CyberGhost is one of the oldest VPNs in the market. Released in 2005, the VPN has become a household name among the top-tier VPNs. It has a reputation for offering excellent service to users. Some of its attractions include its enormous server coverage, great speed, and affordable pricing, amongst other great features.
While it has a 15-year market reputation, a lot has happened in the VPN market over the years. With the introduction of new VPNs and older ones dethroned, it is worth asking if CyberGhost is still as relevant as it was in the past. So, I decided to do a review of the VPN, detailing what to expect from CyberGhost now.
Overview
CyberGhost is a Romanian-based VPN provider with 15 years of expertise under its belt. It offers one of the most extensive server coverage among VPNs (6000 servers, in 111 locations across 90 countries). The company is also far away from any data privacy law that makes it difficult for VPNs to guarantee users’ privacy. It further makes use of one of the best encryption technologies available, which is the AES 256-bit encryption. This encryption is hack-proof, making it impossible to sabotage its security. It also has other excellent features that help to ensure users’ security and privacy.
It also has dedicated apps for all major platforms and allows 7 devices to log in simultaneously. It also offers great plan and pricing with their 3-year plan starting at $2.44 per month.
CyberGhost has created an excellent reputation for itself but can it live up to it? Read on to find out.
Server Coverage
CyberGhost has a wide server coverage that spans across 111 locations in 90 countries. It has more than 6000 servers in all locations. Below is a breakdown of their servers in all locations.
North America
- 3 countries (The United States, Canada, and Mexico)
- 17 server locations, 1475 servers.
Europe
- 43 countries (including The United Kingdom, France, and Spain)
- 59 server locations, 3526 servers
Oceania
- 2 countries (Australia and New Zealand)
- 4 server locations, 159 servers
Asia
- 26 countries (including China, India, and Israel)
- 26 server locations, 837 servers
Central America
- 2 countries (Costa Rica and Panama)
- 2 server locations, 36 servers
South America
- 5 countries (including Brazil, Argentina, and Chile)
- 5 server locations, 101 servers
Caribbean
- 1 country (The Bahamas)
- 1 server location, 48 servers
Africa
- 6 countries (including Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt)
- 6 server locations, 120 servers
With such widespread coverage, CyberGhost offers users a lot of variety and possibilities when it comes to server selection. With the large number of servers, it is almost impossible for its servers to fail. Its servers are enough to go round, so there are going to be very little or no occurrences of server overloading. It also has dedicated servers for streaming, which makes it a good option for accessing streaming services. With the multiplicity of servers and strong reliability, it’s safe to say that CyberGhost still has its server game up.
Speed and Performance
Another area where a VPN must excel is in the speed and performance of its servers. You can have tons of servers, but without good speed and performance, it’s worth nothing.
There are three elements that are used to ascertain how fast or slow the speed of a server is. They are download, upload, and ping.
- Download speed is essentially the time it takes to download data from the server you’re connected to into your device.
- Upload Speed is how long it takes to send data to others. It’s usually slower than download speed because the majority of our online activities consist of downloads.
- Ping indicates how fast it takes for your connection to get a reaction when you send out a request. A faster ping indicates a more reactive connection.
I put the speed of CyberGhost servers to test. I did this consistently for about two weeks, and these are the results I got in different locations.
First, I ran a speed test to determine my average internet speed without any VPN. This made it easy to ascertain the speed of the VPNs server when compared with the regular speed of my local server. These were the results of my speed test without CyberGhost
Download Speed: 40.85 Mbps
Upload Speed: 14.65 Mbps
Ping: 53 ms
Then I used the “Quick Connect” function to connect to the best server chosen by CyberGhost. My download speed didn’t drop below 20 percent. I connected to other servers in the US and the UK. Download speed dropped but was still good enough to stream Netflix without any breakage. In all, CyberGhost offers great speed.
What to Do When CyberGhost Speed is Down
This happens to all of us every once in a while. It can be fixed. However, do take note that not all speed problems can be fixed. If, for example, you had a terrible reception from the start, there is little that a VPN could do to make it better. With that said, here are some steps you could take to improve your speed
Switch servers
More often than not, the problem might be the server you are connected to. It might already be overloaded. If this is the case, switching servers might solve your problem.
Choose a nearby server
The truth is this, the closer you are to your server, the faster it would be. Try to connect to a server that’s close to you. This could also improve your speed.
Change your security protocol
If you are using a high-security protocol, it might make your speed lag. This is because the higher protocols offer more security at the expense of speed. If you want to experience faster speed, switching the security protocol could greatly help.
Switch devices
Another thing you could do is switch devices. Sometimes, the lag may be coming from your device. Switch off the devices and restart it. If, after that, you are still experiencing lags, then you should switch devices.
Check your connection
If you are using WiFi, check your connection to ensure you are still connected. Move closer to your WiFi connection to see if you could get better reception. If that still doesn’t work, then it’s advisable you upgrade your WiFi. If it’s possible, use a wired connection as that’s usually faster.
Safety and Security Features
Security and safety is a big deal when it comes to VPNs. One of the primary reasons why people use a VPN is to acquire some cybersecurity. CyberGhost’s website boasts about how efficient its VPN is. I decided to do the tests myself and find out how accurate the assertions were. After using CyberGhost for about two weeks, I could say that I was impressed by the level of safety and security it offers. CyberGhost has an impenetrable security system. It uses the AES 256-bit keys encryption, which is one of the best in the world. Alongside this, it offers other features that help to ensure that the user is a literal cyber ghost.
The kill switch function cuts off all traffic whenever your connection to the VPN mistakenly drops. It’s a perfect check that keeps you safe if the connection drops.
The Ad blocker blocks off all ads while the malware tool works to keep you safe as you surf the net.
It also has DNS-leak prevention features that keep your data safe whenever you are surfing the net. It further supports some of the best protocols available, including the OpenVPN. With these excellent features, you can be sure that your data is safe.
I tried out all of these features, and they are working fine. I even tried to track my IP address. I ran some DNS and IP address tests. It all turned out negative as I couldn’t uncover my IP address, Further, I did not discover any data leaks.
All of these features come together to create an airtight security system for CyberGhost. CyberGhost’s security is top-notch and has no space for slips.
Anonymity and Privacy Features
Privacy and anonymity is a very salient factor for a great VPN. Without it, users will be left at the mercy of online scammers and Cybercriminals. CyberGhost, however, is one of the few companies that offers excellent privacy to its users.
CyberGhost is based in Romania, away from all the data privacy drama in other parts of the world. This makes it easy for it to abide by a no-logs policy. A no-logs policy means that the company doesn’t keep any record of users’ data. CyberGhost is so sure about the privacy that they offer to users. They claim that you cannot tie any CyberGhost account to a real person.
Platforms Supported
One of the places where CyberGhost excels is in platform support. It has dedicated applications for most platforms. It has mobile apps for both Android and iOS devices. Its software on the PC spreads through from Windows, to Mac OS, and Linux. It also has apps for smart TVs, Android TV, Amazon fire stick, and the AppleTV.
It has equally got extensions for Chrome and Firefox. It’s got the gamers covered too, with dedicated apps for the PlayStation and Xbox 360. Routers are not left out either as those have their dedicated apps. This makes CyberGhost one of the best when it comes to platforms supported.
When it comes to the number of devices allowed to log in simultaneously per account, CyberGhost allows seven. While that’s fair, it doesn’t match what some other VPNs offer.
For their platform support, I can say CyberGhost is super. However, they are not so great when it comes to the number of devices supported.
Streaming and Torrenting
Streaming and torrenting are major considerations when it comes to VPNs. The majority of users just want to stream, download and upload stuff through torrent platforms. For any VPN to be considered topnotch, it must offer satisfactory results for streaming and torrenting. I tried out CyberGhost for streaming and torrenting, and I must say the results are quite fair.
Streaming
One of the major reasons people try out VPNs for streaming is to unblock geo-restricted content on streaming platforms. Many people are barred from using some services due to geographical restrictions.There are content people cannot access because it is unique to some geographical locations. However, a good VPN would be able to bypass such restrictions.
This doesn’t mean that the streaming platforms offer no resistance. Netflix, for example, has successfully stopped tons of VPNs from unblocking its content. However, some VPNs still get over the restrictions. I tried out CyberGhost and found it to be one of such VPNs. It claims to have dedicated streaming servers, and from my test, it appears to be true. I was able to unblock the US version of Netflix and the UK and Japanese versions. The speed was impressive, and the connection pretty strong. I was also able to unblock and access other streaming sites like Hulu, Amazon prime, Disney+, Youtube, and the BBC iPlayer. You can do all this with blazing speed and unlimited bandwidth.
Another streaming delight that the CyberGhost offers is that it allows you to stream sporting events live. Gamers are also lucky as they can unblock geo-exclusive game content on the PlayStation and Xbox 360.
Torrenting
It’s no news that torrenting is legal. Things only start to get ugly when copyrighted content is being sent over the torrent. Thus, you could get harassed by your Internet Service Provider for torrenting. A VPN saves you these hassles. Asides that, you could make do with the improved speed a VPN offers you while torrenting.
For torrenting, CyberGhost is amazingly fast and secure. I tested its dedicated P2P servers which are reserved, especially, for torrenting. The speed and the encryption that these servers offer make torrenting a delight for the user. With the unlimited bandwidth they offer, I could download files with a lot of ease and speed.
For streaming and torrenting, CyberGhost fairs well enough.
Plans and Pricing
Another thing people check out for in VPNs is affordability. I checked out the pricing and plans that CyberGhost offers, and I must say that the prices are friendly enough. You won’t have to turn out your wallets for this one.
Its monthly plan starts at $12.99 per month and offers a 14 days money-back guarantee.
Its six months plan starts at $7.99 per month and offers a 45 days money-back guarantee.
Its 18 months plan starts at $2.75 per month, offering an incredible 79 percent discount. This plan also offers a 45 days money-back guarantee. This plan is also their best offer and is worth considering.
It offers robust options when it comes to payment methods. You can make payments through credit cards, PayPal, or through bitpay. This provides an anonymous payment option to users. This shows how serious CyberGhost is about privacy and security.
In all, its payment plans are great and affordable. However, I would advise getting the 18 months payment as it’s way cheaper.
User Experience
I reviewed CyberGhost in terms of user experience and I examined the VPN under the metrics of accessibility and customer support. Here is what I found:
Application Interface and Accessibility
People generally appreciate applications and websites that are easy to use. I checked out what CyberGhost offers on its apps and how user-friendly and intuitive its app’s interface and functionality are across multiple platforms. What I found was this: CyberGhost doesn’t offer the same services to users on different devices. While the Windows app has all the beautiful features that CyberGhost offers, this is not the same with all the other platforms. The apps for Android and iOS devices do not match up. Also, the Linux and Mac apps, too, do not measure up to the Windows app. Generally, the apps do lag every once in a while during operation.
Customer Support
CyberGhost has top-notch customer support. It offers product guides, well-detailed FAQs, contact support, and a chat option.
Its product guides are detailed and helpful. It offers tutorials on how to install its applications on various platforms. If all you need to do is have the app installed, then the product guides are perfect to get you going. Additionally, there are multiple “how to” articles on different topics. With those, it would be straightforward to solve most of the difficulties you might encounter. It would also be easy to understand how to activate and navigate different settings within the app.
I also checked out its FAQs, and there is a lot of helpful information on billing, security, privacy, subscriptions, and a host of other topics. If you ever had a question about CyberGhost and needed answers, you can be sure to get your answers on the FAQs.
It also offers excellent contact support and provides an email option. You get a quick reply to your mail. Also, its chat option is very active and responsive.
Additionally, it has a section for troubleshooting that’s very useful and helpful. It answers a lot of troubleshooting questions you could have.
CyberGhost boldly offers 24 hours customer support, and lives up to it. It also responds quickly to chats and emails. CyberGhost’s customer service is top notch.
Is the VPN Any Good for China?
Being able to access China is a crown jewel feature among VPNs. This is because the Chinese cyber firewall is one of the thickest in the world. It is almost impenetrable. China is an anti VPN area. Most VPNs, including the top tier ones, can’t penetrate China. To use some services like YouTube, Facebook, and Gmail from China, you would need an excellent VPN to bypass the firewall. In the past, CyberGhost has been known to bypass the Chinese firewall. However, considering all that has gone on in the world today, I thought it necessary to consider how effective this VPN was for offering coverage in China.
I tested CyberGhost to see if it could crack down the great walls. The test did turn out negative. CyberGhost cannot, at the moment, break through the encryptions in China. If you wanted to access China or use a VPN inside China, CyberGhost is not the option at the moment. However, it is possible that it could make a comeback sometime in the future. But at the moment, it’s a negative when it comes to China.
Pros and Cons
Let us take a look at the pros and cons of using CyberGhost.
Pros
Great Server Coverage
CyberGhost has one of the most extensive server coverages. With CyberGhost, you can get access to servers almost anywhere in the world. The speed is fast and reliable. It also has dedicated servers for streaming and torrenting.
Reliable Security and Privacy Features
CyberGhost uses the best encryption technology in the world: the AES 256-bit keys. This means it’s hack-proof. Along with this, it offers other functions that help ensure your total security whenever you are surfing the Web. Its privacy policy is topnotch as it operates a no-log policy. It has also asserted that you cannot link a CyberGhost VPN account to any real-life user. Its privacy and security are airtight.
Apps across Board
This is one area CyberGhost excels. It has dedicated apps for different types of devices. From the mobile phones to the PCs, the smart TVs, browser extensions, the routers, and even the game consoles. CyberGhost goes the extra mile to ensure that it serves every device type available. It also allows up to 7 devices to log in simultaneously per account. While they may be other VPNs that offer better, this is entirely satisfactory, especially if you are a single user.
Great Speed
CyberGhost is so-called for two reasons; first, the invincibility it offers and then its speed. CyberGhost offers really great speed, which is needed for most high-end tasks like video gaming, streaming, and torrenting. While some other VPNs may lag, this is not the same with this provider.
Great Pricing
One thing that stands CyberGhost out is the fact that it’s relatively cheap. When you compare what they offer, against their prices and plans, it’s almost too good to be true. Its 18 months plan starts at $2.75 per month. That saves you over 70 percent. When you compare that with what most VPNs offer, the difference is obvious. CyberGhost is super affordable.
Good Customer Support
CyberGhost boasts one of the most robust customer support among top tier VPNs. With dedicated sections for troubleshooting, FAQs, and product guides, you can always find a solution to your problems. If you don’t, they have a live chat option to speak with an attendant directly to get your problem solved. You could also send a mail and get prompt replies that are both helpful and straightforward. Its customer support is active 24/7. That’s a big plus for CyberGhost.
Excellent for Streaming
This VPN allows you to stream with unlimited bandwidth and blistering speed. However, that’s not all that makes streaming with this VPN fun. You can also unblock geo-restricted content using CyberGhost. You can unblock content on top streaming sites like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Youtube, BBC iPlayer, and a host of others. You can also stream sporting events live from wherever you are in the world. Gaming is also a delight with CyberGhost as you get to unblock geo-restricted games and content.
Great for Torrenting
Using CyberGhost for torrenting is a delight. It offers great speed and unlimited bandwidth for torrenting. This makes your torrenting experience pleasurable. Also, it provides maximum security while you torrent. The AES 256-bit keys encryption ensures that you are not vulnerable when you are torrenting. In all, CyberGhost is a fast and secure choice for torrenting.
Cons
Inability to Work in China
This is one big blow to CyberGhost’s reputation. At the moment, the VPN cannot access China. Formerly, CyberGhost used to be one of the go-to VPNs for China. However, as of today, China is off-limits for CyberGhost. If you want to access Chinese content from any location or access the outside world from within China, you will have to find an alternative VPN for that.
Shady Anonymity Status
While CyberGhost claims to offer excellent anonymity to users, the details are a little bit muddy. There are parts of the user-agreement on its website that claims that it retains some data to help serve the users better. So far, so good; there have been no reported leakages of users’ data. However, the fact that some data retention does exist can be quite upsetting, especially if you are big on privacy and anonymity. If it’s something you can overlook, then there’s nothing to worry about.
Recommendations and Conclusion
After a thorough testing process, the verdict is in. Overall, CyberGhost is worth your money. It offers the best of services where it can. Its server coverage is excellent, and so is its speed and server stability. It provides top-notch security and privacy. Its subscription offers are great too. It has apps for almost all device platforms and is suitable for streaming, torrenting, and gaming. The only chink in its armor, however, is the fact that it cannot access China. That’s the only factor that takes it down the pecking order. But if you can do without connecting to China, then CyberGhost is excellent.