ExpressVPN vs PIA (Private Internet Access): Which VPN is Best For Canada in 2023?

ExpressVPN OpenVPN (TCP) speed on a 100 Mbps connection using a US server

PIA OpenVPN (TCP) speed on a 100 Mbps connection using a US server

As evident from the results, ExpressVPN is the clear winner in Canada in this category dominating PIA in all aspects.

ExpressVPN vs PIA (Private Internet Access): Servers and Performance in Canada

Both ExpressVPN and PIA use an assortment of physical and virtual locations for their network infrastructure as to meet the demands of users in Canada.

Both VPNs cover many regions across the world, including the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Canada and others.

There is not much difference in the server count. Where ExpressVPN offers 3000 servers, PIA adds 300 more to the list, giving it an edge over the BVI-based provider.

However, what ExpressVPN lacks in numbers, it makes up for it by covering more countries than PIA. While PIA covers 84 countries, ExpressVPN beats the provider by coving 94 countries covering 160 locations!

ExpressVPN vs PIA (Private Internet Access): Security Features For Canada

ExpressVPN offers support for three protocols in Canada: OpenVPN, IKEv2, and Lightway, which is the provider’s custom lightweight propriety protocol. Meanwhile, PIA has OpenVPN and WireGuard in its bucket.

The BVI-based provider uses OpenVPN as the default protocol across all devices in Canada. It uses AES-256-CBC ciphers with HMAC SHA-256 data authentication on the data channel.

For the control channel, it uses AES-256-GCM ciphers with RSA-384 handshake and HMAC SHA-256 data authentication.

On the other hand, PIA uses the AES-256-bit ciphers with SHA256 for data authentication and RSA-4096 for handshake on the data channel.

For the control channel, PIA uses the same ciphers and hash authentication, with the inclusion of SHA384 for authentication. Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFE) is available via ECDHE+ECDSA.

However, ExpressVPN is the more secure option in Canada, as they utilize cipher block chaining and their TrustedServer Infrastructure shifts all its hard drives onto a RAM model, deleting all logs instantaneously.

ExpressVPN vs PIA (Private Internet Access): Privacy Features For Canada

One look at the table above and it becomes clear which provider in Canada is more secure. ExpressVPN has its headquarters in the British Virgin Islands, while PIA is located in the United States.

Since the BVI is an autonomous nation with its own set of laws, it is free from the invasive tactics adopted by the 5/9/14 Eyes alliances, like mass surveillance and data retention.

The same cannot be said about the United States, which is a founding member of the Five Eyes. As such, even if a provider boasts a no-logs policy, trusting them is a difficult task.

However, both VPNs in Canada have a strict no-logs policy and are even audited by renowned auditing firms. ExpressVPN is audited by PwC and PIA has been audited by Deloitte.

As far as anonymous payment methods are concerned, both VPNs in Canada have support for BitPay via Bitcoin.

ExpressVPN vs PIA (Private Internet Access): Configuration For Canada

For configurations, both ExpressVPN and PIA utilize a shared network infrastructure in Canada. As a result, they can be considered equal in this aspect.

While ExpressVPN lacks static IPs, it offers a rotating mechanism for IPs which are changing everytime you connect to a server. On the other hand, PIA offers static/dedicated IPs which allows you to reserve an IP for yourself, but it requires an additional cost of CAD 5.10 ($3.75) on the 3-year plan.

Both services in Canada can be considered as one of the best VPNs for gaming because of the DDoS protection, which can give you a magical experience while playing your favorite games such as Fortnite, PUBG, Overwatch, and more.

I would say it’s a tie in this category as both VPNs in Canada give head-to-head competition to each other.

PIA VPN vs ExpressVPN: Setup and Interface in Canada

On the other hand, PIA’s applications in Canada still require some work in the overall UI and appearance. Their desktop versions sit in the taskbar, which is accessible by right-clicking the icon.

While this is a nice design, it also brings about with it some hassle. The app basically hides itself the second you click somewhere else on the screen. As such, you constantly have to reopen the app.

This can be quite tiring and frustrating, especially if you are trying to follow a setup or configuration guide since following a huge list of steps can be a difficult task.

Mobile apps

As far as mobile apps in Canada are concerned, ExpressVPN maintains the same design and consistency in overall UI, which does not get disturbed even when used on a larger screen.

PIA’s mobile apps in Canada are nicely designed and tend to be clutter-free. All options are listed neatly and connecting takes barely a few seconds, which is quite remarkable.

ExpressVPN vs Private Internet Access: Unblocking Capabilities in Canada

ExpressVPN vs Private Internet Access: Do they actually work in China?

Chinese residents and expats are always in search for “working” VPN services that can bypass the many technologies employed by the “Great Firewall” in China.

Luckily for ExpressVPN users, the services work inside China if you download and install the VPN beforehand since VPN websites are banned in the country. However, there are no Chinese servers offered by ExpressVPN.

PIA, on the other hand, offers no such incentives to Chinese users. Their services do not work in China, making it impossible for people to use their service.

ExpressVPN vs Private Internet Access: Customer Service in Canada

Both (ExpressVPN Vs PIA) offer support via live chat, email, and a ticket system. Testing the live chat services revealed that responses were quite fast.

Email/ticket support did take some time with PIA (averaging at 45 minutes per reply), whereas ExpressVPN cut it shorter (averaging at 33 minutes).

We conducted these tests by sending each VPN three questions via email. Among them, two were general queries and two were a little more technical. See the statistics below:

Customer Service: ExpressVPN

Customer Service: PIA

ExpressVPN vs PIA: Which One is Better For Canada?

In this ExpressVPN vs PIA comparison guide for Canada, while both of the VPNs reviewed deliver amazing performance, security, privacy, and features, ExpressVPN definitely tends to be the better option in Canada.

It offers a larger network of servers, successfully unblocks Netflix, works in China, and even offers a router app that works on DD-WRT and Tomato routers.

It is headquartered in the privacy-friendly British Virgin Islands and offers all the necessary tools to keep you anonymous on the web.

At CAD 9.07/mo (CA$ 9.02 /mo (US$ 6.67 /mo ) (Get 49% Off + 3 Months FREE on its 12-Month Plan)). with an upfront payment of CAD 135.96 ($99.95), ExpressVPN can be expensive and the quality it offers justifies its pricey factor in Canada.

If you have anything to add or enquire, do not hesitate to leave us a message!

FAQs: ExpressVPN vs PIA Comparison for Canada

Which one is the better choice between ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access in Canada?

ExpressVPN is a better VPN than Private Internet Access overall in Canada. It has a network of 3000 servers in 94 countries with streaming and P2P qualities on all servers, constantly rotating to give you a new IP address every time you connect to a server.

What considerations should I make while deciding between ExpressVPN and PIA in Canada?

While choosing a VPN in Canada, pay close attention to the number of servers, connection speed, simultaneous connections, streaming support, pricing, and security features.

There are VPNs in Canada out there that will give an amazing online experience, while others can slow down your connection.

If you have to choose, ExpressVPN is the provider to go for since it has won in all categories in this in-depth comparison analysis.

Which VPN is faster between ExpressVPN and PIA in Canada?

ExpressVPN is faster than Private Internet Access in Canada. As evident by the speed test performed in this blog, ExpressVPN only has a speed loss percentage of 6.5%, while PIA has a speed loss percentage of 29.13%.

Moreover, upon testing both providers with the renowned OpenVPN protocol with both of its variants, namely TCP and UDP, ExpressVPN came out as the winner by beating its counterpart with a huge margin.

How private is ExpressVPN in Canada?

ExpressVPN is really private since it is based in one of the privacy-friendly regions called the British Virgin Islands which has flexible data retention laws and the region is not a part of the 5, 9, or 14 Eyes Alliance Group.

The provider uses TrustedServer Technology which means the total network infrastructure is working on RAM-based servers which don’t have the ability to store information in Canada.

Moreover, ExpressVPN has also been independently audited by one of the big four auditing firms called PwC.

Is PIA still a good VPN in Canada?

Yes, PIA is near the top of our rating, offering budget-friendly plans with fast speed, strong security, and top-tier VPN features to secure your online presence in Canada.

However, if I compete PIA with ExpressVPN, ExpressVPN easily wins the battle in Canada.

Is there a better VPN than ExpressVPN in Canada?

ExpressVPN is the best overall VPN for all kinds of activities on the internet in Canada. However, the provider is avoided by many users just because of its pricey plans in Canada.

In that case, I recommend signing up for Surfshark as the provider offers almost the same quality with plans that are easy on the pocket in Canada.