Non-public Web Entry VPN and ExpressVPN are two of the fastest-performing VPNs I’ve examined up to now. With each choices offering top-tier VPN speeds, it could be arduous to decide on which resolution you and your small business ought to go for.
Thankfully, each VPN providers have their very own distinctive promoting factors that differentiate them from each other. On one hand, PIA VPN presents actually good worth with its inexpensive paid subscriptions and a number of system connections. Then again, ExpressVPN prioritizes providing a easy and dependable person expertise — albeit for the next price ticket.
On this article, we check out which VPN is finest for you and your group.
- Non-public Web Entry: Finest for startups and budget-conscious customers that need quick VPN speeds and limitless system connections at an inexpensive worth.
- ExpressVPN: Finest for small-to-medium sized companies on the lookout for a well-designed and user-friendly VPN utility whereas providing quick and dependable speeds.
Non-public Web Entry VPN vs ExpressVPN: Comparability
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Non-public Web Entry VPN vs ExpressVPN: Pricing
Each PIA VPN and ExpressVPN supply three subscription tiers that fluctuate relying on the contract size. Personally, I like this strategy because it simplifies the shopping for course of in comparison with different VPNs that categorize their plans relying on the variety of options included in a specific tier.
Non-public Web Entry VPN pricing
PIA VPN comes with three plans: a one-month, an annual and a three-year subscription. All three subscription plans present the identical performance, with the one distinction being the ultimate contract size.
- 1 month: $11.95 per thirty days.
- 1 12 months: $3.33 per thirty days.
- 3 years: $2.03 per thirty days.
Sadly, PIA VPN doesn’t have a free model. Nonetheless, it does supply a free trial through its cell utility. Fortunately, you should use PIA VPN on desktop after accessing the free trial both via Android or iOS. I’m additionally joyful to report that this trial doesn’t require any cost or bank card data to entry.
If you wish to be taught extra, learn our full Non-public Web Entry VPN evaluation.
ExpressVPN pricing
ExpressVPN has three plans: a month-to-month, a six-month and an annual subscription. Like PIA VPN, all three plan choices present the identical function set.
- 1 month: $12.95 per thirty days.
- 6 months: $9.99 per thirty days.
- 1 12 months: $8.32 per thirty days.
ExpressVPN at the moment doesn’t supply a devoted free model. What it does supply is an identical seven-day free trial that’s accessible via its Android or iOS cell utility. One key distinction in comparison with PIA’s trial, nonetheless, is that ExpressVPN’s free trial requires cost data to entry.
SEE: NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: Which VPN Is Finest? (TechRepublic)
To be clear, the trial is free and ExpressVPN received’t cost you till after the seven-day interval. However if you would like a free trial that doesn’t require handing over any cost data, PIA VPN is the higher possibility.
If you wish to be taught extra, learn our full ExpressVPN evaluation.
Non-public Web Entry VPN vs ExpressVPN: Characteristic comparability
Safety protocols and encryption
Winner: Tie
When it comes to safety protocols and encryption, PIA VPN and ExpressVPN each rating a degree. Each PIA VPN and ExpressVPN carry safety protocols constructed each for safety and pace.
PIA VPN lets customers select between OpenVPN and WireGuard, whereas ExpressVPN comes with OpenVPN and its proprietary Lightway protocol. Based on ExpressVPN, Lightway is designed to supply a speedy and safe VPN expertise.
I personally assume having OpenVPN for safety and both WireGuard or Lightway for pace is a superb stability in a modern-day VPN. I’m glad PIA and ExpressVPN didn’t skimp on this facet.
SEE: Find out how to Begin a Profession in Cybersecurity (TechRepublic Premium)
We get the identical story within the encryption division, with each PIA VPN and ExpressVPN using the military-grade AES-256 encryption algorithm.
In 2024, I virtually think about having AES encryption a requirement because it’s widely known as one of the crucial uncrackable encryption algorithms right now. A lot in order that it’s utilized by the likes of america authorities and banking establishments to maintain their knowledge secure.
VPN server community and places
Winner: ExpressVPN
Trying into each VPN’s respective server networks, I’ve to offer the win to ExpressVPN for its extra various location unfold in comparison with PIA VPN. As of July 2024, ExpressVPN’s server community consists of servers from 105 international locations. It additionally has a reported 3,000+ servers in its fleet.
On the flipside, PIA VPN’s server suite has VPN servers from a good 91 international locations. Whereas PIA doesn’t explicitly disclose its server rely, studies have it at round 10,000 to 35,000 servers.
Whereas having a lot of servers could seem to be the higher selection, I discover extra worth in ExpressVPN’s bigger location unfold.
With VPN servers from 105 international locations, people and companies could have a wider and extra various vary of places to select from in comparison with PIA VPN’s 91-country suite. That is going to be significantly useful for companies whose principal goal with a VPN is to unblock geo-blocked content material.
Third-party audits and observe data
Winner: ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN’s spectacular and constant impartial third-party audits give it the win when it comes to third-party testing and observe report. As of Could 2024, the VPN has undergone a commendable 18 impartial audits, with the newest one particularly testing its Privateness Coverage claims.
Its portfolio of safety audits is at the moment unmatched within the VPN house, having audits courting again to 2018. Its third-party exams embrace trying into important points of its service like its no-logs coverage, VPN protocols, server tech and browser extension.
This isn’t to low cost PIA VPN’s efforts on the audit aspect, because it has additionally undergone necessary third-party audits for its service. Its most up-to-date audit was printed in April 2024, the place Deloitte reviewed PIA VPN’s server community and administration techniques. In addition they recurrently publish Transparency Reviews that comprise particulars on court docket orders or knowledge requests despatched to its authorized division.
Which means that regardless in case you select PIA VPN or ExpressVPN, you’re going to be utilizing a safe and examined VPN. That being stated, if we’re strictly speaking about which supplier has extra audits, for an extended time frame, ExpressVPN is the higher selection on this spherical.
Efficiency and pace
Winner: ExpressVPN
With regards to pace and total efficiency, ExpressVPN will get the slight edge over PIA VPN. Per my testing, ExpressVPN gave me extra constant speeds and a comparatively smoother app expertise.
To check each VPNs, I did my common workflow as a author of getting a number of tabs open for analysis, utilizing Google Workspace apps like Docs and Drive, attending on-line video conferences and streaming the occasional 4k YouTube video.
With ExpressVPN particularly, I acquired nice speeds and reliability. There have been zero noticeable drops in connection pace, and all of the websites I visited loaded rapidly. ExpressVPN additionally carried out properly in my pace testing. For downloads, it recorded a 25.57% lower in comparison with my web service supplier, whereas for add speeds, it garnered a 27.96% drop.
For me, a 30-40% drop in pace is the place I might count on most VPNs to fall underneath, so ExpressVPN’s pace outcomes are glorious.
Then again, PIA VPN additionally carried out properly when it comes to pace. I had related leads to day-to-day use and customarily loved constant speeds all through utilizing PIA VPN. For its pace exams, PIA VPN truly recorded a smaller lower in obtain speeds at only a 17.1% drop. For uploads, it had an honest 32.8% lower in speeds as properly.
The place PIA VPN lags behind is in-app efficiency. Throughout my time with PIA, I skilled a bizarre bug the place I had hassle connecting to a server after switching to its WireGuard protocol. This was bizarre contemplating I didn’t encounter the identical problem whereas utilizing OpenVPN. Fortunately, the bug resolved itself after restarting the applying twice.
In distinction, I had no such expertise with ExpressVPN and located the app to run easily all all through my time with it. Whereas this might very properly be a one-off bug, my testing confirmed that ExpressVPN will present higher total efficiency than PIA VPN.
I additionally must shout out ExpressVPN for its add outcomes. Most VPNs supply good pace take a look at outcomes for obtain speeds solely. So, I discover it spectacular that ExpressVPN’s obtain and add speeds carried out equally throughout my pace exams.
Standout security measures
Winner: Non-public Web Entry VPN
Whereas each VPNs have related options on high of the principle VPN, PIA seems to be to have a greater set of further security measures. It consists of superior VPN-centric security measures like community automation, which mechanically connects you to the VPN after sure situations are met; multi-hop performance, which routes person site visitors into two completely different servers; and obfuscated servers, which masks that you just’re utilizing a VPN.
Whereas not a function per se, PIA VPN’s purposes are additionally open supply. Which means that its supply code is publicly out there for evaluation — a plus for companies that worth transparency and privateness within the software program they use.
You even have the choice to buy PIA VPN’s antivirus and devoted IP providers as add-ons to your VPN subscription. Whereas I might’ve appreciated both to be bundled in, it’s nice that we have now that possibility for customers trying to have extra safety capabilities with the prevailing VPN plan.
On the flipside, a spotlight of ExpressVPN’s security measures is its TrustedServer RAM-only server expertise, which ensures person knowledge is wiped at each reboot and isn’t written on firm arduous drives. It additionally bundles in ExpressVPN Keys — its personal devoted password supervisor that’s included with any ExpressVPN subscription. It is a cool addition, particularly if your small business doesn’t have a password administration resolution but.
Each VPNs come together with your normal VPN options, like break up tunneling, kill swap and built-in advert/tracker/malware blockers. Whereas having a devoted password supervisor is engaging, I really feel PIA VPN’s open-source software program and VPN-focused options give it the benefit on this spherical.
Ease of use and design
Winner: ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN takes the cake on the subject of ease of use and design. Subjectively talking, I really feel ExpressVPN has the very best stability of design and intuitiveness in a VPN utility right now.
It has a giant energy button as your On/Off swap, a easy checklist the place yow will discover your servers and a settings menu that’s neatly organized for simple entry to options. The design additionally feels and appears fashionable with out sacrificing total performance.
A private spotlight for me is how ExpressVPN’s browser extension acts as a distant management for the desktop app. This provides to the excessive degree of polish and user-friendliness that ExpressVPN brings.
PIA VPN’s interface has its personal deserves as properly. PIA VPN’s desktop and browser purposes are customizable, enabling customers to bookmark their most used VPN options on the high.
As a tinkerer, I admire PIA VPN giving customers this kind of management over their VPN expertise. The app itself can also be comparatively straightforward to make use of and doesn’t have any obtrusive negatives from a design standpoint.
Nonetheless, if we take each VPN apps aspect by aspect, it’s clear that ExpressVPN has a extra polished and refined person interface than PIA VPN.
Simultaneous system connections
Winner: Non-public Web Entry VPN
One huge benefit PIA VPN has over ExpressVPN is with simultaneous system connections, permitting for an infinite variety of units in comparison with ExpressVPN’s most of eight units related on the identical time.
That is necessary given that almost all companies don’t wish to spend a further subscription to guard a number of units. It actually will increase PIA VPN’s worth proposition, contemplating it has a extra inexpensive annual plan in comparison with ExpressVPN’s equal subscription.
I additionally discover that limitless simultaneous connections function a handy set-and-forget function since PIA customers received’t have to fret about exceeding the utmost system restrict when utilizing the VPN.
Supported platforms
Winner: ExpressVPN
When it comes to official platform help, ExpressVPN has a slight benefit over PIA VPN. ExpressVPN helps the principle platforms resembling Home windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android.
If we have a look at browser help, ExpressVPN has official browser extensions for Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Vivaldi, Chromium and Courageous browsers. Sadly, there may be at the moment no Safari help for ExpressVPN.
ExpressVPN additionally helps extra area of interest platforms like Chromebooks, the Amazon Hearth pill, Amazon Hearth Stick and Hearth TV, Apple TV, Google TV and Android TV. You may as well manually configure ExpressVPN for routers and media and gaming consoles like older era Apple TVs, the Nintendo Swap, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Ps 3, PS4 and PS5.
In the meantime, PIA VPN helps a variety of platforms in its personal proper, having official apps for Home windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. It additionally helps routers, Amazon Hearth TV and Hearth Stick, Android TVs, PS4, PS5, Xbox and the Nintendo Swap.
Official browser help is the place PIA VPN loses out, because it solely has apps for Chrome, Firefox and Opera in the mean time. Whereas help is extra of a case-to-case facet of VPNs, ExpressVPN has the slight benefit when it comes to total platform compatibility.
Worth for cash
Winner: Non-public Web Entry VPN
PIA VPN takes the value-for-money spherical, given its extra inexpensive pricing throughout all its subscriptions. If we have a look at each VPN’s base annual plans, ExpressVPN’s $8.32 per thirty days is greater than twice the worth of PIA VPN’s $3.33 per thirty days subscription. After one 12 months, that’s roughly $100 for ExpressVPN and simply $40 for PIA VPN.
The pricing for each suppliers’ month-to-month plans is nearer, at $11.95 per thirty days for PIA and $12.95 per thirty days for ExpressVPN.
I do discover it bizarre that ExperssVPN’s longest-term subscription is for a one-year contract. Usually, VPN’s supply a two-year or three-year plan with decrease month-to-month charges to entice customers to decide in for longer, at a extra inexpensive worth. On this case, solely PIA has that sort of plan with its three-year subscription at $2.03 per thirty days, or simply above $24 per 12 months.
Whereas ExpressVPN seems to be to justify this larger price ticket with its extra refined utility and bigger server community, PIA VPN’s considerably extra inexpensive pricing is a significant benefit.
Lastly, the kicker is the worth you get with PIA VPN’s limitless simultaneous system connections. At $3.33 per thirty days, you get to attach all laptops, smartphones and different units to a PIA VPN server with out worrying about exceeding a most system restrict.
Non-public Web Entry VPN professionals and cons
Professionals
- Limitless simultaneous system connections.
- Customizable VPN utility.
- 7-day free trial through cell; no cost information required.
Cons
- WireGuard protocol might be buggy at occasions.
- No free model.
ExpressVPN professionals and cons
Professionals
- Refined and polished person expertise.
- Server community throughout 105 international locations.
- Constant and dependable VPN speeds.
Cons
- Costly annual plan.
- Solely permits as much as 8 simultaneous system connections.
- Lacks extra inexpensive, long run subscription.
Ought to your group use Non-public Web Entry VPN or ExpressVPN?
After an intense match-up, ExpressVPN comes out as our winner on this comparability. With its large 105-country server community, dependable and quick VPN speeds and polished desktop expertise, I’m assured most companies or customers that select ExpressVPN will probably be joyful prospects.
Add to that its sturdy portfolio of impartial audits and in depth help for a number of working techniques, and also you get a high-quality VPN resolution that’s well worth the worth.
ExpressVPN is finest for small-to-medium sized companies that desire a no-nonsense VPN expertise with an easy-to-use interface and dependable efficiency.
This isn’t to say that PIA VPN isn’t a superb possibility — fairly the opposite. I imagine PIA VPN offers actually good worth with its strong 91-country server fleet, customizable utility and open-source software program.
PIA VPN is finest for startups, small groups and budget-conscious customers that desire a bang-for-buck VPN that may cowl a number of units whereas nonetheless providing quick VPN speeds.
Methodology
My comparability of Non-public Web Entry VPN and ExpressVPN concerned an in-depth evaluation of each VPNs’ included options, total worth and real-world efficiency.
To evaluate every VPN, each PIA VPN and ExpressVPN have been scored on every thing from their server networks to pricing. Particularly, I checked out 5 principal pillars for analysis, every having corresponding weights:
- Pricing (20%).
- Core VPN options (30%).
- Ease of use (15%).
- Buyer help (30%).
- Professional evaluation (5%).
In order for you extra particulars, you’ll be able to try our full VPN Evaluation Methodology.
As well as, I additionally analyzed actual person suggestions to spherical out my ultimate suggestions for each Non-public Web Entry VPN and ExpressVPN.
For pace and efficiency, I examined each VPNs on my private Home windows laptop computer and ran them via Ookla’s public Speedtest. Lastly, I additionally thought-about which kinds of companies or customers would finest profit from both Non-public Web Entry VPN or ExpressVPN.