ExpressVPN
Premium VPN known for blazing speeds and rock-solid reliability.
Private Internet Access
Proven no-logs VPN with 35,000+ servers at a budget price.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | ExpressVPN | Private Internet Access |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $8.32mo | $2.03moBetter |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Top Pros | Fastest speeds tested | Lowest long-term price of major VPNs |
| Works with every streaming service | Open-source apps | |
| Excellent router support | 10 simultaneous connections | |
| Top Cons | Most expensive major VPN | US-based (Five Eyes jurisdiction) |
| Only 8 simultaneous connections | Unblocking streaming hit-or-miss |
ExpressVPN delivers the fastest speeds tested in its category and maintains compatibility with every streaming service, making it the performance and entertainment-focused choice, but it caps you at only 8 simultaneous connections and carries ownership concerns tied to Kape Technologies. Private Internet Access counters with an impressive 35,000+ servers running both WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols, plus open-source apps that invite security scrutiny, yet its streaming unblocking remains inconsistent and its US-based jurisdiction places it squarely in Five Eyes territory—a critical consideration for privacy-first users.
At $8.32 per month, ExpressVPN commands the highest price among major VPNs, but that premium buys you the fastest tested speeds and universal streaming access. Private Internet Access undercuts it dramatically at $2.03 per month on long-term plans, making it the lowest-cost major VPN option—a difference that compounds to over $75 annually, yet you sacrifice speed leadership and reliable streaming support to achieve that savings.
ExpressVPN is engineered for users who prioritize simplicity through its Lightway protocol and TrustedServer technology, with excellent router support baked in for non-technical households seeking set-it-and-forget-it protection. Private Internet Access appeals to security-conscious power users willing to engage with its open-source architecture, manage protocol selection between WireGuard and OpenVPN, and accept its port forwarding and dedicated IP options—features that demand more active configuration but reward informed choices.
Choose ExpressVPN if you're a cord-cutter streaming across multiple platforms daily and value the fastest tested speeds as non-negotiable; its universal streaming service compatibility and Network Lock kill switch justify the $8.32 monthly cost for households running 8 or fewer simultaneous connections. Choose Private Internet Access if you're privacy-focused, budget-conscious, trust open-source code review over marketing claims, and can tolerate streaming inconsistency—its 35,000+ servers, open-source apps, and $2.03 long-term pricing make it unbeatable for activists, remote workers, and security researchers outside Five Eyes who can afford to troubleshoot their own streaming access.
- Want: fastest speeds tested
- Want: works with every streaming service
- Want: excellent router support
- Want: lowest long-term price of major vpns
- Want: open-source apps
- Want: 10 simultaneous connections
Our Verdict
Pick ExpressVPN if you stream constantly across multiple services and value guaranteed access over price—the premium pays for unblocked Netflix, Disney+, and HBO everywhere. Pick Private Internet Access if you prioritize long-term savings and server variety, can tolerate occasional streaming blackouts, and aren't concerned about Five Eyes jurisdiction.