CyberGhost is one of the most affordable VPNs on the market — you can get a subscription for as low as $2.03/month. I sometimes assume that price indicates quality, but with VPNs, I've been proven wrong before. So I wanted to see whether CyberGhost can really deliver at such a low price.
I did a deep dive into CyberGhost’s privacy policy and security measures to determine whether it’s secure enough to recommend. I also looked at its server network, speeds, streaming and torrent support, and additional features to see how user-friendly it is.
TLDR: CyberGhost is a really great VPN in almost all aspects. It’s safe, trustworthy, and one of the best VPNs to secure your connection while you watch your streaming platforms. It’s also really easy to use, so great if you’re a bit of a VPN newb.
It also offers a longer-than-normal money-back guarantee period, allowing you to try CyberGhost for free for 45 days. I made sure the guarantee is legit — it only took a couple minutes to approve my refund request over 24/7 live chat and a few days to get all my money back.
Try CyberGhost FREE >>
Short on Time? Here Are My Key Findings
Pros
Cons
- Slower speeds on long-distance servers, but local servers are really fast. I had speeds fast enough for HD streaming (and even gaming) on nearby servers, but long-distance ones slowed my connection down. You can see my full speed test results here.
CyberGhost VPN Features — 2024 Update
9.4
💸
Price
|
2.03 USD/month
|
📆
Money Back Guarantee
|
45 Days |
📝
Does VPN keep logs?
|
No |
🖥
Number of servers
|
11690+ |
💻
Number of devices per license
|
7 |
🛡
Kill switch
|
Yes |
🗺
Based in country
|
Romania |
🛠
Support
|
24/7 Live Chat Support |
📥
Supports torrenting
|
Yes |
Streaming — Great Playback on Nearly Every Platform
10.0
CyberGhost is one of the best VPNs to use for streaming. Watching shows on Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer was a seamless process with no issues.
A few services required troubleshooting, like Amazon Prime Video and HBO Max, but it didn’t take long to get them up and running. The only platform that didn’t work was Sky TV.
To elaborate on our process, I worked with an international team of testers to perform these tests. We only attempted to watch the services legally available to us in our respective regions. While you could theoretically use a service like ExpressVPN to access content from other regions, please be aware this will probably result in a copyright violation.
After tests on 50+ server locations, my team and I could watch the following platforms :
Netflix |
Disney+ |
Hulu |
Amazon Prime Video |
HBO Max/HBO Now |
BBC iPlayer |
Crunchyroll |
Paramount+ |
DAZN |
Peacock |
Sling TV |
Spotify |
EuroSport |
Fox Sports/Fox |
NBC |
ESPN/ESPN+ |
CBC |
Comedy Central |
NOW TV |
Yle |
Disney + Hotstar |
Vudu |
Canal+ |
Kodi |
Discovery+ |
6play |
France TV |
Sky TV |
Europe1 |
7TV |
ITV |
Sling TV |
ARD |
Rai Play |
Stan |
YouTube |
All 4 |
CBS |
MTV |
Fubo TV |
Crave |
Apple TV |
CyberGhost also has optimized servers specifically set up for streaming. They can be found on the left-hand side of the app in a menu with the other specialized servers. You can also use the search function to find the right streaming server
Clicking the arrow in the center of the app opens the server menu
The “For Streaming” option shows you all of the servers designed for a particular platform. The optimized servers were the most reliable way for our testers to watch Max, Hulu, and Netflix in the countries where these services are available. However, we could still watch many other platforms with standard servers. Our speeds were usually a little slower, but it wasn’t a notable difference. That said, I appreciate that these specialized servers remove a lot of trial and error.
Important! The vpnMentor team is firmly against copyright violations. CyberGhost promises to never monitor your online activities. That means it’s up to you to use it responsibly. We recommend you only watch the platforms available in your country and never break any of your terms of service agreements.
Works With: US/UK Netflix and Other Libraries
I could watch Netflix in the UK without issues, and our US tester could securely watch Netflix in their country. They connected to CyberGhost’s optimized server in New York. Even though it’s fairly far from their US location on the west coast, they were impressed that their speeds didn’t slow down much at all. They could watch Michael: Tuesdays and Thursdays with minimal buffering.
CyberGhost has servers optimized for Netflix available in 17 different countries
Our tester in Canada could safely watch This Is Us while connected to CyberGhost’s Netflix Canada server. The episode loaded instantly in full HD and played with zero buffering. They reported slightly better performance than our US tester, but this could just be because there was less traffic.
The international team could also watch Netflix with non-optimized servers in their respective countries. This included Japan, France, Italy, Finland, India, Australia, Canada, Brazil, Germany, and 6 other countries. They had an average speed of 78.9 Mbps – more than enough for streaming in HD without lag.
Here’s a rundown of our test results using CyberGhost with Netflix:
|
CyberGhost Works in? |
Fast Speeds for HD Streaming? |
Lag? |
US |
✔ |
Yes |
Minimal |
UK |
✔ |
Yes |
None |
Italy |
✔ |
Yes |
None |
France |
✔ |
Yes |
None |
Germany |
✔ |
Yes |
None |
Japan |
✔ |
Average |
Minimal |
Finland |
✔ |
Yes |
None |
Australia |
✔ |
Yes |
Minimal |
Canada |
✔ |
Yes |
Minimal |
India |
✔ |
Yes |
Minimal |
Brazil |
✔ |
Average |
Minimal |
There are some servers that will only let you watch Netflix Originals, like Chile, Malaysia, Croatia, and Argentia. This is likely because these are virtual servers, although our tester in India had no issues watching their full library. Many VPNs will relegate you to Netflix Originals, which causes you to miss out on your region-specific content, so I was impressed this occurred in so few countries.
Works With: Disney+
Our US tester could watch Disney+ with the Dallas server. It let them stream Unprisoned in HD, but they had to sit through 10 seconds of buffering first.
CyberGhost’s optimized servers and several standard US servers worked with Disney+
They actually got faster speeds connecting to CyberGhost’s (non-optimized) New York server, which loaded the show much faster. There’s also an optimized server for Disney+ Italy, which worked for our tester in that country as well.
Works With: Hulu
Hulu was easy for our US correspondent to stream without buffering.
The movie loaded instantly, and there were no quality issues even when skipping around
During the tests, it worked with the optimized server, as well as with the regular one. The tester could watch it without issues using both Firefox and Microsoft Edge.
Works With: Amazon Prime Video
We had a tougher time trying to watch Amazon Prime Video, but CyberGhost helped us troubleshoot. I used the live chat to ask for help, and the agent gave us some simple advice that fixed our problem.
The agent also recommended that we try a different browser, but that didn’t work
After the fix, my colleague in the US could quickly load up Mad Men on Amazon Prime Video US. The optimized Los Angeles server buffered to begin with, but there was no lag once the show loaded up.
Also Works With: HBO Max, Apple TV, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and more
We had a similar experience with Max. On the first try, our US writer got an error message saying the platform wasn’t available in their region (it is available in the US). However, they switched to a different browser, and it worked perfectly.
The Chicago server let our tester watch full episodes of The White Lotus seamlessly
I was also impressed with how well CyberGhost worked for me with Kodi — it let me load all my favorite add-ons without making me wait longer than a minute. I like to use it to watch Vimeo on my Android TV, so I loaded it up using the native CyberGhost Android app.
As my Android TV is pretty old and sluggish, I expected speeds to slow down with the load of the extra app — but I was wrong. The app is so lightweight I barely noticed a difference and could stream in HD without any lag.
CyberGhost also worked with BBC iPlayer. The optimized server let me sign on in the UK and stream Luther with zero interruptions.
Doesn’t Work With: Sky TV
The only platform that CyberGhost didn’t work with was Sky TV. After trying several UK servers, I reached out through its live chat to get some tips. Unfortunately, there was nothing the support agent could offer to help me.
Unfortunately, the representative couldn’t recommend any servers for Sky TV
The agent also directed me to a web page that lists all the platforms CyberGhost currently supports. Sky TV wasn’t included in the list.
84% Off
Save 84% on CyberGhost now!
Money-Back Guarantee: 45 Days
And get 4 months completely free!
Speed — Most Servers Are Fast (Only a Few Aren’t)
9.0
CyberGhost’s fast speeds make it a great option for streaming, gaming, and torrenting. While testing speeds, I looked at these 3 things:
- Download speed is how fast you’ll receive data. It’s measured in megabits per second (Mbps). This lets you know how quickly you can load web pages, stream videos, etc.
- Upload speed is how fast you can send data. It’s also measured in megabits per second (Mbps). This tells you how fast you’ll be able to send emails, upload videos, post to social media, etc.
- Ping is how long your data takes to travel from point A to point B. If the ping is lower, you’ll have a more responsive connection; this is really important when you’re gaming online. It’s measured in milliseconds (ms).
We have a dedicated speed tester who conducts regular tests on CyberGhost servers over several months from the same location in the UK. The chart below displays the average speeds of 10 tests done on each server.
Download speeds dropped an average of 6% on nearby servers and 37% on long-distance locations
These are great results that are far better than most VPNs. The nearby servers are especially impressive because it’s typical to lose 15-20% of your speed even on the closest locations. Plus, while CyberGhost’s speeds fell quite a bit on very distant servers (10,000 km+), that’s not uncommon. The only VPN I’ve tested that still gives you great speeds at that distance is ExpressVPN.
Local Speed
First, I tested my base speed without a VPN connection as a basis for comparison.
No VPN (London, UK):
Ping (ms) |
5 |
Download (Mbps) |
128.21 |
Upload (Mbps) |
18.7 |
I connected to CyberGhost using the WireGuard protocol because it gave me the fastest speeds (the tests in our chart were also done with WireGuard). I then began recording speeds on my Windows 11 laptop.
First, I used the “Best server location” option, which automatically finds you an optimal server based on latency, speed, and distance. It connected me to a server in London, UK, and I hardly experienced any slowdowns.
London, UK:
Ping (ms) |
5 |
Download (Mbps) |
122.9 (4% drop) |
Upload (Mbps) |
17.8 (5% drop) |
Then, I tried a country close to my location, Paris, France. I got almost identical results.
Paris, France:
Ping (ms) |
5 |
Download (Mbps) |
122.04 (5% drop) |
Upload (Mbps) |
17.96 (4% drop) |
Next, I connected to a couple of other European countries (Germany and Ukraine) and got similar results. My speeds fell by 12% connected to a Ukrainian server, which is excellent since it’s over 2,500 km from my actual location.
CyberGhost’s French servers were almost as fast as those in my own country
I already had fast speeds to begin with, so I didn't experience any noticeable difference while streaming or browsing connected to the Ukraine server. Base speeds as low as 25 Mbps are still fast enough to stream in HD.
Long-Distance Speed
In general, my speeds slowed down the farther away the server was from my location. However, I did experience some inconsistencies — some servers were much slower, and some were just unusually fast or slow, no matter how far they were from me. Long-distance servers also take longer to establish a connection. The San Paulo server took 9 seconds to connect (nearby servers usually only took a few seconds).
I started by testing a few servers in the US on both the east and west coasts:
New York, United States:
Ping (ms) |
92 |
Download (Mbps) |
98.85 (23% drop) |
Upload (Mbps) |
17.97 (4% drop) |
Los Angeles, United States:
Ping (ms) |
153 |
Download (Mbps) |
105.61 (18% drop) |
Upload (Mbps) |
12.14 (35% drop) |
Then, I went the distance and tested CyberGhost’s servers in Australia, India, Brazil, and Japan.
My speeds dropped 45% on the Indian and Australian servers, which I expected due to the distance
While there was a bigger drop at these distances, my connection was still fast enough for high-bandwidth activities.
I found it strange that CyberGhost’s Brazil and Japan servers dropped my speeds more (by 55%) since they’re both closer than the Australian servers.
CyberGhost’s macOS app shows you the load percentage next to each server, which tells you the approximate number of users currently connected. With less load, the servers generally give you better speeds. Unfortunately, this isn’t available on other devices, so I’d really like to see it integrated into all of CyberGhost’s apps. Otherwise, you may just have to test a few servers if you’re looking for a fast long-distance connection.
Optimized vs. Regular Servers
The streaming-optimized servers give you a slight boost in speed, but not much. I compared servers in 7 cities to see if there was any difference.
As with the regular servers, the long-distance optimized servers were a little inconsistent
The regular connections were only around 3% slower on local servers, so not really a noticeable difference. On long-distance servers, I actually got faster speeds with the standard servers.
CyberGhost’s chat support let me know that the optimized servers are regularly maintained by the team to ensure fast speeds. As you saw from our tests, they were more reliable for streaming too. I got similar speeds with the gaming-optimized servers.
Gaming — Lag-free Gameplay on Local Servers
9.4
CyberGhost isn’t the fastest gaming VPN I’ve tested, but its local servers can support online play. The international servers slowed me down, so I’d like to see more consistency across its network before I feel comfortable recommending it as a top VPN for gamers.
Your inputs are very important when you’re playing online games. The higher the ping rate, the longer it takes for your commands to register. When the ping is high, you’ll be significantly disadvantaged in competitive play. It’s just frustrating when you’re getting into a game but keep losing due to a bad connection.
The optimized gaming servers performed well, but there wasn’t much difference between those and the regular servers. However, this means you don’t need to worry if there isn’t one close to you. There are 4 gaming servers located in the UK, France, Germany, and the US (East coast). Since the European servers are close to my location, I had no problems gaming with these.
When I connected to the gaming-optimized server in Germany, I got a ping of 17 ms, which was great, but only a little lower than the regular server’s ping of 19 ms. So, I didn’t notice a difference in gameplay.
I wanted to see how the gaming servers held up at a farther distance, so I connected to a gaming-optimized server in New York. I recorded a ping of 92 ms. It’s best to have a ping of under 85 ms for gaming. These speeds were still playable, but I noticed a little lag, so it wasn’t ideal for fast-paced play.
I loaded up March of Empires and was impressed with how smooth it was using optimized New York servers. All of the textures loaded up normally, and I could navigate around the map without any slowdowns. However, I experienced a lot of lag during battles. I wasn’t too surprised by this though — it’s very common for VPNs to cause lag while gaming on long-distance servers. The best VPN I’ve used for long-distance gaming is ExpressVPN, and it even gave me some lag on really distant locations.
I experienced minimal lag during fast-paced battles in March of Empires
I also tried gaming on more distant servers on the west coast of the US, but it was impossible to play on these.
|
Ping (ms) |
Download (Mbps) |
Fast Enough for Gaming |
London |
5 |
121.92 |
Yes |
London (optimized) |
5 |
121.65 |
Yes |
Paris |
17 |
122.04 |
Yes |
Paris (optimized) |
24 |
122.54 |
Yes |
Germany |
19 |
122.86 |
Yes |
Germany (optimized) |
17 |
122.93 |
Yes |
New York |
92 |
98.85 |
Yes |
New York (optimized) |
91 |
110.56 |
Yes |
Los Angeles |
153 |
105.61 |
No |
Japan |
229 |
57.43 |
No |
Since none of CyberGhost’s gaming-optimized servers were far away from me, I didn’t have trouble playing online with them. Unfortunately, gaming was impossible on servers that were more than 5,000 km from me. But you can play online games with CyberGhost if you stick to local servers, and the regular servers were just as fast as the optimized ones in most cases. Luckily, it has a huge server network, so you shouldn’t have issues finding a nearby location.
Server Network — A Large Network with Great Coverage
9.8
CyberGhost has an impressive global network of 11,690 servers in 100 countries. That’s a lot more coverage than most other top VPNs I’ve used. It means your chances of finding a fast connection are higher because there’s most likely a server close by.
I was impressed that CyberGhost has 1,100+ server locations in the US alone (with servers in 24 cities in the Americas) — but there’s also a lot of coverage in the Asia/Pacific region (24 cities), Africa and the Middle East (12 cities), and Europe (55 cities).
CyberGhost also uses a small number of virtual servers, meaning its coverage can reach many hard-to-reach locations (like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, China, Iran, and Sri Lanka).
Virtual Locations
CyberGhost currently has 31 virtual locations (around 6% of its server network). Its 84 physical locations are exactly what they sound like — servers run on machines in the city listed. But for virtual servers like Saudi Arabia, the machine is in another location that assigns you an IP address in that country.
CyberGhost is transparent about using virtual servers, and it’s easy to see which ones are
Virtual servers can help VPNs provide faster and more reliable connections in remote places. They also let them operate in countries where VPNs are banned (or are vulnerable to government interference). However, these can result in lower ping rates and download speeds if the physical machine is farther away from you than the location you want to connect to.
Specialized Streaming and P2P-Optimized Servers
CyberGhost’s torrenting and streaming-optimized servers make using it for these activities really easy. They automatically give you the best IP address and server location, depending on what you want to do.
I checked with CyberGhost’s live chat team, and they told me these IP addresses for streaming servers are regularly updated. They replace any IPs that streaming sites might have blacklisted so they always work.
When a streaming platform bans an IP, CyberGhost removes it
The streaming servers are even optimized for specific platforms so that you can hop onto the best servers for Netflix US, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and more.
Its P2P servers give you the best speeds for downloading torrents based on your location and network. They can also give you a virtual location in a country that can access popular P2P indexes and torrenting sites. While my team and I don’t condone illegal torrenting, the VPN can keep you safe from third-party interference while you download copyright-free files. However, be sure to look up your country’s laws before torrenting because it is illegal in some parts of the world.
Streaming optimized servers are available on all major operating systems including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux. P2P servers are available on the desktop apps.
Gaming-Optimized Servers
CyberGhost has servers optimized for gaming, which performed well during my tests. These servers are designed to have a lower ping rate and quicker speeds. I had no issues with these servers, and they all gave me a ping of less than 100 ms.
A ping rate under 100 ms is required for lag-free gaming, but under 85 is ideal
However, it’s important to note that the gaming servers are located in London, Paris, Frankfurt, and New York. Only the New York servers are particularly far away from me (around 5,000 km), and they had a higher ping, around the mid-90s. The others are all close to my location, so a lower ping is to be expected. You might notice higher ping rates if you’re not near any gaming-optimized servers.
Sadly, the gaming-optimized servers are only available on the Windows app.
NoSpy Servers
CyberGhost’s NoSpy servers make the VPN more secure — but you need to be on a 6-month plan or longer to access them. The NoSpy servers are based in CyberGhost’s private data center in Romania and only the CyberGhost team can access them. They significantly reduce the risk of man-in-the-middle attacks since there’s no third party involved — ideal for extra protection while torrenting, for example.
CyberGhost doesn’t have a multi-hop feature, but it’s not a big deal because NoSpy servers are actually better. I prefer CyberGhost’s NoSpy servers to something like Proton VPN’s Secure Core feature. This is a multi-hop feature that increases security by routing your traffic twice, but you lose a lot more speed compared to NoSpy servers, and they’re just as secure.
Even though they’re a little slower, NoSpy servers are worth it for the added security. It’s true you have to commit to a longer-term subscription to access them so you pay more upfront. But, the longer the subscription term, the less you actually pay per month. In the long run, it’s totally worth it because you end up paying less to access more features.
I was pleased to see that NoSpy servers are available on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, so you can enjoy maximum security across all your desktop and mobile devices.
Dedicated IP Servers
A dedicated IP server is a server that only you use that gives you the same IP every time you connect. This is an essential feature for business owners. For example, if you want to run a website, you’ll need a static IP address, so people know where to find you consistently. It’s also handy for banking and online trading since some of these services ban accounts when they discover multiple IP addresses accessing your account.
Therefore, it’s more difficult to block. Plus, CyberGhost uses a token-based dedicated IP system. This just means that the company doesn’t know what your new dedicated IP is, which increases your security.
However, I wouldn’t recommend them if you need better speeds. CyberGhost’s optimized servers were often faster during my tests, and it only has dedicated IPs in 5 countries (the UK, the US, Germany, France, and Canada). If you’re located far away from these locations, you’ll probably experience slower speeds.
These servers are available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, and cost from $2.50/month extra. The price is lower the longer your plan is.
Security — Flexible Options to Customize Your Safety Features
10.0
CyberGhost has all the security features I’d expect from a premium VPN, with a few great bonus options. The only big features it’s missing are a proprietary protocol and double VPN. However, its NoSpy servers are arguably more secure than sending your data through 2 separate tunnels. Plus, it offers some of the best protocols available.
Overall, CyberGhost is one of the safest VPNs available today. It truly excels in this category, and it's hard to think of what it could improve.
Military-Grade Encryption
CyberGhost is incredibly safe because it offers 256-bit encryption (the highest level available). That means you protect your data with a 256-character-long key (like a password) that encrypts your information. The longer the key, the more secure it is, and 256 bits is currently the strongest.
Putting that into perspective helps to understand why it’s important: 50 supercomputers that could check a billion AES keys per second would require thousands of years to crack a single piece of your data. This means that even if a hacker intercepted your information, they would still not be able to read it.
It also offers Perfect Forward Secrecy, which adds additional security. This regularly changes the key CyberGhost uses to encrypt and decrypt information. Although it’s incredibly unlikely, if anyone ever did discover the key, it would be changed soon after.
Leak Test Results — Passed
CyberGhost is secure since it offers DNS and IP leak protection in its apps and browser extensions. Your ISP can use DNS requests and IPv6 traffic to see what you’re doing online, so you want to keep them private. CyberGhost ensures that your DNS requests are routed through its own DNS servers, and any IPv6 requests are blocked to prevent sites from seeing your real IP address. These functions are already switched on, which is great if you’re new to VPNs. You’ll be protected without having to worry about it.
I also found no viruses or malware when I ran Cyberghost’s app through VirusTotal
I didn’t experience DNS or IP leaks on any server. I tested 10 different servers, including locations in France, the US, Canada, Germany, Australia, and Hong Kong using ipleak.net. It checked to see whether there were any faults or potential leaks in my connection and found none.
Automatic Kill Switch
All of CyberGhost’s apps feature an automatic kill switch to protect you if the network malfunctions. This pauses your internet connection, preventing leaks if your VPN temporarily goes down. It’s a necessary function that ensures your IP address and information are always safe.
I knew it was working because my internet connection was temporarily interrupted whenever I switched servers.
The kill switch can be enabled or disabled by clicking the toggle
You can’t find this option on Mac, iOS, or Android because it’s integrated, meaning it’s always running automatically.
Security Protocols
CyberGhost offers 3 security protocols, so you can customize your connection. You can choose between WireGuard, OpenVPN (TCP/UDP), and IKEv2. The apps automatically select the best protocol for you based on your needs — but you can choose another protocol if you prefer.
- WireGuard: If you need to strike a balance between security and speed, this protocol is for you. It gave me the fastest speeds during my tests and is the perfect choice for streaming, browsing, or making video calls. Plus, it’s available on every major operating system.
- OpenVPN: This is one of the safest protocols since it’s been around longer than WireGuard and is an open-source project. That means security experts are constantly improving it, but you do sacrifice speed. It came in 30% slower than WireGuard in my tests. So, this is a good choice when you need to prioritize safety over quickness. However, this protocol must be manually installed for macOS and isn’t available on iOS.
- IKEv2: This protocol is quick, but not as fast as WireGuard. It’s a good choice to use with your mobile device since it typically connects a few seconds faster than the other protocols. That’s because it can auto-connect, so you stay protected when you switch from mobile to WiFi networks. However, it’s only available on Windows, macOS, and iOS, so people running Linux or using Android phones are out of luck.
You can choose between different protocols by clicking the settings icon in the lower-left corner of the server's window. You’ll find the option under the CyberGhost VPN section.
You can let the app pick the best protocol for you automatically or manually select one
Better Speeds with WireGuard
The security protocol you use makes a big difference in speed. I tested 11 servers with Wireguard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 and averaged their speeds to see how each protocol would affect them.
WireGuard was around 11% faster than IKEv2 during my tests
WireGuard was the overall winner, with an average speed of 100.22 Mbps. So, you’ll want to switch over to it when you’re prioritizing speed.
App Protection and Split Tunneling
Split tunneling and app protection are 2 extra features that allow you to customize how CyberGhost works on your devices.
Split tunneling lets you decide which traffic goes through the VPN and which traffic uses your regular internet connection. I find it useful to keep my banking app out of the VPN tunnel because it doesn’t always work well with alternative IPs. This feature is only available on Windows and Android.
On Windows, you can add a URL under the smart rules menu in a section called Exceptions.
This lets you divide your traffic and free up some bandwidth
You’ll need to exit out and reconnect after you add a new URL. I tested this by typing in an exception for whatismyipaddress.com. Then I connected to a New York server and went to the website to see which location showed up.
The site saw my real IP address in the UK and exempted it
My actual IP showed up instead of the VPN’s, so I was happy the split tunneling feature worked without issues. However, when I tried it with Amazon Prime Video, I didn’t have the same level of success. I could exempt the website, but I could never get it to work with actual shows.
Android is a different setup because you can only select apps to bypass the VPN connection, not websites. If you go to VPN > Settings, you’ll find App Split Tunnel. I used this to run Netflix through my base connection while CyberGhost was connected to a Tokyo location. UK Netflix popped up when I accessed the app, so this feature works.
Split tunneling is not available for macOS, iOS, or Linux, which is frustrating. The limited nature of this feature is not ideal either. It’s tough to use it for streaming platforms on a desktop, and it’s hard to pinpoint websites on a phone.
App Protection lets you add apps to a list, so CyberGhost automatically launches and connects when you open them. The list is in a section called App Rules, and it’s under the Smart Rules menu.
This is amazing for ease of use. It also means that if you’re using a risky app — like a torrenting client — you don’t need to worry about compromising your security if you accidentally forget to connect your VPN.
Tor Compatibility
CyberGhost worked fairly well with Tor during my tests. It made Tor a bit slower for me since my traffic had to go through the VPN server and Tor’s relays, but it wasn’t anything drastic.
You might use Tor (sometimes called The Onion Router) if you live in a country with heavy internet censorship because it’s much more secure than using a traditional browser. Using a VPN in combination with Tor just adds another layer of security. With CyberGhost, it’s safest to use the Onion over VPN method — connect to the VPN before launching the browser.
CyberGhost’s live chat agent confirmed that all servers will work with Tor. Since the Tor browser will slow you down, I recommend connecting to a server close to your location for optimal speeds.
Ad, Tracking, and Malware Blocker
CyberGhost comes with an ad blocker that only blocks malicious content. After speaking with a support agent, I found out that it doesn’t remove all ads.
There are still many types of ads (like YouTube videos) that get through
I turned on the Block Content option under CyberGhost’s privacy settings and used the testing feature on ads-blocker.com. CyberGhost succeeded in blocking the banner ads and pop-ups. However, YouTube ads still got through.
This feature is available for Android, Windows, and macOS. However, if you’re concerned about ads, I recommend using a dedicated service in addition to CyberGhost. It’s not a bad idea to turn this feature on since it protects you from malicious sites, but there are better ad blockers available.
WiFi Protection
On desktop and mobile apps, you can set up CyberGhost to launch automatically when you connect to public WiFi. You can also set it to ask whether you want to connect to or ignore certain networks. WiFi hotspots are an easy target for hackers, so you’ll always want a VPN connected when using public connections. I found this feature really convenient because I didn’t need to worry about remembering to turn the app on; you’re protected no matter what.
You’ll find the automatic WiFi protection under the Smart Rules section
HTTPS Protection
This feature forces your connection to an HTTPS-enabled site, so you only visit the most secure version of a website. This helps protect you from malicious attacks on unsecured web pages, where personal data like credit card details and your mailing address can be exposed. The “S" stands for secure because, unlike HTTP sites, HTTPS sites are encrypted using the Secure Sockets Layer. In simple terms, this means even if hackers capture your information, it will be in encrypted code. This is a nice feature since you can never have too much protection for your sensitive information.
If the site doesn’t have an HTTPS version, you’re still protected by CyberGhost’s encryption and other security measures, though.
CyberGhost’s Extras and Add-Ons
CyberGhost offers a few other unique features and add-ons. Most are free, too, except for dedicated IPs and Security Suite.
- Secret Photo Vault — CyberGhost’s Secret Photo Vault is an iOS-only app that hides pictures and videos behind password protection on your iPhone or iPad. You can choose to secure your files with a PIN or biometric protection. It has additional security features, including break-in reports and a decoy password to prevent anyone from accessing your vault. This app will also take a selfie of anyone attempting to hack your account, and it has an AI function that automatically sends NSFW photos to a separate folder. The app is free, and I found it easy to use — it’s just disappointing that it’s only available for iOS.
- Private Browser — This is a full-fledged browser that’s compatible with Chrome add-ons and extensions. Since it’s powered by DuckDuckGo, you don’t have to worry about Google having access to your data. Plus, it automatically deletes all of your browsing history each time you click out.
- NoSpy Servers — As long as you sign up for (at least) a 1-year subscription, you can use CyberGhost’s NoSpy servers. The NoSpy servers increase your security by keeping everything in CyberGhost’s private data center located in Romania, cutting out the middleman. You’ll have some extra peace of mind with this extra physical security around your servers.
- Privacy Guard — This is a feature for Windows users that lets you analyze your OS and turn off many of the privacy invasions Microsoft has automatically activated. You can choose an advanced or basic privacy level, or customize what it disables. It will also help you turn off personalized ads from Windows since you can prevent it from sharing your information.
- Security Suite — CyberGhost's paid add-on security suite integrates Intego's advanced security features into the VPN. The Intego security suite brings additional layers of protection, including 24/7 malware protection, antivirus, and firewall functionalities, ensuring users can browse the internet with peace of mind. At the moment, the security suite is only available for Windows users.
- Identity Guard — When Identity Guard is activated (free with any CyberGhost subscription), you’ll receive alerts if your email address is compromised. You can add 2 email accounts and select 1 primary address to receive immediate reports, so you can change your password as soon as possible.
- Dedicated IPs — CyberGhost has dedicated IP addresses, but only in 5 countries: the UK, the US, Germany, France, and Canada. It costs from $2.50/month extra. A dedicated IP can also give you added peace of mind since no one else is sharing the same server. These are also important if you’re using a VPN for the website of your business. If your IP changes all the time, it can confuse clients, especially if you use online software.
Privacy — Transparent Policies that Protect Your Data
9.8
Independently Audited No-Logs Policy
Cyberghost upholds a stringent no-logs privacy policy. It refrains from retaining your IP address (and any related activities), DNS queries, or browsing records. Additionally, you can maintain the confidentiality of your payment information by opting for anonymous registration using Bitcoin.
The only data they store is anonymized and used to improve the VPN’s functionality
Plus, in 2022, one of the Big Four auditing firms, Deloitte, did an independent audit of CyberGhost's service, paying attention to its no-logs policy. It found that CyberGhost's server configurations are in line with its privacy policies and that it truly doesn't keep logs, so users or their activities can't be tracked. This means that CyberGhost doesn’t keep track of what you do online.
However, it’s not as strict as the no-logs policies of other VPNs I’ve tested because it does store some anonymized data (including connection attempts and successes, the country where the connection attempt was made (but not your IP address), and which version of CyberGhost you use). This isn’t anything to worry about because none of this info can be tied to your personal details and is only used to analyze and improve the VPN.
However, I noticed that CyberGhost stores some of your hardware information to keep track of your simultaneous connections. This includes things like your screen size and the device you’re using. Other VPNs have found ways around this that don’t require storing this info, but it isn’t a risk to your security or privacy. It also states in its policy that it reserves the right to share the data you give them with law enforcement if it believes a crime has been committed. Thankfully, its transparency reports show that it has never done this even after years of requests.
For added privacy, you can sign up with a burner email and a super strong password. On top of this, CyberGhost encrypts your password and assigns your account a serial number to track your user benefits and subscriptions anonymously. It also states that this info can’t be tracked back to your VPN sessions unless you use your full name as a username (which I don’t recommend).
Location — Privacy-Friendly Romania
CyberGhost SA is located in Romania. This is great for privacy because Romania is not part of the 14 Eyes Alliance (an agreement between Canada, The United States, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and 9 other countries to share data about their citizens).
Since Romania isn’t a part of the alliance, CyberGhost has no obligation to store or share information with any government, so your data is safe.
Ownership
Kape Technologies owns CyberGhost. It’s a cybersecurity and digital protection investment company based in London. Kape Technologies previously worked in mobile ad and browser extension development under the name Crossrider. The company faced some backlash in 2018 when it was thought to be bundling adware into its downloads as part of a black hat technique known as ad injection. However, research reports have shown that it was other third-parties injecting adware into the downloads, not the company itself.
Kape has striven to separate itself from the history of Crossrider. It has ceased operations in ad development and shifted its attention to VPNs, including ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access, which it owns. CyberGhost, functioning as an independent entity, has an open privacy policy that prioritizes your online security and anonymity.
Security Breaches and Independent Audits
There have been no significant security breaches. In 2019, Typeform (a company CyberGhost uses to create user experience surveys) leaked 120 email addresses and 14 CyberGhost accounts’ usernames. No passwords were revealed, so there was no risk of hacking, and there have been no breaches since. This is proof of CyberGhost’s privacy practices; no critical information was leaked because none was stored.
In addition to being audited by Deloitte in 2022, it has also had independent auditing of its safety processes performed in the past. The 2012 audit was done by QSCERT, a company that investigates various large companies like WhirlPool and Hyundai. CyberGhost passed the security audit of its Information Safety Management System (ISMS) successfully, which is rechecked every year. This is the kind of honesty I like to see from a leading VPN.
Transparency Reports
CyberGhost releases a Transparency Report every 3 months. This provides information about malware activity flags, key statistics about its infrastructure, and how many requests for user data it receives. I don’t know of any other VPN that releases reports so frequently. A close runner up would be Private Internet Access, which releases 2 per year, and CyberGhost doubles that. This shows me that CyberGhost is serious about being transparent with its customers.
The quarterly reports are accessible on their Privacy Hub blog. I perused the most recent report which, in addition to featuring general tech data, displays the number of data requests CyberGhost has gotten. These requests are segregated into three categories: those from law enforcement, those related to copyright infringement, and those pertaining to malicious activity. The latest report demonstrated a 34% decline in requests. Nonetheless, CyberGhost affirms that this decrease doesn't alter anything, as it doesn't store any user information in the first place.
It’s scary to realize how many powerful groups are requesting information about what you do online. But it’s definitely a plus that CyberGhost holds a strong commitment to keeping your personal information safe and is open about these requests.
Does CyberGhost Work in China? No
CyberGhost doesn’t work in China. While it has servers that could theoretically access Chinese sites, we don’t advise this since it will likely result in a copyright violation. You also can’t use its servers if you are already in China. I contacted live support, and they confirmed that this is because the Chinese government has blocked the app.
The agent also told me it wouldn’t work in the UAE, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, or Iran either
China prohibits VPNs not under government control and its Great Firewall restricts VPN traffic. As indicated in the chat, CyberGhost is also restricted in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. Only a handful of VPNs have successfully circumvented the Chinese government's ban. To overcome these restrictions, a VPN must accomplish three specific tasks:
- Host a .onion site that allows you to sign up for the service and install the app via the Onion network.
- Operate obfuscated servers that change your metadata to make your traffic look like regular, non-VPN traffic.
- Offer robust security features, particularly 256-bit encryption, leak protection, and a kill switch.
CyberGhost boasts excellent security attributes, yet it lacks obfuscated servers. Furthermore, it's not possible to install the app while in China as it has been taken off the Chinese app stores, and access to its homepage is restricted.
Torrenting — Excellent VPN for P2P File Sharing
9.8
CyberGhost is a strong choice for torrenting. It has specialized torrenting servers that are designed for high-speed P2P file sharing while always maintaining your anonymity and security. You can find these servers under the “For Torrenting" tab in the app, so it couldn’t be easier to find a torrenting server. I used the Distance filter to find a nearby server to get the best speeds.
I tried servers in the Netherlands, Germany, the US, Australia, and Mexico using qBitTorrent, uTorrent, and Transmission. I was able to download files easily and quickly on all servers. It only took me 3 minutes to download a 1.39 GB (copyright-free) file, which is basically the same speeds I get with no VPN connected.
You can also see its P2P-supported locations on the server list on its website
While I was testing the VPN, I examined if CyberGhost is compatible with P2P streaming platforms like Popcorn Time. It worked without issue, and I was able to stream The Last Man on Earth with no buffering. We don't condone using this platform to stream copyrighted material, though.
CyberGhost uses advanced encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and perfect forward secrecy to ensure you’re safe while P2P sharing. It doesn’t retain any information on your activities, so nothing can be traced back to you. But, if you want extra anonymity, it’s a good idea to connect to a NoSpy server. These are all personally overseen by CyberGhost staff in Bucharest, Romania, so there’s no third party involved.
I also recommend using the App Protection feature connected to your preferred BitTorrent client. It’s easy to forget about your VPN when you’re excited to download something, so it’s best to automate the process once and never worry about it again. Once you add it to the list of Designated Apps, CyberGhost will always launch in conjunction with whichever software you use to handle torrents.
The one negative is that CyberGhost doesn’t support port forwarding, which can help you get around blocks on your router to seed or download faster. It’s an option many people use while torrenting, but CyberGhost doesn’t allow it because it believes port forwarding can compromise security. Even without port forwarding, I found CyberGhost’s torrenting capabilities to be quite impressive.
I came across some complaints on online forums that CyberGhost users have been served DMCA notices after torrenting. While these reports are mostly outdated and are likely a rarity, remember that CyberGhost's Terms and Conditions don't condone downloading copyrighted material illegally (nor does vpnMentor).