ExpressVPN vs Private Internet Access
ExpressVPN scores 8.0 out of 10, Private Internet Access scores 7.8. Compared on price, jurisdiction, measured speed loss and logging policy: the same independent tests we run on every provider.
The quick answer
Pick ExpressVPN if unblocking streaming libraries is your main use case. Pick Private Internet Access if price is what matters most to you.
| ExpressVPN | Private Internet Access | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.0 / 10 | 7.8 / 10 |
| Verdict | Worth It | Worth It |
| Price / mo | $2.79 | $2.03 |
| Jurisdiction | British Virgin Islands | United States |
| Speed loss | 11% | 35% |
| Logs policy | No-logs, audited (KPMG) | No-logs, audited & court-tested |
| Best for | streaming,ease of use | budget,torrenting,power users |
| ExpressVPN | Private Internet Access | |
|---|---|---|
| Kill switch | Yes, called Network Lock, on by default on Windows, Mac, and Linux | |
| Split tunneling | Yes, Windows and Android; not available on macOS 11 or iOS | |
| Tor support | Yes, Tor over VPN supported through specific servers | |
| Protocols | Lightway (UDP/TCP), Lightway Turbo, OpenVPN, IKEv2 on Mac | |
| Encryption | AES-256 with a 4096-bit RSA key and SHA-512 HMAC authentication | |
| Ad and malware blocker | Threat Manager blocks tracking and malicious connections, plus a built in ad blocker | |
| Leak protection | Private DNS on every server; no IP, DNS, IPv6, or WebRTC leaks found | |
| Full disk encryption | RAM only TrustedServer infrastructure, rebuilt on a one to two week cycle | |
| Bug bounty program | Yes, public bug bounty via Bugcrowd, up to $100,000 for critical vulnerabilities | |
| Gaming latency impact | Minimal on nearby servers; European routes measured under 85ms ping | |
| Customer support | 24/7 live chat, typically under 1 minute response; email support available | |
| Money back guarantee | 30 days on paid plans, first time customers | |
| Server network | 214 server locations across 113 countries | |
| Simultaneous devices | 10 devices on Basic, 12 on Advanced, 14 on Pro | |
| Router support | Browser based router app for Asus, Linksys, Netgear, and Microsoft routers; also sells the Aircove router pre-configured | |
| Browser extensions | Chrome and Firefox extensions; also works with Edge, Brave, and Vivaldi via the Chrome Web Store | |
| Works in restrictive countries | Possible but not guaranteed; requires specific servers and a mirror URL to download the app | |
| Payment methods | Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Bitcoin, Apple Pay, and Google Pay | |
| Business plan | No dedicated business plan; consumer tiers scale up to 14 simultaneous devices instead |
ExpressVPN
The most polished apps and RAM-only infrastructure we tested, offset by a genuine ethical concern in its executive history.
- RAM-only TrustedServer infrastructure, build process audited by PwC
- Lightway protocol is open-sourced and independently audited by Cure53
- Consistently rated the easiest, most polished apps in this comparison
- 214 server locations across 113 countries
Private Internet Access
The only provider on this list whose no-logs claim has actually been tested in real subpoenas and federal court — though US jurisdiction and Kape ownership are worth weighing.
- No-logs claim has held up in real subpoenas and a federal hacking trial
- Fully open-source apps since 2018
- Deepest configurability of any provider tested (cipher, handshake, ports)
- Unlimited simultaneous devices with port forwarding support