Privateinternetaccess Review

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Private Internet Access VPN is a US based VPN company, which initially makes us suspicious as to the overall privacy level. It is certainly an inexpensive VPN service, allowing flexible payment methods and focusing on high end encryption. There is P2P support, with impressive features like SOCKS5 proxy included and with multiple VPN gateways in the hands of the users adding to the user experience. Let’s have a look at whether or not PIA is able to outweigh the burden of being a US based VPN company with the privacy that this means. We will do it through a comprehensive Private Internet Access VPN review, both for Mac users and for all other OS and devices.

PIA Features

When it comes to the features available to the VPN users of Private Internet Access VPN, there is a wide array of options that will certainly benefit the subscribers. Among them, we find the P2P and VoIP Support, the use of diverse security protocol types like PPTP, OpenVPN and L2TP/IPSec and the simultaneous use of up to 5 different devices.

PIA takes pride in multiple VPN gateways, while the unlimited bandwidth is another great feature. About 3,000 servers are located in 29 places across 18 countries. SOCKS5 proxy is included and this is definitely a wonderful thing to consider, along with the reassurance that there are no traffic logs. Last but not least, the instant setup is another plus that a user (especially a novice) can smile about and the presence of a kill switch is really great.

PrivateInternetAccess Online Security for Mac

Private Internet Access VPN boasts its level of privacy, even though its location certainly does not help towards this direction. PPTP, OpenVPN and L2TP/IPSec security protocol types are supported by PIA VPN, while you can have a look at their privacy policy on their website. No user logs are kept, according to the site and this is a positive step. Torrent file sharing is permitted, which is some sort of surprise.

PrivateInternetAccess Pricing & Plans

Next at our Private Internet Access VPN review, there is the pricing policy of the company that is regarded as greatly affordable. In fact, the monthly subscription only costs $6.95; the semi-annual subscription stretches at $35.95, while the top value for money is offered at $39.95 for a whole year. Sadly enough, there is no free trial available to the VPN subscribers to benefit from and the full money refund guarantee does not go longer than a week. These are both negative, as they could put off users from trying them out in the first place.

Protocols

Private Internet Access VPN supports all the security protocol types that can meet the needs of every user, whether Mac OS X or any other Operating System is concerned. PPTP, L2TP/IPsec and OpenVPN encryption up to AES-256 bit, SHA256 and RSA-4096 are available to the users. Apart from that, SOCKS5 proxy is included and there is support for VoIP and P2P.

PrivateInternetAccess Interface for Mac

The interface of Private Internet Access VPN is not its strongest point, as there is a minimal option for the subscriber to get used to. Simple buttons and icons that glow are just about it. However, without taking pride in being exceptionally beautiful and outstandingly impressive, the setup runs smoothly and it is easy to handle.

Compatibility

One thing that needs to be mentioned for the Mac users and the people using iOS running devices, the iOS app uses L2TP. However, the detailed setup guides are provided for using the VPN with the more advanced OpenVPN Connect app. In this way, the specific users can benefit from further and more solid encryption and security along the way. Besides Mac OS X and iOS X, Private Internet Access VPN is compatible with Windows and Linux, as well as Android and other consoles and routers.

Payment Options

Payment methods of Private Internet Access VPN include the use of credit cards, as much as PayPal and fortunately Bitcoin, too. As you can see, anonymity that can be obtained through the contribution of Bitcoin is an option.

Support Types

As far as support types are concerned, there are various options available to the users. There is a VPN blog and a forum, as well as a knowledgebase with setup guides and a lot more. Of course, the most direct option is the live chat – still, there is the necessity of adding one’s name and email for contacting somebody. The same goes for the ticket submission. The support is knowledgeable and helpful, although at sometimes there is a slight delay.

The Mac client Interface

IP Types

Shared Dynamic IP types are available to the customers of Private Internet Access VPN.

PrivateInternetAccess Website

It is a matter of preference, but we have found that the website of Private Internet Access VPN could be a lot better. It seems like there is too much information gathered in a way that does not help the users to find what they have been searching for. HTTPS is certainly great proof of the security level provided to the users of PIA VPN.

PrivateInternetAccess Performance

Performance is a positive aspect of Private Internet Access VPN. To be more specific, we have tested PIA VPN on a Mac computer and on an iPhone, as well as on Windows and on an Android running smartphone. +All the results with the choice of different servers have been satisfactory, with slight differences that are not something worthy of mentioning – they can be due to peak hours or just heavy traffic at a time.

PrivateInternetAccess Review Conclusion

We have finished our Private Internet Access VPN review and we have managed to highlight both advantages and disadvantages. First of all, it is positive that the location of PIA in the US does not stand in the way and deteriorate the overall privacy level that VPN users get. There is a wide array of servers offered to the subscribers, as much as advanced encryption and some really cool features (like the Kill Switch and the use of up to 5 different devices at a time).

The cost is affordable and the payment options are versatile. On the other hand, there is no free trial or actual and lengthy full money refund guarantee. The interface is regarded as dull and too minimalistic. The website can also baffle some people. Overall, Mac OS X users can get pretty decent services and fast performance from PIA, if they overcome the confusion outlined above.

Here is how to setup Privateinternetaccess VPN for Mac

Mac OSX Setup:

• https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/pages/client-support/osx10.4-pptp
• https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/pages/client-support/osx10.10-pptp