NordVPN vs PIA in South Korea: Detailed Comparison 2023
Both (NordVPN vs PIA in South Korea) are popular names in the marketplace of VPNs used by thousands around the world. Which service is better in terms of security, privacy, streaming, torrenting?
To learn which one emerges victorious in all aspects, read this in-depth NordVPN vs Private Internet Access VPN comparison in South Korea. Here we will be analyzing both providers on multiple factors.
NordVPN vs PIA in South Korea (Private Internet Access): Direct Comparison
 |
 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.4 | 4.6 |
| Servers | 5600 Servers in 59 Countries | 35,000 Servers in 78 Countries |
| Simultaneous Connections | 6 | 10 |
| Logs Policy | Strict No-Logs Policy | Strict No-Logs Policy |
| Free Trial | 7-Day Free Trial on Android and iOS | 7-Day Free Trial on Android and iOS |
| VPN Protocols | IKEv2/IPSec, OpenVPN, NordLynx (WireGuard) | OpenVPN, WireGuard |
| Streaming Platforms | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, and more | HBO Max, Disney+, YouTube |
| Compatibility | Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Firefox, Opera, Chrome |
| Money-Back Guarantee Period | 30 Days | 30 Days |
| Customer Support | 24/7 Live Chat, FAQs, Knowledge Base, Email | Live Chat, Knowledge Base, Tickets |
| Best Deal | KRW 5401.44 /mo (US$ 3.99 /mo ) (Get 57% Off + 3 Months FREE on 2-Year Plan). on the 2-Year Plan | $2.03/mo. on the 3-Year Plan |
Why Choose NordVPN in South Korea?
- A good choice for streaming. NordVPN can easily unblock more than 15 Netflix libraries of major countries in South Korea as well as other platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, HBO Max, and more.
- Blazing fast speeds. The NordLynx protocol is super-fast and I experienced no loss while using NordVPN in South Korea.
- User-friendly apps. NordVPN offers easy-to-navigate apps for all platforms including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and even Linux.
For more information, visit our detailed NordVPN guide South Korea!
Why Choose PIA (Private Internet Access) in South Korea?
- A good choice for P2P file sharing and torrenting in South Korea. PIA fully supports torrenting and all the servers are optimized for P2P file sharing.
- A massive network of servers. PIA boasts a network of more than 30,000 servers in 77 countries, which is more than most other VPN providers.
- Ideal VPN for China. PIA is one of the few VPNs that can still be used in China. The Shadowsocks proxy is effective in bypassing the Great Firewall of China from which you can use all the blocked apps smoothly.
For more information, visit our detailed Private Internet Access guide South Korea!
WHAT’S IN THIS GUIDE
- Pricing
- Features
- Unblocking Capabilities
- Security
- Servers & Speed
- Privacy
- Configuration
- Other Comparisons to Check Out
NordVPN vs PIA (Private Internet Access) in South Korea: Detailed Comparison
NordVPN and Private Internet Access (PIA) in South Korea are two of the most popular VPN providers. But which one is better?
In this NordVPN vs PIA in South Korea comparison, we’ll take a detailed look at both providers to see how they compare on key factors such as pricing, features, unblocking capabilities, security, servers, speed, and privacy.
Pricing
|
|
|
| Monthly Plan | $11.99 | $11.95 |
| 1-Year Plan | $4.99/mo. ($59.88 upfront) | $3.33/mo. ($39.95 upfront) |
| 2-Year Plan | KRW 5401.44 /mo (US$ 3.99 /mo ) (Get 57% Off + 3 Months FREE on 2-Year Plan). ($99.63 upfront) | N/A |
| 3-Year Plan | N/A | $2.03/mo. ($79) |
NordVPN
NordVPN offers 3 plans:
- The NordVPN monthly plan costs $11.99/mo.
- The NordVPN yearly plan costs $4.99/mo. ($59.88 upfront for the first time).
- The NordVPN two-year plan costs KRW 5401.44 /mo (US$ 3.99 /mo ) (Get 57% Off + 3 Months FREE on 2-Year Plan). ($99.63 upfront for the first 2 years) with 3 free months.
All the plans are covered by an active 30-day money-back guarantee offer and users can pay for their subscription plans via Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and even Cryptocurrency.
Private Internet Access
PIA offers 3 plans:
- The PIA monthly plan costs $11.95/mo.
- The PIA yearly plan costs $3.33/mo. ($39.95 upfront).
- The PIA three-year plan costs $2.03/mo. ($79 upfront) with 3 free months.
All PIA plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee and you can pay with your Credit Card, PayPal, or Cryptocurrency.
Features
|
|
|
| Simultaneous Connections | 6 | 10 |
| Operating System Apps | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux |
| Manual Install Devices | Set-Top Boxes, Routers, and Linux | Some Routers |
| Split Tunneling | Yes | Yes |
| Free Extras | Browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox, CyberSec, DoubleVPN, SmartPlay | SOCKS5 Proxy and ad/tracker blocker |
When it comes to selecting a VPN service, you need to have advanced features available. NordVPN has always stood at the forefront of privacy innovations.
It offers a unique set of tools, which I have listed for your convenience below. All these features position the VPN higher than others in the marketplace, as you receive maximum security/privacy at all times.
However, PIA does not seem to back off either. The provider, despite being incredibly cheap, stands its ground against NordVPN. It offers most of the same features/technologies available with NordVPN.
Sadly, it fails at offering advanced features like DoubleVPN and Onion over VPN in South Korea, which are enjoyed by NordVPN customers for leveraging maximum security online.
NordVPN
NordVPN comes with a number of features that make it one of the best VPN providers in the market.
NordVPN offers 6 simultaneous connections with one account from which you can cover all your devices. The provider has compatibility for all platforms including NordVPN with Windows in South Korea, NordVPN with Mac in South Korea, NordVPN with Linux in South Korea, NordVPN with Android in South Korea, and NordVPN with iOS in South Korea.
NordVPN extensions for Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox are also available. Along with that, you can install the VPN on NordVPN with Fire TV in South Korea and NordVPN with Apple TV in South Korea also.
For devices that cannot run native VPN apps like Roku, Chromecast, Xbox, or PlayStation, you just have to install NordVPN on your router with manual configuration in South Korea.
However, make sure your router is compatible with NordVPN. Here is a list of compatible routers and firmware.
Other features of NordVPN include; Split tunneling which allows you to route some of your traffic through the VPN while the rest goes through your ISP. This can be useful if you want to unblock a streaming service on one device while still being able to access your local network on another.
NordVPN also offers Double VPN in South Korea, which encrypts your data twice for double protection, and Onion Over VPN, which routes your traffic through the NordVPN network and then the Onion Router. This makes it virtually impossible for anyone to snoop on your activities.
There is a dedicated IP address feature that you can avail with some of the NordVPN servers. This is useful if you need a static IP for gaming, remote access to your home network, or accessing certain financial services.
The customer support of NordVPN is very good and you can get help 24/7 via live chat or email. You can also find helpful guides and FAQs on the NordVPN website.
PIA
The Private Internet Access reviews for features give NordVPN healthy competition as the provider also comes with a number of handy tools.
With 10 simultaneous connections allowed on one account, PIA gives you more flexibility than NordVPN. You can use the VPN on all major platforms including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and browsers including Firefox, Chrome, and Opera.
To cover more than 10 devices, you can install PIA on your router in South Korea. While PIA supports some routers that come with built-in VPN support, the company recommends getting a FlashRouter for an easy plug-and-play solution.
PIA offers a secure Kill Switch tool in South Korea that protects your identity and data in case the VPN connection suddenly drops. The company also provides an advanced feature called MACE that blocks ads, trackers, and malware while you are online.
PIA comes with an advanced split tunneling feature that allows you to route traffic from selected apps through the VPN while the rest goes through your ISP.
The customer support of PIA is available 24/7 via the live chat option but you can also use the ticketing system to submit a support request. You can also find helpful guides and FAQs on the PIA website.
Unblocking Capabilities
|
Streaming Platform |
|
|
| Netflix | Yes | No |
| Hulu | Yes | No |
| Sky Go | Yes | No |
| Amazon Prime | Yes | No |
| BBC iPlayer | Yes | No |
| ABS | Yes | No |
| CBS | Yes | Yes |
| NBC | Yes | Yes |
| ITV | Yes | Yes |
| Channel 4 | Yes | Yes |
In terms of unblocking, NordVPN definitely tends to be more proactive and reliable. All of its servers utilize strong encryption and security technologies for unblocking VoDs. You can even set-up & use NordVPN on Apple TV for accessing movies, shows, and to leverage from the streaming services.
The NordVPN unblocks all versions of Netflix in South Korea while providing access to some of the most hit streaming platforms like NordVPN with Hulu in South Korea, NordVPN with BBC iPlayer in South Korea, NordVPN with Disney+ in South Korea, Amazon Prime Video, and more.
PIA, on the other hand, does not offer much in the way of unblocking. It is a hit-and-miss scenario most of the time. What is most alarming is the lack of Netflix Private Internet Access unblocking in South Korea.
As such, If I were to talk on the basis of streaming, NordVPN would be the best choice. PIA still needs to improve its unblocking capabilities to justify its price and customers buying it.
I have tested both NordVPN and PIA unblocking capabilities in South Korea and here are the detailed results of my tests:
NordVPN
I tested all the major streaming platforms including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max with the NordVPN servers and it was able to unblock all without any problems.
Netflix
Easily unblocked US Netflix with NordVPN in South Korea to watch “The Walking Dead” with no buffering issues
Hulu
The NordVPN US server allowed me to unblock Hulu and watch “Family Guy”
HBO Max
The US server of NordVPN immediately unblocked HBO Max in South Korea and I could easily stream “Game of Thrones”
Disney+
“Avengers: End Game” on Disney+ was easily unblocked in South Korea by the NordVPN US server
PIA
The results for PIA were not as impressive as NordVPN’s were. I tried unblocking the same streaming sites and the results are as follows.
Netflix
Upon testing, PIA could not unblock US Netflix in South Korea as the title “The Walking Dead” didn’t appear in the search results, which was easily available to watch with the US server of NordVPN
Hulu
Even after trying more than 6 US servers, I was not able to unblock Hulu in South Korea. The error message in the screenshot above kept on displaying every time I accessed Hulu with a new US server
HBO Max
I used the US Florida server to unblock HBO Max in South Korea to watch “Dune: Part 1”
Disney+
I was able to unblock Disney+ in South Korea with the US Chicago server to watch “Thor: Ragnarok”
Security
|
|
|
| VPN Protocols | OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, NordLynx | OpenVPN, WireGuard |
| Data Encryption | AES-256 | AES-256 |
| Kill Switch | Yes | Yes |
| Split Tunneling | Yes | Yes |
| Leak Protection | Wi-Fi, DNS/WebRTC/IP Leak Protection | DNS/WebRTC/IP Leak Protection |
| DNS Status | PrivateDNS | PrivateDNS |
One of the best things about NordVPN has to be its strong privacy and security in South Korea. The provider is simply undetectable to websites, thanks to its large pool of shared IPs.
Add this to NordVPN’s support for all protocols, including IKEv2, NordLynx, and OpenVPN. You can feel assured to receive maximum anonymity. For the data channel, NordVPN uses 256-CBC ciphers with HMAC SHA256 hash authentication.
For its control channel, NordVPN uses the same hash authentication and ciphers above, with the addition of an RSA-2048. A strong DHE-4096 key exchange is used for setting up Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS).
If you are using the iOS app, NordVPN changes its encryption. All connections use the IKEv2 protocol with AES-256-GCM ciphers with HMAC SHA2-384 data authentication.
Despite being a US-based provider, Private Internet Access (PIA) maintains an incredibly strong network of servers. They utilize strong encryption ciphers on WireGuard and OpenVPN Protocols.
For the data channel, PIA uses the infamous military-grade; AES-256-bit ciphers with SHA256 for data authentication and RSA-4096 for a handshake. PFE is available via the DHE+RSA exchange.
For the control channel, PIA uses the same ciphers and hash authentication, with the inclusion of SHA384 for authentication. Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFE) is available via ECDHE+ECDSA.
In short, you receive great privacy with both providers. NordVPN, however, goes the extra mile by offering the NordLynx Protocol and features like Dedicated IPs and Onion over VPN.
NordVPN
The NordVPN network is very secure with military-grade AES-256-bit encryption in South Korea. The provider uses the most advanced security protocols including IKEv2/IPSec, OpenVPN, and NordLynx.
The NordLynx protocol is based on the WireGuard protocol and is exclusive to NordVPN. It offers better speeds and security than the other protocols. It uses the double NAT system to enhance the WireGuard protocol in South Korea.
NordVPN also offers a number of security features including CyberSec Threat Protection that blocks ads and malware, Double VPN that encrypts your data twice, Onion Over VPN that routes your traffic through the NordVPN network and then the Onion Router, and a built-in Kill Switch that protects your identity and data in case the VPN connection suddenly drops.
NordVPN doesn’t log or track your data and activities according to its strict no-logs policy which has been audited by an independent third party known as PwC. PwC is one of the big four auditing companies in the world.
NordVPN also offers a Smart DNS feature called SmartPlay that allows you to unblock geo-restricted content on streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, etc. However, the feature doesn’t encrypt your traffic so do not take it as a replacement for a VPN.
NordVPN doesn’t leak your data and activities as I have tested it with various leak tests including DNS, WebRTC, and IP leak tests. Here are the leak test results:
PIA
The encryption method of PIA works on the AES-256-bit ciphers with 2048-bit key. The provider uses security protocols including OpenVPN, and WireGuard.
PIA has a number of security features that include a kill switch, DNS leak protection, IP leak protection, and an advanced feature called MACE that blocks ads, trackers, and malware.
The company doesn’t log your data or activities according to its strict no-logs policy.
The advanced split tunneling feature of PIA allows you to route traffic from selected apps through the VPN while the rest goes through your ISP.
The PIA Smart DNS enables you to change your virtual location on your Smart TV and other streaming devices to have easy access to major platforms like Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, and more.
I tested PIA for DNS, WebRTC, and IP leak tests and the results were positive which means PIA doesn’t leak your data in South Korea.
Servers & Speed
|
|
|
| Server Countries | 59 | 78 |
| Total Number of Servers | 5,600 | 35,000 |
| Speed Loss | 2% | 15% |
Since VPNs are crucial tools for unblocking/streaming /torrenting, it is vital that you receive good speeds. The last thing you need is suffering from a turtle internet.
In light of this, I decided to conduct a performance assessment of both providers. This involved testing the max download bandwidths of NordVPN and PIA in South Korea for different servers in varied countries. I then noted the average speeds received.
If I talk about NordVPN speed test in South Korea. Of course, those located far away displayed mediocre performance.
For Private Internet Access (PIA), the results were decent but it is safe to say that NordVPN wins in this domain. Check out the speed test results below.
NordVPN
NordVPN has one of the largest server networks in the VPN industry with 5600
servers in 59 countries covering
- America,
- Europe,
- Middle East,
- Asia Pacific, and
- Africa.
This VPN provider also offers specialty servers for PUBG in South Korea, Call of Duty: Warzone, Minecraft, and other gaming platforms.
The NordVPN network is very fast as it uses the most advanced security protocols including NordLynx and OpenVPN. I have tested the NordVPN servers for speed and the results are as follows.
NordVPN Speed Test for US
NordVPN Speed Test for UK
NordVPN Speed Test for Canada
NordVPN Speed Test for New Zealand
NordVPN Speed Test for Australia
PIA
PIA has a decent server network of more than 35,000 servers in 78 countries, covering
- America,
- Europe,
- Asia Pacific,
- Africa, and others.
The provider doesn’t offer any specialty servers but it offers SOCKS proxy with all its plans.
The PIA server network is very fast as it uses the WireGuard protocol. I have tested the PIA servers for speed and the results are as follows.
PIA Speed Test for US
PIA Speed Test for UK
PIA Speed Test for Canada
PIA Speed Test for New Zealand
PIA Speed Test for Australia
Privacy
|
|
|
| Headquarters | Panama | United States |
| Connection Logs | None | None |
| Activity Logs | None | None |
| Sign Up Information | Email Address | Email Address |
| Cryptocurrency | Yes | Yes |
NordVPN
If we compare the two, NordVPN tends to be a safer option because of its jurisdiction. The provider is away from Five, Nine, Fourteen Eyes Alliances with its headquarters in safe Panama.
The provider has a strict no-logs policy which has been independently audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), which is one of the Big Four Accounting Firms.
PIA
Private Internet Acess (PIA), on the other hand, has its HQ in the US. The country is the founding member of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances and boasts the most invasive laws.
It mandates Mass Surveillance and Data retention whether that be internet service providers, telecom providers, or Virtual Private Network providers.
As such, if you want to remain safe and secure from the prying eyes of the government, intelligence agencies, and copyright infringement hunters, PIA is not a reliable option.
Configuration
|
|
|
| Address Allocation | Shared/Static | Shared/Static |
| Static IPs | Yes | Yes |
| DDoS Protection | Yes | Yes |
| NAT Firewall | Yes | Yes |
NordVPN
NordVPN offers both static and dynamic IP addresses. A static IP address is a unique IP that is assigned to only one device and it doesn’t change. A dynamic IP address is shared by multiple devices and it changes from time to time.
NordVPN protects you from DDoS attacks which makes it a perfect VPN for gaming in South Korea.
NordVPN also has support for NAT Firewall, which is a network security system that filters incoming and outgoing traffic and blocks unsolicited connections.
PIA
Just like NordVPN, PIA also offers both static and dynamic IP addresses. But unlike NordVPN, PIA offers Port Forwarding to all of its users. However, you’ll have one randomly assigned port number.
PIA VPN protects against DDoS attacks by assigning you a new IP address and it also has support for NAT Firewall.
Other Comparisons to Check Out
NordVPN vs PIA in South Korea: FAQs
Why is PIA so slow in South Korea?
If you’re using the PIA app and experiencing a slow connection, then we recommend you to change the ports that your application is connecting to. It should solve the problem.
Does Netflix detect NordVPN in South Korea?
NordVPN works well with Netflix in South Korea. The VPN is less reliable than it was before as the streaming giant has enhanced its algorithm of eliminating VPN-generated IPs but NordVPN can still unblock US Netflix and other 10 libraries in South Korea.
Is PIA good for gaming in South Korea?
Yes! Private Internet Access is one of the fastest VPNs for gaming in South Korea. It has a massive network of 35,000 servers in 78 countries that allows you to connect to international servers. What makes this VPN a great choice for gaming is the DDoS protection it offers in South Korea.
Is it easy to cancel NordVPN in South Korea?
You cannot cancel your NordVPN subscription plan within the app. Nonetheless, the easiest method is to cancel your automatic payment and request a refund via live chat. It’ll take 4 to 5 days till you get your money back.
Does NordVPN have a free trial period in South Korea?
You can get NordVPN with the free trial hack for 30 days in South Korea. The robust money-back offer allows you to use the VPN risk-free and you can get your money back after generating a refund request within 30 days of your purchase.
You can also use the 7-day NordVPN free trial but it is only available for Android and iOS.
Is NordVPN good for Torrenting in South Korea?
NordVPN provides numerous benefits that help make them the best choice for secure and anonymous torrenting. The NordVPN app has dedicated P2P servers that allows you to achieve 100% privacy while torrenting in South Korea.
However, if you go with Private Internet Access torrenting in South Korea, then that’s a great VPN too.
NordVPN vs PIA in South Korea: Our Winner
NordVPN is our winner in this NordVPN vs PIA in South Korea comparison. There is no doubt that both are great names in the marketplace.
However, NordVPN has greater value and beats PIA in major categories like streaming speed, and security features in South Korea.
The provider offers a dedicated SmartPlay feature for smooth streaming on major platforms. Along with that, it offers more servers that are optimized to unblock popular sites like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and more.
As evident from the speed test results above, NordVPN is undoubtedly blazing fast and a better choice for hardcore activities like gaming.
And security features like Double VPN, Dedicated IPs, Onion over VPN, and P2P servers further strengthen NordVPN’s case.
NordVPN’s location is also incredibly strategic, whereas PIA has its base of operations in the US (an unsafe location). So considering all the above-mentioned factors, I would advise using NordVPN!
