CyberGhost review

CyberGhost has been quietly building one of the most impressive VPN networks in the industry — over 11,500 servers across 100 countries, a strict no-logs policy independently audited by Deloitte, and a price tag that’s hard to argue with. But does it hold up under real-world testing?

We tested CyberGhost’s speed, streaming performance, security, and usability to find out whether it deserves a place among the best VPNs in 2026. Here’s the full picture.

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★ 9.2 /10

CyberGhost

Dedicated streaming and torrenting servers across 100 countries - beginner-friendly with powerful features.

11500+ servers100 countriesStreaming optimized7 devices

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CyberGhost VPN: Quick Stats

CyberGhost VPN Pricing

CyberGhost is one of the more affordable premium VPNs on the market, especially on longer-term plans. Here’s a full breakdown of current pricing:

The 2-year plan is where CyberGhost offers its best value, coming in at around $2.03/month — making it one of the cheapest long-term VPN subscriptions available. The four extra months currently included sweeten the deal further.

One thing to note: CyberGhost doesn’t offer a 1-year plan, which means there’s a significant jump between the 6-month and 2-year options. If you’re not ready to commit to two years, the 6-month plan at $6.99/month is reasonable, though NordVPN and Surfshark’s 12-month plans can undercut it on a per-month basis.

CyberGhost accepts credit cards, PayPal, Google Pay, and Bitcoin. The service also offers free trials — 24 hours on desktop, 3 days on Android, and 7 days on iOS — with no credit card required.

CyberGhost VPN Features

Massive Server Network

CyberGhost operates one of the largest VPN server networks available, with over 11,500 servers across 100 countries. That rivals NordVPN (8,000+ servers) and matches Surfshark for country coverage. Recent expansions have added new locations across South America and Asia, including Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Laos, Myanmar, and Nepal.

Many servers have been upgraded to next-generation 10 Gbps infrastructure, replacing the older 1 Gbps servers in popular locations — a meaningful performance improvement.

Specialized Servers

One of CyberGhost’s genuine strengths is its range of purpose-built servers:

• Streaming servers — Labeled by platform and region, regularly tested and optimized for Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Amazon Prime, and 50+ other services.
• Torrenting (P2P) servers — Optimized for torrent clients, located in countries with favorable laws around P2P file sharing.
• Gaming servers — Designed to minimize latency. In testing, CyberGhost’s gaming servers increased latency by around 10ms compared to playing without a VPN — an acceptable result.
• NoSpy servers — Hosted exclusively at CyberGhost’s own headquarters in Romania, rather than third-party data centers. Ideal for users who want maximum privacy assurance.

Privacy and No-Logs Policy

CyberGhost is headquartered in Romania, which sits outside the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and 14 Eyes surveillance alliances. Romanian law does not require VPN providers to log or hand over user data to foreign governments — and Romania notably refused to adopt the EU Data Retention Directive.

CyberGhost’s no-logs policy has been independently audited by Deloitte, one of the world’s leading audit firms. The company has also published quarterly transparency reports since 2011, openly declaring any government or law enforcement requests it receives.

All CyberGhost servers now run on RAM-only technology, meaning data is automatically wiped with every server reboot and cannot be stored permanently.

Encryption and Protocols

CyberGhost uses AES-256 encryption — the same standard used by governments and financial institutions worldwide. It supports the following protocols:

• WireGuard — Now the default on mobile apps. Lightweight, fast, and open-source. Uses ChaCha20 encryption as an additional option.
• OpenVPN — The industry standard for security. Open-source and highly configurable.
• IKEv2 — Great for mobile users who switch frequently between Wi-Fi and mobile data.
• L2TP/IPSec — Available but slower; less commonly used today.

Kill Switch

CyberGhost includes a kill switch that automatically cuts your internet connection if the VPN drops, preventing your real IP address from being exposed. The kill switch can be toggled on or off depending on your needs — useful when downloading large files and you don’t want interruptions from a temporary VPN drop.

Split Tunneling

Split tunneling lets you route some traffic through the VPN while leaving the rest on your regular connection. On CyberGhost, this feature is available on Windows and Android, but not on macOS or iOS.

Ad Blocker

CyberGhost includes a built-in ad blocker that targets DNS domains associated with ads, trackers, and malware. It works with the WireGuard protocol and can be enabled in settings. In our testing, it was less effective than NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro — letting through banner ads, pop-ups, and YouTube ads in several instances.

Smart Rules

Smart Rules let you automate CyberGhost’s behavior — for example, automatically connecting to a specific server when you join an unknown Wi-Fi network, or launching the VPN whenever a particular app opens. It’s a practical feature for users who want hands-off protection.

Dedicated IP

For an additional fee starting at $2.50/month, CyberGhost offers a dedicated IP address assigned exclusively to you. This reduces the risk of being flagged or blocked by websites that identify shared VPN IPs.

Speed Test Results

We tested CyberGhost using the WireGuard protocol with a baseline of 930Mbps download and 600Mbps upload.

Local and European server speeds are excellent. Connections to US West and Asia show a more notable drop — around 24% and 28% respectively — which is slightly above what we typically see from top-tier providers like NordVPN and Surfshark (around 15–20% loss to distant servers). That said, speeds remain more than adequate for streaming and browsing even at those distances.

Comparing CyberGhost’s overall speed averages against key competitors:

CyberGhost holds its own, sitting just behind NordVPN and Surfshark, and comfortably ahead of ExpressVPN.

Streaming Performance

CyberGhost offers dedicated, labeled streaming servers for major platforms — a feature that makes finding the right server simple. We tested it across seven major streaming services:

Netflix performance was genuinely strong — we accessed multiple regional libraries without interruption. HBO Max and Hulu also worked first time. BBC iPlayer and Disney+ were more inconsistent, with only specific optimized servers getting through. Paramount+ was a notable miss, especially given that CyberGhost advertises compatibility with it.

Security Testing: DNS, IP, and WebRTC Leaks

We ran CyberGhost through a full suite of leak tests across both Windows and macOS. The results were clean across the board — no IPv4, IPv6, DNS, or WebRTC leaks detected on any tested platform or browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari).

CyberGhost blocks IPv6 traffic by default to prevent one of the most common sources of IP leaks. If your setup requires IPv6 connectivity, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

Apps and User Experience

CyberGhost’s app is clean, modern, and beginner-friendly. The one-click connect experience makes it accessible for new VPN users, while the specialized server filters and Smart Rules give more experienced users the control they need.

The app is available on:

Linux users should note that CyberGhost has no graphical interface on that platform — it’s command-line only, which may put off less technical users.

Gaming consoles and smart TVs can connect via a supported router, or through a computer or mobile device acting as a hotspot.

Customer Support

CyberGhost offers 24/7 live chat support, which is consistently among the best in the VPN industry. Agents are available in multiple languages and typically respond within a few minutes, though wait times can stretch to around 10 minutes during peak periods. Responses are detailed and knowledgeable.

A comprehensive knowledge base, FAQ section, and regular blog updates round out the support offering. Email support is available for non-urgent issues. There is no phone support.

Pros and Cons

✅ Pros

• One of the largest server networks available — 11,500+ servers in 100 countries
• Strict no-logs policy, independently audited by Deloitte
• Based in Romania — outside Five/Nine/14 Eyes jurisdictions
• RAM-only servers ensure no permanent data storage
• Excellent value on long-term plans (from $2.03/month)
• Specialized servers for streaming, torrenting, and gaming
• NoSpy servers for maximum privacy
• WireGuard protocol support for fast, modern connections
• 45-day money-back guarantee on 6-month and 2-year plans
• Free trial available — no credit card required
• Strong Netflix performance across multiple regional libraries
• Zero DNS, IP, and WebRTC leaks in testing

❌ Cons

• Speed drops more than competitors on distant servers (US West, Asia)
• Disney+ and BBC iPlayer only work reliably on specific optimized servers
• Paramount+ failed in all our tests despite being advertised
• No GUI on Linux — command-line only
• No custom DNS support
• Split tunneling only available on Windows and Android
• Ad blocker is less effective than competitors like NordVPN
• No 1-year plan — gap between 6-month and 2-year options
• Owned by Kape Technologies, which also owns ExpressVPN and PIA — a concern for some privacy-focused users
• Limited to 7 simultaneous connections (vs. unlimited on Surfshark)

A Note on Kape Technologies Ownership

CyberGhost is owned by Kape Technologies (formerly Crossrider), which also owns ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access. Kape has recently gone private under Unikmind ownership and underwent significant layoffs in 2024, which has raised questions about long-term independence.

There is no evidence that Kape’s ownership has compromised CyberGhost’s privacy practices — the audited no-logs policy, RAM-only servers, and transparency reports all remain in place. But users who prioritize complete corporate independence may want to factor this in when comparing providers.

Final Verdict: Is CyberGhost Worth It in 2026?

CyberGhost is a well-rounded, affordable VPN that punches above its weight in several key areas. Its server network is enormous, its privacy credentials are genuinely strong, and its long-term pricing is among the best available. For most everyday users — especially those who prioritize streaming, torrenting, or budget-friendly protection — it’s a solid choice.

That said, it’s not without weaknesses. Streaming reliability is inconsistent beyond Netflix (Disney+ and BBC iPlayer require specific servers, and Paramount+ didn’t work at all in our tests). Speed performance lags slightly behind NordVPN and Surfshark on distant servers. And the lack of a GUI on Linux and no custom DNS support will frustrate more technical users.

CyberGhost Is a Great Fit If You:

• Want a large, reliable server network at an affordable price
• Primarily use a VPN for Netflix and other major streaming platforms
• Value an independently audited no-logs policy and strong privacy jurisdiction
• Are new to VPNs and want a beginner-friendly app
• Want specialized servers for torrenting and gaming
• Are happy committing to a 2-year plan for maximum value

Look Elsewhere If You:

• Need reliable access to Disney+, BBC iPlayer, or Paramount+
• Use Linux and need a graphical interface
• Need custom DNS support
• Want unlimited simultaneous connections (consider Surfshark)
• Prioritize absolute corporate independence from larger parent companies
• Need the fastest possible speeds to distant server locations