PIA vs ExpressVPN: price and which to choose
Quick verdict
Both have wide US maps with many virtual locations: PIA 55 regions across all 50 states (32 geo-located), ExpressVPN 62 locations (38 virtual). PIA allows unlimited devices and has port forwarding outside the US, but is a US company; ExpressVPN is in the British Virgin Islands, caps devices at 10–14 and bundles identity tools on its upper plans.
Option A
$11.95/moPIA VPN
Official price before tax: $11.95
Price checked
Private Internet Access price and plans
Option B
We compare plans with a similar purpose, whose features may differ; prices before sales tax; prices for other plans and periods are in the reviews.
Feature comparison
| Criterion | Private Internet Access | ExpressVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | USA (Five Eyes) | British Virgin Islands |
| Devices | Unlimited | 10 / 12 / 14 |
| US map | 55 regions, all 50 states | 62 locations |
| Marked virtual (US) | 32 | 38 |
| Port forwarding | Not on US servers | No |
| Money-back | 30 days, new subscribers | 30 days, first-time users |
PIA and ExpressVPN both cover a lot of the US map. They differ most on jurisdiction, devices and how much they bundle.
If you don’t want to read further
Unlimited devices or a guaranteed location in every state — PIA. Jurisdiction outside the 14 Eyes, a password manager or identity insurance bundled — ExpressVPN.
What really sets them apart
In each row, the last sentence matters most — what the difference means for you.
Where is the company?
Private Internet Access
USA — inside the Five Eyes.
ExpressVPN
British Virgin Islands — outside the 14 Eyes.
If jurisdiction matters to you, ExpressVPN.
How many devices?
Private Internet Access
Unlimited.
ExpressVPN
10, 12 or 14 by plan.
Big households lean PIA.
US map?
Private Internet Access
55 regions; PIA says it covers all 50 states; 32 geo-located.
ExpressVPN
62 locations; 38 marked virtual.
Both offer many places; check whether your city is physical.
Port forwarding?
Private Internet Access
Yes — but not on US servers.
ExpressVPN
No.
Only PIA, and only abroad.
What’s bundled?
Private Internet Access
An email breach monitor; antivirus and a dedicated IP are add-ons.
ExpressVPN
Advanced: ExpressKeys and Identity Defender; Pro: a dedicated IP and ExpressAI.
Express bundles more; PIA keeps the VPN simple.
Linux?
Private Internet Access
64-bit desktop app with split tunneling; ARM too.
ExpressVPN
App with or without a graphical interface, with kill switch and split tunneling.
Both cover Linux – check your distribution.
TV apps?
Private Internet Access
Fire TV and Apple TV apps.
ExpressVPN
Apple TV, Android TV and Fire TV apps.
No app for your TV? A VPN router covers it.
Where they don’t differ, even though it seems they should
This part is often more useful than the list of differences — it saves money for anyone who was about to pay for an imaginary advantage.
2025 audits
Both had an independent no-logs audit in 2025.
30 days, new customers only
Both limit the guarantee to new customers and exclude app store purchases.
Many virtual US locations
Both mark a large share of US locations as virtual or geo-located.
Which one fits whom
| Your situation | What to choose | On what condition |
|---|---|---|
| More than 14 devices | PIA | Unlimited. |
| You want a provider outside the Five Eyes | ExpressVPN | British Virgin Islands. |
| You want identity insurance bundled | ExpressVPN Advanced | Under the insurer’s terms. |
| You want open-source apps | PIA | 100% open source. |
- PIA’s price list doesn’t say whether tax is added; ExpressVPN adds it at checkout where applicable.
- ExpressVPN’s intro price ends after 28 months.
- Both guarantees exclude App Store and Google Play purchases.
- PIA is under US jurisdiction.
Where the facts come from
Sources: PIA’s and ExpressVPN’s US price lists, server lists and ExpressVPN’s refund policy. Prices are in the price blocks on each service’s page.
Facts in the text checked: .
FAQ: Private Internet Access or ExpressVPN
Other comparisons
The same products against other competitors, and other comparisons in the “VPN services” category.
Where their scores differ
Only criteria we’ve checked for both services and where the scores differ. Equal criteria and criteria without data aren’t shown here, because they add nothing to the decision.
If what matters most is — port forwarding: Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access: yes (5,0/5) · ExpressVPN Basic: no (1,0/5)
If what matters most is — jurisdiction: ExpressVPN Basic
Private Internet Access: US or Five Eyes (1,5/5) · ExpressVPN Basic: outside the 14 Eyes, no data retention obligation (5,0/5)
If what matters most is — price jump at renewal: Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access: 2,05 USD/mo — 1,1× more expensive (5,0/5) · ExpressVPN Basic: 8,33 USD/mo — 2,8× more expensive (2,5/5)
If what matters most is — what’s included in the same plan: Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access: ad blocking, tracker blocking, split tunneling (3 of 3) (5,0/5) · ExpressVPN Basic: ad blocking, split tunneling (2 of 3) (3,7/5)
If what matters most is — network coverage: ExpressVPN Basic
Private Internet Access: 104 countries (3,0/5) · ExpressVPN Basic: 113 countries (4,0/5)
If what matters most is — devices at once: Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access: unlimited (5,0/5) · ExpressVPN Basic: 10 (4,0/5)
If what matters most is — price now: Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access: 1,89 USD/mo before tax (5,0/5) · ExpressVPN Basic: 2,99 USD/mo before tax (4,3/5)
The scores and their weights are the same as in the reviews of both services. How we calculate
Comparison text updated: