Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

VPN by Private Internet Access vs VPN

VPN by Private Internet Access 4.7★ · Free + IAP 75
Winner VPN by Private Internet Access
VPN 4.6★ · Free + IAP 60

VPN by Private Internet Access (App A) is the better choice for users seeking a reliable, paid VPN experience, despite some recent connectivity issues, while VPN (App B) offers a free tier but is plagued by ads and inconsistent performance.

Full reviews: VPN by Private Internet Access · VPN

App A, VPN by Private Internet Access, is generally praised for its reliability and ease of use, though some recent reviews highlight connection problems. App B, VPN, offers a free service but users frequently complain about excessive ads, slow speeds, and issues with streaming platforms.

Head to head

Features edge: VPN by Private Internet AccessR3R12R13R39
VPN by Private Internet Access Users appreciate the freedom and strong location changing capabilities, with some noting a kill switch feature, though its effectiveness is disputed by some R3R13R39. A dedicated browser is included but often crashes R12.
VPN App B offers a wide selection of countries, with users liking the ability to switch VPNs easily . However, many free servers have been moved to paid, and it struggles with streaming platforms like Netflix and HBO Max R63R65R69.
Ease of Use edge: VPN by Private Internet AccessR3R11R29R30
VPN by Private Internet Access Many users find App A's interface easy to use and appreciate its 'set it and forget it' nature R3R11R29. However, some report issues with the country list not allowing typing, and complex troubleshooting steps R30R31.
VPN App B is described as easy to use by some, with simple connect/disconnect functionality R71R82. However, frequent updates and unskippable ads disrupt the user experience R79.
Reliability edge: VPN by Private Internet AccessR1R4R5R10
VPN by Private Internet Access While many users praise App A as reliable and consistent over years of use, recent reviews indicate a decline, with frequent disconnections, failure to connect, and the app hallucinating connections R1R4R5R10.
VPN App B's reliability is a major concern, with users reporting slow speeds, frequent disconnections, and the app failing to work after updates . Some find it works perfectly, but these are often free tier users R71R82.
Price/Value edge: VPN by Private Internet AccessR3R13R47R48
VPN by Private Internet Access App A is a paid service, with users finding it worth the premium subscription and an unbelievable service at an unbelievable price R3R13R47R48. Some feel it's not worth the $6 a month due to issues R13.
VPN App B offers a free tier with ads, which many users appreciate R68R71R82. However, the free tier is heavily criticized for excessive and unskippable ads, and many useful servers have been moved to the paid tier R68R79.
Support tieR7R10R13R31
VPN by Private Internet Access Users report difficulty getting refunds for non-working apps and issues with submitting support tickets R7R10R13. Some describe support suggestions as requiring 'degree level network engineering knowledge' R31.
VPN Reviews do not provide specific details on App B's customer support experience, but some users mention not being able to get a refund for non-working services .
Pick VPN by Private Internet Access if

You are looking for a generally reliable, paid VPN service with a good track record, and you prioritize strong privacy protection R3R29R48. You are willing to pay for a premium experience and can tolerate occasional recent connectivity issues R3R11R29.

Pick VPN if

You primarily need a free VPN and are willing to endure frequent, sometimes unskippable ads and slower speeds for basic VPN functionality R68R71R82. You do not need to access streaming services in other countries R63R65R69.

Evidence note: App A has a significant number of positive reviews spanning years, but recent negative feedback points to a decline in reliability and app performance on certain devices. App B's free tier heavily skews its reviews, with many complaints about ads and performance issues that are common in free VPNs.

Frequently asked

Does VPN by Private Internet Access (App A) work on iPad?
While some users report it works well on iPhone and laptops, VPN by Private Internet Access (App A) is consistently described as unreliable and prone to connection failures on iPad R1R15R35.
Can I use VPN (App B) for streaming Netflix?
No, many users report that VPN (App B) does not work for streaming platforms like Netflix, HBO Max, or other services, as its servers are often detected R63R65R69R118.
Is VPN (App B) truly free?
Yes, VPN (App B) offers a free tier, but it is heavily supported by frequent and sometimes unskippable ads, which many users find disruptive R68R71R79R82.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R3] VPN by Private Internet Access 3/5 · US Very good vpn: I love the freedom that comes with using this vpn. easy to use interface and worth the premium subscription
  2. [R12] VPN by Private Internet Access 3/5 · GB It’s ok: I have PIA and use it with no issues but the browser that comes with it just crashes every time so I use duck duck go instead. My Starlink app is not compatible with this vpn either..
  3. [R13] VPN by Private Internet Access 1/5 · US Doesn’t work: Kill switch is a scam doesn’t work and never has. The service was so bad today the VPN didn’t work and the kill switch made it impossible to get my phone working despite that it never works yet leaks data. I missed a call I waited months for. The app won’t let me enter a support ticket. They have no feature for that. It’s not worth the $6 a month I paid for the service.
  4. [R39] VPN by Private Internet Access 5/5 · US Very good and strong: I like the way it’s so strong and change my location so good it’s the best I ever use
  5. [R11] VPN by Private Internet Access 4/5 · US Top VPN: Generally most reliable and easy to use
  6. [R29] VPN by Private Internet Access 5/5 · US Private Internet Access is reliable: Set it and forget it
  7. [R30] VPN by Private Internet Access 3/5 · GB PIA VPN: The VPN is really good, but when you click on the list of countries you cannot type, only scroll. Can that be changed? Thanks.
  8. [R1] VPN by Private Internet Access 2/5 · US Unreliable on iPad: Consistently dropped server connections regardless of protocol.
  9. [R4] VPN by Private Internet Access 1/5 · US Not reliable: It was reliable at first and then gave me out while still being connected, made me lost something tangible I am so pained
  10. [R5] VPN by Private Internet Access 5/5 · US Always returning: I have always returned to PIA. I’ll try others but keep returning because I think it’s quite simply the best.
  11. [R10] VPN by Private Internet Access 1/5 · US P.I.A. the acronym is self descriptive: This thing never works when I need it to. It works fine on a wireless provider. It never, ever, works on open WiFi. It takes messing with the protocols, several days of back and forth with their support. No refund for your time and money. Buyer beware, get a VPN that works. Dedicated IPs go away during their troubleshooting steps of deleting the app and rein
  12. [R47] VPN by Private Internet Access 5/5 · US Very Decent VPN: I’ve had other VPN services but I switched due to the yearly cost. So far it’s been a great service.
  13. [R48] VPN by Private Internet Access 5/5 · US PIA VPN: UNBELIEVABLE SERVICE AT AN UNBELIEVABLE PRICE!!!!! AAAA++++
  14. [R7] VPN by Private Internet Access 1/5 · US DOESNT WORK AND NO REFUND: Absolute garbage app. Glitches. Won’t allow you to do anything and they won’t refund you for a bad app. AVOID AT ALL COSTS!
  15. [R31] VPN by Private Internet Access 2/5 · GB Falls over support impenetrable: Periodically mine just stops working, asks for deep access to setting with quite worrying dialogue boxes and then won’t recognise my dedicated IP token. I can’t be bothered to ask for help because the suggestions they made last time required degree level network engineering knowledge. Too techy, too flaky. Avoid.
  16. [R15] VPN by Private Internet Access 3/5 · GB No longer starts on iOS 15 (supported): App no longer starts in ios15.x iPad, despite being supported version. Just hangs with a spinning circle on startup screen and doesn’t load login buttons etc Shame. We had a good run.
  17. [R35] VPN by Private Internet Access 2/5 · GB Great on iPhone, but still utterly hopeless on iPad: Constant failure to connect, very annoying, there really is no point in having PIA VPN on an iPad, it is SO unreliable. Great on iPhone or Laptop or AppleTV, but on iPad it truly sucks And secondly; this has to be the worst account management I have ever seen!! Seriously, do better!!
  18. [R63] VPN 3/5 · US /: used to work very well, now it can no longer connect to streaming platforms in diff countries. disappointing, this was my favorite for a long time
  19. [R65] VPN 5/5 · US Dose not work with: It’s good I just wish it would work with Netflix, HBO Max, and all other streaming platforms
  20. [R69] VPN 3/5 · US It does not work for Netflix: It works well for everything else, but the one thing I need it for it fails. The servers are not up to date and are detected by Netflix giving you an error code instead of streaming from another region. Other than that it’s pretty good I guess. 3 out of 5 stars
  21. [R118] VPN 5/5 · US VPN: allora ora non mi fa usare Netflix con con questa vpn fino a 5 minuti fa
  22. [R68] VPN 4/5 · US Was pretty good: I’d give it 5 stars before but I’ll give it less since they removed the US from the free servers. other than that this works really well! I’d watch ads to use a vpn cuz I don’t exactly have money.
  23. [R71] VPN 5/5 · US works perfectly: its a good free vpn and the ads arent even a problem bc the vpn connects/disconnects before playing the ad so u can just close the app once u connect or disconnect it
  24. [R79] VPN 1/5 · US Ads: Ads have gotten so bad that it takes 3 minutes just to watch the ad and apply the vpn. Ads are the absolute worst no matter where or what the situation is. I genuinely hope nothing but the absolute worst for whoever decided to create the very first ad and play it over everyone’s favorite radio, tv, or whatever.
  25. [R82] VPN 5/5 · US Works every time: Easy to use. Even the free version with commercial is no issue. Perfection.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store