ExpressVPN vs PIA

When it comes to choosing a VPN provider, the options can be overwhelming. Two popular names in the market are ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access (PIA). Given that both of these VPNs are known for their strong security measures and privacy policies, it is crucial to understand certain key factors that will be detailed in this review.

We tested and considered the most important factors for a VPN service, such as security features, speed, reliability, ease of use, and cost. We took our time to help you make a well-informed decision in just a few minutes.

Below you will find a table that outlines the major distinctions between ExpressVPN and PIA, allowing you to easily identify the best option for you.

Overview: ExpressVPN vs Private Internet Access

ExpressVPN vs PIA: encryption & security

ExpressVPN provides users with a range of robust and dependable security features, offering ample options to ensure users' online privacy and security. Meanwhile, PIA is striving to remain competitive by integrating anti-malware and ad-blocking features into its service. As a standard, the two providers offer military-grade encryption and robust security, but ExpressVPN overtakes PIA because of the Lightway protocol and more reliable additional security features, such as their tracker blocking Threat Manager.

Winner

ExpressVPN

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With that being said, here’s a table that summarizes the encryption and security features of ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access:

Encryption and protocols

ExpressVPN has excellent military-grade encryption and unique Lightway protocol to protect users’ online activities, while PIA is not giving up with the WireGuard protocol for better speed. These providers offer the strongest encryption available, offering you versatile options to customize their security settings, so your traffic will remain private with either option.

Both VPNs give you plenty of options for choosing how you want your data encrypted and utilize AES-256-CBC encryption. In addition to this, PIA offers an option for AES-256-GCM encryption. Moreover, the two VPNs employ Perfect Forward Secrecy (a 4096-bit RSA key, and SHA-512 HMAC authentication). The main difference is VPN default settings – ExpressVPN uses AES-256 encryption, and PIA offers AES-128 (CBC) as the default which is not an ideal option.

When we compared the protocols on the Windows desktop app and iOs mobile app, we couldn’t find any major differences as either VPN offers the OpenVPN, IKEv2, and L2TP/IPsec protocols, giving users the choice to select between UDP and TCP connections.

PIA supports fast and reliable WireGuard which ExpressVPN doesn’t support. Instead, ExpressVPN has its own Lightway protocol that is available only for its users. After comparing the two, we found that PIA’s WireGuard performance is slightly behind ExpressVPN’s Lightway which is more reliable in terms of speed and security.

Kill switch

ExpressVPN and PIA is one of the best VPNs in the market and kill switch is a must. A kill switch feature is present on these services and automatically shuts down the internet connection if the VPN connection is interrupted.

The feature works well in mentioned VPN providers' apps on Windows, Mac, and Linux, but ExpressVPN doesn’t include it only in the iOs apps. Meanwhile, PIA is offering this feature on all of its software versions.

Split tunneling

Split tunneling is another essential feature that is offered by ExpressVPN and PIA and works almost equally well. Although, the main advantage that ExpressVPN has is stronger split tunneling technology called TrustedServer.

TrustedServer is a unique technology that guarantees that no information is saved or recorded on the hard drive of a VPN server. This means that ExpressVPN can’t store data as it is constantly wiped out. For comparison, PIA has no such feature and uses standard hard drives that retain data until it is cleared. That’s why it is a distinct benefit of ExpressVPN.

Additional security features

For additional security, ExpressVPN provides its users with Threat Manager, the tracker blocking feature. Concurrently, PIA is offering a great number of additional security options, including ad, malware, and tracking blocking features called Mace. PIA has more options, such as dedicated IP and a private browser which could be useful for anyone concerned about their safety.

As the features of the two providers work rather well blocking the threatening malware and trackers, we found out that, due to the inability to customize filtering options, PIA’s ad-blocker is not always as effective as a similar feature offered by ExpressVPN.

ExpressVPN vs PIA: privacy

The decision of which provider is a better choice regarding privacy was hard as both of them don’t store logs and offer excellent privacy features, but ExpressVPN was better as it is independently audited and isn’t based in a country that is member of the 5 Eyes alliance.

Privacy

ExpressVPN is located in the British Virgin Islands, which is not a member of the 5 Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance. The company has a strict no-logs policy and all its servers are RAM-only, meaning that no data is ever written to the hard drive. PIA, on the other hand, is located in the United States and is a member of the 5 Eyes alliance. So ExpressVPN is located in a more privacy-friendly jurisdiction which is a better sign compared to PIA.

Logging

When it comes to logging policies, it's important to consider the location of the VPN, membership in the 5 Eyes alliance, independent audits, and the use of RAM-only servers to make an informed decision. Either VPN have robust no-logs policies and use RAM-only servers to enhance user privacy.

ExpressVPN has undergone independent audits to verify its no-logs claims and has consistently been found to comply with its stated policy. PIA, on the other hand, is located in the United States and is a member of the 5 Eyes alliance.

PIA has a strong no-logs policy and does not keep any records of its users' online activities. PIA's servers are also RAM-only, ensuring that no data is written to the hard drive. The only disadvantage is that even if the company doesn’t store any personal information, that hasn’t been verified by the independent audit.

Plans & pricing

When comparing the pricing of ExpressVPN and PIA, we found out that even though they offer similar pricing options, PIA has better pricing plans for any of its subscriptions.

Winner

Private Internet Access

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Here’s a table to help you understand the plans and pricing of ExpressVPN and PIA VPN:

ExpressVPN and PIA are similar in many ways, with both offering monthly and annual subscription plans. ExpressVPN has a monthly subscription plan priced at $12.95 per month, the annual plan costs $6.67 per month. PIA, on the other hand, offers a monthly subscription plan priced at $9.95 per month and an annual plan priced at $3.33 per month.

ExpressVPN offers great deals for longer subscriptions (source: expressvpn.com)

Either VPN offers the option to try their VPN for free, making it easier for users to determine which provider is the right choice for them. They offer a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 7-day free trial, giving users the chance to try the VPN and receive a full refund if they're not satisfied. Despite differences regarding the free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee, the comparison shows that ExpressVPN is a more expensive option while PIA is a more affordable one.

PIA offers affordable subscription plans (source: privateinternetaccess.com)

Speed performance: ExpressVPN vs PIA

ExpressVPN was consistently faster in our tests, with download and upload speeds that were close to our normal connection speeds without a VPN compared to PIA. This makes ExpressVPN a better choice in terms of speed.

We tested in the US, UK, and Europe to see the actual speed of each VPN – you can find the results of the download speed in the table:

As the VPN speeds may vary depending on elements like chosen VPN protocol, server location, and distance between the connected server and your location, we tested both services on the Windows desktop app and iOs mobile app choosing different countries at different times to be sure of how speed varies according to circumstances.

During the tests, we found out that ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol is more reliable while connected to international and further servers. PIA uses WireGuard which is known as the fastest one and it showed better speeds while connected to more nearby servers. Unlike ExpressVPN, in PIA’s case we did notice a slight drop in speed compared to our normal connection speeds without a VPN, but it doesn’t affect the overall user experience.

The results show that ExpressVPN is excellent for activities that require fast downloading speeds, such as torrenting or gaming. Although, as all of the servers of the two providers support P2P, you won’t have a problem with using either VPN.

PIA vs ExpressVPN: Streaming

ExpressVPN has more server locations and is an ideal option for streaming, even though PIA has more servers available. The two VPNs can unblock popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, but having more locations ExpressVPN could unlock more Netflix libraries while in some cases it was a hard task for PIA.

ExpressVPN was able to unblock geo-restricted content on Netflix in multiple regions, including the US, UK, and Canada, with fast and reliable speeds. With a great number of servers in each of its locations there wasn’t any trouble finding the server that isn’t blocked by the streaming platforms. In addition, the provider also offers dedicated servers for popular streaming platforms, which can help improve the overall streaming experience.

PIA, on the other hand, also offers good streaming performance, but it wasn’t able to unlock as many geo-restricted libraries. However, PIA offers a large network of servers, making it easier to find a server that's not congested and can provide better streaming speeds.

For users’ convenience, streaming with the two VPN providers is easy as you can install their apps directly on your Android TV and Fire TV Stick. In addition, both VPNs offer an option to install it on your router if you have the type of device.

Servers and locations

ExpressVPN has more server locations but PIA offers over 10,000 servers. The two providers

offer a great number of servers in popular and obscure locations, however, considering the number of servers, PIA has more to offer.

Here is a table with the most important differences:

ExpressVPN has a large network of over 3,000 servers in 94 countries, providing users with plenty of options to choose from. The company is also constantly expanding its server network, making it easy to find a server that's close to your location and can offer fast and reliable speeds.

PIA has a network of over 10,000 servers in 84 countries. With so many servers to choose from, PIA makes it easy for users to find a server that's close to their location and can offer fast and reliable speeds for any online activity.

So ExpressVPN is a great choice for those looking for a smaller, more streamlined server network, while PIA is a good decision for those who want a wider range of options to choose from.

Platforms, interface, and ease of use

When it comes to platform compatibility and ease of use, both ExpressVPN and PIA provide a user-friendly experience. However, ExpressVPN has a simpler interface which is the main advantage.

The two providers have native apps for a wide range of platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and more. The apps are designed to be user-friendly and easy to navigate, with a straightforward interface that makes it easy to connect to a server and manage your VPN connection.

Desktop apps

Both ExpressVPN and PIA offer sleek and user-friendly desktop apps for Windows, Mac, and Linux users. ExpressVPN has a straightforward and easy-to-navigate interface with a map-based selection of servers. When you launch the app, you can quickly connect to the nearest and fastest server by clicking the large Connect button in the center.

PIA boasts one of the most simple and user-friendly desktop applications as it is known for its minimalist design. Upon launching the app, the first noticeable feature is the prominent power button located at the top, which allows for a swift connection to the closest server with just one click.

Despite the similarities in the interface and the effort to make the app as easy as possible, the ExpressVPN app is better suited for users that are not yet familiar with VPN and want the easiest option.

Mobile apps

ExpressVPN and PIA provide their users with mobile applications for iOS and Android devices. The interfaces of the mobile apps are clean and straightforward, making it easy for users to navigate and find the features they need. ExpressVPN's mobile app has a simple design with a map display of server locations, while PIA's app has a more traditional interface with a list of server locations.

ExpressVPN and PIA have easy-to-use mobile apps.

In VPNs mobile apps you will find a range of customization options and security features, including the ability to choose specific server locations, a kill switch, and protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2, and L2TP/IPsec. Both apps are user-friendly and allow for easy setup and connection to the VPN service.

In terms of interface and ease of use, both ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access offer comparable mobile applications – the main difference is that ExpressVPN doesn’t support a kill switch for iOs which is an important miss-out.

Customer support

ExpressVPN and PIA offer good options for their users, as they have 24/7 live chat, a comprehensive online knowledge base, and email assistance for complex inquiries. However, ExpressVPN has more sufficient service as their customer support is faster in most cases.

ExpressVPN offers 24/7 live chat support and a comprehensive knowledge base with articles and tutorials. They also have an email support system for less urgent inquiries. The live chat support is highly responsive and knowledgeable, providing quick and effective solutions to any problems that arise.

PIA offers 24/7 live chat support and a large collection of articles and tutorials in their knowledge base. They also have an email support system and a ticketing system for more complex issues. The live chat support is known for being friendly and helpful, but response times may vary depending on the volume of inquiries at a given time.

ExpressVPN vs PIA: which is better?

Overall, ExpressVPN is a better VPN service than PIA. Both providers are popular VPN services offering various features, but in several tests, ExpressVPN appears to have a distinct advantage. ExpressVPN's advanced encryption protocols and high-speed servers helped to secure its position as a top VPN provider in numerous privacy and security tests.

Additionally, ExpressVPN outperformed PIA in tests for streaming, torrenting, and other features that are critical for a VPN service. Although PIA offers competitive pricing and a good server network, ExpressVPN's superior performance in multiple areas makes it the overall better choice for most users. Therefore, if you're looking for a reliable and trustworthy VPN service, ExpressVPN is definitely worth considering.

Winner

ExpressVPN

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