ExpressVPN vs Private Internet Access

ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access are both owned by Kape Technologies, making them corporate siblings. ExpressVPN is the premium product with polished apps and top streaming performance. PIA is the technical user's choice with open-source apps, port forwarding, and a court-proven no-logs policy. They share an owner but serve different audiences.

Quick Verdict

ExpressVPN wins on polish, speed, and streaming. PIA wins on transparency, torrenting, and price. For general use and streaming, ExpressVPN is superior. For torrenting and open-source principles, PIA is the better choice. Both are Kape products - if that concerns you, consider alternatives from independent companies.

At a Glance

| Category | ExpressVPN | PIA | Winner | |----------|------------|-----|--------| | Overall Score | 9.0 | 8.1 | ExpressVPN | | Speed | 87.5 Mbps | 76.3 Mbps | ExpressVPN | | 1-Year Price | $6.67/mo | $3.33/mo | PIA | | Streaming | 9.4 | 7.9 | ExpressVPN | | Torrenting | 8.5 | 9.0 | PIA | | Open Source | Partial (Lightway) | Yes (all apps) | PIA | | Connections | 8 | Unlimited | PIA |

Speed Comparison

| Location | ExpressVPN | PIA | Difference | |----------|------------|-----|------------| | US (New York) | 87.5 Mbps | 76.3 Mbps | +14.7% | | UK (London) | 83.2 Mbps | 71.8 Mbps | +15.9% | | Germany (Frankfurt) | 80.4 Mbps | 69.5 Mbps | +15.7% | | Japan (Tokyo) | 69.8 Mbps | 58.9 Mbps | +18.5% | | Australia (Sydney) | 66.3 Mbps | 55.4 Mbps | +19.7% |

Winner: ExpressVPN. Lightway is 15-20% faster than PIA's WireGuard across all locations. A meaningful gap that matters for 4K streaming and large downloads.

Pricing Comparison

| Plan | ExpressVPN | PIA | |------|------------|-----| | Monthly | $12.95/mo | $11.99/mo | | 1-Year | $6.67/mo | $3.33/mo | | 2-Year | Not available | $2.03/mo | | Renewal (yearly) | $8.32/mo | $3.33/mo | | 3-Year True Cost | $279.72 | $111.48 |

Winner: PIA, decisively. PIA costs less than half of ExpressVPN over three years. PIA's renewal pricing at $3.33/mo is also exceptionally favorable compared to ExpressVPN's $8.32/mo. The $168 savings is substantial.

The Same-Owner Problem

Both VPNs are owned by Kape Technologies (formerly Crossrider, an adware company that rebranded in 2018). Kape also owns CyberGhost, giving one company control over three of the most popular VPN brands. Both VPNs claim to operate independently. If Kape's history or the concentration of VPN brands concerns you, consider VPNs from independent companies like NordVPN, Proton VPN, or Mullvad.

Streaming

| Platform | ExpressVPN | PIA | |----------|------------|-----| | Netflix US | Working | Working | | Netflix UK | Working | Not Working | | Netflix Japan | Working | Not Working | | Disney+ | Working | Working | | BBC iPlayer | Working | Not Working | | Amazon Prime | Working | Working | | Hulu | Working | Working |

Winner: ExpressVPN. A perfect 12/12 streaming score versus PIA's limited US-focused results. If streaming international content matters, ExpressVPN is the clear choice.

Privacy and Transparency

| Factor | ExpressVPN | PIA | |--------|------------|-----| | Jurisdiction | British Virgin Islands | United States | | Last Audit | Sep 2024 (KPMG) | Aug 2024 (Deloitte) | | Open Source | Partial (Lightway only) | Yes (all apps) | | RAM-Only | Yes | No | | Post-Quantum | Yes | No | | Court-Tested No-Logs | No | Yes (twice) | | Port Forwarding | No | Yes |

Winner: PIA for transparency, ExpressVPN for technical privacy. PIA's fully open-source apps and FBI-tested no-logs policy are unmatched. ExpressVPN counters with RAM-only servers, BVI jurisdiction, and post-quantum encryption. PIA's US jurisdiction is a concern; ExpressVPN's Kape ownership is a concern. Neither is perfect.

Torrenting

| Factor | ExpressVPN | PIA | |--------|------------|-----| | P2P Support | Yes (all servers) | Yes (all servers) | | Port Forwarding | No | Yes | | Kill Switch | Yes | Yes | | Connections | 8 | Unlimited | | Court-Proven No-Logs | No | Yes |

Winner: PIA. Port forwarding dramatically improves torrent speeds and seeding. Unlimited connections mean you can torrent on any number of devices. And the FBI has verified PIA's no-logs claim in court - the strongest possible proof for a torrenter's VPN.

App Quality

ExpressVPN's apps are the best in the industry - clean, fast, intuitive, and consistent across every platform. PIA's apps are functional but feel dated by comparison. The interface is more complex and less polished.

Winner: ExpressVPN. If app design matters to you, ExpressVPN is in a league of its own.

Who Should Choose ExpressVPN

• Users who want the best app experience available
• Streaming enthusiasts who need global platform access
• Users who value post-quantum encryption and RAM-only servers
• Anyone willing to pay a premium for polish and reliability

Who Should Choose PIA

• Torrenters who need port forwarding
• Open-source advocates who want fully verifiable code
• Budget-conscious users who want a capable VPN at a low price
• Households with many devices (unlimited connections)
• Users who value court-proven no-logs over jurisdiction

Our Recommendation

ExpressVPN for streaming and general use. The speed, app quality, and streaming reliability justify the premium for users who value those things. PIA for torrenting and budget use. Port forwarding, open-source apps, and a fraction of the price make PIA the practical choice for technical users.