We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

CyberGhost VPN vs BTGuard VPN vs HMA VPN 2024

Table of Contents
    Our Score: 9.7/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Our Score: 7.9/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Our Score: 7.0/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, Cyberghost and Expressvpn are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.

    Which VPN is better?

    Author Image Nicky Hosek
    Nicky Hosek

    Cybersecurity Researcher

    These 3 VPNs share some similarities, such as using 256-bit encryption to keep you safe online. But, BtGuard is more simplistic and primarily aimed at P2P enthusiasts. CyberGhost and HMA offer a broader range of features, like a global server network to access your favorite streaming platforms when traveling abroad. However, they can all unblock Netflix.

    But, CyberGhost and HMA also provide native apps for all major operating systems, while BtGuard is not as easy to install and set up. Read on to find out which one comes out on top.

    Our Score

    Features 9.7/10
    Pricing 9.7/10
    Ease of Use 9.9/10
    Reliability & Support 9.8/10
    Features 7.9/10
    Pricing 6.0/10
    Ease of Use 8.6/10
    Reliability & Support 8.5/10
    Features 7.0/10
    Pricing 7.0/10
    Ease of Use 7.0/10
    Reliability & Support 6.6/10

    Reviews

    Review by our expert
    Author Image Keira Waddell
    Keira Waddell

    Senior Writer

    Our Score: 9.7/10

    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 secu...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    R
    Raemond Thompson
    10.0/10
    Simple To Use

    Great interface and is very intuitive. Many locations with reasonably fast speeds. There are a lot of ... essential features I like as well. Wireguard, Wifi Protect, Etc. I took out the 2-year plan at a fair discount so I can say that, given the price, it's a decent balance of quantity and quality.More

    Latest negative user review
    S
    Sami Paananen
    2.0/10
    Pretty good

    CyberGhost does not connect automatically in pc when I connect online. Why? And on my phone (Android)...  it sometimes gets stuck, it does not open the app when vpn is working. I have to connect the VPN in my phone settings first. That is pretty annoying.More

    Read the full review
    Review by our expert
    Author Image Anneke van Aswegen
    Anneke van Aswegen

    Managing Editor

    Our Score: 7.9/10

    BitTorrentGuard — aka BTGuard — is a VPN and BitTorrent proxy provider. It is specifically designed for P2P fans at a time when most tiptoe around the subject of torrenting. You can use it on as many computers as you like without worrying about bandwidth, which is great for file sharing. Another significant aspect of the VPN is that its speeds are consistent. However, it does have some drawba...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    A
    Anonymously
    10.0/10
    Works for me for years

    Not sure why seen so much bad feedback here. Using BTGuard for more than 8 years. I ran into problems ... about 3 times. Figured out it was a software upgrade. Following their setup instructions for PCs/Linux phones works.More

    Latest negative user review
    R
    Raymond Stevens
    2.0/10
    Terrible customer service

    I used them for several years without too many problems beyond when I actually had a question I needed...  to be answered by this outfit they never bothered to respond to my emails. One day, while connected to BTGuard, my IP was leaked to my ISP and I received a notice from Cox that I was in violation of their user agreement. I questioned BTGuard about this and I was immediately suspended and my account was closed. What the hell kind of treatment is this? And of course, they didn't bother to respond to my question as to why on earth I was suspended. At this point, I moved to TorGuard and never looked back. I've used TorGuard for 7 years. They offer a reasonable price and excellent service and outstanding customer support. I see BTGuard is still in business despite their lousy customer service and their limited functionality as discussed by the author of this article and there don't care attitude about their customers. Makes me wonder how they have any.More

    Read the full review
    Review by our expert
    Author Image Matthew Amos
    Matthew Amos

    Senior Editor

    Our Score: 7.0/10

    HMA (formerly HideMyAss) is a relatively cheap VPN that claims to offer more server locations than anyone else. However, it has faced some serious controversies in the past. Is it a VPN that can keep you safe and anonymous online? To find out, I performed extensive tests on all its features and explored its updated privacy policy. I also checked out several connection issues customers have rep...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    P
    Paulo
    10.0/10
    Excellent value for money!

    First, it's a full VPN. Very intuitive and easy app. Lots of connection options and without much loss ... of speed. The official website has the payment method in my local currency, with a localized value and thus leaving a fair value through the VPN. Thank VPNMentor for the product recommendation and targeted discount.More

    Latest negative user review
    K
    Kaan
    2.0/10
    Terrible Support

    I had a return request. because my ISP blocked their servers and I contacted their support team. My ti... ckets have not been answered for 14 days. I do not recommend them with this terrible support and no wireguard support. 1/10More

    Read the full review

    Pricing

    Starting price $2.03/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 45 Days
    Number of devices per license 7 devices
    Starting price $7.5/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 0 Days
    Number of devices per license 1 devices
    Starting price $2.99/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 10 devices

    Best VPN by Category

    Best VPN Overall

    CyberGhost is my top choice as it protects your online privacy without sacrificing speed, and its intuitive interface makes it super simple to use. HMA comes in at a close second, but I had trouble streaming content in 4K, especially when using long distant servers. BTGuard is more expensive than the other 2 VPNs, despite no additional benefits, and it leaked my real location during testing.

    Best VPN for Torrents

    With its torrenting optimized servers, CyberGhost and HMA take the lead in this category. CyberGhost wins because it has slightly faster download speeds. However, BTGuard allows unlimited file-sharing and works well with uTorrent, but since it leaked my IP address, I would use it cautiously.

    Best VPN for Windows

    CyberGhost beats HMA for Windows because it offers gaming-optimized servers for this specific platform, giving it a slight edge. Also, HMA doesn't support the super fast and reliable WireGuard protocol. BTGuard doesn't have a native Windows app, you need to download the OpenVPN app, but I couldn't do that during my tests — the configuration files wouldn't open.

    Best VPN for Android

    Neither CyberGhost nor HMA offers the battery-saving IKEv2 protocol for Android, which is ideal for smartphones. However, the CyberGhost native Android app has an adblocker to stop annoying pop-ups. Plus, it has over 10 million downloads on Google Play, twice as much as HMA, so it must be on to something. BTGuard again comes in third place because you have to manually install it on your Android device.

    Best VPN for Mac

    I had no issues connecting my Mac to BTGuard, but there's no native app, which makes it less easy to install. CyberGhost looks and works similarly on various operating systems. It is very convenient when switching between devices (you can use up to 7 simultaneously), making it my top pick for Mac. HMA only allows 10 connection at once time.

    Best VPN for iOS

    CyberGhost's optimized servers for streaming are also available on iOS devices, so you can quickly access your Netflix or Disney+ account on your Apple device. Plus, you can download its Private Browser addon, which blocks ads. HMA is also a great option for iOS, but its 2-kill switches aren't available on this platform. BTGuard again comes third with no iOS native app.

    Best VPN for USA

    With servers in 11+ US locations and many optimized for American streaming platforms (inlcuding Netflix, Hulu, Peacock, and YouTube TV), CyberGhost easily beats the competition as the best one in the US. HMA could not unblock HBO Max and Amazon Prime Video, and BTGuard doesn't even have servers in the US.

    The Bottom Line

    See Plans & Pricing

    CyberGhost is the clear winner thanks to its vast and reliable server network accompanied by superior unblocking capabilities and speeds. BtGuard VPN lacks essential security features like a kill switch, which can leave your data vulnerable. HMA comes close to CyberGhost with its robust privacy options, wide server network, and the ability to access streaming sites like Netflix and Hulu. However, it's not the best option for buffer-free streaming and doesn't provide 24/7 live chat support. CyberGhost ticks all the right boxes and is very beginner-friendly.

    Time to decide which one is best for you

    Go with CyberGhost VPN
    Go with BTGuard VPN
    Go with HMA VPN
    Or click here to check best VPNs, rated by {{review_count}} users

    FAQ

    Is CyberGhost VPN better than BTGuard VPN and HMA VPN?

    Yes, CyberGhost VPN is better overall than BTGuard VPN and HMA VPN. It has 11690 servers in 100 countries, fast speeds, and impressive security features.

    Best of all, you can take advantage of its latest discount and get it for only $2.03 a month.

    What should I keep in mind when choosing between CyberGhost VPN, BTGuard VPN and HMA VPN?

    When choosing a VPN, you want to pay close attention to its number of servers, overall speed score, pricing, and the number of simultaneous device connections it offers. While some VPNs provide a flawless online experience, others will really slow you down.

    If you’re ready to commit, then CyberGhost VPN may be perfect for you due to its performance during the tests.

    Is CyberGhost VPN faster than BTGuard VPN and HMA VPN?

    Yes, CyberGhost VPN is faster than BTGuard VPN and HMA VPN. Since your VPN is your computer’s main connection to the internet, you need to use a service that won’t slow you down by more than 20%.

    If speeds are important to you, then I recommend you take a look at ExpressVPN. It’s the fastest service out there, provides unlimited bandwidth, and you won’t experience any slowdowns even when you connect to the other side of the planet. You can try it out risk-free.. It’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can get a full refund if you don’t like it.

    Do CyberGhost VPN, BTGuard VPN or HMA VPN offer any deals?

    CyberGhost VPN, BTGuard VPN, and HMA VPN offer deals on occasion. You can check out the current coupons and discounts here. However, ExpressVPN has the best deals. Right now, you can get a 49% discount and up to 3 months for free with a new subscription.

    We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
    Learn more
    vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

    About the Author

    A previous London-based journalist, Nicky is a freelance writer based on a farm in South Africa. When she's not training horses, she writes fluent, intelligent cybersecurity articles with creativity and flair.