CyberGhost VPN 2024
In the world of virtual private networks (VPNs), CyberGhost VPN has been a prominent player for over a decade. With its vast network of servers, robust security features, and user-friendly interface, it has attracted a loyal user base. In this comprehensive CyberGhost VPN review, we will explore every aspect of this popular VPN service, examining its performance, privacy policy, jurisdiction, and additional features to help you make an informed decision on whether it's the right choice for your needs.
CyberGhost has consistently evolved to meet the growing demands of an increasingly privacy-conscious global community. Its commitment to a no-logging policy, combined with its Romanian jurisdiction, ensures that user data is protected from prying eyes. Furthermore, CyberGhost offers a variety of features designed to enhance your online experience, such as dedicated IP addresses, ad and malware blocking, and specialized servers for streaming and torrenting.
In the following sections, we will delve deeper into CyberGhost's performance on various platforms, including Windows, Android, iOS, and macOS. We will also discuss the speed and efficiency of the VPN, its ability to unblock popular streaming services, and the transparency of its parent company.
By the end of this review, you will have a clear understanding of what CyberGhost has to offer and whether it suits your unique requirements for a VPN service. We at VPNGrades test VPNs and find every negative and positive thing about them, so you can choose the best VPN for you without wasting your precious time.
For Readers In A Hurry, Here Is My Quick Take:
CyberGhost is one of the sister VPNs of ExpressVPN. After being in the market for a decade, CyberGhost has evolved to be one of the best VPNs currently available. CyberGhost offers top-notch protocols with robust AES-256 GCM encryption.
CyberGhost VPN users, aka ghosties, don’t need to worry about their privacy or their jurisdiction. CyberGhost maintains a clear, transparent policy with Tomanian jurisdiction. It also offers special servers like gaming servers and streaming servers for ease of use.
PROS
Affordable price
Lists of specialized servers
Massive server fleet
Privacy-friendly Jurisdiction
CONS
Confusing privacy policies
Apps have minor bugs
Sometimes the connection lags
CyberGhost also comes with special servers like no-spy servers to further safeguard their users’ privacy. While being compatible with most devices and operating systems, CyberGhost has also had one of the lowest prices in the market since the beginning. CyberGhost also maintains a warrant system, and their customer support is excellent.
Price and Value:
Like most VPNs, CyberGhost offers three pricing plans: monthly, 6 months, and 2 years (currently including 2 extra months).
The monthly plan costs $12.99 per month, making it more expensive than even the top-tier ExpressVPN. The 6-month plan is priced at $41.94, which equates to $6.99/mo. The 2-year plan comes in at around $2.19/mo, or $56.94, inclusive of the additional 2 months currently being offered.
The price difference between the monthly and 2-year plans is substantial. While the monthly plan ranks among the most expensive VPN options, the long-term plan positions CyberGhost as one of the most affordable premium VPNs available.
Encryption methods and protocols
CyberGhost VPN offers three main protocols: OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2/IPsec. Each of these protocols has its own unique benefits. WireGuard is the newest addition, with a mere 4,000 lines of code. It's almost twice as fast as OpenVPN, which has led many VPN services to adopt it, but it hasn't been extensively tested yet, so its reliability is in question. OpenVPN, on the other hand, is a widely used and thoroughly tested protocol, while IKEv2 is more focused on mobile devices, providing better performance for short-range connections.
In general, WireGuard is a solid choice for those seeking faster VPN speeds. If you require extra security, OpenVPN is the way to go, and if your mobile connection is unstable, IKEv2 works wonders. CyberGhost also lets you choose between packet sizes between UDP and TCP within the OpenVPN protocol.
For encryption, CyberGhost utilizes AES-256 GCM for OpenVPN and IKEv2, and ChaCha20 for WireGuard. All these encryptions are highly advanced, military-grade solutions that can't be brute-forced even by the most powerful supercomputers. Encryption essentially protects your data from being accessed by unauthorized parties.
For encryption, CyberGhost utilizes AES-256 GCM for OpenVPN and IKEv2, and ChaCha20 for WireGuard. All these encryptions are highly advanced, military-grade solutions that can't be brute-forced even by the most powerful supercomputers. Encryption essentially protects your data from being accessed by unauthorized parties.
Unlike some of its competitors, CyberGhost doesn't offer a proprietary protocol. Nord VPN has NordLynx, and ExpressVPN has Lightway, which are typically more efficient than standard open-source versions. However, CyberGhost supports all major protocols on most devices.
Server options and locations
CyberGhost boasts an impressive number of servers, topping the charts with over 9,800 servers across 117 locations spread across 91 countries. While other VPN services like Surfshark and HMA have servers in more countries, the sheer volume of servers CyberGhost offers is remarkable. The only VPN with more servers than CyberGhost VPN is its own sister company, PIA.
A large number of servers is a positive feature, but it's not the only thing that matters when analyzing a good VPN. What I loved about CyberGhost is their pre-made server lists for different categories, like Netflix, Crunchyroll, gaming servers, dedicated servers, and no-spy servers.
It's worth noting that some VPN providers use virtual servers, which can increase the number of servers they offer. Virtual servers are software-configured and can be deployed anywhere, even if the physical hardware is located elsewhere. CyberGhost used to mark their virtual servers but no longer does, possibly due to the introduction of NoSpy servers.
The benefits of RAM-only servers
CyberGhost has implemented RAM-only or diskless servers to prevent data storage. These servers don't have any storage or disk space to store information, so even if third parties try to access or misuse data, they'll find nothing. This approach reinforces their no-log policy.
However, CyberGhost doesn't own its server network, opting to rent servers from third parties. This led them to create NoSpy servers, owned and managed by the company.
The advantages of no-spy servers
CyberGhost's no-spy servers are an innovative and unique feature that sets the VPN apart from many of its competitors. These servers are designed to provide an even higher level of privacy and security for users who demand the utmost discretion for their online activities.
Located in Romania, the no-spy servers are owned and operated directly by CyberGhost VPN itself. This means that no third parties are involved in the management, maintenance, or access to these servers. By keeping everything in-house, CyberGhost can ensure a greater degree of control and security over the data that passes through these servers.
The No-Spy servers use premium hardware and are optimized for high-speed connections. They also benefit from an extended bandwidth capacity to handle large volumes of traffic without compromising speed or performance.
Additionally, a dedicated team of CyberGhost security experts maintains these servers, further enhancing the privacy and security provided to users.
The No-Spy servers are ideal for users such as journalists, activists, or anyone else who needs to ensure that their online communications remain confidential and secure from potential eavesdroppers or cyber threats. Through multi-hop, you can use two servers, one of which would be a no-spy server. This way, even tracker and DNS requests would come from these servers, protecting your privacy.
Hi-speed VPN
Whenever you use a VPN, it's natural for your internet connection to slow down a bit. This happens because a VPN encrypts and decrypts your data multiple times per request, sometimes taking milliseconds to seconds. The extra time and distance traveled, as well as the VPN's secure traffic tunnel, can contribute to slower speeds. That's why it's crucial to choose a fast VPN.
In my experience, I put CyberGhost VPN to the test using the WireGuard protocol. The speed was okay for the first 10 seconds, as it did fall while connecting to the server, but once connected, the speed was quite impressive. It was faster than most of the VPNs I've tried.
With CyberGhost, I experienced a 22% decrease in download speed and a 29% decrease in upload speed. This may not be the fastest speed, which is by Surfshark, but this was still among the top speeds I received from a VPN.
The speed was more than enough to watch full-HD videos or play high-graphics games. The gaming servers especially have very low ping, so you can play games without any lag.
Excellent VPN for streaming
A while ago, I noticed that CyberGhost was starting to get blocked by several streaming platforms, and we sent a letter to the company. The company took note of this issue and assigned special servers for streaming, even offering pre-made lists for users to directly access streams.
However, CyberGhost is currently one of the best VPNs to stream Netflix and many other streaming platforms. CyberGhost claimed to support 15–18 Netflix libraries; however, during our tests, I could only access 11 of them. Though this is still the third-highest library accessed by any VPN, CyberGhost also supported BBC iPlayer, but I also found that it can be occasionally unreliable with BBC iPlayer, a streaming platform that many premium VPNs can access easily. This issue only arose twice in 20 attempts, but it's worth mentioning.
To be honest, if streaming is your primary reason for using a VPN, I'd recommend going with ExpressVPN or opting for a more affordable alternative like Surfshark. However, if you're not a binge-watcher or mostly prefer regional content with access to a handful of streaming libraries and a vast number of servers, CyberGhost might be the right choice for you.
My take on privacy policies and data
Choosing a VPN is a significant decision, as it's essential to understand the privacy policy of the service we're entrusting with our data. To simplify, I've analyzed CyberGhost's privacy policy for you.
CyberGhost follows a no-logging policy, which means it doesn't collect any connection or usage data from its users. But I always ask my readers not to just believe the words and phrases; they should look deeper. Every VPN has its own definition of "no ‘no'," while we have our own, which is what we should look for.
Like every other VPN, CyberGhost VPN does need to collect some analytical and personal information to recognize its users and provide proper service. This personal information includes email and payment status, but CyberGhost assures that it's not sold or shared with third parties. They don't even store payment information, which is a plus for privacy.
Although the privacy policy can get complicated as you delve deeper, there's no mention of unnecessary data collection. The VPN states that user activities and data are not monitored, recorded, logged, or stored.
Like other VPNs, CyberGhost VPN does collect aggregate data, such as crash reports and successful connections, to improve its services. However, users can opt out of this if they wish.
CyberGhost, on the one hand, claims to not collect anything, while on the other hand, it collects the IP information of the websites visited, though it is anonymous and only the domain is collected monthly in aggregate form. It is still not something a VPN should try to accumulate after calling itself a no-logs VPN.
Transparency reports
In 2011, CyberGhost became the first VPN to start a transparency report. This report contains all the DMCA complaints, police requests, and malware activity flags that CyberGhost VPN has received over the years.
Many other VPNs maintain transparency reports or warrant canaries, but still, the number remains zero, which I don’t think is even possible.
CyberGhost offers a real and completely open report. You can analyze the graphs, see the previous year's data to compare, and even download the reports. This level of transparency is commendable.
Third-party audit verification
One of the biggest auditing firms, Deloitte, conducted an independent audit of CyberGhost in December 2022 for its no-logs policy. The audit was to test the no-logging policy of CyberGhost VPN. The VPN passed the audit, verifying its commitment to the no-logging policy.
However, the company has not shown the audit report publicly, claiming it would confuse the readers; however, the reports can be requested by Deloitte. We went ahead and found that Deloitte is not responding to the emails for the reports. This is a bit worrisome.
While the privacy policy initially raised some concerns, a thorough examination by security experts found no cause for alarm. CyberGhost's commitment to transparency and passing the third-party audit make it a reliable choice for users who prioritize privacy.
Jurisdiction and parent company considerations:
Jurisdiction plays a significant role in determining the privacy policies of a VPN. Regardless of a VPN's claims about privacy, it must abide by the laws of the country in which it operates. VPNs operating under the jurisdiction of countries involved in intelligence-sharing agreements, such as the 14 Eyes, may not be the most trustworthy.
CyberGhost, however, operates in Bucharest, under Romanian jurisdiction. While Romania is part of the EU, it's the only member state that did not accept the EU's Data Retention Policy, which has been criticized for enabling mass surveillance. Although CyberGhost would have to comply with local courts' and authorities' orders, they've installed RAM-only servers that do not store any logs, leaving nothing to share in the first place.
Parent company history
CyberGhost was founded in 2011 as a free VPN service under CyberGhost S.A. in Bucharest, Romania. In 2017, it was acquired by Crossrider, now known as Kape Technologies. Kape is a major player in the VPN industry, also owning ExpressVPN, Private Internet Access, and Zenmate.
Crossrider's history isn't the most trustworthy, as it was initially an adware company developing software development kits (SDKs) and monetization platforms that were later used for spamming and distributing malware. In 2016, the company shut down the platform and pivoted to the private sector by acquiring CyberGhost, eventually forming Kape Technologies.
Despite Kape's past, CyberGhost has maintained that it does not share infrastructure with any other Kape-owned company and operates independently. When it comes to privacy, it's always best to scrutinize every detail.
Features
Dedicated IP:
An exclusive IP address that the VPN provider assigns to you is a dedicated IP address. Unlike a shared IP address, which is used by multiple users, a dedicated IP is only used by one individual. This can be beneficial for accessing services that require a consistent IP address or for avoiding blacklisting that can happen when multiple users on a shared IP engage in suspicious activities. With CyberGhost's dedicated IP feature, you can enjoy a more stable and personalized VPN experience without the risks associated with shared IPs.
DNS Block
CyberGhost's DNS block feature aims to shield users from harmful websites, ads, and trackers. It filters out known malicious domains, effectively blocking access to them while browsing.
DNS Leak Prevention
A DNS leak occurs when DNS requests intended to be routed through the VPN are inadvertently sent to your ISP's DNS servers. This can reveal your browsing activity and jeopardize your privacy. CyberGhost prevents DNS leaks by operating its own DNS servers, making sure all DNS requests stay within the encrypted VPN tunnel and away from prying eyes.
Kill Switch
A kill switch is an essential security feature offered by CyberGhost VPN. If a VPN disconnection occurs suddenly, the kill switch will automatically sever your internet connection, avoiding unintentional exposure of your true IP address or sensitive data. This is particularly vital when using public Wi-Fi networks or accessing confidential information online. By incorporating a kill switch, CyberGhost ensures your privacy remains protected even if the VPN connection fails unexpectedly.
Private Browser
CyberGhost's private browser is a Chromium-based browser engineered to boost privacy and security while surfing the web. The browser employs DuckDuckGo, a privacy-centric search engine, as its default search provider. The integrated ad tracker and malware blockers collaborate to keep unwanted content and potential security risks at bay, ensuring a smooth browsing experience. Moreover, the browser features a one-click history-clearing option, allowing you to effortlessly erase your browsing history. When the browser is closed, your browsing history is automatically deleted, further safeguarding your privacy.
Autonomous Data Usage:
While most VPN providers collect aggregated and anonymous data for app improvements and reporting, CyberGhost takes user privacy a step further by allowing you to opt out of sharing even this anonymized and aggregated data. This feature demonstrates CyberGhost's commitment to user privacy and gives you the option to decide whether or not to share any data with the company. By offering this level of control, CyberGhost helps build trust and transparency with its users.
Torrenting
CyberGhost not only permits torrenting but also offers specialized torrenting servers. These servers can be accessed by selecting the torrenting servers list in the VPN client. Torrenting involves peer-to-peer (P2P) file transfers, which are fundamentally different from regular server transfers.
Torrenting typically involves multiple seeders, making download speeds slower than those of standard downloads. As a result, it's essential for a VPN to provide adequate speed when torrenting. CyberGhost excels in this aspect, delivering better-than-average speeds for torrenting activities.
Previously, CyberGhost displayed the percentage load on servers; however, it now shows the distance to the server, or you can allow the app to select the best server for you automatically.
Device Compatibility
CyberGhost is one of the top VPNs, and thus it has applications for almost all devices and operating systems. Here is the list of operating systems that CyberGhost supports:
· Windows
· macOS
· iOS
· Android
· Linux
CyberGhost also supports most of the other devices, browsers, and entertainment stations, including:
· Google Chrome
· Firefox
· Fire Stick & TV
· Android TV
· Smart TV
· Router
· Xbox One / 360
· PS4
· Apple TV
· Samsung TV
· Roku
· Wii U
CyberGhost on Windows:
The CyberGhost application can be installed from the dashboard, where users can also manage their accounts. Although the installation process may take some time due to the app's size, once installed, users can log in with their email and password. The quick connect button is on the right side, while the server list and options are on the left. Users can minimize the list and options, leaving only the quick connect button with the option to choose the best server.
In the center of the interface, there is a list of servers based on the list selected from the left side. On the extreme left, options for settings and account management can be found, along with a privacy setting at the bottom of the page. During tests, DNS leak and WebRTC leak tests showed no leaks, and the kill switch functioned effectively.
CyberGhost on Android:
CyberGhost can be downloaded from the Google Play Store. After installation, users can log in using their email and password. The app has a dark, simple interface, featuring a quick connect option and a server connection or best location option. All settings and options can be accessed by clicking the settings icon at the top right, where users can find their email and subscription information.
Additional options include split tunneling, kill switch, haptic response, dedicated IP, and protocol selection. Similar to the Windows version, WiFi settings can be adjusted here. During testing, no DNS leaks or WebRTC leaks were detected.
CyberGhost on iOS and macOS:
The CyberGhost iOS version can be downloaded from the App Store, and it runs similarly to the Android version. The default protocol for iOS is IKEv2, but users can also switch to WireGuard if they prefer. The speed and visualization are comparable to the Android app, and the platform works smoothly without any issues.
However, it is essential to note that some features, such as split tunneling, are not available on iOS and macOS. This is because no VPN allows split tunneling on iOS, as the operating system has a different configuration that makes it impossible to implement this feature.
During testing on iOS and macOS devices, no DNS leaks or WebRTC leaks were found, and the kill switch worked effectively, ensuring no leaks occurred while changing servers.
Customer Support
CyberGhost VPN offers various channels for customer support, ensuring that users can receive assistance whenever they need it. Their customer support options include a 24/7 live chat. This is the best and most convenient way to contact customer support. If your problem is not solved here, you can use email. In email support, experts will review and answer your questions and problems. It may take some time to get in touch with the Email port.
You can also use the comprehensive guide collection for installation and general queries.
Conclusion
After analyzing the VPN and running these many tests, here is what I can conclude about CyberGhost VPN. This VPN is for: Those seeking a fast-speed VPN, streaming, torrenting, and no judicial eyes—all these at the cheapest price possible At $2.19 per month, you cannot get a better deal, I can assure you. This VPN is not for: If you want a completely closed network with no logging of even a common detail like your name or email. Though the VPN does not collect major pieces of information, there are some cases, where you don’t want them to store anything. Then CyberGhost is not for you. I would suggest Proton VPN or Mullvad VPN.
