Which VPN is best for you: comparing Private Internet Access vs ExpressVPN?
Let's compare Private Internet Access vs ExpressVPN.
Compare the pros and cons of Private Internet Access vs ExpressVPN and decide for yourself which is best for your needs.
We first summarize our results and then list how each VPN service beats out the other as well as how both VPN services are about equal. We also provide a table comparing the features of Private Internet Access vs ExpressVPN side-by-side.
'Private Internet Access vs ExpressVPN' Contents (select to expand)
Bottom Line: Private Internet Access vs ExpressVPN
If money is no object, go with ExpressVPN.
ExpressVPN has VPN servers in more countries than PIA and is rated faster than PIA in speed tests conducted by reliable sources such BestVPN and comparitech.
It's also good that ExpressVPN is based outside the clutches of the US and EU with its headquarters in a small Caribbean country with more privacy-friendly laws. PIA, on the other hand, is based in the USA.
ExpressVPN also enjoys more success getting around geo-blocking for things like accessing Netflix and even overcoming the Great Firewall of China.
However, if you are on a tighter budget, Private Internet Access' low price is hard to resist.
If money is no object, go with ExpressVPN ... However, if you are on a tighter budget, Private Internet Access' low price is hard to resist.
 | ||
Lowest monthly cost | $2.19 for our readers | $6.67 for our readers |
Torrenting allowed [?] | Yes | Yes |
Data logging | No | No |
Trial/Money-back period | 30 days | 30 days |
Anonymous payments | Yes, incl BitCoin & gift cards | Yes |
Devices per account | 10 | 5 |
Servers | 17,000 | 3,000 |
Server countries | 77 | 94 |
Encryption level | 256-bit | 256-bit |
Kill switch [?] | Yes | Yes New! |
DNS leak protection [?] | Yes | Yes |
Other info | Best Android VPN app PIA sponsors EFF | Fast speeds |
HQ | USA | British Virgin Islands |
Website |
As you can see, ExpressVPN has a lot going for it. In fact, ExpressVPN is an ideal VPN service except for that darn price.
If you do not need a high number of country servers for things like accessing Netflix away from home, Private Internet Access is perfectly fine, including for torrenting. In fact, Private Internet Access has been a go-to VPN for torrenters for over a decade thanks to its fearless no logging policies and privacy protections for its customers.
With that summary in mind, let's dig a little deeper into Private Internet Access vs ExpressVPN.
How Private Internet Access is Better than ExpressVPN
Convinced? Visit Private Internet Access' website and sign up.
The advantages of Private Internet Access vs ExpressVPN include:
- PIA has a much higher server count (17,000 servers) than ExpressVPN (3,000)
- PIA is considerably cheaper ($2.19/mo) at about half the cost of ExpressVPN ($6.67/mo)
- especially as you can use PIA VPN on up to 10 devices simultaneously (versus only 5 devices for ExpressVPN)
- PIA keeps no logs whereas ExpressVPN does engage in some minor logging (connection logs) according to reliable sources such as ThatOnePrivacySite and RestorePrivacy
- PIA's app for Windows has a small "footprint", residing in your System Tray which is the area beside where the time is displayed at the lower-right of your screen (some people might not consider this an advantage but we do)
- PIA has been a leader in the VPN industry a lot longer than relative newcomer ExpressVPN
- PIA enjoys a "Great" rating on TrustPilot compared to ExpressVPN's rating of "Average"
Try it 30 days risk-free.
How ExpressVPN is Better than Private Internet Access VPN
Go to ExpressVPN's website to see all the details.
The advantages of ExpressVPN vs Private Internet Access VPN include:
- ExpressVPN is faster than PIA
- ExpressVPN has a higher number of server countries (important for content streaming and accessing Netflix and online sportscasts), 94 versus PIA's 77
- ExpressVPN has a much longer money-back guarantee period of 30 days versus 30 days for Private Internet Access
- ExpressVPN is based outside the USA (which may be important for some people)
- ExpressVPN has better technical support than PIA for those who need it
Comes with a 30 day full money-back guarantee.
How Private Internet Access and ExpressVPN are About the Same
Comparing Private Internet Access vs ExpressVPN reveals that they have a lot in common:
- both have easy-to-use apps that load fast for a ton of devices and operating systems, including routers and even gaming consoles
- both are very p2p torrent file-sharing friendly
- both have reliable kill switch, DNS leak protection and IPv6 leak protection features
- both utilize high encryption standards
- both have great blogs and support worthy privacy causes
At-a-Glance: Private Internet Access vs ExpressVPN
| | ||
Lowest monthly cost | $2.19 for our readers | $6.67 for our readers |
Torrenting allowed [?] | Yes | Yes |
Data logging | No | No |
Trial/Money-back period | 30 days | 30 days |
Anonymous payments | Yes, incl BitCoin & gift cards | Yes |
Devices per account | 10 | 5 |
Servers | 17,000 | 3,000 |
Server countries | 77 | 94 |
Encryption level | 256-bit | 256-bit |
Kill switch [?] | Yes | Yes New! |
DNS leak protection [?] | Yes | Yes |
Other info | Best Android VPN app PIA sponsors EFF | Fast speeds |
HQ | USA | British Virgin Islands |
Website |