambled into gibberish that cannot be read by anyone, not even PIA.
- Kill switch: The kill switch is a feature that cuts off your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your real IP address being exposed.
- DNS leak protection: DNS leak protection prevents your DNS queries being leaked to your ISP or other third parties. This ensures that your browsing activity remains anonymous.
- No logs policy: PIA does not keep any logs of your online activity. This means that your ISP, government, or anyone else cannot track what you do online.
- Open-source apps: PIA's apps are open source, which means that anyone can inspect the code to make sure that it is not doing anything malicious.
- Ad blocker: PIA includes an ad blocker in its VPN apps. This blocks ads, trackers, and malware, which can improve your browsing experience and protect your privacy.
- Split tunneling: PIA allows you to choose which apps use the VPN and which apps do not. This can be useful if you want to use a streaming service that does not work with VPNs.
- Encryption protocol: PIA supports two encryption protocols: OpenVPN and WireGuard. OpenVPN is a more mature and established protocol, while WireGuard is newer and faster.
- Encryption cipher: PIA uses the AES-256-GCM cipher, which is the strongest cipher available. This means that your data is scrambled into gibberish that cannot be read by anyone, not even PIA.
- Handshake: PIA uses the RSA-4096 handshake, which is the strongest handshake available. This ensures that your connection to the VPN server is secure.
- Data authentication: PIA uses the GCM authentication method, which ensures that your data is not tampered with during transit.
Privacy Features
This section looks at the privacy features of Private Internet Access (PIA) vs Surfshark in terms of country of jurisdiction (five-eyes surveillance) no-logging policy, independent auditing, and more.
Winner is:
Surfshark and PIA have strong privacy features. Both offer a strict no-log policy; however, Surfshark has undertaken an independent audit, bolstering trust in their policy. PIA, though having a strong reputation, lacks such an audit. While both support crypto payments, Surfshark is based outside the 5/9/14 Eyes alliance (in the British Virgin Islands), an advantage over PIA's US jurisdiction. Both provide private browsing, but Surfshark's CleanWeb feature blocks ads, trackers, and malware. Considering these factors, Surfshark edges out as the winner due to its independent audit and favorable jurisdiction.
Surfshark
- Strict no-logs policy: Surfshark has a strict no-logs policy, which means that it does not collect any data about your online activity. This includes your IP address, browsing history, traffic data, and DNS queries. This means that your privacy is protected even if the VPN is ever hacked.
- Private DNS: Surfshark uses private DNS on all of its servers, which helps to protect your privacy and security. Private DNS prevents your ISP seeing the websites that you visit.
- Leak protection: Surfshark has leak protection features that help to prevent your real IP address leaking. This includes DNS leak protection, IPv6 leak protection, and WebRTC leak protection.
- Kill switch: Surfshark has a kill switch that automatically disconnects your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This helps to protect your privacy and security in case the VPN connection is ever interrupted.
- Double VPN: Surfshark's Double VPN feature encrypts your traffic twice, making it even more secure. This is done by routing your traffic through two VPN servers instead of one.
- Multihop: Surfshark's Multihop feature allows you to connect to two VPN servers in a row, which can help to improve your privacy and security. This is done by routing your traffic through two different countries or regions.
- Camouflage Mode: Surfshark's Camouflage Mode hides the fact that you are using a VPN, which can be helpful in countries where VPNs are blocked or restricted.
- Whitelister: Surfshark's Whitelister allows you to choose which apps and websites use the VPN and which ones don't. This can be useful for things like streaming or gaming.
- No connection logs: Surfshark does not keep any logs of your VPN connections. This means that they do not know what websites you visit, what apps you use, or how much data you transfer.
- No activity logs: Surfshark does not keep any logs of your online activity. This means that they do not know what you do while you are connected to the VPN.
- No payment logs: Surfshark accepts anonymous payments, so they do not know who you are or how much you paid for the VPN.
- No IP address logs: Surfshark does not keep any logs of your IP address. This means that they cannot track your online activity back to you.
- No device logs: Surfshark does not keep any logs of the devices that you use to connect to the VPN. This means that they cannot track your online activity across different devices.
Private Internet Access
- No logs policy: PIA does not keep any logs of your online activity. This means that your ISP, government, or anyone else cannot track what you do online.
- Open-source apps: PIA's apps are open source, which means that anyone can inspect the code to make sure that it is not doing anything malicious.
- Kill switch: The kill switch is a feature that cuts off your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your real IP address being exposed.
- DNS leak protection: DNS leak protection prevents your DNS queries being leaked to your ISP or other third parties. This ensures that your browsing activity remains anonymous.
- Split tunneling: PIA allows you to choose which apps use the VPN and which apps do not. This can be useful if you want to use a streaming service that does not work with VPNs.
- Ad blocker: PIA includes an ad blocker in its VPN apps. This blocks ads, trackers, and malware, which can improve your browsing experience and protect your privacy.
- Torrenting: PIA allows torrenting on all of its servers. This means that you can download and upload files anonymously without fear of being tracked.
- Double VPN: PIA offers a double VPN feature that encrypts your traffic twice. This provides an extra layer of security and privacy.
- Tor over VPN: PIA allows you to connect to the Tor network through its VPN. This can help you to further anonymize your traffic and protect your privacy.
- No connection logs: PIA does not keep any logs of your VPN connections. This means that they cannot see which servers you connect to, how long you are connected for, or what websites you visit.
- No traffic logs: PIA does not keep any logs of your internet traffic. This means that they cannot see what websites you visit, what files you download, or what data you send and receive.
- No DNS logs: PIA does not keep any logs of your DNS queries. This means that they cannot see which websites you try to visit.
- No payment logs: PIA does not keep any logs of your payment information. This means that they cannot see how you paid for your subscription or your credit card number.
Speed Features
This section explores the speed features of Surfshark and Private Internet Access (PIA) when it comes to server technology for download/upload speeds for streaming and torrenting.
Winner is:
Surfshark and Private Internet Access (PIA) both offer impressive speed features. Independent third-party speed tests indicate that Surfshark generally has faster download and upload speeds, regardless of the server location. Both VPNs are capable of unblocking streaming sites, but Surfshark does so more consistently. While PIA supports torrenting on all its servers, Surfshark's higher speeds provide a better torrenting experience. Additionally, Surfshark's server speed remains stable even during peak times, unlike PIA that can experience occasional slowdowns. Considering these factors, Surfshark emerges as the overall winner for speed features.
Surfshark
- Number of servers: Surfshark has over 3,200 servers in 65 countries. This means that you can always find a server that is close to you, which can help to improve your speeds.
- Server types: Surfshark offers a variety of server types, including:
- Standard servers: These are the most common type of server and are designed for general use.
- P2P servers: These servers are optimized for file sharing and torrenting.
- Double VPN servers: These servers encrypt your traffic twice, making it even more secure.
- Multihop servers: These servers allow you to connect to two VPN servers in a row, which can help to improve your privacy and security.
- Camouflage Mode servers: These servers hide the fact that you are using a VPN, which can be helpful in countries where VPNs are blocked or restricted.
- Location spoofing: Surfshark allows you to spoof your location by connecting to a server in a different country. This can be useful for accessing geo-restricted content or for bypassing censorship.
- Dedicated IP addresses: Surfshark offers dedicated IP addresses for businesses and organizations. This can be useful for businesses that need to maintain a consistent IP address for their website or servers.
- Obfuscated servers: Surfshark offers obfuscated servers that can help to bypass VPN blocks. These servers encrypt your traffic in a way that makes it look like regular traffic, which can make it more difficult for VPN blocks to detect.
- Fast servers: Surfshark has a large network of servers located all over the world. This means that you can always find a server that is close to you, which can help to improve your speeds.
- WireGuard protocol: Surfshark supports WireGuard, which is a new VPN protocol that is known for its speed and security. WireGuard is still under development, but it has been praised by security experts.
- Small Packets: Surfshark has a feature called Small Packets that can help to improve speeds. This feature reduces the size of each packet that is sent over the VPN, which can help to reduce latency and improve overall performance.
- Automatic protocol selection: Surfshark automatically selects the best protocol for your connection. This means that you don't have to worry about choosing the right protocol, and you can be sure that you are getting the best possible speeds.
- No speed caps: Surfshark does not have any speed caps, so you can always get the fastest speeds possible. This is important for streaming, gaming, and other activities that require high bandwidth.
Private Internet Access
- Over 35,000 servers: PIA has over 35,000 servers in over 78 countries. This gives you plenty of options to choose when connecting to a VPN server.
- P2P-optimized servers: PIA has dedicated P2P-optimized servers for torrenting. These servers are designed to provide fast and reliable connections for torrenting.
- Dedicated streaming servers: PIA has dedicated streaming servers for popular streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. These servers are designed to bypass geo-blocks and provide you with access to your favorite content.
- Obfuscated servers: PIA has obfuscated servers that hide the fact that you are using a VPN. This can be useful in countries where VPNs are blocked or restricted.
- Tor over VPN servers: PIA allows you to connect to the Tor network through its VPN. This can help you to further anonymize your traffic and protect your privacy.
- Double VPN servers: PIA offers double VPN servers that encrypt your traffic twice. This provides an extra layer of security and privacy.
- 10 Gbps servers: PIA's servers are all equipped with 10 Gbps connections, which means that they have the potential to offer very fast speeds.
- Multiple protocols: PIA supports multiple VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2/IPsec. Each protocol has its own strengths and weaknesses in terms of speed.
- Automatic server selection: PIA's automatic server selection feature can help you to connect to the fastest server available.
- Bandwidth throttling protection: PIA's bandwidth throttling protection feature prevents your ISP throttling your VPN connection.
- No data caps: PIA does not have any data caps on its VPN service. This means that you can use as much data as you want without having to worry about being throttled or charged extra.
Streaming & Torrenting Features
This section compares the streaming and torrenting features and capabilities provided by Surfshark versus Private Internet Access (PIA).
Popular Streaming Services
- Netflix
- Amazon Prime
- Disney+
- HBO Max
- Paramount+
- Hulu
- Apple TV
- Starz
- ESPN+
- Peacock
- Canal Plus
- Discovery Plus
Winner is:
Surfshark and PIA both offer reliable service for unblocking streaming sites and torrenting. Surfshark has a slight edge with its ability to unblock more geo-restricted streaming services, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu. It also offers unlimited device connections. PIA is also good for torrenting with its port-forwarding feature, but it falls short in unblocking some popular streaming services. Both ensure privacy and security with no-logs policy and high-end encryption. However, in terms of unblocking capabilities and multi-device support, Surfshark wins.
Surfshark
- Works with Netflix: Surfshark is known for its ability to unblock Netflix. This means that you can use Surfshark to watch Netflix content anywhere in the world.
- Works with other streaming services: Surfshark also works with other streaming services, such as Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer.
- No buffering: Surfshark has fast speeds, which means that you can stream without buffering.
- Unlimited bandwidth: Surfshark does not have any bandwidth caps, so you can stream as much as you want without worrying about being throttled.
- Secure streaming: Surfshark encrypts your traffic, so your streaming activity is protected prying eyes.
- P2P support: Surfshark supports P2P file sharing, which means that you can use it to download torrents without any problems.
- No bandwidth caps: Surfshark does not have any bandwidth caps, so you can download as many torrents as you want without worrying about being throttled.
- No logs policy: Surfshark has a strict no-logs policy, which means that they do not collect any data about your torrenting activity. This means that your privacy is protected.
- Kill switch: Surfshark has a kill switch that automatically disconnects your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This helps to protect your privacy and security in case the VPN connection is ever interrupted.
- Double VPN: Surfshark's Double VPN feature encrypts your traffic twice, making it even more secure. This is done by routing your traffic through two VPN servers instead of one.
- Multihop: Surfshark's Multihop feature allows you to connect to two VPN servers in a row, which can help to improve your privacy and security. This is done by routing your traffic through two different countries or regions.
- Camouflage Mode: Surfshark's Camouflage Mode hides the fact that you are using a VPN, which can be helpful in countries where VPNs are blocked or restricted.
Private Internet Access
- Works with popular streaming platforms: PIA works with popular streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+. This means that you can use PIA to bypass geo-blocks and access your favorite content anywhere in the world.
- Dedicated streaming servers: PIA has dedicated streaming servers for popular streaming platforms. These servers are optimized for streaming and can help you to get the best possible streaming experience.
- No bandwidth caps: PIA does not have any bandwidth caps on its VPN service. This means that you can stream as much as you want without having to worry about being throttled or charged extra.
- No buffering: PIA's VPN servers are designed to provide fast and reliable connections. This means that you should not experience any buffering when streaming videos.
- Easy to use: PIA's VPN apps are easy to use and have a simple interface. This makes it easy to connect to a streaming server and start watching your favorite content.
- Allows torrenting on all servers: PIA allows torrenting on all of its servers. This means that you can download and upload files anonymously without fear of being tracked.
- P2P-optimized servers: PIA has dedicated P2P-optimized servers for torrenting. These servers are designed to provide fast and reliable connections for torrenting.
- No bandwidth caps: PIA does not have any bandwidth caps on its VPN service. This means that you can torrent as much as you want without having to worry about being throttled or charged extra.
- No IP leaks: PIA has a strict no-logs policy and does not keep any records of your torrenting activity. This means that your IP address is never exposed, even if there is a leak.
- Kill switch: PIA's kill switch is a feature that cuts off your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your real IP address being exposed.
- Ad blocker: PIA includes an ad blocker in its VPN apps. This blocks ads, trackers, and malware, which can improve your torrenting experience and protect your privacy.
Support Features
This section looks at what kind of customer support you can expect from Private Internet Access (PIA) versus Surfshark.
Winner is:
Surfshark and Private Internet Access (PIA) both offer 24/7 customer support, but Surfshark edges out with its broader range of support channels, including live chat, email, and a comprehensive FAQ section. PIA, on the other hand, lacks live chat, relying primarily on email and a ticket system. Customer support is crucial for a VPN service to swiftly resolve issues and ensure uninterrupted protection. Therefore, Surfshark comes out as the overall winner in providing the best support.
Surfshark
- 24/7 live chat: Surfshark offers 24/7 live chat support. This means that you can get help a customer support representative at any time of the day or night.
- Email support: Surfshark also offers email support. You can send an email to customer support and they will get back to you as soon as possible.
- Knowledge base: Surfshark has a knowledge base that contains articles and FAQs about the VPN. You can find answers to many common questions in the knowledge base.
- Ticket system: Surfshark also has a ticket system. You can submit a ticket and a customer support representative will get back to you within 24 hours.
- Social media: Surfshark is also active on social media. You can contact customer support through Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
Private Internet Access
- 24/7 live chat: PIA offers 24/7 live chat support. This means that you can get help a real person at any time of day or night.
- Email support: PIA also offers email support. This is a good option if you have a question that is not urgent.
- Knowledge base: PIA has a comprehensive knowledge base that covers a wide range of topics. This is a good place to start if you have a simple question.
- Social media: PIA is also active on social media. You can reach out to them on Twitter, Facebook, or Reddit.
- Forum: PIA has a forum where users can help each other. This is a good option if you are looking for help someone who has been in your shoes.
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