CyberGhost VPN review: affordable, easy to use, but not the most private VPN

CyberGhost is a reputable virtual private network (VPN) service provider. Its headquarters are in Romania, which operates under Romanian law, so it does not belong to the Fourteen Eyes Alliance. CyberGhost suits those looking for a nice balance between price and performance. It is efficient at unblocking content, providing stable speeds, and covering many unique international locations.

How we tested: For this CyberGhost review, the VPNpro team and I put this VPN through well-rounded testing, analysis, and comparison with other providers. We ran speed tests by connecting to different servers worldwide. I read their online Privacy Policies, Terms & Conditions, and other documentation to conclude CyberGhost’s privacy and security. In addition, I tested its capabilities of masking IP addresses and avoiding DNS leaks. I tried to unblock and access various popular streaming platforms to bypass geo-restrictions. At the same time, I was looking for any buffering, lagging, or connectivity issues. The VPNpro team and I downloaded CyberGhost on several devices to test its compatibility and ease of use. During my evaluation, I also contacted customer support to measure their response times and answer quality.

Verdict: Overall, CyberGhost VPN is a good option for its server fleet, unblocking capabilities, and affordability. It can work for casual browsing or simple everyday tasks. However, those handling more sensitive data and information, such as financial records or biometrics, may opt for another VPN provider. For this reason, CyberGhost is not in VPNpro’s top 5 list.

CyberGhost VPN pros and cons

Based on the pros and cons, CyberGhost VPN will suit users who are new to the VPN concept. Global coverage, streaming-optimized servers, and an intuitive interface are a great starting point. Not to mention that a 2-year subscription is highly affordable. On the other hand, those who are prioritizing maximum privacy, flexible plans, and more advanced features should look for better VPN options.

Best CyberGhost alternatives

CyberGhost VPN is an established name among VPN service providers. While it is decent in some areas, like server fleet or affordability, some may find it lacking in others. For example, with CyberGhost, I got increased pings during gaming, and while they didn’t affect my gameplay that much, other VPNs might be more suitable for decreasing ping. Split-tunneling as a safety feature is only available for Android, while other VPNs offer it for all devices. Additionally, some of CyberGhost’s data sharing practices may concern users who prioritize strong privacy.

There are many alternatives to CyberGhost VPN on the market. After being exposed to many VPNs, my top three remain NordVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN. They are incredibly reliable in many areas, from performance to security. Compared to CyberGhost, these VPNs perform better at unblocking all popular streaming platforms, offering a wider selection of features, and reassuring their customers with strong security and privacy policies.

Is CyberGhost VPN safe?

• Jurisdiction: Romania
• Encryption: AES-256 encryption
• No-logs policy: Independently audited no-logs policy
• Third-party audits: Most recent audit by Deloitte in January 2024

Generally, CyberGhost is considered to be a safe and trustworthy VPN due to its strong security features and commitment to user privacy. However, after a deeper investigation, I found some data sharing practices that would not be welcomed by everyone.

For starters, CyberGhost states that they operate from Romania. At first glance, it is great news since Romania does not belong to the Fourteen Eyes Alliance and is a privacy-friendly jurisdiction. But at the same time, CyberGhost is owned by Kape Technologies, a British-Israeli corporation. They also own other popular VPN service providers like Express VPN, Private Internet Access, and ZenMate. For this reason, CyberGhost may communicate its users' personal data “to a member of our group of companies”. That includes your name, address, e-mail address, username, payment information, IP address, and approximate location while visiting the website.

Some companies with which CyberGhost can share your private information belong to countries within the Fourteen Eyes jurisdiction. In that case, the statement that CyberGhost operates under Romanian law becomes less valid.

I have contacted customer support regarding this issue. They responded to these concerns and explained that communicating personal information between members of their group of companies is a fairly standard clause in the privacy policies of companies that operate as a part of a larger corporate group. It allows providing services such as billing, customer support, analytics, or IT security more effectively as they are centralized. In addition, the group companies might need to access personal data to comply with legal obligations, respond to legal claims, or assist in audits and risk management. While some personal data is shared (e.g., billing information or email address), it should not include actual VPN usage data, such as browsing history or connection logs.

Two Deloitte audits confirmed that CyberGhost VPN doesn’t log user activity

In the Privacy Policy, CyberGhost states that it does not monitor, record, log, or store any information about its users' traffic data, such as browsing history, traffic destination, data content, and search preferences. Meaning the company is unaware of any information related to your IP address, connection timestamp, or session duration.

To confirm these claims, CyberGhost has already completed two external audits: one in 2022 and another in January 2024. Deloitte conducted both audits. It confirmed that CyberGhost was indeed not logging user activity during each audit. If you are interested in more information, everyone can request a PDF file from Deloitte of the 2022 audit, while the 2024 audit is only available to CyberGhost’s users. They can download it from the user dashboard online.

On the bright side, CyberGhost is quite transparent. Since 2011, it has issued a transparency report annually and was the first VPN provider to do so. In 2019, the provider began issuing quarterly reports. While some information is available online, the full report is now available through Deloitte. You can request it via email [email protected] or by filling out the contact form.

CyberGhost successfully passed our DNS leak test

CyberGhost employs industry-standard AES-256-bit encryption to secure OpenVPN connections, AES-128-bit encryption for IKEv2 connections, and ChaCha20 for WireGuard tunneling protocol. Its entire server infrastructure runs on RAM-only, meaning no data is saved on a hard disk, and the server is wiped clean each time it reboots.

I also conducted tests to evaluate CyberGhost’s effectiveness in preventing IP addresses and DNS leaks. I was pleased with the outcome, as my examination revealed no data leaks, proving strong protection. It also ensures that you will be more successful at unblocking restricted content or accessing sensitive information.

Key takeaway: CyberGhost's security features are strong and functional. They protect your personal information from leaking or sudden exposure. All safety measures meet industry standards and follow current privacy protection trends.

Get CyberGhost VPN

How much does CyberGhost VPN cost?

• One-Month Plan: $12.99/month
• Six-Month Plan: $6.99/month
• Two-Year Plan: $2.19/month
• Free trial: 24-hour free trial for MacOS and Windows, 3-day trial for Android, 7-day trial for iOS

CyberGhost VPN’s price starts at $2.19/month for a 2-year plan. This is a competitive and relatively affordable price compared to other premium VPN service providers. For example, NordVPN's cheapest subscription starts at $3.39/month. Meanwhile, Surfshark is just slightly cheaper – $1.99/month.

If you are interested in only a 1-month subscription, it is $12.99/month. Hence, the 6-month subscription drops almost by half – $6.99/month. These prices are slightly higher than those of competitors. For example, NordVPN’s cheapest 1-month plan is also $12.99/month, but the cheapest 1-year subscription is almost three times cheaper at $4.99/month, and is more affordable than CyberGhost’s 6-month plan. A similar situation is with Surfshark as well – its 1-year plan is from $3.19/month. In this case, getting a 2-year CyberGhost subscription is smarter if you opt for this server provider.

CyberGhost VPN free trial is divided into three parts: a 24-hour free trial for macOS and Windows, a 3-day trial for Android, and a 7-day trial for iOS. You can also test the service by taking advantage of a money-back guarantee. For a monthly subscription, the guarantee only covers 14 days, while for others, it is longer and lasts 45 days.

Key takeaway: If you are considering CyberGhost, the best option is a 2-year subscription. You will benefit from the cheapest monthly price and get all your money back before the 45-day period runs out.

Save with the cheapest CyberGhost VPN subscription

CyberGhost VPN servers and locations

• Servers: 11700 servers
• Locations: 100 countries

CyberGhost does not disclose the actual number of servers on its website. I asked customer support for the exact number of servers, and they stated that CyberGhost VPN has 11690 servers in 100 countries. While the server number beats NordVPN and Surfshark, NordVPN still covers more countries (118) than CyberGhost. You can find CyberGhost servers in these regions: Europe (45 countries), the Americas (18 countries), Asia / Pacific (25 countries), Africa / Middle East (12 countries).

Conveniently, CyberGhost categorizes its servers based on their intended use or purpose. You can even try a quick test on the website, which selects the best server for your needs.

• Dedicated IP. CyberGhost Dedicated IP is an add-on to your current subscription. It is an exclusive IP address that you do not share with anyone else. You can select from US, Germany, France, UK, Australia, Belgium, Singapore, Spain, Japan, Netherlands, Sweden, or Canada-based Dedicated IP regardless of your physical location, which costs from $2.50/month. The dedicated IP will be useful if you need more security, fewer CAPTCHAs, or need to access sensitive information. However, a Dedicated IP is not required for casual browsing and everyday use.
• NoSpy server. CyberGhost NoSpy servers are self-owned, self-operated, and in-house. Like CyberGhost, they are located in Romania and can provide you with better speeds, security, and anonymity.

• Torrenting servers. Almost all CyberGhost servers are also optimized for P2P. That makes them great for torrenting due to an efficient way of downloading and sharing files.
• Streaming servers. CyberGhost also has many servers optimized for quality streaming. These servers effectively bypass local restrictions and provide access to different streaming platforms, such as Netflix, Prime Video, HBO Max, and more.

Key takeaway: CyberGhost excels at server and location selection. It does not fall short among the competitors, and is a reasonable choice if an extensive server list is your key VPN requirement. Plus, specialized servers make it easier to attend to specific needs.

Stream with CyberGhost VPN

How good is CyberGhost for streaming?

• Unblocked: Netflix (various libraries), Hulu, Sling, Disney+, BBC iPlayer.
• Issues: Not every server works reliably when unblocking streaming platforms.

CyberGhost is good at bypassing geo-restrictions and unblocking streaming platforms. You can use streaming-optimized servers for this task. I personally tried using them to unblock streaming platforms. The viewing experience was smooth due to no lag, speed, or connection disturbances.

On its website, CyberGhost claims to be able to unblock various Netflix libraries and other popular streaming services. After testing, I can confirm that CyberGhost does unblock Netflix. I had no issues and could access the US, the UK, Japanese, Australian, and Indian regions. The streaming quality was also substantial for a smooth watching experience.

While using CyberGhost, I ran into minor issues with streaming services like Disney+ and BBC iPlayer. For example, not every British server was successful at unblocking BBC iPlayer, and even when unblocked, streaming quality was poor. For Disney+, only the US streaming-optimized server worked reliably, while servers in other countries failed. Fortunately, Hulu, like Netflix, operated perfectly fine with streaming-optimized servers.

Key takeaway: CyberGhost is not as bad as a streaming VPN. However, it sometimes struggles with consistently unblocking less popular streaming services or low streaming quality with distant servers.

Unblock Netflix with CyberGhost VPN

Is CyberGhost VPN good for torrenting?

• Yes, CyberGhost is suitable for torrenting.

Due to the fact that P2P servers are optimized for torrenting, I had high expectations for CyberGhost. And it did not let me down. I downloaded Ubuntu 24 client, which was 5.27GB in size. The downloading process lasted under 5 minutes, reaching up to 26Mbps download speed at its peak. In my opinion, this result is decent and suitable for torrenting.

Generally, CyberGhost is geared towards torrenting. It automatically selects the best server for torrenting, so you don’t have to do it yourself. Other privacy features, speed, and anonymity options cater to those wanting a secure torrenting experience. The only downside is related to the Privacy Policy and data-sharing practices. However, there is no reason to panic, as users’ activity is not recorded. For this reason, customers can trust CyberGhost to keep these details secret.

Torrent safely with CyberGhost VPN

Is CyberGhost VPN good for gaming?

• Yes, CyberGhost VPN is suitable for gaming.

CyberGhost performed well during my gaming tests. I used it with multiplayer Minecraft servers. During the gameplay, I recorded no noticeable connectivity issues – everything went smoothly. I had the same experience with Counter-Strike 2. While the ping increased from 20 to 25ms with CyberGhost servers, it was not an issue during playthrough. However, other VPN service providers might be more suitable if you wish to get a lower ping.

While gaming consoles do not generally support VPN connections, you can use a VPN by configuring a VPN connection on the router. CyberGhost VPN supports router connections and offers multiple setup guides for different systems.

In addition, CyberGhost is compatible with multiple popular software and apps, such as Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. For the cost of a single subscription, you can also use up to 7 simultaneous connections.

Game freely with CyberGhost VPN

CyberGhost speed test results

• Average download speed: 456Mbps
• Average upload speed: 373Mbps
• Average ping: 125ms

During my speed tests, CyberGhost performed well and was relatively fast. After conducting multiple tests in various countries (Australia, Canada, Germany, France, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, Singapore, the UK, and the US), the average speed retention was about 91%. Those are impressive results, considering NordVPN and Surfshark also maintain an average of 91-93% original speed.

CyberGhost’s WireGuard tunneling protocol is considerably faster than OpenVPN or IKEv2. For instance, OpenVPN only retained 60% of its original speed, while IKEv2 retained 81%.

I also noticed that some servers (or server locations) are faster than others. For example, using the US CyberGhost server, I had 400Mbps download and 488Mbps upload speeds.

Meanwhile, using a server in India, I had significantly slower speeds – only 189Mbps download and 75Mbps upload.

Key takeaway: CyberGhost retains fast speeds and is among the fastest VPN service providers. The only downside is that some distant servers may be significantly slower. To avoid such occurrences, try using WireGuard tunneling protocol as it maintains the best speeds.

CyberGhost VPN customer service

• 24/7 live chat support
• Email: [email protected]
• Guides & Troubleshooting
• FAQs

CyberGhost VPN offers a wide selection of support options. You can choose between quick 24/7 live chat support, reliable email, insightful guides & troubleshooting, and straightforward FAQs. Unfortunately, there is no phone support.

I tested CyberGhost's 24/7 live chat support with both the AI Assistant and an agent. The AI Bot tends to guide you to available information on the website, such as FAQs and troubleshooting, and is not ultra-specific for more comprehensive questions. On the other hand, requesting an agent is easy, and they are quick to answer. I was satisfied with CyberGhost’s customer service, as it is as good as other VPN service providers.

Key takeaway: Finding an answer to a question about CyberGhost VPN is very easy. The website covers all the popular questions thoroughly and is intuitive to navigate. Plus, the customer support chat provides detailed answers quickly.

Is CyberGhost a good VPN? Final verdict

VPNpro rating: 8.9⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

CyberGhost VPN is a solid VPN service provider for users looking for a budget-friendly option with premium features. It boasts one of the biggest server fleets among competitors, fast speeds, and excellent streaming capabilities. However, potential customers should be aware of the company’s Privacy Policy and how it handles personal data.

Key CyberGhost VPN strengths:

• CyberGhost has a vast server network: 11700 servers in 100 countries. Most of them specialize in streaming, gaming, and torrenting.
• CyberGhost offers a 45-day money-back guarantee, one of the longest among competitors. It also offers one of the cheapest subscriptions for long-term plans.
• Customer support is responsive, delivering answers in just a few minutes. Plus, FAQs, knowledge bases, and troubleshooting are informative and cover all the minor issues and questions.

Don’t subscribe if:

• Privacy is your top priority. Due to CyberGhost belonging to Kape Technologies and data sharing practices, this VPN may not be suitable for privacy-conscious users.
• You want consistent streaming, gaming, and torrenting performance. While CyberGhost VPN is quite good in this area, it is not always reliable. Increased ping while gaming, servers failing to unblock streaming content, and other issues may arise occasionally.

Overall, I recommend getting CyberGhost VPN if you want an affordable and easy-to-use VPN. It is truly reliable for simple tasks, and performs quite well at more comprehensive ones. If you are not extremely privacy-conscious, it is secure enough as well.

CyberGhost FAQ

Where is CyberGhost VPN based?

CyberGhost VPN is based in Romania. Although its parent company is Kape Technologies, CyberGhost operates and follows Romanian law. Plus, Romania does not belong to the Fourteen Eyes Surveillance Alliance.

What is CyberGhost VPN used for?

CyberGhost VPN is a reputable VPN service provider focusing on privacy and security. It enhances online privacy by encrypting internet traffic and masking your IP address. This means you can also be secure while using public Wi-Fi. In addition, CyberGhost VPN can help bypass geo-restrictions and censorship. It can also improve online gaming, prevent ISP bandwidth throttling, and secure torrenting or P2P file sharing.

Is CyberGhost no longer free?

CyberGhost VPN is a premium paid VPN service. However, there are some ways you can use it for free, although with some limitations. CyberGhost offers a free proxy extension for Chrome and Firefox. It gives access to a limited number of servers and encrypts your traffic. In addition, CyberGhost offers a free trial (24-hour free trial for MacOS and Windows, 3-day trial for Android, 7-day trial for iOS) of its services and a 45-day money-back guarantee on its 6-month and 2-year subscription plans.

Why does CyberGhost VPN work on Firefox and not Zen?

While Zen browser is based on Firefox and generally supports Firefox add-ons, specific extensions, particularly those like VPNs, may face compatibility issues. Therefore, some unique modifications may be required for CyberGhost VPN to work with Zen that are not yet available.

Did the CyberGhost VPN Chrome extension disappear?

No, the CyberGhost VPN Chrome extension did not disappear. It is still available on the Chrome Web Store with a recent update on May 6, 2025. Some users may have experienced a temporary glitch due to a recent update or other issues, but that does not affect the extension’s availability.