When comparing Windscribe vs Private Internet Access, the Slant community recommends Windscribe for most people. In the question“What is the best VPN provider? ” Windscribe is ranked 5th while Private Internet Access is ranked 7th. The most important reason people chose Windscribe is:
They use AES-256 cipher with SHA-512 authentication and a 4096-bit RSA key. They also support Perfect Forward Secrecy.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Strong Encryption
They use AES-256 cipher with SHA-512 authentication and a 4096-bit RSA key. They also support Perfect Forward Secrecy.
Pro Multiple free locations
Has locations in US Central, US East, US West, Canada East, Canada West, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, United Kingdom, and Hong Kong.
Pro 2GB free monthly data allowance, 10GB if you are signed up to the newsletter
Pro P2P connection is allowed on the free version
Pro Has a free browser extension
This browser extension acts like a "lite version" of the desktop version. It also includes features like Adblocker, Cruise Control, Double Hop VPN (If used together with the desktop version), and Secure Link. The browser extension can be downloaded in Google Chrome, Firefox and Opera.
Pro Built-in firewall
The firewall disables all internet connectivity if you are not connected to the Windscribe Network.
Pro Cheap
For a single year of service the total cost is $39.95, which comes out to $3.33 per month. Making Private Internet Access one of the cheapest providers of VPN services on the net.
Pro Disconnects internet if VPN drops
If the VPN goes out, the internet will be disconnected so users will be protected from browsing without protection.
Pro P2P/Torrent service included
All users are able to access P2P networks without having to download a 3rd party client. Private Internet Access uses separate VPN gateways for browsing and P2P access, so both are optimized without interfering with each other.
Pro Multiple layers of security
Including IP cloaking, encryption, firewall, complete anonymous browsing & complete uncensored access to the internet.
Pro Multiple OS compatibility
Private Internet Access is compatible with MacOS X and iOS, without having to use a third party client. It also works on Windows, Android, Linux & more. In total, Private Internet Access is compatible with almost 40 operating systems.
Pro No traffic or protocol restricitions
You can use any and all protocols at your disposal, no traffic is restricted.
Pro Use multiple devices
Private Internet Access allows for up to 5 devices in use simultaneously.
Pro Instant setup
When you sign up, you will instantly get a user id and a password to use in their provided software (Windows and Macintosh) and they have tutorials and FAQs for Android, iPhone, Linux and other devices such as routers.
Pro Excellent service
They are very eager to answer any questions that you may have.
Pro Multiple VPN gateways
You can pick where you will appear to be from: the US (multiple), Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, Sweden, France, Romania, Canada, or Hong Kong.
Pro Multiple payment options
Payments are accepted through Bitcoin, Ripple, PayPal, Google Play (Mobile), OKPay, CashU, Amazon and any major Gift Card.
Payment plans are by the month, half year and by the year.
Currently $6.95/mo, $35.95/half year, $39.95/year.
Truly anonymous payments can be made by gift cards or Bitcoins.
A $25 Starbucks gift card gives you 100 days.
A $32 Best Buy gift card gives you 129 days.
A $50 Walmart gift card gives you 366 days.
Pro No logs are kept
According to Private Internet Access in 2013:
We absolutely do not maintain any VPN logs of any kind. We utilize shared IP addresses rather than dynamic or static IPs, so it is not possible to match a user to an external IP.
According to Private Internet Access in 2014:
We absolutely do not log any traffic nor session data of any kind, period. We have worked hard to meticulously fork all daemons that we utilize in order to achieve this functionality.
Cons
Con Not so fast
Con Only 2GB free monthly data allowance
Con Based in the USA
Private Internet Access is based in the United States of America and can subject to a gag order, so basically the NSA can do whatever they want without PIA telling their customers what the NSA is doing.
Con No free version
While they offer a variety of payment plans and payment methods, a free version of this service is not available to users.
Con Non Transparent "Proprietary Method" to detect violators of Terms of Service (ToS).
When asking a Customer Service Representative, how violators of ToS are detected, the CSR stated "Proprietary Methods." When asked for clarification, was referred to Legal Department.