Surfshark aims at the mass market and Private Internet Access (PIA) at technical excellence, so the two serve quite different audiences. Surfshark concentrates on family-friendly features and unlimited connections. PIA…
Surfshark is a lower-priced VPN with unlimited device connections and a no-logs policy verified twice by Deloitte. It suits households with many devices.
Private Internet Access is a US-based VPN that had no user logs to hand over in three court cases. Deloitte audited it in 2025. Suits budget power users.
Surfshark aims at the mass market and Private Internet Access (PIA) at technical excellence, so the two serve quite different audiences. Surfshark concentrates on family-friendly features and unlimited connections. PIA built its reputation on proven transparency and technical customization.
PIA has the stronger legal record. Its no-logs policy has been tested in court multiple times. Each time, its claims were shown to be true. Surfshark is trustworthy but hasn't faced the same legal scrutiny. PIA also gives you granular control over encryption, protocols and connection settings, while Surfshark keeps things simple and user-friendly.
PIA runs over 35,000 servers against Surfshark's 3,200+, though Surfshark's server quality and streaming optimization often prove more practical. Device limits differ too: Surfshark allows unlimited connections and PIA allows 10. Both are budget-friendly, though Surfshark's unlimited connections give families better value.
| Feature | Surfshark | Private Internet Access |
|---|---|---|
Ad & Tracker Blocking | ||
Anonymous Payment Methods | ||
Connection Protocols | ||
Custom VPN Protocols | ||
Customer Support Availability | ||
Dedicated IP Option | ||
Encryption Standard | ||
Independent Audits | ||
IPv6 Leak Protection | ||
Kill Switch | ||
Multi-Hop | ||
No-logs Policy | ||
Open Source Apps | ||
RAM-only Servers | ||
Simultaneous Connections | ||
Split Tunneling | ||
Streaming Support | ||
Support Channels | ||
Torrenting Support |
Your technical skill and household size decide the winner. Choose Surfshark if you want unlimited device protection, user-friendly apps and excellent streaming, with simplicity ahead of technical control. Choose PIA if you're technically inclined and value proven legal transparency and maximum customization, as long as you don't need unlimited connections. For families and mainstream users, Surfshark is easier to use and better value.
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