CyberGhost is a well-established VPN provider boasting a vast network of over 10,000 servers across 100 countries. This extensive coverage suggests users should be able to find a suitable server location virtually anywhere. But does this translate to a top-tier VPN experience? This review delves into CyberGhost’s performance, evaluating its speed, security features, pricing, and overall value to help you decide if it’s the right VPN for you.
CyberGhost currently has a good bargain on a one-year subscription.CyberGhost offers competitive pricing, especially with longer-term subscriptions.
Pricing and Plans
CyberGhost offers a free browser extension, but it’s important to understand that this is a proxy, not a full VPN. While it can mask your IP address, it doesn’t offer the same level of encryption and security as the paid VPN service. The proxy allows connections to four countries: the U.S., Germany, the Netherlands, and Romania. It’s simple to use – just a toggle switch – but it’s essential to know the limitations. Your ISP and potentially third parties can still track your activity.
For those seeking robust protection, CyberGhost offers a 24-hour free trial and a 45-day money-back guarantee for its paid VPN service. This allows ample time to test the full features without risk. A single subscription covers seven simultaneous connections, making it an economical choice for families or small groups.
The monthly plan is priced at $13, but significant savings are available with longer subscriptions. A six-month plan costs $48, while the annual plan offers a particularly attractive deal. For $50, you get the first year plus an additional six months, bringing the average monthly cost down to $2.75 for the initial 18 months, and $4.13 per month thereafter.
CyberGhost has a free browser extension but its only a proxy.The free browser extension is a proxy, not a full VPN, offering limited protection.
User Interface and Design
CyberGhost is renowned for its user-friendly interface, and this is immediately apparent. Upon subscribing, a helpful tour highlights key features, including the no-log verification report, readily accessible on the welcome page. Dedicated tabs provide quick access to app and extension downloads for various platforms.
The Windows app is compact, residing in the system tray. Expanding the server panel reveals a pre-populated list of favorite locations, including France, Germany, the U.S., and the U.K. – likely reflecting common user preferences. The server list is well-organized, with categories optimized for streaming, gaming, and torrenting. Notably, there’s a dedicated NoSpy server section, located in Romania at CyberGhost’s headquarters, for enhanced security.
ItCyberGhost features a user-friendly interface, simplifying setup and navigation.
Performance and Speed Testing
CyberGhost generally delivers reliable connections and decent speeds. Speed tests using SpeedTest.net revealed varying results depending on server location. While Canadian server speeds were surprisingly slow, connections to other countries fared better. Download speeds ranged from 228 Mbps in Australia to an impressive 529 Mbps in France. Upload speeds, as expected, were slower for overseas connections. The NoSpy servers, prioritizing security, exhibited significantly slower speeds.
CyberGhost was quite fast when connecting to France.Connection speeds vary, but CyberGhost delivered impressive speeds when connected to a French server.
Features and Functionality
CyberGhost offers a kill switch for enhanced privacy, blocking internet traffic if the VPN connection drops. The Smart Rules feature allows exceptions for specific websites, functioning similarly to split-tunneling but only with the OpenVPN protocol. Users can choose between WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN, and automatic protocol selection. Random port selection is available with OpenVPN. While basic operation is straightforward, advanced features are somewhat limited.
CyberGhost doesnAdvanced features like split-tunneling are available, but with some limitations.
Customer Support
CyberGhost provides 24/7 live chat support, supplemented by a comprehensive knowledge base. Support agents are responsive, helpful, and knowledgeable, addressing queries efficiently.
I live in Canada but downloads were surprisingly slow from a Canadian server.Download speeds from Canadian servers were unexpectedly slow during testing.
Privacy and Security
CyberGhost adheres to a strict no-log policy, requiring only login details for connection. Payment processing is handled by third-party providers, and user data is neither sold nor shared with advertisers. This commitment ensures online activity remains private. CyberGhost’s Romanian jurisdiction, outside the Five Eyes alliance, further strengthens privacy protections.
CyberGhost customer support was super fast and helpful.Customer support is readily available and responsive.
Conclusion: Is CyberGhost the Right VPN for You?
CyberGhost is compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Its user-friendly interface and generous first-year discount make it an appealing option, especially for new VPN users. While download speeds are generally good, competing services like NordVPN offer consistently faster speeds and more advanced features. Proton VPN’s server load indicator is a helpful feature that CyberGhost lacks. Ultimately, CyberGhost is a solid VPN choice, particularly for streaming and general online privacy, but consider your specific needs and priorities when making your decision.
