CyberGhost VPN fast factsOur rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
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CyberGhost VPN has an impressive server fleet spaning 100 countries and 125 locations, an affordable starting price, and specialized servers for streaming, torrenting, and gaming. It also supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android and Apple TV, and even gaming consoles.
While its complicated company history may cause some concern, the overall VPN package you get with CyberGhost makes it a worthy VPN choice of the year.
CyberGhost VPN pricing
| Plans | Price |
|---|---|
| One month | $12.99 per month (14-day money-back guarantee) |
| Six months | $6.99 per month (45-day money-back guarantee) |
| Two years | $2.03 per month (45-day money-back guarantee) |
While some VPNs offer different features at varied price points, CyberGhost’s pricing is straightforward. It provides three prices depending on your preferred service length — either one month, six months, or two years. The monthly option is billed every month, while the six-month option is billed every six months at $41.94 and the two-year option is billed for the first two years at $56.94 then annually thereafter.
In terms of affordability, you will get the most out of your money with their two-year plan. At $2.03 per month, CyberGhost is one of the most affordable VPN options out right now. This is especially true once we take into account the number of servers you get at this price. Keep in mind, however, that this contract locks you in for two years so you won’t have the flexibility of being able to switch providers quickly.
If you’re looking to test out the VPN for a month, CyberGhost VPN’s $12.99 is on the pricier end compared to its competitors like Proton VPN, with its one-month Plus plan currently priced at $9.99 per month. You also don’t get CyberGhost VPN’s in-house NoSpy servers for free with the one-month plan.
With that, I do wish that CyberGhost offered at least a one-year option for its paid plans instead of its six-month subscription. This would give consumers more leeway with cost and less of the time commitment. Annual plans are also standard offerings for most VPN providers. In my view, having a one-year option would help CyberGhost provide a better one-to-one pitch against its competition.
Comparing it to other VPNs, Surfshark’s mid-tier One subscription for one year is priced at $3.39 per month, while NordVPN’s Plus plan is $5.49 per month. At $6.99 per month for only six months, I feel like CyberGhost may seem like less of a bargain when looking at what other VPNs have to offer.
CyberGhost VPN does have a fairly generous free trial program. For Windows and macOS users, you can get a 24-hour free trial without providing any payment or credit card information. Android users also have access to a three-day trial, while iOS users get free seven-day access.
While the 24-hour Windows and Mac trial is short, accessing all the premium features without handing off any financial information is a worthwhile trade-off.
Is CyberGhost VPN safe?
CyberGhost VPN offers all the industry-standard security protocols we expect from a decent VPN in 2023. It has the OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard protocols, as well as AES-256 encryption. It also has a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and split tunneling capability.
On its website, CyberGhost boasts that its headquarters are based in Romania — a country with strong privacy laws. This is a big plus for users who are wary of government interference. However, it is worth noting that CyberGhost is owned by Kape Technologies, formerly Crossrider. Crossrider had formerly been associated with malware and adware controversies before it purchased CyberGhost back in 2017.
While CyberGhost has maintained that it acts as an independent entity of Kape, the company history is important to mention when it comes to security and privacy.
CyberGhost does have a no-logs policy, which states that they don’t log user data such as browsing history, IP addresses, session durations, and the like. This no-logs policy has been confirmed by an independent audit conducted by Deloitte in 2022.
In April 2024, CyberGhost completed a second independent audit of its server network and management systems. The assessment was conducted by Deloitte Audit Romania, which said that it found no evidence to conclude that CyberGhost’s “configuration of IT systems and management of the supporting IT operations” were not in accordance with its No-logs Policy No-Logging Safeguards.
I commend CyberGhost for continuing its commitment to undergoing third-party audits. I especially appreciate how recent their latest audit was, providing an additional layer of confidence to users interested in purchasing a CyberGhost subscription today.
The VPN service also regularly publishes quarterly Transparency Reports that cover police requests and malicious activity reports they receive. This is an admirable level of transparency that definitely adds to CyberGhost VPN’s overall credibility.
With its complicated history, prospective users may be hesitant to consider CyberGhost VPN at first. However, I do feel that the company is doing enough to alleviate security concerns customers may have.
Key features of CyberGhost VPN
CyberGhost VPN provides an alluring package of features for its price, making it a solid choice. Let’s take a look at some key features one by one.
Extensive server network
CyberGhost VPN has one of the largest server suites in the market today. At the time of publication, it had servers from 125 locations spread out over 100 countries.
The large server fleet gives users a better chance of getting a high-quality server experience. Whether it’s having a server near your location to get faster speeds or having more access to geo-restricted content, CyberGhost’s extensive network is definitely a valuable feature.
This is especially true if you purchase CyberGhost with their $2 plan, giving you a bargain package that is hard to refuse.
Specialized servers
CyberGhost VPN offers three specialized servers for some of the most common VPN use-cases. It categorizes servers into three groups: For Gaming, For Torrenting, and For Streaming.
I personally like the level of detail CyberGhost goes into when providing what exactly each server is best for.
For example, it shows what streaming service a particular server is best for — a small detail that I think many users will find extremely helpful. If you want a VPN that makes specialized servers simple, CyberGhost should be at the top of your list.
Smart Rules panel
CyberGhost has a built-in “Smart Rules” panel that allows you to automate different actions you want the VPN to do based on different prompts.
For example, you can set CyberGhost to automatically connect to a particular server upon boot up or have it open an app of your choice once the VPN is connected. This is a powerful useability feature that will be perfect for those who want a VPN that can be tailored for a specific need or workflow.
RAM-only server technology
CyberGhost VPN uses RAM-only servers that store server data on random access memory instead of hard disks. Because of this, when a server is unplugged, all data is completely erased.
This provides an additional layer of protection that many privacy enthusiasts will appreciate, especially since CyberGhost itself designed a system that makes it difficult for them to store user data. This is another plus of CyberGhost’s no-logs policy.
CyberGhost VPN speed and performance
In my testing, CyberGhost VPN performed really well. I was able to get good speed and stability with multiple Chrome tabs open, playing 1080p YouTube videos, and using Google Suite apps for work.
The story was the same when it came to speed test results. For uploads, CyberGhost VPN recorded only a 12.67% drop in speed compared to my internet service provider — which is very impressive since most VPNs struggle with maintaining good upload speed. For downloads, CyberGhost performed even better as it was actually 9.1% faster than my ISP. In real-world usage, I experienced very little reduction in speed and was perfectly happy with CyberGhost’s overall performance.
I did notice that switching from one server to another took longer than I expected. Maybe that’s a trade-off with the VPN’s massive server fleet, causing the longer than usual switching. Despite this, I would say this is more of a personal nitpick since I didn’t experience any dropped connection whenever I switched to a new server during my testing.
For DNS leaks, I ran CyberGhost VPN and a number of its servers from different locations through a public DNS leak tool. I experienced zero leaks all throughout.
SEE: SMB Security Pack (TechRepublic Premium)
CyberGhost VPN servers and locations
CyberGhost offers servers from 125 locations spread out in 100 countries. At the moment, CyberGhost VPN doesn’t provide the exact number of servers it has in its server network. However, third-party reports estimate it to have around 9,000-11,000 at any given time.
In 2023, I said CyberGhost had one of the biggest server fleets available. While that remains true in 2024, I want to acknowledge that competing VPNs have caught up in this regard. NordVPN has increased its server fleet from 60+ to 111 countries in a year, while ExpressVPN has increased its network from 94 to 105 countries as well.
This is good for consumers, as more VPN options have a large server suite to offer. However, it also means that competition amongst providers is tougher since server fleet size is getting closer and closer.
Moving on from its server network, CyberGhost has specialized servers for streaming, gaming, and torrenting, respectively — a feature that will benefit users on the lookout for these specific use cases.
Lastly, CyberGhost also offers NoSpy Servers, which are servers housed within the company’s Romanian headquarters. This means that the servers, and the data they carry, are protected by CyberGhost personnel themselves and cannot be accessed by third parties. CyberGhost also says that NoSpy servers use more premium hardware, provide better speeds, and have bigger bandwidth.
Unfortunately, you do need to purchase at least a six-month plan to get access to CyberGhost’s NoSpy servers as this is not available on the one-month plan.
While more security-focused servers would round out CyberGhost’s VPN servers more, there is enough variety here to satisfy a lot of people’s VPN needs.
CyberGhost VPN ease of use
For user experience, I found CyberGhost to be a mixed bag. While its app design isn’t my favorite, I had zero issues with it during testing.
I really appreciate CyberGhost’s convenient categorization of specialized servers. This makes it easy to find the best server possible for common VPN use cases, and I believe should be a standard thing done by all VPNs.
On the other end, I do think CyberGhost can do a better job of organizing its other menus. In particular, I found its use of multiple Settings pages a bit confusing. There’s a settings page for the main VPN, General settings for your dashboard, and Privacy settings for privacy-related features. In my view, these toggles could either be grouped together on one page or be more spread out in separate, individual tabs in the main dashboard for a more intuitive experience.
CyberGhost VPN pros
- Large fleet of servers from 100 countries, 125 locations.
- Specialized servers for gaming, torrenting, and streaming.
- RAM-only servers that prevent data logging.
- Affordable two-year subscription.
- Customizable Smart Rules panel for automated actions.
- Free trial.
- Ability to connect up to seven devices with one subscription.
- 45-day money-back guarantee.
- Easy-to-use app.
CyberGhost VPN cons
- Complicated company history.
- Lack of more security-focused servers.
- Desktop interface could be more intuitive.
- Pricey monthly subscription.
- NoSpy servers unavailable in a one-month plan.
How good is CyberGhost VPN?
CyberGhost VPN’s large server fleet will benefit many users who want flexibility in terms of speed, reliability, and access to geo-restricted content. It’s very hard to argue against servers across 100 countries for only $2 a month (with their two-year plan), not to mention the fact that it’s perfect for users who are specifically looking for a VPN to stream, torrent, or game.
While CyberGhost VPN is hampered by its controversial company history, its impressive server fleet, specialized servers, and generous free trial options make it a VPN that most people should definitely consider.
CyberGhost VPN alternatives
CyberGhost VPN has a unique set of features that make it a solid VPN service. However, these features may not be the right mix for you. We’ve listed a few alternatives below that may fit your needs better.
| Proton VPN | NordVPN | Surfshark | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price (annual) | $4.99 per month | $4.59 per month | $2.99 per month |
| Server network | 9,000+ servers in 112 countries | 6,800+ servers in 111 countries | 3,200 servers in 100 countries |
| Highlight feature | Based in privacy-friendly Switzerland; open-source VPN | Fast performance and a variety of security-focused features such as anti-malware protection | Affordable paid plans across the board; fast VPN performance |
Proton VPN
If you want a VPN that prioritizes protection against government interference and unlawful data requests, Proton VPN should be your top choice. Based in Switzerland, Proton operates under strict Swiss privacy laws that add an additional layer of privacy and protection for your personal or confidential data.
To learn more, check out our full Proton VPN review.
NordVPN
For more security-focused features, you can check out NordVPN. It has strong third-party testing, privacy-centered server types, and a unique encrypted file-sharing system that can satisfy even the strictest privacy needs. It also has built-in anti-malware threat protection, which makes it a reliable all-around security platform.
To learn more, check out our full NordVPN review.
Surfshark
For VPN users who want multiple device support, Surfshark is one of the best. It offers an unlimited number of simultaneous connections that won’t have you worrying about exceeding a particular device limit. It also has strong encryption and privacy features for those seeking more security.
To learn more, check out our full Surfshark VPN review.
How I evaluated CyberGhost VPN
My review of CyberGhost VPN involved a comprehensive assessment of its features, cost, and real-world performance. I used CyberGhost VPN hands-on with their 24-hour free trial on my personal Windows machine.
For speed, I used Ookla’s public Speedtest to measure download and upload speeds. I also ran CyberGhost through DNSLeakTest multiple times to check for any drops in its DNS leak protection.
Lastly, I scored CyberGhost VPN on everything from security protocols to pricing based on an internal algorithm to get a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars. In my scoring, I looked at CyberGhost VPN both on its own and in relation to other VPN services available today.