ExpressVPN vs Private Internet Access
Pick any two tools to get a head-to-head breakdown.
- Most consistent long-distance speeds in our tests
- Works reliably in China, UAE, and other restrictive countries
- Lightway protocol is fast and battery-efficient
- Best router app of any VPN
- MediaStreamer feature for smart TVs without native VPN apps
- Trusted 30-day money-back guarantee — no questions asked
- TrustedServer RAM-only infrastructure
- No-logs policy proven in two separate court cases
- Cheapest mainstream VPN — $2.19/mo on 3-year plan
- 10 simultaneous connections
- Highly configurable — advanced users can tune encryption
- Open source apps — fully auditable code
- MACE feature blocks ads and trackers
- Allows port forwarding for torrenting
- Significantly more expensive than NordVPN or Surfshark
- No ad blocker built in
- Only 8 simultaneous connections vs competitors offering more
- Interface is less polished than NordVPN or ExpressVPN
- US-based — Five Eyes jurisdiction
- Streaming reliability is inconsistent compared to NordVPN
- 3-year commitment needed for the best price
ExpressVPN is the most reliable VPN for international streaming and users in censorship-heavy countries. It costs more than NordVPN at around $6.67/month but earns the premium with its Lightway protocol, which delivered the most consistent speeds across long-distance servers in our 200+ speed tests. Its server network of 3,000+ locations in 105 countries is the widest we have tested. If you are based outside North America or Europe and need reliable access to streaming or censored sites, ExpressVPN is the correct choice.
Private Internet Access is the cheapest mainstream VPN with a no-logs policy that has been proven in court — twice. When the FBI seized PIA servers in 2016 and again in 2018, there was no user data to collect. That real-world proof is more compelling than any audit. At $2.19/month on a 3-year plan, it undercuts even Surfshark. The interface is less polished than NordVPN but the core product is solid. If price and proven privacy matter more than apps and streaming, PIA is the correct choice.