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Private Internet Access (PIA) is a popular VPN service that offers apps for various platforms, including desktop, laptop, mobile, streaming devices, and browser extensions. In this article, we will provide a detailed overview of each PIA VPN client and discuss the notable differences between them.
Desktop & Laptop (Windows & Mac)
The Windows app of Private Internet Access is highly regarded for its balance of performance and features. The macOS app is also commendable, although not as polished as the Windows version. Both apps are easy to install and have a user-friendly interface.
Upon opening the app, users can connect to their preferred server location, access the settings menu, and view their real and virtual IP address. Advanced users can access additional settings by clicking on the downward facing arrow. In this expanded view, users can monitor the amount of data transmitted during their VPN session, activate the VPN snooze feature, and measure the VPN’s performance.
The PIA Windows app includes a ‘Proxy’ tab in the settings, which allows users to redirect their VPN connection through an extra location using either Shadowsocks or SOCKS5 proxy options. This feature provides added flexibility and privacy.
One minor drawback of the Windows app is that it runs in the system tray by default, making it less convenient for some users. The option to detach the app from the tray is buried in the ‘General’ section of the settings, which can be difficult to find.
The macOS app, on the other hand, launches as a menu bar app by default. This can be inconvenient for users who prefer to have the app in the dock or launch it from Spotlight. Additionally, the macOS app is slower to load and operate compared to its Windows counterpart, which can be frustrating for users.
Mobile (Android & iOS)
PIA’s Android app is highly praised for its advanced VPN features and user-friendly interface. The app offers a wide range of configuration options, exceeding those of some competing desktop clients. Users can choose between TCP or UDP connections, request port forwarding, customize DNS servers, and adjust encryption settings.
The Android app also includes features such as automatic protection when accessing unknown wireless networks, the ability to turn off the VPN when using mobile data, a built-in kill switch, and a split tunneling option called Per App Settings. Additionally, users can set their device to vibrate when connecting to a PIA server.
However, the Android app downloaded through the Google Play Store does not come with PIA’s proprietary ad blocker, called MACE, due to restrictions imposed by Google. To access PIA MACE on an Android device, users need to download the .APK file directly from the PIA website and follow the setup guide provided.
The iOS app of PIA offers a wide choice of VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, WireGuard, IPsec, and IKEv2. This variety of options sets it apart from other PIA apps. The iOS app also provides extensive customization options, allowing users to set a custom port, change DNS servers, alter encryption settings, and enable a VPN kill switch. These features make PIA one of the best VPNs for iOS devices.
Both the Android and iOS apps have access to InBrowser, PIA’s private browser for mobile devices. This browser enhances privacy and security by preventing websites from accessing users’ location, camera, or microphone, blocking Flash, and bypassing specific websites.
Streaming Devices (Fire TV, Apple TV & Android TV)
PIA’s apps for streaming devices, including Fire TV, Apple TV, and Android TV, are visually appealing and easy to use. They feature a dark mode display for improved legibility on TV screens. Users can favorite specific server locations to avoid unnecessary scrolling through the server list.
The streaming apps offer a seamless experience for connecting to servers and adjusting settings. They follow the same user interface as the desktop counterparts, ensuring consistency across platforms.
However, it is worth noting that streaming US Netflix is only possible on 25% of PIA’s US servers when using the streaming apps. This reliability issue is more prevalent in the streaming apps compared to the desktop and mobile apps.
PIA’s Broken Smart DNS Tool
Private Internet Access recently introduced a Smart DNS feature that allows users to change their location on devices that do not support VPN app installations. However, this feature has its limitations.
While PIA’s Smart DNS tool can change the geo-location to the US, the UK, Germany, Japan, or the Netherlands, it does not work with streaming apps on devices such as Apple TV. The Smart DNS tool fails to unblock popular streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, HBO Max, and Hulu. This limitation is disappointing, considering that the Smart DNS tool is one of the few ways to use PIA on gaming consoles and Smart TVs.
Browser Extensions
PIA offers browser extensions for popular browsers like Chrome and Firefox. These extensions provide numerous settings for users to explore. Overall, they function well and offer additional privacy features.
The browser extensions include features such as preventing websites from accessing location, camera, or microphone, blocking Flash, bypassing specific websites, and blocking third-party cookies, website referrers, and trackers. Users can also choose a preferred location and connect with a single click for simplicity.
For users of the PIA Firefox extension, it is highly recommended to enable the ‘Block WebRTC IP Detection’ feature. This prevents IP address leakage through WebRTC, which is a privacy vulnerability in the Firefox browser.
In conclusion, Private Internet Access offers a range of apps for various platforms, each with its own set of features and functionalities. The Windows app is highly regarded for its performance and balance of features. The Android app stands out for its advanced VPN features, while the iOS app offers excellent customization options. The streaming apps for Fire TV, Apple TV, and Android TV are user-friendly, although streaming reliability may be lower compared to other platforms. PIA’s browser extensions provide additional privacy features and work well overall. However, the Smart DNS tool has limitations and may not work with streaming apps on certain devices.