ExpressVPN vs Private Internet Access Comparison

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In the crowded world of VPN services, ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access stand out as top contenders. With robust features and trusted reputations, these two offer compelling choices. In this article, we’ll delve into the ExpressVPN vs Private Internet Access debate, dissecting their strengths, weaknesses, and suitability for different users to help you make an informed decision.

Overview

In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll dive deep into the realms of ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access (PIA), two juggernauts of the VPN world. We’ll scrutinize their security protocols, explore their privacy policies, and test their speed capabilities. Whether you prioritize uncrackable encryption, stringent no-logs policies, or lightning-fast streaming, we’ll help you make an informed decision. Let’s gear up and examine which of these VPN giants will best safeguard your online presence.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN

Price: From $6.67/month

Trustpilot Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars

Refund Policy: ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Official website: www.expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN is best for internet users who value online privacy and seek a fast, secure, and easy-to-use VPN solution.

Learn more about ExpressVPN

Private Internet Access (PIA)

Private Internet Access

Price: From $2.03/month

Trustpilot Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars

Refund Policy: Private Internet Access offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Official website: www.privateinternetaccess.com

Private Internet Access (PIA) is best for individuals who prioritize privacy and security while browsing the internet or conducting online transactions.

Learn more about Private Internet Access

ExpressVPN stands as a beacon of excellence in the VPN market, boasting a vast server network that guarantees high-speed connections globally. Their commitment to user privacy is unrivaled, offering powerful encryption and a proven no-logs policy. The user-friendly app is a gateway to a secure and unrestricted internet experience. From seamless streaming to safe browsing, it has stood tall fulfilling all my needs. Without a doubt, ExpressVPN commands a well-deserved 5-star rating! – Emily Johnson

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PIA stands out with its robust network and unwavering commitment to user privacy. The ad and malware blocker is a testimony to its user-centric approach. I have navigated the internet waters safely and swiftly, thanks to the high-speed servers it hosts globally. It isn’t just a VPN service; it is a fortress of solitude in the bustling city of the internet, rightfully earning a 5-star rating! – Diego Rodriguez

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ExpressVPN promises and delivers high-speed connections coupled with robust security features. The user interface is intuitive, making it a breeze to connect to the best available server. However, the service comes at a premium price point, which might deter potential users. Overall, a premium service deserving a 4-star rating. – Amelia

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PIA has stood the test of time, offering a reliable VPN service characterized by a vast network of servers and strong security features. While the user interface could use a modern update, the service remains dependable, earning a sturdy 4-star rating. – Ji-Yong

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Pros & Cons

This segment analyzes the benefits and drawbacks of these two VPN solutions.

Winner is:

ExpressVPN takes the lead with its top-notch security, swift speeds, and broad server network globally. It's perfect for streaming, unblocking content, and maintains a strict no-logs policy. However, it's costlier than PIA. PIA, although cheaper and with more servers, falls behind in speed and unblocking capabilities. It's US-based, a Five Eyes country, which raises privacy concerns. Considering these points, ExpressVPN triumphs as a more secure, reliable, and overall superior VPN choice.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN

Pros:
  • Speed: ExpressVPN is one of the fastest VPNs on the market. In our tests, we saw download speeds of up to 85 Mbps, which is more than enough for streaming HD video or downloading large files.
  • Security: ExpressVPN uses strong security features to protect your privacy. These features include 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection.
  • Server network: ExpressVPN has a large network of servers in over 94 countries. This means that you can always find a server that is close to you, which will help to improve your connection speeds.
  • Devices and operating systems: ExpressVPN supports a wide range of devices and operating systems. You can use it on your computer, smartphone, tablet, or router.
  • Ease of use: ExpressVPN is very easy to use. The interface is simple and straightforward, and there are plenty of guides and tutorials available if you need help.
  • No logs policy: ExpressVPN does not log any of your activity. This means that your browsing history, traffic data, and IP address are never stored.
  • Money-back guarantee: ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. This means that you can try it out risk-free. If you are not satisfied, you can cancel your subscription and get a full refund.
Cons:
  • Can be expensive: ExpressVPN is more expensive than some other VPNs. However, it offers a number of features that are not available with other VPNs, such as its large network of servers and its strong security features.
  • Some users have reported occasional connection issues: Some users have reported occasional connection issues with ExpressVPN. However, these issues are usually resolved quickly. If you are experiencing connection issues, you can contact ExpressVPN's customer support for help.
  • Not as many features as some other VPNs: ExpressVPN does not offer as many features as some other VPNs, such as split tunneling and port forwarding. However, it still offers a good range of features, including 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection.
Private Internet Access (PIA)

Private Internet Access

Pros:
  • Unlimited bandwidth and connections: PIA allows you to connect an unlimited number of devices to its VPN at the same time. This is great for families or anyone who wants to use the VPN on multiple devices.
  • Strong security: PIA uses strong encryption and security features to protect your privacy. These features include 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection.
  • Wide server network: PIA has a large server network with over 30,000 servers in over 78 countries. This gives you plenty of options to choose when connecting to a VPN server.
  • Affordable pricing: PIA is one of the most affordable VPNs on the market.
  • Good customer support: PIA has a good customer support team that is available 24/7. You can contact them via live chat, email, or a support ticket.
Cons:
  • Speed: PIA's speeds are not the fastest on the market. This can be a problem if you are using the VPN for streaming or gaming.
  • Not all streaming platforms work: PIA does not work with all streaming platforms, such as Netflix and Hulu.
  • No split tunneling: PIA does not offer split tunneling, which allows you to choose which apps use the VPN and which apps do not.
  • Based in the US: PIA is based in the United States, which is a privacy-unfriendly jurisdiction.

Key Features

This section compares the overall features of ExpressVPN vs Private Internet Access (PIA).

ExpressVPN HQ and country of jurisdiction is British Virgin Islands, and ExpressVPN supports Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, routers, and certain smart TVs and gaming consoles.

Private Internet Access (PIA) HQ and country of jurisdiction is United States, and Private Internet Access (PIA) supports Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS platforms. In addition, it also supports OpenVPN, routers, and has browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera.

Winner is:

While both ExpressVPN and PIA offer robust security and privacy measures, ExpressVPN outshines with its faster speed, larger server network, and ability to bypass geo-restrictions effortlessly. PIA, though affordable and customization-rich, can't match ExpressVPN's intuitive interface and consistent performance. So, for a seamless, secure browsing experience, ExpressVPN emerges as the winner.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN

  • Fast speeds: ExpressVPN is one of the fastest VPNs on the market. In our tests, we saw download speeds of up to 85 Mbps, which is more than enough for streaming HD video or downloading large files.
  • Strong security: ExpressVPN uses strong security features to protect your privacy. These features include 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection.
  • Large server network: ExpressVPN has a large network of servers in over 94 countries. This means that you can always find a server that is close to you, which will help to improve your connection speeds.
  • No logs policy: ExpressVPN does not log any of your activity. This means that your browsing history, traffic data, and IP address are never stored.
  • Easy to use: ExpressVPN is very easy to use. The interface is simple and straightforward, and there are plenty of guides and tutorials available if you need help.
  • 30-day money-back guarantee: ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. This means that you can try it out risk-free. If you are not satisfied, you can cancel your subscription and get a full refund.
Private Internet Access (PIA)

Private Internet Access

  • Unlimited bandwidth and connections: PIA allows you to connect an unlimited number of devices to its VPN at the same time. This is great for families or anyone who wants to use the VPN on multiple devices.
  • Strong security: PIA uses strong encryption and security features to protect your privacy. These features include 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection.
  • Wide server network: PIA has a large server network with over 30,000 servers in over 78 countries. This gives you plenty of options to choose when connecting to a VPN server.
  • Affordable pricing: PIA is one of the most affordable VPNs on the market.
  • Good customer support: PIA has a good customer support team that is available 24/7. You can contact them via live chat, email, or a support ticket.
  • Open-source apps: PIA's apps are open source, which means that anyone can inspect the code to make sure that it is not doing anything malicious.
  • No logs policy: PIA does not keep any logs of your online activity. This means that your ISP, government, or anyone else cannot track what you do online.
  • Ad blocker: PIA includes an ad blocker in its VPN apps. This blocks ads, trackers, and malware, which can improve your browsing experience and protect your privacy.
  • Split tunneling: PIA allows you to choose which apps use the VPN and which apps do not. This can be useful if you want to use a streaming service that does not work with VPNs.

Security Features

This section looks at important security features of ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access (PIA) such as encryption methods, protocols, split tunneling, kill switch, and more.

Winner is:

ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access (PIA) both offer robust security features. ExpressVPN offers military-grade encryption, OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec, PPTP protocols, DNS/IPv6 leak protection, split tunneling, kill switch, and a strict no-logs policy. PIA offers similar features but also includes ad-blocking and malware blocking. However, ExpressVPN stands out for its private, encrypted DNS on every server, making your online activity nearly impossible to track. It also offers obfuscated servers and Tor over VPN for even greater privacy. Therefore, the winner here for superior security is ExpressVPN.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN

  • 256-bit encryption: ExpressVPN uses 256-bit encryption, which is the same encryption standard used by the US government and security experts worldwide. This means that your data is scrambled into an unreadable form that cannot be decrypted by anyone without the key.
  • Kill switch: The kill switch is a security feature that automatically disconnects your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This helps to protect your privacy by preventing your data being exposed if the VPN connection is interrupted.
  • DNS leak protection: DNS leak protection prevents your DNS requests leaking outside of the VPN tunnel. This helps to protect your privacy by preventing your ISP or other third parties seeing the websites you visit.
  • No logs policy: ExpressVPN does not log any of your activity. This means that your browsing history, traffic data, and IP address are never stored. This helps to protect your privacy by making it impossible for ExpressVPN to track your online activity.
  • TrustedServer technology: ExpressVPN's TrustedServer technology uses RAM-only servers that are wiped clean every time they are rebooted. This helps to protect your privacy by making it impossible for any data to be stored on the servers.
  • Bulletproof Encryption: ExpressVPN uses the Lightway protocol, which is a new and secure VPN protocol that is designed to be faster and more secure than older protocols.
  • Split tunneling: Split tunneling allows you to choose which apps and websites will use the VPN and which will use your regular internet connection. This can be useful for things like streaming or gaming, where you want to get the best possible performance.
  • Lightway protocol: ExpressVPN uses the Lightway protocol, which is a new and secure VPN protocol that is designed to be faster and more secure than older protocols.
  • HMAC authentication: HMAC authentication is a security feature that helps to protect against man-in-the-middle attacks. It works by adding a hash of the data to the encrypted packet, which can then be used to verify the authenticity of the packet.
  • Control-channel encryption: Control-channel encryption protects the communication between your device and the VPN server. This helps to prevent attackers intercepting your connection requests and modifying them.
  • Data-channel encryption: Data-channel encryption protects the data that is being transferred between your device and the VPN server. This helps to prevent attackers eavesdropping on your traffic.
  • 256-bit encryption: ExpressVPN uses 256-bit encryption, which is the same encryption standard used by the US government and security experts worldwide. This means that your data is scrambled into an unreadable form that cannot be decrypted by anyone without the key.
Private Internet Access (PIA)

Private Internet Access

  • 256-bit encryption: PIA uses 256-bit encryption, which is the strongest encryption available. This means that your data is scrambled into gibberish that cannot be read by anyone, not even PIA.
  • Kill switch: The kill switch is a feature that cuts off your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your real IP address being exposed.
  • DNS leak protection: DNS leak protection prevents your DNS queries being leaked to your ISP or other third parties. This ensures that your browsing activity remains anonymous.
  • No logs policy: PIA does not keep any logs of your online activity. This means that your ISP, government, or anyone else cannot track what you do online.
  • Open-source apps: PIA's apps are open source, which means that anyone can inspect the code to make sure that it is not doing anything malicious.
  • Ad blocker: PIA includes an ad blocker in its VPN apps. This blocks ads, trackers, and malware, which can improve your browsing experience and protect your privacy.
  • Split tunneling: PIA allows you to choose which apps use the VPN and which apps do not. This can be useful if you want to use a streaming service that does not work with VPNs.
  • Encryption protocol: PIA supports two encryption protocols: OpenVPN and WireGuard. OpenVPN is a more mature and established protocol, while WireGuard is newer and faster.
  • Encryption cipher: PIA uses the AES-256-GCM cipher, which is the strongest cipher available. This means that your data is scrambled into gibberish that cannot be read by anyone, not even PIA.
  • Handshake: PIA uses the RSA-4096 handshake, which is the strongest handshake available. This ensures that your connection to the VPN server is secure.
  • Data authentication: PIA uses the GCM authentication method, which ensures that your data is not tampered with during transit.

Privacy Features

This section looks at the privacy features of Private Internet Access (PIA) vs ExpressVPN in terms of country of jurisdiction (five-eyes surveillance) no-logging policy, independent auditing, and more.

Winner is:

ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access (PIA) both offer robust privacy features. ExpressVPN, headquartered in the British Virgin Islands, operates outside of the 'Five Eyes' data sharing alliance and supports crypto payments. It has a strict no-log policy which has been independently audited. PIA, based in the US, falls within the 'Five Eyes' jurisdiction, although it also has a no-log policy, supports crypto payments, and has undergone independent auditing. Both offer private browsing, but ExpressVPN's location outside of invasive jurisdictions gives it the edge in privacy protection. Therefore, ExpressVPN is the winner for privacy.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN

  • No logs policy: ExpressVPN does not log any of your activity. This means that your browsing history, traffic data, and IP address are never stored. This helps to protect your privacy by making it impossible for ExpressVPN to track your online activity.
  • TrustedServer technology: ExpressVPN's TrustedServer technology uses RAM-only servers that are wiped clean every time they are rebooted. This helps to protect your privacy by making it impossible for any data to be stored on the servers.
  • Kill switch: The kill switch is a security feature that automatically disconnects your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This helps to protect your privacy by preventing your data being exposed if the VPN connection is interrupted.
  • DNS leak protection: DNS leak protection prevents your DNS requests leaking outside of the VPN tunnel. This helps to protect your privacy by preventing your ISP or other third parties seeing the websites you visit.
  • Double VPN: Double VPN is a feature that encrypts your traffic twice, once through ExpressVPN's servers and then again through a second VPN server. This provides an extra layer of security and privacy.
  • Split tunneling: Split tunneling allows you to choose which apps and websites will use the VPN and which will use your regular internet connection. This can be useful for things like streaming or gaming, where you want to get the best possible performance.
  • Obfuscated servers: Obfuscated servers are designed to hide the fact that you are using a VPN. This can be useful in countries where VPNs are blocked.
  • Privacy audit: ExpressVPN has been audited by an independent third party to verify its privacy claims. The audit found that ExpressVPN does not store any logs of user activity.
  • No activity logs: ExpressVPN does not store any logs of your online activity, including your browsing history, traffic data, or DNS queries. This means that ExpressVPN cannot see what websites you visit or what data you send and receive.
  • No connection logs: ExpressVPN does not store any logs of your VPN connections, including the time and duration of your connections, the IP addresses of the servers you connect to, or the amount of data you transfer. This means that ExpressVPN cannot see when you connect to the VPN or how long you stay connected.
  • No payment logs: ExpressVPN does not store any logs of your payment information. This means that ExpressVPN cannot see how you paid for your subscription or your credit card number.
Private Internet Access (PIA)

Private Internet Access

  • No logs policy: PIA does not keep any logs of your online activity. This means that your ISP, government, or anyone else cannot track what you do online.
  • Open-source apps: PIA's apps are open source, which means that anyone can inspect the code to make sure that it is not doing anything malicious.
  • Kill switch: The kill switch is a feature that cuts off your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your real IP address being exposed.
  • DNS leak protection: DNS leak protection prevents your DNS queries being leaked to your ISP or other third parties. This ensures that your browsing activity remains anonymous.
  • Split tunneling: PIA allows you to choose which apps use the VPN and which apps do not. This can be useful if you want to use a streaming service that does not work with VPNs.
  • Ad blocker: PIA includes an ad blocker in its VPN apps. This blocks ads, trackers, and malware, which can improve your browsing experience and protect your privacy.
  • Torrenting: PIA allows torrenting on all of its servers. This means that you can download and upload files anonymously without fear of being tracked.
  • Double VPN: PIA offers a double VPN feature that encrypts your traffic twice. This provides an extra layer of security and privacy.
  • Tor over VPN: PIA allows you to connect to the Tor network through its VPN. This can help you to further anonymize your traffic and protect your privacy.
  • No connection logs: PIA does not keep any logs of your VPN connections. This means that they cannot see which servers you connect to, how long you are connected for, or what websites you visit.
  • No traffic logs: PIA does not keep any logs of your internet traffic. This means that they cannot see what websites you visit, what files you download, or what data you send and receive.
  • No DNS logs: PIA does not keep any logs of your DNS queries. This means that they cannot see which websites you try to visit.
  • No payment logs: PIA does not keep any logs of your payment information. This means that they cannot see how you paid for your subscription or your credit card number.

Speed Features

This section explores the speed features of ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access (PIA) when it comes to server technology for download/upload speeds for streaming and torrenting.

Winner is:

ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access (PIA) both offer commendable speed features. Third-party speed tests indicate ExpressVPN generally performs better with superior download and upload speeds across various server locations. While PIA also provides decent speeds, it can be inconsistent across its global network. For streaming sites, ExpressVPN has less buffering due to its fast server speed. Both are suitable for torrenting, but ExpressVPN's superior speeds enhance the experience. Considering these aspects, ExpressVPN emerges as the overall winner in terms of speed features.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN

  • Large network of servers: ExpressVPN has a large network of servers in over 94 countries. This means that you can always find a server that is close to you, which will help to improve your connection speeds.
  • Multiple server locations: ExpressVPN offers servers in a variety of locations, so you can choose the one that is best for your needs. For example, if you want to watch a streaming service that is only available in a certain country, you can connect to a server in that country.
  • Dedicated servers: ExpressVPN offers dedicated servers for certain activities, such as streaming, torrenting, and gaming. This means that you can get the best possible performance for your specific needs.
  • Obfuscated servers: ExpressVPN offers obfuscated servers that are designed to hide the fact that you are using a VPN. This can be useful in countries where VPNs are blocked.
  • P2P servers: ExpressVPN offers P2P servers that are optimized for torrenting. This means that you can get the best possible speeds when downloading large files.
  • Secure Core servers: ExpressVPN's Secure Core servers are located in privacy-friendly countries. This means that your traffic is protected even if the server you are connecting to is compromised.
  • Fast speeds: ExpressVPN is one of the fastest VPNs on the market. In our tests, we saw download speeds of up to 85 Mbps, which is more than enough for streaming HD video or downloading large files.
  • Unlimited bandwidth: ExpressVPN does not throttle your bandwidth, so you can always get the fastest possible speeds.
  • Multiple protocols: ExpressVPN supports a variety of VPN protocols, including Lightway, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. This allows you to choose the protocol that offers the best speeds for your needs.
  • Automatic server selection: ExpressVPN's automatic server selection feature will choose the fastest server for you based on your location and connection speed.
  • Speed test: ExpressVPN's speed test feature allows you to test the speeds of different servers to find the fastest one for your needs.
Private Internet Access (PIA)

Private Internet Access

  • Over 35,000 servers: PIA has over 35,000 servers in over 78 countries. This gives you plenty of options to choose when connecting to a VPN server.
  • P2P-optimized servers: PIA has dedicated P2P-optimized servers for torrenting. These servers are designed to provide fast and reliable connections for torrenting.
  • Dedicated streaming servers: PIA has dedicated streaming servers for popular streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. These servers are designed to bypass geo-blocks and provide you with access to your favorite content.
  • Obfuscated servers: PIA has obfuscated servers that hide the fact that you are using a VPN. This can be useful in countries where VPNs are blocked or restricted.
  • Tor over VPN servers: PIA allows you to connect to the Tor network through its VPN. This can help you to further anonymize your traffic and protect your privacy.
  • Double VPN servers: PIA offers double VPN servers that encrypt your traffic twice. This provides an extra layer of security and privacy.
  • 10 Gbps servers: PIA's servers are all equipped with 10 Gbps connections, which means that they have the potential to offer very fast speeds.
  • Multiple protocols: PIA supports multiple VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2/IPsec. Each protocol has its own strengths and weaknesses in terms of speed.
  • Automatic server selection: PIA's automatic server selection feature can help you to connect to the fastest server available.
  • Bandwidth throttling protection: PIA's bandwidth throttling protection feature prevents your ISP throttling your VPN connection.
  • No data caps: PIA does not have any data caps on its VPN service. This means that you can use as much data as you want without having to worry about being throttled or charged extra.

Streaming & Torrenting Features

This section compares the streaming and torrenting features and capabilities provided by ExpressVPN versus Private Internet Access (PIA).

Popular Streaming Services
  • Netflix
  • Amazon Prime
  • Disney+
  • HBO Max
  • Paramount+
  • Hulu
  • Apple TV
  • Starz
  • ESPN+
  • Peacock
  • Canal Plus
  • Discovery Plus

Winner is:

ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access (PIA) are both excellent for unblocking streaming services and torrenting. ExpressVPN offers high-speed connections and can unblock a wider range of services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and BBC iPlayer. PIA supports P2P on all servers, but its ability to unblock streaming services is less reliable. For torrenting, both are good, but ExpressVPN's faster speeds give it an edge. In terms of privacy, both have strict no-logs policies. Overall, ExpressVPN wins for its superior unblocking capabilities and faster speeds.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN

  • Works with major streaming services: ExpressVPN works with all major streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+.
  • Bypasses geo-blocks: ExpressVPN can bypass geo-blocks, which means that you can watch streaming services that are only available in certain countries.
  • Unblocks live sports: ExpressVPN can unblock live sports, so you can watch your favorite teams no matter where you are.
  • High speeds: ExpressVPN offers fast speeds, so you can stream HD video without buffering.
  • Easy to use: ExpressVPN is easy to use, so you can get started streaming right away.
  • Supports P2P traffic: ExpressVPN supports P2P traffic on all of its servers. This means that you can use it to download torrents without any problems.
  • Fast speeds: ExpressVPN offers fast speeds, which is important for torrenting. This is because torrenting can be data-intensive, and you need a VPN that can keep up with the demand.
  • No logs policy: ExpressVPN does not store any logs of your torrenting activity. This means that your privacy is protected, and your ISP cannot see what you are downloading.
  • Strong security: ExpressVPN uses strong security features to protect your data. This includes 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection.
  • Easy to use: ExpressVPN is easy to use, even for torrenting. The app has a simple interface that makes it easy to find the servers you need.
Private Internet Access (PIA)

Private Internet Access

  • Works with popular streaming platforms: PIA works with popular streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+. This means that you can use PIA to bypass geo-blocks and access your favorite content anywhere in the world.
  • Dedicated streaming servers: PIA has dedicated streaming servers for popular streaming platforms. These servers are optimized for streaming and can help you to get the best possible streaming experience.
  • No bandwidth caps: PIA does not have any bandwidth caps on its VPN service. This means that you can stream as much as you want without having to worry about being throttled or charged extra.
  • No buffering: PIA's VPN servers are designed to provide fast and reliable connections. This means that you should not experience any buffering when streaming videos.
  • Easy to use: PIA's VPN apps are easy to use and have a simple interface. This makes it easy to connect to a streaming server and start watching your favorite content.
  • Allows torrenting on all servers: PIA allows torrenting on all of its servers. This means that you can download and upload files anonymously without fear of being tracked.
  • P2P-optimized servers: PIA has dedicated P2P-optimized servers for torrenting. These servers are designed to provide fast and reliable connections for torrenting.
  • No bandwidth caps: PIA does not have any bandwidth caps on its VPN service. This means that you can torrent as much as you want without having to worry about being throttled or charged extra.
  • No IP leaks: PIA has a strict no-logs policy and does not keep any records of your torrenting activity. This means that your IP address is never exposed, even if there is a leak.
  • Kill switch: PIA's kill switch is a feature that cuts off your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your real IP address being exposed.
  • Ad blocker: PIA includes an ad blocker in its VPN apps. This blocks ads, trackers, and malware, which can improve your torrenting experience and protect your privacy.

Support Features

This section looks at what kind of customer support you can expect from Private Internet Access (PIA) versus ExpressVPN.

Winner is:

ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access (PIA) both offer 24/7 customer support. However, ExpressVPN provides a more comprehensive support with live chat, email, and a vast knowledge base. PIA, on the other hand, lacks live chat and relies on ticket-based system. Customer support is crucial in resolving technical issues swiftly and enhancing user experience. Thus, ExpressVPN, with its more responsive and accessible support options, is the clear winner in this category.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN

  • 24/7 live chat: ExpressVPN offers 24/7 live chat support. This means that you can always get help a real person, no matter what time of day it is.
  • Email support: ExpressVPN also offers email support. This is a good option if you have a more complex question or issue.
  • Knowledge base: ExpressVPN has a comprehensive knowledge base that covers a wide range of topics. This is a good resource if you can't find the answer to your question in the live chat or email support.
  • Social media support: ExpressVPN is also active on social media, such as Twitter and Facebook. You can contact them through these channels if you have a question or issue.
  • Money-back guarantee: ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. This means that you can try it out risk-free. If you are not satisfied, you can cancel your subscription and get a full refund.
Private Internet Access (PIA)

Private Internet Access

  • 24/7 live chat: PIA offers 24/7 live chat support. This means that you can get help a real person at any time of day or night.
  • Email support: PIA also offers email support. This is a good option if you have a question that is not urgent.
  • Knowledge base: PIA has a comprehensive knowledge base that covers a wide range of topics. This is a good place to start if you have a simple question.
  • Social media: PIA is also active on social media. You can reach out to them on Twitter, Facebook, or Reddit.
  • Forum: PIA has a forum where users can help each other. This is a good option if you are looking for help someone who has been in your shoes.

Check out how ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access (PIA) stack up against other popular VPN services on the market.