NordVPN vs Private Internet Access

Start with the operating system

PIA is a strong documented candidate if you need app routing on Linux or a supported Mac setup. Its desktop rules can require selected apps to use a VPN or let others bypass it, and Windows/Linux have DNS-rule options. NordVPN’s Linux Allowlist instead exempts ports and subnets; its app splitting is documented for Windows and Android.

NordVPN can make sense if you want its particular app ecosystem, have no need for those desktop routing choices and will stay within 10 simultaneous connections. The Windows App Kill Switch is also a distinct feature: it closes chosen programs rather than merely blocking their network traffic.

We compare documentation and subscription terms. We have not run independent speed, DNS leak, streaming or hands-on app tests, so these are assessments of feature fit rather than performance rankings.

Selected plans and documented features; checked 12 October 2026

Compare
Selected plan	Basic	VPN
Initial payment · USD	$94.23	$79.00
Initial months	27	39
Monthly equivalent	$3.49 (upfront plan)	$2.03 (upfront plan)
Quoted renewal	$139.08 / 12 months	$79.00 / 36 months
Simultaneous devices	10	Unlimited
Split tunneling	Windows and Android app rules; Linux port/subnet Allowlist. No documented Mac or iOS app splitting.	Windows, macOS and Linux app rules; Android per-app settings. iOS app splitting is unverified.
Refund policy	30-day initial-purchase guarantee, with eligibility and purchase-channel conditions.	30-day refund policy; current terms include initial purchases and renewals, subject to eligibility.
Details	NordVPN review Offer and sources	PIA review Offer and sources

USD quotes checked 12 October 2026, before applicable tax. Currency, campaign and checkout prices can vary. Monthly rates are equivalents of upfront payments. How pricing works.

PIA’s lower rate comes with a longer term

The selected NordVPN Basic quote is $94.23 for 27 months, at $3.49 per month equivalent. PIA’s selected quote is $79 for 39 months, at a rounded $2.03 equivalent. PIA asks for $15.23 less upfront while its initial coverage lasts 12 months longer.

This does not make a 39-month commitment right for everyone. If you only need short-term coverage or are unsure of your device requirements, compare a monthly plan against the entire upfront bill. A low monthly equivalent can be poor value when most of the paid period goes unused.

At the checked USD amounts, NordVPN’s next annual renewal is $139.08. PIA quotes $79 every three years, with the initial bonus months not assumed to repeat. Spread over their recurring terms, those quoted renewal equivalents are $11.59 and approximately $2.19 per month. Their recurring lengths are different, so compare the amount you will actually pay and when it becomes due.

Prices and currencies vary by location and campaign. The NordVPN coupon guide and PIA coupon guide explain the source quotes and the need to verify the live checkout.

Device allowance and apps

NordVPN documents 10 simultaneous connections. PIA documents unlimited simultaneous connections. A household with several always-connected laptops, phones and TVs may find that difference useful, while one person with a few devices may not need an unlimited allowance.

Both providers list common desktop and mobile apps, TV support and browser extensions. The actual app and operating system determine available settings. Router-based coverage requires compatible hardware and does not automatically reproduce per-app controls from a desktop app.

Neither allowance is a speed benchmark or permission to resell access. If several people share a connection, its capacity remains a practical constraint regardless of the subscription’s device count.

Desktop routing is PIA’s clearest distinction

Current PIA support describes desktop app rules on Windows, macOS and Linux. IP and subnet rules can bypass the tunnel, and the default route for other apps is configurable. Windows and Linux also document whether DNS follows app rules or uses the app’s configured resolver.

NordVPN’s Windows and Android splitting is app based, while its Linux Allowlist is port/subnet based and bypasses the kill switch for matching traffic. Mac and iOS app splitting are not documented in its current platform list. These designs are not interchangeable if your requirement is “this one desktop app must always use the VPN.”

PIA’s Mac marketing FAQ conflicts with newer support documentation. The current setup describes a network extension that needs approval, so use those specific instructions for the installed app. PIA’s iOS app-splitting claims also conflict across official pages, and we have not verified them. Avoid choosing either service on an unconfirmed iPhone app-routing promise.

Kill-switch details change by app

NordVPN’s Windows Internet Kill Switch blocks connectivity; App Kill Switch closes selected programs. Its support also warns about interactions with split-tunnel exclusions. The Mac website and App Store versions use different protection designs, which matters when following setup guides.

PIA’s desktop VPN Kill Switch covers connection loss. Advanced Kill Switch requires a VPN even when it is turned off, and its Windows guide says that advanced protection can persist with the app closed. PIA also has an “Only VPN” app-routing rule. Its iOS guide says protection covers unexpected drops and reconnection, but not manual disconnect.

For a Windows user who wants a selected program closed, NordVPN’s App Kill Switch is a specific reason to examine it. For a desktop user who wants connectivity blocked until a tunnel is active, compare PIA’s advanced mode and the exact NordVPN platform behavior. Read our kill-switch guide before treating every mode as the same.

Refund terms require a careful comparison

NordVPN’s ordinary guarantee covers eligible initial purchases, with purchase-channel and local-law qualifications. PIA’s current terms explicitly include requests within 30 days of initial purchase and/or renewal, while some marketing footers refer only to new subscribers.

This difference is relevant, but does not justify promising an approved refund. Verification requirements, prior-refund conditions and payment channels still apply. App-store purchases can use a different procedure. See the refund guide for the distinction between refund requests and stopping automatic renewal.

Which one belongs on your shortlist?

PIA has the stronger documented fit for Linux/Mac desktop app rules, Windows/Linux DNS choices and many simultaneous connections. Its selected long-term USD quote also has a lower initial bill and renewal equivalent. NordVPN is worth checking for its supported app setup and Windows selected-app closure if those solve a specific need.

The remaining question is performance on your connection and devices. We have not measured it here. Make the final purchase from the current checkout and applicable terms, then verify the settings you intended to use instead of relying on a generic “best VPN” score.