CyberGhost VPN Review 2024: CyberGhost VPN is a widely popular virtual private network service known for its user-friendly interface and robust security features. This review covers every aspect of CyberGhost VPN, from its standout features to its pricing, performance, and overall value.
CyberGhost VPN Review 2024: Details
|
Feature |
Details |
|
Price |
From $2.03/month |
|
No-Logs Policy |
Independently audited by Deloitte |
|
Streaming Services |
Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ |
|
Servers |
100 countries |
|
Protocols |
WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
|
Encryption |
AES-256 |
|
Kill Switch |
Yes |
|
Dark Web Monitoring |
Yes (Privacy Guard) |
|
Free Trial |
1-day, 3-day, and 7-day trials available |
|
Money-Back Guarantee |
45 days |
|
Device Connections |
Up to 7 per account |
|
Customer Support |
24/7 live chat, email support, FAQs |
Overview of CyberGhost VPN
CyberGhost VPN stands out as a top choice for budget-conscious users seeking to unblock geo-restricted content and protect their online privacy. With its extensive server network, strong security measures, and user-friendly features, CyberGhost is one of the most competitive VPN options available.
Key Highlights:
- Price-to-Performance Ratio: Excellent pricing for the features offered.
- Streaming and Torrenting: Optimized servers for smooth streaming and torrenting.
- Security: Strong encryption and robust privacy policies.
- User Experience: Intuitive apps and interfaces for all platforms.
While the service excels in many areas, it does have limitations, such as a maximum of seven device connections per account and limited flexibility in certain features.
Security, Privacy & Advance Data Protection Features
CyberGhost VPN offers a range of specialized features tailored to different online activities, making it a versatile choice for VPN users. However, its performance in certain areas like speed and functionality could be improved compared to leading competitors like NordVPN and Surfshark.
Strong Encryption Standards
CyberGhost employs AES-256 encryption, the gold standard in cybersecurity. This level of encryption is used by government entities, military organizations, and leading corporations worldwide to ensure data safety.
Supported protocols include:
- WireGuard: Fast, secure, and efficient.
- OpenVPN (UDP/TCP): Popular and versatile.
- IKEv2: Reliable, particularly on mobile devices.
Automatic Kill Switch
CyberGhost’s kill switch ensures uninterrupted protection by cutting off internet access if the VPN connection drops. While it’s reliable, customization options are limited compared to competitors like NordVPN.
Privacy Policy and Logging
Operating out of Romania, CyberGhost benefits from a privacy-friendly jurisdiction. The company’s no-logs policy has been independently audited, reassuring users that their online activities remain private.
Concerns
- The mobile app requires multiple permissions, raising minor privacy concerns.
- In rare cases, CyberGhost cooperates with law enforcement by enabling limited tracking.
Server Network: Comprehensive Global Coverage
CyberGhost boasts a vast network of servers across 100 countries. This broad coverage ensures optimal performance and access to geo-restricted content worldwide.
Regional Coverage
|
Region |
Countries |
|
Europe |
45 |
|
Asia & Oceania |
25 |
|
North America |
4 |
|
South America |
14 |
|
Africa |
12 |
Limitations
Virtual servers may have slower speeds compared to physical servers. Despite this, the network’s performance remains strong overall.
Server Details
- Specialized Servers: Tailored for streaming, torrenting, and gaming.
- Virtual Servers: Located in specific countries but hosted elsewhere for better efficiency.
- NoSpy Servers: Provider-owned servers offering maximum privacy and performance.
Pricing and Trials: Affordable Plans
CyberGhost offers competitive pricing plans starting at $2.03/month. Users can test the service with free trials of 1-day, 3-day, or 7-day durations. Additionally, a 45-day money-back guarantee ensures risk-free usage.
Ease of Use: User-Friendly Apps
Interface and Design
- Desktop: Intuitive layout and easy navigation.
- Mobile: Simple setup with limited customization.
- Linux: Functional but less user-friendly.
Device Connections
CyberGhost supports up to 7 simultaneous connections, suitable for most users but less generous compared to competitors like Surfshark.
Specialized Servers
Torrenting Servers
CyberGhost provides optimized servers for torrenting with P2P clients like uTorrent. These servers are located in countries with lenient torrenting regulations, enhancing download speeds. While user-friendly, performance during testing was average, with competitors like NordVPN offering better speeds on their dedicated P2P servers.
Streaming Servers
CyberGhost’s streaming servers are designed to bypass geo-restrictions on platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. During testing, these servers reliably unlocked content and maintained 86% of baseline speeds. However, NordVPN performed slightly better, retaining 90% of initial speeds.
Gaming Servers
CyberGhost stands out with dedicated gaming servers aimed at minimizing latency. In tests, latency increased by only 10 ms compared to no VPN, with stable connections throughout. This feature is beneficial for gamers, as competitors like NordVPN do not provide gaming-specific servers.
Dedicated IPs
CyberGhost offers dedicated IP addresses for an additional fee ($2.50 to $5.00 per month), available in various locations like the US, UK, Canada, and more. A unique token system ensures anonymity, as the token links to the dedicated IP without associating it with your VPN account. While this adds convenience for activities like torrent seeding or reliable streaming, it is not a privacy feature. NordVPN and Surfshark also provide dedicated IPs, though with a broader range of locations.
Ad-Blocking
CyberGhost includes an ad-blocking feature to enhance browsing speed and security. However, testing revealed that it struggles with blocking ads on platforms like Hulu and YouTube. NordVPN’s Threat Protection consistently outperformed CyberGhost in blocking various types of ads, making it a better choice for users prioritizing this feature.
NoSpy Servers
NoSpy servers, managed exclusively by CyberGhost, offer enhanced privacy and are located in Romania. These servers support P2P connections and provide extended bandwidth for faster speeds. While this feature is unique, NordVPN’s obfuscated and RAM-only servers offer comparable privacy benefits.
Smart Rules
The Smart Rules feature allows users to automate tasks, such as connecting to specific servers or launching applications upon VPN activation. This feature is convenient but not groundbreaking, as competitors like NordVPN and ExpressVPN provide similar functionalities under different names.
Pricing
CyberGhost is one of the more affordable VPN options, with plans starting at $2.03/month for a 2 Years + 4 Months subscription. It offers a 45-day money-back guarantee for plans of six months or longer and accepts anonymous payments through cryptocurrencies. By comparison, NordVPN starts at $2.99/month, and Surfshark at $1.99/month, making CyberGhost competitive in pricing.
Speed Performance
While CyberGhost integrates the WireGuard protocol for better speeds, its implementation has room for improvement. During tests, speeds remained decent but not exceptional:
|
Location |
Download Speed |
Upload Speed |
|
US (NY) |
473 Mbps |
452 Mbps |
|
UK |
471 Mbps |
480 Mbps |
|
Germany |
472 Mbps |
103 Mbps |
|
Japan |
480 Mbps |
239 Mbps |
|
Australia |
463 Mbps |
344 Mbps |
OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols performed slower, making WireGuard the preferred choice despite its connectivity issues. In comparison, NordVPN consistently retained over 90% of baseline speeds.
CyberGhost performance with other protocols
- Baseline: 460 Mbps download / 470 Mbps upload
- IKEv2 – 238 Mbps / 160 Mbps
- OpenVPN (UDP) – 46 Mbps / 174 Mbps
- OpenVPN (TCP) – 109 Mbps / 76 Mbps
|
Protocol |
Speed |
Security |
Connection stability |
|
WireGuard |
Highest 🏆 |
High |
Medium |
|
IKEv2 |
Medium |
Medium |
High |
|
OpenVPN |
Low |
High |
High |
CyberGhost Compatibility
CyberGhost supports the following platforms:
|
Operating Systems |
Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
|
Browsers |
Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, Opera |
|
Smart Devices |
Android TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick |
While mobile apps are intuitive and perform well, desktop apps for macOS and Linux have issues like malfunctioning kill switches and complex installations.
Customer Support: Comprehensive Assistance
CyberGhost provides multiple support channels:
- 24/7 Live Chat: Quick and reliable assistance.
- Email Support: For detailed queries.
- FAQs and Guides: Helpful resources for troubleshooting and setup.
Is CyberGhost VPN Worth It?
CyberGhost VPN offers an excellent mix of affordability, security, and features, making it a great choice for most users. With its robust server network, strong privacy measures, and user-friendly apps, CyberGhost stands out as a top-tier VPN service. However, minor limitations, such as device restrictions and lack of customization, leave room for improvement.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Extensive server network
- Optimized servers for specific tasks
- Strong encryption and privacy features
- User-friendly interface
- Unblocks popular streaming platforms
- Generous money-back guarantee
Cons
- Speeds may vary based on server location
- Slightly higher monthly cost for short-term plans
Conclusion
CyberGhost VPN is a solid choice for users seeking affordability, user-friendly features, and decent streaming performance. However, its speed and advanced functionalities lag behind competitors like NordVPN and Surfshark. With improvements to speed and desktop app functionality, CyberGhost could rank among the top-tier VPNs.
Related Articles