ExpressVPN vs. PrivateVPN – At a Glance
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is an admittedly expensive VPN provider. However, it also provides a premium VPN service, making it an attractive option for those willing to pay a bit extra for it. The provider delivers fast connections protected by the latest encrypted technology, a wide-ranging global server network, and comprehensive customer support.
Streaming fans will appreciate ExpressVPN’s ability to unblock multiple streaming services around the globe for numerous popular connected devices.
PrivateVPN
PrivateVPN claims to be “the world’s most trusted VPN provider.” But, are they the best VPN provider for your needs? While Private VPN boasts a bargain basement price, some of its services are definitely lacking.
PrivateVPN performs satisfactorily in the connection speed and privacy and security departments, but it comes up short in the global server network and app support arenas.
How to Choose a VPN
When you’re mulling over which VPN provider is best for your online privacy and security needs you do not want to make a quick decision. Instead, you need to carefully consider every feature offered by the VPNs that you’re considering.
Don’t get hung up on a VPN’s price. While a VPN may offer a budget-friendly price, it might lack the features you need, like a larger global server network, or comprehensive app support.
In this edition of the “versus” series, I’ll take a close look at two well-known VPN providers (ExpressVPN and PrivateVPN) pitting them against each other in one-on-one competitions to determine which of the two providers is your best bet for quality VPN protection and enhancement.
I’ll give both VPNs a rating in the categories you should always consider when making a VPN buying decision.
I’ll offer up information on how well both providers perform in each service category, then declare a winner for each service feature. At the end of this article, I’ll tally the scores and let you know which VPN came out on top. This should provide you with plenty of information to confidently decide which VPN is best for your needs.
Features
In this section, I’ll provide information about the various features you should consider before subscribing to a VPN. I’ll cover each feature category, discuss both providers’ offerings, and then reveal who performed best in that category.
Connection Speeds
It’s a fast-moving online world and you need a fast connection to keep up. Whether you’re streaming video or music, playing the latest online game, sharing files, or just attending a boring video conference, a fast connection is a must. That’s why your online enjoyment will suffer if you’re forced to deal with slow connection speeds.
Here at Pixel Privacy, we perform periodic connection speed tests on all the VPNs we cover. We use the Speedtest.net app to measure their download speeds. The speed tests are performed as follows:
- We use a Windows server connected to a gigabit Ethernet connection, based in North America.
- VPN providers are tested by connecting to VPN servers in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Hong Kong, at three different times of day over the course of three days.
- The Windows version of the providers’ apps are used, and are configured to connect using the OpenVPN UDP protocol when available.
- Once a connection is made to a VPN server location, we run the Speedtest app to perform testing. The app is shutdown following each test.
One of the VPN providers performed quite well during our testing, while the other came up a bit short but still sufficient for most online activities.
ExpressVPN’s download speeds performed quite well, averaging in at 474.8 Mbps. Speeds like that make it an excellent option for gaming, file sharing, video conferencing, and streaming.
PrivateVPN’s download speeds were less impressive, averaging at just 70.9 Mbps. While those speeds are up to handling most online pastimes, users may experience extended 4K streaming buffering and may have longer delays for other activities.
It should be noted that you’ll likely see different connection speeds than we did, as your top speed will depend on your unfettered connection speeds, your location, and which VPN server you select.
Average Connection Speed Winner: ExpressVPN
| Provider | Avg. Connection Speed | Link |
| ExpressVPN | 474.8 Mbps | Visit Site |
| PrivateVPN | 70.9 Mbps | Visit Site |
Pricing
While a VPN decision should not be made solely on price, in today’s economy it is an important decision for many users.
However, keep in mind that some low-priced VPNs may skimp on features, have slower speeds, and their global server coverage may be less than comprehensive.
PrivateVPN and ExpressVPN are polar opposites when it comes to pricing. PrivateVPN could be considered a budget-priced provider, while ExpressVPN charges a premium price for its services.
Surfshark takes the pricing crown in this battle, with an average price much lower than that of ExpressVPN.
Keep in mind though that while ExpressVPN is more expensive, it provides a premium level of service. Meanwhile, PrivateVPN may be lower priced, but it offers a lesser level of service.
I don’t include actual prices in my roundups, as most providers periodically change their pricing while regularly offering special deals. Visit the providers’ websites for their most current pricing.
Pricing Winner: PrivateVPN
| Provider | Money-Back Guarantee Period | Link |
| PrivateVPN | 30 Days | Visit Site |
| ExpressVPN | 30 Days | Visit Site |
Privacy
It’s a nosy online world, making the “private” portion of a Virtual Private Network quite important. That’s why you should never consider any VPN provider that doesn’t offer top-notch privacy protections.
When researching a VPN service’s privacy protections, always consider the following:
- Is the provider located in a privacy-friendly country?
- Does the provider save user activity logs on their VPN servers?
- Does the provider accept Bitcoin or other privacy-protecting forms of payment?
ExpressVPN is located in the privacy-friendly British Virgin Islands. The provider takes full advantage of the lack of data retention laws in the BVI, keeping no user activity logs of any kind. You can sign up for the service by using a disposable email address when paying with Bitcoin to keep your subscription identity totally incognito.
ExpressVPN also adds to its privacy protection with its TrustedServer technology, which runs all of its servers 100% from RAM, writing no data whatsoever to an SSD or physical hard drive. This means all data is securely wiped when an ExpressVPN server is rebooted, shut down, or even unplugged from the wall.
PrivateVPN is based in privacy-friendly Sweden and runs its servers sans user logs, and also accepts Bitcoin for added payment privacy.
Privacy Winner: ExpressVPN
| Provider | Privacy Ranking | Site |
| ExpressVPN | 5.0 | Visit Site |
| PrivateVPN | 4.0 | Visit Site |
Security
While you’re online, there are all kinds of people and organizations that would love to follow you around and monitor what you do online.
Any VPN worth your consideration should use military-grade encryption to protect your online activities from being monitored and tracked. This not only keeps your online travels undercover, it also keeps your personal and business-related information safe from prying eyes.
PrivateVPN uses military-grade encryption, with OpenVPN over UDP/TCP, L2TP/IPSec, L3TP, IPSec, PPTP, and IKEv2 protocols to protect their customers’ connections. The provider also offers kill switch protection, as well as a “Stealth VPN” feature to make VPN traffic appear to be normal browser traffic.
ExpressVPN also uses banking-grade encryption, kill switch protection, along with DNS leak and IPv6 leak prevention. VPN protocols in the provider’s apps include OpenVPN, Lightway, IKEv2, PPTP, and L2TP/IPSec.
Security Winner: ExpressVPN
| Provider | Overall Security Score | Link |
| ExpressVPN | 5.0 | Visit Site |
| PrivateVPN | 4.5 | Visit Site |
Simultaneous Connections
I’d wager that most of my readers own multiple connected devices, and many of you likely have family members with connected devices. This makes a VPN provider’s simultaneous connections allowance an important factor to consider.
ExpressVPN allows users to connect up to five devices at once to their servers.
PrivateVPN allows its users to simultaneously connect 10 devices to its servers.
Simultaneous Connections Winner: PrivateVPN
| Provider | Simultaneous Connections Allowed | Link |
| PrivateVPN | 10 | Visit Site |
| ExpressVPN | 5 | Visit Site |
Streaming Support
It seems like a new streaming service appears every day. Unfortunately, many streaming services are available only in certain regions of the globe. Luckily, a VPN can provide an IP address located in another country, allowing you to gain access to streaming content that might normally be unavailable in your country.
This means that a VPN that provides access to multiple streaming services around the globe allows you to get more out of your various streaming subscriptions by providing access to content you might normally be locked out from.
ExpressVPN delivers reliable access to numerous streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, Apple TV+, Disney+, HBO Max, Showtime, Sling TV, DAZ, ITV, Hotstar, Hallmark Movies, Sky, Fubo, Channel 4, CBC, CTV, 9 Now, and multiple other streaming services.
PrivateVPN also delivers access to multiple streaming services, including Netflix US, Netflix UK, Hulu, Disney+, and numerous other streamers.
Streaming Support Winner: ExpressVPN (Thanks to its larger server network)
| Provider | # of U.S. Streaming Services VPN Unblocks | # of International Services VPN Unblocks | Link |
| ExpressVPN | 20+ | 5+ | Visit Site |
| PrivateVPN | 10+ | 5+ | Visit Site |
BitTorrent Support
P2P file sharing via BitTorrent is one of the most popular online activities today. I’ve seen at least one report that says more than 28 million users share files through P2P networks every day.
File sharing in itself is not illegal – several organizations use P2P-based technology to share files – it is illegal to share copyrighted materials such as movies, music, and games.
Unfortunately, some ISPs will throttle or shut down your internet connection if they discover that you’re sharing files via P2P, even if the files you’re sharing are legal! Luckily, a VPN encrypts your internet connection, hiding your P2P activity.
ExpressVPN allows P2P activity on every server in its entire global server network. The provider even provides a how-to guide on their website explaining how the service can be used to protect your file sharing activities.
PrivateVPN allows BitTorrenting activity on its network, but suggests using its servers that are located in Sweden for P2P.
BitTorrenting Winner: ExpressVPN (Thanks to its larger server network)
| Provider | # of Countries Where VPN Allows BitTorrents | Link |
| ExpressVPN | All of them | Visit Site |
| PrivateVPN | All of them | Visit Site |
Global Server Coverage
A VPN should offer access to content in as many countries as possible. Plus it should have multiple servers located in each country it serves. This helps prevent servers from being overloaded by too many users at once.
PrivateVPN has 200+ servers located in 63+ countries around the world. Those servers provide reliable access to geo-controlled content in the areas where it has servers.
ExpressVPN has more than 3,000 servers stationed in 94+ countries around the globe.
Global Server Coverage Winner: ExpressVPN
| Provider | Server Count | Countries | Link |
| PrivateVPN | 200+ | 63 | Visit Site |
| ExpressVPN | 3,000+ | 94 | Visit Site |
Multi-Platform Support
I’m willing to bet that you use multiple connected devices on a daily basis. Think about it, your smartphone, tablet, computer, gaming console, and even your smart TV are all connected to the internet.
That’s why the number of devices a VPN provider supports is an important consideration.
ExpressVPN offers comprehensive native app support, including options for Windows, macOS (includes native M1/M2 Mac support), iOS, Android, Android TV, Linux, Chrome OS, and Amazon Fire TV platforms. Browser extensions are available for the Chrome, Edge, and Firefox platforms.
The provider also offers a custom app for select routers and offers setup instructions for other routers. The provider also sells a pre-configured “Aircove” router that is ready to go with ExpressVPN right out of the box.
PrivateVPN’s device support could definitely stand some improvement. It offers app options for the iOS, macOS, Android, and Windows device platforms. The provider can be set up on Linux devices and some routers. No support is available for any browser platforms.
Multi-Platform Support Winner: ExpressVPN
| Provider | Platforms Supported | Browser Extensions? | Router Support? |
Link |
| ExpressVPN | 8 | Yes (Chrome, Edge, Firefox) | Yes – Offers firmware for select routers, Flashrouter options, and Aircove router. | Visit Site |
| PrivateVPN | 5 | No | Yes – Manual setup. | Visit Site |
Customer Support
Both of these VPN providers offer easy-to-use and reliable VPN services. However, you may have a question or two from time to time. When you do, you’ll appreciate a provider’s customer support offerings.
ExpressVPN offers customer support around-the-clock, offering 24/7 live support chat, email support, and an easy-to-search support library.
PrivateVPN offers include a live messaging option, email support, and a non-searchable FAQ support section.
Customer Support Winner: ExpressVPN
| Provider | Customer Support Rating | Link |
| ExpressVPN | 5.0 | Visit Site |
| PrivateVPN | 4.0 | Visit Site |
And The Winner Is…
While both providers deliver reliable VPN protection, only one provider can be named the winner of this head-to-head playoff.
ExpressVPN is the winner in this one-on-one, after proving its superiority in the connection speed, privacy, security, streaming, BitTorrent, global server coverage, multi-platform support, and customer support arenas.
PrivateVPN was tops in the pricing and simultaneous connections service categories.
For more information or to purchase a subscription, visit ExpressVPN.
