Romanian-based VPN Provider, CyberGhost, is rising in the ranks among some of the well-known VPNs, currently protecting 30 million users. In this CyberGhost review, I’ll dive into their 256-bit encryption, in-app customization features, and support resources that make it one to check out.
Let’s have a look at some of the pros I found with CyberGhost VPN first.
CyberGhost Pros
1. Many Servers in Dozens of Countries and Locations
With over 5900 VPN servers across 90 countries, CyberGhost detects the best server for you, based on your location and requirements for your privacy and anonymity. You can check out their detailed server list here or get take a look at some of their servers in the screenshot below.
2. They’re Serious About Keeping No Logs
CyberGhost is strict about ensuring that your logs are never kept and that your privacy is a top priority with its no-logging policy. They also boast that, while they have had several legal requests over the years, they have never once breached their users’ trust or anonymity.
One major factor that makes CyberGhost stand out among the rest is its transparency report. They were the first to provide this back in 2011. They openly declare the requests they’ve received from government or law enforcement agencies and strive to be as open and honest with their users to this day.
3. Location: Romania Might Be the Land of Vampires (but Also of Strict Privacy Laws)
Although they started in Germany, CyberGhost is now based in Romania, outside the jurisdiction of surveillance alliances. Because Romania refused to adopt the EU Data Retention Directive back in 2006, CyberGhost VPN is in no way required to log any of its users’ activity or collaborate with foreign intelligence agencies.
4. Usability Is Straightforward and Features Are Plentiful
Installation
Installation with CyberGhost is extremely user-friendly with its one-click installation.
After accepting the Terms and Conditions, CyberGhost is installed. The app launches, prompting you to create an account. At the bottom is the option to navigate to the log-in screen, if you already have an account with them.
Once installed, the CyberGhost log-in screen appears, as seen below:
First Glance
Once logged in, the actual app launches. By default, the app interface displays at the bottom right of the screen.
Clicking the window expansion button or the yellow tab will fully expand the app to reveal the server list and all of its features. During testing, I first connected to the default best server location as well. Once connected, I received an app notification at the top right of my screen as you can see in the screenshot below:
The menu you see on the left side can be minimized once you’re familiar with the app, for a sleeker, more minimalistic view.
The server list shows each VPN server’s distance and the current server load. You can dive in even further by expanding on a country server list to show each server’s ping time and current users.
In-app Features
CyberGhost excels with the number of features and options within its app. For instance, there are no guessing games or help articles to search through to figure out which servers work with streaming (Netflix) and torrenting. With CyberGhost, there are server menus dedicated to streaming and torrenting specifically, with the streaming servers delegating to which service they are optimized for.
Streaming
Getting past geo-restrictions on streaming services like Netflix is easy with CyberGhost. Whether you live outside the United States or are traveling, you can obtain full access to streaming libraries as CyberGhost VPN will block your IP address and give you one from their network.
In addition, you can use CyberGhost on multiple devices, so you can even stream on your smartTV.
Torrenting
Even though torrenting and P2P file-sharing is not illegal, there are certain, location-based restrictions.
Connection features
CyberGhost can block distracting ads, malicious sites, and online tracking while connected to one of its servers. While some of these features are often provided by other VPN providers, a couple of interesting CyberGhost features, such as the automated HTTPS redirect and data compression, are not seen in most other VPNs. You can see a list of some of the features and options in the screenshot below:
Smart Rules
Another great feature of CyberGhost is the Smart Rules section of their settings. Inside the app, you’ll find smart rules where you can configure the app the way you like – whether it’s how you want the app to open on startup or adding websites to your exception list to unblock them. Take a look at a few of the screenshots below for a detailed look at some of the Smart Rules options.
Exceptions (Whitelisting)
App protection
Wi-Fi Protection
Included in the Smart Rules section is Wi-Fi Protection. This gives you the ability to choose the action taken when on a public network or Wi-Fi hotspot. Those free or open Wi-Fi networks are highly targeted by cybercriminals to gain access to your data, so using a VPN like CyberGhost is important in data protection. With this option, you can choose how the VPN will act when connecting to a Wi-Fi network.
Settings – General
With a look through CyberGhost’s other settings, you can see options like language, appearance, and even, the kill switch. If you’re not aware of the latter feature, it’s an option that will block all Internet traffic if any connectivity problem with your VPN is detected, ensuring that you are protected at all times. Below, you can see the kill switch is enabled in my settings when I was testing.
What I did find interesting, however, is that the kill switch cannot be turned off, even though the option is available to toggle. I received the below pop-up when trying to toggle the kill switch off:
On a good note, the kill switch works. Internet access was blocked when I tested changing connections between servers and while attempting to connect/reconnect.
The only way to get around the kill switch feature is by turning the power button off on the app. This will disconnect any connection, and the kill switch will no longer apply.
Dark Theme
While appearance doesn’t determine how well the VPN protects you, I do love the added customization in certain VPN apps. For CyberGhost, I decided to give the dark theme a shot.
Once enabled, the app restarted to display the dark theme below. With the restart, a pop-up window appeared with some how-to guides. CyberGhost definitely took some time on the user experience with their app.
Settings – Connection and Protocols
Under Settings > Connection, you have the option to define your protocol. Automatic selection is the default, which automatically detects the best protocol to use based on your network connection. CyberGhost supports OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec, IPsec, and PPTP.
If you’re not familiar with these protocols, CyberGhost offers this very informative support article to describe the pros and cons of each, with a comparison chart to further explain what might be best for you.
Send Feedback
Have feedback for CyberGhost or its software? An interesting feature is an ability to send feedback directly from within the app. Clicking the chat icon at the top of the app (next to the Settings gear icon) opens a new window to send feedback or report a problem.
Encryption
Competing with some of the other well-known VPN providers, CyberGhost’s strength in its encryption is on par with AES 256-bit military-grade encryption. What I personally like about CyberGhost is their transparency and clear explanation of every feature of their software.
You’ll find that they dive into even the most nitty-gritty details, like explaining that, with 256-bit encryption, there are “about 115 quattuorvigintillion possibilities” of combinations needed to unveil a single encryption key, making you feel even more secure with their VPN.
5. Netflix Works in Most Locations Tested
Overall: Two of the three Netflix-optimized servers that I tested worked. One (Netflix FR) was full and could not be tested.
Just like the torrenting servers, CyberGhost makes it extremely easy to connect to streaming-optimized servers. For these testing purposes, I only tested Netflix-optimized servers designated on the list, but other notable streaming servers include optimization for Disney+, YouTube, SlingTV, etc.
After investigating further as to why Netflix UK did not work, I found information on CyberGhost’s support site that states you’ll have to create a Netflix UK account while using a UK IP address. This is apparently due to recent changes in Netflix’s policies. It might be inconvenient, but it is a workaround for this.
At the time of testing, the server for Netflix FR (France) was full, so I was not able to confirm if it was successful.
6. Multiple Devices are Supported
Up to seven simultaneous connections are supported with your CyberGhost VPN subscription. This includes devices with Windows, Mac OS, and Linux desktops; iOS and Android on mobile; Amazon Fire TV; Android TV; routers; and more.
7. This is a Leak-Free VPN
Leak Tests
8. Torrenting/P2P is Made Easy and TOR Network is Supported
Even though torrenting is not illegal, CyberGhost can help you get around certain geo-restrictions for it. With CyberGhost, your privacy and information are safe from copyright holders and your Internet Service Provider, so they are unable to track your online activity. See their chart below on why torrenting with a VPN is the safer choice:
Torrenting is also easy and user-friendly with CyberGhost’s Torrenting server list:
You have the option to use your TOR browser with CyberGhost, even though they do mention that it’s not necessary because of their 256-bit encryption. If you do want to use CyberGhost and TOR at the same time, you’ll have to start CyberGhost first, log in to an anonymization server, and then start your TOR browser.
9. Customer Support Is Robust and Responsive
I’ve already touched on a few of the support articles and transparency that CyberGhost offers, but this is definitely a pro of this VPN provider. Their support desk is robust, with guides, troubleshooting tips, FAQs, and announcements.
Earlier, I pointed out that you can provide feedback from right within the app, but they also give you the option to submit feedback along with your support requests via email.
In addition, CyberGhost offers a live chat. I tested their Live Chat feature and was paired with an agent in less than a minute.
CyberGhost Cons
1. Unimpressive Speed Results After VPN Connection
In their FAQs, CyberGhost states that your minimum bandwidth for connections with a regular subscription won’t go below a 6 Mbps average speed, but our results showed that CyberGhost’s speed leaves something to be desired, nonetheless.
After testing the speed, and using CyberGhost on eight different servers, you can see in the results below that speed is, unfortunately, dramatically slowed once connected.
For reference, prior to using the VPN, my clean speed test showed 205.89 Mbps download and 12.02 Mbps upload.
2. Virus Tests Don’t Inspire Confidence
During the virus tests, there was a concern for a virus that was detected on the CyberGhost installer as shown on the VirusTotal.com report.
However, when I ran a new scan, that virus engine was no longer appearing.
Even though Kaspersky VirusDesk didn’t detect any threats either, there is still a slight cause for concern due to the first virus test report results.
3. Its Parent Company Seems Dubio
CyberGhost’s parent company, Kape Technologies, is slowly but surely buying up many VPN companies as they did with CyberGhost. According to this recent report, many users are concerned that a company that used to, until very recently, create malware would be buying VPN providers. This fact does make me a bit skeptical of the buyouts, so it’s something to watch.
Pricing and Payment Methods
Among the Cheapest VPNs
CyberGhost’s pricing plans are rather affordable and comparable to some of the cheaper VPNs. Four different plans are offered:
Accepted payment methods are most major credit cards and PayPal. As well, if you would like to continue protecting your anonymity, bitcoin cryptocurrency is accepted.
If you’re still not sure and want to try out CyberGhost, they do offer a one-day free trial for your desktop with no credit card required.
No Harm, No Foul Money-Back Guarantee
CyberGhost’s money-back guarantee makes you feel confident in trying them as your VPN provider. For their month-to-month plan, they offer a 14-day money-back guarantee, and for their longer plans, a 45-day money-back guarantee.
They boast an easy process with no lengthy forms and ask you to simply contact their support team if you run into any problems. If you do pay with cryptocurrency, they also ensure you that your purchase is not excluded from their refund policy, as you’ll see it is with other major VPNs.
They do mention that if your subscription is billed through the App Store or iTunes, refunds must be requested through them.
Conclusion – Is CyberGhost Keeping Up?
CyberGhost certainly aims to be one of the leaders when it comes to user experience and in-app customization features. While these aren’t a top priority when looking into VPN providers (though are nice to have), you can be sure that their security and encryption protocols seem secure, their ability to work with Netflix and TOR is seamless and mostly successful, and their customer support and resources are superb.
The only con that would turn CyberGhost into just a ghost was the unimpressive speed that I saw when testing the VPN performance.
