ExpressVPN vs. PIA is a match-up between polish and power: ExpressVPN‘s premium, everything-just-works simplicity against Private Internet Access‘s unlimited devices, open-source apps, and deep customization at a much lower price. Both are owned by the same parent company, both carry independently verified no-logs policies, and both are genuinely strong picks — but they’re aimed at very different kinds of users. One is built to be fast and simple everywhere with minimal configuration, and backs that up with a strong track record on major streaming platforms; the other hands you nearly every setting a VPN can expose, unlimited connections, and a price that undercuts most of the market, while matching it on verified trust. Neither is objectively “better” in a vacuum — it depends on whether you value hands-off consistency or control and value per dollar. Here’s how they actually stack up, category by category, using the same facts covered in our full ExpressVPN and PIA reviews.
Quick verdict: if you want a connect-and-forget experience with the most consistent speed, ExpressVPN wins. If you want unlimited devices, deep customization, and open-source transparency at a lower price, PIA is the better deal.
Table of Contents
- Head-to-Head Specification Sheet
- Round 1: Pricing and Value
- Round 2: Customization and Control
- Round 3: Device Limits and Torrenting
- Round 4: Trust, Audits, and Security
- Round 5: Server Network and Streaming
- Setting Up and Everyday Use
- How They Compare to the Rest of the Market
- Same Parent Company, Different Philosophy
- ExpressVPN vs. PIA: The Final Verdict
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Sources
Head-to-Head Specification Sheet
| Feature Category | ExpressVPN | PIA |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | ~$2.79/month | ~$2.03/month |
| Simultaneous Connections | Up to 14 (tiered by plan) | Unlimited |
| App Source | Closed source | Fully open source |
| No-Logs Verification | Independently audited (PwC, Cure53) | Court-proven, independently audited |
| Core Protocol | Lightway (proprietary) | WireGuard (fastest option) / OpenVPN |
| Encryption | AES-256 (fixed) | Configurable: AES-128 or AES-256 |
| Kill Switch | Yes (Network Lock) | Yes, configurable (full or app-only) |
| P2P / Torrenting | Supported | Explicitly supported, unmetered network-wide |
| Parent Company | Kape Technologies | Kape Technologies |
Round 1: Pricing and Value
ExpressVPN’s Premium Positioning
ExpressVPN starts around $2.79/month on its longest plan, rising to $12.99/month with no commitment. Every tier includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. It’s a genuinely pricier option, and the value case rests almost entirely on committing to a longer subscription — plus accepting a device cap of 10, 12, or 14 connections depending on tier, rather than the unlimited access some competitors offer.
PIA’s Lower Starting Price, Unlimited Devices
PIA starts at roughly $2.03/month on its 2-year plan (which currently includes 4 months free), rising to $7.50/month on the 6-month plan or $11.99/month billed monthly. That’s already cheaper than ExpressVPN before factoring in that PIA throws in unlimited simultaneous connections at every price point, where ExpressVPN caps you well below that no matter which tier you choose.
Round 2: Customization and Control
ExpressVPN’s Keep-It-Simple Approach
ExpressVPN leans on Lightway, its own proprietary protocol, and TrustedServer RAM-only infrastructure to stay fast without asking you to configure much of anything. It’s built for people who want to connect and stop thinking about it — the app defaults to the fastest server automatically, and power users chasing granular protocol tweaking will find fewer knobs to turn than PIA offers.
PIA’s Granular Settings Menu
PIA goes the other direction entirely. Its settings menu covers protocol choice (WireGuard or OpenVPN), a choice between AES-128 or AES-256 encryption, custom connection ports, configurable kill switch behavior (block all traffic or just VPN-app traffic), split tunneling, and MACE, PIA’s built-in ad, tracker, and malware blocker. Its apps are also fully open source, letting outside researchers actually verify what the software is doing rather than taking a privacy claim on faith — a level of transparency ExpressVPN’s closed-source apps simply can’t offer, whatever the audits say. That depth is a real strength if you like fine-tuning a setup, though it can feel like a lot if you just want to tap connect and move on with your day.
Round 3: Device Limits and Torrenting
ExpressVPN’s Tiered Device Caps
ExpressVPN allows 10, 12, or 14 simultaneous connections depending on plan tier — solid for most households, but a real limit if you’re covering a lot of devices or sharing an account.
PIA’s Unlimited Connections and Unmetered P2P
PIA supports unlimited simultaneous connections under a single account, and P2P traffic is explicitly supported and unmetered across its entire server network — not restricted to a handful of designated servers. Combined with its lower starting price, that makes it a genuinely strong pick specifically for torrenting and multi-device households, even though its general streaming-platform access lands a bit below the very top-tier providers.
Round 4: Trust, Audits, and Security
ExpressVPN’s Third-Party Verification
ExpressVPN’s no-logs claims and RAM-only infrastructure have been independently audited by both PwC and Cure53. Its kill switch, Network Lock, blocks all traffic if the connection drops, and full split tunneling is available across its app lineup.
PIA’s Court-Tested Track Record
PIA’s no-logs policy hasn’t just been claimed in a privacy document — it’s been tested in actual legal proceedings, where the company demonstrated it had no user activity data to hand over even when subpoenaed. On top of that, it’s also been independently audited more recently, and its servers run RAM-only, the same architecture ExpressVPN uses for TrustedServer. Between the open-source code, the court record, and the audit, PIA arguably has more layered verification than most competitors, ExpressVPN included — even though ExpressVPN’s dual PwC/Cure53 audits are themselves a genuinely high bar.
Round 5: Server Network and Streaming
ExpressVPN’s Streaming Track Record
ExpressVPN is consistently one of the more reliable options for getting past detection on major streaming platforms including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and DAZN, backed by a Very Low local speed drop and Low distant speed drop. Devices that can’t run a native app, like some smart TVs, can use its MediaStreamer DNS feature to unblock content without full VPN encryption.
PIA’s Broad but Slightly Softer Streaming Access
PIA operates servers across 91 countries and posts a Low speed drop on local connections, which holds up well for everyday streaming and downloading. Its platform-unblocking success rate runs a bit behind top-tier providers like ExpressVPN specifically, but for torrenting and general use, the unmetered P2P support more than makes up for it.
Setting Up and Everyday Use
ExpressVPN’s Minimal-Friction Setup
Install the app for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, or a supported router, enter your activation code, and connect — that’s essentially the whole process. Support is available via 24/7 live chat, useful if something breaks outside normal business hours.
PIA’s Configuration-First Experience
PIA covers Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, plus router-level configuration and browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. The apps present far more configuration up front than ExpressVPN’s, which is exactly the point for its target user — but it does mean a first-time VPN user may want to stick with the defaults rather than digging into every setting immediately.
Same Parent Company, Different Philosophy
Worth knowing before you decide: ExpressVPN and PIA are both owned by Kape Technologies, one of the largest VPN holding companies (Kape also owns CyberGhost). Kape acquired PIA in 2019 for around $127 million, then ExpressVPN in 2021 for roughly $936 million. Shared ownership doesn’t mean shared infrastructure — each keeps its own apps, servers, and independent audit history — but it’s relevant context if you assumed these were two fully unrelated companies competing head-to-head.
ExpressVPN vs. PIA: The Final Verdict
This one comes down to what you value more: polish or power. ExpressVPN hands you a fast, simple, premium-priced experience with an unmatched streaming track record — you’re paying for consistency you don’t have to think about. PIA hands you nearly everything ExpressVPN offers in terms of verified trust, plus unlimited devices and far more control, for meaningfully less money — if you don’t mind a steeper settings menu and slightly softer streaming performance on the toughest platforms. For torrenters, multi-device households, and anyone who wants to see under the hood via open-source code, PIA is genuinely hard to beat at its price. For anyone who just wants the fastest, most dependable connection with zero configuration, ExpressVPN still earns its premium.
Choose ExpressVPN if:
- You want a connect-and-forget experience with minimal configuration
- Consistent, everywhere-fast performance and top-tier streaming access matter most to you
- You’re fine paying a premium for that simplicity and track record
Choose PIA if:
- You want unlimited simultaneous connections at a lower price
- Torrenting or P2P use is a priority, or you have a lot of devices to cover
- You like — or want — granular control over your VPN settings, and value open-source transparency
How They Compare to the Rest of the Market
ExpressVPN’s 9.3/10 rating puts it near the top of every VPN HidVPN has reviewed, and its Very Low speed drop is one of the best measured results in the lineup — competitors generally have to sacrifice either speed or price to compete with it, rarely both. PIA’s 8.8/10 rating still lands it firmly in the upper tier, and at its price point, the combination of unlimited devices, open-source apps, and a court-tested no-logs policy is hard to match; most VPNs charging what PIA charges don’t offer anywhere near this level of verified trust or customization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PIA as trustworthy as ExpressVPN despite the lower price?
Yes. PIA’s no-logs claims have been tested in court and independently audited, and its apps are fully open source — arguably more layered verification than ExpressVPN’s audits alone, even though ExpressVPN is the pricier option.
Which one is better for a large household with many devices?
PIA, without much competition — unlimited simultaneous connections under one account beats even ExpressVPN’s top tier of 14 devices, and at a lower price per month.
Do I need technical knowledge to use PIA’s advanced settings?
No — PIA works fine on default settings for anyone who just wants to connect. The deeper customization (protocol choice, encryption level, port selection) is there if you want it, but nothing requires you to touch it.
Which is faster, ExpressVPN or PIA?
ExpressVPN posts a lower measured speed drop overall (Very Low local, Low distant) compared to PIA’s Low local speed drop, so ExpressVPN generally edges it out on raw speed, especially on longer-distance connections.
What happens if I don’t like either one after buying?
Both offer real money-back guarantees. ExpressVPN gives you 30 days; PIA’s refund terms apply across its plans as well, so you can use the full service risk-free before committing long-term.
Does PIA’s open-source advantage actually matter for everyday users?
Directly, maybe not — most people never audit source code themselves. Indirectly, it matters a lot: it means independent security researchers, not just PIA’s own team, can and do inspect the app for hidden behavior, which is a stronger trust signal than a closed-source app backed only by a company’s own claims.