REVIEWS / COMPARE
Private Internet Access VPN vs ProtonVPN Plus
Private Internet Access VPN edges ahead at 4.9 vs 4.6 — but read the trade-offs below; ProtonVPN Plus may still be the better fit for you.
| Private Internet Access VPN | ProtonVPN Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| RATING | 4.9 / 10 | 4.6 / 10 |
| CONFIDENCE | high | high |
| USER VOICES | 857 | 178 |
| POSITIVE | 35% | 30% |
| PRICE | — | — |
| RECOMMENDED | ✗ We don't recommend | ✗ We don't recommend |
Private Internet Access VPN
★ STRENGTHS
- Long-term customers (10-15 years) report reliable use across Windows, Android, and Linux
- Consistently cheap, with frequent 83-89% off promos and free months
- Port forwarding support and a clean UI with 'no BS gimmicks'
✗ WATCH OUT
- Trust damage: Kape acquisition and Mt. Gox's Mark Karpeles as parent-company CTO drive 'not another cent' reactions
- Open-source clients cannot prove server-side no-logging; Android repo authenticity questioned
- Reported CAPTCHA-locking and broken streaming on all servers after months of use
Not recommended Full review →
ProtonVPN Plus
★ STRENGTHS
- Decade-long free-tier users report reliable satisfaction with no in-app ads
- Annual bundle (VPN + Mail) cited as real value by paying users
- Consistently positioned as the pick for privacy-focused users in reviews
✗ WATCH OUT
- Caught A/B differential pricing (Safari vs Chrome) plus alleged initial denial
- ProtonMail IP-log disclosures to authorities undercut 'no logs' expectations
- Aggressive, constant marketing criticized even by otherwise satisfied users
Not recommended Full review →
HOW THIS COMPARISON WAS BUILT
Both verdicts are synthesised from real user voices on Reddit, YouTube, Hacker News, ProductHunt, Trustpilot and editorial sources — 857 for Private Internet Access VPN, 178 for ProtonVPN Plus. No paid placement; ratings come from raw sentiment, not our opinion. Read the methodology.