Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access is a privacy-focused VPN service providing encrypted internet tunnels, a strict no-logs policy, and high-speed global servers to keep your personal data and online activities secure.
Tailscale
Tailscale is a zero-config VPN software that creates secure mesh networks between your devices and cloud resources using the WireGuard protocol to simplify remote access and internal connectivity.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Private Internet Access | Tailscale |
|---|---|---|
| Website | privateinternetaccess.com | tailscale.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $11.95/month | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✓ 0 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✘ No product demo | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2010 | 2019 |
| Headquarters | Denver, USA | Toronto, Canada |
Overview
Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access (PIA) is a robust virtual private network that helps you reclaim your online privacy and security. By routing your traffic through encrypted tunnels, it prevents ISPs, hackers, and advertisers from monitoring your browsing habits. You can hide your IP address and change your virtual location with access to a massive network of servers across 91 countries, ensuring you can browse the web without restrictions.
The platform is built on a proven 100% transparent, open-source foundation, meaning anyone can inspect the code for security flaws. You can protect up to unlimited devices simultaneously under a single subscription, making it a practical choice for households or power users with multiple gadgets. Whether you are using public Wi-Fi or just want to stop data tracking at home, PIA provides the tools to stay anonymous.
Tailscale
Tailscale makes creating a secure network between your computers, servers, and cloud instances as easy as installing an app. It builds a private mesh network—called a tailnet—that connects your devices directly to each other using the WireGuard protocol. This means you can access your home office computer from a coffee shop or connect to a private database in the cloud without managing complex firewall rules or centralized VPN gateways.
You can manage identity and access through your existing providers like Google, Microsoft 365, or GitHub, ensuring that only authorized users can reach your sensitive resources. It handles the difficult parts of networking, like NAT traversal and key rotation, automatically in the background. Whether you are a developer connecting to a local test environment or an enterprise securing thousands of endpoints, it provides a stable, encrypted connection that works across any provider or location.
Overview
Private Internet Access Features
- Unlimited Device Connections Protect every gadget you own at the same time with a single account—no more choosing which device to secure.
- Strict No-Logs Policy Rest easy knowing your browsing history and personal data are never recorded, stored, or shared with anyone.
- MACE Ad Blocker Block ads, trackers, and malicious websites at the DNS level to speed up your browsing and improve privacy.
- Advanced Split Tunneling Choose exactly which apps use the VPN and which access the internet directly for better speed and flexibility.
- Dedicated IP Address Get a personal IP address that only you use to avoid captchas and maintain access to sensitive accounts.
- Kill Switch Protection Prevent data leaks by automatically cutting your internet connection if the VPN drops for even a second.
Tailscale Features
- Zero-Config Mesh VPN. Connect your devices directly to one another without manual port forwarding or complex firewall rules.
- Single Sign-On Integration. Use your existing identity providers like Google, Microsoft 365, or Okta to authenticate users and devices.
- MagicDNS. Access your devices using short, easy-to-remember names instead of tracking changing IP addresses across your network.
- Tailscale SSH. Manage SSH access to your servers using your tailnet identity instead of distributing and rotating static SSH keys.
- Split DNS. Configure specific DNS servers for different domains so your internal queries stay private while public traffic flows normally.
- Exit Nodes. Route all your internet traffic through a specific trusted device on your network to stay secure on public Wi-Fi.
- Subnet Routers. Expose entire existing networks to your tailnet so you can access legacy devices that cannot run the software.
- Access Control Lists. Define granular security policies in code to restrict which users can access specific devices or ports.
Pricing Comparison
Private Internet Access Pricing
- Unlimited device connections
- Access to all 91 countries
- MACE ad & malware blocker
- 100% Open-source apps
- 24/7 Customer support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Everything in Monthly, plus:
- Significant discount on monthly rate
- Free email breach monitor
- Advanced kill switch
- High-speed 10Gbps servers
Tailscale Pricing
- Up to 3 users
- Up to 100 devices
- MagicDNS
- Tailscale SSH
- Community support
- Admin console access
- Everything in Personal, plus:
- Up to 10 users included
- User & group management
- Basic access control lists
- Email support
- 1 identity provider
Pros & Cons
Private Internet Access
Pros
- Unlimited simultaneous connections for all your devices
- Proven no-logs policy verified in court cases
- Highly customizable security settings for advanced users
- Fast connection speeds suitable for 4K streaming
- Excellent native apps for all major platforms
Cons
- Headquartered in the United States (5-Eyes jurisdiction)
- Server speeds can vary depending on location
- Interface may feel complex for VPN beginners
Tailscale
Pros
- Extremely simple setup process for all devices
- Reliable connectivity even behind strict firewalls
- Generous free tier for personal projects
- Minimal impact on system performance and battery
- Seamless integration with existing identity providers
Cons
- Requires a third-party identity provider login
- Limited advanced routing features for complex setups
- Mobile app can occasionally drain battery
- Admin console lacks some deep auditing logs