Choosing a VPN can feel like navigating a maze.
You want online privacy, but which service delivers?
Two popular contenders are Private Internet Access (PIA) and Avast VPN.
They both promise security, but how do they really stack up?
This article dives deep into a head-to-head comparison: Private Internet Access vs Avast VPN.
Let’s get started!
Overview
We’ve rigorously tested both Private Internet Access (PIA) and Avast VPN, putting them through real-world scenarios.
Our hands-on experience, combined with in-depth feature analysis, forms the basis of this comparison.
It allows us to provide you with a clear picture of their strengths and weaknesses.
Boost your online privacy with Private Internet Access. Experience a truly secure connection.
Pricing: 30-day money-back guarantee. Plan Starts at $2.03/month
Key Features:
- MACE ad blocker
- Advanced split tunneling
- Multi-Hop
Experience true internet freedom with Avast SecureLine VPN. Enjoy blazing-fast speeds.
Pricing: 30-day money-back guarantee. Plan starts at $2.99/month
Key Features:
- 55 server locations
- OpenVPN protocol
- P2P support
What is Private Internet Access?
Looking for a VPN that’s serious about privacy? Then, you need to check out Private Internet Access (PIA).
They’ve been around for ages and have a solid reputation for keeping your data safe & sound.
There are no complicated setups, just powerful protection for all your online activities.
Also, explore our favorite Private Internet Access alternatives…
Our Take
Unleash your online freedom with Private Internet Access! Connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously to a vast network of 35,000+ servers across 91 countries. Start your journey to a more private internet today!
Key Benefits
- Extensive server network: Over 35,912 servers in 84 countries.
- Strong security: Uses AES-256 encryption and has a kill switch.
- Affordable price: Offers competitive plans.
- Ten simultaneous connections: Protect all your devices.
Pricing
- 2 Years + 2 Months Free: $2.19/month.
- 6 Months: $7.50/month.
All plans include unlimited bandwidth and access to all server locations.
Pros
Cons
What is Avast VPN?
You might know Avast for their antivirus software. But did you know they also have a VPN?
Avast VPN helps keep your online activity private and allows you to access websites that might be blocked in your country.
Think of it like this: Avast VPN creates a secure connection.
This connection makes it much harder for others to snoop on your data.
Also, explore our favorite Avast VPN alternatives…
Our Take
Avast VPN is known for its simple, easy-to-use VPN that meets basic needs. However, it lacks advanced features and has a smaller server network.
Key Benefits
- Simple and easy to use: Good for beginners.
- Decent speeds: Suitable for browsing and streaming.
- Strong security: Uses AES-256 encryption.
- Reputable brand: From a well-known security company.
Pricing
- Basic: It’s free.
- Silver: $2.99/month.
- Gold: $6.99/month.
Pros
Cons
Feature Comparison
Choosing a virtual private network involves contrasting PIA’s vast network and deep feature set against the simplicity and brand recognition of Avast VPN.
This analysis will clarify which vpn provider best protects vpn users’ privacy and secures their internet connection based on features and performance.
1. Server Network Size and Distribution
- Private Internet Access (PIA): Boasts one of the largest vpn server networks in the vpn industry, with thousands of servers globally. This large size, confirmed by a tested private internet access, ensures low latency and reliable connections.
- Avast VPN: The avast secureline vpn servers network is significantly smaller in count and distribution, but focuses on major global locations, which is sufficient for most general-purpose vpn users.
2. Simultaneous Connections
- Private Internet Access (PIA): Offers unlimited simultaneous connections, providing excellent value for protecting every device in a household under a single subscription.
- Avast VPN: Limits vpn app usage to a specific number of devices (usually 10), which is adequate but does not offer the flexibility of unlimited simultaneous connections.
3. Core Security Features
- Private Internet Access (PIA): Includes a reliable kill switch, military-grade encryption, and built-in dns leak protection. It supports the highly secure openvpn protocol and offers advanced customization.
- Avast VPN: The avast secureline vpn safe service provides strong, basic protection, including a kill switch and dns leak protection, and relies primarily on the openvpn protocol for its core functions.
4. Logging Policy and Privacy
- Private Internet Access (PIA): Follows a verified no logs policy, meaning it does not record user ip addresses or online activity. The private internet access vpn has successfully proven this policy in court multiple times.
- Avast VPN: While claiming no usage logs, the avast secureline vpn review indicates that some connection logs (like connection time) are retained, which makes it less private than PIA.
5. Advanced Features like Split Tunneling
- Private Internet Access (PIA): Features customizable split tunneling, allowing vpn users to route traffic from specific windows apps or ip addresses outside the encrypted vpn tunnel.
- Avast VPN: Also includes split tunneling, often called App Exclusions, on its windows app and other platforms, providing similar flexibility to bypass the VPN for local resources.
6. Streaming and Speed Performance
- Private Internet Access (PIA): Excels at providing fast, stable connections, making it highly capable for accessing geo-restricted streaming services and large downloads.
- Avast VPN: Is generally fast enough for HD streaming on major platforms, but its fewer vpn servers can sometimes lead to slower performance than PIA for specialized streaming services.
7. Unique Selling Points
- Private Internet Access (PIA): Offers MACE (ad/malware blocker) and strong support for its customizable vpn protocols. The pia vpn is a choice for power users.
- Avast VPN: A major selling point is the trust associated with avast antivirus and the user-friendly smart vpn mode, which automatically connects the VPN when necessary.
8. VPN Protocols
- Private Internet Access (PIA): Supports high-speed, open-source vpn protocols including WireGuard and the highly customizable openvpn protocol.
- Avast VPN: Primarily relies on the robust and proven openvpn protocol for encryption across its platforms, ensuring a secure, though sometimes slower, vpn tunnel.
9. Trial and Money-Back Guarantees
- Private Internet Access (PIA): Offers a standard 30-day money-back guarantee which allows you to test the vpn server network and features risk-free.
- Avast VPN: Provides an extended 60 day free trial period for annual plans, giving vpn users twice the time to evaluate the vpn app and service before commitment.
What to Look for in a VPN?
- Free VPNs are tempting but often come with limitations or risks. It’s usually better to invest in a reputable paid service.
- Consider your specific needs. Do you need a VPN for easy streaming, torrenting, or simply browsing securely?
- Check the VPN’s logging policy. Make sure they don’t store your data.
- Look for a VPN with a vast server network. This gives you more options for bypassing geo restrictions and finding faster speeds.
- Read reviews and compare features. See what other users are saying about different VPN providers.
- Test the VPN with a money-back guarantee. This lets you try it risk free before committing to a long-term plan.
Final Verdict
Choosing between Private Internet Access vs Avast VPN can be tricky.
While Avast SecureLine VPN might be appealing, especially if you’ve used PIA before and are looking for a change, our vpn tests suggest that PIA provides a more well-rounded experience.
PIA consistently offers a good balance of speed, security, and features, making it a strong contender in the vpn industry.
PIA generally comes out on top for most users, especially those who like PIA and value a large server network and vpn for torrenting capabilities.
Although Avast SecureLine VPN is a popular vpn and popular vpn service,
PIA offers more value for the price, even though it is not the clear winner in every single category.
We recommend PIA for its overall reliability and performance.
More of Private Internet Access
We’ve explored alternatives to Private Internet Access, so how does Private Internet Access compare to them?
- Private Internet Access vs NordVPN: PIA offers more simultaneous connections and a larger server count, while NordVPN provides faster speeds and better streaming support.
- Private Internet Access vs ExpressVPN: It is known for its consistently fast speeds, user-friendly apps, and reliable unblocking of streaming services. While PIA offers a larger server network and allows unlimited connections, ExpressVPN often provides a smoother and faster overall experience, especially for streaming.
- Private Internet Access vs PureVPN: PIA generally offers faster and more consistent speeds, along with unlimited simultaneous connections. While PureVPN boasts a larger server count and can unblock more streaming services in some tests, PIA’s performance and strong focus on security often give it an edge.
- Private Internet Access vs SurfsharkVPN: It is often more affordable, especially for long-term plans, and allows unlimited connections. While PIA has a larger server network, Surfshark generally provides faster speeds, better apps, and more features, making it a strong all-around competitor.
- Private Internet Access vs ProtonVPN: It emphasizes strong security and privacy with features like Secure Core servers and a transparent approach. While PIA offers faster speeds on nearby servers and allows unlimited connections, ProtonVPN’s focus on privacy and consistent performance on international servers makes it a strong contender for privacy-conscious users.
- Private Internet Access vs AdGuard VPN: It’s primary strength lies in its integration with ad and tracker blocking. PIA is a more comprehensive VPN service offering a wider range of server locations and functionalities beyond ad blocking.
- Private Internet Access vs Virtual Shield: PIA offers a more extensive server network, stronger security features, and generally better performance than the simpler Virtual Shield.
- Private Internet Access vs StrongVPN: Both VPNs offer strong encryption, but PIA boasts a significantly larger server network and allows unlimited connections, providing greater flexibility.
- Private Internet Access vs FastestVPN: PIA generally offers a larger server network and more robust security features than FastestVPN, which is budget-friendly.
- Private Internet Access vs AuraVPN: It includes identity theft protection alongside its VPN. PIA focuses on providing a secure and private VPN connection with a large server network and unlimited connections.
- Private Internet Access vs CyberGhost: It is known for its user-friendly apps and specialized servers for various online activities. PIA offers a larger server network and unlimited connections, appealing to users with many devices.
- Private Internet Access vs McAfee VPN: PIA is a dedicated VPN service with a wider range of features and better performance than the basic VPN included with McAfee’s security suite.
- Private Internet Access vs Mysterium: PIA uses a traditional server network known for its size and consistent performance. Mysterium is a decentralized VPN with a different approach to anonymity and potentially variable speeds.
More of Avast VPN
We’ve explored alternatives to Avast VPN, so how does Avast VPN stack up directly against them?
- Avast VPN vs ExpressVPN: It is known for its consistently fast speeds, user-friendly interface, strong security features, and reliable unblocking of streaming services. While Avast VPN is simpler and can be cheaper, ExpressVPN offers superior performance and privacy.
- Avast VPN vs PureVPN: It boasts a larger server network than Avast VPN and can sometimes unblock more streaming services. However, Avast VPN can offer decent speeds and a user-friendly interface, though it lacks some advanced privacy features of PureVPN.
- Avast VPN vs SurfsharkVPN: It typically provides faster speeds, allows unlimited connections, and offers more features like split tunneling at often better long-term prices than Avast VPN. Surfshark also has a larger server network and better streaming capabilities.
- Avast VPN vs ProtonVPN: It focuses on strong security and privacy with features like Secure Core and a transparent no-logs policy. While Avast VPN offers decent speeds and ease of use, ProtonVPN generally provides stronger privacy and better unblocking of streaming services.
- Avast VPN vs PrivadoVPN: It often provides more consistent speeds and a stronger focus on privacy. At the same time, Avast VPN has a smaller server network and a less strict no-logs policy. PrivadoVPN also offers a free tier.
- Avast VPN vs AdGuard VPN: It’s primary strength is its integration with ad and tracker blocking. Avast VPN is a more general-purpose VPN but lacks the specific ad-blocking focus.
- Avast VPN vs Virtual Shield: It offers a more established brand name and a slightly larger server network than the very basic Virtual Shield.
- Avast VPN vs StrongVPN: It is known for its robust encryption and reliable connections. Avast VPN also offers strong encryption but has a smaller server network.
- Avast VPN vs FastestVPN: It is a budget-friendly option. Avast VPN, while not the most expensive, doesn’t necessarily outperform FastestVPN in speed or server selection.
- Avast VPN vs AuraVPN: It includes identity theft protection, while Avast VPN focuses solely on VPN services and has a smaller server network.
- Avast VPN vs CyberGhost: It offers user-friendly apps and specialized servers for various activities.12 Avast VPN is simpler but has a smaller server network and may not be as effective for streaming.
- Avast VPN vs McAfee VPN: Both are often bundled with antivirus software. Avast VPN generally offers a more feature-rich VPN experience than McAfee’s basic VPN.
- Avast VPN vs Private Internet Access: PIA offers a significantly larger server network and allows unlimited connections. While Avast VPN is user-friendly, PIA provides more customization options and often better performance.
- Avast VPN vs Mysterium: It is a decentralized VPN with a different approach to anonymity. Avast VPN uses a traditional server network, which may offer more consistent speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Private Internet Access a good VPN?
Yes, Private Internet Access offers a good VPN experience for many users. It provides a large server network, strong security features, and competitive pricing. Private Internet Access also has a good reputation.
Is Avast SecureLine VPN more expensive than PIA?
Avast SecureLine VPN can be a bit more expensive than PIA, particularly for shorter subscriptions. Both offer various subscription options, so comparing prices is essential.
Which VPN is better for China, PIA or Avast?
Neither VPN is guaranteed to work reliably in China due to the country’s strict internet censorship. A VPN for China requires specialized features and constant adaptation.
How do PIA and Avast compare to other VPNs?
When considering PIA vs other VPNs, or Avast vs other VPNs, it’s important to look at your specific needs. Different VPNs excel in different areas.
Do PIA or Avast offer a minimal VPN solution?
Both PIA and Avast offer standard VPN services. If you’re looking for a minimal VPN, you might want to explore other options, as these two providers offer full-featured services.
English 
Spanish 
Chinese 
German 
French 
Russian 
Portuguese 
Japanese 
Korean