Cyberghost Review
CyberGhost offers a competitive starting price of $2.19 per month, which may attract potential users.
The service provides AES 256-bit encryption and adheres to a no-logs policy, both of which are standard features for ensuring user privacy and security.
However, some users have reported concerns regarding connection stability and the quality of customer service.
These issues warrant consideration when evaluating the overall reliability of the VPN.
It is important to compare CyberGhost with other VPNs to fully understand its performance and suitability for your needs.
Key Takeaways
- CyberGhost offers a 24-month plan at $2.19/month with a 45-day money-back guarantee.
- The VPN supports up to seven simultaneous connections, ideal for multiple devices.
- It uses AES 256-bit encryption and a no-logs policy, audited by Deloitte.
- CyberGhost unblocks major streaming platforms, but NordVPN bypasses blocks more consistently.
- Users report mixed satisfaction due to app bugs and variable customer support response times.
Pricing and Plans
CyberGhost offers a range of pricing plans to suit different user preferences. The monthly subscription is set at $12.99, which may appeal to those seeking short-term flexibility. For users interested in more economical options, the 6-month plan is available at $6.99 per month, while the 24-month plan offers the most cost-effective choice at $2.19 per month.
The 24-month plan includes a 45-day money-back guarantee, allowing users to evaluate the service without financial risk. In contrast, the monthly plan comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Users can connect up to seven devices simultaneously with CyberGhost, which exceeds the typical industry standard and ensures broad coverage for personal devices. For those prioritizing privacy, the longer subscription plans include access to NoSpy servers at no additional cost.
Payment methods are varied, encompassing credit cards, PayPal, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, and Bitcoin for those seeking greater anonymity.
For Windows users, CyberGhost provides an optional CyberGhost Security Suite at $5.99 per month. This suite offers antivirus capabilities and a Privacy Guard tool, enhancing the VPN’s security features.
Features
CyberGhost offers a range of features aimed at enhancing both user experience and security. With around 9,200 servers in 126 locations spread across 100 countries, it provides one of the more extensive networks among VPN providers. This wide network can be beneficial for activities such as streaming, torrenting, or gaming, with dedicated servers designed to optimize these experiences.
The service employs advanced security measures, including AES 256-bit encryption, to ensure data privacy and security. It adheres to a no-logs policy, which has been independently audited by Deloitte, offering assurance that user online activities aren’t tracked or stored. Additionally, the use of RAM-only servers means that data isn’t saved, further enhancing privacy.
CyberGhost’s application is designed to be user-friendly, with features that categorize servers according to specific activities and automation options like auto-connect. Split tunneling is available, allowing users to specify which applications use the VPN. Ad-blocking is included to improve the browsing experience, and dedicated IP options provide additional privacy and access.
The service supports up to seven simultaneous connections, which is above the industry standard of five. This feature can be advantageous for users who need to secure multiple devices.
Privacy and Security
CyberGhost VPN offers a secure online presence through its strict no-logs policy, which has been verified by an independent audit from Deloitte. This policy ensures that your IP address, browsing history, and connection timestamps remain private.
Located in Romania, CyberGhost benefits from robust data privacy laws that protect user data beyond the reach of the 14-Eyes alliance.
The VPN employs strong encryption standards, including AES 256-bit, AES 128-bit, and ChaCha20, and supports protocols such as OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2. These measures help maintain a secure connection against potential threats.
Additionally, CyberGhost uses RAM-only servers, meaning user information isn’t stored when servers are powered off, enhancing security.
CyberGhost is committed to transparency, being the first VPN to release transparency reports. Since 2019, these reports have been updated quarterly, detailing legal requests and server infrastructure to promote accountability and trust.
For those concerned about legal requests and user privacy, CyberGhost provides insight into their operations. Overall, CyberGhost’s approach to privacy and security presents a reliable option for safeguarding your online identity.
Streaming and Torrenting
CyberGhost VPN offers solid performance in both streaming and torrenting. It’s capable of unblocking major streaming platforms such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Disney Plus. This capability is facilitated by its dedicated servers that are optimized for these services.
The application includes a streaming tab that helps users access these platforms efficiently by recommending server locations for optimal performance. It should be noted, however, that while CyberGhost has been effective in accessing various Netflix regions, results may vary with specific platforms like 10Play.
Regarding torrenting, CyberGhost provides specialized P2P support across 70 countries, making it a suitable choice for those engaging in torrenting activities. The application features an auto-connect option that allows users to connect to their preferred servers without difficulty.
Speed is a crucial factor for both streaming and torrenting, and CyberGhost’s use of the WireGuard protocol enables it to reach peak speeds of up to 760 Mbps. This ensures adequate performance for streaming and downloading large files.
User Experience and Apps
Navigating CyberGhost VPN’s applications is generally straightforward due to their user-friendly interface, which is designed for easy server connections on both desktop and mobile platforms. However, the user experience can differ across various operating systems.
The Windows app, while intuitive, has been criticized for bugs and connection issues, particularly with the OpenVPN protocol and the kill switch functionality. These issues can interrupt online activities, causing inconvenience when a stable connection is needed.
For macOS users, the app may be slow to launch and connect, sometimes resulting in unexpected internet disconnections. This can be problematic for those who need a consistent connection for tasks like work or streaming.
Conversely, the Android app initially required reinstallation to function optimally, which could be inconvenient. The iOS app generally performs well but lacks advanced feature settings, which mightn’t meet the needs of power users.
These varied experiences with CyberGhost’s apps lead to mixed satisfaction levels among users. Although customer support is available 24/7, it may not always effectively resolve technical issues, prompting some users to seek more reliable assistance.
Customer Support
Navigating CyberGhost VPN’s applications can be inconsistent, making dependable customer support essential. CyberGhost offers 24/7 live chat support, which is beneficial for receiving prompt assistance during urgent situations.
However, while the support staff generally possess adequate knowledge, their ability to effectively resolve issues can vary, leading to occasional dissatisfaction among users. For those who choose email support, response times can range from several hours to a few days, which may not be ideal for urgent matters.
The knowledge base serves as a useful tool, containing setup guides and solutions to common problems. However, it requires users to input precise keywords to retrieve relevant information, which can be a source of frustration.
Additionally, the depth of information may not be as comprehensive as some of its competitors, and the complexity of the written guides might pose challenges for users with limited technical expertise, affecting overall usability.
Comparison with Competitors
CyberGhost VPN is notable for its extensive server network, with approximately 9,200 servers. However, it faces significant competition from industry leaders such as NordVPN and ExpressVPN. These competitors not only offer larger server networks but also demonstrate superior performance speeds, with NordVPN and ExpressVPN reaching up to 950 Mbps and 900 Mbps, respectively. This difference in speed may impact streaming capabilities for CyberGhost users.
Regarding cost, CyberGhost’s monthly subscription fee of $12.99 is on the higher side compared to the industry average and is less competitive than NordVPN’s $11.99 fee. This pricing may influence budget-conscious users when choosing a VPN service.
Although CyberGhost has a no-logs policy that has been audited by Deloitte, other competitors like Mullvad and Proton VPN offer stronger privacy features, including multi-hop connections, which are crucial for users prioritizing privacy.
CyberGhost is capable of accessing major platforms such as Netflix and BBC iPlayer. However, it occasionally encounters issues with unpredictable blocks, unlike NordVPN, which tends to bypass these blocks more consistently.
Additionally, CyberGhost supports seven simultaneous connections, which is better than many other options, but competitors like Surfshark provide unlimited connections, offering more versatility.
Conclusion
In choosing CyberGhost, you’re getting a VPN that offers competitive pricing and an extensive server network. Its strong privacy measures and ability to unblock major streaming platforms make it appealing. However, you might experience occasional connection stability issues and slower customer support response times, especially on desktop platforms. Despite these drawbacks, if you prioritize user-friendly applications and broad server access, CyberGhost stands out as a solid choice among VPN services. Consider your needs to guarantee it aligns well.