CyberGhost VPN Review

Our rating
Security Read more toggle icon
90%
Features Read more toggle icon
85%
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  • No phone support phone disabled icon

CyberGhost has millions of worldwide users and is one of the most popular VPN services on the market. It offers excellent performance and powerful desktop apps. With great streaming capabilities, it is great for streaming fans too.

The Romanian-based provider's subscription plans start at just $2.25 per month, making it one of the cheapest VPNs on the market, as long as you are ready to commit to a longer plan. There is also a generous 45-day cooling off period, which is a lot more than most of its competitors offer.

While it has not yet been independently audited, CyberGhost makes strong commitments to privacy and security, does not log private user activity, and offers an excellent transparency report too. Moreover, if you run into any issues while using the service there is live-chat support available to assist you.

    Pros

  • pro icon Located in privacy-friendly Romania
  • pro icon Accepts Bitcoin as a payment option
  • pro icon NoSpy server network

    Cons

  • con icon Limited Netflix unblocking capability
  • con icon No phone support
  • con icon Uses virtual servers
Price Starting At: 2.25 $ / monthly 29.25 $ / annually
For New Users: 45 -day money-back guarantee
Number of servers: 7200+
General information
Type of IP offered: Dedicated
Simultaneous connections / Users: 7
OS support: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, iOS, Linux, macOS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Roku, Windows, Xbox 360
VPN Promotion: Get VPN from CyberGhost VPN for 2.25$ per month
Capabilities
Unlimited Bandwidthcross iconKill Switchcross iconSplit Tunnelingcross iconZero Data Loggingcross iconFree Version / Trialcross iconMobile Appcross iconFirestick Compatiblecross icon
Payment options
  • Bitcoin
  • Dankort
  • Ethereum
  • Mastercard
  • Mastercard Debit
  • Paypal
  • Ripple
  • Visa
  • Visa Debit
  • Visa Electron
Geolocations available
  • Albania
  • Algeria
  • Andorra
  • Argentina
  • Armenia
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Bahamas
  • Bangladesh
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Brazil
  • Bulgaria
  • Cambodia
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • China
  • Colombia
  • Costa Rica
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Egypt
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Georgia
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Greenland
  • Hong Kong
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Iran
  • Ireland
  • Isle of Man
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kenya
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Macau
  • Macedonia [FYROM]
  • Malaysia
  • Malta
  • Mexico
  • Moldova
  • Monaco
  • Mongolia
  • Montenegro
  • Morocco
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Nigeria
  • Norway
  • Pakistan
  • Panama
  • Philippines
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Qatar
  • Romania
  • Russia
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Serbia
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sri Lanka
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand
  • Turkey
  • Ukraine
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • Venezuela
  • Vietnam

CyberGhost VPN Security

90%

Using any VPN requires you to trust that using the product will not put your personal activity and private data at risk, especially considering that a VPN may have as much insight into your online activities as your ISP (Internet Service Provider).

CyberGhost has not been independently audited, unlike some of its competitors. However, it does make some strong security statements and assures its users that it will never store or misuse private user activity data.

The VPN operates on secure 256-AES bit encryption which is industry standard and utilized by militaries and governments. The client also offers complete DNS and IP leak protection. You can rest assured that CyberGhost provides secure and reliable connections.

VPN connections are secured by VPN protocols. We recommend using the OpenVPN protocol, as it is open-source, meaning that its software has been carefully examined for potential vulnerabilities. CyberGhost supports OpenVPN on its Android, Windows, and Linux clients. The Windows app utilizes the IKEv2 protocol by default, so it is necessary to manually change the protocol settings if you want to use OpenVPN. CyberGhost's iOS and macOS apps also utilize IKEv2.

Many VPNs have adopted the newest VPN protocol, WireGuard, however, CyberGhost currently only supports WireGuard on its Linux clients. CyberGhost's servers also run on RAM to prevent tampering by third parties.

CyberGhost has a strict no-logs policy, which is an essential feature in any VPN provider. CyberGhost's privacy policy is comprehensive and detailed, although extremely difficult to read. We would like to see a simpler policy that is easier for its customers to understand.

The policy states that CyberGhost will not store user browsing history, the sites you visit, the data you send and receive, or what you search for. Nor does it log your IP address, VPN connection timestamps, or how long you use the VPN.

The provider does seem to collect some data regarding VPN connection attempts, however, this is only statistical data. The VPN also monitors the bandwidth used, available memory, and server CPU load.

CyberGhost also offers an annual transparency report to evidence its privacy and no-logs policy statements. While we do believe the provider to be trustworthy, and the transparency report is a good addition, we would like to see a comprehensive security audit to back up all of the provider's claims.

One of the major selling points of CyberGhost is its NoSpy servers. Users can route their data through the NoSpy servers based in Romania for a more secure connection. CyberGhost's NoSpy servers are managed end-to-end by the VPN provider itself meaning that any security issues will be quickly detected.

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CyberGhost VPN Features

85%

CyberGhost is a Romanian-based VPN company that offers an excellent service and a wide range of advanced features. A subscription to CyberGhost will enable access to over 7,200 VPN servers in 100 locations across 90 countries. Torrenting is supported on most, although not all, of CyberGhost's VPN servers.

There are custom clients for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and more. CyberGhost's apps are well-designed and intuitive. Users can alter the VPN location from the menu beneath the VPN connection button. Click on the graph symbol to reveal real-time information about your server connection. For settings, tap the yellow tap on the left-hand side of the screen. Here there is the option to activate ad blocking, malicious site blocking, and tracker blocking.

There are also data compression and split tunneling features. Split tunneling enables you to select specific sites or apps that you want to run outside of the VPN connection. This is useful for streaming, gaming, or any other online activity that may block a VPN connection.

Alongside the typical VPN features, CyberGhost offers a range of extras. The VPN can block malicious ads, websites, and trackers, while automated HTTPS redirection ensures the safest connection possible whenever you access a site, and data compression can help to reduce bandwidth on mobiles.

The VPN supports 7 simultaneous device connections, which is slightly more than most of its competitors offer and is more than enough for the typical user.

There is also the option to purchase an additional dedicated IP address for $5 per month. This is useful for some users as you will gain access to the same unique IP address every time you access the VPN service.

Static IP addresses enable access to IP restricted networks, which is handy if you have to access a business system when using the VPN. They also offer a higher chance of accessing geo-restricted streaming sites and other platforms, as they haven't been affected by the bad behavior of other users.

CyberGhost's monthly plan will set you back $12.99 a month which is quite pricey when compared to competitors. This is excellent value for money, for the first subscription term at least, even compared to Surfshark which offers a 2-year plan (with 2 months added on for free) for $2.25 a month.

Users can even choose to pay anonymously with Bitcoin, which means that no identifying payment details are required when signing up for the VPN service. There is also a generous 45-day risk-free refund policy, enabling you to test the service and if you are not happy, request a complete refund, no questions asked.

Summary

4.5
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Is CyberGhost Free?

The price of customer subscriptions is one of the most important factors to consider when finding a VPN solution. As with most premium VPN products, signing up for a CyberGhost subscription will vary depending on the length of your plan.

If you want to test CyberGhost, there is a free VPN trial available too. However, it is somewhat complicated. The free VPN trial is only available for 24 hours on a desktop computer, and it comes with a limited number of features. On iOS, you will need to sign up to receive a 7-day free trial, while on the CyberGhost VPN app for Android, you can get 7 days without signing up. So, to make the most of the free trial, we would recommend using the CyberGhost VPN app on an Android device if you have one.

On all of CyberGhost’s premium VPN plans, except its 1-month option, you will receive an industry-leading risk-free 45-day money-back guarantee. This means that if you want to test the service for as long as possible, we would advise signing up for a long-term plan and then requesting a refund if you are not happy.

CyberGhost VPN Sale

CyberGhost frequently has some of the best VPN deals and these aren’t just a part of Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. For Digital Privacy Month, CyberGhost offers up to 83% off on its VPN to help users save money. This enables VPN users to take advantage of CyberGhost’s great features, including military-grade encryption, the ability to bypass geo-restrictions, and fast server speeds.

You can also enjoy regular CyberGhost sales in periods throughout the year, such as over the New Year, at Easter, and even on occasions such as Valentine’s Day.

Is CyberGhost a Really Secure VPN?

CyberGhost utilizes industry-standard AES-256 bit encryption, which is also used by militaries and governments. It is also good to note that the VPN apps are extremely transparent regarding the data that they store about your usage.

Users can choose to allow the VPN to collect some non-identifying statistical data to help improve its apps or opt-out of this. This level of transparency is impressive and is rarely seen among VPN providers.

CyberGhost reinforces its strict zero-logs policy, which is part of its commitment to user privacy and security. It reassures users that it does not store the websites you visit, your browsing history, transmitted data, and search activity. Nor does it log user IP addresses, VPN connection logs, or how long you use the VPN.

However, unlike some of its competitors, such as ExpressVPN, CyberGhost has not, unfortunately, completed a comprehensive independent security audit of its software and servers. Despite this fact, we trust the company’s online privacy claims. Moreover, a Transparency Report offers some reassurance, although we would like to see a full security audit.

Where Are The CyberGhost VPN Servers Located?

When choosing a VPN, it is essential to consider the range and size of its server network. The more varied server locations a provider offers, the more choice you will have when finding a server close to your geographical location. This also means you’ll enjoy a more uncensored internet culture and reliable connections with fast speeds.

CyberGhost offers servers across more than 90 countries. It provides a wide range of locations with better server support for Africa and South America than most competitors. CyberGhost is only rivaled by ExpressVPN regarding a huge server network size, which offers secure VPN servers in 94 countries.

Some users express concern about VPN companies’ use of virtual server locations, which are software-defined. A physical server location can support many virtual ones, and a virtual server location can be designed to appear as if it is in a different place to its host server. Virtual servers are no less secure than physical ones, but users should know where their private data is going.

CyberGhost rents servers in every location that it offers VPN access. It has 340 virtual servers; however, virtual ones are located in the same place as the physical servers.

CyberGhost is one of the most powerful providers in the size of its server network, with an eye-watering number of over 7,200 servers. NordVPN is the only other VPN company to offer over 5,200 servers, and ExpressVPN offers 3,000.

While a greater number of servers doesn’t necessarily mean that the VPN is better, it can be helpful. If you need a VPN server connection in a specific geographical location, having access to a higher number of servers gives you more chance of finding one that isn’t crowded or overwhelmed by a high number of customers.

Is CyberGhost Easy to Set Up?

CyberGhost makes an effort to ensure its client setup process is as simple as possible, even for beginner customers. The VPN offers 7 simultaneous connections and unlimited bandwidth, meaning that you can set up the CyberGhost VPN app and enjoy encrypted browser traffic on all of your devices without needing to worry about how much data you are consuming.

If you opt for a free VPN trial period, clicking on the Trial link on the CyberGhost website will quickly download the client. Accept the terms and conditions, enter a valid email address and password, and click “please confirm your address” in the follow-up email that will be sent to you. Then, enjoy the free VPN trial with no need to enter payment information or other details.

Installing the free VPN trial on your mobile devices is similar. The CyberGhost website will send you to your device’s app store, where you can download and install the apps.

Things become more difficult if you need to download the VPN on your router or other devices such as a gaming console or Smart TV. Even though other VPN companies offer specialized downloads, CyberGhost requires a lengthier setup process. Log in to your account on CyberGhost’s website; manually add a new device profile; select the features that you need such as ad blocking, malware protection, data compression; select OpenVPN TCP or UDP; choose your country; enter a server name, username, and password; then download the OVPN file, key files, and certificates.

Does CyberGhost Offer Dedicated IP Addresses?

CyberGhost has introduced a dedicated IP System, allowing you to purchase an additional static IP address for an extra $5 per month. Pay for this feature, and you will receive a unique IP address that will only be used by you. This means that there is less risk of becoming blocked by websites due to other bad behavior. It also allows you to gain access to IP-restricted business networks while connected to the VPN.

If you use CyberGhost VPN’s dedicated IP system, you will be able to choose from a list of locations, including Chicago, Frankfurt, London, Manchester, Montreal, New York, and Paris. Choose a location, and the CyberGhost website will present a token with a long text identifying your IP. Paste the IP text into your chosen app and enjoy protecting your dedicated IP by simply selecting it from the Location picker.

Even though this may sound complicated, there are many reasons to use a static IP location. CyberGhost will not associate the IP with your account to ensure it remains anonymous as a standard server location feature. This means that the provider does not have access to your activity, nor can it connect your actions to your account. However, this does cause some issues. If you lose your IP token, you will not get it back as CyberGhost does not know what it was.

Is CyberGhost Good for Streaming?

Many users subscribe to a VPN to overcome geo-restrictions on streaming sites such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Disney+. CyberGhost VPN is an excellent option for a smooth streaming experience.

The VPN offers a helpful filtering system to identify the best servers to access your favorite streaming sites. The server filters offer recommended locations to stream Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, iPlayer, Hulu, and global streaming services.

Upon testing, CyberGhost had no problem in unblocking Netflix and successfully accessing content from various countries. BBC iPlayer is known to be more challenging to access, and CyberGhost did struggle to do so. The VPN did enable access to Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+; however, it did require a few attempts with different servers.

So, even though CyberGhost can provide access to most video streaming services and is a lot better than many of its competitors, it isn’t the best streaming VPN on the market due to its slightly fiddly setup.

Is CyberGhost Compatible with Desktop?

CyberGhost VPN offers native desktop apps for Windows and Mac operating systems. The macOS and Windows client reveals a simple, easy-to-navigate interface. There is a clear list of available VPN servers, a large power button, and the option to filter servers on the left side of the screen.

The VPN offers additional features. These include tracker and adware blockers and protection from malicious websites, optional compression to improved performance by reducing traffic, and HTTPS everywhere to ensure safe surfing. A favorites system enables you to save your most used server locations and a tray icon that offers quick access to all essential features.

Smart Rules is, however, one of the best features offered by CyberGhost. It enables you to choose which IP address automatically connects when the VPN client is launched and when you open a particular app, such as a torrenting client.

There is a whitelist feature too that allows you to set up split tunneling and choose which sites or apps bypass the VPN tunnel connection.

There is also a reliable kill switch for a secure VPN experience. The kill switch ensures that no unencrypted data or your actual IP address will become exposed even if the connection to the server fails.

Overall, CyberGhost VPN offers an excellent desktop client that provides a range of valuable and configurable features rarely seen elsewhere.

Is the CyberGhost VPN App Compatible with Mobile?

CyberGhost offers iOS and Android apps that operate on OpenVPN and WireGuard support. Despite this fact, the features on offer are somewhat limited in iOS; a simple, well-designed app with a full location list, Favorites option, and a useful option allows you to choose how the app operates when you connect to different networks.

However, the Android app offers a range of additional features and is arguably more powerful than desktop versions. You can choose the VPN to connect to a random port, which helps bypass VPN-blocking software utilized by Netflix and other streaming sites.

There is split tunneling, which allows you to choose the apps and websites protected by the VPN and those that bypass it and utilize your standard IP connection. The Android app also features ad and tracker blockers and optional mobile data compression.

So, despite the relatively simple iOS app, CyberGhost’s mobile apps are well-designed and easy to use, even for beginner VPN customers. Its powerful Android app is especially impressive.

Is CyberGhost Good for Torrenting?

Similar to CyberGhost’s streaming filters, it also helps you to find good torrenting servers. This is useful as not every server offers dedicated torrenting support due to various regional restrictions.

Once connected to a torrenting VPN, connection speeds are relatively fast and reliable. A feature allows you to choose a CyberGhost VPN server location that will automatically connect when you open the VPN client. This is helpful to ensure you never forget to activate the VPN connection before you start torrenting.

Although we would like to see P2P support across all servers, CyberGhost VPN is an excellent torrenting VPN despite some limitations.

Does CyberGhost Offer Good Customer Support?

If you run into issues when using the CyberGhost VPN app, there are a range of options. Firstly, CyberGhost’s website features a comprehensive range of setup and user guides, many of which are somewhat difficult to understand. There is also a 24-hour live chat option for immediate assistance and a slower email chat option.

Although the setup guides could be improved, the live-chat option is excellent if you require assistance when using the VPN.

Is CyberGhost Good for Gaming?

Although setting up a VPN on a gaming console is not as simple as on a desktop or mobile, installing a VPN on your gaming devices offers many benefits. With access to over 7,200 servers across 90 countries, CyberGhost is an excellent gaming VPN to ensure reduced lag and buffering and protection from online threats.

Use CyberGhost VPN on your PS5 or Xbox and enjoy a better gameplay experience. The VPN will protect you against gaming threats such as DDoS attacks. If you want to access geo-restricted streaming sites from your console, CyberGhost will enable you to do so. You can use the VPN to access Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer Hulu, and YouTube from your gaming device.

Also, because CyberGhost enables you to bypass geo-restrictions, you can access different PlayStation and Xbox store libraries. This means that you can buy games for less or install games not yet available in your region.

Despite common myths that a VPN will slow down your gaming experience, installing CyberGhost VPN on your gaming rig may serve to reduce lag. Connect to a server close to your gaming server and enjoy fast speeds and reduced lag.

Altering your DNS settings on consoles such as PlayStation, Amazon Fire, Xbox, or Nintendo enables easy setup; however, your internet traffic will not be encrypted. If you want to get all of the benefits of a VPN on your gaming consoles, install the product on your router.

You can install CyberGhost VPN on your router by following the setup guide on the provider’s website. Alternatively, you can purchase a router from CyberGhost that comes with a pre-installed VPN.

How Does CyberGhost VPN Work?

When you activate CyberGhost VPN, all of your Wi-Fi traffic will be rerouted through an encrypted tunnel of servers operated by the VPN. This ensures that anyone who has access to the same network as you will not view your online activity. It also guarantees that your ISP (Internet Service Provider) cannot misuse or sell your private data to a third party for profit.

Your internet traffic will appear as if it is coming from the VPN server rather than your actual location, meaning that anyone watching will only see the server address. This makes it much more difficult for anyone to track or monitor your online activity.

CyberGhost VPN can also mask your location and replace it with the location of a VPN server that is across the globe. It enables access to geo-restricted streaming sites such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, and YouTube.

Author Cliff Durward

Hi, I'm Cliff. I'm based in Cleveland, Ohio, with my wife and two kids. I have a keen interest in cybersecurity and have been writing about it for around a decade now. Due to my background in computer science, I am familiar ...
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