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PIA vs FastestVPN pairs two budget services that both suit torrenting, since both include port forwarding. The differences are depth and evidence. Private Internet Access adds SOCKS5, unlimited devices, memory-only servers and three Deloitte audits under Kape’s ownership. FastestVPN, based in the Cayman Islands, caps paid use at 10 devices, has one audit from 2023 and sells mostly lifetime plans.
This guide compares them on torrenting, privacy, devices, payment, TV support and fit.
Torrenting Side by Side
Both include port forwarding, which helps a torrent client accept incoming connections from peers. PIA also offers a SOCKS5 proxy for setting inside the client and a token-based dedicated IP; FastestVPN lists P2P servers in its browser extension listing.
PIA’s extra tools make it the stronger torrent pick of the two. Our torrenting guide compares more.
PIA vs FastestVPN on Privacy and Devices
PIA’s three Deloitte audits, memory-only servers and open-source Android client give its no-logs claim more support than FastestVPN’s single 2023 audit by Altius IT. PIA’s US base puts it in the Five Eyes; FastestVPN names the Cayman Islands.
Our VPN audit tracker explains what each audit covered.
PIA sets no device limit at all. FastestVPN allows 10, with some reports of 15 on a higher lifetime tier.
For a household with many devices, PIA avoids any juggling of connections.
How You Pay, and TVs and Consoles
FastestVPN’s lifetime plans cost one payment, with promotions between $23 and $40 within a year. PIA sells subscriptions with a 30-day refund on the first purchase and a seven-day trial through mobile app stores; its renewal price varies, so check it at checkout.
A lifetime plan wins on cost only while the provider keeps operating and honouring it over the years.
PIA has Android TV, Fire TV and Apple TV apps, plus Smart DNS for consoles. FastestVPN offers an Android app for TV boxes on Android 5.0 and later, its support pages say.
PIA covers more living-room devices directly, without a router.
Network and Ownership
One 2026 review reported PIA at more than 35,000 servers in 91 countries; FastestVPN runs about 800 servers in roughly 49 countries.
PIA’s network gives more cities to choose from and more spare capacity at busy times.
Kape owns PIA, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost and review sites including vpnMentor and Wizcase. FastestVPN’s extension lists Fastest Technology LLC in Houston as developer.
Our VPN ownership guide covers why that matters.
Browser Extensions and Refund Details
FastestVPN’s Chrome extension covers browser traffic only and includes an ad blocker and WebRTC leak protection, its support pages say. PIA’s apps protect the whole device, which matters more for torrent clients that run outside the browser.
Use the full desktop app on either for torrenting, not the browser extension.
Kill Switch and Split Tunnelling
PIA’s Android client includes a kill switch and per-app split tunnelling, our tables record. FastestVPN has no split tunnelling on iOS or macOS, though its Mac app turned its kill switch on by default in 2023.
For selective routing on Apple devices, neither is ideal; on Android, PIA is clearly ahead.
PIA refunds only first purchases, not renewals, and excludes gift cards and third-party discount sites; App Store purchases go through Apple. Check FastestVPN’s terms for lifetime deals before paying.
Keep your order number either way for any refund request.
Dedicated IPs and Smart DNS
PIA sells a dedicated IP that you activate with a token, our tables record, useful for whitelisting or fewer CAPTCHAs. FastestVPN’s lifetime plans are not listed with a dedicated IP option in our sources.
If a fixed address matters for work or banking, PIA covers it.
PIA offers Smart DNS for consoles and TVs that cannot run VPN apps. FastestVPN relies on its Android TV app or a router for those devices.
Smart DNS changes DNS lookups only, with no encryption of traffic.
Linux, Routers and Trials
FastestVPN publishes Linux guides for Ubuntu, Mint, Debian, Fedora, Arch and Raspberry Pi, among others, its support site shows. PIA supports DD-WRT, Asus and OpenWrt routers, Tom’s Guide lists.
Both suit technical users; PIA covers routers more directly with its own guides.
PIA offers a seven-day trial through mobile app stores, once per person, Security.org notes, and 30 days for refunds on first website purchases. Check FastestVPN’s terms for its lifetime deals.
Test torrenting and streaming on your own connection during whichever window applies.
Setting Up a Torrent Client
With either VPN, bind your client to the VPN’s network interface so it cannot fall back to your normal connection, and enter the forwarded port in its connection settings. With PIA, you can instead point the client at its SOCKS5 proxy for speed, without encryption.
Run a torrent IP check after setup to confirm the client shows the VPN’s address and not your own.
How We Research
This page draws on PIA’s trial and refund pages, FastestVPN’s support pages and Chrome Web Store listing, and our PIA, FastestVPN, audit and price tables. We cross-checked these sources against each other, and where they conflict or something can’t be verified, we say so in the text rather than guessing. We checked time-sensitive figures, including prices in US dollars, on 8 October 2026. The main source we relied on is PIA’s trial page. Our full approach lives on the About Us page.
PIA vs FastestVPN FAQ
PIA for audits, devices and torrent tools; FastestVPN for a one-off price.
Yes; PIA adds SOCKS5.
PIA, with no limit; FastestVPN allows 10.
PIA, with three against FastestVPN’s one.
On price, yes, while the company keeps honouring it.
The Verdict
PIA vs FastestVPN: PIA for audited privacy, unlimited devices and SOCKS5; FastestVPN for the lowest one-off cost.