11 Best VPN Services for Privacy and Streaming in 2026 — Reviewed

5. Private Internet Access (PIA) - Open Source Transparency and Customization

Private Internet Access has carved out a unique position in the VPN market through their unwavering commitment to open-source transparency, extensive customization options, and proven dedication to user privacy rights. The service operates an extensive network of over 35,000 servers across 84 countries, providing users with unparalleled server selection and the ability to find optimal connections regardless of their geographic location. PIA's commitment to transparency is evident through their open-source client applications, which allow security researchers and technically-minded users to audit the code for potential vulnerabilities or privacy concerns. The service has repeatedly demonstrated their no-logs commitment through real-world legal challenges, including court cases where they successfully proved their inability to provide user data to law enforcement agencies. PIA's advanced customization options allow users to fine-tune their VPN experience through adjustable encryption levels, protocol selection, port forwarding capabilities, and granular application-level controls. Their MACE feature provides comprehensive ad-blocking and malware protection, while their split tunneling functionality allows users to route specific applications through the VPN while maintaining direct connections for others. In terms of streaming performance, PIA has significantly improved their capabilities in recent years, successfully maintaining access to major platforms while offering dedicated streaming servers for optimal performance. The service provides exceptional value through competitive pricing, support for up to 10 simultaneous connections, and a 30-day money-back guarantee that allows users to thoroughly test their service.