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VPNs comparison · 2026
PIA (88) and ProtonVPN (85) are closely matched — this is one of the tightest VPNs comparisons in our database, with just 3 points separating them overall. PIA leads on Price (92 vs 78). The two are closest on Streaming, where the gap is just 0 points. On pricing, PIA starts cheaper at $2.03/mo versus $4.99/mo. Use the radar chart and dimension table below to find which fits your specific priorities best.
PIA
Proven no-logs policy with massive server network
88/100
ProtonVPN
Swiss privacy, open-source, and a solid free tier
85/100
Radar comparison
PIA
88
ProtonVPN
85
Speed
Download and upload speed loss vs baseline
Privacy
Encryption, jurisdiction, and audit history
Server Network
Number of countries and server locations
Streaming
Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer unblocking rate
Price
Monthly cost and value for features
No-Logs Audit
Independent audit of no-logs policy
Device Support
Number of simultaneous connections and apps
Overall Score
PIA
Pros
Cons
ProtonVPN
Pros
Cons
Choose PIA if you value server network most and have budget for $2.03/month or more. Choose ProtonVPN if you value privacy most and have budget for $4.99/month or more. If neither dimension is a clear priority, PIA's higher overall score (88/100) makes it the safer default in the vpns category.
Based on our independent scoring across 7 dimensions, PIA scores 88/100 overall versus ProtonVPN's 85/100 — a 3-point margin. PIA leads on Server Network in particular. That said, ProtonVPN may still be the right choice if the dimensions where it scores higher match your specific priorities — the radar chart above shows the full profile side by side.
PIA starts cheaper at $2.03/month versus ProtonVPN's $4.99/month. At higher usage tiers, the gap may narrow depending on each tool's scaling model. Check the official pricing pages for current plans — SaaS pricing changes frequently.
PIA scores higher on Server Network — 98/100 versus 78/100 for ProtonVPN. If server network is your primary decision criterion, PIA is the stronger choice in this head-to-head.
Switching between vpns tools is generally possible but involves migration effort: exporting your data or configuration from PIA, re-importing or reconfiguring in ProtonVPN, and updating any API integrations or environment variables in your codebase. The effort scales with how deeply embedded the tool is in your stack. Test ProtonVPN on a non-production project first before migrating.
PIA (88/100) is the better fit for teams who prioritise server network — its strongest dimension — and who want a low-cost starting price. ProtonVPN (85/100) is the better fit for teams who prioritise privacy and want a free entry point. If both dimensions matter equally, the overall score winner (PIA) is the safer default choice.
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