ExpressVPN vs PrivateVPN

ExpressVPN and PrivateVPN both document ordinary router setup, so that alone does not separate them. The cleaner differences are outside verification and whether you can split traffic inside and outside the tunnel.

The privacy claim has independent backing

ExpressVPN's no-logs claim has an independent audit behind it. PrivateVPN does not currently have a completed independent no-logs or security audit. If you want the no-logs claim checked from outside rather than simply stated, this is the straightforward reason to lean this way.

Split tunneling is part of the confirmed setup

ExpressVPN has split tunneling on at least part of its supported platform set. Split tunneling is not confirmed as available for PrivateVPN. That matters if work apps, local devices, or other traffic regularly need a different route from the rest of your connection.

Router setup is not missing

PrivateVPN officially documents router setup. ExpressVPN officially documents router setup. Both sides document a router path, so router support is a tie here.

Know which gaps you are accepting

The audit and split-tunneling gaps are the two compromises on the PrivateVPN side. If they do not touch your use case, PrivateVPN can still cover the basic brief. If they do, the trade-off is unusually clear.