Updated September 28, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Kaspersky vs PIA
Kaspersky vs PIA: the differences
| Compare |  Kaspersky |  PIA |
|---|---|---|
| Server countries | 93Higher | 91 |
| Jurisdiction | RU | US |
| Protocols | WireGuard | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSecCovers more |
| Features | Screen time, Web filter, Location | Kill switch, Multi hop |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, Linux | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Smart TV, GamingCovers more |
| Monthly price | Not confirmed | $11.95 |
| Long-term plan price | Not confirmed | $2.03 |
| Devices | 10 | Not confirmed |
| No-logs audit | SOC 2 Type II audit by an independent accounting firm, 2026 | Not confirmed |
| Renewal price | Not confirmed | $47.88 |
| Streaming services | Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ | Not confirmed |
| Owner | Privately owned; CEO Eugene Kaspersky | Not confirmed |
| Longest plan (months) | Not confirmed | 39 months |
Same on both: Money-back period (30 days).
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Key differences
- Kaspersky scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.2.
- Server countries is higher at Kaspersky: 93 vs 91.
- Protocols: only PIA offers OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec.
- Features: only Kaspersky offers Screen time, Web filter, Location.
- Features: only PIA offers Kill switch, Multi hop.
- Platforms: only PIA offers Chrome, Firefox, Opera.
- Support channels: only Kaspersky offers Phone, Community.
- Support channels: only PIA offers Chat.
- Founded is lower at Kaspersky: 1997 vs 2010.
- Features: only Kaspersky offers Streaming, Travel.
Our verdict on each
Kaspersky
Kaspersky suits households and small businesses who want one subscription covering antivirus, a VPN, a password manager and parental controls. Its bundles span 10 devices and Windows, macOS and Android, with server reach across 93 countries and a SOC 2 Type II audit behind SOC 2 Type II audit by an independent accounting firm, 2026.
PIA
PIA suits readers who want an audited no-logs policy, open source apps and a long plan, with the long-term plan running 39 months at $2.03 a month. The trade-off is entry pricing at $11.95 a month for the single term and a renewal figure of $47.88.
Score breakdown
| Area | Kaspersky | PIA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Not confirmed | 9.2Cost lands mid-table: PIA's monthly plan is $11.95 against the €7.89 figure, while the long-term plan holds at $2.03. |
| Offer | 9.7Higher | 9.3The plan bundles kill switch and multi hop and 91 server countries in one subscription, plus a 30 day money back window. |
| Privacy | 9.0 | 9.1Higher |
How they place
| Ranking | Kaspersky | PIA |
|---|---|---|
| VPNs | 4 of 232 | 29 of 232 |
| Privacy tools | 3 of 280 | 28 of 280 |
| Ad blockers and private DNS | 3 of 63 | 15 of 63 |
| Free VPNs | 3 of 189 | 25 of 189 |
Choosing between them
Pick Kaspersky if offer and server countries matter most.
Pick PIA if protocols and platforms matter most.
A third option
NordVPN has server countries at 150, against 93 for Kaspersky and 91 for PIA.
NordVPN reviewEvery fact side by side
| Fact | Kaspersky | PIA |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Streaming, Travel | No logs |
| Audience | Business | Not confirmed |
| Pricing model | Free | Budget |
| Legal entity | AO Kaspersky Lab | PIA Private Internet Access, Inc. |
| Headquarters | Switzerland | United States |
| Founded | 1997Lower | 2010 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre, Community | Email, Chat, Help centre |
Password managers
| Fact | Kaspersky | PIA |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Not confirmed | $11.95 |
| Free plan | YesHas it | No |
| Family plan | Security plan licence shareable with family members in one account | Not confirmed |
| Passkeys | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Encryption | AES-256-bit, key derived from master password with PBKDF2 | Not confirmed |
| Open source | Not confirmed | Yes |
Privacy tools
| Fact | Kaspersky | PIA |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan limits | Free antivirus version for Android only; premium VPN, identity protection and password manager require a paid plan | Not confirmed |
| Logging policy | Not confirmed | No-logs: never tracks, stores, records or sells browsing data; RAM-only servers, no-logs policy audited by Deloitte |
| Privacy tool type | Ad blocker | Ad blocker, BrowserCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Kaspersky | PIA | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | Not confirmed | $11.95above the median | $9 |
| Long-term plan price | Not confirmed | $2.03lowest quarter | $4.50 |
| Devices | 10at the median | Not confirmed | 10 |
| Server countries | 93above the median | 91above the median | 62 |
| Renewal price | Not confirmed | $47.88above the median | $12 |
| Money-back period | 30 daysat the median | 30 daysat the median | 30 days |
Median across 132 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Kaspersky
Pros
- Bundles a VPN, password manager and parental controls with antivirus in a single subscription.
- Covers Windows, macOS and Android, with VPN server reach across 93 countries.
- Password manager uses AES-256-bit, key derived from master password with PBKDF2 encryption and supports passkeys.
Cons
- The free antivirus build covers Android only, and the premium VPN, identity protection and password manager need a paid plan.
- The provider is Privately owned; CEO Eugene Kaspersky, with a AO Kaspersky Lab legal entity in a RU jurisdiction.
- Price at renewal is separate from the entry price, and long term plans sit at €3.97 a month against a €7.89 monthly median.
PIA
Pros
- The logging policy is no-logs, with browsing data never tracked, stored, recorded or sold, and Deloitte has audited it.
- The apps are open source, which suits readers who read the client code before trusting it.
- A network of 91 server countries, above the 46.5 figure for VPN brands.
Cons
- There is no free plan, so the 30 day money back window is the only route in before you commit.
- PIA's monthly plan at $11.95 sits above the €7.89 monthly figure across the site.
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre only, with no phone number in that list.
Who each suits
Kaspersky
Who it suits
- Households that want antivirus, a VPN, a password manager and parental controls in one place.
- Small businesses that need a single security bundle rather than separate tools.
- Travelers and streamers who value streaming and travel VPN coverage.
Who should look elsewhere
- Apple Inc., which covers Apple platforms such as iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS and watchOS and fits people already inside its ecosystem.
- Comodo (Xcitium), which runs on Windows and Linux and suits buyers who want protection on Windows and Linux only.
- ESET Brasil, whose coverage of Windows, Windows Server and macOS suits buyers in Brazil who need a local store listing.
PIA
Who it suits
- Readers who want an audited no-logs policy and open source apps in a single subscription.
- Long-term buyers, since the long-term plan runs 39 months at $2.03 with a 30 day money back window.
- People who need one account across Windows, macOS and Linux and a wide spread of exit locations.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who want to browse options before paying anything, since PIA has no free plan and Apple Inc. at $0.99 suits lighter privacy budgets.
- Readers who want a different kind of protection: ESET Brasil spans 40 to 70, a different footprint from PIA's 91.
- Readers on a strict budget for one subscription, since Sinew Software Systems lists $1.99 against PIA's monthly plan at $11.95.
Current offers
Kaspersky
Current offer
Bonus
Kaspersky Safe Kids free for 1 year with Standard, Plus and Premium plans (limited time offer): Kaspersky Safe Kids 1 year free
Marked as a limited time offer; shown alongside the Standard, Plus and Premium plans; 30-day money-back guarantee applies
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Free trial
Kaspersky Standard free trial: 30 days free
Free 30-day trial of Kaspersky Standard; compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
Source, checked September 26, 2026
PIA
Current offer
Discount code
83% off on 3 Years + 3 Months EXTRA plan: 83% off, $2.03/mo (autorenews at $79 every 3 years)
amounts shown in USD, discount calculated against current monthly service pricing of $11.95/mo
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Free trial
30-day money-back guarantee: 30 days
new subscribers only; subscriptions bought via third-party app stores such as the Apple App Store are subject to those stores' terms
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Kaspersky | PIA |
|---|---|---|
| Algeria | Yes | No |
| Argentina | Yes | No |
| Australia | Yes | No |
| Austria | Yes | No |
| Belgium | Yes | No |
| Brazil | Yes | No |
| Bulgaria | Yes | No |
| Canada | Yes | No |
8 of 47 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
Kaspersky
What does Kaspersky cover in a single subscription?+
A paid plan bundles antivirus with the extras Kaspersky lists as vpn, password manager and parental controls. That means the VPN, password manager and parental controls come in the same subscription, and parental controls add screen time, web filter and location tools such as screen time and location limits.
Is there a free Kaspersky antivirus?+
Yes, but the free build is limited. The free antivirus version covers Android only, and the premium VPN, identity protection and password manager require a paid plan. The password manager does have a free plan, and passkeys are supported there.
PIA
How much does PIA cost a month?+
The monthly plan is priced at $11.95. The long-term plan drops to $2.03 a month when bought for 39 months, which is where most of the saving sits. Renewal is quoted separately at $47.88, so budget for a second figure as well as the monthly rate.
What does PIA cost at renewal?+
Renewal is listed at $47.88, set apart from the $2.03 monthly rate that opens the long-term plan. The two figures are not interchangeable, so a buyer who budgets on the headline rate alone is not prepared for the second term. Read the renewal line before committing to a long subscription.
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