CyberGhost: Dedicated & Affordable VPN, With Compromises
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Updated On: August 29th, 2024
Founded in 2011 in Bucharest, Romania, CyberGhost has become one of the leading names in the VPN industry, renowned for their strong focus on user privacy and security. Operating under the umbrella of Kape Technologies, CyberGhost has positioned itself as a top choice for users seeking to anonymize their online activities and protect their digital identities. With a strict no-logs policy and robust encryption standards, CyberGhost offers a secure and private browsing experience, making it a reliable option for both casual internet users and privacy enthusiasts.
Continue reading this review to learn more about how CyberGhost VPN can help safeguard your online presence.
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Cons
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Quick Stats
CyberGhost at a Glance
CyberGhost VPN is designed to deliver comprehensive privacy protection and online security through a broad set of features. With their expansive network of servers, the service allows users to enjoy high-speed internet access while maintaining complete anonymity. The VPN is particularly popular among users looking to unblock streaming services, with dedicated servers optimized for platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. Additionally, CyberGhost supports up to seven simultaneous connections, making it a valid choice for families or individuals with multiple devices.
CyberGhost VPN boasts an extensive network of over 11,000 servers across more than 100 countries, with accessibility in 23 languages and counting, providing users with the ability to bypass geographical restrictions and access content from around the world. The service is user-friendly, supporting a wide range of platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux, as well as routers, gaming consoles, and smart devices. Whether you’re streaming, gaming, using a torrent client, or simply browsing, CyberGhost offers a versatile solution to enhance your online security. They offer a 45-day money-back guarantee, providing users with a risk-free opportunity to test the service.
CyberGhost is equipped with industry-leading security protocols, including AES-256 encryption and an automatic kill switch, ensuring that users’ data remains protected at all times. Their commitment to privacy is reinforced by their strict no-logs policy, which has been independently audited to ensure that no user data is tracked, stored, or shared. The company was among the first in the industry to publish a transparency report, a practice that reflects their commitment to openness and accountability in their operations. This initiative has further solidified CyberGhost’s standing as a trustworthy provider in the VPN market.
They are a well-regarded VPN service known for their strong commitment to user privacy and security, having received many positive reviews from users and industry experts as well as being featured in reputable technology and cybersecurity publications. Despite not having many awards, they've built a loyal customer base due to their consistent performance. In addition, CyberGhost is notable for their presence on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), where they have an active page, although they don't hold accreditation.
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The Features & Perks of CyberGhost
CyberGhost VPN offers a robust suite of features designed to enhance your online security, privacy, and overall internet experience. Below are some of the key features that CyberGhost will offer you:
- Global server network: CyberGhost provides access to over 11,000 servers in over 100 countries, including specialized servers for streaming, torrenting, and gaming. This extensive network ensures fast, reliable connections tailored to your specific needs, whether bypassing geo-restrictions or ensuring smooth gameplay
- Split tunneling: This feature allows you to route specific networks, particular apps, or website traffic through the VPN while other traffic accesses the internet directly. This setup optimizes speed and functionality, especially when using bandwidth-heavy services
- No-logs policy: CyberGhost maintains a strict no-logs policy, ensuring that none of your online activities are tracked, stored, or shared. This policy is reinforced by independent audits, providing peace of mind for privacy-conscious users
- Private DNS: CyberGhost uses private DNS servers to prevent third parties, including ISPs, from monitoring your online activities. This adds an extra layer of privacy, ensuring that your browsing data remains confidential
- Dedicated IP: This tool offers dedicated IP addresses for users needing consistent access to certain networks. This feature is ideal for secure access to online banking and business networks, as well as avoiding CAPTCHA requests
- Streaming-optimized servers: Their specialized servers are optimized to unblock and stream content from platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu. These servers ensure minimal buffering and high-definition streaming, no matter where you are
- Automatic kill switch: To protect your data, CyberGhost automatically disconnects your device from the internet if the VPN connection drops. This feature is crucial for maintaining privacy and preventing accidental exposure of your IP address
CyberGhost also includes additional perks such as:
- Threat protection: This is a comprehensive security tool that blocks malware, trackers, and intrusive ads, ensuring a safer and cleaner browsing experience
- Content blocker: Their built-in ad and tracker blockers prevent malicious ads from slowing down your browsing experience and protect you from potential malware
- Wi-Fi protection: They can automatically activate this feature when you connect to public or unsecured Wi-Fi networks, providing instant protection against potential threats
- 24/7 multilingual support: CyberGhost offers round-the-clock customer support via live chat and email in multiple languages, ensuring help is available whenever you need it
Protocols and speeds
CyberGhost VPN supports a range of industry-leading encryption protocols designed to balance speed and security, ensuring a smooth and secure online experience. The standout protocol, WireGuard®, is known for its blazing-fast speeds and modern cryptography, making it ideal for streaming, gaming, and large file transfers without sacrificing security. For those who prioritize maximum security, CyberGhost also offers the highly secure OpenVPN protocol, available in both UDP and TCP modes, which is well-suited for activities requiring robust encryption, such as secure browsing and handling sensitive data. Additionally, CyberGhost supports IKEv2, a protocol that excels in maintaining stable connections on mobile devices, ensuring a seamless experience when switching between networks.
Their extensive global server network, including 10-Gbps servers, further enhances its performance, delivering consistently high-speed connections across 100 countries and counting. Whether you’re streaming in UHD, downloading large files, or gaming online, CyberGhost’s servers are optimized to minimize buffering and lag, providing a reliable solution for all your online privacy and security needs.
The VPN also includes features like split tunneling, allowing users to optimize their connections by routing specific traffic outside the VPN tunnel, and a built-in content blocker to reduce load times by filtering out malicious ads. Combined with unlimited bandwidth and no data caps, CyberGhost ensures that you can enjoy a fast and unrestricted internet experience on all your devices.
Security & Privacy Measures at CyberGhost
CyberGhost prioritizes user security through the implementation of AES-256 encryption, recognized as the gold standard for data protection. This encryption method ensures that all user data is thoroughly encrypted, making it virtually unreadable to unauthorized parties.
Their servers operate on RAM-only technology, ensuring that all data is wiped with every server reboot. This setup minimizes the risk of data retention, providing an added layer of security and supporting the company’s strict no-logs policy. This policy, independently audited by Deloitte, confirms that CyberGhost does not store or share any user activity or connection logs. Further enhancing user privacy, CyberGhost employs private DNS on all its servers, preventing third parties from tracking your online activities. The service also includes DNS leak protection and an automatic kill switch, which blocks all internet traffic in the event of a VPN connection drop, ensuring your data remains secure.
CyberGhost has a strong commitment to transparency. The company regularly publishes transparency reports, detailing government requests for data and their refusal to comply due to their no-logs policy. This level of openness underscores CyberGhost’s dedication to maintaining user privacy and security. These robust security and privacy measures make CyberGhost a reliable choice for users looking to protect their online activities without compromising performance.
CyberGhost Plans & Prices
CyberGhost VPN offers three subscription plans: a month-to-month plan, a six-month plan, and a two-year plan that comes with two additional free months. Each plan includes full access to CyberGhost’s extensive suite of features, such as unlimited bandwidth, high-speed servers, a strict no-logs policy, and 24/7 customer support. The pricing details are as follows:
- One month: This plan is priced at $12.99 per month and is perfect for users who need a VPN for a short-term period, such as during travel. It provides access to all CyberGhost features without any discounts available on longer plans. This plan comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee
- Six months: This plan costs $6.99 per month and is billed every six months at $41.94. It offers a significant discount compared to the monthly plan, making it ideal for users requiring a VPN for a moderate duration. This plan is backed by a 45-day money-back guarantee
- Two years + two months: This plan offers the best value at $2.19 per month, billed every 2 years at $56.94. It provides an 83% discount compared to the monthly plan and also includes two extra months for free, making it ideal for users seeking long-term security and privacy solutions. Like the six-month plan, it comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee
You can receive free trials of their services, with various time limits based on the platform: 24 hours for the Mac and Windows apps, three days on Android, and seven days for the iOS app. All plans allow you to connect up to seven devices simultaneously, positioning them as convenient options for individuals and families with multiple devices. CyberGhost VPN also offers an optional Dedicated IP upgrade for an additional $5.00 per month, or $2.50 per month if bundled with your plan, providing an IP address exclusively assigned to you for enhanced privacy and access to IP-restricted networks.
CyberGhost VPN accepts various payment methods, including major credit cards, PayPal, and Bitcoin, ensuring flexibility and convenience for users worldwide. Additionally, you may find special discounts or promotions directly on CyberGhost’s website, and the service includes a referral program where users can earn free service for up to 90 days by inviting friends.
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CyberGhost Advantages
- Extensive global server network: CyberGhost boasts over 11,000 servers spread across 100 countries, providing users with vast options to connect and access content globally. This extensive network helps users bypass geo-restrictions and ensures a stable connection with minimal downtime
- Strong privacy and security features: The VPN is equipped with AES-256 encryption, RAM-only servers, and an automatic kill switch, which together ensure that users’ data is protected and remains private. Their strict no-logs policy, independently audited by Deloitte, further reinforces their commitment to privacy
- User-friendly interface: Their intuitive interface makes it easy for users of all levels to navigate and utilize their features, including split tunneling, dedicated IP addresses, and streaming-optimized servers. This simplicity is especially beneficial for those who are new to VPN services
- Specialized servers for streaming and gaming: They offer dedicated servers optimized for streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer, as well as gaming servers designed to reduce ping and improve performance. These specialized servers enhance the overall user experience by catering to specific needs
- Responsive customer support: CyberGhost provides 24/7 multilingual customer support through live chat and email, ensuring that users can receive help whenever needed
- Long money-back guarantee: The service offers a generous 45-day money-back guarantee on their longer-term plans, allowing users to try out the VPN risk-free. This guarantee is longer than the industry standard, providing added peace of mind to potential customers
- Compatibility across multiple devices: They support up to seven simultaneous connections and are compatible with a wide range of devices, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, and gaming consoles. This multi-device support makes it a convenient option for households with multiple users
Why You Might Not Choose CyberGhost
- Connection instability: Some users have reported occasional internet connection drops and issues with reconnecting to the VPN, which can be particularly frustrating during critical activities like streaming or gaming. This instability detracts from the overall reliability of the service
- Buggy app experience: Despite their user-friendly design, their apps have been criticized for being buggy at times. Users have encountered issues ranging from minor annoyances, such as slow loading times, to more severe problems that affect usability
- Questionable data sharing practices: Although CyberGhost has a no-logs policy, there have been concerns about the parent company’s (Kape Technologies) past involvement in data collection and distribution. This history has led some privacy-conscious users to question the VPN’s commitment to safeguarding user data
- Limited feature set: While they offer a solid range of basic VPN features, they lack some of the advanced options found in other VPNs, such as multi-hop connections or more granular control over privacy settings. This might make it less appealing if you have more specific security needs
- Strict device limitations: They limit users to seven simultaneous device connections, which may not be sufficient for larger households or users with multiple devices. This means that you must uninstall the VPN from one device before adding it to another, which can be inconvenient
The CyberGhost User Experience
They receive generally positive feedback across many online customer review platforms. Their score on Trustpilot is a respectable 4.2 out of 5, as calculated from thousands of reviews, and they receive a higher 4.5 out of 5 score on Capterra. Their mobile apps get similar feedback, with 4.2 out of 5 scores on both Google Play and the App Store. They receive very few complaints on the BBB of the US, although that may have more to do with the global nature of their services.
Positive feedback
CyberGhost VPN received praise for their ease of use and accessibility, with many users highlighting the intuitive interface, making them suitable for both beginners and experienced users alike. Customers appreciated the wide variety of server options, which allowed them to connect to different regions easily, thereby accessing content that was otherwise restricted in their locations. The service’s ability to provide stable connections and fast speeds, particularly for streaming and downloading, was frequently mentioned as a key benefit. Additionally, users found the pricing competitive, especially with the discounts offered on longer-term plans, and many noted that the multi-device support was convenient for those with multiple gadgets. The customer support team was also commended for being responsive and helpful, particularly in assisting users with setup and troubleshooting.
Critical feedback
However, some users encountered issues with the VPN’s connection stability, reporting occasional disconnections and difficulties reconnecting, which they found frustrating. There were also complaints about the VPN not working effectively in certain regions, such as Russia and Indonesia, where users faced slow speeds or were unable to connect altogether. A few users noted that the software did not perform as well on certain devices, such as Apple TV, where the setup process was complicated and often unsuccessful. Additionally, there were concerns about the cancellation process being lengthy and cumbersome, which detracted from the overall user experience. Some users also expressed dissatisfaction with the service’s handling of VAT charges and automatic renewals, feeling that these were not transparently communicated at the time of purchase. The company does not openly respond to any online reviews or complaints, so it's difficult to gauge the efficacy of their conflict resolution practices.
Customer Support at CyberGhost
Their customer service may be accessed in a variety of ways. You may access their live chat support by navigating to the lower right corner of their support page, where you will also find written support in the form of FAQs, guides, and troubleshooting tips. If you have inquiries about matters like invoices, product keys, or orders, you would contact their shop operator, Cleverbridge. You could also contact them at [email protected] or by filling out a service request form.
Final Words
CyberGhost VPN stands out as a comprehensive and user-friendly service, particularly well-suited for users prioritizing privacy, security, and accessibility to global content. With over 11,000 servers across more than 100 countries, CyberGhost offers one of the largest server networks in the VPN industry, ensuring fast and stable connections for streaming, gaming, and browsing history privacy. The service’s commitment to privacy is evident in its strict no-logs policy, RAM-only servers, and robust encryption protocols, providing a trustworthy solution for both casual users and privacy-conscious individuals. Additionally, the intuitive interface and responsive customer support make CyberGhost an appealing choice for users of all experience levels. They allow the flexibility of custom actions by way of split-tunneling, and are available on many platforms, desktop or mobile.
However, CyberGhost is not without its drawbacks. While the service offers a solid range of features, some users have reported occasional connection instability and a buggy app experience, which can detract from its reliability. The service also limits users to seven simultaneous device connections, which may be insufficient for larger households. Additionally, concerns about the parent company’s past involvement in data collection practices have led some users to question the VPN’s long-term commitment to privacy. Some reviewers online even state that the CyberGhost support site isn't as robust as those of competitors. Despite these issues, CyberGhost’s extensive server network, specialized streaming and gaming servers, and competitive pricing make it a compelling option for many users.
Choosing the right VPN can be challenging, especially if internet security is a top priority but you're in a hurry to make a decision. The good news is there are many great options out there. To assist you in making an informed choice, we provide a variety of resources, including detailed reviews of the best VPN providers, as well as a comparison tool for evaluating the features and capabilities of your top picks side-by-side. We also have a blog covering helpful topics on the subjects of online privacy, security, and the myriad of choices available to you online. Feel free to explore our content to find the tool that fulfills your needs and ensures that you're making the right decision for your digital life!