CyberGhost is a dependable VPN service with a vast server network, a clear privacy policy, and a sleek interface on mobile and desktop. In addition, the company just underwent a full audit of its privacy policy in 2024 by Deloitte and passed with flying colors. That said, CyberGhost doesn't mention that some of its most secure features are only available to longer-term subscribers, and its pricing is only competitive if you sign up for a long-term subscription. So while we're impressed by CyberGhost's features and transparency, Proton VPN is still our Editors' Choice winner thanks to its excellent free subscription tier and generous add-ons.
A one-month subscription to CyberGhost VPN is $12.99 per month. It’s a steep price, especially considering the average is around $10 per month across the VPNs we’ve reviewed and the cheapest options take that figure even lower. However, CyberGhost leans heavily on its long-term plan discounts, which are some of the most competitive in the industry. That $12.99 figure drops off to $6.99 per month for a six-month subscription. The price more than halves again with a two-year subscription, bringing it down to $2.19 per month. Just keep in mind that the two-year subscription switches to an annual subscription at the same price after the first two years.
Still, we recommend starting with the one-month subscription to ensure that a VPN is right for you. With CyberGhost, you can cancel and get your money back within 14 days if it isn’t. That money-back guarantee is even more generous on the longer-term plans, for which you get a 45-day money-back guarantee.
CyberGhost does offer a 24-hour free trial for Windows and macOS users. This unrestricted trial gives you access to the full feature set of the VPN. A similar trial is available for Android and iOS devices, with a length of three days for the former and seven days for the latter. However, there is no dedicated free option or plan.
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One annoying aspect of the pricing page is that there’s nothing there regarding CyberGhost’s high-security NoSpy servers. There is no mention of the fact that you do not get access to these specialized servers unless you pay for the six-month or two-year subscription plans. I confirmed this with support, and it is worth noting that you cannot pay extra to add NoSpy servers to monthly plans.
The payment options are fairly standard. You can use most major credit cards, PayPal, Amazon Pay, or bitcoin. Though paying with bitcoin means you’ll be locked out of the add-on antivirus and dedicated IP address, which is too bad since bitcoin is the only private payment option offered. There are other VPNs out there that offer cash payments, such as Mullvad, if you don’t want your personal details tied to a payment provider.
CyberGhost’s feature set is straightforward compared with VPNs that offer varying features for each price tier. While a tiered system allows you to configure your plan in detail, it can be confusing when all you want is the VPN service.
With any CyberGhost plan, you get seven simultaneous device connections. Though more providers are beginning to offer unlimited connections, this still beats the industry average of five connections. If seven won’t quite cover all of your devices, consider either a VPN with no restrictions like Surfshark or setting up a VPN on your router.
Aside from the VPN client, you get two add-on offers. The first is an antivirus suite that uses Intego’s antivirus engine. We haven’t run Cyberghost’s iteration through our testing procedures yet, but Intego on its own performed slightly above average when we put it through its paces on macOS and a bit below average on Windows. The Intego-based antivirus costs another $4.50 per month on the monthly plan, $3.25 per month on the six-month plan, or $1 per month on the two-year plan. The second add-on is a dedicated IP address that costs $5, $4, or $2.50 per month, respectively.
The one feature that you will be locked out of if you choose the one-month plan is access to NoSpy servers. CyberGhost claims that these servers offer better performance and higher security than the regular servers. The NoSpy servers are located in a high-security facility operated by CyberGhost in the company’s headquarters in Romania.
Unfortunately, it is common in the industry to place certain features behind a paywall. I had to reach out to support to confirm that the NoSpy servers weren’t available to one-month subscribers, as that detail isn’t mentioned on the payment page. In fact, NoSpy servers aren’t mentioned on the home page either. I’ll go into more detail on my experience with NoSpy servers shortly.
There are no multi-hop (also called double VPN) servers, a bundled password manager, or a data removal service. Note that CyberGhost VPN used to offer a password manager, but it stopped accepting new sign-ups and shut down the service completely on January 1, 2023. However, you do get CyberGhost’s ID Guard, which alerts you if your email has been involved in a breach. Additional tools aren’t required of a VPN, but I do expect them when the monthly price is steep.
CyberGhost does offer split tunneling. This feature lets you exempt specific URLs from traveling through the VPN connection. You can pay extra for a dedicated IP address, which ensures that your traffic always appears to come from the same IP address and perhaps looks a little less like VPN traffic.
You can enable a content blocker that aims to prevent ads, trackers, and malware while browsing. I found this feature to be pretty hit-and-miss. It blocked ads on many text-based sites and social media networks, but it failed to do anything about YouTube ads. I recommend standalone ad blockers, as they tend to be better than the bundled options.
CyberGhost has a browser extension that functions similar to a lightweight proxy that changes your browser’s IP address. Keep in mind that the extension won’t mask any traffic outside of your browser.
CyberGhost VPN doesn’t have any proprietary protocols like ExpressVPN’s Lightway. The default protocol is WireGuard. It’s the most secure option available, works on all platforms, and has become the industry standard. OpenVPN is another open-source option on the list, which is available on Windows, Android, linux, and Fire TV. Last up is IKEv2 (Internet Key Exchange Version 2). It’s marginally less secure, not open source, and works best when connecting to nearby servers. It’s available on Windows, macOS, and iOS.
CyberGhost has a large server network with over 11,500 servers distributed across 100 countries and 126 cities. Generally, the bigger a server network is, the better your chances of unblocking content and getting decent speeds. More servers mean a better spread of users, which prevents slowdowns due to overcrowding.
You can view every server CyberGhost has before you sign up. There’s a ton of great information on that page. You can see every city the VPN supports, as well as see which activities each server is optimized for. Scrolling past the server list will give you definitions for technical terms, and there’s even a widget for filtering the servers by your exact use case.
The majority of servers are in the US and UK, but there’s also a generous number of options in Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Middle East. CyberGhost offers servers in regions with repressive internet policies, such as China, Hong Kong, Russia, Turkey, and Vietnam. Its NoSpy servers claim to be built around bypassing censorship, but I recommend proceeding with immense caution. I don’t test to see if servers can unblock internet access in restrictive countries because getting it wrong can be dangerous. Networks frequently change, and so does government surveillance technology.
CyberGhost also claims these servers are faster due to being housed on better hardware. I put this claim to the test and found that it was true, mostly. It won’t be faster than connecting to a nearby server, especially if you’re far away from Romania. However, the NoSpy servers are significantly faster than connecting to a regular server in Romania.
Standard Romania Server Performance:
Download speed reduced by 98.27%
Upload speed reduced by 74.55%
Latency increased by 4080.79%
NoSpy Romania Server Performance:
Download speed reduced by 56.66%
Upload speed reduced by 56.47%
Latency increased by 3967.80%.
This is a pretty solid performance bump, but the standard local servers are going to be a lot faster than both options.
Aside from NoSpy servers, CyberGhost offers a range of task-optimized servers for gaming, torrenting, and streaming. All of the gaming servers in the US are located in New York, so I couldn’t give these servers a fair shake since I did my testing in Portland, Oregon. The torrenting servers work as advertised, and so do the global servers optimized for Netflix access. CyberGhost was able to unlock open catalogs in each region, which you can view in more detail with the chart below:
Not all VPN servers are the same. Virtual servers are software-defined, meaning that a single hardware server can host many virtual ones. All kinds of servers can be configured to appear as if they are somewhere other than where they are truly located, making them virtual locations. Neither virtual servers nor virtual locations are inherently problematic, but I prefer VPN services that are transparent about where your data is headed and how it's handled. I like that CyberGhost clearly indicates whether its servers are virtual locations.
A company representative explained that some of CyberGhost VPN's server infrastructure is rented, but some servers—like its NoSpy servers—are owned directly. Regardless of ownership, CyberGhost's servers are encrypted and run in RAM only, which means no data is stored on a hard drive. Even if an attacker physically removed the server, there would be no data to examine.
VPNs should not leak DNS or IP address information. Using the DNS Leak Test tool, I found that my IP address was hidden and my DNS information was secure. Keep in mind, I only tested a handful of servers. Always test the server you connect to ensure your data is not being leaked.
CyberGhost clearly defines how it handles customer data in its privacy policy. It’s important to review and understand any VPN’s policies before you sign up. After all, you’re entrusting the service with your most sensitive information. Overall, I think CyberGhost takes adequate measures to safeguard your privacy.
The policy is easy to understand even if you’re not well-versed in tech. Every term is defined and explained in layman's terms. It’s a lengthy read, but I would rather a policy be comprehensive than bare-bones.
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The company's documentation says that CyberGhost VPN does not store user IP addresses, DNS queries, browsing history, connection/disconnection timestamps, session duration, bandwidth, or the VPN server with which you connect. That's as it should be. The company does appear to collect information regarding connection attempts and successes, but only in aggregate and anonymized form. A company representative confirmed that CyberGhost VPN does not log user activity and that the service does not know the identity of the customers connected to a given server. Echoing the site’s documentation, a representative assured me that the service only generates revenue from customer subscriptions and not from collecting or selling any forms of user data.
While a VPN can technically operate anywhere and maintain stalwart privacy measures, the jurisdiction where the company resides determines how easy that is. Companies headquartered in censorship-heavy countries have to fight an uphill battle when it comes to protecting their users. CyberGhost VPN has offices across Europe, but is headquartered in Bucharest, Romania, and operates under Romanian law. Romania does not require companies to record or store user data, so CyberGhost is under no obligation to keep such information. In the event of a government or law enforcement inquiry, the company claims it will have no data to hand over.
This claim is backed up by the company's quarterly transparency report, located on the site’s privacy hub. You can view the Q1 2025 report here. The article details how many DMCA complaints and police requests have been made over the quarter. The information is presented clearly with graphs, explanations, and statistics. CyberGhost saw three total police inquiries in Q1 2025 and confirmed it did not have any user data to hand over.
The company's full name is CyberGhost S.R.L., which is owned by parent company Kape Technologies PLC. Kape also owns ExpressVPN, Private Internet Access VPN, and some VPN review sites. Before becoming a parent company to various VPNs and security sites, Kape was an adware company called Crossrider.
CyberGhost’s latest independent audit was conducted by Deloitte in May 2024. The full report is available in your account portal if you are an existing customer. I'd like to see it linked for the public as well, as it could be a critical factor in determining whether or not someone trusts the service. I took the time to review it in its entirety, and Deloitte confirms CyberGhost’s complete adherence and compliance with its privacy policy and data handling practices.
Connecting to a VPN means routing your traffic through an additional server away from your home location. Doing so almost always negatively impacts your speeds. To gauge this impact, I run a series of comparative speed tests using Ookla Speedtest. Read up on how we test VPNs for more on our methodology and the limits of our testing. (Editors' Note: Ookla is owned by Ziff Davis, which also owns PCMag.)
CyberGhost’s performance has improved significantly since its last review. It performed better than average in all categories. My download speeds were reduced by 13.96%. Upload speeds were even better, with only a 4.46% decrease. Latency increased by 92.46%. The chart below compares CyberGhost with all the VPNs we've tested:
Speed tests aren’t definitive. They are good for comparison and setting some basic expectations, but your experience will almost certainly be different. The same tests performed at different times or locations will surely be different from mine. I discourage anyone from deciding on a VPN based on speed alone. The service's cost, features, and privacy protections are far more important.
I tested the CyberGhost Windows app on an Intel NUC 12 “Serpent Canyon” desktop running the latest version of Windows 11. The installation is straightforward. You can download the client from CyberGhost’s site and then log in using your account credentials.
While there is no initial tutorial when you first install the app, the interface is organized well and is easy to navigate. The muted blue and gray color scheme is ubiquitous across platforms. The initial window is slim and shaped like a mobile interface, with a connection button taking up most of the screen real estate. You can choose from a quick list of servers to connect to below that button, or you can click on more servers to enlarge the VPN client window and access more options.
There will be dedicated sections for the various server types CyberGhost offers, as well as a Privacy Settings tab that lets you turn on or off the ad blocker, DNS leak preventer, and automatic kill switch. You can also tweak a few more settings, such as your VPN protocol, by clicking the gear icon in the bottom left.
The pulldown menu in the top-left reveals a tool called Privacy Guard. This surprisingly robust tool allows you to take refined control of your Windows experience by limiting what the operating system can do. You can also use it to tinker with Edge, Firefox, Chrome, Microsoft Defender, and Microsoft Updates. You can go with a lightly configured basic setting, an advanced option that limits Windows operations further, and a fully custom setup if you want complete control.
I was impressed by Privacy Guard, especially considering CyberGhost makes no mention of it on the pricing or home page. While many of these tools and toggles are available to any Windows user through various settings menus, finding and disabling them can be a chore. CyberGhost puts everything in one handy place and allows you to tailor your Windows experience as you see fit.
There’s also a section called Smart Rules that lets you set specific VPN behaviors. This includes connecting immediately at startup and determining what the app should do when a new Wi-Fi network is detected.
The Smart Rules Exceptions tab is where you can designate URLs that CyberGhost VPN should route outside the VPN connection. That's useful for banks and streaming services, which might block VPN traffic. The App Rules tab lets you pick apps that trigger the VPN to automatically start and connect whenever they are launched
I tested CyberGhost on a 2020 M1 MacBook Pro running Sequoia 15.5. You can download the App Store version or the macOS version directly from CyberGhost’s site.
The client layout and color scheme are consistent across versions. The initial window can be expanded, making it easy to see all the servers available. Like the Windows version, you can choose which individual server you want to use, or you can use servers that are best for certain activities, like streaming on Netflix or downloading files. You can configure smart rules, choose a dedicated IP address, and toggle your preferred connection settings. The only minor difference is that the settings menu pops out of the app as a separate window rather than being integrated into the client, as it is on Windows.
The main feature missing is Privacy Guard, as that is a Windows-exclusive toolkit. However, you’ll still get all of the same base VPN features as you would on other platforms. I ran the service through the same testing procedures as the Windows version and found that there was no difference in performance, coverage, or Netflix access.
I tested CyberGhost on an iPhone 14 running iOS 16.3. It was a breeze to install the app directly from the App Store. Simply login with your credentials, and you’ll be ready to connect to the network.
CyberGhost’s simple interface translates well to iOS. There’s a giant connection button with a label reading Best Connection underneath. You can click there to get going quickly, or you can tap over to the entire server list to scroll through options. That high level of control over server choices is hard to find in an iOS VPN app.
The iOS version is stripped down compared with macOS and Windows. However, this is to be expected. Most mobile VPN clients are lightweight and built around the key features, as the majority of mobile devices limit your fine control over settings. You’ll still have access to dedicated IPs, protocols, packet size options, and a mobile-exclusive connection checker that ensures you are connected to the server network properly.
I ran tests again and found that performance was consistent, Netflix was still accessible, and that my IP address was not leaked.
I tested CyberGhost's Android app using a Samsung Galaxy S23 FE running Android 14. CyberGhost's mobile interface is consistent between Android and iOS, offering the same large connection button in the center of the screen.
The only available protocols are OpenVPN and WireGuard. Unfortunately, IKEv2 is not supported on Android. Similar to iOS and macOS, you don't get access to an equivalent of PrivacyGuard. I was pleased to see that split tunneling and NoSpy servers are both accessible.
Performance was great on Android. I didn't have any issues accessing a range of servers using every protocol available.
You’re bound to run into an issue with any VPN or service at some point. I take a look at what support options are available and evaluate the response I get from the support team. I also test to see if the VPN stands behind its money-back guarantee.
CyberGhost has a robust set of guides and walkthroughs for the most common issues. If your answer isn’t there, then you can click the “Live Chat” button in the bottom-right corner of the page to initiate a chat. It doesn’t route you directly to an agent. An AI assistant will attempt to guide you through your issue, but you can request to be transferred to an agent at any time. You’ll just need to answer a couple of questions before you get sent over so that the agent has a summary of your issue beforehand.
I ran into some choppy performance when using one of CyberGhost’s dedicated streaming servers. Now, a good step if you run into that same issue is to check and see if your VPN has a toggle for your MTU (maximum transmission unit) size. This setting determines your data packet size. The whole of it is a lot more technical, but it basically determines how big the bundles of data your VPN transmits are. The bigger these packets are then the more prone they are to fragmenting, which can lead to poor streaming quality.
CyberGhost does have a setting for MTU size, and I was impressed to see that the support agent immediately honed in on that setting and accurately explained how it worked. To get a refund for your service, you do have to talk to an agent. Canceling your subscription on your account page does not automatically initiate a refund, which is annoying. The agent I spoke with did push to try to resolve any issues I may have had, but I insisted I wanted to cancel and receive a refund. My request was processed immediately without any additional hurdles. Do note that it may take up to 10 business days for the funds to show up in your account.
Final Thoughts
(Credit: CyberGhost)
CyberGhost VPN
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
CyberGhost’s massive server list is complemented by task-specific servers, making it an excellent choice for streaming global content. The app has a sleek interface with loads of options for knowledgeable users. I would have liked to see additional features, such as multi-hop connections, and the lack of information regarding NoSpy servers being unavailable to monthly subscribers is disappointing. Even so, I'm pleased with CyberGhost's commitment to quarterly transparency reports and regular audits by third-party firms. While CyberGhost is an excellent choice for a long-term subscription, our Editors' Choice winner, Proton VPN, still comes out on top with excellent add-ons and the best free subscription plan on the market.
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