9.8
/ 10
| 🚀Speed | 9.0 / 10 |
| 📍Servers | 10 / 10 |
| 👍User Experience | 9.0 / 10 |
| 📞Support | 10 / 10 |
| 🏷️Pricing | 10 / 10 |
CyberGhost is a popular VPN, so I was curious to learn why it’s often ranked behind competitors like ExpressVPN — especially since it has premium features at low prices. In fact, CyberGhost is even cheaper with the current discount.
To determine whether CyberGhost is truly worth your money, I conducted in-depth tests on its security, speed, and privacy claims. I also looked into whether the company can be trusted. I even enlisted the help of my research team based in countries with strict internet censorship (like China), so I could find out how powerful CyberGhost really is.
In short, I’m impressed by CyberGhost’s excellent security, streaming, and torrenting features — and after extensive review, I’m satisfied with its privacy practices and company history.
Of course, there are some areas to improve. CyberGhost doesn’t work in China, and I was disappointed by the lack of consistency between its desktop and mobile apps. However, I’m confident that you won’t find many better VPNs at such a low price.
You can see my full testing results below or try CyberGhost for yourself risk-free with its 45-day money-back guarantee. It’s easy to get your money back if you change your mind — I tested the refund policy myself and my request was granted in only 1 minute over 24/7 live chat. The money was returned to my account in a week.
April 2023 Update! You can subscribe to CyberGhost for as low as $2.19 per month + get extra 2 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to 83%)! This is a limited offer so grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.
CyberGhost has optimized servers specially configured to unblock more than 35 streaming services. This includes:
| Netflix | Amazon Prime Video | Hulu | Disney+ | Kodi | HBO Max |
| BBC iPlayer | ESPN | fuboTV | YouTube TV | Paramount+ | EuroSport |
| Peacock | Foxtel | Canal+ | Globo | Crunchyroll | Yle |
| SlingTV | Spotify | FoxSpot/FoX | NBC | CBC | Comedy Central |
| ORF | ruutu.fi | 6play | France TV | RTL | Europe1 |
| 7TV | Zattoo DE | ZDF | ARD | RaiPlay | Stan |
| CBS | MTV | Crave | Servus TV | ITV | …and more! |
Only ExpressVPN can unblock a wider range of streaming platforms (like DAZN). However, CyberGhost makes it much easier to find the best server for streaming within the app.
All you have to do is select a streaming service from the “For streaming” list and double-click to connect. Unlike many other VPNs, you don’t have to use trial and error to find a working server. This simplicity makes CyberGhost easy to navigate, even if you’re an absolute beginner when it comes to VPNs.
CyberGhost’s optimized servers work with Netflix US, UK, Germany, France, and Japan. The streaming quality was Ultra HD every time. The app even offers servers optimized for streaming Netflix on Android TV and Amazon Fire Stick!
More impressively, you can use CyberGhost’s regular servers to watch Netflix from even more countries. My team and I successfully connected to local Netflix libraries in Canada, Greece, and Belgium with CyberGhost. However, we failed to connect in other locations, including Australia, Poland, and the Netherlands.
My colleague tested CyberGhost’s optimized server for Amazon Prime Video in the US and easily connected within seconds. They watched the TV show This is Us in Ultra HD quality with less than 5 seconds of load time.
My colleague also tested the optimized Amazon Prime UK server and quickly connected. They could watch Clarkson’s Farm with just 2 seconds of buffering and excellent image quality.
There were no issues connecting to Hulu on its optimized server in the US.
Speeds were fast enough to stream the movie Palm Springs in Ultra HD quality without any buffering or lag while watching the movie.
My colleagues in the US connected to CyberGhost’s optimized Disney+ server and started streaming the show The Mandalorian in Ultra HD quality. They didn’t experience any lag or buffering throughout the entire episode.
You can only use CyberGhost to watch the US and Italy libraries (plus via Hotstar India). Personally, I think this is fine as the US library has the most shows and movies, and the Italian server will offer better speeds to those further east. If you want to stream local Disney+ content from more countries, I suggest ExpressVPN since its global servers all work with Disney+
CyberGhost offers multiple optimized servers for HBO Max, which work perfectly.
It took less than 5 seconds for my teammate to connect, after which they successfully streamed Game of Thrones with only 1–2 seconds of buffering.
I’ve read reviews that mention CyberGhost doesn’t work with BBC iPlayer. However, my colleague in the UK successfully accessed it on their first attempt while connected to CyberGhost’s UK streaming server optimized for BBC iPlayer.
Server speeds were great, taking less than 5 seconds to buffer Killing Eve in HD, and the quality didn’t show any signs of deteriorating during the episode.
While CyberGhost doesn’t have any Kodi-optimized servers, every server I tested works. When I wanted to unblock location-restricted add-ons, I simply connected to a regular server. For instance, Popcornflix is a Kodi add-on that only works in the US and Canada.
I tested Popcornflix on 10 servers in the US, and I enjoyed the best speeds on the Washington and New York servers. Even from the UK, there was zero buffering. The Android app was easy to set up on my Android TV, and, thanks to its lightweight design, I didn’t detect any noticeable slowdown.
While I couldn’t test CyberGhost with all streaming platforms, there were a few notable platforms where I couldn’t get it working at all. These include DAZN, ITV, Channel 4, Sky Go, and TF1 — if you need access to these, you can use ExpressVPN as an alternative.
I’ve seen conflicting reports online about CyberGhost’s ability to work with DAZN and Sky TV specifically, especially as CyberGhost has optimized servers for both services. Unfortunately, my team and I couldn’t get either to work, so I reached out to CyberGhost’s customer support. Their suggestion was to clear my browser cache and try the servers again — this may work for you, but it didn’t for me.
I ran speed tests from my location in Barcelona, Spain, where my ISP provides me with a standard speed of 600Mbps. CyberGhost offers good speeds but primarily with nearby servers. Unfortunately, my speeds almost always slowed down as I connected to servers further and further away.
Even still, I was surprised by the slowdown when I connected to servers more than 9,000km away. My speed dropped by 45% on servers in Japan! Although the dramatic speed difference isn’t ideal, it’s also quite normal considering the long distance. It’s important to note that CyberGhost has one of the largest VPN server networks on the market while still maintaining consistently good speeds. This means there’s a high chance that you’ll always have multiple server options near your location — no matter where you are.
I was slightly disappointed that initial server connection times are generally slow. Even when connecting to the closest server with the fast WireGuard protocol, I had to wait over 11 seconds for it to connect. For comparison, ExpressVPN took just 6 seconds on average.
These tests were conducted on a Mac running macOS Monterey. To test the speed impact with multiple simultaneous devices, I added additional devices such as phones, tablets, or smart TV devices such as the Fire Stick. I then connected to the Ookla speed test and ran multiple tests for each location to determine an average. During these tests, I connected to servers in the US, UK, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Canada, Japan, and Australia.
To determine the various aspects of a server’s performance, I recorded a few key metrics.
As expected, CyberGhost speeds were super-fast, allowing me to stream in 4k and torrent effortlessly.
CyberGhost offers a wide range of global servers to connect to. As you might expect, local servers generally provide significantly higher speeds and improved ping compared to more distant options. However, remote servers are far from unusable — they simply come with some trade-offs like higher ping and longer buffering while loading content.
The “Best Server” option connected me to the nearby Barcelona location, which is what I would generally choose manually. The difference in speed compared to my baseline was negligible, and I didn’t experience any noticeable slowdown.
When I connected to a server in London, there was a 35% dropoff in speeds compared to my base speed. This wasn’t too noticeable while browsing but had an impact on loading times for media content.
| Download Speed | % Difference From Base Speed | |
| Brussels — Belgium (1064 km distance) |
375.02Mbps | -36.03% |
| London — UK (1138 km distance) |
379.49Mbps | -35.27% |
| New York City — US (6165 km distance) |
302.58Mbps | -48.39% |
| Tokyo — Japan (10416 km distance) |
321.77Mbps | -45.11% |
The New York City server is worth mentioning since I was surprised by just how much speeds dropped when connected to it. With a 48% drop from my base speeds, the impact was consistent and measurable, but it didn’t impact my ability to stream or download files at decent speeds. There was a further drop when I connected to Sydney, which is 11,000 km farther away. My speeds dropped to 237Mbps, or 59%, which is a comparatively small decrease considering the extra distance.
My speed test results were much better on CyberGhost’s optimized servers. I suggest you always connect to an optimized server when streaming and torrenting.
In almost every test, they were faster than regular servers, and I’ve confirmed that they reduce annoying buffering or lag.
A VPN is useful when gaming to hide your IP address and prevent falling victim to DDoS attacks. CyberGhost has gaming servers optimized for the lowest possible latency in online games if you have a Windows device. You can choose between Frankfurt, London, New York, and Paris.
The London servers that were closest to me offered an average latency of just 31ms. This is perfectly adequate for competitive online gaming, which I put to the test by playing a few rounds of Call of Duty: Warzone and Rocket League.
Here’s a look at how CyberGhost’s servers performed when my colleague ran tests from Spain, with a baseline speed of 938Mbps:
| Download Speed (Mbps) | Ping (ms) | Speed Reduction | |
| Paris | 337 | 20 | -64% |
| Frankfurt | 391 | 30 | -58% |
| London | 309 | 32 | -67% |
| New York | 306 | 103 | -67% |
For the most part, CyberGhost kept ping below 50ms, which is ideal for fast-paced gaming. While the overall speed reduction is more significant, it didn’t make a noticeable difference for online gaming. Just note that your results may vary depending on your location — if your regular speeds are slower, you could notice some lag or interruptions when gaming.
Speed determines how fast content uploads, so if you're torrenting or streaming, you want the speed to be somewhat identical to your regular internet speed. Since a VPN encrypts your data, it usually takes a bit longer to send your data back and forth, which can slow down your connection. However, if your ISP deliberately slows down your connection (also known as throttling) a VPN might increase your internet speed. Testing a VPN is somewhat pointless because new servers pop up and affect speed. Your speed can also differ according to your location, so your speed test might not match ours. Having said that, we tested the speed in numerous locations to provide you with the average.
CyberGhost has an enormous server network, making CyberGhost an ideal VPN if you need to connect to a specific geographic location. When there are more servers available, you have a higher chance of connecting to a fast server in your chosen country.
It also offers a larger number of servers in more popular countries. For instance, there are 1,300+ servers in the US alone, helping ease load issues when people connect to the hugely popular Netflix US and other US streaming libraries.
In terms of server locations, only ExpressVPN surpasses CyberGhost as it offers servers in 94+ countries. However, CyberGhost’s breadth of locations is still incredibly impressive. While the majority of servers are based in the US, UK, and Europe, I was pleased to see a sizable number in Africa and South America.
CyberGhost has virtual servers in countries with poor internet privacy laws or infrastructure. This includes Algeria, China, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Saudi Arabia. Virtual servers in these locations provide you with faster speeds and fewer security risks than a physical server.
With 9138+ servers available, CyberGhost organizes its enormous server network into specialty categories to make it easier to select the best server for your needs.
These include:
CyberGhost updates its optimized servers regularly to ensure blocklisted IPs are taken out of the rotation, which is reflected in the VPN’s strong unblocking capabilities.
CyberGhost is one of the best VPNs for torrenting on Windows and Mac. You can connect to a range of torrenting servers, which have been optimized for secure peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing. Unfortunately, the servers aren’t available on its mobile apps, so you’ll need to conduct all P2P activity on desktop devices.
You can choose a server from a list of 90 countries, with each location displaying the physical distance of the server. To find a server with the best torrenting speeds, choose the closest option. It’s quick and easy, and you don’t have to waste time testing different servers. If you find any servers that work particularly well for you, you can add them to the Favorites list in the app.
When I tested the fastest server for me, it only took 4 minutes to finish downloading a 5GB public domain file on qBittorent! While waiting, I ran a leak test to check that my actual IP address was safely hidden — no leaks were detected.
I even tested the kill switch by turning the VPN off, and the app automatically blocked my internet traffic until I reconnected to the server. This set of security features, as well as CyberGhost’s military-grade encryption and no-logs policy, helped further anonymize my web traffic. Better still, CyberGhost is based in Romania, which is a torrenting-friendly country with no data retention laws.
One thing to keep in mind is that some servers may not work with torrenting and P2P traffic. CyberGhost occasionally blocks P2P protocols on certain servers due to slow traffic or compliance with countries that block torrent traffic. If this happens, simply choose the next best server and try again.
I’ve also seen some user complaints on forums about being served with DMCA notices while using CyberGhost. While I don’t put too much stock in isolated incidents, it’s important to remember that CyberGhost explicitly doesn’t condone the use of torrents for copyrighted material (and neither do I). If you do decide to torrent copyrighted materials, you do so at your own risk.
I don’t recommend CyberGhost for China. During on-the-ground tests, the app wouldn’t even launch, so it was impossible to log in.
When I spoke to the customer support team for troubleshooting assistance, it was confirmed that CyberGhost can’t guarantee a working connection in China or any country with restrictive internet laws. This also includes Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
In addition, CyberGhost’s VPN traffic is often blocked in countries with moderate internet censorship, such as Egypt and Syria.
Unlike CyberGhost, ExpressVPN has obfuscated servers that help it avoid detections. This makes it one of the only VPNs that reliably works in China and easily unblocks sites like Facebook, Wikipedia, Gmail, Google, and more.
CyberGhost uses 256-bit AES encryption on all its servers. This level of encryption is impossible to crack, and it’s the same standard used by militaries and other government agencies to safeguard sensitive material. While a lower-level 56-bit key can be brute-forced in under 24 hours with modern hardware, a 256-bit key would take billions of years. For this reason, it’s simply uneconomical for attackers to attempt this.
CyberGhost also uses Perfect Forward Secrecy, which provides a unique encryption key for every new connection. This means that even if an attacker guesses or steals one key, they can’t intercept any other past or future sessions. This is another method to both dissuade attackers from even attempting this type of attack, but also protect all other users (and sessions) from a potentially successful one-off attack.
CyberGhost offers the industry-standard OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols, as well as the latest WireGuard protocol. I’m a big fan of the inclusion of WireGuard — even though it’s newer (and therefore less proven) than IKEv2, it has no known vulnerabilities and offers solid speeds. Its code base is also tiny, which means it’s reasonable for small groups or even individuals to audit it for security holes.
I found IKEv2 offered me the fastest speeds across both local and long-distance servers, but bear in mind that this protocol sacrifices security for speed. Unless you need the highest speeds possible, I recommend sticking to WireGuard, as it delivers a strong balance of security and speed. OpenVPN is even more secure, but I found the speed dropoff too steep to recommend it over WireGuard.
Unfortunately, some protocols are only available on certain apps. For instance, IKEv2 is only available on iOS, Mac, and Windows. You can only use OpenVPN on Android, Windows, Linux, and smart TVs (you need a third-party OpenVPN app for Mac and iOS, like Tunnelblick).
The latest WireGuard protocol is supported on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and Android Fire TV.
CyberGhost markets its NoSpy servers as an even safer and more reliable alternative to its regular servers. This is because they’re based in the company’s private data center in Romania, which only it can access. This is beneficial for a couple of reasons.
First, it means they run directly under Romanian law since they’re physically located in the country, which has no laws on data retention (though CyberGhost states it doesn’t keep any data anyway). Additionally, having control and maintenance over its own servers means CyberGhost can immediately address any server downtime since in-house technicians can immediately react. Finally, these servers have improved physical security since third parties can’t access them.
NoSpy Servers are available on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. Keep in mind that you need to subscribe to at least a 6-month or an annual plan to get access to NoSpy servers — the monthly plan doesn’t include access.
Even when a VPN connection is established, data leaks can still occur, and your real IP address can become visible. That’s why I tested CyberGhost for in-built leak protection using the independent site IPLeak.net.
I ran tests on 10 random servers in different countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, and Greece. I’m happy to say that CyberGhost passed every test with zero DNS, IPv6, or WebRTC leaks.
I also wanted to confirm that the initial installation process was also safe from potential dangers like malware. To be sure, I scanned the CyberGhost installer file — it passed with no issues.
A kill switch is a must-have feature for any premium VPN, and CyberGhost has it available on every app. The kill switch blocks all internet traffic if the VPN connection ever becomes unsteady or you’re switching between servers.
While some VPNs require you to manually turn the kill switch on, CyberGhost’s kill switch is activated automatically as soon as you connect to a server. It’s worth mentioning that you’ll only find the option to toggle the kill switch on or off in the Windows app.
Although there’s generally no need to turn it off, it’s always good to give people the option. I’d like to see CyberGhost extend this capability to its other apps.
The split tunneling feature lets you choose certain sites and apps to bypass CyberGhost’s connection. I find it particularly useful when I want to browse local sites and unblock overseas content at the same time. I had to switch to a Windows PC in order to test this feature.
To test this feature, I added Amazon.com to the “Exceptions” list on the Windows app and then connected to a Spanish server. I’m happy to report that I successfully shopped on Amazon US while streaming the film The Irishman on Netflix ES. I performed the same test on my Android device (I added the Amazon app to the “App Split Tunnel” list under the “Smart Rules” section), and I was successful once again.
You can also use App Protection to protect entire programs. Once you add a program to the list and boot it up, CyberGhost will immediately launch and connect to a server. This is useful for apps such as torrenting software, which you may start using without remembering to first connect to a VPN server. I set it up with qBittorrent and was impressed with the simplicity, I could simply set and forget.
CyberGhost works well with Tor (The Onion Router). In my tests, I connected to a UK server and then launched the Tor browser. This ensured that not even Tor could see my real IP address. I contacted a CyberGhost support agent to check that there’s no issue with using Tor on any server, which they promptly confirmed.
You’ll have to be patient as your speeds will decrease when you use a VPN with Tor. I recommend using the “Best location” quick connect button to connect to the fastest available server. Keep in mind that there are pros and cons to using Tor with or without a VPN, which you can find out more about in my in-depth guide to using Tor with a VPN.
CyberGhost offers 3 separate blockers against ads, malicious websites, and web trackers on its Windows, Android, and Mac apps.
The malware and tracking blocker worked well during my tests, but I was less satisfied with the ad blocker. CyberGhost’s ad blocker only removes ads if they contain malware, which means I could still see ads when I streamed YouTube videos and visited news sites like the Daily Mail. It also failed to block banner and video ads on Buzzfeed and Kotaku, giving me an overall bad impression of its abilities.
CyberGhost support reasoned that running websites cost money and that blocking all ads would lead to zero revenue. I can understand their logic, but the company should clarify this from the get-go when marketing its ad blocker.
This thinking is also mirrored in the technical implementation of CyberGhost’s ad blocking. In short, the blocker works at the network level and attempts to modify real-time requests. However, most of the web is now run off HTTPS connections (which are encrypted) and are extremely hard for CyberGhost to modify. As a result, it struggles to block the vast majority of ads.
I rarely see WiFi Protection offered by VPNs, but I always find it extremely useful. This feature allows CyberGhost to launch automatically on certain WiFi networks. For example, I set my iPhone XS to “Always Connect” to CyberGhost whenever I’m using unsecured public WiFi. Many WiFi hotspots are vulnerable to attacks, so it’s a big privacy risk — unless I’m already using a VPN.
Even better, WiFI Protection is available on all CyberGhost apps, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Fire Stick, and Android TV.
You can reduce the amount of bandwidth used by compressing images and app data. This feature is perfect if you’ve got a limited internet data package — although it’s only available on Android devices for now.
If you’ve got an iPhone or iPad, CyberGhost lets you lock private photos and videos behind a PIN code or biometric login. This add-on is 100% free and included in every subscription. I enjoy using this feature to store photos that I don’t want people accidentally seeing in my regular photos folder.
You can even set up a decoy password to open a vault besides your main one — if someone attempts to access your vault, CyberGhost will save a timestamped selfie of the intruder. Interestingly, there’s even a setting to use AI to identify NSFW (adult-themed) content in your main photo library, which is then automatically moved to your secure vault. This means CyberGhost can back you up if you ever slip up and save potentially embarrassing pictures where you didn’t intend to.
CyberGhost offers dedicated personal IP addresses from the UK, US, France, Germany, or Canada. This will remain the same every time you connect and helps you avoid CAPTCHAs and authenticating your details on certain apps or websites.
For instance, when you connect to some financial services, they may take issue with you connecting from an IP address associated with a VPN (and shared by many). In these cases, it’s beneficial for you to have your own dedicated IP.
These benefits also extend to streaming. When many people share a VPN’s IP address in a particular country, a streaming service is increasingly likely to notice that it’s a VPN running it. If you’re the only one using a dedicated IP address in a specific country, it’s unlikely for a streaming provider to notice this.
Even though it’s a paid feature, a dedicated IP address is well worth the extra few dollars per month for the perks it grants you.
CyberGhost has partnered with Intego to create a security suite, available as a paid extra feature. The security suite provides 24/7 malware protection, plus updates your apps and software to prevent vulnerabilities from being exploited. Intego is a well-known and trustworthy antivirus company with high-level threat detection scores in recent tests — you can rest assured that Intego will protect your device from the latest malware, viruses, ransomware, and more.
Currently, the security suite is only available to Windows users, as Windows is the most-targeted platform for malware and hackers. You can add it to your subscription for as little as $1.29/month with CyberGhost’s plan.
The company’s full name is CyberGhost SA, and it’s based in Romania. This is an ideal location for a VPN since there are zero data retention laws, and it’s outside the jurisdiction of the intelligence-sharing networks known as the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances.
Many VPNs claim to have a no-logs policy, but it’s disappointing how often I discover that it’s just a marketing slogan. I’m pleased to say that CyberGhost has a strict no-logs policy that truly protects the privacy of its users.
None of your search history or other online activities are logged when you’re connected to a server. CyberGhost doesn’t even keep connection logs, which I can’t say for competitors like HMA and Hotspot Shield. However, CyberGhost does store some basic hardware information to keep track of how many simultaneous devices a user has running.
Additionally, your name, address, email address, and payment information are required upon signup. None of your personal details are ever linked to your VPN activity, although it is used to communicate with users, improve the service, and uphold the Terms of Service.
I find this last point is the most controversial aspect of the privacy policy. It explicitly states that CyberGhost will share any information it has with legal authorities if you’re caught breaking the law (it’s in breach of the Terms of Service).
This sounds alarming on the surface, so I conducted further investigations — and I’m reassured that there’s no reason to be concerned about CyberGhost’s privacy policy. CyberGhost’s no-logs policy ensures that zero online activity can be traced back to specific users.
In 2019, this was confirmed in a data leak through Typeform (a third-party vendor used for conducting online surveys). In total, 120 email addresses and 14 usernames were exposed. However, no passwords or other private data was leaked as CyberGhost doesn’t store this information.
If you prefer to avoid sharing any personal data, you can always sign up anonymously. Just register with a throwaway name and email address, and pay with Bitcoin.
I was impressed to learn that CyberGhost was the first VPN company to launch a Transparency Report. Even though many companies have since followed suit (like Windscribe and TunnelBear), only CyberGhost has committed to publishing its Transparency Report every 3 months.
I carefully read the latest Transparency Report, which includes every request for information from law enforcement agencies. It contains mainly copyright infringement claims, malicious activity flags, and police requests. The report shows that despite frequent requests for data, CyberGhost has zero logs to provide due to the strict no-logs policy.
After reading through the report, I’m satisfied that CyberGhost goes to great lengths to protect the privacy of its users. You can find and read them by visiting CyberGhost’s Privacy Hub blog and scrolling partway down the page.
CyberGhost passed an audit on its Information Safety Management System (ISMS), following ISO27001 and ISO9001 standards by QSCert in 2012. This has continued every year since then.
In 2022, CyberGhost also underwent an independent audit conducted by Deloitte in order to verify its no-logs policy and various other security measures. Deloitte found that CyberGhost adheres to its privacy and no-logs policies.
CyberGhost supports an impressive range of devices, with native apps for Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Stick, Android TV, and even routers. Plus, you can download browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox, and install Smart DNS if you’ve got an Apple TV, Xbox, or PlayStation.
Check the table below for the full device breakdown:
| Computer | Mobile | TV | Routers | Consoles | Other |
| Windows | iOS | Android TV, Apple TV | DD-WRT | PS5 + PS4 + PS3 | Synology NAS via OpenVPN |
| Mac | Android | Amazon Fire TV | TomatoUSB | Xbox Series X/S + Xbox One + 360 | Raspberry Pi |
| Linux | LG SmartTV with webOS | TomatoUSB Merlin Build | Nintendo Switch + Wii U + Wii | VU+ Solo² | |
| Chromebook | Samsung SmartTV with Tizen OS | Roku |
CyberGhost offers one of the most user-friendly VPN apps for Windows and Mac. The app allows you to instantly connect to the best available server for streaming, torrenting, or simple browsing. It took me under 5 minutes to sign up for a plan, download and install the software, sign in to my account, and connect to a server.
As soon as you launch the app, you’ll see the Best location button. Simply click on the power button and the app will automatically connect you to the fastest available server.
If you want to choose a specific server, the servers are organized in lists depending on what you need. On the Windows app, these lists include: All Servers, NoSpy servers, For torrenting, For gaming, and For streaming.
The Mac app offers the same servers but only in 3 lists: All Servers (you need to manually search for the NoSpy servers here), For downloading (the equivalent of For torrenting on Windows), and For streaming. There are no gaming servers.
On both Windows and Mac apps, you can connect to a server by typing in the country’s name in the search bar. Alternatively, you can go to the All Servers section for a full list of available countries. You’ll see the number of users on each server, as well as the distance from your location and load percentage. To manually connect to the faster server, make sure you select a nearby server with a low number of users and load percentage.
The setup is similar on the optimized servers for torrenting and streaming. To save time on future connections, you can simply add a specific server to your “Favorites” list.
Similarly, you can set up Smart Rules to trigger under certain conditions — when a specific program launches, when you open a certain website, when you connect to a WiFi network, and just generally when CyberGhost launches. To adjust the security settings and privacy features, click on the cog icon on the bottom-left side or visit the dedicated sections on the left-hand tab.
I highly recommend both Windows and Mac apps if you’re a fan of streaming or torrenting. However, I’m more impressed by the Windows app as the layout is easier to navigate. Note that OpenVPN isn’t available in the Mac app, making this yet another win for Windows.
You can install CyberGhost on Windows devices running at least Windows 7 (minimum SP2), 8.1, and 10. On Mac, CyberGhost works with macOS Sierra (10.12) or higher.
Although CyberGhost’s mobile apps offer most of the same features as their desktop versions, there are some key differences that set them apart. Perhaps the most important distinction is the lack of Split Tunneling on iOS, which I make frequent use of on Android to allow incompatible apps to work without a VPN connection. iOS’ unique feature is its Photo Vault, which you can use to hide away sensitive photos behind a PIN or biometric password. However, this uses its own dedicated app.
iOS also loses out on the ad blocker that Android has, although this doesn’t concern me too much since CyberGhost’s ad blocker is largely ineffective. Instead, you’re able to download the dedicated Private Browser app on iOS, which includes ad blocking but also other features like one-click history deletion and private bookmarks. Ad blocking is once again poor, but the browser uses an otherwise unique combination of features I haven’t seen elsewhere.
One minor downside is that the mobile apps are missing some of the optimized server options available on the desktop app. Specifically, torrenting and gaming-optimized servers aren’t available. You also won’t see certain connection data, such as ping or server distance. While it’s always disappointing when mobile apps are missing features, I don’t think either of these omissions is a big deal. If you’re anything like me, you do the majority of your gaming on a PC or console, so not having access to gaming servers on mobile is something I can do without.
Note that Android and iOS use WireGuard as their default encryption protocol, although Android also allows you to switch to OpenVPN if you prefer.
Overall, Android’s inclusion of Split Tunneling, ad blocking, and an additional encryption protocol give it the edge, but it’s not a major difference.
It’s completely free to download CyberGhost’s browser extensions (you don’t even need to create an account!). More importantly, both browser extensions are secure. I found zero leaks during my tests, and my real IP address was successfully hidden each time. I could even stream on my local Netflix account!
However, there are some limitations. You won’t get full VPN protection as the browser extensions are actually a proxy. This means your internet traffic isn’t protected by advanced VPN encryption and security protocols. As a result, I wouldn’t advise torrenting or conducting any sensitive online activities while using the extension.
In addition, you can only choose from 8 servers in 4 countries (the US, Germany, the Netherlands, and Romania). If you need to connect to a different country, this might be an issue. There’s also no kill switch included as you’d get with the full app, which makes it a riskier choice for sensitive activities.
If you prefer a full VPN app over a browser extension, you can also take a look at the best free VPNs and see whether they’re a good choice for you.
CyberGhost has custom apps for many alternative platforms including Linux (Ubuntu, Fedora, Linux Mint, CentOS, PopOS, and Kali), Android TV (Lollipop 5.0 or higher), and Amazon Fire devices (at least Fire OS 4.6). It’s also compatible with routers supporting OpenVPN.
Generally, CyberGhost supports routers based on Raspberry Pi, VU+ Solo 2, Synology NAS, DD-WRT, and TomatoUSB Merlin Build routers.
You can check the step-by-step installation guides on the website, which offer instructions for specific routers. Another option is to buy a FlashRouter with the CyberGhost app already pre-installed. I recommend this choice if you’re new to VPNs as you won’t have to worry about making any mistakes during setup.
If you use Linux you’re likely already familiar with the lack of a user interface for program installation and selecting options. Instead, you’ll have to enter specific commands into your Terminal app. Fortunately, CyberGhost’s website has an extensive guide to show you how to connect, change settings, and switch between servers. Note that the IKEv2 protocol isn’t available on Linux, although WireGuard and OpenVPN both are.
You can install CyberGhost Smart DNS on most devices without native VPN support, like some smart TVs, Apple TV, and game consoles. This is similar to a proxy server — Smart DNS hides your real IP address by rerouting your internet connection through a DNS server.
I tested this by setting up CyberGhost’s Smart DNS with a Samsung TV. All I had to do was set up a manual network connection and insert a manual Primary and Secondary DNS. Afterward, I was able to access Netflix with no extra steps. It took just 3 minutes and remained persistently connected this way until I removed the custom DNS entries.
Unfortunately, CyberGhost only offers Smart DNS locations in the US, UK, Japan, Germany, and the Netherlands. If you want to connect to more countries, I recommend installing the VPN onto your router instead. This workaround allows you to access every CyberGhost feature on all internet-connected devices in your household.
You can connect up to 7 devices on a single CyberGhost subscription, which is above the industry average. In contrast, a top-notch service like ExpressVPN only offers 7 connections.
CyberGhost started out with a 1 device limit before bumping it up to 5 and then to 7 in 2018 — a fortunate upgrade. I was especially curious to test this feature as most VPNs slow down with every connected device.
I ran tests while connecting 2 Windows computers, a MacBook Pro, iPhone XS, a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, and 2 iPads to my CyberGhost account. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that my speed only dropped by 20%, which is a negligible slowdown. I didn’t experience any connection issues either. This makes CyberGhost an ideal VPN if you want to protect multiple devices at home and work.
If you set CyberGhost up at the router level and then connect your devices to the router, you effectively get access to unlimited device connections. The only downside here is that you’ll be stuck with the server location you initially set up on the router until you decide to manually change it.
However, if you tend to connect to a single WiFi network with all your devices, this is a brilliant way to eliminate individual setup time and conserve your available device connections.
After testing CyberGhost’s live chat feature and email support, I was impressed with the high quality of customer service. I got fast and helpful responses every time — whether I needed help configuring WireGuard with my iPhone or if I was struggling to connect in China.
I found that live chat is the fastest way to get in touch with customer support. I never had to wait for more than a minute to connect to a representative, even when I sent chat requests at different times throughout the day. In total, I spoke to 4 reps and received friendly and detailed replies each time.
You can speak to CyberGhost over 24/7 live chat in English, while French, Romanian, and German are available from 7am to 5pm (EST).
I was also very happy to see that you can access CyberGhost live chat without having a subscription. Many major VPNs expect you to be subscribed to get in touch via live chat, which is disappointing when you just quickly want to find something out before signing up.
If you’re concerned about your privacy, there are two things you can do. Firstly, simply use a throwaway email when you connect to CyberGhost live chat — with the addition of a tracking blocker you’ll be sure to stay off most radars. If it’s just the website trackers you’re worried about, you can use CyberGhost’s in-built support ticket system inside the app for direct contact.
I sent multiple emails to the customer support team and I always received a detailed response within 24 hours. I even sent messages from a throwaway email address, so I could test CyberGhost’s service if I wasn’t an existing customer. I’m happy to say that I didn’t see any differences in response speed or support.
While I don’t advise sending emails for urgent technical issues (try 24/7 live chat instead), it’s a reliable option if you don’t have time-sensitive questions.
CyberGhost offers extensive “Support” guides on its website in 12 languages, including English, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, and Korean. There are answers to common technical issues, as well as installation instructions for specific devices and models.
I was particularly impressed to see that every page is regularly kept up-to-date, with a dedicated “Announcements” section so customers are aware of the latest features. This is the level of transparency and dialogue that I like to see in a quality VPN.
We personally test the customer support team of every VPN we review. This means asking technical question through the live chat feature (where applicable) and measuring the response time for email questions. Whether you need to connect to a specific server, change your security protocol, or configure a VPN on your router, finding a VPN with quality customer support should be important to you.
You can choose between a monthly, annual, 2-year, or 3-year plan. I recommend a long-term plan since you’ll get the best value for money. The 3-year plan is actually one of the cheapest plans you can find on the market — especially if you’re lucky enough to score a seasonal deal or discount with a valid coupon!
However, the best part is the 45-day money-back guarantee. You won’t find a longer money-back guarantee for any other premium VPN service. Even ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access only let you test out their services for 30 days risk-free. This makes CyberGhost ideal if you only need a VPN for a short time — you could use it entirely risk-free for over a month!
The 1-month plan isn’t really worth considering. It’s several times more expensive than the longer plans (on a monthly basis) and doesn’t include NoSpy server access. You’ll also only get a 14-day money-back guarantee with the monthly plan instead of the 45-day guarantee with all the longer plans.
If you just want to take a quick look at the Windows or Mac apps, you can download CyberGhost with a 1-day free trial. It’s not long enough to get an in-depth look at everything the app has to offer, but enough to get a general feel for it. If you prefer mobile, the Android and iOS versions offer a full 1-week trial.
You can pay with a credit or debit card (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express), PayPal, or Bitcoin. You may also see various local payment options depending on the country you’re buying from. In the past, you were able to buy a physical box in a store and pay with cash for increased anonymity, but, unfortunately, this option is no longer available.
CyberGhost offers a 45-day money-back guarantee, which is the longest return policy of any premium VPN. In comparison, competitor VPNs offer money-back guarantees between 10 and 30 days. Better yet, CyberGhost’s refund policy is “no questions asked”, so you don’t have to provide a reason if you don’t like the service or simply change your mind.
I even tested the money-back guarantee myself by signing up for a 6-month plan. After using the service for 35 days, I requested a refund over 24/7 live chat.
It was incredibly easy — I wasn’t asked to troubleshoot any issues or reconsider, which I’ve experienced when trying to cancel other VPN services. It took less than 1 minute for my refund to be approved, and I got my money back in a week.
I can see why CyberGhost is so popular as it stands out from the competition in many ways. I’m impressed by its powerful desktop apps for streaming and torrenting, especially at such affordable prices. Its support system is also fast and helpful and can be contacted around the clock (at least in English).
Overall, I’m satisfied with the company’s commitment to privacy and security. The hyper-secure NoSpy servers are just an additional way in which they separate themselves from other VPNs.
It’s worth noting that CyberGhost doesn’t work in China despite being one of the best VPNs on the market. In addition, I found the apps lack consistency when it comes to key features. I was disappointed by the iOS app — it doesn’t support the OpenVPN protocol, split tunneling, torrenting, anti-malware protection, or ad blocking. While I’m impressed that it’s one of the few VPNs to offer dedicated gaming servers, the limited availability makes this feature somewhat restrictive.
If you’re not affected by any of these downsides, then you’ll be more than happy with CyberGhost’s quality performance and low prices. You don’t have to take my word for it, though — you can try out CyberGhost for yourself with the 45-day money-back guarantee. It’s a “no questions asked” refund policy, so it’s completely risk-free to sign up and use.
Yes, it’s safe. I’ve run a wide range of security tests and didn’t experience any leaks, which makes me confident that CyberGhost is a highly-secure VPN. You’ll be protected by an impressive suite of security features, including military-grade encryption, in-built leak protection, an automatic kill switch, and an ad/malware blocker.
Plus, CyberGhost’s strict zero-logs policy ensures your browsing history remains private at all times — none of your data is ever tracked or shared with anyone.
Yes, you can access a 24-hour free trial on both Windows and Mac without even needing a credit card, while Android and iOS offer a whole 7 days. If you need more time, you can try CyberGhost risk-free for up to 45 days with its money-back guarantee. You’ll get unlimited access to all its premium features during that time — just remember to request a full refund before the end of the period if you change your mind.
Keep in mind that if you choose a 1-month plan, you’ll only get a 14-day money-back guarantee, compared to the 45 days with all longer plans.
Another option is to download the 100% free browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox, which allows you to connect to servers in the US, Germany, Netherlands, and Romania.
Yes, CyberGhost is a premium VPN that’s well worth the money. It has a massive network of high-speed servers, gives you access to a multitude of global content platforms, and offers a generous 7 simultaneous device connections. Combined with numerous quality-of-life features like a kill switch, split tunneling, smart rules, and several optimized servers (for streaming, gaming, torrenting), it’s a well-rounded package that’s hard to beat.
You can check out all our VPN reviews to see how other services compare to CyberGhost — depending on what you use a VPN for, you might find something that better suits your needs.
Yes, CyberGhost works with Netflix. In fact, it has many servers optimized for it, including for the US, UK, Japan, Germany, and Italy. My team and I put every optimized server to the test, as well as some of CyberGhost’s regular servers. We were impressed by how reliably the servers provided access to various regions.
Of course, CyberGhost isn’t just useful for accessing Netflix but can also be used to stream content from Amazon Prime, Disney+, HBO, BBC iPlayer, and several more (including plenty of local content). There are also a few other VPNs that are great for accessing Netflix US and other locations.
CyberGhost supports most popular devices, including Windows and Mac computers and mobile devices (Android and iOS). Plus, CyberGhost has native apps and configurable software for multiple platforms, like Linux, smart TVs, games consoles, browsers, and more. You can also use CyberGhost with a compatible router to protect devices that don’t natively support a VPN.
You can connect up to 7 devices simultaneously with CyberGhost, including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Fire TV, Android TV, routers, and more. You can even set up a CyberGhost connection on your router, and all the devices connected will still only count as a single device. This is a fantastic way to make the most of all your available device slots.
WizCase is an independent review site. We are reader-supported so we may receive a commission when you buy through links on our site. You do not pay extra for anything you buy on our site — our commission comes directly from the product owner.
Support WizCase to help us guarantee honest and unbiased advice. Share our site to support us!
