ExpressVPN vs Private Internet Access

Nowhere is the gap between the two clearer than with Netflix, where ExpressVPN unblocks triple the amount of regions.

Use the table below to compare popular Netflix libraries each VPN works with:

	ExpressVPN	PIA
US	Yes	Yes
UK	Yes	Yes
India	Yes	Yes
Canada	Yes	No
Japan	Yes	No
South Korea	Yes	No

In our latest tests, ExpressVPN worked to stream the US Netflix library on every single US server except for one. If ExpressVPN isn’t working with Netflix, their customer service is very helpful in suggesting alternatives, too.

While PIA is clearly the inferior choice here, we hope its recent trajectory continues and more content libraries become accessible.

You can use either VPN for bypassing geo-restrictions on US streaming services. As long as you connect to PIA’s US-optimized servers, its performance is nearly identical to ExpressVPN’s.

In the UK, the story’s somewhat similar as both VPNs work with every popular platform. The only exception is PIA’s inability to stream Disney+ (UK) or Sky Go.

Looking further afield, the two VPNs diverge dramatically: ExpressVPN works with virtually every popular streaming service (aside from FuboTV), whereas PIA struggles with most of them.

Even when using a streaming-optimized server, PIA failed to unblock all international versions of DAZN and foreign-language favorites like RaiPlay and Movistar+.

Despite sharing a corporate parent, ExpressVPN actually provides IP addresses from a higher number of countries than PIA.

To contextualize this, we’ve compared the number of server locations each VPN offers by continent:

Continent	ExpressVPN	PIA
Europe	47	45
Asia	26	22
South America	10	9
North America	13	8
Africa	6	5
Oceania	3	2

As you can see, both VPNs have a sensible distribution of servers that ensure you’ll always have a VPN server nearby to connect to.

Further analysis revealed that most of the server locations supported by ExpressVPN, but missing from PIA, were in areas of relatively low demand like Jersey or Guam.

However, there are notable exceptions. Countries like Pakistan, Thailand, Jamaica, and Cuba — all present in ExpressVPN’s apps — are still missing from PIA’s network, which may be a dealbreaker for users with specific regional needs.

ExpressVPN not only covers more countries, but it also provides more city-level variety than PIA. This granularity over your server location allows you to minimize latency and bypass local geo-blocks on news and sports.

Both VPNs lead the way for city-level choice in the US, covering all 50 US states. This makes either VPN a natural choice for circumventing state-wide blackouts on sports broadcasts.

PIA has the largest server network of any top VPN service. Its 18,651 servers is significantly larger than ExpressVPN’s count of 13,360.

The benefit of PIA’s huge server network is that it minimizes server load, which can improve performance and increase the chances you’ll connect to a reliable server that’s close to your physical location.

Both VPNs benefit from a simple “one-click connect” that automatically directs you to your nearest server location.

Here’s a video of us connecting to both ExpressVPN and PIA side-by-side:

The apps themselves follow a similar design philosophy: a slim, compact window with a central power button, making it very easy to start using either VPN.

While ExpressVPN retains this simplicity in its settings, PIA’s menus can be quite difficult to navigate.

This is, in part, intentional since PIA includes more technical features that are targeted at advanced users. We suspect a VPN beginner may find this slightly overwhelming.

Our testing surfaced a few small usability issues with PIA. For example, its Windows app runs in the system tray by default, which pins the client to the bottom of your device’s screen. The option to detach it is buried in the app’s settings, which isn’t necessarily obvious.

Similarly, PIA’s Mac app runs in the menu bar by default. This means you can’t place the app in your dock, and any keyboard shortcuts you may have set up won’t work.

We also found PIA’s macOS application was fairly slow to load. The app took around three seconds to launch in our tests, which does add up with regular usage.

ExpressVPN is much easier to use on routers than PIA, due to its custom router app. The app works in-browser and provides a polished and intuitive user interface. We were able to quickly switch between VPN serves in-app, whereas PIA limited us to a single server location at a time.

ExpressVPN also provides its own range of Aircove routers with its VPN app pre-installed. This significantly reduced setup time and provided a more bespoke experience than buying a pre-flashed router from a third party — as was the case with PIA.

Using ExpressVPN’s router app, we were able to share our VPN connection with every device in our household. This included games consoles, Smart TVs, and virtually any device with an internet connection.

Both VPNs include a Smart DNS proxy in their base subscriptions. Smart DNS changes your online location by connecting you to a DNS server in a different country. It works on devices that don’t support VPN apps, like games consoles or Smart TVS.

Though ExpressVPN’s Smart DNS tool is limited to just two locations — compared to PIA’s five — it’s much better for streaming. In fact, PIA’s DNS tool failed to unblock a single streaming service.

In comparison, we used MediaStreamer in our testing to unblock US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu and more.

PIA’s cheapest monthly price is $2.03, compared to ExpressVPN’s $2.44.

PIA is therefore slightly cheaper than ExpressVPN, but you’ll have to sign up for two years.

ExpressVPN’s best offer may be more expensive, but it only requires a 15 month commitment.

If you’re not ready to sign up for a long-term subscription, there’s less of a price difference between the two services. In fact, PIA’s monthly subscription cost is only $1.00 cheaper than ExpressVPN<, at $11.99 per month.

Both Private Internet Access and ExpressVPN offer a 30 day money-back guarantee, which effectively allows you to trial each VPN for free for a month. There are no genuine free trials on desktop, but both services offer a seven-day free trial on mobile devices.

Overall, PIA is the clear winner when it comes to pricing in absolute terms. If you’re willing to commit to a long-term subscription, it’s actually one of the cheapest VPNs on the market.