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 June 2026.
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.