Choosing a VPN can feel overwhelming, right?
There are so many options!
Two popular names often pop up: Private Internet Access (PIA) and Norton VPN.
But which one is actually the best for you in 2025?
This article breaks down Private Internet Access vs Norton VPN, looking at everything from speed and security to price and ease of use.
Overview
We’ve put both Private Internet Access and Norton VPN through rigorous testing, evaluating their performance across various metrics.
From speed and security to server locations and user experience, our hands-on analysis provides a clear comparison to help you choose the best VPN for your needs.
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
Ready to experience a faster, more secure internet? Norton VPN offers bank-grade encryption.
Pricing: 30-day money-back guarantee. Plan Starts at $3.33/month
Key Features:
- Bank-Grade Encryption
- Secure VPN Protocols
- No-Log Policy
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 Norton VPN?
You probably know Norton for their antivirus software, right? Well, they also make a pretty great VPN!
Norton VPN is all about keeping your online activity private and secure.
It’s super easy to use, even for beginners. Download the app, connect to a server, & you’re ready!
Norton VPN is a solid choice if you want something reliable and trustworthy.
Also, explore our favorite Norton VPN alternatives…
Our Take
Norton Secure VPN is popular because it’s a decent VPN from a trusted brand. However, it lacks features and isn’t the best performer.
Key Benefits
- Reputable brand: From a trusted security company.
- Suitable security: Uses AES-256 encryption.
- No-logs policy: Doesn’t track your activity.
- Easy to use: Simple interface.
Pricing
- Plus: $3.33/month
- Standard: $4.17/month
- Ultimate: $5.00/month
Pros
Cons
Feature Comparison
Choosing a vpn service means weighing PIA’s vast global vpn server network and robust customization against the simplicity and brand strength of Norton VPN.
This detailed analysis clarifies which vpn provider offers the best privacy, features, and overall protection for vpn users looking to secure their ip addresses and vpn connection.
1. Server Network Size and Scale
- Private Internet Access: Operates thousands of vpn server options globally. This massive vpn server network, confirmed by a tested private internet access, ensures low congestion and diverse ip addresses.
- Norton VPN: The number of norton secure vpn’s servers is significantly smaller and often undisclosed, focusing on major server locations necessary for general vpn users and streaming.
2. Simultaneous Connections
- Private Internet Access: Offers unlimited simultaneous connections under a single subscription, providing exceptional value for any household and protecting all mobile apps and devices.
- Norton VPN: Limits simultaneous connections based on the tier purchased (usually up to 10). It does not offer the flexibility of unlimited simultaneous connections.
3. Core Security Features
- Private Internet Access: Includes a robust kill switch, supports the highly secure openvpn protocol, and is audited for security. It is a dedicated vpn service focused purely on the vpn tunnel.
- Norton VPN: Provides essential features, including a kill switch and strong encryption protocols to secure the vpn connection. The reliability of the kill switch in norton secure vpn’s apps varies across platforms.
4. Logging Policy and Transparency
- Private Internet Access: Follows a strict, verified no logs policy, meaning it does not record vpn users’ ip addresses or activity. The private internet access review confirms its commitment to zero logs.
- Norton VPN: The norton secure vpn review notes it claims a no-log policy, but its US jurisdiction and history as a security company raise privacy concerns among some vpn providers.
5. Split Tunneling
- Private Internet Access: Features highly customizable split tunneling, allowing vpn users to route specific traffic or windows apps outside the encrypted vpn tunnel.
- Norton VPN: Provides split tunneling (often called App Exclusions) on certain mobile apps and the windows app, though it is not available across all norton secure vpn’s apps.
6. Streaming and Geo-Unblocking
- Private Internet Access: Offers reliable speeds for streaming and successfully unblocks many geo-restricted streaming services due to its expansive vpn server network.
- Norton VPN: The norton secure vpn’s performance for accessing international content like bbc iplayer is often inconsistent, making it less reliable than PIA for dedicated streaming.
7. Unique Security Features
- Private Internet Access: Features MACE, an effective ad tracker blocking and malware protection tool, and port forwarding (for advanced vpn users).
- Norton VPN: The norton secure vpn’s features include built-in wi fi security alerts for connecting to an unsecured network and uses the trusted norton ultra vpn architecture.
8. App Connection Speed and Stability
- Private Internet Access: Is known for rapid connection times. The vpn tunnel establishes in a few seconds, delivering stable download and upload speeds.
- Norton VPN: Connection times are generally fast, establishing a secure vpn connection in a few seconds. However, speeds may vary more depending on server load, impacting overall norton secure vpn’s performance.
9. Overall Value and Price
- Private Internet Access: Offers powerful features, a massive vpn server network, and unlimited simultaneous connections, consistently providing superior value for long-term subscribers.
- Norton VPN: The norton secure vpn worth is often seen as a good add-on, especially if bundled with avast antivirus. Its standalone subscription is considered pricey given the limited feature set compared to ultra vpn rivals.
What to Look for When Choosing a VPN?
- No-Logs Policy: Ensure the VPN has a strict no-logs policy, meaning they don’t track your online activity. This is crucial for privacy.
- Customer Support: If you encounter any issues, look for a vpn app with responsive customer support. 24/7 live chat is a very big plus.
- Free Trial or Money-Back Guarantee: A free trial or money-back guarantee allows you to the test the VPN risk-free before committing to a long-term plan.
- Independent Audits: Choose a VPN that has undergone independent security audits to verify of their claims and ensure transparency.
- Simultaneous Connections: Consider how many of devices you want to connect simultaneously. Most VPNs allow at least five simultaneous connections.
- Specific Needs: Think about your particular needs. Do you need a VPN for the streaming, torrenting, gaming, or browsing? Choose a VPN that excels in your desired area.
- User Reviews: Read user reviews & expert opinions for a well-rounded perspective on the VPN’s performance and reliability.
Final Verdict
After extensive testing and analysis in this 2025 VPN review, we recommend Private Internet Access VPN.
While every VPN has its strengths, PIA vpn offers a compelling combination of strong security features with vpn protocols, good VPN speed for upload and download speeds.
A user-friendly experience across various devices, including being a best Windows VPN.
The comparison chart highlights PIA’s edge in customization, virtual private network and server network.
PIA offers a solid value proposition, especially with their 30-day money-back guarantee.
We’ve tested numerous VPNs, and PIA stands out as a reliable personal VPN for security and everyday use.
Our in-depth review, based on the VPNs we tested, aims to give you the confidence to choose the right VPN to connect and protect your mobile data.
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 Norton VPN
We’ve explored alternatives to Norton VPN, so how does Norton VPN stack up directly against them?
- Norton VPN vs NordVPN: It has a massive server network and more advanced security features.
- Norton VPN vs ExpressVPN: It is known for its consistently fast speeds, user-friendly interface, strong security features, and reliable unblocking of streaming services. While Norton VPN is simpler, ExpressVPN offers superior performance and a stronger commitment to privacy.
- Norton VPN vs PureVPN: It boasts a larger server network than Norton VPN and can sometimes unblock more streaming services. However, Norton VPN can offer decent speeds and ease of use, though it may lack some of the advanced privacy features found in PureVPN.
- Norton VPN vs SurfsharkVPN: It typically provides faster speeds, allows unlimited connections, and offers more features like split tunneling, often at a better long-term price than Norton VPN. Surfshark also has a larger server network and better streaming capabilities.
- Norton VPN vs ProtonVPN: It focuses on strong security and privacy with features like Secure Core and a transparent no-logs policy. While Norton VPN offers decent speeds and ease of use, ProtonVPN generally provides stronger privacy and better unblocking of streaming services.
- Norton VPN vs PrivadoVPN: It often provides more consistent speeds and a stronger focus on privacy. At the same time, Norton VPN has a smaller server network and a less strict no-logs policy. PrivadoVPN also offers a free tier.
- Norton VPN vs AdGuard VPN: It’s primary strength is its integration with ad and tracker blocking. Norton VPN is a more general-purpose VPN but lacks the specific ad-blocking focus.
- Norton VPN vs Virtual Shield: Norton VPN offers a more established brand name and a slightly larger server network than the very basic Virtual Shield.
- Norton VPN vs StrongVPN: It is known for its robust encryption and reliable connections. Norton VPN also offers strong encryption but has a smaller server network.
- Norton VPN vs FastestVPN: It is a budget-friendly option. Norton VPN, while not the most expensive, doesn’t necessarily outperform FastestVPN in speed or server selection.
- Norton VPN vs AuraVPN: It includes identity theft protection, while Norton VPN focuses solely on VPN services and has a smaller server network.
- Norton VPN vs CyberGhost: It offers user-friendly apps and specialized servers for various activities. Norton VPN is simpler but has a smaller server network and may not be as effective for streaming.
- Norton VPN vs McAfee VPN: Both are often bundled with antivirus software. Norton VPN generally offers a more feature-rich VPN experience than McAfee’s basic VPN.
- Norton VPN vs Private Internet Access: PIA offers a significantly larger server network and allows unlimited connections. While Norton VPN is user-friendly, PIA provides more customization options and often better performance.
- Norton VPN vs Mysterium: It is a decentralized VPN that takes a different approach to anonymity. Norton 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 is a reputable VPN provider known for its strong security features, large server network, and good speeds. It’s a solid choice for users prioritizing privacy and performance.
Is Norton Secure VPN part of Norton 360?
Yes, Norton Secure VPN is often included as part of the Norton 360 security suite. You can also purchase it as a standalone VPN subscription.
Which VPN is better for streaming?
While both PIA and Norton VPN can sometimes access streaming services, PIA generally offers more consistent performance for unblocking platforms like Netflix.
Does Private Internet Access offer a money-back guarantee?
Yes, Private Internet Access typically offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try the service risk-free.
What is a VPN kill switch?
A VPN kill switch is a security feature that automatically disconnects your internet connection if your VPN connection drops. This prevents your real IP address from being exposed.
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