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The best alternative to Private Internet Access (PIA) depends on what you want to improve: NordVPN is a candidate for broad features and streaming, ExpressVPN for easier setup, Proton VPN for publicly documented privacy practices, and Mullvad for account anonymity. No single service is the right choice for every buyer; weigh privacy evidence, performance, device limits, streaming needs, and the full price and renewal terms shown at signup.
Compare the alternatives by what matters to you
| Service | Why it may suit a PIA user | Evidence and limits |
|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | Worth considering if you want broad features or streaming support. | TechRadar recommends it for streaming. In a 2026 performance test, it received the highest overall score among the five providers tested; that result reflects a defined test setup, not every user’s experience. TechRadar review; NordVPN’s report of the test. |
| ExpressVPN | A candidate if ease of setup is a priority. | TechRadar describes it as beginner-friendly. That is an editorial assessment, not a guarantee that every device or app will feel straightforward. TechRadar review. |
| Proton VPN | Consider it if you value open-source apps and published privacy evidence. | Proton’s own comparison lists Swiss jurisdiction, open-source audited apps, and a published no-logs audit. Because Proton published the comparison, treat its descriptions of itself and competitors as vendor material. Proton’s comparison. |
| Mullvad | A narrower option to examine if minimizing account-identifying details is your main concern. | Top10VPN identifies Mullvad as an anonymity-focused service and describes no-email signup and cash payment. Check its current payment options and streaming suitability before subscribing. Top10VPN’s no-logs guide. |
What the performance scores do—and do not—tell you
Artifact Security’s 2026 test gave NordVPN an overall score of 91, ExpressVPN 84, Proton VPN 83, and Mullvad 70. NordVPN reported the results on August 10, 2026. The test covered 55 routes from five origin regions to a fixed destination server and weighted throughput, stability, latency, and connection time. It also reported that all tested providers passed core leak tests on Windows. These are findings from one test and its stated conditions, not a universal ranking or a promise about your own connection. Read the test report and methodology.
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Your results can differ with your location, network, device, protocol, and chosen server. Treat a score as one input alongside the features and privacy evidence that matter to you; it cannot establish that a service will stream a particular catalog or perform the same way on your connection.
How to compare privacy evidence with PIA’s
PIA says Deloitte Audit Romania examined its service and concluded it did not collect data that could identify a user or their activity. PIA also says it has passed independent no-logs audits twice. These are statements on PIA’s own site; an audit is a particular examination with a defined scope, not a guarantee that a VPN makes you anonymous. PIA’s no-logs information.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Five Gigabit Ports】1 Gigabit WAN Port plus 2 Gigabit WAN/LAN Ports plus 2 Gigabit LAN Port. Up to 3 WAN ports optimize bandwidth usage through one device.
- 【One USB WAN Port】Mobile broadband via 4G/3G modem is supported for WAN backup by connecting to the USB port. For complete list of compatible 4G/3G modems, please visit TP-Link website.
- 【Abundant Security Features】Advanced firewall policies, DoS defense, IP/MAC/URL filtering, speed test and more security functions protect your network and data.
- 【Highly Secure VPN】Supports up to 20× LAN-to-LAN IPsec, 16× OpenVPN, 16× L2TP, and 16× PPTP VPN connections.
- Security - SPI Firewall, VPN Pass through, FTP/H.323/PPTP/SIP/IPsec ALG, DoS Defence, Ping of Death and Local Management. Standards and Protocols IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3ab, IEEE 802.3x, IEEE 802.1q
PIA says it is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, and subject to US law. Proton’s comparison says PIA is owned by Kape Technologies; that ownership description comes from a competitor’s vendor-published comparison. Consider jurisdiction and ownership as context, but do not treat either as a substitute for understanding what an audit examined and whether its report can be inspected. PIA’s statements about its service and headquarters; Proton’s comparison.
- Identify who published or commissioned an audit, when it was conducted, and what service or systems it covered.
- Look for a public report or a clear description of its scope; a provider’s claim that an audit occurred is not the same as access to the underlying report.
- Compare specific evidence rather than relying on a “no logs” label alone.
- Keep expectations realistic: a VPN changes how your network traffic is routed, but does not by itself make you anonymous or guarantee access to a streaming catalog.
Choose according to your priorities
If performance or streaming comes first
NordVPN is the most directly supported starting point among these options: TechRadar recommends it for streaming, and the single 2026 test reported by NordVPN gave it the highest score among the five tested providers. Neither source establishes how it will perform on your network or whether a specific service’s catalog will be available.
Rank #2
- 【AC1200 Dual-band Wireless Router】Simultaneous dual-band with wireless speed up to 300 Mbps (2.4GHz) + 867 Mbps (5GHz). 2.4GHz band can handles some simple tasks like emails or web browsing while bandwidth intensive tasks such as gaming or 4K video streaming can be handled by the 5GHz band.*Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【Easy Setup】Please refer to the User Manual and the Unboxing & Setup video guide on Amazon for detailed setup instructions and methods for connecting to the Internet.
- 【Pocket-friendly】Lightweight design(145g) which designed for your next trip or adventure. Alongside its portable, compact design makes it easy to take with you on the go.
- 【Full Gigabit Ports】Gigabit Wireless Internet Router with 2 Gigabit LAN ports and 1 Gigabit WAN ports, ideal for lots of internet plan and allow you to connect your wired devices directly.
- 【Keep your Internet Safe】IPv6 supported. OpenVPN & WireGuard pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers. Cloudflare encryption supported to protect the privacy.
If you want an easier setup
TechRadar positions ExpressVPN as especially beginner-friendly. If that is your main reason to leave PIA, check the current app flow on the devices you actually use before committing; the cited editorial assessment does not document every platform or current app version.
Recommended Free Tools
If public privacy documentation matters most
Proton VPN’s comparison highlights open-source audited apps, Swiss jurisdiction, and a published no-logs audit. Those points make it a relevant candidate for readers who prioritize inspectable privacy practices, while the comparison’s vendor origin is important context when weighing its claims about competitors.
Rank #3
- New-Gen WiFi Standard – WiFi 6(802.11ax) standard supporting MU-MIMO and OFDMA technology for better efficiency and throughput.Antenna : External antenna x 4. Processor : Dual-core (4 VPE). Power Supply : AC Input : 110V~240V(50~60Hz), DC Output : 12 V with max. 1.5A current.
- Ultra-fast WiFi Speed – RT-AX1800S supports 1024-QAM for dramatically faster wireless connections
- Increase Capacity and Efficiency – Supporting not only MU-MIMO but also OFDMA technique to efficiently allocate channels, communicate with multiple devices simultaneously
- 5 Gigabit ports – One Gigabit WAN port and four Gigabit LAN ports, 10X faster than 100–Base T Ethernet.
- Commercial-grade Security Anywhere – Protect your home network with AiProtection Classic, powered by Trend Micro. And when away from home, ASUS Instant Guard gives you a one-click secure VPN.
If account anonymity is the priority
Mullvad is the focused option in this group for readers who want to limit account-identifying information. Top10VPN describes signup without an email and cash payment, but confirm current supported payment methods and whether the service meets your streaming needs before choosing it.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Check total cost and device fit before switching
VPN plan prices, promotions, renewal terms, server coverage, device limits, and included features can change. Compare the current checkout total and renewal price—not just an advertised introductory monthly equivalent—and confirm that the specific plan supports your devices and needs. The cited material does not establish current prices or plan terms for these alternatives, so there is no reliable price ranking here.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Next-Gen Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Speeds: 2402 Mbps on 5 GHz and 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz bands ensure smoother streaming and faster downloads; support VPN server and VPN client¹
- A More Responsive Experience: Enjoy smooth gaming, video streaming, and live feeds simultaneously. OFDMA makes your Wi-Fi stronger by allowing multiple clients to share one band at the same time, cutting latency and jitter.²
- Expanded Wi-Fi Coverage: 4 high-gain external antennas and Beamforming technology combine to extend strong, reliable, Wi-Fi throughout your home.
- Improved Battery Life: Target Wake Time helps your devices to communicate efficiently while consuming less power.
- Improved Cooling Design: No heat ups, no throttles. A larger heat sink and redefined case design cools the WiFi 6 system and enables your network to stay at top speeds in more versatile environments.
Rank #4
- 【DUAL BAND WIFI 7 TRAVEL ROUTER】Products with US, UK, EU, AU Plug; Dual band network with wireless speed 688Mbps (2.4G)+2882Mbps (5G); Dual 2.5G Ethernet Ports (1x WAN and 1x LAN Port); USB 3.0 port.
- 【NETWORK CONTROL WITH TOUCHSCREEN SIMPLICITY】Slate 7’s touchscreen interface lets you scan QR codes for quick Wi-Fi, monitor speed in real time, toggle VPN on/off, and switch providers directly on the display. Color-coded indicators provide instant network status updates for Ethernet, Tethering, Repeater, and Cellular modes, offering a seamless, user-friendly experience.
- 【OpenWrt 23.05 FIRMWARE】The Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) is a high-performance Wi-Fi 7 travel router, built with OpenWrt 23.05 (Kernel 5.4.213) for maximum customization and advanced networking capabilities. With 512MB storage, total customization with open-source freedom and flexible installation of OpenWrt plugins.
- 【VPN CLIENT & SERVER】OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers (active subscription required). Simply log in to your existing VPN account with our portable wifi device, and Slate 7 automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. Max. VPN speed of 100 Mbps (OpenVPN); 540 Mbps (WireGuard). *Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【PERFECT PORTABLE WIFI ROUTER FOR TRAVEL】The Slate 7 is an ideal portable internet device perfect for international travel. With its mini size and travel-friendly features, the pocket Wi-Fi router is the perfect companion for travelers in need of a secure internet connectivity on the go in which includes hotels or cruise ships.
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