CyberGhost VPN

CyberGhost VPN

What is CyberGhost VPN?

In this CyberGhost VPN review, we’ll go through its security, logging policy, performance, features, pricing, and apps. Continue reading to find out what the Cybernews expert research team found out during testing, and see if CyberGhost is really deserving of a spot among the best 2024 VPNs.

CyberGhost Pros and Cons

Speed performance: is CyberGhost fast?

In theory, CyberGhost appears to be a reliable option for those seeking a fast VPN due to its integration of WireGuard. Nevertheless, our testing reveals that the service isn’t maximizing the capabilities of this protocol to the extent it could.

In our hands-on speed assessments, CyberGhost demonstrated relatively impressive performance metrics without notably impacting speed (at least on the surface). However, our testing encountered less than optimal outcomes, including slow webpage loading times and frequent connectivity issues and errors. Consequently, we conclude that there are potential implementation issues with how CyberGhost utilizes WireGuard.

CyberGhost performance with other protocols

Let’s examine CyberGhost’s speed with alternative protocols:

Baseline: 460 Mbps download / 470 Mbps upload

IKEv2 – 238 Mbps download / 160 Mbps upload
OpenVPN (UDP) – 46 Mbps download / 174 Mbps upload
OpenVPN (TCP) – 109 Mbps download / 76 Mbps upload

IKEv2 emerges as the second-fastest after WireGuard. Although both upload and download speeds are relatively high, the 50% speed reduction is noteworthy. Meanwhile, OpenVPN performs notably slower compared to the others.

In summary, here’s how CyberGhost’s tunneling protocols stack up against each other in terms of speed, security, and connection stability:

CyberGhost servers and locations

In general, CyberGhost VPN boasts around 11,500 servers spread across 100 countries, making it one of the largest VPN providers in terms of server fleet size. In comparison, CyberGhost surpasses competitors such as NordVPN, which offers 6,400 servers in 111 countries, and PureVPN, which has 6,500 servers across 65 locations.

The primary coverage area for CyberGhost VPN is in Europe, with the Americas ranking second. Notably, CyberGhost’s expansive server fleet enables coverage even in regions less commonly serviced by VPNs, such as Africa. However, it’s important to note that certain servers are virtual, meaning they’re not physically situated in the country they represent. Examples include servers in Argentina, Portugal, Indonesia, and Egypt.

All in all, CyberGhost’s robust server network is undeniably its standout feature. This can prove particularly advantageous for users situated farther from Europe, the Americas, or the Far East.

Security and Privacy

Numerous VPN providers make bold claims about their security features, yet some fall short due to data leaks and outdated encryption standards. I was curious to see if CyberGhost lives up to its promises.

Originally developed in Germany, CyberGhost later relocated to Romania, a country without mandatory data retention laws. This bodes well for privacy-conscious users, as personal data can only be retained with explicit consent.

CyberGhost adheres to a strict no-logging policy, refraining from tracking user behavior, web targets, or communication. While some connection logs are kept, they cannot be linked to individual users.

Payment and registration details remain separate from the VPN service, with users assigned anonymous IDs. Although the CyberGhost website collects visitor data, it remains disconnected from VPN usage.

The VPN apps gather limited non-personal data for analytics, excluding sensitive information like IP addresses, connection timestamps, user IDs, or VPN servers.

Presently, CyberGhost defaults to the WireGuard protocol, with OpenVPN and IKEv2 also available. Encryption specifications include:

• 256-bit AES/ChaCha20 encryption
• 2,048-bit RSA keys
• SHA256 authentication

Perfect forward secrecy ensures that past sessions remain secure even if the encryption key is compromised.

CyberGhost employs proprietary DNS servers by default, with options to customize settings. The apps effectively prevent DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks. Additionally, IPv6 is disabled when connected to any CyberGhost server, minimizing the risk of IPv6 traffic leaks.

CyberGhost compatibility

CyberGhost is compatible with a wide range of devices and operating systems, making it accessible to users across various platforms. Here’s an overview of its compatibility:

1. Desktop Operating Systems:

• Windows: Compatible with Windows 7, 8, and 10.
• macOS: Compatible with macOS 10.12 and later versions.

1. Mobile Operating Systems:

• iOS: Compatible with iPhones and iPads running iOS 11.0 or later.
• Android: Compatible with smartphones and tablets running Android 5.0 or later.

1. Browsers:

• Chrome: CyberGhost offers browser extensions for Chrome.
• Firefox: Browser extensions are available for Firefox.

1. Other Devices:

• Linux: CyberGhost provides manual setup guides for Linux users.
• Routers: It offers support for certain router models, allowing you to protect all devices connected to your home network.
• Smart TVs and streaming devices: While CyberGhost doesn’t have dedicated apps for these devices, you can set up the VPN connection manually or use the VPN at the router level to protect your smart TV or streaming device.
• Gaming Consoles: Similar to smart TVs, there are no dedicated apps, but you can configure the VPN on your router to protect gaming consoles such as Xbox or PlayStation.

1. Extensions and Add-ons:

• CyberGhost offers browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox, providing VPN protection directly within your browser.

CyberGhost’s broad compatibility ensures that users can enjoy VPN protection on a wide range of devices and platforms, whether they’re browsing on their desktop, smartphone, or streaming content on their smart TV.

Is CyberGhost good for streaming?

CyberGhost’s dedicated streaming servers simplify the process of accessing various media platforms. In our trials, CyberGhost consistently unblocked every streaming service we tested. This achievement solidifies its position as one of the premier VPNs for streaming, placing it alongside industry leaders like NordVPN and Surfshark in terms of content unblocking capabilities.

Unblocking Netflix with CyberGhost

The Netflix specialized server successfully unblocked the US library upon initial attempt. However, I experienced significant slowness while using Netflix, particularly during search result loading, which required waiting for a couple of minutes. Once the show began streaming, however, there were no further issues, suggesting that the slowdown may also be attributed to Netflix’s own performance.

Unblocking other streaming platforms with CyberGhost

CyberGhost demonstrates excellent compatibility with various other streaming platforms besides Netflix. For instance, accessing and streaming content on HBO Max, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video proved to be effortless.

Furthermore, BBC iPlayer functioned seamlessly, offering faster performance compared to Netflix. Although I needed to switch to a specialized streaming server optimized for BBC iPlayer, I encountered no errors. Similar smooth access was experienced with geo-blocked YouTube videos.

In summary, CyberGhost stands out as an exceptional VPN choice for streaming purposes, offering reliable performance across a wide range of platforms.

Is CyberGhost good for torrenting?

CyberGhost stands out as a top-tier VPN choice for torrenting, offering robust security features and a wide selection of P2P-optimized servers. With its impressive array of servers, torrent users worldwide can easily locate an ideal server for fast and secure downloads.

However, in terms of connection speeds, CyberGhost delivers rather average performance. During my test downloading a Linux installation image, the average download speed clocked in at 9.3 Mb/s when connected to a UK server and 6.5 Mb/s when connected to a US server.

These speeds align closely with those observed while torrenting with Surfshark. Overall, while CyberGhost’s performance may not be exceptional, it remains a reliable option for torrenting activities.

CyberGhost Features

CyberGhost’s client software is supported on all major platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Additionally, while there are no dedicated applications, CyberGhost is easily configurable on Kodi, Linux, and various routers.

In terms of features, CyberGhost offers a comprehensive suite that includes essentials like a kill switch function and DNS server override capabilities.

Noteworthy features also include the ability to exclude specific websites from VPN usage, random port selection, unsecured WiFi protection, and split tunneling. The latter can significantly enhance performance by selectively routing traffic through CyberGhost’s already speedy server network.

Going beyond standard VPN functionality, CyberGhost incorporates additional tools such as an ad-blocker, protection against malicious websites, and data compression. While their practical effectiveness may vary, the data compression feature theoretically offers potential savings on mobile data usage costs.

Although these features are disabled by default, they can be easily activated or deactivated through the client interface with a simple toggle.

One aspect to note, however, is the notable disparity between the Windows and macOS clients, a common trend among VPN providers. The macOS client lacks a few features present in its Windows counterpart, including split tunneling and WiFi protection. While not deal-breakers, it’s worth considering. On the upside, some users may find the Mac software less intrusive and more user-friendly.

Customer Support

While I’ve encountered varied opinions about CyberGhost’s customer support, my personal experience has been positive.

Their support team is available 24/7 via live chat, offering prompt responses. For more complex inquiries, there’s also an email/ticketing system. Additionally, live chat support is provided in German and French, albeit during specific hours.

CyberGhost VPN boasts an extensive online knowledge base covering installation and usage guides for all major platforms. It includes several troubleshooting sections and an FAQ.

For those considering a trial run, CyberGhost offers an industry-leading 45-day money-back guarantee. This ample timeframe allows for thorough evaluation to determine if the VPN suits your needs.

Lastly, remember to utilize one of CyberGhost’s coupon codes during signup to enjoy significant savings on your subscription, resulting in a lower monthly cost if you choose to continue the service.