PIA v3.8.0 Claims 3x Faster VPN on Windows: WireGuard Now Default

What changed in PIA v3.8.0?

The headline change is simple: WireGuard is no longer an option you have to dig for. It is now the default protocol across every platform PIA supports, replacing OpenVPN as the out-of-the-box choice.

For Windows users, PIA has moved its client to the WireGuard-NT 1.1 kernel driver. In the patch notes, the company says this driver can boost WireGuard speeds by more than 3x on higher-bandwidth systems. That is a vendor claim rather than an independent benchmark, and the real-world gain will depend on your CPU, network adapter and the server you connect to.

The reasoning behind the switch is not complicated. WireGuard is a more modern protocol than OpenVPN and is far less CPU-intensive, which matters most on laptops and low-power machines where encryption overhead can eat into throughput. For most people, a faster connection is the whole point of choosing one VPN over another, especially for streaming or moving large files.

OpenVPN has not been removed. It stays available as an optional protocol, and on Windows it now gets the OpenVPN DCO kernel driver, which PIA says can boost connection bandwidth by up to 100 per cent depending on system and connection specs. That is good news for businesses and large networks that still rely on OpenVPN's mature infrastructure.

Linux and macOS users get obfuscation with AmneziaWG

The update is not just a Windows story. PIA has added the AmneziaWG protocol to Linux and macOS, which makes it possible to hide the fact that you are using a VPN at all.

Most consumer VPNs disguise your web traffic, but obfuscation goes a step further by disguising the VPN connection itself. That is useful in regions or networks that actively block VPN use, whether that is a restrictive country, a corporate network or a campus firewall.

With AmneziaWG, Linux and macOS users can keep WireGuard's speed and light resource usage while making the connection harder to detect. PIA says you activate it from the Protocol page: select WireGuard, then switch on Obfuscation.

The update also fixes a macOS bug that left the app hanging when split tunnelling system extension setup was left incomplete in system settings. It is a small fix, but split tunnelling is one of the features people actually notice when it breaks.

Is PIA v3.8.0 worth switching for?

If you already use PIA on Windows and left the default protocol untouched, this update is the closest thing to a free speed upgrade you will get from a VPN.

The catch is that the 3x figure is a best-case claim from PIA itself. On a slower connection, an older PC or a distant server, the improvement will be smaller. WireGuard being the default simply means you no longer have to know which protocol to pick to get the faster one.

PIA has not always been the most aggressive on updates, but the last few releases have been steady: new server locations across the Americas, the Middle East, Africa and Australia, an F-Droid app for de-Googled Android users, and now a protocol overhaul. A better update cadence matters for a VPN, because a client that falls behind on protocol support eventually falls behind on speed and reliability too.

The update is rolling out now. If you do not see it yet, check for updates manually in the app, and remember that protocol changes may require a reconnect before they take effect. For those weighing alternatives, our recent coverage of NordVPN's WireGuard config downloads for routers shows how competitors are also pushing WireGuard to more devices.

Availability and pricing

PIA v3.8.0 is a free update for existing subscribers on Windows, macOS, Linux and mobile. New subscribers can sign up directly through PIA's website, with pricing in US dollars for international customers and regional pricing in some markets.

PIA does not publish a single global price, so the cost depends on your region, plan length and any current promotion. If you are in the EU or UK, check the local currency price at checkout rather than converting from dollars, since taxes and regional pricing can change the final number.

PIA v3.8.0 is not a flashy redesign, but it quietly fixes the thing most VPN users care about: speed without fiddling with settings. The 3x claim deserves skepticism until independent tests land, but WireGuard as the default and AmneziaWG on Linux and macOS are real, useful changes. If you use PIA on Windows, update and reconnect.