ExpressVPN vs Private Internet Access comparison results 2021

Both VPNs are compatible with common devices, but ExpressVPN goes the extra mile to support additional devices. While PIA VPN only supports run-of-the-mill devices like Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux, Router, and few browsers, ExpressVPN, on the other hand, even supports smart TV devices such as Samsung Smart TV and LG Smart TV. Overall, ExpressVPN is a lot more versatile than the PIA VPN in terms of compatibility.

7. ExpressVPN vs PIA: Torrenting

Result: Since ExpressVPN is headquartered in the BVI and offers a better logging policy, ExpressVPN is a better choice for torrenting than PIA VPN.

ExpressVPN – It is better than PIA in terms of torrenting support, courtesy of its jurisdictional advantage. Both services offer support for torrent clients and websites. However, Private Internet Access discourages users from downloading pirated torrent files because it has to comply with DMCA laws. A major disadvantage of being headquartered in the USA. This was the same case in TunnelBear vs PIA where TunnelBear (based in Canada) recommended users to only torrent on limited server locations.

ExpressVPN, on the other hand, is much more anonymous than PIA VPN. The fact that ExpressVPN keeps no logs at all and is located in the BVI means you can download any kind of torrents you can imagine without ever worrying about anything.

8. ExpressVPN vs PIA: Unblocking Strength

Result: Both VPNs can unblock a bunch of streaming services. However, ExpressVPN is much better in performance.

ExpressVPN performs exceptionally well when it comes to unblocking streaming services. In fact, ExpressVPN managed to unblock BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus, among others, in my testing.

However, this was not the case with PIA, as it is one such VPN that doesn’t work consistently with Netflix anymore. This was also the case in Private Internet Access vs IPVanish where PIA only managed to unblock Netflix US after trying multiple servers. Also, PIA doesn’t work at all with Disney Plus. But on the bright side, PIA does work with Hulu, Sky Go, and CBS. Overall, ExpressVPN is better when it comes to streaming services.

9. ExpressVPN vs PIA: Netflix and Streaming

One of the major reasons for using a VPN is to unblock different geo-restricted streaming services. These services usually include Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+.

In my testing of Private Internet Access with Netflix US, although I found it working, it was a hit-and-miss scenario. Most of the time, I was presented with the Netflix proxy error message. I asked PIA support about this, and they told me they have been getting blocked by Netflix in most locations. Not only that, other popular streaming services seem to be facing a similar issue with PIA. This was the same for Private Internet Access and PureVPN, where PIA only managed to unblock Netflix US, and that too after extensive testing.

Next up is ExpressVPN. ExpressVPN was able to unblock Netflix for me without any issues regularly. The streaming quality was perfect, and it remains one of the best VPNs for Netflix. I never received any proxy error message from Netflix. Still, I was also able to unblock different Netflix libraries such as the US, UK, Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, and Germany. Additionally, Additionally, ExpressVPN also works extremely well with Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney+.

If you are a heavy streamer and wish to stream multiple different geo-restricted contents, then you’d want to get your hands on ExpressVPN for reliable, constant, smooth, and uninterrupted access to streaming contents.

10. ExpressVPN vs PIA: Security and Encryption

Security is a big concern when choosing a good VPN service. A VPN’s point is to secure your online data and privacy, so it is natural that you’d want a VPN provider that offers state-of-the-art security and encryption features.

We will start with ExpressVPN and then move on to Private Internet Access.

Encryption and Internet Kill Switch – ExpressVPN utilizes robust encryption standards: an AES-256-GCM with a 4096-bit RSA key and SHA-512 HMAC authentication. The 256 refers to the fixed size of each encrypted block, 256 bits. GCM (Galois/Counter Mode) allows your computer to encrypt multiple packages at once, ensuring that your connection never hangs even for a short moment. It’s the same encryption standard adopted by the U.S. government and used by security experts worldwide to protect classified information. They support the OpenVPN, IKEv2, SSTP, and Lightway protocols, with Lightway being a self-developed protocol similar to WireGuard.

Internet Kill Switch or “Network Lock” ensures that your real identity and IP address is remaining hidden even if the VPN is disconnected due to some reason. This feature will kill your device completely internet connection if the ExpressVPN connection drops, preventing your real IP address from leaked over the internet.

Server security – ExpressVPN takes their server security very seriously. We know this because they run their servers on RAM-only mode. This mode wipes off every data with each reboot. Servers never store anything on the hard drive, which minimizes the risk of data leaks and hacking. The entire operating systems stack is reinstalled on every server at startup. ExpressVPN calls this the TrustedServer feature. This offers a higher level of security over most other VPN servers that use hard drives.

Security audits – To increase its user’s trust, ExpressVPN has undergone two separate audits. First, it passed a security audit conducted by Cure53. Second-time, ExpressVPN passed an audit conducted by PWC to verify its no-logs policy.

Now, let’s examine the security of Private Internet Access.

PIA also provides strong encryption standards and allows the user to modify data encryption, authentication, and handshake. They support the OpenVPN and WireGuard VPN protocols. Compared to ExpressVPN, they only offer AES-256 bit encryption with an RSA-4096 key and SHA 256 HMAC authentication. It also allows the user to modify data encryption, authentication, and handshake.

While PIA may be a decent VPN with all those custom encryption options, its speeds are still far off the mark doesn’t help its cause.

Server security – Unlike ExpressVPN, it doesn’t run its servers in RAM-only mode. This can potentially expose the PIA users’ data if a server were ever to be seized. Since it is operating from the US, the chances of that happening are not very low.

Security audits – No official audits were conducted, and no reports were issued about it—one more reason to not trust PIA with your online privacy.

11. ExpressVPN vs PIA: User-Friendliness

Both ExoressVPN and PIA take the route of having a compact and straightforward user interface. Two things common between the two VPN providers are the Quick Connect button at the main screen, which will connect you to the optimized servers according to your real location, and a small field below the said button to inform you about the server you will be connected to.

Private Internet Access displays quite a bit more information than ExpressVPN if you click on the arrow at the bottom of the window. This expanded view shows your connection time, how much bandwidth you’re using, and a few settings options.

If we talk about the settings menu, things are very much similar between the two. There is no explanation as to what each option does with both of the VPN providers.

A minor detail, ExpressVPN’s website has a much cleaner look to it, and it is easier to navigate. Subscribing to an account is just also easier with the payment windows appearing, and the experience is just a bit more streamlined.

Given how many similarities these two providers have with each other, selecting the winner isn’t easy. Private Internet Access offers a more informative layout, so it’s only fair to give this round to PIA.

12. ExpressVPN vs PIA: Simultaneous Connections

To prevent people from sharing their VPN account with friends and family and to limit the unnecessary load on the network in the form of the increased number of connections, almost all of the VPN providers impose a limit on the number of devices you can connect with an account at a single time.

ExpressVPN offers 5 simultaneous connections, whereas PIA offers 10 simultaneous connections. With more simultaneous connections, PIA is clearly the winner.

13. ExpressVPN vs PIA: Worldwide Server Coverage

As a general rule of thumb, the higher the number of servers a VPN has, the faster the connection speed. However, it is equally important that the servers should be evenly distributed in all the locations to improve the speeds. Also, a server-rick VPN unblocks geo-restricted content more efficiently – although there are few exceptions.

With over 3,000 servers in 94 countries, ExpressVPN offers excellent global server coverage, giving you plenty of options to access geographically blocked content. Moreover, with such a high number of servers, the connection speeds are undoubtedly impressive.

On the other hand, PIA beats ExpressVPN since it has over 29,000+ servers, most of which are in the US. Worse off, the servers are spread across only 77 countries.

For most international clients, PIA may not meet their content-unblocking needs. At least not with ExpressVPN in the vicinity. Even US users might be challenged using PIA to unblock content restricted to specific states.

Final Verdict: ExpressVPN is the Winner

ExpressVPN is the winner in our comparison courtesy of better speed, server distribution, logging policy, and customer support. To read more about it ExpressVPN, check out our detailed ExpressVPN review. To clarify, PIA is itself a very competent VPN service with more than 1 million paid subscribers.

In fact, if you’re tight on budget, it might even be a better idea to go with PIA rather than the expensive ExpressVPN because of the massive price difference. Just know that we’re talking about two well-recognized brands, and you can’t go wrong with either one of them.

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