It is very simple to cancel your membership and ask for a refund with PIA if you have determined that you’re no longer happy with the VPN’s speeds and server network. All you have to do is follow these steps:
- Log in to your account on the PIA website.
- On your “Subscription Overview” page click “Turn off auto-renewal.”
- Follow the steps to turn off auto-renewal.
- Click “Confirm” and your subscription is canceled.
To request a refund, you have to submit a contact form via Contact Support. You’ll need your order ID to verify the request, so make sure you have it at hand. Private Internet Access will ask you to confirm your refund request via email.
If you’re looking for an alternative VPN, we recommend Surfshark. It’s the fastest VPN at the moment and comes in at a similar price point to Private Internet Access.
Surfshark
Read on for a detailed step-by-step guide on canceling your PIA plan and getting your money back.
Note:
We recently canceled our PIA subscription and requested a refund and thought the process was very easy. It only took us a few minutes and we received an email about our refund after only one hour. The money was back in our account swiftly, too!
When it comes to VPNs, everyone has their preferences. Private Internet Access (PIA) may be a fantastic and affordable VPN, but it’s not for everyone. Luckily, getting a PIA refund is easy. You can cancel Private Internet Access in just a couple of minutes and get your money back.
Before you cancel your Private Internet Access subscription, however, we recommend getting an alternative VPN to protect your online privacy and get you around geo-restricted content. Our top choice is Surfshark: an unblocking powerhouse as affordable as PIA and the fastest VPN service of the moment.
We’ve tested 80+ VPNs for security, performance, and speed. With Surfshark, you get a top-quality VPN you can use to improve your privacy and stream content from around the world.
What You Need to Know Before You Cancel Private Internet Access
First, it’s important to be sure that you really want to cancel your Private Internet Access account. There are some key points you need to consider regarding PIA’s cancellation policy, such as:
- PIA subscriptions via an App Store can only be canceled there. You must access the settings on your mobile device if you got a PIA membership through the Google Play Store or Apple App Store to change subscription plans and confirm account cancellation.
- You can get a full refund if you cancel within the 30-day mark. PIA has one of the best VPN free trials and will provide you with all your money back if you cancel your subscription within 30 days from when you first purchased it.
- Gift cards are non-refundable. If you have purchased your plan using a gift card, PIA will not refund your money.
Before we get into the cancellation process step-by-step, make sure you take note of the email address you used to sign up, as well as the bank account details you used for your Private Internet Access subscription. This is to ensure the VPN doesn’t continue to charge you.
You also need to have your order ID at hand. This is an important step in getting a PIA refund.
How to Cancel Private Internet Access Subscription on Desktop: Step-By-Step Guide
Canceling your Private Internet Access subscription is very straightforward. It only takes a couple of minutes. To help you along, we’ve created a step-by-step guide.
- Log in on the PIA homepage with your personal account details. This will take you to the client control panel.
- You’ll see your “Subscription Overview” page, where you manage subscription settings.
- To cancel your Private Internet Access subscription, hover your mouse over the three dots next to “Subscription.” You’ll see the option “Turn off auto-renewal.” Click on it.
- PIA will try to convince you to stay. If you want to delete your account, simply click “Continue.”
- Enter a reason for turning off auto-renewal. You can choose any option that fits you best or enter your own reason.
- Select “Turn off auto-renewal.”
- You have now ensured that your Private Internet Access subscription is canceled.
Going through this process only took about a minute. We received a confirmation email right away.
However, it is best not to stay unprotected when going online and consider a good alternative to PIA. We recommend Surfshark if you are an avid streamer and looking for fast speeds in addition to enhanced online protection.
For a PIA refund request, you have to take a few different steps to make use of the money-back guarantee. Scroll down for details.
How to Cancel Private Internet Access Subscription on iOS or Android: Step By Step
Canceling your Private Internet Access subscription via your iPhone or Android device is just as easy as via the account page on your PC.
- Open the PIA app and log in.
- To cancel PIA, go to “Settings” by clicking on the drop-down menu in the top left corner.
- Click on “Account.”
- Select “Delete Account.”
- Follow the completion steps to cancel PIA.
Important:
If you’re an iOS or Android user who purchased the subscription via the App Store or Google Play Store, you need to go into the settings of your phone and delete it separately. Otherwise, PIA might still charge you.
We received the same information via email.
How to Get Your Money Back From Private Internet Access
Requesting a refund after you cancel PIA requires you to contact customer support. While I’m never a fan of this type of cancellation, I found the process very quick and easy.
- If you’re not already logged in on the PIA homepage, log in with your account details to enter the software control panel.
- In the menu on the left, click “Contact Support.”
- You’ll be taken to the PIA Support Portal. Click “Contact Us.” A contact form for your PIA refund request will open.
- In the contact form, begin by entering your name and email address.
- For Department, select “Account support.”
- As a subject, you can choose something like “Request for Refund” or “Refund Request.”
- Enter your Connection Method, your personal Account Identifier (username or email), and the payment you used.
- Finally, you’re asked to include your Verification Details, i.e., your order ID for your Private Internet Access subscription, and write a message. It doesn’t have to be elaborate anything.
- At the bottom of the form, you can click “Submit.”
You’ll receive a confirmation email from a customer service representative. We received ours about an hour after we submitted the request.
Keep in mind that you have to confirm your request for a refund one more time by sending a reply to the customer support team. After that, you’ll be fully refunded in five to 10 business days.
Three Best Private Internet Access Alternatives
Private Internet Access can be one of the best VPN providers for some people. However, there might be some downsides to the service, which have led you to the decision to cancel Private Internet Access, such as:
- PIA may have slowed down your internet connection. Speed is one of the most important factors of a great VPN, which is why we run rigorous speed tests. At the moment, Sursfhark is the fastest VPN. You won’t even notice it running in the background! PIA doesn’t perform as well on this front.
- You’d like a lighter, more well-organized interface. Surfshark also provides a great alternative to PIA here. Some users, understandably, don’t like the dark look of Private Internet Access and prefer their settings to be organized in a more straightforward way. With Surfshark, you get quick access to any setting you might need.
- PIA is based in the United States, which is part of the 5 Eyes Alliance. While the VPN service has stood its ground in the face of data retention, we can understand that you’d rather have your data processed by a VPN provider that’s located elsewhere. The headquarters of NordVPN, our #2 alternative for PIA, are located in Panama.
So, there are several alternatives that may suit your needs better. We’ll go over each VPN alternative to Private Internet Access in detail below.
1. Surfshark: The best PIA alternative for those looking for ultra-fast speeds
Surfshark is our best alternative for PIA. We’re convinced that Surfshark will provide you with a better user experience at a price point that’s similar to Private Internet Access (or even better when making use of Surfshark’s frequent deals!).
Moreover, If you are looking for the fastest VPN, Surfshark is for you. We were able to stream content seamlessly and with no lag from any streaming platform and have our VPN running in the background without any delays.
During our Surfshark tests, we found this VPN provider to be very user-friendly, with a well-designed interface. We could easily find servers and change any settings with a couple of clicks. In comparison, PIA’s usability is a bit more dated.
But wait! Surfshark has some other great features too:
- Unlimited simultaneous connections. If you were sharing your PIA account with multiple people, you’d be happy to know that the same is possible with Surfshark.
- 3,200+ servers across 100 countries. While Sursfhark has fewer servers than PIA, they cover more ground. More importantly, all servers provide you with a stable connection.
- Secure VPN features. Use Surfshark’s CleanWeb ad blocker, its NoBorders mode to get around censorship, and Camouflage Mode (obfuscation) to keep yourself protected online.
While a subscription to Surfshark costs next to nothing, you can see if this VPN is for you by making use of the 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. NordVPN: A PIA alternative with specialized servers for torrenting
NordVPN is at the top of the VPN game. This provider offers phenomenal security and premium features.
With 256-bit encryption, RAM-only servers, and HQ located in Panama, NordVPN is one of the most secure VPNs. This verified no-log VPN protects your data at all times. We could hide our IP with just one click and didn’t experience any DNS leaks during our NordVPN tests.
Want to watch Netflix this weekend? NordVPN excels at unblocking streaming services. You get access to an extensive server network of 5,600+ servers in 60+ countries.
And NordVPN keeps on giving. It also includes the following:
- Dedicated P2P servers: If you use PIA to torrent, it’s good to know that NordVPN offers specialized servers for torrenting. We could even get Onion over VPN when we wanted to use the Tor browser.
- Compatible with all devices: NordVPN has one of the best VPN apps in the world and is compatible with all major operating systems and devices, including Amazon Firestick, Kindle Fire, Smart TVs, and Wi-Fi routers.
- Threat Protection feature: This function blocked ads and trackers while we were online.
- Double VPN: This routed our VPN traffic through multiple servers, which enhanced our online security. Of course, NordVPN’s built-in kill switch always keeps you safe when your connection drops.
NordVPN often has great discount deals on its products. You can also make use of the 30-day money-back guarantee and see what this VPN can offer you.
3. CyberGhost: An alternative PIA VPN for avid gamers
Our final alternative for Private Internet Access is CyberGhost. You’ll still get a cheap and secure VPN, but one that comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee and dedicated gaming servers.
During our CyberGhost testing circuit, we observed that this is a very user-friendly VPN that has an easy-to-navigate interface and tons of features to keep you happy, including specialized servers for gaming and streaming. The 24/7 live chat was available to us for any questions.
Additionally, with CyberGhost, you also get the following:
- 9,000+ servers across 90+ countries: You don’t have to worry about overcrowded servers. In fact, CyberGhost offers dedicated IP addresses to secure your own private VPN connection.
- AES 256-bit encryption: Ultra-safe VPN provider with a choice of protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard. CyberGhost is one of the best no-logs VPNs, with headquarters in Romania. Comparatively, Romania’s data retention laws are a lot more favorable than those of the United States.
- High speeds: CyberGhost has secured a spot in the top three fastest VPN servers, making it ideal for browsing the web, gaming, and watching award-winning movies on any streaming platform.
Does a 45-day money-back guarantee sound good to you? Get started with CyberGhost right away!
PIA Subscription: How to Cancel Private Internet Access VPN Today
Canceling your Private Internet Access subscription and getting a full refund is very easy:
- Log in to your account on the PIA website.
- On your “Subscription Overview” page, click “Turn off auto-renewal.”
- Follow the steps to turn off auto-renewal. This will cancel Private Internet Access,
If you purchased a PIA subscription via the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, you need to go into your device settings to manage subscription plans and confirm the cancellation of your account.
To request a refund after you cancel PIA, submit a contact form via Contact Support. Confirm your choice via email and get your money back.
Keep in mind that Private Internet Access has very affordable deals and will offer even better deals when you’re trying to leave. If you like a VPN with a large server network that covers all bases, you might consider staying with PIA.
However, for users ready to cancel subscription plans with PIA, we recommend checking out a better alternative.
| VPN Choice | Why this VPN is a better choice |
|---|---|
| Surfshark | Ultra-fast servers, just as affordable, user-friendly website, and lots of extra VPN features |
| NordVPN | Top-notch security, can unblock any streaming platform you wish and has excellent apps for all devices |
| CyberGhost | Cheap VPN with super fast servers, a large server network, and a 45-day money-back guarantee |
If you want to know how different VPN providers compare with each other to come to a decision quicker about the best PIA alternative, check out our articles below:
Do you have any questions about canceling your PIA subscription? Check out our FAQ below for some quick answers!
You can cancel your PIA subscription by following these steps:
- Log into your PIA account through the provider’s website.
- Go to the “Subscription Overview” page and select “Turn off auto-renewal.”
- Follow the steps to turn off auto-renewal.
- Click “Confirm” at the end to cancel your subscription.
Yes, PIA is a trustworthy VPN provider. Though they are located in the United States, which is part of 5 Eyes Alliance, Private Internet Access has proven itself as a secure VPN that keeps your data safe.
You can get a refund for Private Internet Access by logging in on the website, going to Contact Support and clicking Contact Us. A form will open that you can fill in. Make sure to have your order ID close, since it’s needed to verify the request. Once you’ve submitted the form, you’ll be asked to confirm your request via email.
You can make use of PIA’s money-back guarantee if you cancel your subscription within 30 days of purchasing it and requesting a refund. Cancel your subscription from your Subscription Overview page on the website and fill out a Contact Us form to get a refund. Make sure you confirm your choice once PIA contacts you.
