Deciding between ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access (PIA) is a choice between premium simplicity and budget-friendly control. Interestingly, both are now owned by the same parent company, Kape Technologies, yet they serve completely different purposes.
ExpressVPN markets itself as a “plug-and-play” premium solution designed for speed and simplicity.
In contrast, PIA appeals to tech enthusiasts who demand total control, advanced settings, and a much lower price point.
If you are trying to decide which service deserves your money, this guide compares them directly across every category that matters.
ExpressVPN vs PIA - The quick verdict:
| Criteria | Winner |
|---|---|
| Speed & Performance | ExpressVPN |
| Streaming | ExpressVPN |
| Gaming | PIA (Private Internet Access) |
| Torrenting | PIA (Private Internet Access) |
| Server Network | Tie |
| Privacy & Jurisdiction | ExpressVPN |
| Apps & User Experience | ExpressVPN |
| Customer Support | Tie |
| Price & Value | PIA (Private Internet Access) |
| OVERALL WINNER | ExpressVPN |
Note: All data and information are updated as of January 14, 2026. Please be aware that speed and ping figures may vary depending on your network, device, geographical location, and testing environment.
1. ExpressVPN vs PIA: At a glance
Before we analyze the details, here is a quick summary of how these two heavyweights stack up against each other.
| Criteria | ExpressVPN | PIA (Private Internet Access) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.3/10 | 9.0/10 |
| Starting Price | $2.79/mo | $1.98/mo |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 Days | 30 Days |
| Jurisdiction | British Virgin Islands (Safe) | USA (5 Eyes Member) |
| No-logs policy | Audited & Court Proven | Audited & Court Proven |
| Kill Switch | Yes | Yes |
| IP/DNS Leak Protection | Yes | Yes |
| VPN Protocols | Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| Gaming Performance | Good | Good |
| Streaming Services | Netflix (18-20+ Libs), Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer | Netflix (6-10+ Libs), Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer |
| Torrenting/P2P | Supported on all servers | Supported + Port Forwarding |
| Servers | 3,000+ | 30,000+ |
| Countries | 105 | 91 |
| Connections | 10-14 | Unlimited |
| Platforms | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Router | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Router |
| Support | 24/7 Live Chat | 24/7 Live Chat |
While PIA puts up a strong fight with its pricing and features, ExpressVPN wins for the majority of users due to its unmatched speed, privacy jurisdiction, and streaming capabilities.
Choose ExpressVPN if:
- You want the fastest possible speeds.
- You need reliable access to Netflix or Hulu.
- You want maximum privacy protection under British Virgin Islands jurisdiction.
Choose PIA if:
- You are on a tight budget.
- You need Port Forwarding for torrenting.
- You want to protect unlimited devices in a large household.
2. ExpressVPN vs PIA: Speed & performance
Winner: ExpressVPN – The proprietary Lightway protocol delivers faster and more consistent speeds than PIA.
We conducted real-world speed tests on January 14, 2026, from Vietnam using a fiber connection (Baseline: 885.10 Mbps) on a Windows 11 PC. We used the WireGuard protocol (Lightway for ExpressVPN) to see how they handle long-distance data transfer.
| Region | ExpressVPN (Mbps) | PIA (Mbps) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore | 472.41 | 19.45 | ExpressVPN wins |
| Japan | 24.99 | 397.44 | PIA wins |
| United Kingdom | 409.00 | 111.41 | ExpressVPN wins |
| United States | 417.96 | 227.29 | ExpressVPN wins |
The data reveals a stark difference in reliability. ExpressVPN dominated the major Western routes, beating PIA by 84% in the US and a staggering 267% in the UK. This consistency makes it the more reliable choice for accessing content in Western regions from Asia without buffering.
However, the tables turned in Japan. PIA ran nearly 15x faster (1,490%) here, leaving ExpressVPN struggling to keep up. In contrast, PIA barely crawled in Singapore, where ExpressVPN proved to be over 23x faster (2328%). While PIA can be incredibly fast in specific spots, ExpressVPN offers a more predictable high-speed experience across the board.
ExpressVPN
PIA
3. ExpressVPN vs PIA: Pricing & value
Winner: PIA (Private Internet Access) – It offers significantly lower prices and allows unlimited device connections.
There is a massive price gap here. ExpressVPN positions itself as a premium service, while PIA targets the budget-conscious user. PIA further distinguishes itself by offering unlimited simultaneous connections on a single account.
| Feature | ExpressVPN | PIA (Private Internet Access) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price (1 Month) | $12.95 | $11.95 |
| Best Value Price (Per Month) | $2.79 (2-year plan) | $1.98 (3-year plan) |
| Simultaneous Connections | 10-14 | Unlimited |
| Free Version/Trial | No (30-day guarantee) | No (30-day guarantee) |
If your primary concern is your wallet, PIA is the obvious choice. Getting a reputable VPN for around $2.00 a month is rare. PIA’s “unlimited connections” claim holds true in practice, with users able to connect desktops, laptops, and multiple phones simultaneously without triggering any account warnings.
ExpressVPN limits you to 10-14 devices (based on plans). This is plenty for a single user and should be sufficient for most families.
Both providers rely on a 30-day money-back guarantee rather than a free trial, allowing you to test them risk-free.
Note: Prices are listed as of January 14, 2026, and are subject to change based on seasonal promotions and specific deal dates.
4. ExpressVPN vs PIA: Privacy & security
Winner: ExpressVPN – Its location in the British Virgin Islands provides a safer legal environment than PIA’s US base.
This is the most critical category for privacy purists. While both VPNs use strong AES-256 encryption and have had their no-logs policies proven in court/audits, jurisdiction plays a major role.
| Feature | ExpressVPN | PIA (Private Internet Access) |
|---|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | British Virgin Islands | USA (5 Eyes) |
| Logging Policy | Strict No-Logs (23 third-party audits) | Strict No-Logs (2 third-party audits) |
| RAM-only Servers | Yes (TrustedServer) | Yes (NextGen Network) |
| Encryption | AES-256 | AES-256 / 128-GCM |
ExpressVPN operates out of the British Virgin Islands, a territory with no data retention laws. This provides greater confidence than PIA, which is based in the United States. The US is a founding member of the 5 Eyes Alliance, meaning the government can legally demand data from tech companies.
However, it is worth noting that PIA has proven its no-logs claims in court multiple times. Even when subpoenaed, they had no data to hand over. Both providers now run on RAM-only servers. This means all data is wiped every time the server reboots, ensuring that no information is ever physically stored on a hard drive.
5. ExpressVPN vs PIA: Streaming
Winner: ExpressVPN – It provides a faster, smoother streaming experience with zero buffering.
| Service | PIA | ExpressVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix |
Yes (6-10+ Libraries) |
Yes (8-20+ Libraries) |
| Hulu | Yes | Yes |
| Disney+ | Yes | Yes |
| BBC iPlayer | Yes | Yes |
| Amazon Prime | Yes | Yes |
For movie buffs, reliability is everything. You do not want to see the error stating that the content is not available in your region when trying to watch your favorite show.
Both providers delivered a flawless performance in our latest tests, successfully bypassing geo-blocks for Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ without any issues. Notably, PIA has improved significantly and successfully accessed BBC iPlayer, a platform that has historically blocked many US-based VPNs. ExpressVPN also cleared this check easily.
Despite the technical tie in access, ExpressVPN takes the win for overall coverage and experience. Tests consistently show ExpressVPN unlocking 18-20+ Netflix libraries, whereas PIA typically accesses 6-10+ (though these numbers fluctuate depending on the specific time of testing).
Additionally, its superior long-distance speeds ensure smoother 4K playback without buffering compared to PIA.
6. ExpressVPN vs PIA: Gaming
Winner: PIA (Private Internet Access) – Achieves lower ping compared to ExpressVPN.
Gamers prioritize Ping above all else. A lower ping means less lag and a smoother competitive experience. We tested the latency from Vietnam to see which VPN offers the quickest response times.
| Region | ExpressVPN (Ping) | PIA (Ping) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore | 45 ms | 32 ms | PIA wins |
| Japan | 95 ms | 94 ms | Tie |
| United Kingdom | 236 ms | 175 ms | PIA wins |
| United States | 196 ms | 219 ms | ExpressVPN wins |
PIA takes the lead here. It achieved the best overall result in our tests with just 32 ms to Singapore, providing a noticeably smoother experience than ExpressVPN (45 ms). This is the most critical metric as gamers typically connect to the closest possible server for optimal performance.
While ExpressVPN wins in the US, the ping (196 ms) is already too high for competitive gaming, regardless of the provider. PIA’s ability to maintain lower latency in playable regions (Asia) and Europe makes it better than ExpressVPN in this case.
7. ExpressVPN vs PIA: Torrenting
Winner: PIA (Private Internet Access) – The inclusion of Port Forwarding makes it the superior choice for serious file sharers.
This is the one category where PIA absolutely dominates. While ExpressVPN allows P2P traffic, it lacks the advanced tools that seeders and heavy torrent users need.
| Feature | ExpressVPN | PIA (Private Internet Access) |
|---|---|---|
| P2P Optimized Servers | All Servers | All Servers |
| Port Forwarding | Router App Only | Yes (Most Regions) |
| SOCKS5 Proxy | No | Yes (Included) |
| Kill Switch Performance | Instant (Network Lock) | Instant (Advanced) |
If you torrent frequently, get PIA. The Port Forwarding feature allows you to bypass NAT firewalls, letting you connect to more peers. This results in significantly faster download speeds and is essential for maintaining a good seeding ratio on private trackers.
ExpressVPN explicitly does not support Port Forwarding due to privacy concerns, which puts it at a disadvantage for this specific use case. PIA also includes a SOCKS5 proxy, which adds another layer of flexibility for torrent clients.
8. ExpressVPN vs PIA: Server network
Winner: Tie – PIA wins on quantity (30,000+), while ExpressVPN wins on diversity (105 countries).
| Feature | ExpressVPN | PIA (Private Internet Access) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Servers | 3,000+ | 30,000+ |
| Countries | 105 | 91 |
| 10Gbps Infra | Yes | Yes |
This category ends in a draw because it depends entirely on your needs.
PIA is the winner for capacity. Although PIA does not publicly disclose the number of its servers, several reports suggest that the number is over 30,000. It offers massive infrastructure that theoretically helps with load balancing in popular regions like North America and Europe. If you simply want a server nearby that isn’t overcrowded, PIA has the numbers.
ExpressVPN is the winner for reach. It covers 105 countries compared to PIA’s 91. This difference is crucial if you need an IP address from a specific, less common location in Asia, Africa, or South America. ExpressVPN offers a truly global footprint, while PIA is more concentrated in major hubs.
9. ExpressVPN vs PIA: Apps & user experience
Winner: ExpressVPN – Offers a superior, user-friendly interface design.
| Feature | ExpressVPN | PIA (Private Internet Access) |
|---|---|---|
| UI Design |
Minimalist/Clean |
Customizable Dashboard |
| Browser Ext | Good | Good |
| App Stability | Good | Good |
ExpressVPN offers a consistent “one-click” experience. The interface remains uniform across all platforms (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android), featuring a clean design with a large connect button. It is ideal for users who want to connect instantly and get back to their work without navigating complex menus.
PIA, on the other hand, takes a different approach with a modular “Dashboard” design. It empowers users to view detailed real-time statistics, rearrange widgets, and customize the layout extensively.
While this level of control is excellent for power users, ExpressVPN’s streamlined approach is generally more accessible for the average person who just wants to connect quickly.
10. ExpressVPN vs PIA: Customer support
Winner: Tie.
Both services are industry leaders, and their support reflects that.
| Feature | ExpressVPN | PIA (Private Internet Access) |
|---|---|---|
| 24/7 Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Knowledge Base Quality | High (Detailed guides) | High (Detailed guides) |
| Refunds |
Reliable |
Reliable |
Performance tests of the 24/7 live chat show high efficiency for both.
It is worth noting that because ExpressVPN and PIA share the same parent company, Kape Technologies, their live chat systems and interfaces are identical.
Users typically begin by interacting with a chatbot designed to resolve common queries instantly. However, if the bot’s response doesn’t address the issue, there is a clear option to transfer the chat to a live agent.
11. Advanced Features & Obfuscation
Beyond the standard features, there are a few niche areas where these VPNs differ significantly.
11.1. Works in China (Obfuscation)
ExpressVPN is superior here. It uses automatic obfuscation technology that kicks in whenever it detects deep packet inspection. This makes it one of the few VPNs that consistently bypasses the Great Firewall of China without user intervention.
PIA requires manual configuration with proxies like Shadowsocks to work in restricted regions, and even then, it is less reliable.
11.2. Ad Blocking
PIA wins this category with its “MACE” feature. MACE blocks ads, trackers, and malware at the DNS level. In practice, it makes browsing significantly cleaner and faster by stopping ads from loading.
ExpressVPN has a “Threat Manager,” but it focuses more on blocking malicious trackers rather than visual ads.
11.3. Split Tunneling
Both providers offer split tunneling, which lets you choose which apps use the VPN.
However, PIA’s implementation is more granular. It allows you to bypass the VPN based on IP addresses, not just applications, giving advanced users more flexibility in how they route their traffic.
12. FAQs about ExpressVPN vs PIA
They are both owned by Kape Technologies. Do they share servers?
No. They run independently. ExpressVPN focuses on a premium “plug-and-play” experience (Lightway protocol), while PIA focuses on deep customization for tech users.
PIA is US-based (5 Eyes). Is my data safe?
Yes. Despite the location, PIA has a court-proven no-logs policy (they have nothing to hand over). However, ExpressVPN (British Virgin Islands) is legally safer for extreme privacy needs.
Is PIA still trustworthy?
Yes. Despite being based in the US and owned by Kape Technologies, PIA has proven its no-logs policy in court multiple times. They have never handed over user data because they do not store it.
Which VPN is better than ExpressVPN?
Few VPNs are strictly “better” in terms of performance, but NordVPN is a close competitor that offers similar speeds at a lower price. Surfshark is another option if you need unlimited devices like PIA but want better streaming support.
Does ExpressVPN or PIA offer a better price?
PIA is much cheaper. Its long-term plans often cost around $2.00 per month, whereas ExpressVPN’s best plan is roughly $3.00 per month.
13. Conclusion
Ultimately, ExpressVPN is the overall winner.
The choice between ExpressVPN vs PIA comes down to what you value most. You are choosing between premium performance or budget-friendly control.
ExpressVPN is the premium choice that is polished and reliable out of the box. PIA is the flexible alternative that is affordable and rewards users who like to tinker with settings.
Final recommendation:
- Buy ExpressVPN if you want peace of mind, the fastest speeds for gaming, and effortless streaming of global content.
- Buy PIA if you need a reliable VPN for torrenting, want to save money, or need to cover a household full of devices.
For more detailed reviews and to find the best tool for your needs, check out our full VPN Comparison on Safelyo.
