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ExpressVPN vs Private Internet Access

ExpressVPN logo

ExpressVPN

Software

High-speed, secure, and anonymous VPN service

From
$6.67/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Private Internet Access logo

Private Internet Access

Software

Long-standing VPN service with a large server network and flexible multi-year plans

From
$11.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: ExpressVPN the App Store listing (seller Expressco Services, LLC) states subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the billing period, and that any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited on purchase; Private Internet Access monthly plan is priced noticeably higher than the discounted multi-year commitments, penalizing short-term users.
  • They diverge on capability: ExpressVPN covers Lightway protocol, Private Internet Access covers Kill switch.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access actually diverge.

Attributes where ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access differ
AttributeExpressVPNPrivate Internet Access
Starting price$6.67/month$11.99/month
PlatformsWeb, Desktop, Mobile, Apiwindows, mac, linux, ios, android
Founded2009Unknown

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in ExpressVPN

  • Lightway protocol
  • TrustedServer technology
  • Network Lock kill switch
  • No activity logs
  • Private DNS
  • Speed test
  • MediaStreamer
  • Chrome extension

Only in Private Internet Access

  • Kill switch
  • Ad and tracker blocking
  • Dedicated IP add-on
  • Bundled antivirus add-on

Both cover

  • Split tunneling

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

ExpressVPN

  • Vpnnot Private Internet Access
  • Privacynot Private Internet Access
  • Streamingnot Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access

  • Encrypting traffic on public Wi-Fi with a kill switchnot ExpressVPN
  • Blocking ads and trackers network-wide via MACEnot ExpressVPN
  • Maintaining a consistent connection identity with a dedicated IP add-onnot ExpressVPN
  • Committing to a long-term plan for a lower effective monthly ratenot ExpressVPN

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

ExpressVPN

  • The App Store listing (seller Expressco Services, LLC) states subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the billing period, and that any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited on purchase
  • The same listing caps a single ExpressVPN subscription at 14 simultaneous device connections

Private Internet Access

  • Monthly plan is priced noticeably higher than the discounted multi-year commitments, penalizing short-term users.
  • Dedicated IP and antivirus are paid add-ons rather than included features.
  • Headquartered in a jurisdiction whose privacy reputation some competitors market against, despite audited no-logs claims.
  • App interface is less streamlined than some higher-priced premium VPN competitors.

Pricing, plan by plan

ExpressVPN

$6.67/month
  • 1 Month$12.95/month
    • 8 devices
    • 94 countries
    • Unlimited bandwidth
  • 12 Months$6.67/month
    • All features
    • 3 months free
    • Best value
  • 6 Months$9.99/month
    • All features
    • 30-day guarantee

Private Internet Access

$11.99/month
  • Monthly$11.99/month
    • Billed month to month
    • Full server network access
    • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • 1-Year$3.1/month
    • Billed annually at $37.19
    • Full server network access
  • 2-Year$2.19/month
    • Lowest advertised rate, billed every 2 years
    • Full server network access

Which should you pick?

Choose ExpressVPN if

  • You need lightway protocol.
  • You work on Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api.
  • You also want trustedserver technology.
ExpressVPN review

Choose Private Internet Access if

  • You need kill switch.
  • You work on windows, mac, linux, ios, android.
  • You also want ad and tracker blocking.
Private Internet Access review

Questions people ask

Is ExpressVPN or Private Internet Access better?
Neither clearly leads. ExpressVPN starts at $6.67/month and Private Internet Access at $11.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ExpressVPN or Private Internet Access?
ExpressVPN starts at $6.67/month and Private Internet Access at $11.99/month.
Does ExpressVPN or Private Internet Access run on more platforms?
ExpressVPN runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api. Private Internet Access runs on windows, mac, linux, ios, android.
What is ExpressVPN best used for?
ExpressVPN is most often used for vpn, privacy, streaming. Of those, vpn and privacy are not what Private Internet Access is typically brought in for.
What can ExpressVPN do that Private Internet Access cannot?
ExpressVPN covers Lightway protocol, TrustedServer technology, Network Lock kill switch, No activity logs. Private Internet Access covers Kill switch, Ad and tracker blocking, Dedicated IP add-on, Bundled antivirus add-on. Both handle Split tunneling.
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