What is the difference between Surfshark and Private Internet Access?

Surfshark is best for Users wanting affordable VPN with unlimited devices, while Private Internet Access is best for Privacy-focused users who want a proven no-logs VPN with open-source transparency. Surfshark starts at $2.49/mo and Private Internet Access starts at $2.03/mo.

Surfshark vs Private Internet Access

Surfshark is Affordable VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections and CleanWeb ad blocker, while Private Internet Access is Long-established VPN provider with open-source apps and a proven no-logs policy. Private Internet Access comes in cheaper, but price alone does not tell the full story. Surfshark is built for users wanting affordable vpn with unlimited devices, whereas Private Internet Access targets privacy-focused users who want a proven no-logs vpn with open-source transparency.

At a glance

	Surfshark	Private Internet Access
Best for	Users wanting affordable VPN with unlimited devices	Privacy-focused users who want a proven no-logs VPN with open-source transparency
Starting price	$2.49/mo	$2.03/mo
Free tier	—	—
Open source	—	✓
Free tier available	—	—
Open source	—	✓
35000+ servers	—	✓
CleanWeb	✓	—
GPS Spoofing	✓	—
MultiHop	✓	—
No-logs	—	✓
Open source	—	✓
Unlimited Devices	✓	—
Unlimited connections	—	✓
VPN	—	✓

Surfshark

Strengths

Includes Unlimited Devices as a core feature, purpose-built for vpn workflows
Includes CleanWeb as a core feature, purpose-built for vpn workflows
Affordable at $2.49/mo — one of the lower-priced options in the vpn category
Includes multihop alongside the core feature set — fewer separate tools needed

Weaknesses

No free plan — you need to pay $2.49/mo from day one to use it
Fewer built-in features means you may need additional tools to cover gaps
Ecosystem of third-party integrations is smaller than the market leaders in vpn
Limited team/admin features if your organization eventually scales up

Try Surfshark → Full review

Private Internet Access

Strengths

No-logs policy proven in court — twice
All apps are open source for transparency
35,000+ servers — largest server network of any VPN
Very affordable on long-term plans

Weaknesses

Owned by Kape Technologies (formerly Crossrider) — controversial parent company
Based in the US — Five Eyes jurisdiction
Speeds can be inconsistent on some servers
Interface is functional but not as polished as NordVPN

Try Private Internet Access → Full review

The bottom line

Pricing: Surfshark starts at $2.49/mo. Private Internet Access starts at $2.03/mo. Private Internet Access is the more affordable option.

Feature gaps: Surfshark offers CleanWeb, GPS Spoofing and MultiHop that Private Internet Access lacks. Private Internet Access brings 35000+ servers, No-logs and Open source that Surfshark does not have.

Open source: Private Internet Access is open source, meaning you can self-host, audit the code, and avoid vendor lock-in. Surfshark is proprietary — you are trusting the vendor with your data and uptime.

Where each tool shines: Surfshark's biggest strengths are: includes unlimited devices as a core feature, purpose-built for vpn workflows. includes cleanweb as a core feature, purpose-built for vpn workflows. Private Internet Access's biggest strengths are: no-logs policy proven in court — twice. all apps are open source for transparency.

Watch out for: With Surfshark, users commonly note that no free plan — you need to pay $2.49/mo from day one to use it. With Private Internet Access, the main complaint is that owned by kape technologies (formerly crossrider) — controversial parent company.

Choose Surfshark if...

You need a tool built for users wanting affordable vpn with unlimited devices
You specifically need CleanWeb and GPS Spoofing
You care about includes cleanweb as a core feature, purpose-built for vpn workflows

Choose Private Internet Access if...

You need a tool built for privacy-focused users who want a proven no-logs vpn with open-source transparency
You want to save on per-user costs — Private Internet Access is $0.46/user/mo cheaper
You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code
You specifically need 35000+ servers and No-logs
You care about all apps are open source for transparency