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CyberGhost VPN vs HMA VPN vs BTGuard VPN 2023

Table of Contents
    Rated: 9.7/10
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    Rated: 8.2/10
    %s User Reviews
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    Rated: 8.0/10
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    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.

    Rating

    Features 9.7/10
    Pricing 9.0/10
    Ease of Use 9.6/10
    Reliability & Support 9.2/10
    Features 8.2/10
    Pricing 8.8/10
    Ease of Use 9.4/10
    Reliability & Support 8.0/10
    Features 8.0/10
    Pricing 6.0/10
    Ease of Use 8.8/10
    Reliability & Support 8.5/10

    Reviews

    Review by our expert
    Author Image Matthew Amos
    Matthew Amos

    Senior Editor

    9.4/10

    CyberGhost is one of the most affordable VPNs on the market — you can get a subscription for as low as $2.19/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...

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    Latest positive user review
    J
    J. Y.
    8.0/10
    Mostly Works

    So far, the basic functions seem to be working fine. What isn't working is that the program will not ... automatically reconnect my computer to the internet after CG has "blocked" a connection. I don't know why it is blocking the connection nor does CG explain exactly what happened (or didn't happen). Instead, I get two choices (which can't remember what they are) in order to reconnect to the internet. I don't understand what the choices are nor do I understand why I have to choose. IMHO, the core functionality should be that CG is constantly trying to reconnect me to the internet and I shouldn't have to tell it to do that. It's like stopping at a stop light and having to wait for someone to give me permission to go again when the light turns green; the default state should simply be "Go".More

    Latest negative user review
    S
    Sean
    2.0/10
    ABSOLUTE GARBAGE

    Literally has not worked at all. The "support" is utterly useless. Tried all their "solutions" and no ... difference. Now they won't give me a refund. I paid $90 for a product that hasn't worked. Avoid this product like the plague.More

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    Review by our expert
    Author Image Kristina Joshevska
    Kristina Joshevska

    Managing Editor

    9.4/10

    Being on the market for more than 15 years, the UK-based HMA has established an excellent name for itself (literally). But, is HMA really worth a shot when there are so many other high quality VPNs out there? To find out, I performed extensive tests on its speeds, security, unblocking abilities, and more. I also explored its no-logs policy and money-back guarantee to see how trustworthy it is....

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    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

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    Review by our expert
    Author Image Olga Kousi
    Olga Kousi

    Cybersecurity Researcher

    8.3/10

    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...

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    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

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    More Info

    Pricing

    Starting price $2.19/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 45 Days
    Number of devices per license 7 devices
    See Plans
    Starting price $2.99/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 5 devices
    See Plans
    Starting price $7.5/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 0 Days
    Number of devices per license 1 devices
    See Plans

    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 5 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

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

    FAQ

    Is CyberGhost VPN better than HMA VPN and BTGuard VPN?

    Yes, CyberGhost VPN is better overall than HMA VPN and BTGuard VPN. It has 9758 servers in 91 countries, fast speeds, and impressive security features.

    Best of all, you can take advantage of its latest discount and get it for only $2.19 a month.

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

    Yes, CyberGhost VPN is faster than HMA VPN and BTGuard 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, HMA VPN or BTGuard VPN offer any deals?

    CyberGhost VPN, HMA VPN, and BTGuard 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.