How to Get a Private Internet Access Free Trial (Tested 2023)
Private Internet Access (PIA) has both a free trial and a money-back guarantee you can use to test the service for free. Unfortunately, PIA’s free trial is limited to iOS and Android devices and only lasts for 7 days.
Personally, I suggest you try PIA for 30 days for free by taking advantage of the money-back guarantee. This allows you to download PIA onto all your devices and gain unlimited access to every feature. You can get a full refund when you request it within 30 days.
I’ve tested the whole process from sign-up to refund, which you can find in the step-by-step guide below. It’s easy and hassle-free — my own money was refunded in just 4 days.
Quick Guide: 3 Easy Steps to Try Private Internet Access for Free
- Download PIA. The 3-year subscription offers the best value, but all plans are covered by the 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Launch PIA. Connect to a server to start streaming, torrenting, and browsing safely and anonymously.
- Get a refund. Contact customer support to request a refund before the 30-day period is complete.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get a Private Internet Access Free Trial
- Go to the PIA website. Click on “Get PIA VPN.”
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- Choose a plan. All plans are covered by the 30-day money-back guarantee.
![PIA-Pricing-Table-EN]( "Private Internet Access")
![PIA-Pricing-Table-EN]( "Private Internet Access")
- Download the PIA app. Once you’ve paid for your subscription, you can download the app directly from the website or get a link to your chosen app store. These links are available in the Client Control Panel. You have the option to purchase PIA with third-party gift cards and cryptocurrency.
![Screenshot of PIA Client Control Panel with available app downloads highlighted.]()
- Sign in with your username and password. These login details will be sent to you through the email address you entered when subscribing to PIA.
![Screenshot of PIA's Windows app on the login screen, with username and password highlighted.]()
- Choose a server and click to connect to the VPN. You can access the server menu by clicking the arrow on the “VPN Server” section. The 3 dots in the top-right corner take you to the Settings menus.
![Screenshots of the PIA Windows app with instructions for connecting to a server.]()
- If you’d like to request a refund, contact customer support through the 24/7 live chat. I tested the process and the agent was polite and helpful, arranging my refund quickly. I had my money back in just 4 days.
![Screenshot of a Private Internet Access representative approving a refund using the money-back guarantee over live chat]( "Private Internet Access")
![Screenshot of a Private Internet Access representative approving a refund using the money-back guarantee over live chat]( "Private Internet Access")
Helpful Tip: It’s hassle-free to get a refund with you sign up to PIA on its official website — the money-back guarantee is included with every plan. However, I can’t vouch for the Google Play or App Store’s refund policies as you’ll be subject to their Terms and Conditions.
Why Choose Private Internet Access?
Key Features:
- Huge global network with more than 35000 servers in 84 countries
- Fast download speeds perfect for streaming without lag
- Military-grade encryption, kill switch, and leak protection to protect your data
- 24/7 live chat and email support
- 7-day free trial and 30-day money-back guarantee
Unblocks Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, and Disney+
PIA is a great choice for watching your favorite streaming services. During tests, PIA’s servers easily unblocked Netflix US, Disney+, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime Video. From my base speed of 115Mbps, PIA’s servers never dropped below 68Mbps. This is more than fast enough for UltraHD streaming.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t access BBC iPlayer or DAZN. If you’re a big streaming fan, ExpressVPN is a better option for BBC iPlayer and DAZN (Canada, US, Germany, and Japan libraries).
Massive Global Network With 35000+ Servers
PIA has a staggering 35000+ servers in 84 countries. This impressive global network means you can always connect to a nearby server, keeping your speeds as high as possible. In fact, PIA has the largest server number of all the best VPNs on the market.
There are even virtual servers in countries like Russia, China, and Turkey. These servers provide access to the internet in locations where the infrastructure doesn’t support physical servers or where data regulations don’t allow anonymous VPN use. Your connection is routed through a server in a nearby country and given an IP address for the geo-located region.
Strong Privacy and Security Features
PIA uses military-grade encryption that is virtually impossible to crack, protecting your online activity from hackers every time you connect to a server. You’re further protected by built-in leak protection, an ad and malware blocker called MACE, and a kill switch that blocks the internet if the VPN connection is interrupted. Better still, the strict no-logs policy ensures none of your personal information is ever being sold or shared.
On most devices, you can choose either WireGuard or OpenVPN protocol. These are 2 of the fastest and most secure protocols available. WireGuard is newer and more lightweight, maximizing speed and security, while OpenVPN is very well-established and popular. On iOS, PIA also features IPSec/IKEv2, which is a great choice for mobile devices as it reconnects quickly and is very fast.
PIA even offers split tunneling, which is useful if you want to encrypt 1 app (like a torrent client) without encrypting your whole connection. This worked well during my tests, keeping me anonymous while P2P file-sharing and letting me play an online game locally at the same time.
Device Compatibility and Ease of Use
PIA is compatible with all major operating systems. Besides being one of the best VPNs for Windows, it also has native apps for macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux. It even offers Chrome, Firefox, and Opera extensions, which users can download directly from the respective web stores. Although it doesn’t have apps for smart TVs, gaming consoles, and streaming boxes, PIA can be set up directly on your router.
Setting PIA up on your router gives you the added benefit of protecting all your WiFi-connected devices and allows you to exceed the unlimited device limit. PIA is compatible with the following routers: DD-WRT, OpenWRT/LEDE, Asus, Merlin, and pfSENSE.
If you have a large household or more than unlimited devices, you might want to consider IPVanish instead. IPVanish is another top VPN, but it allows unlimited simultaneous device connections.
Excellent 24/7 Customer Support
Customer support is available through several channels, including 24/7 live chat, email support, and a robust knowledge base. I was pleased with the responsiveness of the live chat as it took less than 1 minute to connect to an agent. The agent sent me several useful PIA articles relevant to my questions so I had the answers I needed right away. This is essential as you want to make sure you get quick responses to fix any issues you have as soon as possible.
Best of all, PIA’s customer service was especially effective when I asked for a refund using the money-back guarantee. The live chat agent asked if they could troubleshoot any issues for me, but when I declined they quickly organized my refund. I was asked to complete a short voluntary survey about my experience with PIA after the refund was processed. I had the money back in my account in just 4 business days.
March 2023 Update! You can subscribe to PIA for as low as 2.11$ per month + get extra 3 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to 82%)! This is a limited offer so grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here!
What’s Better: Money-Back Guarantee or Free Trial or Free VPN?
There are a few key differences:
- Duration — The free trial is limited to 7 days, while the money-back guarantee is valid for 30 days.
- Accessibility — The free trial is only available through the App Store (iOS) or Google Play store (Android), but the money-back guarantee has no restrictions.
- Price — Both the free trial and money-back guarantee require payment details.
I recommend using the money-back guarantee. You’re not restricted by app store policies that may limit some features, and you have a full 30 days to test the service. In my experience, 7 days just isn’t long enough to fully explore a VPN and determine whether it’s a good fit.
What About Free VPNs?
There are secure free VPN out there, but even the best free VPNs have limitations. While your data won’t be at risk, you only have access to a small number of servers and your data will be capped. You’ll also experience slow speeds due to server congestion, leading to lag and interruptions while you’re online.
Unfortunately, safe free services are hard to find. There have been many reports of free VPNs logging user data and selling it to generate revenue. This is a breach of your privacy and if your data is sold to a hacker, you could be at risk of fraud. Worse still, some free VPNs contain malware and spyware designed to steal your data without you knowing.
| Free Period | Premium Security | No Logs | All Servers | Unlimited Data | Simultaneous Connections | |
| Free VPN | Unlimited | ✘ | Depends | ✘ | ✘ | 1 |
| PIA Free Trial | 7 days | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | 1 (Android or iOS) |
| PIA Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | unlimited |
FAQs About Private Internet Access
Does PIA have a free trial?
Yes, PIA has a free trial. Unfortunately, it only lasts for 7 short days and it’s only valid on iOS or Android devices. In addition, you’ll be automatically charged for a full subscription if you forget to cancel your free trial before it ends. You might not be able to get a refund either — it depends on the Google Play store or Apple App Store’s internal policies.
A safer bet is to sign up to PIA via its website and take advantage of the money-back guarantee instead. Essentially, you can try PIA for free for 30 days with the money-back guarantee — simply request a refund within 30 days over 24/7 live chat. There are no restrictions on devices or any other features. I tested it myself and the money returned to my account in 4 business days.
Can I use PIA on multiple devices?
Yes, PIA unlimited supports device connections at once. This is more than the industry standard of 5 device connections. You can download the user-friendly PIA app onto all major devices and operating systems, including Windows, Android, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Amazon Fire Stick, and more.
How much does PIA cost?
You can get PIA for as little as $2.11. This low price is for PIA’s 2-year + 3 months, so make sure you choose this plan during the sign-up process. PIA often has discounts and coupon codes available so you can get big savings on a subscription — check out our regularly updated coupon page to get the best deal.
Try Private Internet Access for Free Today!
PIA’s top-tier service includes a range of advanced security and privacy features, excellent customer support, and a vast server network. While PIA does have a free trial for iOS and Android, it’s only available for 7 days — not long enough to properly test all of its high-quality features.
If you want to try PIA for free for 30 days by taking advantage of the money-back guarantee. You get 30 days to try PIA fully and if you’re not totally satisfied, you can ask for your money back. I tested the guarantee myself and it was easy. I contacted the 24/7 live chat and the agent processed my refund quickly. I had the money back in only 4 business days.
