NordVPN vs Private Internet Access
Compare NordVPN and Private Internet Access by device coverage, locations and the features you need.
On the plans compared here, NordVPN covers 10 simultaneous devices; Private Internet Access covers unlimited simultaneous devices. Start with the devices you use together, then check the locations and connection options you need. Network coverage: NordVPN (7,300+ servers · 150 countries · 225 locations); Private Internet Access (NextGen servers in 104 countries).
Based on published provider facts and editorial assessment. How we evaluate. Some links earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure.
NordVPN
NordVPN is aimed at: People comparing a VPN for up to ten devices with specialty servers and several protocol options.
Read the review →Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access is aimed at: Households and users who want unlimited connections and detailed desktop settings.
Read the review →
Want to test it on your own devices?
The quickest way to settle a shortlist is to check the official deal page, install the apps you actually use, and lean on the refund window if it is not the right fit.
Offer terms
NordVPN: Basic: $3.49/mo for the first 27 months (USD)
Private Internet Access: 3 years + 3 months: €1.79/mo (EUR)
Different currencies: these offers are not directly ranked. Compare the upfront payment, included months, renewal price and tax at checkout.
Upfront costs and renewal notes →Device allowance
NordVPN: 10 devices. Private Internet Access: Unlimited devices.
Refund terms
NordVPN: 30 days for the initial subscription purchase; renewal exclusions apply
Private Internet Access: 30-day guarantee; eligibility and purchase-channel conditions apply
Eligibility, payment method and subscription length can affect the guarantee.
The details side by side
| Head to head | ||
|---|---|---|
| Monthly plan | Basic monthly: $14.99/mo (USD) | Monthly plan: €11.69/mo (EUR) |
| Advertised long-term offer | Basic: $3.49/mo for the first 27 months (USD) | 3 years + 3 months: €1.79/mo (EUR) |
| Devices on compared plan | 10 | Unlimited |
| Countries | 150 | 104 |
| Network | NordVPN lists 7,300+ servers · 150 countries · 225 locations | NextGen servers in 104 countries |
| Refund window | 30 days for the initial subscription purchase; renewal exclusions apply | 30-day guarantee; eligibility and purchase-channel conditions apply |
| Jurisdiction | Panama | United States |
| Protocol | NordLynx (WireGuard-based), OpenVPN and NordWhisper | WireGuard + OpenVPN |
| Anti-blocking | Obfuscated servers and NordWhisper | Multi-Hop and Obfuscation with Shadowsocks on desktop |
| Audit / privacy | Sixth no-logs assurance by Deloitte Lithuania; December 2025 point-in-time report | Deloitte limited assurance as of October 2025, plus earlier audits and transparency reports |
| WireGuard | ||
| Kill switch | ||
| Split tunneling | ||
| Audited no-logs | ||
| Score for overall | 9/10 | 8/10 |
Equal editorial scores do not produce a winner. Device limits correspond to the advertised entry plan; paid upgrades may differ.
Editorial scores by use case
Overall: NordVPN
NordVPN has the higher editorial overall score. NordVPN: 9/10; Private Internet Access: 8/10. Scores summarize published features and our assessment, not measured performance or a guarantee of results.
Streaming: NordVPN
NordVPN has the higher editorial streaming score. NordVPN: 9/10; Private Internet Access: 8/10. Scores summarize published features and our assessment, not measured performance or a guarantee of results.
Gaming: NordVPN
NordVPN has the higher editorial gaming score. NordVPN: 9/10; Private Internet Access: 8/10. Scores summarize published features and our assessment, not measured performance or a guarantee of results.
Privacy: NordVPN
NordVPN has the higher editorial privacy score. NordVPN: 9/10; Private Internet Access: 7/10. Scores summarize published features and our assessment, not measured performance or a guarantee of results.
What differs
Offer terms
NordVPN: Basic: $3.49/mo for the first 27 months (USD). Private Internet Access: 3 years + 3 months: €1.79/mo (EUR). Different currencies: these offers are not directly ranked. Compare the upfront payment, included months, renewal price and tax at checkout.
Simultaneous devices
Private Internet Access allows unlimited simultaneous connections, while NordVPN allows 10 on the plan compared here.
Country coverage
NordVPN lists 150 countries versus Private Internet Access's 104, which can matter for travel and regional access.
Where each is based
NordVPN is based in Panama, while Private Internet Access operates from United States. Jurisdiction is worth weighing if data-retention rules are part of your decision.
Main protocol
NordVPN documents NordLynx (WireGuard-based), OpenVPN and NordWhisper; Private Internet Access documents WireGuard + OpenVPN. Availability and defaults vary by app and platform.
Questions about NordVPN vs Private Internet Access
Which is better, NordVPN or Private Internet Access?
NordVPN has the higher editorial overall score. NordVPN: 9/10; Private Internet Access: 8/10. Scores summarize published features and our assessment, not measured performance or a guarantee of results.
Which offer costs less?
NordVPN: Basic: $3.49/mo for the first 27 months (USD). Private Internet Access: 3 years + 3 months: €1.79/mo (EUR). Different currencies: these offers are not directly ranked. Compare the upfront payment, included months, renewal price and tax at checkout.
Which one supports more devices?
NordVPN: 10 devices. Private Internet Access: Unlimited devices.
Which is better for streaming?
NordVPN has the higher editorial streaming score. NordVPN: 9/10; Private Internet Access: 8/10. Scores summarize published features and our assessment, not measured performance or a guarantee of results.
Which has the stronger privacy score?
NordVPN has the higher editorial privacy score. NordVPN: 9/10; Private Internet Access: 7/10. Scores summarize published features and our assessment, not measured performance or a guarantee of results.
Are both links affiliate links?
Some provider links may earn us a commission; others are ordinary links. This does not determine our scores. Prices, regional offers and eligibility must be confirmed on the provider website.
Sources and offer notes
NordVPN
Provider fact check: 2026-10-02
USD Basic pricing displayed on October 2, 2026: $14.99 billed monthly, or $94.23 prepaid for the first 27 months ($3.49/mo equivalent), then $139.08/year. Sales tax may apply. These are the vendor's advertised prices; your regional offer and final checkout total may differ.
- Homepage FAQ: advertised worldwide server and country totals (nordvpn.com)
- Server locations and specialty-server catalog (nordvpn.com)
- Displayed USD pricing, prepaid totals, renewals and tier device limits (nordvpn.com)
- Initial-purchase refund eligibility (support.nordvpn.com)
- Sixth no-logs assurance and report access limits (nordvpn.com)
- No-logs policy and vendor-stated Panama base (nordvpn.com)
- Supported NordVPN protocols (support.nordvpn.com)
- Specialty servers and protocol limits (support.nordvpn.com)
- NordWhisper use cases and limitations (nordvpn.com)
- Kill switch support (nordvpn.com)
- Split tunneling platform support (nordvpn.com)
Private Internet Access
Provider fact check: 2026-10-02
EUR offer checked October 2, 2026: €11.69 billed monthly, or €70 prepaid for 39 months (€1.79/mo advertised), then €70 every three years. Tax was not separately itemized in the observed order summary. Offers vary by region; confirm your currency, total and renewal terms.
- Current regional pricing, renewal amounts and unlimited connections (privateinternetaccess.com)
- Long-term order summary and upfront amount (privateinternetaccess.com)
- 104 countries, all 50 US states and network features (privateinternetaccess.com)
- Desktop protocols, kill switch, split tunneling and obfuscation (helpdesk.privateinternetaccess.com)
- Refund terms and purchase-channel restrictions (privateinternetaccess.com)
- US corporate entity and location (privateinternetaccess.com)
- Third Deloitte audit announcement (privateinternetaccess.com)
- October 2025 limited assurance report (assets-cms.privateinternetaccess.com)
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NordVPN vs Surfshark
NordVPN has the higher editorial score for overall. Surfshark may fit you better: Households and people who need VPN connections on many devices.
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NordVPN vs Proton VPN
NordVPN has the higher editorial score for overall. Proton VPN may fit you better: People who value open-source apps, public audit information and Swiss-based operations.
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NordVPN vs CyberGhost
NordVPN has the higher editorial score for overall. CyberGhost may fit you better: People who want seven connections and a longer refund period on a plan of at least six months.
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