CyberGhost VPN has solidified its position as a leading VPN provider, boasting a massive server network and user-friendly interface. This review delves into its features, performance, security, and pricing to determine if it lives up to the hype.
CyberGhost, based in Romania and owned by UK-based Kape Technologies, offers a compelling suite of features: over 9,000 servers in 120+ countries, seven simultaneous device connections, and a 45-day money-back guarantee. This review examines its performance in a competitive VPN market.
Features and Services: User-Friendly Interface and Extensive Server Options
alt text: CyberGhost VPN's server list interface displaying numerous server locations
CyberGhost’s Windows app boasts a simple and intuitive interface. The main window displays connection status and server options, including Favorites, All Servers, Dedicated IP, NoSpy Servers, For Gaming, For Torrenting, and For Streaming.
The “For Streaming” section is particularly impressive, with servers optimized for over 35 streaming services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and HBO Max. The “NoSpy Servers,” owned and operated by CyberGhost, provide an added layer of privacy.
alt text: CyberGhost VPN's settings menu showing privacy and smart rules options
While lacking some advanced features offered by competitors like NordVPN and Proton VPN (multi-hop connections, onion-over-VPN), CyberGhost provides essential privacy settings such as DNS leak prevention, an automatic kill switch, and ad/malware blocking. The “Smart Rules” section allows for app launch rules and split tunneling.
The server selection interface is a highlight, allowing sorting by name, distance, and favorites. With over 9,000 servers, CyberGhost offers unparalleled choice. While connected, users can easily view server IP, location, data usage, protocol, and connection duration. CyberGhost also includes Identity Guard for breach detection and ad/tracker blocking. Apps are available for various platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Fire Stick TV, and Android TV.
Pricing and Plans: Long-Term Value
CyberGhost offers monthly, six-month, and two-year subscription plans. The two-year plan, at $2.19/month (plus two free months), offers the best value. While the monthly price is slightly higher than the industry average, the two-year subscription makes it one of the most affordable long-term VPN options. CyberGhost also offers a 45-day refund policy on long-term plans. Add-ons include a Security Suite with antivirus protection and dedicated IP addresses.
Performance: Good Speeds, Especially for Streaming
alt text: CyberGhost VPN's streaming server selection menu, highlighting various streaming platforms
Speed tests across various global locations revealed average download speeds at 47% of the baseline and upload speeds at 89%. Performance varied across regions, with Asian and African servers showing slower speeds compared to European and US servers. However, streaming performance was consistently excellent, with buffer-free high-quality streaming, even on non-streaming servers. This makes CyberGhost ideal for bypassing geo-restrictions and streaming internationally.
Security and Privacy: Strong Encryption and No-Logs Policy
alt text: CyberGhost VPN's settings menu displaying various VPN protocols including WireGuard
CyberGhost employs AES 256-bit encryption and offers WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN protocols. The automatic kill switch performed reliably in tests. CyberGhost’s privacy policy states that it does not track browsing history, traffic, connection logs, timestamps, IP addresses, or session durations. It does collect aggregated data on connection attempts for service maintenance, which does not contain personally identifiable information.
A successful audit by Deloitte in 2024 confirmed CyberGhost’s no-logs policy, reinforcing its commitment to transparency and user trust. Operating from Romania, a privacy-friendly country outside major data-sharing alliances, further strengthens CyberGhost’s privacy credentials.
Conclusion: A Solid VPN Choice
CyberGhost offers a comprehensive VPN solution with a massive server network, user-friendly interface, strong streaming performance, and robust security features. While it may lack some advanced features found in competitors, its overall package makes it a compelling choice for most VPN users. The affordable two-year plan and 45-day money-back guarantee provide excellent value.
