Both VPNs do the basics well: encrypt your connection, hide your IP, and let you pick a server in another country. The real differences sit in price, device limits and how much hand-holding you want. This ExpressVPN vs PIA comparison focuses on those.
ExpressVPN vs PIA at a Glance
| ExpressVPN | Private Internet Access | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price (long plan) | About $6.67/mo (April 2026 report) | About $1.98/mo (April 2026 report) |
| Simultaneous devices | 14 | Unlimited |
| App experience | Simple, polished | More settings and options |
| Best for | Streaming and travel | Shared households, tight budgets |
| Check on | ExpressVPN deals | PIA deals |
Prices and server counts differ between review sites, and promos change them often. Use the numbers as a guide and confirm on the provider's page.
Price: PIA Is the Budget Pick
On long plans, PIA is consistently cheaper in 2026 comparisons. One review lists a starting price of about $1.98 per month for PIA against $6.67 for ExpressVPN, and another puts the gap lower but still in PIA's favour. If you are sharing a plan across family devices, the monthly gap adds up over a two-year term.
Devices: PIA Wins for Big Households
ExpressVPN covers 14 devices at once, which is plenty for one person or a couple. A family with several phones, laptops, tablets and a smart TV can pass that number quickly. PIA lists unlimited simultaneous connections, so one subscription can cover the whole house.
Ease of Use: ExpressVPN Is Simpler
ExpressVPN's apps are clean, one-tap and hard to misconfigure, which matters if you want to connect and forget. PIA gives you more toggles, which power users like and beginners can find busy. If you travel and connect on hotel or airport Wi-Fi often, the simpler app is worth some extra pesos.
Servers and Speed: Treat Claims Carefully
Server counts are the most disputed number in VPN reviews. One comparison lists ExpressVPN at 3,000+ servers in over 100 countries and PIA at tens of thousands of servers in 90+ countries, while another gives PIA a much smaller figure. Counting methods differ, and a bigger number does not automatically mean a faster connection.
Speed reviews also disagree. Some testers found PIA faster in most categories, others found ExpressVPN ahead. The honest answer is that your result depends on your ISP, your location and the server you pick. Test both from your own connection during the refund window and keep the one that feels better.
Privacy and Everyday Use
Both providers position themselves around privacy, encryption and a no-logs approach, and both are widely used for public Wi-Fi protection. For everyday Filipino use, that means safer banking on café Wi-Fi, less tracking by trackers on shared networks, and the option to appear in another country. A VPN does not make you anonymous, and it will not fix a slow home connection.
Who Should Pick Which
Choose PIA if you are sharing one plan, watching your budget, or want to cover many devices. Choose ExpressVPN if you want the easiest app and are willing to pay more for it. If neither fits, a free tier such as Proton VPN works for light use, and NordVPN sits in the middle on price.
See current VPN offers
Compare plan prices and active promos on each page before you subscribe.
ExpressVPN PhilippinesPIA PhilippinesNordVPN PhilippinesWhichever you pick, choose a longer plan only after using the refund window to test speed and streaming from your own connection. The cheapest plan is the one you will actually keep using. If you want to understand how long plans change the monthly price, our NordVPN 2-year vs 1-year plan guide explains the same logic.