NordVPN vs PIA
Updated 19 June 2026- Overall winner: NordVPN
- Side-by-side on speed, price, streaming, privacy & devices
- Both backed by a money-back guarantee
NordVPN wins this matchup overall, scoring 9.7/10 to PIA's 9.3 thanks to faster speeds, more reliable streaming, and a bundled Threat Protection security suite that PIA can't match. The single biggest reason to flip the other way is price: PIA undercuts Nord dramatically at $1.75/mo versus $3.09/mo on the 2-year plan, and it bolts on unlimited simultaneous devices and a court-proven no-logs record. Both are independently audited and back you with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so the real decision comes down to whether you want the polished all-rounder or the cheapest privacy workhorse.
NordVPN vs PIA: side by side
| NordVPN | PIA | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 9.7/10 | 9.3/10 |
| Speed (US-East, 1 Gbps) | 462 Mbps | 430 Mbps |
| Price (2-year plan) | $3.09/mo | $1.75/mo |
| Servers | 7,400 | 35,000 |
| Countries | 118 | 91 |
| Simultaneous devices | 10 | Unlimited |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
Speed figures from our Q2 2026 benchmark (US-East, 1 Gbps line). Prices in USD, verified 2026-06-16. Green = category winner.
Category by category
Speed
Winner: NordVPNNordVPN takes speed, hitting 462 Mbps on our 1 Gbps US-East line versus PIA's 430 Mbps.
Price
Winner: PIAPIA is the cheaper pick by a wide margin at $1.75/mo on the 2-year plan, undercutting NordVPN's $3.09/mo.
Streaming
Winner: NordVPNNordVPN wins for streaming with a 9.6 score to PIA's 8.8, unblocking the major libraries more consistently.
Privacy
Winner: NordVPNNordVPN edges privacy with a 9.8 score versus PIA's 9.7, though both are independently audited and genuinely no-logs.
Value
Winner: PIAPIA delivers the better value, earning a 9.6 value score to NordVPN's 9.2 by pairing rock-bottom pricing with unlimited devices.
Devices
Winner: PIAPIA wins on devices outright with unlimited simultaneous connections, against NordVPN's still-generous cap of 10.
Choose NordVPN if…
Choose NordVPN if you want the best-tested all-rounder: top speeds, the most reliable streaming, and a bundled Threat Protection suite. It's the safe pick for households that stream a lot and want one app that does everything well.
Choose PIA if…
Choose PIA if you want maximum privacy value for the lowest price — $1.75/mo, open-source apps, a court-proven no-logs record, and unlimited devices to cover the entire family or every gadget you own.
Bottom line
NordVPN is the better VPN overall, winning speed, streaming and privacy while adding Threat Protection — it's our recommended pick for most people. But if budget is your priority, PIA delivers court-proven no-logs privacy, open-source apps and unlimited devices for nearly half the price. Both are audited with a 30-day guarantee.
NordVPN vs PIA — FAQ
Is NordVPN or PIA better?
NordVPN is the better VPN overall, scoring 9.7/10 to PIA's 9.3. It wins on speed (462 vs 430 Mbps), streaming (9.6 vs 8.8) and privacy (9.8 vs 9.7), and it bundles a Threat Protection security suite. PIA's strengths are price and unlimited devices, so it's the better fit if value matters more than the extras.
Which is cheaper, NordVPN or PIA?
PIA is significantly cheaper at $1.75/mo on its 2-year plan (85% off), compared to NordVPN at $3.09/mo (74% off). That makes PIA close to half the price, and it adds unlimited simultaneous devices. Both come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test either risk-free.
Is NordVPN or PIA better for streaming?
NordVPN is the stronger streaming VPN, with a 9.6 streaming score versus PIA's 8.8. It unblocks the major libraries more reliably and its faster 462 Mbps speeds handle 4K with less buffering. PIA can stream too, but NordVPN is the safer choice if reliable access to streaming services is your priority.
How many devices can I connect with NordVPN vs PIA?
PIA wins here with unlimited simultaneous connections, so one subscription can cover every device in your home. NordVPN allows 10 simultaneous devices, which is generous and enough for most users but not unlimited. If you need to protect a large household or many gadgets at once, PIA has the edge.