Updated September 28, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Multilogin vs PIA
What sets them apart
| Compare | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $11Lower | $11.95 |
| Free plan | YesHas it | No |
| Platforms | Android | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Smart TV, GamingCovers more |
| Logging policy | System-generated logs collected automatically every 6 hours, stored in AWS S3 with 7-day retention (2 days in dev), used internally for diagnostics and support only; log data never used to identify or profile users | No-logs: never tracks, stores, records or sells browsing data; RAM-only servers, no-logs policy audited by Deloitte |
| Jurisdiction | AE | US |
| Open source | No | YesHas it |
| Privacy tool type | Browser | Ad blocker, BrowserCovers more |
| Free plan limits | 5 profiles; 200 MB premium proxy traffic and 30 mobile minutes one-time; no API access; no time limit or card needed | Not confirmed |
| Protocols | Not confirmed | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec |
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Key differences
- PIA scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 8.7.
- Price from is lower at Multilogin: $11 vs $11.95.
- Free plan: only Multilogin.
- Platforms: only PIA offers Windows, MacOS, Linux.
- Support channels: only Multilogin offers Community.
- Open source: only PIA.
- Pricing model: only Multilogin offers Free.
- Pricing model: only PIA offers Budget.
- Privacy tool type: only PIA offers Ad blocker.
Our verdict on each
Multilogin
Multilogin suits people who need several separated browser identities for work and want a usable free tier to start. Paid plans start at $11, which is above the site median of €6.84, so the free allowance carries a lot of the value.
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 | Multilogin | PIA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.8Entry price sits at $11 against a site median of €6.84, with a free plan available on free. | 9.2HigherCost 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 | 8.9 | 9.3HigherThe plan bundles kill switch and multi hop and 91 server countries in one subscription, plus a 30 day money back window. |
| Privacy | 8.3 | 9.1Higher |
Licences and countries
| Country | Multilogin | PIA |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | United Arab Emirates | United States |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Multilogin | PIA |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy tools | 49 of 280 | 28 of 280 |
| Private browsers and search engines | 14 of 55 | 10 of 55 |
Also worth a look
Proton has price from at $4.99, against $11 for Multilogin and $11.95 for PIA.
Proton reviewEvery fact side by side
| Fact | Multilogin | PIA |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Budget |
| Legal entity | Eyes of Wonder Software LLC | PIA Private Internet Access, Inc. |
| Headquarters | United Arab Emirates | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2010 |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Help centre, CommunityCovers more | Email, Chat, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Multilogin | PIA | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | $11above the median | $11.95above the median | $8 |
Median across 82 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Multilogin
Pros
- A free plan needs no time limit or card
- Paid plans start at $11
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre
Cons
- The free plan leaves out API access and caps traffic and mobile minutes
- The company sits in AE rather than a familiar privacy jurisdiction
- It is not open source
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
Multilogin
Who it suits
- People who keep work and personal browsing apart in one place
- Teams that need several profiles managed on Android
- Readers who want to try a profile tool before paying
Who should look elsewhere
- Apple Hide My Email readers, who only need an email alias and will find more room at $0.99
- Apple Inc. subscribers, who get this kind of hiding inside iCloud at $0.99 without a separate subscription
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
Multilogin
Current offer
Discount code
Pay yearly -35%: 35% off when billed annually
Annual subscriptions include a 35% discount compared to monthly pricing; paid plans start at $7.08/month when billed annually versus $11.00/month billed monthly. VAT may apply in certain regions.
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
Questions about each
Multilogin
Is there a free plan, and what does it include?+
Yes. The free plan gives you a set of browser profiles plus a one-time allowance of premium proxy traffic and mobile minutes. It has no time limit and needs no card. API access is the one thing the free tier leaves out.
What does Multilogin cost to start paying?+
Paid plans start at $11, listed under the free model alongside the free tier. That entry point sits above the site median of €6.84, so compare the plan contents before deciding which tier fits the way you work.
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.