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Head-to-head · Vpn Client

NetBird vs Private Internet Access

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score NetBird #3 in Vpn Client 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 2 features Visit NetBird
Private Internet Access #8 in Vpn Client 8.2/10 7-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 2 features Visit site

NetBird leads on 1 check, Private Internet Access on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreNetBird · 8.8/10
  • Free planonly NetBird
  • Free trialonly Private Internet Access
  • Most featuresPrivate Internet Access · 1 of 2

NetBird scores higher on our rubric for vpn client: 8.8 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.

NetBird offers free plan; Private Internet Access doesn't.

NetBird is the better fit for teams wanting identity-based private network access. Private Internet Access is the better fit for budget-conscious users with many devices.

  • NetBird fits best

    Teams wanting identity-based private network access

  • Private Internet Access fits best

    Budget-conscious users with many devices

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature NetBird 8.8/10 Visit ↗ Private Internet Access 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.2
Ranking #3 in Vpn Client #8 in Vpn Client
Best for Teams wanting identity-based private network access Budget-conscious users with many devices
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price €6/user/mo $3.99/mo
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — 7 days
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension
Support Email, Tickets, Community, Docs Email, Live chat, Docs · 24/7
Compliance GDPR, ISO 27001 2FA
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features NetBird 0/2 · Private Internet Access 1/2
Kill switch Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Split tunneling Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Simultaneous connections Not checked yet Not checked yet
Supported platforms Not checked yet Not checked yet
VPN protocols Not checked yet Not checked yet
Server locations Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Peer-to-peer WireGuard networking with identity-based access policies
  • Supports SSO, MFA, device posture checks, and network segmentation
  • Available as managed cloud service or self-hosted deployment
  • Unlimited simultaneous connections across supported devices
  • WireGuard, OpenVPN, split tunneling, and a kill switch
  • 91-country network with P2P and streaming-optimized servers
Cons
  • Device approvals and posture checks are listed on Business, not Free or Team
  • Free includes community support; ticketing support starts with Team
  • Enterprise pricing is custom rather than a published monthly rate
  • No free plan; the 7-day trial is limited to first-time mobile subscribers
  • Monthly billing costs more than the annual plan
  • Port forwarding is available only on selected servers
Our verdict

NetBird is an open-source Zero Trust networking platform for organizations and home users that connects users, devices, servers, cloud workloads, and private networks through encrypted peer-to-peer WireGuard connections. It suits teams…

Read the review →

Private Internet Access is a subscription VPN for individuals and teams who want encrypted internet traffic, IP address masking, and broad device coverage. Its apps and browser extension support Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and…

Read the review →
  1. NetBirdVpn Client 8.8Free plan
  2. Private Internet AccessVpn Client 8.27-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • NetBird — where it wins

    • Peer-to-peer WireGuard networking with identity-based access policies
    • Supports SSO, MFA, device posture checks, and network segmentation
    • Available as managed cloud service or self-hosted deployment

    Where it doesn't

    • Device approvals and posture checks are listed on Business, not Free or Team
    • Free includes community support; ticketing support starts with Team
    • Enterprise pricing is custom rather than a published monthly rate

  • Private Internet Access — where it wins

    • Unlimited simultaneous connections across supported devices
    • WireGuard, OpenVPN, split tunneling, and a kill switch
    • 91-country network with P2P and streaming-optimized servers

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan; the 7-day trial is limited to first-time mobile subscribers
    • Monthly billing costs more than the annual plan
    • Port forwarding is available only on selected servers
  • NetBird8.8/10 · Free plan

    An open-source WireGuard network with identity controls, cloud hosting, and self-hosting.

    Visit NetBirdFull verdict →
  • Private Internet Access8.2/10 · 7-day trial

    A feature-rich VPN with broad platform support and low annual pricing.

    Visit siteFull verdict →

More comparisons

All vpn client comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update