Apps like VPN by Private Internet Access: the alternatives worth trying

VPN by Private Internet Access is one of the few iOS VPNs that has earned its reputation the hard way. It has been shipping since 2015, its apps are open source, its no-logs claim has held up under real legal pressure, and it hands you an unusually deep set of controls: protocol switching, split tunnelling, a proper kill switch, and a server list that goes wide. At a 4.69 store rating and free to download, it is a genuinely strong pick for people who want to tinker.

That same depth is also why people go looking. PIA's interface is utilitarian and can feel busy if all you want is a one-tap connection. Its speeds are dependable rather than spectacular for 4K streaming, the free download funnels you toward a paid subscription, and its US home base bothers privacy purists who would rather their provider sat outside Five Eyes reach. None of those are dealbreakers, but they are real, and different apps solve them in different ways. Here is where we would send you.

If you want a polished all-rounder that just works

The most natural upgrade in feel, not function, is Surfshark VPN: Fast VPN App. It carries the highest rating in this group at 4.71 across more than 121,000 reviews, and it matches PIA's best trick - unlimited simultaneous devices - while wrapping it in a far friendlier interface. If your objection to PIA is that it looks like a network engineer's toolkit, Surfshark is the clean, modern answer. The caveat: its extras (ad blocking, alternate ID tools) are the kind of bundle you should only pay for if you will actually use them.

NordVPN: VPN Fast & Secure is the other obvious contender, on the App Store since 2014 and now at version 9.7.0. It is one of the most downloaded VPNs on the platform for a reason: reliable connections, a huge server network, and a slick app rated 4.66. Nord tends to push the priciest tier of the mainstream names, so it is best when you value the ecosystem and support depth over saving a few dollars.

If raw performance is your single priority, ExpressVPN · Secure & Fast VPN is the name that keeps coming up, with over 417,000 ratings at a 4.68 average - a hard number to wave away. It is the least fiddly premium option and a genuinely good streaming performer. The honest trade-off is cost: ExpressVPN rarely competes on price, so you are paying for polish and consistency.

If privacy pedigree is the whole point

For readers whose real complaint is PIA's US jurisdiction, Proton VPN: Fast & Secure is our first suggestion. It comes from Proton AG, the Switzerland-based team behind ProtonMail, and it carries that security credibility into the VPN space with a rating of 4.61. Crucially, Proton runs one of the more genuinely usable free tiers in the category, with no time limit. The caveat is that the free plan restricts you to a handful of countries and slower speeds, so power users will still want to upgrade.

VPN Windscribe: Fast & Secure deserves more attention than it gets. Around since 2016, it has quietly built a no-logs reputation that many louder rivals only claim on paper, and it sits at a solid 4.64. Its free allowance is generous if you register, and its configurability rivals PIA's own. The flip side is a slightly geekier setup than the mainstream apps, which is fine if you left PIA wanting more control rather than less.

If you want free, fast, and no commitment

Not everyone needs a full subscription VPN. If you mainly want to shield yourself on public Wi-Fi and speed up browsing, 1.1.1.1: Faster Internet from Cloudflare is the one to install first. Its WARP feature reroutes traffic through Cloudflare's fast network for privacy, it is genuinely free, and at 4.5 it is the lightest lift here. Just be clear-eyed about what it is: a privacy-focused resolver with WARP, not a full location-spoofing VPN with a country picker.

For approachability, nothing beats TunnelBear: Secure VPN & Wifi. More than a decade old and rated 4.68, its bear-themed interface is the friendliest on-ramp in the whole category, which makes it a great pick for a less technical family member. The limitation is a modest free data cap, so it suits light, occasional use rather than all-day streaming.

Two newer names round this tier out. NextVPN: Fast & Secure Proxy leans on the V2Ray and Xray protocols and requires no account, which puts it ahead of apps still coasting on older setups and makes it worth a look in restrictive networks; at 4.67 the store signal is strong, though it is younger and less battle-tested than PIA. X-VPN: VPN Fast & Secure sells the same tap-once simplicity at a 4.66 rating and is a reasonable free-first trial, but as with any large free-VPN operation, read the privacy terms before you lean on it for anything sensitive.

The value middle ground

Sitting between the free apps and the premium names is IPVanish VPN: Fast & Secure, around since 2013 and rated 4.55. It offers unlimited connections and a full-featured app, and it often undercuts the big three on price, which makes it a sensible landing spot if you like PIA's substance but want a cleaner, cheaper package. The rating is a touch lower than the leaders, so treat it as a solid value play rather than the class of the field.

The bottom line

PIA remains an excellent VPN, and if you like its control you have little reason to leave. But the mapping is clear. Pick Surfshark or NordVPN if you want the same power with a friendlier face, Proton VPN or Windscribe if jurisdiction and pedigree drive you, ExpressVPN if speed trumps price, and 1.1.1.1 or TunnelBear if you just want simple, free protection on the go. Because every app here is free to download, the smartest move is to test two against your own network before you commit a cent.