CyberGhost is one of the top VPN options right now, with over 10 million users of the Romanian and German-based provider. When we revisited our CyberGhost review in 2020, we found that the server numbers currently sits as one of the highest of all providers - 5,900 spread across 90 countries - and that it's growing fast.
CyberGhost is good for torrents, unblocking Netflix and BBC iPlayer, and loads more. It can block malicious websites, ads and tracker; automated HTTPS redirection ensures you make the most secure connection possible to every website; and optional data compression can reduce bandwidth, maybe saving money on mobiles. CyberGhost supports up to seven devices at once, in connection at the same time, making it one of the most competitively priced options on our guide to the best VPN services. Then there is the advanced security and privacy which is excellent but more on that below.
CyberGhost review: Privacy
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CyberGhost safeguards your identity and online activities with the help of OpenVPN, IKEv2, and L2TP protocols. It also runs a strict no logging policy (something sadly missing from the likes of HotSpot Shield) which, when you drill down into the small print, really is the case – something not all VPNs can attest to.
You can also enable a kill switch, a powerful privacy feature that keeps all your information safe from prying eyes by blocking all internet traffic if VPN connection is somehow terminated. The kill switch, however, is unavailable on mobile apps, as are the protocol settings and selection of the protocol.
The service also provides IPv6 connections and DNS leak protection, and it has a NoSpy data center with servers featuring 256-bit AES encryption, located in Romania, outside the reach of the 14 Eyes countries. According to the company, connecting to these NoSpy servers also hails higher speeds and extended bandwidth. Moreover, the system has backup lines and a generator, so it can never shut down.
CyberGhost review: Features and apps
CyberGhost’s apps include quite a lot of useful features, including blockers for ads, trackers, and malicious websites (although not for the iOS client) and an automated HTTPS redirection which provides the best security for your connection when accessing any website.
The optional data compression that is available for Android devices is useful for mobile data plans (again, except for the iOS client). Servers can be displayed according to filters for torrenting or streaming, and you can even create your own favourite servers list, and you can connect simultaneously on up to seven devices.
Torrenting with CyberGhost is easy thanks to a Torrenting filter in the Windows client that lists all the recommended servers for P2P traffic. The provider also has an option that allows automatic connection to a selected CyberGhost server each time you start your torrent client. This VPN platform enables safer torrenting with a malicious URL filter that is always on.
Although accessing Netflix with CyberGhost isn’t possible with all of its servers, the provider nevertheless makes it easier to find servers that support it. The Windows client has a Streaming filter that lists recommended locations for the geo-restricted streaming services including Netflix US, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Vevo, BBC iPlayer, YouTube Red and so on. We found that US Netflix was easily unlocked and worked well using CyberGhost.
CyberGhost review: Speed
CyberGhost delivers good download speeds and stable performance, although these are sometimes negatively affected depending on the distance of servers used and for some less common locations.
The speeds we saw during testing were slow compared to CyberGhost’s competitors, as were connection times, which could sometimes take up to half a minute. On our 475Mbps US connection we saw specs between 125Mbps and 155Mbps - respectable but not as good as the likes of ExpressVPN and IPVanish.
CyberGhost review: Pricing
You can subscribe to CyberGhost’s services by selecting any one of the four pricing plans available. The least cost-effective is the 1-month plan that comes with a price tag of $12.99. The 1-year option costs $5.99 per month, the 2-year subscription is available at $3.69 per month, while the cheapest, 3-year plan is billed only $2.50 a month.
If its services prove to be unfit for your needs, CyberGhost offers a 45-day money-back guarantee if you selected any of the annual plans, and a 14-day one if you opted for the one-month option.
The free trial is a bit of a complicated issue. You get a one-day free trial if you download and create your account using a Windows device. If you sign up using an iOS app, a seven-day free trial is available. Signing up is not needed to get a seven-day free trial using the Android app - you only need to install it to test it out.
CyberGhost accepts three payment options: credit cards, PayPal, and BitPay (Bitcoin).
CyberGhost review: Customer support
If CyberGhost’s large online library doesn’t cover the issue(s) you’re encountering, customer support agents can be contacted via email and live chat, and an expert customer support agent will be with you in a matter of minutes to offer you assistance. The help site itself isn't great, however, and can't match the ease of use found in other VPN providers.
Apps for the most popular platforms are very easy to get around, with a clean, simple interface and intuitive menus. CyberGhost has user-friendly clients for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and FireOS, as well as browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. Custom connection with OpenVPN, L2TP, IPSec, or PPTP is possible with Linux, routers, and other less common platforms such as Raspberry Pi, Synology NAS, VU+ Solo 2, and Chrome OS.
Setting up the clients for the major platforms is rather easy, and if you get stuck somewhere or need to install CyberGhost on one of the less common platforms, the company’s website has you covered with its FAQ, and troubleshooting section.
Should I buy CyberGhost?
Although CyberGhost doesn’t offer the outstanding performance of some of its more expensive competitors, it’s still a comprehensive VPN service offering quite a lot for the price. Not only does it give access to geo-restricted websites and services without a glitch, but it can also be installed on a wide array of platforms and simultaneously used on seven devices.
Despite the short and confusing free trial options, the 45-day money-back guarantee still offers plenty of quality assurance. A six-month pricing plan would be welcome, but this is not a big issue since the annual subscriptions are a bargain.
