# VPN by Private Internet Access vs LightHouse Notes

The clearest difference is chart position: VPN by Private Internet Access at #110 against LightHouse Notes's unranked. VPN by Private Internet Access also leads on update cadence (every 10 days vs every 3 weeks) and device support (5 vs 3). On price, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. VPN by Private Internet Access sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and LightHouse Notes sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $22.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

VPN by Private Internet Access ships an update every 10 days, LightHouse Notes every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | VPN by Private Internet Access | LightHouse Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (150K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vpn-by-private-internet-access/id955626407/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **150K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 87.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 10 days** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Best chart rank | **#110** | — |
| Size | 62 MB | 20 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TV** | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Private Internet Access, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/445501786) | [Giorgio Bellini](https://appshunter.io/developer/6787420438) |

## What reviewers say

### VPN by Private Internet Access

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vpn-by-private-internet-access/id955626407)

**Currently charting:** #110 Top Free · Productivity, #112 Top Grossing · Productivity (US App Store)

This app offers robust online privacy and security with ultra-fast servers and a strict no-logs policy. It allows for ad and tracker blocking, secure streaming, and customizable VPN usage across multiple devices. Enjoy a risk-free trial and a money-back guarantee.

**Highlights:** Ultra-fast 10-Gbps servers, Independently audited no-logs policy, Built-in MACE ad/tracker blocker, Smart Kill Switch, Split Tunneling, Wireguard protocol for speed and security, Open-source apps

**Features:** Safari Extension

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Month of VPN Service | $6.99 | per month |
| Month of VPN Service | $9.99 | per month |
| 1 month subscription | $11.99 | per month |
| Month of VPN Service | $11.99 | per month |
| Year of VPN Service | $39.99 | per year |
| 12-month plan | $47.99 | per year |
| Year of VPN Service | $49.99 | per year |
| Month of VPN Service | $6.99 | one-time |
| Month of VPN Service | $9.99 | one-time |
| Year of VPN Service | $39.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and reliable
- 🔒 Secure and private
- 👍 Easy to use
- 💰 Great value for money

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent disconnections
- 🔌 Impacts internet connectivity
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 🤖 Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to connect or stay connected
- Inconsistent performance across devices
- Broken features after recent updates

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Improved server selection and location information
- Automatic reconnection when network changes
- Better integration with other apps and services


### LightHouse Notes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lighthouse-notes/id6796986640)

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Beacon | $22.99 | per year |
| Harbor Lifetime | $44.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is VPN by Private Internet Access free?

VPN by Private Internet Access is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is LightHouse Notes free?

LightHouse Notes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do VPN by Private Internet Access or LightHouse Notes have ads?

Neither VPN by Private Internet Access nor LightHouse Notes shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, VPN by Private Internet Access or LightHouse Notes?

VPN by Private Internet Access ships an update every 10 days, and LightHouse Notes every 3 weeks. Most recently, VPN by Private Internet Access was updated on October 17, 2026 and LightHouse Notes on October 8, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*