Private Internet Access vs ExpressVPN
Compare Private Internet Access and ExpressVPN by device coverage, locations and the features you need.
On the plans compared here, Private Internet Access covers unlimited simultaneous devices; ExpressVPN covers 10 simultaneous devices. Start with the devices you use together, then check the locations and connection options you need. Network coverage: Private Internet Access (NextGen servers in 91 countries); ExpressVPN (Servers in 113 countries).
Based on published provider facts and editorial assessment. How we evaluate. Some links earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure.
Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access is aimed at: Households and users who want unlimited connections and detailed desktop settings.
Read the review →ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is aimed at: People considering Lightway, TrustedServer and a tier chosen for their device allowance.
Read the review →
Want to test it on your own devices?
The quickest way to settle a shortlist is to check the official deal page, install the apps you actually use, and lean on the refund window if it is not the right fit.
Offer terms
Private Internet Access: 3 years + 3 months: $2.03/mo (USD)
ExpressVPN: Basic: $2.99/mo for the first 28 months
Headline rates may cover different prepaid terms. Compare the upfront payment, included months, renewal price and tax at checkout.
Upfront costs and renewal notes →Device allowance
Private Internet Access: Unlimited devices. ExpressVPN: 10 devices.
Refund terms
Private Internet Access: 30-day guarantee; eligibility and purchase-channel conditions apply
ExpressVPN: 30 days for eligible new users; app-store purchases excluded
Eligibility, payment method and subscription length can affect the guarantee.
The details side by side
| Head to head | ||
|---|---|---|
| Monthly plan | Monthly plan: $11.95/mo (USD) | Check current Basic monthly price |
| Advertised long-term offer | 3 years + 3 months: $2.03/mo (USD) | Basic: $2.99/mo for the first 28 months |
| Devices on compared plan | Unlimited | 10 |
| Countries | 91 | 113 |
| Network | NextGen servers in 91 countries | Servers in 113 countries |
| Refund window | 30-day guarantee; eligibility and purchase-channel conditions apply | 30 days for eligible new users; app-store purchases excluded |
| Jurisdiction | United States | British Virgin Islands |
| Protocol | WireGuard + OpenVPN | Lightway + WireGuard |
| Anti-blocking | Multi-Hop and Obfuscation with Shadowsocks on desktop | Automatic obfuscation on supported platforms |
| Audit / privacy | Deloitte limited assurance as of October 2025, plus earlier audits and transparency reports | KPMG assurance of privacy commitments and TrustedServer; additional security audits |
| WireGuard | ||
| Kill switch | ||
| Split tunneling | ||
| Audited no-logs | ||
| Score for overall | 8/10 | 8/10 |
Equal editorial scores do not produce a winner. Device limits correspond to the advertised entry plan; paid upgrades may differ.
Editorial scores by use case
Overall: Equal scores
Both have the same editorial overall score (8/10). There is no score-based winner. Compare the features, plan terms and privacy documents that matter to you.
Streaming: ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN has the higher editorial streaming score. Private Internet Access: 8/10; ExpressVPN: 9/10. Scores summarize published features and our assessment, not measured performance or a guarantee of results.
Gaming: Equal scores
Both have the same editorial gaming score (8/10). There is no score-based winner. Compare the features, plan terms and privacy documents that matter to you.
Privacy: ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN has the higher editorial privacy score. Private Internet Access: 7/10; ExpressVPN: 8/10. Scores summarize published features and our assessment, not measured performance or a guarantee of results.
What differs
Offer terms
Private Internet Access: 3 years + 3 months: $2.03/mo (USD). ExpressVPN: Basic: $2.99/mo for the first 28 months. Headline rates may cover different prepaid terms. Compare the upfront payment, included months, renewal price and tax at checkout.
Simultaneous devices
Private Internet Access allows unlimited simultaneous connections, while ExpressVPN allows 10 on the plan compared here.
Country coverage
ExpressVPN lists 113 countries versus Private Internet Access's 91, which can matter for travel and regional access.
Where each is based
Private Internet Access is based in United States, while ExpressVPN operates from British Virgin Islands. Jurisdiction is worth weighing if data-retention rules are part of your decision.
Main protocol
Private Internet Access documents WireGuard + OpenVPN; ExpressVPN documents Lightway + WireGuard. Availability and defaults vary by app and platform.
Questions about Private Internet Access vs ExpressVPN
Which is better, Private Internet Access or ExpressVPN?
Both have the same editorial overall score (8/10). There is no score-based winner. Compare the features, plan terms and privacy documents that matter to you.
Which offer costs less?
Private Internet Access: 3 years + 3 months: $2.03/mo (USD). ExpressVPN: Basic: $2.99/mo for the first 28 months. Headline rates may cover different prepaid terms. Compare the upfront payment, included months, renewal price and tax at checkout.
Which one supports more devices?
Private Internet Access: Unlimited devices. ExpressVPN: 10 devices.
Which is better for streaming?
ExpressVPN has the higher editorial streaming score. Private Internet Access: 8/10; ExpressVPN: 9/10. Scores summarize published features and our assessment, not measured performance or a guarantee of results.
Which has the stronger privacy score?
ExpressVPN has the higher editorial privacy score. Private Internet Access: 7/10; ExpressVPN: 8/10. Scores summarize published features and our assessment, not measured performance or a guarantee of results.
Are both links affiliate links?
Some provider links may earn us a commission; others are ordinary links. This does not determine our scores. Prices, regional offers and eligibility must be confirmed on the provider website.
Sources and offer notes
Private Internet Access
Provider fact check: 2026-09-05
USD offer checked September 5, 2026: $11.95 billed monthly; the 39-month offer advertises $2.03/mo and renewal at $79 every three years. The initial total for the 39-month offer was not separately verified. Check the upfront total, tax and your regional offer before purchase.
- USD pricing, 39 month offer and recurring amounts; unlimited devices;91 countries/all 50 USstates; new-subscriber guarantee footnote (privateinternetaccess.com)
- FAQ explicitly 91 countries; no confirmed total server count (privateinternetaccess.com)
- Current desktop protocol and privacy-setting documentation (helpdesk.privateinternetaccess.com)
- Vendor no-logs policy and audit explanation (privateinternetaccess.com)
- 30 day initial-purchase/renewal refund terms and payment-channel/repeat-refund restrictions (privateinternetaccess.com)
- Identifies US corporate entity and office (privateinternetaccess.com)
- Third-audit announcement updated February 24, 2026; links actual report (privateinternetaccess.com)
- 10-page limited assurance report (assets-cms.privateinternetaccess.com)
ExpressVPN
Provider fact check: 2026-09-05
USD Basic offer reviewed September 5, 2026 using official pricing and checkout pages, including a cached pricing snapshot: $83.72 for the first 28 months ($2.99/mo equivalent), then $99.95/year plus applicable tax. Monthly Basic pricing was not verified. Confirm the current regional offer and total; tier prices and device limits differ.
- 113-country heading and protocol availability matrix (expressvpn.com)
- Default 2-year offers show tier device limits, initial 28 month charges and annual renewals; web retrieval reports crawl 5 days ago (checkout.expressvpn.com)
- Confirms custom WireGuard implementation and platform coverage; Lightway remains default (expressvpn.com)
- Documents automatic obfuscation on supported platforms, kill switch, split tunneling and RAM-only TrustedServer (expressvpn.com)
- Lists privacy/infrastructure audit history separately from newer bundled-product audits (expressvpn.com)
- June 25, 2025 announcement says assessed privacy claims and TrustedServer as of February 28, 2025; audit ordinal inconsistent (expressvpn.com)
- Express Technologies Ltd.; refund eligibility and exclusions; BVI governing law (expressvpn.com)
- States company based in British Virgin Islands; general upto 14-device marketing is not a substitute for tier table (expressvpn.com)
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