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Surfshark vs Private Internet Access – Which VPN is better?

Surfshark vs Private Internet Access – a comparison worth reading. We put both VPN services through their paces: speed, security, streaming and cost.

Our winner

Surfshark

In this head-to-head comparison Surfshark delivers the better overall performance.

See Surfshark deal

Comparison table

Feature
Surfshark
Private Internet Access
Speed
85 Mbit/s
80 Mbit/s
Servers
3.200+
35.000+
Countries
100+
91
Streaming
Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, BBC iPlayer
Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, HBO Max
Security
No-logs policy
No-logs policy (checked)
No-Logs
Yes (audited)
Yes
Price
2,49 €/month
2,03 €/month
Apps
Unlimited
Win, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux (10 devices)
Support
24/7 Live Chat
24/7 Live Chat

Speed – Surfshark vs Private Internet Access

Surfshark reaches higher download speeds on average (85 Mbit/s vs 80 Mbit/s). Private Internet Access still delivers solid performance for streaming and everyday browsing.

Surfshark
Download 85 Mbit/s
Upload 72 Mbit/s
Ping 22 ms
Private Internet Access
Download 80 Mbit/s
Upload 68 Mbit/s
Ping 24 ms

Security – Surfshark vs Private Internet Access

Both providers rely on AES-256 encryption and a no-logs policy. Surfshark offers No-logs policy, AES-256 Encryption, Kill Switch, CleanWeb Ad blocker. Private Internet Access offers No-logs policy (checked), AES-256 Encryption, Kill Switch, Open source apps.

Surfshark
  • No-logs policy
  • AES-256 Encryption
  • Kill Switch
  • CleanWeb Ad blocker
Private Internet Access
  • No-logs policy (checked)
  • AES-256 Encryption
  • Kill Switch
  • Open source apps

Streaming – which VPN works better?

In the streaming comparison Surfshark scores with broader platform coverage. Both VPNs unblock the most common services – Surfshark is just a bit more consistent.

Surfshark

Netflix
Amazon Prime
Disney+
BBC iPlayer

Private Internet Access

Netflix
Amazon Prime
Disney+
HBO Max

Pricing

Surfshark

from 2,49 €/month

2-year subscription - 30-day money-back guarantee - Unlimited devices

See Surfshark deal

Private Internet Access

from 2,03 €/month

3-year subscription - 30-day money-back guarantee

See Private Internet Access deal

Which VPN is better for…

Streaming

Surfshark

Surfshark unblocks streaming services slightly more reliably.

Security

Surfshark

More security functions and features.

Value for money

Surfshark

Lower price with comparable performance.

Our verdict – Surfshark or Private Internet Access?

Surfshark delivers the better overall performance in this comparison. Private Internet Access is still a solid alternative and can be the better pick for specific use cases.

FAQ – Surfshark vs Private Internet Access

Is Surfshark or Private Internet Access faster? +

Surfshark is a bit faster on average (85 Mbit/s vs 80 Mbit/s). Both deliver good speeds for streaming and downloads.

Which VPN is cheaper – Surfshark or Private Internet Access? +

Surfshark is cheaper (from 2,49 €/month). Private Internet Access starts at 2,03 €/month.

Which VPN is more secure? +

Both offer AES-256 encryption and no-logs policies. Surfshark packs a few more security features.

Which VPN is better for streaming? +

Surfshark unblocks streaming services slightly more reliably in our test. Both VPNs work with Netflix and other platforms.

When is Private Internet Access the better choice? +

Private Internet Access is the better choice when specific features or a lower entry price matter more to you than maximum overall performance.

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