Updated September 28, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Opera vs PIA
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Opera |  PIA |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $8Lower | $11.95 |
| Free plan | YesHas it | No |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Smart TV, Gaming |
| Protocols | Lightway | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec |
| Logging policy | Built-in free VPN and VPN Pro are no-log; Opera collects usage and ad-related data but states it does not log or store full browsing history | No-logs: never tracks, stores, records or sells browsing data; RAM-only servers, no-logs policy audited by Deloitte |
| Jurisdiction | NO | US |
| Free plan limits | Free of charge, ad-supported; free built-in VPN and AI chat included | Not confirmed |
| Open source | Not confirmed | Yes |
Same on both: Privacy tool type (Browser, Ad blocker).
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Key differences
- Price from is lower at Opera: $8 vs $11.95.
- Free plan: only Opera.
- Platforms: only Opera offers Chromebook.
- Platforms: only PIA offers Chrome, Firefox, Opera.
- Protocols: only Opera offers Lightway.
- Protocols: only PIA offers WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec.
- Support channels: only Opera offers Community.
- Founded is lower at Opera: 1995 vs 2010.
- Pricing model: only Opera offers Free.
- Pricing model: only PIA offers Budget.
Our verdict on each
Opera
Opera packs a browser, an ad blocker and a free built-in VPN into a single download, which suits everyday browsing on a budget. VPN Pro costs $8 a month and falls to $4 a month on its 12 month term, and the free plan keeps the VPN included.
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 | Opera | PIA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.0Entry price of $8 sits high among the 131 brands compared on price from, with an ad supported free plan underneath it. | 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 | 9.1 | 9.3HigherThe plan bundles kill switch and multi hop and 91 server countries in one subscription, plus a 30 day money back window. |
| Privacy | 9.9Higher | 9.1 |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Opera | PIA |
|---|---|---|
| VPNs | 28 of 232 | 29 of 232 |
| Privacy tools | 27 of 280 | 28 of 280 |
| Ad blockers and private DNS | 14 of 63 | 15 of 63 |
| Private browsers and search engines | 9 of 55 | 10 of 55 |
| Free VPNs | 24 of 189 | 25 of 189 |
Licences and countries
| Country | Opera | PIA |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Norway | United States |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Opera | PIA |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Budget |
| Legal entity | Opera Norway AS | PIA Private Internet Access, Inc. |
| Headquarters | Norway | United States |
| Founded | 1995Lower | 2010 |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Help centre, CommunityCovers more | Email, Chat, Help centre |
VPN
| Fact | Opera | PIA |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $8Lower | $11.95 |
| Long-term plan price | $4 | $2.03Lower |
| Devices | 6 | Not confirmed |
| Server countries | 48 | 91Higher |
| No-logs audit | Deloitte 2024 | Not confirmed |
| Features | No logs, TravelCovers more | No logs |
| Renewal price | Not confirmed | $47.88 |
| Money-back period | 30 days | 30 days |
| Features | Not confirmed | Kill switch, Multi hop |
| Owner | Opera Norway AS | Not confirmed |
| Longest plan (months) | 12 months | 39 monthsHigher |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Opera | PIA | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | $8at the median | $11.95above the median | $8 |
Median across 82 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Opera
Pros
- The free plan costs nothing, is ad supported, and still carries the built-in VPN and AI chat.
- Both the free VPN and VPN Pro are no-log, and the free browser VPN no-log claim was audited by Deloitte 2024.
- VPN Pro reaches 48 server countries over Lightway, with 6 devices covered.
Cons
- The free plan is ad supported, and Opera collects usage and ad related data, so ads sit in the mix alongside the free VPN.
- VPN Pro covers 6 devices, near the lower end of a site range of 1 to 50.
- The $8 entry price leaves Opera at 73 of 131 brands on price from.
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
Opera
Who it suits
- People who want a browser with the VPN already inside it and left on at no cost.
- Readers who weigh an audited no-log claim highly, with Deloitte 2024 on record for the free browser VPN.
- Households that want the same tools across Windows, macOS and Linux.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers after an email hiding tool on its own: Apple Hide My Email starts at $0.99.
- Readers who want a data removal subscription instead, where EasyOptOuts starts at $19.99.
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
Opera
Current offer
Free trial
VPN Pro free trial: 7 days
Offered at Opera's discretion; unless cancelled before the trial ends the payment method is charged for the selected subscription period
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
Opera
How much does VPN Pro cost?+
VPN Pro opens at $8, and the monthly rate is $8. The longest term runs 12 months. On price from, Opera sits 73 of 131 brands, so entry price is its weakest cost point.
What does the free plan include?+
The free plan costs nothing and shows ads, and it keeps the built-in VPN along with AI chat. The features listed for the free tier are no logs and travel, and the pricing model is free.
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.