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ExpressVPN vs PIA

ExpressVPN

PIA

Open Audit Access & Jurisdiction vs. Open Clients & Unlimited Devices

Fact-checked and maintained by Softplorer Research

ExpressVPN

PIA

Privacy

4.3

6.2

Security

7.2

7.5

Streaming

8.4

9.4

Speed

7.2

4.8

Apps

9.2

7.6

Devices

6.0

8.1

Value

5.5

6.7

ExpressVPN leads in 2PIA leads in 5

Feature

ExpressVPN

PIA

Jurisdiction

BVI

USA

Eyes alliance

Outside

Inside

Independent audit

✓

Connection model

Capped

Unlimited

Streaming access

Supported

Free tier

Quick pick

→ ExpressVPN makes more sense when an audit report you can open without a VPN-account login and its jurisdictional position are the details you care about most.

Visit ExpressVPN

→ PIA makes more sense when open-source client apps across the supported platform set and paid plans that do not make you count simultaneous devices affect your day-to-day use more.

Visit PIA

ExpressVPN is easier to verify when you want the current audit report open in front of you. PIA is the more convenient choice when open client code and an unlimited-device model matter more.

ExpressVPN: when audit access and jurisdiction matter

The current audit report is open-access

ExpressVPN's current audit report is available without requiring a VPN-account login. PIA's full no-logs audit is not currently available as an open-access report. If your trust routine includes opening the report yourself, that difference is concrete and easy to verify.

The registered jurisdiction differs too

ExpressVPN is registered outside the Five/Nine/Fourteen Eyes surveillance alliances. PIA is registered in a Five/Nine/Fourteen Eyes member country. That will not matter equally to everyone, but it gives privacy-focused buyers another real distinction to weigh.

Visit ExpressVPN

PIA: when open clients and device freedom matter

The client apps are open source

PIA's client apps are open source across the supported platform set. Not all of ExpressVPN's client apps are open source. If source visibility matters more than open access to the audit report, this is the stronger argument on the PIA side.

Paid plans do not make you count devices

PIA's paid plans do not make you count simultaneous devices. ExpressVPN uses a connection cap rather than an unlimited-device model. In a busy household, that can be a more noticeable everyday advantage than either provider's documentation story.