ExpressVPN vs Private Internet Access (PIA): The Ultimate Comparison Guide for

ExpressVPN vs Private Internet Access: Which VPN Deserves Your Money?

Choosing between ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access (PIA) can be challenging with both services being top contenders in the VPN market. This comprehensive comparison breaks down everything you need to know about these leading VPN providers to help you make an informed decision based on the latest data and features.

In this detailed analysis, we’ll examine how ExpressVPN and PIA compare across critical factors including speed performance, security features, pricing structures, server networks, streaming capabilities, and overall user experience. Whether you’re prioritizing blazing speeds, bulletproof privacy, or budget-friendly protection, this guide will reveal which service—ExpressVPN or Private Internet Access—best aligns with your specific requirements.

Pricing Comparison: ExpressVPN vs PIA

When comparing ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access pricing, there’s a substantial difference in cost that could significantly impact your decision. Let’s break down the current subscription plans for both providers:

Value Analysis: Is the Price Difference Justified?

Private Internet Access clearly offers more competitive pricing, with its 2-year plan being 56% less expensive than ExpressVPN’s equivalent offering. While ExpressVPN commands a premium price, it does deliver exceptional speeds, more reliable streaming access, and a more polished user experience.

PIA provides excellent value with additional features like antivirus protection ($1.45/month) and dedicated IP addresses ($2.50/month) that aren’t available with ExpressVPN. Even when adding these extras, PIA remains the more budget-friendly option.

For cost-conscious users seeking solid VPN protection without premium pricing, PIA represents outstanding value. However, if you prioritize consistently faster speeds, superior streaming reliability, and a more refined user interface, ExpressVPN’s premium pricing may be justified for your needs.

Speed & Performance: The Need for Speed

Connection speed is critical for streaming, gaming, and everyday browsing. We conducted extensive testing of both ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access across multiple server locations to compare their performance.

Speed Test Methodology

Our testing involved multiple connection attempts at different times of day from locations in North America, Europe, and Asia. We measured download speeds, upload speeds, and latency when connected to both local and international servers.

Key Speed Findings

Real-World Performance Impact

In practical usage scenarios, ExpressVPN demonstrated superior consistency across all tested connections. While PIA delivers perfectly acceptable speeds for most online activities, it showed more variability between servers and times of day.

Speed Verdict: ExpressVPN delivers more consistent and higher speeds across most testing scenarios, making it the better choice for speed-sensitive activities. PIA offers good performance that will satisfy most users, particularly those connecting to servers in North America and Europe.

Security & Privacy Features

Both ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access employ robust security measures, but there are notable differences in their privacy features and security implementations.

Jurisdiction & Privacy Implications

The location where a VPN company is headquartered can have significant privacy implications:

• ExpressVPN operates under British Virgin Islands jurisdiction, which has no mandatory data retention laws and remains outside the 14 Eyes intelligence alliance. This provides a strong foundation for privacy protection.
• Private Internet Access is based in the United States, which is part of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance. While this is generally less ideal for privacy, PIA has demonstrated its no-logs policy in court multiple times when authorities requested user data.

Independent Audits & Verification

Third-party verification adds credibility to VPN security claims:

• ExpressVPN has undergone multiple security audits by PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) verifying their no-logs policy. Their TrustedServer technology has also been independently audited.
• Private Internet Access has had its no-logs policy proven in multiple court cases where they were unable to provide user data when requested by authorities. Their applications are open-source, allowing for community inspection.

Security Verdict: Both providers offer excellent security features with AES-256 encryption and verified no-logs policies. ExpressVPN has an edge with its more privacy-friendly jurisdiction and thoroughly audited systems. PIA counters with open-source applications and built-in ad/malware blocking. For the most privacy-conscious users, ExpressVPN’s non-US jurisdiction may be preferable, while tech-savvy users might appreciate PIA’s open-source transparency.

Server Networks Comparison

The size, distribution, and quality of a VPN’s server network directly impacts its performance and versatility. Let’s compare ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access server networks:

Geographic Distribution & Coverage

While PIA boasts a substantially larger number of servers, ExpressVPN offers greater geographic diversity with servers in more countries:

• ExpressVPN has excellent global coverage, including substantial presence in Asia, Africa, and South America, which are often underserved regions in VPN networks.
• Private Internet Access has concentrated its massive server count primarily in North America and Europe, with fewer options in other regions.

Server Technology & Ownership

Both providers use RAM-only servers, which enhances security by ensuring no data is permanently stored on servers:

• ExpressVPN’s TrustedServer technology ensures all servers run on RAM only, with the entire software stack reinstalled on every reboot.
• PIA also uses RAM-based servers and owns much of its server infrastructure rather than relying on rentals, giving them greater control over security.

Special Server Types

Server Network Verdict: Private Internet Access wins on sheer server count with an impressive 30,000+ servers, which can help reduce server congestion during peak hours. However, ExpressVPN offers better global distribution with presence in 105 countries (compared to PIA’s 84). For users needing access to a wide variety of global locations, ExpressVPN has the advantage. For those primarily connecting to North American or European servers, PIA’s larger network may provide performance benefits.

Streaming Service Compatibility

For many users, accessing streaming platforms is a primary reason for using a VPN. Let’s compare how ExpressVPN and PIA perform with major streaming services:

Streaming Performance Analysis

ExpressVPN has made streaming access a core part of its service offering, while PIA is more focused on privacy and security:

• ExpressVPN consistently invests in maintaining access to streaming platforms, even as these services implement stronger VPN detection measures. Their MediaStreamer DNS service also provides Smart DNS functionality for devices that don’t support VPN apps.
• Private Internet Access can access major US streaming services like Netflix US and Hulu with varying degrees of reliability, but struggles more with international platforms like BBC iPlayer and international Netflix libraries.

Streaming-Specific Features

Streaming Verdict: ExpressVPN is clearly superior for streaming purposes, with more reliable access to a wider range of streaming platforms and dedicated features like MediaStreamer. If streaming is a primary use case for your VPN, ExpressVPN is the better choice. PIA can still access many US-based services but requires more server switching and troubleshooting.

User Experience & Apps

The quality of apps and overall user experience can significantly impact your satisfaction with a VPN service. Let’s compare ExpressVPN and PIA across their applications and ease of use:

Supported Platforms

Interface & User-Friendliness

Customization & Advanced Features

The level of control and customization varies significantly between the two providers:

• ExpressVPN prioritizes simplicity and reliability with a more streamlined approach. Advanced features are available but not prominently displayed in the interface.
• Private Internet Access offers significantly more customization options, including port forwarding, proxy settings, automation rules, and detailed protocol configurations. These options are accessible directly in the main interface.

User Experience Verdict: ExpressVPN offers a more polished, user-friendly experience ideal for beginners and those who prefer simplicity. PIA provides more customization options that will appeal to technical users who want granular control. ExpressVPN has better platform coverage with MediaStreamer for smart TVs and game consoles, while PIA offers more simultaneous connections (10 vs 8).

Customer Support Comparison

Responsive and knowledgeable customer support can be crucial when encountering connection issues or configuration problems with a VPN. Here’s how ExpressVPN and PIA compare:

Support Quality Analysis

In our testing and based on user reports, we found notable differences in support quality:

• ExpressVPN offers exceptionally responsive support with well-trained agents who can solve most issues quickly. Their knowledge base is among the best in the industry with clear setup guides and troubleshooting articles.
• Private Internet Access provides good support through live chat and email, but response times are typically longer. Their knowledge base is comprehensive but more technically oriented. The community forum is a valuable resource for advanced users.

Customer Support Verdict: ExpressVPN provides superior customer support with faster response times, multilingual support options, and more user-friendly documentation. For users who value readily available assistance and clear guidance, ExpressVPN has a clear advantage. PIA offers solid support with the added benefit of community forums, which can be valuable for technical users.

Pros & Cons Summary

Best Use Cases: Which VPN is Right for You?

Based on our comprehensive comparison, here’s our recommendation for which VPN better suits different user needs:

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict: ExpressVPN vs Private Internet Access

After our comprehensive comparison of ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access, it’s clear that both are excellent VPN services with distinct strengths that will appeal to different types of users.

ExpressVPN stands out as a premium service that excels in speed, streaming capability, and user experience. Its wider geographic distribution, privacy-friendly jurisdiction, and superior customer support justify the higher price for many users. If you want a hassle-free VPN experience with consistent performance across global servers and reliable streaming access, ExpressVPN is worth the investment.

Private Internet Access delivers exceptional value with its budget-friendly pricing while still providing robust security features, an enormous server network, and additional functionality like ad blocking and optional antivirus protection. For cost-conscious users who still want comprehensive protection and don’t mind occasional troubleshooting for streaming services, PIA offers an impressive balance of performance and affordability.

Your choice between these two excellent VPN services ultimately depends on your specific needs, priorities, and budget constraints. Both services offer 30-day money-back guarantees, so you can test either option risk-free to determine which better suits your requirements.