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Surfshark vs.
However, only PIA comes with full leak protection.
The VPN protects against IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leaks.
Surfshark only protects against DNS leaks, meaning that you have to manually disable IPv6 and WebRTC.
I like that both Surfshark and PIA offer RAM-only servers and perfect forward secrecy.
RAM-only servers ensure that none of your browsing history is recorded on hard drives.
Perfect forward secrecy changes the encryption key for each VPN session.
This means any potential hacker could only access traffic associated with a single key.
Both VPNs support secure protocols, including OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2/IPSec.
During my tests, WireGuard maintained a faster speed than IKEv2/IPSec and OpenVPN.
Finally, each one secures your account with two-factor authentication.
However, PIA comes with full leak protection whereas Surfshark only protects against DNS leaks.
Privacy Both VPNs Provide Great Privacy
Both Surfshark and Private Internet Access protect your online privacy.
They come with a strict no-logs policy that has been audited by independent security companies.
In addition, PIAs no-logs policy has been verified in court multiple times.
Unfortunately, both VPNs are headquartered in countries that are not privacy-friendly.
Surfshark has its headquarters in the Netherlands, and PIA is headquartered in the US.
Both countries are part of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances.
This means that theyre obligated by law to hand over information if authorities from member countries ask for it.
But only PIA has open-source apps, meaning anyone can inspect their code.
I also like how PIA publishes regular transparency reports.
They both have strict no-logs policies that have been independently audited.
And PIA also has open-source apps and releases a regular transparency report.
Servers Both VPNs Have Great Server Networks
Both PIA and Surfshark have an extensive server web connection.
Both VPNs use virtual servers.
Another thing they each offer is dedicated IP addresses for a small additional cost.
This is an IP address that is only assigned to you.
Next to that, both VPNs support obfuscation and torrenting, plus have dedicated IP addresses.
When I tested PIAs servers, I had very good speeds.
Surfshark was also pretty fast in my tests.
Streaming Both VPNs Are Good Streaming Options
Both PIA and Surfshark offer great streaming support.
They both work with top sites, including Netflix, Max, Disney+, and Amazon Prime.
you oughta perform a manual setup to use the smart DNS, but both VPNs provide helpful tutorials.
Winner (Streaming): Its a tie
Both VPN providers are great options for streaming.
Both VPNs are compatible with top torrenting clients.
In addition, Surfshark and PIA both allow you to torrent safely.
They come with a strict no-logs policy, a kill switch, and malware blockers.
That said, only PIA comes with SOCKS5 proxy support and port forwarding.
Both VPNs come with a kill switch and a strict no-logs policy that let you torrent with confidence.
I experienced low ping while testing both VPNs on local servers.
However, I did experience minor lag while connected to Surfsharks distant servers.
In addition, I like that each one offers router support.
In my tests, the ping was stable on nearby and long-distance servers.
In addition, both VPNs offer extra features for gaming such as router support and anti-DDos protection.
Surfshark only maybe works in these countries.
PIA offers obfuscation with Shadowsocks, which is an encrypted proxy that is open-source.
This proxy will direct your traffic through special servers, encrypting it before it reaches the VPN server.
Youll have to manually turn this feature on in the VPNs parameters.
So you could use it in places like China, Iran, and Russia.
They also support manual router setups.
I like how both VPNs come with really intuitive mobile apps.
In addition, both VPNs come with user-friendly and feature-rich desktop apps.
Both VPNs also offer router support.
This means you might configure the VPN on your router.
The process can be difficult, but both VPNs provide helpful step-by-step tutorials, which is great.
Plus the VPNs apps are feature-rich and customizable.
Plans & Pricing Both Offer Great Value
Both Surfshark and PIA are affordable and offer good value.
Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous gear connections and comes with a 1-month, 1-year, and 2-year plan.
Prices start at IDR33,740 / month.
In addition, both providers offer unlimited connections and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Customer Support Both VPNs Have Excellent Customer Support
Surfshark and PIA come with really good customer support.
Next to that, they also offer email support that will give you a reply within 24 hours.
Neither offer phone support, however.
In addition, both providers come with extensive support libraries.
These include FAQs, troubleshooting guides, video guides, and setup tutorials.
It maintains superfast speeds, has great torrenting support, and works well in restrictive countries.
The VPN also comes with easy-to-use apps, unlimited connections, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
But PIA is my #1 pick since it provides an overall better value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Private Internet Access better than Surfshark?
Yes,I prefer to use Private Internet Access.
PIA maintains faster speeds, offers better torrenting support, and also works in restrictive regions without any issues.
Is Private Internet Access faster than Surfshark?
Yes, I had faster speeds with Private Internet Access during my tests.
With PIA, I maintained fast speeds on local and distant servers.
In addition, websites would load quickly, and I could stream in HD and 4K without buffering.
Which one is better for streaming Surfshark or Private Internet Access?
Is Surfshark better for torrenting than Private Internet Access?
It also allows torrenting on all of its servers, while Surfshark limits you to 49+ countries.
Read more about the best VPNs in 2025
