Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access, commonly known as PIA, is one of the most established VPN providers in the world, having operated since 2010. Despite being based in the United States, PIA has built an impeccable reputation for privacy, with its no-logs policy having been verified in court proceedings on multiple occasions where PIA was unable to provide user data because it simply did not exist.

PIA stands out for its unwavering commitment to transparency. Every single one of its applications across all platforms is 100% open-source, allowing security researchers, journalists, and privacy advocates to independently verify that the software does exactly what it claims. PIA also publishes regular transparency reports detailing the number of legal requests it receives.

With over 35,000 servers across 91 countries, PIA operates the largest server network of any VPN provider by a significant margin. While many of these are virtual servers, the sheer scale ensures excellent performance and minimal congestion. PIA offers servers in multiple UK locations, providing reliable connections for British users.

For torrenting enthusiasts, PIA is the clear choice. It allows P2P traffic on all servers, including those in the United States, which many providers restrict. Combined with its proven no-logs policy, kill switch, and port forwarding support, PIA provides the most secure and feature-rich torrenting experience available.

PIA offers unlimited simultaneous device connections, matching Surfshark in this regard. At just £1.69 per month on a long-term plan, it is also the most affordable premium VPN on the market. The service includes MACE, a built-in ad and tracker blocker, and supports advanced features like multi-hop connections, obfuscation, and customisable encryption settings.

While PIA's streaming support has improved significantly, it can still be less reliable than dedicated streaming-focused providers like NordVPN or ExpressVPN for accessing UK platforms. However, for users who prioritise privacy, transparency, and value, PIA is an outstanding choice in 2026.