I am replacing PIA

Talamakara · September 29, 2019

I don't know if I am the first to say this, but I am replacing PIA with something else, maybe NORD, not sure.

I am paying for a 300/300 connection and if I run a speed test without my VPN from speedtest.net this is what i get.

Ping ms 1 Download Mbps 331.84 Upload Mbps 325.60

When I sign my PIA back in even with the closest of connection points I barely get half that on the download and a percentage on the upload.

Ping ms 137 Download Mbps 164.43 Upload Mbps 11.80

Please don't try explaining to me distance and communication and all that i'm well versed. But I have friends using different VPNs with faster connections and being able to max them out while using the VPN so something is off. Either way, i'll be dropping PIA when the next payment is up.

Here is PIA's response to my concern, and i did try their suggestions.

Thank you for reaching out to the PIA Help Desk!

The speed that your ISP provides is based on an ideal, standard internet connection. VPN technology is highly complex and involves a large number of services and factors that can impact the overall speed you would see by using a VPN service.

To see what speeds your ISP is capable of providing to our VPN service, you can run a quick check on our Network page (feel free to try several different servers; you may find that some offer better speeds over your ISP's connection than others):

https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/pages/network/

Once the VPN service is active on your device, under normal circumstances, you should expect to see a drop in speeds from the rate you saw when you ran the tests above; typically about a 30-60% drop. However, depending on local conditions and the ISPs your traffic traverses, you may see a more significant reduction, sometimes up to 70%.

That said, first, the ports that the application is connecting over can often cause issues like this as there could be something restricting or be blocking the connection.

Changing those ports can resolve this issue. Please use the following instructions to change the ports in our app:

1. Disconnect the VPN

2. Open the Settings window and click on Advanced to open the advanced options

3. Select a different `Connection type` and `Remote port` combination in the menus. Note that selecting `UDP` or `TCP` change the options on the `Remote port` menu.

4. Click save and try to connect again to the VPN.

5. Repeat the above steps as needed until you find a combination that works for you.

For more detailed instructions with pictures as well as video instructions, please visit this article from our help center:

https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/helpdesk/kb/articles/i-have-trouble-connecting-or-the-connection-drops-frequently-changing-ports

However, if your issue persists, please let us know and we can further assist you!

Kind regards,

Maggie L.
Customer Support Agent

rEkmAInc1csBnlM6C85H · September 29, 2019

PIA is ultra slow; well at least in the lower mainland in BC. I usually get about 60-100 down on my 300 down service. I am honestly debating swapping next renew period also.

That being said I don't run them 24/7.

Talamakara · September 29, 2019

22 minutes ago, Andrew 1337 said:

That being said I don't run them 24/7.

I never turn it off, my pc is on, so is it.

Flying Sausages · September 29, 2019

I recommend Windscribe. Windscribe has a free version offers 10GB/month that you can try before purchase the premium.

kirashi · September 29, 2019

3 hours ago, Talamakara said:

When I sign my PIA back in even with the closest of connection points I barely get half that on the download and a percentage on the upload.

Using the closest physical connection point isn't always the best option. Tonight is a bad example, as I usually only get around 270mbps down and 10mbps up during the daytime when connected to PIA's Vancouver servers which are way closer to me geographically than Seattle...

VPN Disabled