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CyberGhost VPN vs Surfshark 2023

Table of Contents
    Rated: 9.7/10
    %s User Reviews
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    Rated: 9.3/10
    %s User Reviews
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    Which VPN is better?

    Author Image Kate Richards
    Kate Richards

    Managing Editor

    Does Surfshark have what it takes to compete against CyberGhost, one of our most recommended VPNs? With strong 256-bit encryption, a variety of protocols, and blazing speeds, these two VPNs have a lot in common. Privacy is also covered – Surfshark (British Virgin Islands) and CyberGhost (Romania) both operate in favorable jurisdictions without serious data retention laws, resulting in strict zero-logging policies you can trust. As for streaming, both VPNs get past the difficult Netflix blocks with ease. CyberGhost impresses us with dedicated server lists for streaming. It even lets you know which ones are optimized for popular geoblocked websites. Surfshark’s minimalist clients don’t offer the same level of depth, but the clean and intuitive design will be appreciated by newbies and casual users just looking for a quick connection to bypass geo-restrictions. Both VPNs have great features for users of all experience levels, from leak protection and wi-fi security to live chat and simple manual setups. It really is a challenge to find the better service for your money. This is why we’ll take a closer look. Scroll down to see how Surfshark and Cyberghost fared in our tests in several key categories.

    Rating

    Features 9.7/10
    Pricing 9.0/10
    Ease of Use 9.6/10
    Reliability & Support 9.2/10
    Features 9.3/10
    Pricing 9.4/10
    Ease of Use 10.0/10
    Reliability & Support 9.6/10

    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 Kate Richards
    Kate Richards

    Managing Editor

    9.4/10

    With VPNs, you tend to get what you pay for. So when I saw Surfshark’s super low prices (you can get it for just $2.30/month), I was a bit skeptical about its rave reviews. To find out if it actually lives up to these claims, I tested every single aspect of Surfshark, including speeds, security features, unblocking abilities, network reliability, and device compatibility. I also took a closer...

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    Latest positive user review
    A
    Anonymously
    10.0/10
    Five star vpn

    Best I've ever used. All good, no complaints at all. I had a couple of questions when I first started ... using it, reached out to customer service. They were quick to respond, friendly, and helpful. I'm looking forward to them making the Surfshark Search feature a separate app.More

    Latest negative user review
    M
    Matt
    2.0/10
    Doesn't work for BBC

    The only reason I bought it. Constant error msgs from iPlayer, individual channels like 4 and 5 were a... ccessible--until the latest update. Now nothing works. Spend more money on something that's more reliable.More

    Read the full review
    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 $2.3/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license Unlimited devices
    See Plans

    Best VPN by category

    Best VPN Overall

    CyberGhost manages to blend simplicity with advanced settings in some of the best VPN apps you’ll ever find. With 3,000+ servers in 60 countries at your disposal, you won’t have issues with access or speed. Surfshark has many strengths, but its stripped-down apps and smaller network of 500+ servers lead to less variety and customization than you get with CyberGhost.

    Best VPN for Torrents

    CyberGhost makes torrenting easy, thanks to a dedicated list of P2P servers with easy-to-access info on users and server load, as well as support for SOCKS5 proxies. Surfshark supports P2P, but it will reroute your traffic to the Netherlands. That’s not a problem if the server isn’t crowded, but as the number of torrenters using the VPN increases, the result could be slower speeds.

    Best VPN for Windows

    The highlight of CyberGhost for Windows is its brilliant client, which is a joy to use. Surfshark comes with all the right features and native OpenVPN support for this platform, but you can’t choose specific servers. Both VPNs perform well, but when it comes to design and user experience, CyberGhost is very tough to beat.

    Best VPN for Android

    CyberGhost comes with a host of great features on Android, including data compression and the ability to block social tracking. Both options are very useful for mobile users who want to save some data or improve their speeds. Surfshark’s Android offering is a little limited, but it does include the WhiteLister split tunneling feature, which allows you to bypass the VPN for selected apps.

    Best VPN for Mac

    CyberGhost’s Mac client is identical to the Windows one, and that’s a good thing. You get the same polished interface and impressive performance, along with native OpenVPN protection. Surfshark’s MacOS app runs IKEv2 exclusively. If you want OpenVPN, your only option is a manual setup, which means losing easy access to most of the app’s features.

    Best VPN for iOS

    CyberGhost’s updated iOS app is essentially a mini version of the award winning CyberGhost desktop client, which is great news for the Apple crowd. You can also connect up to seven devices at the same time. If you have a household full of iOS devices, however, you’ll appreciate that Surfshark gives you unlimited connections along with a basic but robust iOS app.

    Best VPN for USA

    More than 520 servers in at least 12 US locations put CyberGhost in the lead for unblocking US content. Thanks to the Unblock Streaming profile that’s available with a click, you’ll quickly find the perfect server for US Netflix, Comedy Central, HBO Go, and all kinds of US-only TV events. Surfshark doesn’t offer such detailed streaming panels, but still gets the job done with fast and reliable servers in nine US locations.

    The Bottom Line

    Surfshark is a rare find – a new VPN that’s already challenging the biggest names in the industry. We expected close results when we ran the tests, but not this close. Even though CyberGhost won in most categories (and is arguably the better VPN for iOS if you’re fine with seven connections), Surfshark put up a great fight. Here’s the big takeaway: If you want a leading VPN for security, streaming, or torrenting that provides a strong balance between performance and ease of use, CyberGhost is the one to get. That said, don’t underestimate Surfshark. It has already shown a lot of promise, and future updates will surely make it even better. For now, Surfshark is a solid pick for the casual VPN user who isn’t looking for a ton of depth, just dependable protection and hassle-free access to geoblocked content.

    Time to decide which one is best for you

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

    FAQ

    Is CyberGhost VPN better than Surfshark?

    Yes, CyberGhost VPN is better overall than Surfshark. 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 and Surfshark?

    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 Surfshark?

    Yes, CyberGhost VPN is faster than Surfshark. 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 or Surfshark offer any deals?

    Both CyberGhost VPN and Surfshark 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.