Surfshark vs Private Internet Access: Which VPN Wins in 2026?
Torn between Surfshark vs PIA (Private Internet Access)? Here we compare these two VPNs. Visit us to know which is better!
Surfshark is the better VPN for most people in this Surfshark vs Private Internet Access comparison. It wins on our fixed editorial score, streaming consistency, speed, and everyday usability. Private Internet Access, usually shortened to PIA, is the smarter specialist choice if you want port forwarding, highly configurable apps, or the lowest verified US long-plan offer. See our NordVPN vs Private Internet Access comparison for how PIA fares against a different rival.
Quick verdict
Surfshark wins overall with a fixed VPNonline score of 9.3/10, compared with 8.8/10 for PIA. Both cover unlimited devices, include a 30-day refund window for eligible purchases, support WireGuard and OpenVPN, and have Deloitte-backed no-logs claims. Surfshark is the stronger default because its 4,500+ server network covers more countries, its streaming results are more consistent, and its apps require less configuration.
PIA still earns two meaningful category wins. Its US site showed a lower introductory price with a clearly stated three-year renewal, and its port-forwarding option gives experienced torrent users a tool Surfshark does not provide.
Surfshark vs PIA at a glance
| Category | Surfshark | Private Internet Access |
|---|---|---|
| VPNonline score | 9.3/10 | 8.8/10 |
| Verified US offer | $2.49/mo; $67.23 for the first 27 months | $1.33/mo for 3 years + 3 months |
| Renewal | Standard non-introductory rate; email notice 30 days before renewal | $79 every 3 years |
| Devices | Unlimited simultaneous connections | Unlimited simultaneous connections |
| Network | 4,500+ servers in 100 countries | 91 countries and 140+ locations; no fixed public server total |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days for an eligible first website purchase | 30 days for eligible new subscribers |
| Jurisdiction | Netherlands | United States; Colorado law governs the service terms |
| Best for | Streaming, simple apps, broad international coverage | Low long-term cost, port forwarding, advanced controls |
Prices were checked on July 16, 2026. Both providers use promotions, and taxes, purchase channel, and billing location can change the amount at checkout. Surfshark also states that it tests different prices, so compare the full first-term charge and the renewal line before paying. See our Avast SecureLine VPN vs Private Internet Access comparison for a third option.
How Surfshark and PIA compare
Pricing and value
Winner: Private Internet Access.
PIA had the stronger verified US deal: $1.33 per month for 3 years plus 3 extra months, followed by a $79 charge every 3 years. The commitment is long, but the renewal is unusually easy to understand. You know the recurring billing period and amount before subscribing.
Surfshark Starter was advertised at $2.49 per month, billed as $67.23 for the first 27 months. Its renewal page says promotional subscriptions renew at the standard non-introductory rate and that customers receive an email 30 days before renewal. That is less useful than showing the recurring dollar amount beside the introductory deal.
PIA therefore wins on price. Its drawback is the 39-month initial commitment: paying less per month is not useful if you only need a VPN for a short trip. Each service offers a 30-day money-back period for eligible direct purchases, but app-store refund rules can differ.
Speed and protocols
Winner: Surfshark.
Both VPNs offer WireGuard and OpenVPN. Surfshark also lists IKEv2, while PIA’s desktop app emphasizes detailed WireGuard and OpenVPN controls. PIA lets technical users adjust more connection settings; Surfshark makes the normal choice easier by letting most people stay on automatic selection or WireGuard.
The independent evidence favors Surfshark without supporting a universal speed promise. A March 27, 2026 Cybernews head-to-head gave Surfshark the better overall speed result, especially with WireGuard. A February 15, 2026 CyberInsider comparison also awarded the speed category to Surfshark.
Your own result will still depend on the server, distance, device, local connection, and time of day. The defensible decision is that Surfshark has the stronger 2026 comparison record, while PIA is the better choice if you value protocol and port controls more than the simplest setup.
Privacy, ownership, and audits
Winner: Surfshark, narrowly.
Surfshark contracts through Surfshark B.V. in the Netherlands. Deloitte verified its no-logs controls again in a June 2025 assurance engagement, and Surfshark publishes the auditor’s report. Surfshark merged with Nord Security in 2022, so buyers should understand that the two brands are part of the same group rather than independent competitors.
PIA is a US-based provider whose terms select Colorado law. It is owned by Kape Technologies. Those facts may concern buyers who prefer a provider outside the United States, but ownership and jurisdiction do not by themselves prove that a VPN logs activity.
PIA has substantial counter-evidence: its apps are open source, and in February 2026 it announced a third Deloitte review of the infrastructure behind its no-logs policy. PIA is a credible privacy option. Surfshark takes this category because its Netherlands base and published 2025 assurance report make the privacy case slightly easier to evaluate. See our Surfshark vs ExpressVPN comparison for how Surfshark’s privacy case compares to another rival.
Streaming
Winner: Surfshark.
Surfshark was the more consistent streaming service in the 2026 comparisons used for this article. CyberInsider’s February head-to-head awarded the combined Netflix, streaming, and torrenting category to Surfshark. Cybernews also selected Surfshark as the better overall service in March.
PIA is not unsuitable for streaming. Its April 2026 support documentation lists compatible services, and its network includes streaming-optimized locations. The limitation is consistency: a May 2026 Cloudwards review accessed Netflix and Prime Video but did not access Hulu or Disney+ in that test.
Streaming platforms change their VPN detection without notice, so neither provider can guarantee a particular library or service indefinitely. If one platform is essential, test it on your own devices during the applicable refund period. Surfshark is simply the safer first choice for a streaming-led purchase. See our VyprVPN vs Surfshark comparison for how it fares against a different rival.
Torrenting and port forwarding
Winner: Private Internet Access.
PIA supports P2P traffic across its server network without bandwidth or data caps. More importantly, its desktop app can request port forwarding on supported regions. An incoming port can improve peer connectivity for users who understand how to configure their torrent client, although it does not guarantee a faster transfer. Our full PIA torrenting guide covers the setup.
Surfshark supports P2P use but does not support port forwarding. That omission is sensible for people who want fewer settings and fewer exposed network entry points, but it matters to serious seeders and users trying to improve connectivity with less active swarms.
Use either VPN only for lawful file sharing. Encryption and an altered public IP address do not make copyright infringement legal, and a VPN does not protect you from unsafe files or a poorly configured torrent client.
Apps and ease of use
Winner: Surfshark.
Both subscriptions allow unlimited simultaneous connections, so neither makes you remove a phone or laptop before adding another device. Both cover the major desktop and mobile platforms, and both provide browser extensions. PIA deserves special credit for a full graphical Linux app and open-source clients.
PIA’s strength is control. Its desktop settings expose protocol selection, DNS behavior, split tunneling, multi-hop, port forwarding, and other options. That is excellent for a power user, but it creates more decisions for someone who only wants to choose a country and connect.
Surfshark presents the cleaner default experience across phones, computers, browsers, Apple TV, and Fire TV. Its drawback is that some extras belong to higher-priced Surfshark One tiers rather than the Starter VPN plan. For a mixed-device household that wants one uncomplicated interface, Surfshark wins.
Pick Surfshark if
- Streaming reliability matters more than getting the absolute lowest introductory price.
- You want the broader published network: 4,500+ servers across 100 countries.
- You prefer a Netherlands-based service with a published 2025 Deloitte assurance report.
- You need unlimited connections but do not want to configure advanced VPN settings.
Read our full Surfshark review for a deeper look at its plans and limitations.
Pick Private Internet Access if
- You want the lower verified US long-plan price and a clearly stated three-year renewal.
- Port forwarding is important for your lawful P2P setup.
- You prefer open-source apps and granular OpenVPN, DNS, and split-tunneling controls.
- You are comfortable with US jurisdiction and Kape Technologies ownership.
Read our full Private Internet Access review before committing to the long plan.
Our pick
Choose Surfshark unless you have a specific reason to choose PIA. Surfshark’s 9.3 score reflects the better all-round package: stronger 2026 speed and streaming evidence, broader country coverage, unlimited connections, and easier apps. PIA’s 8.8 score remains deserved because its low price, transparent renewal, open-source clients, and port forwarding can be more useful to the right buyer.
If neither tradeoff fits, compare the alternatives in our best VPN service guide.
FAQ
Is Surfshark better than Private Internet Access in 2026?
Yes, Surfshark is better for most people. It has the higher fixed VPNonline score, the broader country network, and the stronger 2026 evidence for speed and streaming. PIA is better for users who prioritize port forwarding, open-source apps, advanced settings, or its lower verified US long-plan price.
Which is faster, Surfshark or PIA?
Surfshark wins the speed category based on the March 2026 Cybernews and February 2026 CyberInsider comparisons. That does not mean Surfshark will be faster on every server or internet connection. Both support WireGuard, so test nearby servers on your own device before deciding.
Is PIA better than Surfshark for torrenting?
PIA is the better torrenting choice for advanced users because it permits P2P across its network and offers port forwarding on supported locations. Surfshark supports P2P but not port forwarding. For casual downloads, either can work; for seeding and peer reachability, PIA has the more useful toolset.
Do Surfshark and PIA both allow unlimited devices?
Yes. Both providers allow unlimited simultaneous connections on one subscription. You can connect phones, computers, tablets, and compatible streaming devices without managing a numerical device cap.
