Both ExpressVPN and PIA are owned by Kape Technologies — the trust question on ownership applies equally to both. The product comparison is between ExpressVPN's premium protocol engineering and PIA's fully open-source infrastructure stack.

What you get that PIA doesn't offer

Lightway: a proprietary protocol with an independent implementation audit — PIA uses standard open protocols without a custom layer. TrustedServer enforces hardware-level data non-persistence; PIA's servers have no structural equivalent. App experience is designed for lower-friction use across platforms. ExpressVPN optimizes for streaming access; PIA doesn't position around it. BVI registration vs PIA's US jurisdiction provides different legal framing for both users and the service itself.

What you give up

PIA publishes client code across all platforms — Windows, macOS, iOS, Android — so the codebase is open to independent review. ExpressVPN's clients are closed-source. PIA's MACE ad and tracker blocking operates at the DNS infrastructure layer. PIA's long-term value position is more accommodating — ExpressVPN's premium pricing is the most pronounced gap between the two. PIA supports more granular protocol configuration.

What you get that ExpressVPN doesn't offer

Client code published across all platforms — available for independent review without restrictions. MACE DNS-layer blocking. Highly configurable interface: encryption, protocol, MTU, port selection are all user-accessible. Better long-term value. Generous simultaneous connection limit.

What you give up

Kape Technologies owns both — so ownership is the same starting point. Within that shared context: US jurisdiction gives PIA a legal exposure that ExpressVPN's BVI registration avoids. ExpressVPN's Lightway protocol and TrustedServer architecture represent engineering investments PIA doesn't have equivalents to. Streaming reliability gap. App experience is more polished at ExpressVPN for users who want minimal configuration.