Is Private Internet Access or Proton VPN better?

Proton VPN scores higher overall, 90.0 against 73.0, a gap of 17 points out of 100. The best-documented security stack in this dataset, and the only free tier we consider safe to recommend.

Which is cheaper, Private Internet Access or Proton VPN?

Private Internet Access, at $2.03/mo against $4.49/mo. Both rates require committing to the provider’s longest term; the monthly rates are considerably higher.

Which one has been audited more recently?

Proton VPN, most recently in 2024 against Private Internet Access’s 2022.

Does jurisdiction differ between them?

Yes. Private Internet Access operates from United States and Proton VPN from Switzerland. Proton VPN is outside the Fourteen Eyes agreement; the other is not.

Head to head · Updated August 13, 2026

Private Internet Access vs Proton VPN

Proton VPN takes it by 17 points, 90.0 against 73.0. That margin is worth reading past — Private Internet Access wins 1 of the seven criteria outright.

Private Internet Access

73.0

The only provider here whose no-logs claim has been tested by a court rather than only by an auditor — but it is a US company.

From: $2.03/mo
Based in: United States
Devices: Unlimited
Audits: 1

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We earn nothing from Private Internet Access. This link is included because the ranking says it belongs here.

Proton VPN

90.0

The best-documented security stack in this dataset, and the only free tier we consider safe to recommend.

From: $4.49/mo
Based in: Switzerland
Devices: 10
Audits: 2

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Criterion by criterion

Private Internet Access wins 1, Proton VPN wins 5, 1 tied. Each row shows the raw score out of ten and the weighted contribution to the total.

Criterion	Weight	Private Internet Access	Proton VPN	Winner
Independent audit	20	7/10 (14.0)	10/10 (20.0)	Proton VPN
Jurisdiction and ownership	15	3/10 (4.5)	9/10 (13.5)	Proton VPN
Protocol and crypto stack	15	9/10 (13.5)	9/10 (13.5)	Tied
Leak protection	15	8/10 (12.0)	9/10 (13.5)	Proton VPN
Transparency	15	8/10 (12.0)	9/10 (13.5)	Proton VPN
Price and refund terms	10	9/10 (9.0)	7/10 (7.0)	Private Internet Access
Platform coverage	10	8/10 (8.0)	9/10 (9.0)	Proton VPN
Total	100	73.0	90.0	Proton VPN

Where each one actually wins

Private Internet Access is ahead on

Price and refund terms. Effective $2.03/month on a three-year term with unlimited devices, though that means a long lock-in.

Proton VPN is ahead on

Independent audit. Both the no-logs policy and the apps on every platform were audited by Securitum with public reports.
Jurisdiction and ownership. Switzerland sits outside the Fourteen Eyes agreement, and the parent company is majority-owned by a non-profit foundation.
Leak protection. Kill switch across all platforms, with a permanent mode on desktop that blocks traffic before the app starts.
Transparency. Every client is open source with published audit reports; signup still requires an email address.
Platform coverage. Native apps including Apple TV and Android TV, plus router support and 10 simultaneous devices.

Choose Private Internet Access if

Readers who want open-source clients and granular control over encryption settings.

Choose Proton VPN if

Readers who want auditable software and a free option to test before paying.

Reasons to pick neither

Skip Private Internet Access if: Your threat model includes US legal process. No amount of open-source client code changes where the company is incorporated.

Skip Proton VPN if: You want the cheapest possible long-term plan. Proton is priced as a security product, and the 2-year rate is still above the budget tier.

Questions

Is Private Internet Access or Proton VPN better?: Proton VPN scores higher overall, 90.0 against 73.0, a gap of 17 points out of 100. The best-documented security stack in this dataset, and the only free tier we consider safe to recommend.
Which is cheaper, Private Internet Access or Proton VPN?: Private Internet Access, at $2.03/mo against $4.49/mo. Both rates require committing to the provider’s longest term; the monthly rates are considerably higher.
Which one has been audited more recently?: Proton VPN, most recently in 2024 against Private Internet Access’s 2022.
Does jurisdiction differ between them?: Yes. Private Internet Access operates from United States and Proton VPN from Switzerland. Proton VPN is outside the Fourteen Eyes agreement; the other is not.

Related comparisons

Comparison generated from the same dataset as the ranking. Emphasis criterion definitions are on the rubric page. Criterion labels: Independent audit, Jurisdiction and ownership, Protocol and crypto stack, Leak protection, Transparency, Price and refund terms, Platform coverage.