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 might be onerous to decide on which answer you and your corporation ought to go for.
Thankfully, each VPN companies 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 gadget connections. However, ExpressVPN prioritizes providing a easy and dependable consumer expertise — albeit for the next price ticket.
On this article, we check out which VPN is greatest for you and your group.
- Non-public Web Entry: Finest for startups and budget-conscious customers that need quick VPN speeds and limitless gadget connections at an inexpensive value.
- ExpressVPN: Finest for small-to-medium sized companies searching for a well-designed and user-friendly VPN software whereas providing quick and dependable speeds.
Semperis
Staff per Firm Dimension
Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Giant (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+)
Giant (1,000-4,999 Staff), Enterprise (5,000+ Staff)
Giant, Enterprise
Options
Superior Assaults Detection, Superior Automation, Anyplace Restoration, and extra
ESET PROTECT Superior
Staff per Firm Dimension
Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Giant (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+)
Any Firm Dimension
Any Firm Dimension
Options
Superior Risk Protection, Full Disk Encryption , Trendy Endpoint Safety, and extra
ManageEngine Log360
Staff per Firm Dimension
Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Giant (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+)
Micro (0-49 Staff), Small (50-249 Staff), Medium (250-999 Staff), Giant (1,000-4,999 Staff), Enterprise (5,000+ Staff)
Micro, Small, Medium, Giant, Enterprise
Options
Exercise Monitoring, Blacklisting, Dashboard, and extra
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 adjust relying on the contract size. Personally, I like this method 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 selected 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 30 days.
- 1 12 months: $3.33 per 30 days.
- 3 years: $2.03 per 30 days.
Sadly, PIA VPN doesn’t have a free model. Nonetheless, it does supply a free trial through its cellular software. Fortunately, you should utilize PIA VPN on desktop after accessing the free trial both via Android or iOS. I’m additionally pleased to report that this trial doesn’t require any fee or bank card info to entry.
If you wish to be taught extra, learn our full Non-public Web Entry VPN overview.
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 characteristic set.
- 1 month: $12.95 per 30 days.
- 6 months: $9.99 per 30 days.
- 1 12 months: $8.32 per 30 days.
ExpressVPN at present doesn’t supply a devoted free model. What it does supply is an analogous seven-day free trial that’s accessible via its Android or iOS cellular software. One key distinction in comparison with PIA’s trial, nevertheless, is that ExpressVPN’s free trial requires fee info to entry.
SEE: NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: Which VPN Is Finest? (TechRepublic)
To be clear, the trial is free and ExpressVPN gained’t cost you till after the seven-day interval. However in order for you a free trial that doesn’t require handing over any fee info, PIA VPN is the higher choice.
If you wish to be taught extra, learn our full ExpressVPN overview.
Non-public Web Entry VPN vs ExpressVPN: Function comparability
Safety protocols and encryption
Winner: Tie
By way of 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 good steadiness in a modern-day VPN. I’m glad PIA and ExpressVPN didn’t skimp on this side.
SEE: Tips on 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 contemplate having AES encryption a requirement because it’s widely known as probably the most 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 information protected.
VPN server community and areas
Winner: ExpressVPN
Trying into each VPN’s respective server networks, I’ve to provide the win to ExpressVPN for its extra numerous location unfold in comparison with PIA VPN. As of July 2024, ExpressVPN’s server community contains servers from 105 nations. It additionally has a reported 3,000+ servers in its fleet.
On the flipside, PIA VPN’s server suite has VPN servers from a decent 91 nations. Whereas PIA doesn’t explicitly disclose its server depend, reviews have it at round 10,000 to 35,000 servers.
Whereas having a lot of servers could seem to be the higher alternative, I discover extra worth in ExpressVPN’s bigger location unfold.
With VPN servers from 105 nations, people and companies could have a wider and extra numerous vary of areas to select from in comparison with PIA VPN’s 91-country suite. That is going to be notably useful for companies whose principal intention 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 by way of third-party testing and observe document. As of Could 2024, the VPN has undergone a commendable 18 impartial audits, with the most recent one particularly testing its Privateness Coverage claims.
Its portfolio of safety audits is at present unmatched within the VPN house, having audits courting again to 2018. Its third-party exams embrace wanting into important elements 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 facet, because it has additionally undergone essential 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. Additionally they usually publish Transparency Reviews that include particulars on courtroom orders or information requests despatched to its authorized division.
Which means regardless should 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 alternative on this spherical.
Efficiency and pace
Winner: ExpressVPN
In the case of 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 traditional 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 specifically, I bought nice speeds and reliability. There have been zero noticeable drops in connection pace, and all of the websites I visited loaded shortly. ExpressVPN additionally carried out effectively 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’d count on most VPNs to fall underneath, so ExpressVPN’s pace outcomes are wonderful.
However, PIA VPN additionally carried out effectively by way of pace. I had comparable leads to day-to-day use and usually loved constant speeds all through utilizing PIA VPN. For its pace exams, PIA VPN really 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 effectively.
The place PIA VPN lags behind is in-app efficiency. Throughout my time with PIA, I skilled a bizarre bug the place I had bother connecting to a server after switching to its WireGuard protocol. This was bizarre contemplating I didn’t encounter the identical difficulty whereas utilizing OpenVPN. Fortunately, the bug resolved itself after restarting the appliance 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 effectively be a one-off bug, my testing confirmed that ExpressVPN will present higher total efficiency than PIA VPN.
I additionally should shout out ExpressVPN for its add outcomes. Most VPNs supply good pace check 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 safety features
Winner: Non-public Web Entry VPN
Whereas each VPNs have comparable options on high of the principle VPN, PIA appears to have a greater set of further safety features. It contains superior VPN-centric safety features like community automation, which mechanically connects you to the VPN after sure situations are met; multi-hop performance, which routes consumer visitors into two totally different servers; and obfuscated servers, which masks that you just’re utilizing a VPN.
Whereas not a characteristic per se, PIA VPN’s purposes are additionally open supply. Which means its supply code is publicly out there for overview — 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 companies as add-ons to your VPN subscription. Whereas I’d’ve appreciated both to be bundled in, it’s nice that we’ve got that choice for customers trying to have extra safety capabilities with the present VPN plan.
On the flipside, a spotlight of ExpressVPN’s safety features is its TrustedServer RAM-only server expertise, which ensures consumer information is wiped at each reboot and isn’t written on firm onerous drives. It additionally bundles in ExpressVPN Keys — its personal devoted password supervisor that’s included with any ExpressVPN subscription. This can be a cool addition, particularly if your corporation doesn’t have a password administration answer but.
Each VPNs come along 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 perfect steadiness of design and intuitiveness in a VPN software right now.
It has a giant energy button as your On/Off swap, a easy record the place you’ll find your servers and a settings menu that’s neatly organized for simple entry to options. The design additionally feels and appears trendy 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 stage of polish and user-friendliness that ExpressVPN brings.
PIA VPN’s interface has its personal deserves as effectively. 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 one of these 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 facet by facet, it’s clear that ExpressVPN has a extra polished and refined consumer interface than PIA VPN.
Simultaneous gadget connections
Winner: Non-public Web Entry VPN
One huge benefit PIA VPN has over ExpressVPN is with simultaneous gadget connections, permitting for a vast variety of gadgets in comparison with ExpressVPN’s most of eight gadgets linked on the identical time.
That is essential given that almost all companies don’t need to spend a further subscription to guard a number of gadgets. It definitely 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 characteristic since PIA customers gained’t have to fret about exceeding the utmost gadget restrict when utilizing the VPN.
Supported platforms
Winner: ExpressVPN
By way of official platform help, ExpressVPN has a slight benefit over PIA VPN. ExpressVPN helps the principle platforms reminiscent of Home windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android.
If we take a look at browser help, ExpressVPN has official browser extensions for Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Vivaldi, Chromium and Courageous browsers. Sadly, there’s at present no Safari help for ExpressVPN.
ExpressVPN additionally helps extra area of interest platforms like Chromebooks, the Amazon Fireplace pill, Amazon Fireplace Stick and Fireplace TV, Apple TV, Google TV and Android TV. You may as well manually configure ExpressVPN for routers and media and gaming consoles like older technology 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 Fireplace TV and Fireplace 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 meanwhile. Whereas help is extra of a case-to-case side of VPNs, ExpressVPN has the slight benefit by way of 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 take a look at each VPN’s base annual plans, ExpressVPN’s $8.32 per 30 days is greater than twice the worth of PIA VPN’s $3.33 per 30 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 30 days for PIA and $12.95 per 30 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 value. On this case, solely PIA has that kind of plan with its three-year subscription at $2.03 per 30 days, or simply above $24 per 12 months.
Whereas ExpressVPN appears to justify this greater price ticket with its extra refined software 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 gadget connections. At $3.33 per 30 days, you get to attach all laptops, smartphones and different gadgets to a PIA VPN server with out worrying about exceeding a most gadget restrict.
Non-public Web Entry VPN professionals and cons
Professionals
- Limitless simultaneous gadget connections.
- Customizable VPN software.
- 7-day free trial through cellular; no fee data required.
Cons
- WireGuard protocol could be buggy at occasions.
- No free model.
ExpressVPN professionals and cons
Professionals
- Refined and polished consumer expertise.
- Server community throughout 105 nations.
- Constant and dependable VPN speeds.
Cons
- Costly annual plan.
- Solely permits as much as 8 simultaneous gadget 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 extensive 105-country server community, dependable and quick VPN speeds and polished desktop expertise, I’m assured most companies or customers that select ExpressVPN might be pleased 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 answer that’s well worth the value.
ExpressVPN is greatest 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 an excellent choice — fairly the opposite. I imagine PIA VPN gives actually good worth with its stable 91-country server fleet, customizable software and open-source software program.
PIA VPN is greatest for startups, small groups and budget-conscious customers that desire a bang-for-buck VPN that may cowl a number of gadgets 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 little 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%).
- Skilled evaluation (5%).
In order for you extra particulars, you possibly can take a look at our full VPN Overview Methodology.
As well as, I additionally analyzed actual consumer suggestions to spherical out my last 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 of which forms of companies or customers would greatest profit from both Non-public Web Entry VPN or ExpressVPN.