CyberGhost is a well-known and trusted virtual private network (VPN) provider, boasting over 10,000 servers in 100 countries. This extensive network ensures you can find a server close to you, no matter where you are in the world. I decided to put CyberGhost through its paces to see if it lives up to the hype, how fast its connections really are, and whether it’s worth the cost of subscribing.
Free Trial and Pricing
While CyberGhost doesn’t advertise a free version, you can use its browser extension for free without an account. However, this extension is limited to connecting to only four countries: the U.S., Germany, the Netherlands, and Romania. It’s essentially a proxy, not a full VPN, so your IP address is still visible to your internet service provider (ISP) and your activity can be tracked. If you’re looking for truly free VPN options without compromising privacy, check out our list of the best free VPNs.
CyberGhost offers a 24-hour free trial and a generous 45-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try the service risk-free. A subscription grants access on seven devices simultaneously, making it a good value if you’re sharing with family or friends.
The basic plan costs $13 per month for unlimited data, but CyberGhost offers better deals for longer subscriptions. You can get a six-month plan for $48, or an annual subscription for $50 with a special offer that includes an extra six months for the first year. This brings the average monthly cost down to just $2.75. After the first year, the average monthly cost increases to $4.13.
Design and User Experience
CyberGhost is known for its user-friendly design, which is evident right from the start. As soon as I subscribed, the website launched a guided tour of its features, making it easy to find what I needed. The welcome page even prominently displayed the no-log verification report. Tabs on the right side of the screen provide links to download and install CyberGhost VPN apps and browser extensions for various platforms.
The Windows app launches as a compact window nestled at the bottom-right corner of my screen. It can be conveniently opened from the system tray. I was pleasantly surprised to see that CyberGhost pre-selected favorites for France, Germany, the U.S., and the U.K., likely based on the assumption that these are common choices for North American users.
Exploring the server tabs, I was impressed by the variety of servers optimized for different tasks, including streaming, gaming, and torrenting. A limited number of servers (19 at the time of testing) are designated as NoSpy servers, all located in Romania at CyberGhost’s headquarters for maximum security.
The app also includes privacy settings, with a default kill switch enabled to block internet traffic if the connection drops. The Smart rules section has an exceptions tab that allows you to disable the VPN for specific websites, similar to split-tunneling, but it’s only available when using the slower OpenVPN protocol. You can also select WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN, or automatic protocols in the settings. Random ports are an option when using OpenVPN.
While CyberGhost offers a seamless experience for basic operations, some advanced features are less accessible and require more effort.
Performance and Speed
CyberGhost provides reliable connections and generally fast speeds, earning its place in our guide to the best VPNs for video streaming. I used SpeedTest.net to measure download, upload speeds, and latency for a real-world assessment of CyberGhost’s performance.
Keep in mind that connection speeds can fluctuate depending on your location, time of day, and server load, so your results may vary. I was surprised to see relatively slow speeds from Canada, my home country. Without a VPN, I typically get 900 Mbps upload and download speeds. The best download speed I measured with CyberGhost was a disappointing 128 Mbps. However, upload speeds were a respectable 110 Mbps, and ping was low at 33ms. Upon checking the server list, I found only three locations for Canada, which explains the slower speeds.
I experienced much better speeds when connecting to servers in other countries. Download speeds ranged from 228 Mbps in Australia to 529 Mbps in France. Even a server just across the border in the U.S. provided a fast connection at 438 Mbps. As expected, overseas upload speeds were slower, measuring less than 5 Mbps with latency exceeding 100ms for European servers and over 200ms for servers in Australia.
CyberGhost’s NoSpy servers, while offering maximum security, consistently delivered disappointing speeds, averaging 2 Mbps for downloads and less than 1 Mbps for uploads. I would only choose NoSpy servers if I felt I was in a situation where I absolutely needed the most secure connection, despite the significant speed penalty.
Support and Customer Service
CyberGhost offers 24/7 support via live chat, as well as comprehensive guides that you can search or browse if you prefer to find solutions on your own. I tested customer support late on a Sunday and received an immediate response. I confirmed that the browser extension is free and the CyberGhost agent clarified that it’s a proxy server, not a VPN, meaning it can unblock content but your activity can still be tracked. The support agent was quick, friendly, and helpful.
Privacy and Security
CyberGhost adheres to a strict no-log policy, requiring only your login details to connect to its VPN service. Payment details are handled by third-party providers. CyberGhost does not sell or share your data with third-party advertisers, meaning your internet activity and personal information are protected from tracking and access, even by CyberGhost employees.
Being a Romanian company outside the Five Eyes security alliance, CyberGhost further enhances its privacy-focused approach. While there have been no major data breaches reported, a minor incident in 2020 potentially exposed 120 email addresses and 14 usernames from voluntary user surveys. Overall, CyberGhost demonstrates a strong commitment to user privacy.
Is CyberGhost Right for You?
CyberGhost is compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux computers, and offers mobile apps for Android and iOS. If you value ease of use and a reliable VPN experience, the first-year bonus that adds six months is a great value. My tests indicate that CyberGhost’s download speeds are competitive enough to make it a viable alternative to ExpressVPN and NordVPN, all of which are top streaming VPNs.
While CyberGhost is a very good VPN overall, I personally prefer Proton VPN’s server list, which displays server load to provide a better estimate of connection speed. NordVPN consistently boasts faster download speeds and offers more features. Ultimately, the best VPN for you depends on your specific needs and priorities.
