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Best Overall Value
Surfshark — My Pick in This Match-Up
After testing both VPNs extensively, Surfshark wins on speed, value, unlimited devices, and a broader security suite. CyberGhost is solid for streaming and has a longer money-back guarantee, but Surfshark takes the overall crown.
- ~95% speed retention — fastest in my real-world tests
- Unlimited simultaneous devices
- Obfuscation (Camouflage Mode) — CyberGhost lacks this
- Full cybersecurity suite: antivirus, CleanWeb, Alternative ID, Incogni
- Independent no-logs audit by Deloitte (2025)
- 30-day money-back guarantee (CyberGhost offers 45 days)
- Smaller raw server count than CyberGhost
- Based in the Netherlands (Nine Eyes member)
Surfshark vs CyberGhost — Why This Comparison Matters
I’ve tested over 500 VPNs across two YouTube channels and years of hands-on cybersecurity work. Surfshark and CyberGhost come up constantly — both are affordable, both land on “best VPN” lists, and on paper they look almost identical. So which one actually wins when you put them head to head?
Short answer: Surfshark. But CyberGhost isn’t a bad choice in certain scenarios — particularly if streaming-optimized servers or a 45-day refund window matter to you. I’ll break down every category so you can decide for yourself.
At a Glance: Surfshark vs CyberGhost Comparison Table
| Feature | Surfshark | CyberGhost |
|---|---|---|
| My Ranking | ⭐ #1 — Best Overall | #8 — Best 45-Day Guarantee |
| Starting Price (2-year) | $1.99/mo | $1.75/mo |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 45 days |
| Simultaneous Devices | Unlimited | 7 |
| Speed Retention (my tests) | ~95% | ~88% |
| Server Countries | 100 | 100 |
| Total Servers | 4,500+ | 11,000+ |
| 10Gbps Servers | All servers | Some servers |
| No-Logs Audit | Deloitte (2023, 2025) | Deloitte (2022, 2024) |
| Obfuscation | ✅ Yes (Camouflage Mode) | ❌ No |
| Double VPN / MultiHop | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Ad / Malware Blocker | ✅ CleanWeb | ✅ Content Blocker |
| Cookie Pop-Up Blocker | ✅ Yes (extension) | ❌ No |
| GPS Spoofing (Android) | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Antivirus Included | ✅ (One plan) | ❌ (Paid add-on) |
| Jurisdiction | Netherlands (Nine Eyes) | Romania (outside 14 Eyes) |
| Parent Company | Surfshark B.V. | Kape Technologies |
| Protocols | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| RAM-Only Servers | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Speed: Surfshark Is Faster in My Testing
Speed is where Surfshark pulls decisively ahead. In my own testing using the WireGuard protocol, Surfshark consistently retained around 95% of my baseline speeds. CyberGhost came in around 88% — still respectable, but noticeably behind when you’re doing large downloads, 4K streaming, or gaming.
Third-party speed tests align with my findings. Across multiple regions — US, UK, Canada — Surfshark’s download speed retention leads CyberGhost in most scenarios. Upload speeds are closer, and for typical browsing you won’t feel much difference, but for bandwidth-heavy use cases, Surfshark is the faster tool.
One reason Surfshark is faster: it has upgraded its entire server network to 10Gbps infrastructure. CyberGhost is in the process of upgrading but still operates some 1Gbps servers — which can become bottlenecks at peak times.
| Server Location | Surfshark Download Retention | CyberGhost Download Retention |
|---|---|---|
| New York, USA | ~96% | ~90% |
| United Kingdom | ~93% | ~89% |
| Canada | ~94% | ~92% |
Winner: Surfshark — faster downloads across the board, fully upgraded 10Gbps infrastructure.
Pricing: Cheap Either Way, But Different Structures
Both VPNs are among the most affordable on the market. Here’s how the plans stack up:
| Plan | Surfshark | CyberGhost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Month | $15.45/mo | $12.99/mo |
| 6 Months | N/A | $6.99/mo |
| 1 Year | $3.19/mo | N/A |
| 2 Years (Best Deal) | $1.99/mo (87% OFF + 3 months free) | $1.75/mo (87% OFF + 2 months free) |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 45 days |
CyberGhost is marginally cheaper on the 2-year plan ($1.75 vs $1.99/mo) and better for short-term users who want a monthly plan. But Surfshark’s unlimited device connections completely change the value equation if you have more than 7 devices — or want to cover a family. You’d need multiple CyberGhost subscriptions to match that.
Surfshark also includes far more in the base subscription: CleanWeb ad blocker, Alternative ID, and access to the Surfshark One suite with antivirus and data breach monitoring. CyberGhost’s antivirus is a separate paid add-on.
Both accept credit cards, PayPal, and cryptocurrency for anonymous payment.
Winner: Surfshark — better value overall, especially with unlimited devices and bundled security tools. See the Surfshark coupon page for the latest deal, or the CyberGhost coupon page if you prefer that route.
Server Network: CyberGhost Has More Servers, Surfshark Has Better Coverage
CyberGhost has a massive server fleet — over 11,000 servers. Surfshark has 4,500+. On raw numbers, CyberGhost wins. But here’s the nuance:
Both providers cover 100 countries. And when I look at how servers are distributed within countries, Surfshark often has more distinct locations. For example, in the US Surfshark has 24 different locations versus CyberGhost’s 11. More locations within a country means better chances of finding an uncongested server near you.
Surfshark also offers virtual servers for privacy-sensitive countries (like India), where you get an IP from that region without your traffic physically passing through it. CyberGhost also offers virtual servers.
| Country | Surfshark Locations | CyberGhost Locations |
|---|---|---|
| USA | 24 | 11 |
| United Kingdom | 4 | 3 |
| Australia | 5 | 3 |
CyberGhost has one genuinely interesting server feature: NoSpy servers, which are fully owned and operated by CyberGhost rather than rented from third parties. This reduces the risk of hardware-level interference. Surfshark doesn’t have an equivalent.
Winner: Draw — CyberGhost wins on raw server count; Surfshark wins on in-country location variety and infrastructure quality (all 10Gbps).
Security: Surfshark Has More Tools
Both VPNs use industry-standard security across the board. Here’s the full comparison:
| Security Feature | Surfshark | CyberGhost |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption | AES-256-GCM, ChaCha20 | AES-256, ChaCha20 |
| Hash | SHA-512 | SHA-256 |
| Kill Switch | ✅ All platforms | ✅ All platforms |
| DNS Leak Protection | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| RAM-Only Servers | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Obfuscation | ✅ Camouflage Mode | ❌ No |
| Double VPN / MultiHop | ✅ Yes (customizable) | ❌ No |
| GPS Spoofing | ✅ Android | ❌ No |
| Rotating IP (Nexus) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| NoSpy Servers | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Surfshark uses AES-256-GCM, which is slightly faster than the standard AES-256 that CyberGhost uses — same security level, better performance. The bigger difference is in advanced features: Surfshark’s Camouflage Mode (obfuscation) disguises your VPN traffic as regular HTTPS, which is critical if you’re traveling to countries with VPN restrictions like China or the UAE. CyberGhost has no obfuscation at all.
Surfshark’s MultiHop routes your connection through two VPN servers in different countries — adding a second layer of encryption and making traffic attribution virtually impossible. CyberGhost doesn’t offer double VPN.
Winner: Surfshark — more advanced security tools, better encryption algorithm, and obfuscation support.
Privacy: Both Are Strong, With Key Differences
This is where the comparison gets nuanced.
Jurisdiction: CyberGhost is based in Romania, which is outside all Eyes intelligence-sharing alliances and has no mandatory data-retention laws. Surfshark is in the Netherlands, a Nine Eyes member. That said, the Netherlands also has no mandatory data-retention laws for VPN providers, and Surfshark’s strict no-logs policy means there’s nothing to hand over even if a request came in.
Kape Technologies: CyberGhost is owned by Kape Technologies, which also owns ExpressVPN and PIA. Kape has faced scrutiny in the past, including questions about its previous adware business. I always mention this when reviewing CyberGhost because it’s a legitimate privacy consideration — though it doesn’t make CyberGhost itself unsafe.
Logging Policies: Both have verified no-logs policies. Deloitte audited Surfshark in 2023 and again in 2025. Deloitte audited CyberGhost in 2022 and 2024. Both audits confirmed neither provider stores browsing activity, connection timestamps, or IP addresses tied to accounts.
Additional privacy features in Surfshark’s favor: a warrant canary (lets you check if they’ve ever received a gag order or government warrant) and RAM-only servers on 100% of the network. CyberGhost publishes a quarterly transparency report instead, which is a solid alternative approach.
Winner: Draw — CyberGhost has a more privacy-friendly jurisdiction; Surfshark has more privacy tools and a more recent audit. Both are trustworthy for most users.
Streaming: Both Work, Surfshark Is More Seamless
In my testing, both VPNs unblocked all major streaming platforms. Here’s the full breakdown:
| Platform | Surfshark | CyberGhost |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix (US + other libraries) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Amazon Prime Video | ✅ | ✅ |
| Disney+ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Hulu | ✅ | ✅ |
| HBO Max | ✅ | ✅ |
| BBC iPlayer | ✅ | ✅ |
| Apple TV+ | ✅ | ✅ |
| YouTube TV | ✅ | ✅ |
The experience differs in how you get there. With Surfshark, I connect to a country server and streaming just works — no extra steps. With CyberGhost, you need to select a streaming-optimized server for that specific platform. For example, there’s a dedicated server for BBC iPlayer and separate ones for different Netflix regional catalogs. Once connected, CyberGhost’s streaming performance is excellent — but the extra navigation step makes the experience less fluid.
Surfshark’s unlimited device connections also mean your whole family can stream from different devices simultaneously on one subscription. With CyberGhost’s 7-device cap, that gets tight fast.
If you’re primarily using a VPN for streaming and you want dedicated optimized servers with categorized access to specific platforms, CyberGhost’s approach has genuine appeal. For the best overall streaming experience, Surfshark edges it out.
For more on this, check out my best VPN for Amazon Prime Video and best VPN for Firestick guides.
Winner: Surfshark — works out of the box, faster speeds, unlimited devices.
Features: Surfshark Offers More
| Feature | Surfshark | CyberGhost |
|---|---|---|
| Ad / Malware Blocker | ✅ CleanWeb (included) | ✅ Content Blocker (included) |
| Split Tunneling | ✅ Win, Mac, Android, iOS | ✅ Win, Android only |
| Double VPN | ✅ MultiHop (customizable) | ❌ No |
| Obfuscation | ✅ Camouflage Mode | ❌ No |
| GPS Spoofing | ✅ Android | ❌ No |
| Dedicated IP | ✅ $3.75/mo, 15 countries | ✅ $2.50/mo, 13 countries |
| Alternative ID | ✅ Yes (fake online identity) | ❌ No |
| Incogni (data removal) | ✅ Included in One+ | ❌ No |
| Antivirus | ✅ Surfshark One plan | ✅ Paid add-on (Windows only) |
| NoSpy Servers | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Streaming-Optimized Servers | ❌ (all servers work for streaming) | ✅ Dedicated servers per platform |
| Gaming-Optimized Servers | ❌ | ✅ Yes |
| Smart DNS | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| P2P / Torrenting | ✅ All servers | ✅ Dedicated P2P servers |
| Warrant Canary | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (quarterly report instead) |
Surfshark’s Alternative ID feature stands out — it generates a fake name and email address you can use for online sign-ups, protecting your real identity from spam and data brokers. CyberGhost has nothing equivalent. Surfshark’s Incogni service (on the highest-tier plan) automatically sends data removal requests to people-search sites and data brokers on your behalf. Again, CyberGhost doesn’t offer this.
CyberGhost’s advantage is its specialized server categories: dedicated gaming servers for low-latency play, NoSpy servers for maximum hardware privacy, and streaming servers optimized per platform. If you want a VPN that pre-configures itself for your use case, CyberGhost’s UX for that is genuinely well thought out.
Winner: Surfshark — more tools, broader split tunneling support, unique privacy features CyberGhost doesn’t have.
Protocols and Encryption
Both VPNs support the same three protocols: WireGuard (fastest), OpenVPN (most versatile), and IKEv2 (best for mobile reconnects). Both will automatically select the fastest protocol for your connection.
The difference is in availability across platforms. Surfshark supports all three protocols on every major platform. CyberGhost’s IKEv2 is only available on Windows, macOS, and iOS — Android users are left out. OpenVPN on CyberGhost is also limited to Windows, Android, Linux, and the Fire TV app.
On encryption: Surfshark uses AES-256-GCM which is faster than the standard AES-256 CyberGhost uses, while delivering equivalent security. Surfshark also uses a stronger hash function (SHA-512 vs SHA-256).
Winner: Surfshark — broader protocol availability across all platforms, faster encryption algorithm.
Device Compatibility
| Platform | Surfshark | CyberGhost |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | ✅ | ✅ |
| macOS | ✅ | ✅ |
| Linux | ✅ (GUI) | ✅ (CLI only) |
| Android | ✅ | ✅ |
| iOS | ✅ | ✅ |
| Android TV | ✅ | ✅ |
| Apple TV | ✅ | ❌ |
| Fire TV / Firestick | ✅ | ✅ |
| Chrome Extension | ✅ | ✅ |
| Firefox Extension | ✅ | ✅ |
| Edge Extension | ✅ | ✅ |
| Router | ✅ | ✅ |
| Simultaneous Connections | Unlimited | 7 |
Surfshark covers Apple TV natively — CyberGhost doesn’t. Surfshark also offers a proper GUI for Linux, which is rare and genuinely useful for Linux power users. Beyond that, the real differentiator is unlimited simultaneous connections — connect every device in your household under one Surfshark subscription.
Winner: Surfshark — Apple TV support, Linux GUI, unlimited device connections.
Torrenting
Both VPNs support P2P file sharing. The difference is in how you access it. Surfshark allows torrenting on all its servers — no need to select a special server category. It simply works. CyberGhost requires you to connect to dedicated P2P servers, which adds an extra step.
CyberGhost does offer a free SOCKS5 proxy, which can slightly improve anonymity during torrenting. Surfshark doesn’t have this. But given Surfshark’s faster speeds (~95% retention vs ~88%), downloads finish quicker overall.
Winner: Surfshark — faster speeds, no server-switching needed for P2P.
Customer Support
Both Surfshark and CyberGhost offer 24/7 live chat and email support, plus extensive knowledge bases with setup guides. In my tests, both connected me to a live agent within seconds — response quality was high from both teams.
There’s no meaningful difference here. Both VPNs have strong, responsive support. Neither offers phone support.
Winner: Draw
Money-Back Guarantee
CyberGhost wins this one clearly: it offers a 45-day money-back guarantee on its long-term plans — one of the longest in the industry. Surfshark offers a standard 30-day guarantee. Both are genuinely honored without hassle.
If you want maximum risk-free trial time before committing, CyberGhost’s 45 days is a real advantage.
Winner: CyberGhost
Surfshark vs CyberGhost: Who Should Choose Which?
Choose Surfshark if you…
- Want the fastest VPN speeds available
- Have more than 7 devices or a whole family to cover
- Need obfuscation for travel to China, UAE, or other restricted regions
- Want a full cybersecurity suite (antivirus, ad blocker, data removal)
- Use an Apple TV or want a Linux GUI
- Want Double VPN / MultiHop for maximum anonymity
- Value the most recent no-logs audit (Deloitte 2025)
Choose CyberGhost if you…
- Want the longest risk-free trial (45 days)
- Primarily use a VPN for streaming and want dedicated per-platform servers
- Prefer a privacy-friendly jurisdiction (Romania, outside all Eyes alliances)
- Want NoSpy servers with no third-party hardware access
- Only need coverage for 7 or fewer devices
- Want the cheapest absolute long-term price ($1.75/mo)
How Does Surfshark Compare to Other Top VPNs?
Surfshark is my #1 overall recommendation, but here’s how some of the other VPNs I recommend fit into the picture:
| VPN | Best For | 2-Year Price | Speed Retention |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surfshark | Best overall value | $1.99/mo | ~95% |
| IPVanish | Unlimited devices + budget | $2.19/mo | ~92% |
| Proton VPN | Best for privacy | $2.99/mo | ~92% |
| NordVPN | Speed + server count | $3.59/mo | ~89% |
| CyberGhost | 45-day guarantee + streaming servers | $1.75/mo | ~88% |
| ExpressVPN | Easiest to use | $2.79/mo | ~91% |
| PrivadoVPN | Cheapest + best free plan | $1.11/mo | ~85% |
If speed is your #1 priority and you want something close to Surfshark at a lower price, IPVanish is worth a look — it also offers unlimited devices. For privacy-first users, Proton VPN is the gold standard, built by the team behind ProtonMail with a Swiss base and open-source apps.
Final Verdict: Surfshark vs CyberGhost
My recommendation: Surfshark — it wins on speed (~95% retention), security features (obfuscation, MultiHop, AES-256-GCM), device coverage (unlimited), and overall value. The Surfshark One plan is the one I point most people toward for the best price-to-protection ratio.CyberGhost is a solid backup choice — particularly if you want 45 days to test risk-free or want dedicated per-platform streaming servers. Just be aware of the Kape Technologies ownership if you’re highly privacy-conscious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Surfshark better than CyberGhost?
In most categories, yes. Surfshark is faster (~95% speed retention vs ~88%), supports unlimited devices (vs CyberGhost’s 7), includes obfuscation that CyberGhost lacks, and bundles more security tools. CyberGhost wins on the money-back guarantee (45 days vs 30) and has a more privacy-friendly jurisdiction (Romania vs Netherlands). For most users, Surfshark is the better overall pick.
Which is cheaper — Surfshark or CyberGhost?
CyberGhost is marginally cheaper at $1.75/mo on the 2-year plan vs Surfshark’s $1.99/mo. However, Surfshark’s unlimited device connections add enormous practical value. If you have more than 7 devices or want to cover multiple family members, Surfshark is cheaper overall since you’d need multiple CyberGhost subscriptions to match it.
Can I use CyberGhost for Netflix?
Yes, CyberGhost works with Netflix and offers dedicated streaming-optimized servers for different regional Netflix libraries. You’ll need to select the right streaming server for your target region — it’s an extra step, but works well once connected.
Does CyberGhost work in China?
CyberGhost does not offer obfuscation, which makes it less reliable in highly censored countries like China. Surfshark’s Camouflage Mode disguises VPN traffic as regular HTTPS, making it a stronger choice for bypassing China’s Great Firewall. If you need a VPN for China, Surfshark is the safer bet.
Is CyberGhost safe? Who owns it?
CyberGhost is technically safe and has independently audited no-logs policies (Deloitte 2022 and 2024). It’s owned by Kape Technologies, which also owns ExpressVPN and PIA. Kape’s predecessor company (Crossrider) had a controversial history with adware. CyberGhost itself has maintained a clean track record, but it’s a relevant detail for privacy-focused users to know.
Which VPN has a better money-back guarantee?
CyberGhost wins here — it offers a 45-day money-back guarantee on long-term plans, which is one of the longest in the VPN industry. Surfshark offers a standard 30-day guarantee. Both are hassle-free to claim.
Does Surfshark support unlimited devices?
Yes. Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous device connections under a single subscription, on any combination of platforms. CyberGhost limits you to 7 devices. This makes Surfshark significantly better for households or users with many devices.
What VPN do you personally recommend?
Surfshark is my #1 recommendation — specifically the Surfshark One plan, which includes the VPN, antivirus, data breach monitoring, and CleanWeb. It’s the best quality-to-price ratio I’ve found in 500+ hours of testing. See my full Surfshark review for the deep dive.
How does Surfshark compare to NordVPN?
In my testing, Surfshark is actually faster than NordVPN (~95% vs ~89% speed retention) and cheaper. NordVPN has a larger server count and some unique security features like Threat Protection Pro, but Surfshark wins on value and speed. See the full Surfshark vs NordVPN comparison for more detail.
87% OFF
Surfshark One — 2-Year Plan
My #1 VPN recommendation — fastest speeds, unlimited devices, full cybersecurity suite.
~95% Speed Retention
Antivirus Included
Camouflage Mode
CleanWeb Ad Blocker
Read next:
- Surfshark Review — Full In-Depth Test (2026)
- CyberGhost Review — Is It Still Worth It?
- Surfshark vs NordVPN — Which Is Actually Faster?
- NordVPN Review — Fast, But Is It Worth the Price?
- Proton VPN Review — Best VPN for Privacy in 2026
- Best VPN for Firestick and Fire TV (2026)
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