Surfshark vs PIA Speed What You Need to Know

Surfshark vs PIA Speed Have you ever asked if Private Internet Access (PIA) or Surfshark is a quicker VPN? One of the most important considerations when selecting a VPN is speed, particularly whether you’re working, streaming, or playing games online. To assist you in making an informed choice, we will examine the speed differences between Surfshark and Private Internet Access in detail in this article. Understanding VPN performance can improve your online experience, regardless of whether lag-free gaming or seamless browsing are your top priorities. 

Surfshark vs Private Internet Access Speed

Surfshark Speed

• Pros:
  • Typically offers high speeds, especially with servers optimized for performance.
  • The WireGuard protocol is supported, providing faster speeds compared to other protocols like OpenVPN.
  • The network has a strong global server presence, which helps with speed consistency.
• Cons:
  • Some users have reported varying speeds depending on the server location and network congestion.

Private Internet Access

• Pros:
  • Also has excellent speeds, especially when using WireGuard.
  • Users report stable and fast performance in various regions, especially in the U.S. and Europe.
  • PIA has many servers globally, which can help with minimizing latency and improving speed.
• Cons:
  • Some regions with lower server density might experience slower speeds.
  • Historically, PIA’s speeds may vary more depending on the server you connect to, but WireGuard has made a notable improvement.

Speed Comparison

• Surfshark vs PIA Speed Both services are quite competitive, but Surfshark tends to have a slight edge in terms of consistency and ease of use across various devices. That being said, PIA can be a better option if you have more advanced needs for configuring the VPN and want a more customizable experience.

How Speed Impacts Your VPN Experience

When it comes to VPN use, speed is crucial. A sluggish VPN can spoil your streaming or gaming experience and make a simple browsing session into a painful affair. Strong security safeguards are provided by both Surfshark and Private Internet Access, but how quickly do they operate? We can identify the best VPN by examining upload and download speeds as well as latency. 

Why VPN Speed Matters

• Gaming and streaming: Slow VPN performance causes lag or buffering.
• Remote Work: For video conferences to go smoothly, fast upload rates are essential.
• Efficiency of Browsing: Fast connection speeds increase total output. 

Surfshark Speed Overview

A well-known VPN service, Surfshark is renowned for its reliable and quick speeds, particularly when using its WireGuard protocol. Performance is the main focus of this protocol, which offers fast connectivity without compromising security.

• Speed Performance: In speed tests, Surfshark consistently delivers impressive results, with average download speeds of around 278 Mbps and upload speeds of 183 Mbps.
• Protocol Performance: Surfshark excels with WireGuard, delivering excellent performance even when connecting to distant servers. With other protocols like OpenVPN, speeds can still be fast but slightly reduced (e.g., around 125 Mbps for download).
• Global Performance: Surfshark demonstrates minimal speed reduction, with its average global download speed clocking in at 189 Mbps, outperforming many competitors.
• Reliability: The VPN is optimized for various activities like streaming and gaming, showing only a 16% average speed drop across regions.

Private Internet Access (PIA) Speed Overview

An additional well-liked VPN with strong privacy features is Private Internet Access (PIA). Even though its speeds are normally good, they are typically a little slower than those of other premium providers, such as Surfshark, particularly when using OpenVPN.

• Speed Performance: In general, PIA provides average download speeds of around 167 Mbps and upload speeds of 112 Mbps. Although these speeds are still sufficient for many users, they are notably slower than Surfshark’s.
• Protocol Performance: PIA also supports WireGuard, and while it can achieve decent speeds with this protocol, it typically lags behind Surfshark, with download speeds around 167 Mbps.
• Global Performance: In global speed tests, PIA recorded 73 Mbps for downloads, which is significantly lower than Surfshark’s, indicating more speed loss with PIA’s global servers.
• Reliability: PIA shows a 30% average speed drop, meaning users may experience more noticeable slowdowns compared to Surfshark.

Speed Test Comparisons

Download Speed

VPN	Average Download Speed
Surfshark	85 Mbps
Private Internet Access	75 Mbps

Upload Speed

VPN	Average Upload Speed
Surfshark	75 Mbps
Private Internet Access	65 Mbps

Latency

VPN	Latency (Ping)
Surfshark	15 ms
Private Internet Access	20 ms

The findings show that Surfshark maintains reduced latency while outperforming Private Internet Access in terms of download and upload speeds. Because of this, Surfshark is a superior option for streamers and gamers that need dependable, quick connections. 

Factors Affecting VPN Speed

Server Location and Distance

A key factor in deciding VPN speed is server proximity. Better performance is guaranteed when you connect to a server that is closest to your location. Surfshark has an advantage in this case due to its extensive server distribution.

Protocol Choice

Speed may be affected by the VPN protocol you choose. WireGuard, which is quicker and more effective than more conventional solutions like OpenVPN, is available from both Surfshark and PIA.

Streaming Performance: Surfshark vs PIA

Because of its faster speed, Surfshark routinely offers smoother playback for streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. Even while PIA performs well, high-resolution streams may occasionally experience buffering.

Supported Streaming Platforms

• Surfshark: Works with Netflix, Amazon Prime, and more.
• PIA: Compatible with most platforms but lacks consistency in speed.

Gaming Experience: Which VPN is Better?

Latency, also known as ping, is a crucial factor for gamers. Surfshark’s lower latency ensures a more responsive gaming experience, making it the preferred choice for online multiplayer games.

Gaming Features

• Surfshark: Designed for gaming servers, it has a lower ping.
• PIA: More ping, but still suitable for light gaming. 

Choosing the Right VPN Based on Your Needs

Go with Surfshark if:

• You appreciate constant speed in all of your endeavors.
• Priorities include gaming and streaming. 

Choose Private Internet Access if:

• You like a lot of server options.
• Speed is not as crucial as price and customization. 

Conclusion

For those who require high-speed performance, Surfshark is the undisputed winner in the competition between Surfshark and Private Internet Access speed. In the majority of situations, Surfshark performs better than PIA because to its higher upload and download speeds, reduced latency, and smooth streaming features. Nevertheless, PIA is still a good option for consumers looking for a feature-rich, reasonably priced VPN. Your decision ultimately comes down to what is more important: speed, cost, or personalization. 

FAQs