We put these VPNs to the test to find out which is the best!
Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
Both of these VPNs have their strengths and weaknesses in different areas. Private Internet Access has some useful features and customization options, but its interface isn’t as user-friendly. PureVPN is probably better for newer users, and those wanting to unblock streaming content.
Speed is not the main priority for either of these VPNs, but they aren’t overly lacking in this area either. PureVPN has okay speeds that avoid buffering when streaming, but Private Internet Access seems to have the edge with faster download speeds, according to our testing.
| VPN vendor |
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|---|---|---|
| Download speed reduction | 35% (UK) | 40% (UK) |
| Upload speed reduction | 39% (FRA) | 37% (FRA) |
| Ping time to google.com | 35ms | 41ms |
| Average time to connect (sec.) | 10ms | 11ms |
| Unblock successful for |
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| Visit Site | Visit Site |
Speed determines how fast content uploads, so if you're torrenting or streaming, you want the speed to be somewhat identical to your regular internet speed. Since a VPN encrypts your data, it usually takes a bit longer to send your data back and forth, which can slow down your connection. However, if your ISP deliberately slows down your connection (also known as throttling) a VPN might increase your internet speed. Testing a VPN is somewhat pointless because new servers pop up and affect speed. Your speed can also differ according to your location, so your speed test might not match ours. Having said that, we tested the speed in numerous locations to provide you with the average.
For many, the main allure of PureVPN is its long list of available server countries, which currently stands at around 141. Private Internet Access has far less country choices, but does offer a lot more server cities and locations overall
| VPN vendor |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Server Locations | 30 | 180 |
| Server Countries | 30 | 141 |
| IP Addresses | 3,236+ | 750 |
| Dynamic Server Switching | ||
| Visit Site | Visit Site |
The ratio of servers to countries is an important factor to look at when choosing a VPN. Only paying attention to location or number of servers can get you in trouble. More servers generally means faster speeds, but if VPN X has a few more servers than VPN Y but twice as many users, VPN X will typically have slower speeds. Ideally, you want a VPN that has a lot of servers in every location. This way you won’t have to worry that server/country that you want will be overburdened and running slow
A common complaint with Private Internet Access seems to be their customer support, mainly due to the lack of a 24/7 chat. They do have a helpful knowledge base, however. PureVPN places a strong emphasis on fast customer support and response times, evidenced by their 24/7 live chat.
| VPN vendor |
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|---|---|---|
| Email Response Time | 24 | 7 |
| 24/7 Support | ||
| Live Chat | ||
| Knowledge Base | ||
| Video Tutorials | ||
| Visit Site | Visit Site |
We personally test the customer support team of every VPN we review. This means asking technical question through the live chat feature (where applicable) and measuring the response time for email questions. Whether you need to connect to a specific server, change your security protocol, or configure a VPN on your router, finding a VPN with quality customer support should be important to you.
Downloading, installing, and configuring PIA is easy enough — it won’t take more than 5 minutes of your time.
The desktop clients are minimalistic, as they aren’t overloaded with information. We enjoyed this type of interface, but we can also see how it would be frustrating for users that like more options available to them.
Using PIA’s iOS app limits you to the IPSec protocol when it comes to mobile GUIs. To utilize OpenVPN, you’ll need to employ the corresponding app along with your PIA credentials. It’s worth noting that IKEv2 is not supported in this context.
PIA works on all major platforms and operating systems, but currently has mixed success in China. It also rarely unblocks Netflix, but is effective for Hulu and the BBC Player.
PureVPN app is easy enough to be used by novice VPN users and offers enough settings to appeal to a seasoned player. The basic interface is simple and you just have to select a server and click on Connect. The default protocol is automatic but you can pick another option from the list. There are some tabs that let users change the settings and customize the app according to their needs.
PureVPN has apps for all major platforms, and has browser extensions as well. There is a large selection of servers and special servers for online streaming, sports streaming, anonymous file sharing, and data retention security. Or you can just connect to the fastest server of a particular country.
PureVPN works on mobile devices, and is generally successful accessing Netflix and Hulu, and definitely works in China.
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