Private Internet Access vs Surfshark
A data-driven head-to-head of Private Internet Access and Surfshark for 2026: long-term pricing, privacy, audit history, streaming unblock, and trust signals, so you can pick the right VPN for what you actually do online.
Verdict: which is better?
On the data, Surfshark comes out ahead overall, but the right pick depends on what you weight most.
- Best long-term price
- Overall rating
- Countries
- Trustpilot
- Free trial
Private Internet Access vs Surfshark: head-to-head
| Feature | Private Internet Access | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Best long-term price | $2.03/mo on the 39-month plan | $2.49/mo on the 24-month plan |
| Overall rating | 4.10 / 5 | 4.30 / 5 |
| Server count | 35000+ | 4500+ |
| Countries | 91 | 100 |
| Streaming unblocks | 5 services | 5 services |
| Audited no-logs | 4 audits | 4 audits |
| Jurisdiction | United States | Netherlands |
| 14 Eyes alliance | Yes | Yes |
| Trustpilot | 4.3 (12,900) | 4.4 (18,700) |
| Money-back window | 30 days | 30 days |
| Free trial | No | Yes |
Pricing and specs are pulled from our latest data for each provider. Verify current pricing on the provider site before purchase.
Private Internet Access vs Surfshark FAQ
Is Private Internet Access cheaper than Surfshark?
Private Internet Access is the more affordable option at $2.03/mo on the 39-month plan, compared with $2.49/mo on the 24-month plan for Surfshark. Both prices reflect the longest published term; check the monthly rate for short-term signups.
Which is rated higher, Private Internet Access or Surfshark?
Surfshark scores higher on our 18-dimension rubric (4.30/5 vs 4.10/5 for Private Internet Access). The breakdown is in the table above, with weights published on /how-we-rank.
Private Internet Access vs Surfshark: which should I pick?
Choose Private Internet Access if torrenting with port forwarding; choose Surfshark if unlimited devices on a tight budget. The head-to-head above covers price, privacy, streaming, and trust signals so you can match the winner to your use case.
