Choosing the right VPN for gaming and streaming comes down to one critical factor: speed. Without fast, stable connections, your online experience suffers from lag, buffering, and frustrating delays. We put two popular contenders, Surfshark and Private Internet Access (PIA), through a series of rigorous speed tests to see which one delivers the performance you need for a seamless online experience. This comparison dives deep into the data from our real-world speed tests and gaming sessions to help you make an informed decision.
What you’ll learn:
- How Surfshark and PIA performed in our controlled speed tests across multiple server locations.
- Which VPN provides the most stable connection and lowest ping for competitive gaming.
- The real-world impact on activities like 4K streaming and large file downloads.
Our Speed Testing Methodology
To ensure our results are accurate and relevant, we conducted all speed tests under identical conditions. We used a 1 Gbps fiber connection as our baseline, connecting from a fixed location in North America. Each VPN was tested using its recommended protocol—WireGuard for both Surfshark and PIA—across three different server regions: local (within the same country), mid-range (a continent away), and long-distance (across the globe). We performed multiple tests at different times of day over a one-week period and calculated the average download speed, upload speed, and ping for each scenario. This approach gives us a clear picture of consistent performance, not just peak speeds.
Surfshark Speed Test Results
Surfshark impressed us with its consistently strong performance, especially on nearby servers. When connected to a local server, we experienced an average download speed loss of only 12%. This means if your base speed is 100 Mbps, you can expect around 88 Mbps with Surfshark—more than enough for 4K streaming and responsive online gaming. The ping increase was minimal, adding just 4-6ms, which is virtually unnoticeable in fast-paced games.
On long-distance connections, the speed drop was more pronounced, as expected, averaging a 45% reduction. However, Surfshark's global network of 3,200+ servers means you can usually find a well-optimized server that minimizes this impact. For everyday browsing and HD video calls, the performance remained smooth and reliable across all tested locations.
Gaming Performance with Surfshark
We tested Surfshark with several popular titles, including Valorant, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Apex Legends. The connection remained stable with no sudden latency spikes or packet loss during extended sessions. The low ping on local servers makes it an excellent choice for competitive gaming where every millisecond counts. Surfshark's Nexus technology, which routes your traffic through multiple servers for better stability, likely contributes to this reliable performance.
Private Internet Access Speed Test Results
Private Internet Access delivered solid results, particularly for a service known for its strong privacy focus. On local servers, PIA showed an average download speed loss of 18%. While this is slightly higher than Surfshark's results, it still provides more than adequate bandwidth for most online activities. The ping increase was similarly low, averaging 5-8ms on nearby connections.
Where PIA really stood out was in its consistency across different server locations. The speed reduction on long-distance servers averaged 48%, showing that PIA's network of 10,000+ servers is well-distributed to handle global traffic. The NextGen network infrastructure appears to provide stable routing, even when connecting to servers halfway around the world.
Gaming Performance with PIA
During our gaming tests, Private Internet Access provided a reliable connection with minimal jitter. We experienced no disconnections during two-hour gaming marathons, and the ping remained consistent. While the latency was slightly higher than Surfshark on average, the difference wasn't significant enough to affect casual gaming sessions. For hardcore competitive gamers, the extra few milliseconds might be noticeable, but for most users, PIA delivers perfectly playable performance.
Head-to-Head Speed Comparison
Let's look at the numbers side-by-side. All figures represent the average performance across multiple tests.
| Metric | Surfshark | Private Internet Access |
|---|---|---|
| Local Download Speed Loss | 12% | 18% |
| Long-Distance Download Speed Loss | 45% | 48% |
| Local Ping Increase | 4-6ms | 5-8ms |
| Connection Stability | Excellent | Very Good |
| Server Switching Speed | Fast | Average |
Both services performed well in our speed tests, but Surfshark maintains a slight edge in raw download speed and connection responsiveness. PIA's massive server network provides excellent reliability, though the absolute speed numbers trail Surfshark by a small margin.
Real-World Impact: Streaming and Downloads
Beyond the numbers, how do these speed differences actually affect your daily internet use? For streaming, both VPNs handled 4K content without buffering on local servers. When connecting to international streaming libraries, Surfshark's slightly faster speeds meant quicker load times and less quality adjustment during playback.
For large file downloads, the difference becomes more noticeable. A 10GB file that would take 15 minutes to download without a VPN took approximately 17 minutes with Surfshark and 19 minutes with PIA. While neither will dramatically slow down your connection, Surfshark's performance advantage is measurable in time-sensitive tasks.
Which VPN Is Right for Your Needs?
Your choice between these two excellent services depends on your priorities. If you're primarily gaming or streaming and want the absolute best performance, Surfshark's faster speeds and lower ping make it the winner for competitive scenarios. The Nexus technology provides an extra layer of stability that serious gamers will appreciate.
If you value privacy above all else and still want solid performance, Private Internet Access delivers reliable speeds backed by one of the most trusted no-logs policies in the industry. The consistent performance across its massive server network makes it a great all-around choice for users who want both security and speed.
Optimizing Your VPN for Maximum Speed
Regardless of which service you choose, you can improve your VPN performance with a few simple tweaks. Always use the WireGuard protocol if available—it's consistently faster than OpenVPN or IKEv2. Connect to the server geographically closest to you, and use your VPN's quick-connect feature to automatically select the optimal server. Close bandwidth-heavy applications running in the background, and consider using a wired Ethernet connection instead of WiFi for gaming sessions.
For more tips on getting the most from your VPN, explore our privacy guides or check our gaming VPN recommendations for specialized setups.
Our speed tests clearly show that both Surfshark and PIA deliver strong performance for gaming and everyday use. Surfshark takes a narrow victory in raw speed and gaming responsiveness, while PIA offers excellent reliability across its extensive server network. The good news is that you can't go wrong with either choice—both will provide the security you need without sacrificing too much performance. Ready to experience faster, more secure browsing? Take advantage of current Surfshark deals to start protecting your connection today.
Join the discussion
Have a question or a fix to add? Share it below.