Table of Contents
Introduction
In this VPN comparison article, we will be looking at three popular VPN providers: Private Internet Access (PIA), IPVanish, and Proton VPN. We will analyze their speeds, performance, and pricing to help you make an informed decision for your VPN needs.
Private Internet Access (PIA)
Private Internet Access (PIA) is a VPN provider that offers excellent privacy and unlimited simultaneous connections. However, the speeds measured through PIA were underwhelming, with a middling 49% average internet download speed loss. This speed loss may not be an issue for casual users with fast connections, such as fiber internet, but it falls well below the 20% average we expect from the fastest VPNs.
ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and NordVPN outperformed PIA in terms of speed. ExpressVPN had a speed loss of 24.8%, Surfshark had a speed loss of 17%, and NordVPN had a mind-blowing speed loss of 11%. These numbers leave PIA in the dust when it comes to speed performance.
If speed loss is not a major concern for you and you are looking for a cheap VPN provider with excellent privacy features and unlimited simultaneous connections, then PIA could be a good choice. PIA offers subscriptions priced at $12 per month, $40 per year, or $80 every three years, making it one of the most budget-friendly VPN options in the industry.
IPVanish
IPVanish is another VPN provider that we tested for this comparison. However, the speeds measured through IPVanish were not impressive. When connecting through OpenVPN from the US, we experienced a 58% speed loss, and when connecting from Budapest, the speed loss was 19%.
One frustrating aspect of IPVanish was that the app did not always connect us to the fastest possible server when using the Quick Connect feature. While speeds within the US remained fairly consistent, speeds to other locations fluctuated dramatically. For example, speeds to Europe ranged from a peak of 317 Mbps to a low of 40 Mbps.
However, when we abandoned the Quick Connect feature and manually chose servers while connecting via OpenVPN, we experienced faster and more consistent speeds. Additionally, IPVanish’s WireGuard speeds were better, with an average speed loss of only 14.5%.
Despite these improvements, the inconsistent nature of IPVanish’s speeds and unreliable Quick Connect performance made it fall short in terms of being the fastest VPN. Furthermore, IPVanish is on the expensive side, with subscription costs of $13 per month, $54 for the first year (then $90 annually), or $80 for the first two years combined (then $90 annually).
Proton VPN
Proton VPN is the third VPN provider we tested, and unfortunately, it had the most inconsistent speeds among the VPNs we reviewed. Regardless of the protocol or testing location, we experienced staggering peaks and valleys in speeds. In one round of testing, speeds ranged from a high of 328 Mbps to a low of 3 Mbps.
Overall, Proton VPN averaged a speed loss of 36%, which is unexceptional at best. If you are looking for a VPN that consistently delivers fast speeds, Proton VPN may not be the right choice for you.
In terms of pricing, Proton VPN falls in the middle of the road compared to other VPNs. It offers subscriptions priced at $10 per month, $72 per year, or $120 every two years.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when comparing these three VPN providers, it is clear that PIA falls behind in terms of speed performance, with a 49% average internet download speed loss. On the other hand, IPVanish offers more consistent speeds when manually choosing servers, but its Quick Connect feature and overall speed performance leave room for improvement. Proton VPN, unfortunately, has the most inconsistent speeds among the VPNs tested.
If speed loss is not a major concern for you, PIA could be a good choice due to its affordable pricing, excellent privacy features, and unlimited simultaneous connections. However, if you prioritize speed performance, it may be worth considering alternatives such as ExpressVPN, Surfshark, or NordVPN.
When selecting a VPN, it is important to consider your specific needs and priorities. Whether it is speed, privacy, pricing, or other features, make sure to weigh your options and choose the VPN that best suits your requirements.
Overall, the VPN landscape is constantly evolving, so it is recommended to stay updated with the latest reviews and comparisons when making a decision.