Surfshark vs PIA 2026: Which Budget VPN Wins?.
Two of the cheapest premium VPNs compared. Surfshark vs Private Internet Access on speed, privacy, streaming, and value.
Private Internet Access
8.4
Best for privacy purists — open-source and court-proven no-logs
Visit Private Internet AccessSide-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Surfshark | Private Internet Access |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.2 | 8.4 |
| Best Price | $2.19/mo | $2.03/mo |
| Servers | 3,200 | 35,000 |
| Countries | 100 | 91 |
| Devices | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Speed Rating | 9 | 8.2 |
| Privacy Rating | 9.3 | 9.5 |
| Streaming Rating | 9 | 8 |
| Encryption | AES-256-GCM | AES-256-GCM |
| Kill Switch | Yes | Yes |
| No-Logs Audit | Deloitte (2023) | Deloitte (2022), court-proven (2016, 2018) |
| Ad Blocker | Yes | Yes |
| Money-Back | 30 days | 30 days |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Jurisdiction | Netherlands | United States |
Verdict
Both are excellent value. Surfshark ($2.19/mo) has better streaming, a cleaner app, and unlimited devices. PIA ($2.03/mo) is cheaper, open-source, and court-proven for privacy. Surfshark for streaming and ease of use, PIA for maximum privacy at the lowest price.
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Surfshark
$2.19/mo
Visit site →Private Internet Access
$2.03/mo
Visit site →FAQ
- How many devices can I connect with Surfshark? +
- Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections. You can protect every device in your household — phones, laptops, tablets, smart TVs, and routers — with a single subscription.
- Is Surfshark good for streaming? +
- Yes. Surfshark unblocks Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and most major streaming services. Its speeds are sufficient for 4K streaming without buffering on most servers.
- Is PIA safe even though it's based in the US? +
- Yes. PIA's no-logs policy has been proven in court — when subpoenaed by the FBI, PIA could not provide user data because none existed. The open-source code allows anyone to verify the privacy claims.
- How many devices can PIA protect? +
- PIA allows unlimited simultaneous connections on a single account, covering every device you own.