Private Internet Access

What Private Internet Access does

Private Internet Access (PIA) is a US-based consumer virtual private network (VPN) service founded in 2010 and headquartered in Grandville, Michigan. PIA provides encrypted internet connections, IP address masking, and privacy protection across unlimited simultaneous devices, operating a NextGen network of more than 35,000 servers spanning 90 countries including all 50 US states. The service is built on open-source applications supporting WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols, RAM-only server architecture with routine reboots, and 10Gbps network cards, with security and privacy claims independently verified through multiple Deloitte audits and proven in court proceedings. The core product is differentiated by features including MACE (built-in ad/tracker/malware blocking), Multi-Hop double-VPN routing, and split tunneling, with premium add-ons for Dedicated IP addresses and a privacy-first Windows antivirus.

PIA operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kape Technologies plc, a London Stock Exchange-listed digital privacy and security group that also owns CyberGhost and ExpressVPN. Revenue is generated almost entirely through tiered subscription billing — monthly at $11.95, annual at $3.33/month, or a 3-year plan at $1.33/month ($79 total) — supplemented by antivirus and dedicated IP add-ons. The go-to-market motion is product-led: direct-to-consumer digital sales via privateinternetaccess.com, mobile app stores (iOS, Android), browser extension marketplaces (Chrome, Firefox), router firmware partnerships, and a network of affiliate and influencer referral partners. The company targets privacy-conscious individual consumers, streaming and entertainment users, remote workers, travelers, and increasingly industrial IoT/enterprise use cases requiring static IPs, with no disclosed enterprise anchor accounts.

The company is led by CEO Ted Kim, with co-founder Andrew Lee historically associated with the brand, and operates with 51-100 employees. Recent strategic activity centers on the March 2026 OpenBoundary initiative — a server-level CSAM blocking toolkit developed with the Internet Watch Foundation and open-sourced alongside sister brands — signaling an effort to influence industry privacy standards while expanding PIA's adjacent product surface through antivirus and dedicated IP offerings.

Name

Private Internet Access

Legal name

PIA Private Internet Access, Inc.

Website

https://privateinternetaccess.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Private Internet Access is a US-based consumer VPN service operating 35,000+ servers across 90 countries, offering encrypted internet access, IP masking, and privacy tools to individual consumers, remote workers, and streaming users through subscription plans, and owned by Kape Technologies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Virtual Private Network (VPN) Services

NAICS

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518)

akta.pro primary industry

VPN & Remote Access Gateways (HDADABAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Network Security Services (Firewall/VPN/ZTNA/SASE Integration) (BPAEAEAG), Home Network & Wi‑Fi Security (Router/Firewall) Services (HSAHAJAB)

Keywords

• Virtual private network
• VPN service
• Online privacy software
• Internet security
• Encrypted browsing

Headquarters

HQ city

Grandville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. VPN Subscription (Recurring): PIA generates revenue primarily through tiered subscription plans billed monthly, annually, or multi-year (3 years). The service offers three main tiers: monthly at $11.95/mo, annual at $3.33/mo ($39.95/year), and 3-year plan at $1.33/mo ($79/3 years). Additional revenue comes from optional add-ons including Privacy-First Antivirus and Dedicated IP addresses. The company also earns commissions through its affiliate and influencer programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Private Internet Access sells a consumer VPN subscription service that encrypts internet traffic, masks IP addresses, and routes user connections through more than 35,000 servers in 90 countries, supporting unlimited simultaneous devices across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, and compatible routers. The service is built on open-source applications with a verified no-logs policy, and is monetized through tiered monthly, annual, and multi-year subscription plans, with optional add-ons including a Windows privacy-first antivirus and dedicated IP addresses.

Product overview

Private Internet Access offers a unified VPN service platform with multiple add-on modules and features. The core product is PIA VPN, a virtual private network service providing encrypted internet connections, IP masking, and privacy protection. Add-on modules include Privacy-First Antivirus (for Windows malware protection), Dedicated IP (static IP addresses), and VPN Router configuration. The service also includes integrated features such as MACE (ad/tracker/malware blocking), Multi-Hop (double VPN chaining), and Split Tunneling. All offerings share the same underlying infrastructure of NextGen servers across 90 countries, support unlimited device connections, and operate under a verified no-logs policy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PIA VPN Core consumer VPN service providing encrypted internet connections, IP masking, and privacy protection across unlimited simultaneous devices with servers in 90 countries; supports WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols and includes built-in MACE ad/tracker/malware blocking.
• Privacy-First Antivirus

Quantifiable outcome

• Successfully accessed Netflix catalogs in US, Japan, and Canada
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Internet Watch Foundation (IWF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2026PIA, along with fellow Kape Technologies brands CyberGhost and ExpressVPN, is participating in the OpenBoundary initiative. This is a server-level CSAM blocking toolkit developed in partnership with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) that blocks known child sexual abuse material domains at the DNS level without traffic inspection or encryption breaking. The technology is being open-sourced under the 'Not on My Network' initiative to encourage other VPNs, ISPs, and cloud platforms to adopt similar safeguards while preserving audited no-logs privacy policies.
• Kape Technologies (Parent Company)coreOthersPIA is owned by Kape Technologies, which also owns CyberGhost and ExpressVPN. Kape Technologies previously operated as Crossrider. PIA participates in company-wide initiatives like the OpenBoundary CSAM blocking partnership alongside sister brands.
• Deloitte Audit RomaniacoreTechnology or IntegrationDeloitte Audit Romania conducts independent third-party audits of PIA's no-logs policy, verifying that RAM-only architecture and routine server reboots ensure no persistent data storage. These audits confirm PIA's privacy claims.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Surfshark: Consumer-focused VPN with similar subscription tiers, unlimited device support, and no-logs claims. Competes head-to-head with PIA on price and streaming unblocking.
• NordVPN (Nord Security): One of the largest consumer VPN providers globally, with similar WireGuard/OpenVPN support, subscription pricing, and global server footprint. Closest direct competitor to PIA in the consumer segment.
• Mullvad VPN: Privacy-first consumer VPN with anonymous account creation and audited infrastructure. Competes with PIA in the privacy-purist segment, though smaller in scale.
• Windscribe: Consumer VPN with built-in ad/tracker blocking (R.O.B.E.R.T.) comparable to PIA's MACE feature. Competes in the same privacy-tools category with freemium and paid tiers.
• ExpressVPN: Direct competitor in the consumer VPN market; owned by Kape Technologies (sister brand to PIA), offering subscription VPN with similar protocols, server network, and no-logs positioning. Highly comparable product, pricing tiers, and target audience.
• VyprVPN: Consumer VPN offering similar protocol support, no-logs claims, and global server coverage. Competes directly with PIA for streaming and privacy-conscious users.
• CyberGhost VPN: Direct competitor and sister brand under Kape Technologies. Offers consumer VPN with streaming-optimized servers, no-logs policy, and tiered subscription pricing — directly overlapping PIA's product and GTM.
• Proton VPN: Swiss-based privacy-focused VPN with audited no-logs policy and a freemium tier. Comparable privacy positioning to PIA and a direct alternative for security-conscious consumers.
• IPVanish: US-based consumer VPN offering unlimited device connections and tiered subscriptions — direct overlap with PIA on pricing, features, and target buyer.

Emerging players

• TunnelBear: Consumer VPN (acquired by McAfee) focused on simplicity and beginner users. Smaller network than PIA but targets overlapping entry-level VPN buyers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/buyvpnservice
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/vpnservice/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/privateinternetaccess
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/private-internet-access

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Private Internet Access