Alternatives to Private Internet Access
Long-running VPN with fully open-source apps and port forwarding. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Private Internet Access
Long-running VPN with fully open-source apps and port forwarding.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Private Internet Access.
NordVPN
Large commercial VPN with the WireGuard-based NordLynx protocol.
NordVPN has closed-source apps and a larger server network, adds the WireGuard-based NordLynx protocol and meshnet, and renews at a much higher rate than the first term.
ExpressVPN
Commercial VPN with RAM-only servers and its own Lightway protocol.
ExpressVPN uses closed-source apps with RAM-only servers and its own Lightway protocol, costs more, and is also owned by Kape Technologies.
Surfshark
VPN with unlimited simultaneous devices on one subscription.
Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous devices and adds RAM-only servers and multi-hop routing, but its apps are closed source and it is merged with Nord Security.
Proton VPN
A VPN from the Proton Mail company with a free tier that has no data cap, and open source clients.
Proton VPN is run by a Swiss company rather than a US one, keeps open-source audited clients, and offers a free tier with no data cap.
Mullvad VPN
A flat-rate VPN service with anonymous account numbers instead of usernames, and open source apps.
Mullvad VPN uses anonymous account numbers with no email, charges a flat €5 a month, and keeps open-source apps, but limits you to five WireGuard keys.
Windscribe
Canadian VPN with built-in ad blocking and a usable free tier.
Windscribe is Canadian rather than US-based, keeps port forwarding and open-source apps, and adds a free tier plus built-in ad and tracker blocking.
IVPN
Gibraltar-based VPN with multi-hop routing and anonymous signup.
IVPN is Gibraltar-based, allows signup without email and payment in cash or Monero, and adds multi-hop routing, but has no free tier.
AirVPN
Activist-run VPN with OpenVPN, WireGuard and detailed server statistics.
AirVPN is activist-run, keeps port forwarding and adds live per-server statistics and cryptocurrency payment, though its client and website are dense and support is forum-based.
Also worth comparing
These listings name Private Internet Access as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
Astrill VPN
A commercial VPN service with a proprietary StealthVPN protocol for restrictive networks.
Private Internet Access has open-source apps and port forwarding, but is owned by Kape Technologies, based in the United States, and lists no stealth protocol.
CyberGhost VPN
A commercial VPN service with apps for desktops, phones, TVs, routers and web browsers.
Private Internet Access keeps a browser extension and Linux support and adds fully open-source apps and port forwarding, but it is based in the United States.
HMA VPN
A commercial VPN service, formerly Hide My Ass, with servers in more than 65 countries.
Private Internet Access has fully open-source client apps, port forwarding and granular settings, but is owned by Kape Technologies and under United States jurisdiction.
IPVanish
A commercial VPN service with apps for common devices and a verified no-traffic-logs policy.
Private Internet Access adds fully open-source apps, port forwarding, Linux and a browser extension, but it is based in the United States under Kape Technologies.
Mozilla VPN
A paid WireGuard-based VPN service from Mozilla that runs on Mullvad's server network.
Private Internet Access has fully open-source apps, port forwarding and a browser extension, but is owned by Kape Technologies and operates under United States jurisdiction.
OVPN
A Swedish paid VPN service with a no-logging policy and diskless servers on hardware it owns.
Private Internet Access keeps port forwarding and adds fully open source apps, Linux and a browser extension, but is based in the United States under Kape ownership.
PureVPN
A commercial VPN service with apps for desktop, mobile and TV devices and a large server network.
Private Internet Access includes port forwarding rather than selling it as an add-on, and its client applications are entirely open source.
StrongVPN
A long-running commercial VPN service with WireGuard support, SmartDNS and eSIM data in one plan.
Private Internet Access switches to fully open source apps with port forwarding and a Linux app, under United States jurisdiction and ownership by Kape Technologies.
TorGuard
A commercial VPN and proxy service with stealth connection options and client apps, including Android.
Private Internet Access offers fully open-source apps, port forwarding and browser extensions across desktop and mobile, under United States jurisdiction.
VeePN
A commercial VPN service with desktop apps and browser extensions for hiding your IP address.
Private Internet Access keeps browser extensions and adds fully open source apps, port forwarding and broader platform support, under United States jurisdiction.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
WireGuard
A small, fast VPN protocol and set of official clients that connect two machines by exchanging public keys.
OpenVPN Community
The VPN protocol and client that has been the default for two decades, and still runs on everything.
Cloudflare WARP
A free WireGuard-based tunnel to Cloudflare that encrypts your traffic without pretending to be a privacy VPN.
DNS Leak Test
A web test that shows which DNS servers your connection is actually using.
