Private Internet Access
From ~$2.03/mo (long plans)
NordVPN
From ~$3.39/mo (2-yr) to ~$12.99/mo (monthly)
Private Internet Access is a budget-friendly, open-source VPN with unlimited devices and a court-proven no-logs record. NordVPN is a fast, feature-rich all-rounder with a strong reputation. PIA wins on price, open source, and unlimited devices; NordVPN wins on speed, features, and polish.
Pick Private Internet Access if you want an affordable, open-source VPN with unlimited devices and a proven no-logs record.
Pick NordVPN if you want top speeds, a richer feature set, and a polished all-round experience.
Private Internet Access (PIA) and NordVPN are both popular no-logs VPNs, but they emphasize different strengths. PIA is value-driven and open source, with very low long-term prices, unlimited simultaneous connections, highly configurable apps, and a no-logs policy that has held up in court. NordVPN is the polished all-rounder, known for fast speeds (NordLynx), a rich feature set including Threat Protection and Meshnet, and a strong security reputation backed by independent audits.
On price, PIA runs from around $2.03 a month on long plans, while NordVPN starts around $3.39, both rising at renewal. The choice is mostly affordable, open-source value with unlimited devices (PIA) versus speed, features, and polish (NordVPN).
We compare price, speed, devices, open source, and features.
| Quick facts | Private Internet Access | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest long plan | From ~$2.03/mo | From ~$3.39/mo |
| Simultaneous devices | Unlimited | Limited (generous) |
| Open source | Yes | Limited |
| Speed & features | Strong | Best-in-class |
| Best for | Value + open source | Speed + features |
Each row reflects the feature on each product's current public release.
| Feature | P Private Internet Access | N NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Audited / proven no-logs | Best-in-class | Best-in-class |
| Open-source apps | Yes | Limited |
| Unlimited device connections | Yes | No |
| Highly configurable apps | Best-in-class | Strong |
| Fast modern protocol | WireGuard | NordLynx (best-in-class) |
| Extra security tools | Good | Best-in-class |
| Lowest price | Yes | No |
| Streaming unblocking | Good | Strong |
Pricing and features change often. Always verify the current details on each product's official site. Last reviewed 2026-06-26.
Things neither product's marketing page leads with.
PIA is cheaper, open source, and allows unlimited devices, but its speeds and extra features trail NordVPN.
NordVPN is faster and more feature-rich with a polished experience, but it costs more and limits device connections.
Both advertise low long-term rates that renew higher, so budget for the renewal price.
The average person juggles a dozen subscriptions and forgets at least one. Subkept is a privacy-first subscription tracker: add Private Internet Access, NordVPN, and everything else, then get renewal reminders, price-hike alerts, and a clear monthly total, with no bank connection, ever. Free for up to 5 subscriptions, no time limit.