The Ultimate CyberGhost VPN Review: Features, Performance, and More

CyberGhost VPN is a Romania-based service. Aside from over 10,000 servers, the VPN offers fast speed, high encryption, and dedicated IPs. Along with a very cool name, the VPN also provides unique features. 

However, its parent company’s records raise many heads. Kape Technologies own CyberGhost. Besides the shady past of Kape Technologies, the VPN offers poor functionality with macOS and iOS VPN apps. Other popular VPNs like ExpressVPN and PIA VPN are also under this company.

To find out if CyberGhost is worth the hype, we decided to review the VPN. This review will give you a take on CyberGhost’s security features, speed, and privacy policies to determine if the VPN is the right choice. 

Who owns CyberGhost VPN?

In 2011, Robert Knapp launched CyberGhost. He is the current CEO and co-founder of CG. The VPN started with the motto of providing privacy to users worldwide. Later, in 2017, Kape Technologies acquired CyberGhost VPN. The deal was sealed for $9.8 million, and now CyberGhost has a total of 38 million users worldwide. 

Even after joining hands with Kape Technologies, CyberGhost still works as a separate service. Kape Technologies also own other VPN services, including ExpressVPN, PIA, and Zenmate. However, It is still unclear as to who has the most shares in the company. Robert Knapp is a minority shareholder, and most details about the company’s shares are hidden. Despite these unresolved mysteries, one thing we can assure users of is that CyberGhost is a reliable VPN service. 

Is CyberGhost VPN any good?

CyberGhost was founded in 2011, and since then, it has become a popular name among VPN users. Two IT specialists in Romania started the VPN, and as the country is free from data retention laws CyberGhost is considered a secure VPN. 

However, its association with Kape Technologies and limited device connection for $12.99/m is a little disturbing. Besides that, the VPN seems to be a complete package with robust security and blazing speeds. Our primary focus in this review is the following categories.

• Online privacy: it has AES-256-bit encryption that prevents data leaks and provides secure connections. 
• Safe jurisdiction: CyberGhost is based in Romania, a privacy-friendly jurisdiction ideal for a VPN. 
• Audited no-log policy: its no-log policy is audited by an independent franchise to ensure its users about the VPN’s security. 
• Streaming: users can unblock most streaming sites, prevent ISP throttling, and perform HD streaming with CyberGhost VPN. 
• Torrenting and P2P: it supports P2P sharing, and users can safely torrent with it. 
• Gaming: the VPN decreases ping time and offers fast speed for gaming. 
• Onion over VPN: the Tor browser can easily be accessed with CyberGhost. 

To write this review, we used the VPN for a while. The purpose of this was to verify our gathered information. We checked the speeds, no-log policy, server connections, and features functionality. Another source of information was forums like Reddit to better understand other users’ experiences. Keep reading to know if the VPN passed our quality test. 

Privacy and Security- Can CyberGhost VPN ensure security?

CyberGhost is a secure VPN service; it uses high encryption and follows a strict no-log policy. A good VPN offers much more than high encryption. They provide various security and privacy features to protect users’ confidential data. CyberGhost is among the few VPNs that offer unique security features. Hence, we tested out CyberGhost’s security features to authenticate their functionality. 

• Kill Switch: It prevents IP leaks during connection drops. 
• Wifi protection: It protects your device and data while using public wifi. 
• Password manager/Passcam: With 2FA, the Passcam generates strong and reliable passwords for maximum security. 
• Security suite: An Intego antivirus to prevent malware attacks. 
• Anonymous payment option: Users can pay through Bitcoin and cryptocurrency to maintain anonymity. 
• Private Browser: This browser ensures private browsing by fleeting cookies, history, and trackers. It runs off by duckduckgo. 
• Content blocker: It blocks ads, trackers, malware, and viruses to protect your device. 
• Dedicated IP: With dedicated IP, there are fewer chances of getting blocked by websites, and your security is increased. 
• DNS leak protection: It prevents DNS leaks while browsing. 
• Tor over VPN: Protects against data leaks and hacks while using the Tor browser. 

This was a short overview of all the security and privacy features offered by CyberGhost VPN. 

CyberGhost VPN Jurisdiction- is it privacy-friendly?

A VPN needs to ensure its users about the security and privacy of its service. Your data will not be protected if your VPN is based in a region with data retention laws. Some countries are also alliances with the 14, 5, and 9 eyes. Meaning that they come under the data sharing intelligence. So, you must choose a VPN with a safe jurisdiction for complete security. 

CyberGhost VPN is based in Romania; the country is free from data-saving laws and is not allied with eyes intelligence. Although Romania is a member of the European Union, the country declared those laws unconstitutional when the EU tried implementing data retention laws in Romania.

Log policy- Does CyberGhost VPN logs data?

CyberGhost has a no-log policy, meaning it keeps no tabs on users’ activity. Deloitte audited its no-log policy, and the VPN was claimed secure. But the VPN does store some information to amplify users’ security and provide the best possible experience. 

However, it is understandable that the service must log this information for security purposes. Here is what CyberGhost logs; 

Personal information, 

• Email address, and payment method.
• Anonymized IP address.
• Transaction information and partial credit card number.
• location(country).

Non-personal information: 

• The Browser you used. 
• Type of device (mobile/desktop).
• General properties and metadata, OS version, and preferred language.
• Timestamps when visiting the official website and other Browser fingerprinting data.

Personal and non-personal data are kept apart to avoid privacy issues. 

What CyberGhost does not log;

• Original IPs.
• Online activity/what sites users visited.

Although some users may be uncomfortable with CyberGhost keeping their anonymized IP, all this is done for customer safety. To further clear your doubt about its no-log policy, check out CyberGhost’s transparency report. 

Past Records of CyberGhost VPN 

A  2016 joint study revealed CyberGhost VPN’s free app version as malicious. The app was asking for unnecessary permissions from users. However, this app version was stopped, and CyberGhost offers no free app version at the moment. 

Moreover, CyberGhost became affiliated with Kape Technologies in 2017. The company has been previously known for developing adware. It also owns other popular VPNs, like ExpressVPN. However, It is quite alarming for a VPN service to operate under an adware developing company. Fortunately, Kape Technologies has diverted its agenda to VPNs and cybersecurity. So there is nothing to worry about its disturbing past anymore. 

What encryption does it use? 

Encryption is what takes security to the next level. CyberGhost uses solid encryption of AES-256-bit, and even though there is no dedicated IP with the VPN unless you pay extra for it, the VPN connects you to a static IP. Identifying anyone using a static IP is complex, so your identity remains private. Moreover, the Kill Switch feature helps protect users’ IPs by preventing leaks.  

However, CyberGhost lacks obfuscating servers, meaning the VPN won’t work in restricted regions. In addition, the split tunneling feature is available for Windows, but there is no multi-hop. In short, choosing CyberGhost as your VPN is a tough decision. If you need obfuscation, it is not the right choice for you. Although, if your main concern is encryption and speed, you can try CyberGhost VPN. 

CyberGhost VPN protocols.

Protocols decide the speed and security of your VPN. Every protocol works differently; while some are good for fast speed, others offer robust security. CyberGhost offers the best and most efficient protocols. Let’s see what protocols it offers and when to use each one.

• OpenVPN (TCP/UDP): it is a great option for both security and speed. It is an open-source protocol, the UDP provides fast speed, and TCP offers better security. 
• IKEv2: it is preferable for mobile users as it reestablishes network connections quickly without dropping the VPN connection. 
• WireGuard: a lightweight protocol that offers blazing speeds and security. It is a new protocol but gaining popularity rather quickly. 

Remember, if you use WireGuard, you will be connected with ChaCha20 encryption. Moroever, switching between UDP and TCP is only available if you use the OpenVPN protocol. 

Is CyberGhost VPN a good choice for streaming?

If you wish to stream online, there are many obstacles you must deal with, such as ISP throttling, bandwidth restrictions, and geo-restrictions. CyberGhost VPN offers solutions to all these problems. However, one important feature that the VPN lacks is obfuscating servers. So, if you want to access content from a restricted region, you simply can’t. We have compiled a list of streaming features that CyberGhost offers. 

• Smart DNS: It helps in bypassing censorship and geo-blocks. 
• Prevents ISP throttling: The fast encryption prevents ISP from throttling your connection. 
• Many servers: 9249+ servers help ensure fast speeds and quick server connections. 
• Netflix: Canada, the UK, Germany, France, Germany, Japan, Spain, Australia, Finland, the United States, and India.
• Hulu: Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and Phoenix.
• BBCiPlayer: Berkshire, London, and Manchester.
• HBO max: the US, Latin America, Europe, Canada, Australia, Chicago, Newzealand, etc. 

We tried accessing major streaming platforms with CyberGhost VPN to check if it’s worth the hype. Keep reading to know more!

CyberGhost VPN can unblock Netflix US? 

Netflix is one of the most popular streaming sites, with different content libraries for every region. Every library consists of different streaming content; the most famous Netflix library is the US one. However, people outside the US can’t access this library. The reason behind this restriction is geo-blocks. To bypass geo-bocks, we used CyberGhost VPN. 

The VPN worked exceptionally well with Netflix. We used the Smart DNS to unblock the streaming site, and it quickly unblocked Netflix US. Connecting to a US-based server was easy. We chose the nearest US server from the list and manually selected the Wireguard protocol. The Kill Switch effectively prevented IP leaks, and the streaming quality was HD. We would definitely use CyberGhost VPN to unblock Netflix US.

How to set up CyberGhost VPN for Netflix;

• Download and launch CyberGhost on any compatible device.
• Log in to your account. 
• Enable the Smart DNS to bypass geo-blocks. 
• Decide which Netflix library you want to access, like Netflix US. 
• Connect to a streaming-optimized server in the country of your choice. 
• Open Netflix and begin streaming.

Now you can easily access Netflix US and bypass all geo-blocks.

Unblocking BBCiPlayer with CyberGhost VPN. 

CyberGhost VPN smoothly unblocks BBC iPlayer on the first try. Surprisingly, it unblocked BBC iPlayer even faster than Netflix. The site is only available in the UK; therefore, many users are restricted from accessing it. However, CyberGhost VPN was able to unblock the site. 

First, we connected to a streaming-optimized server in the UK and enabled the Smart DNS. The automatic Kill Switch prevented IP leaks. The picture quality was excellent, and we could watch all our favorite shows without lag. 

How to set up CyberGhost VPN for BBC iPlayer;

• Download and launch CyberGhost on any compatible device.
• Log in to your account. 
• Enable the Smart DNS feature.  
• Connect to a UK streaming-optimized server. 
• Open BBC iPlayer and start streaming.

Users must have a BBC iPlayer subscription to unblock the site. 

Is CyberGhost VPN compatible with Hulu?

Hulu is another streaming site that is geo-blocked. It is only available in some regions, including the US. We decided to check if CyberGhost VPN could unblock Hulu, and the results were indeed satisfactory. 

We used smart DNS to bypass geo-blocks. The pattern we followed is similar to that of BBC and Netflix. However, one thing we changed was the protocol. The UDP protocol provided better speeds than WireGuard, and with AES-256-bit encryption, the streaming experience was seamless. There were no lags or buffering at all. 

How to set up CyberGhost VPN for Hulu;

• Download and launch CyberGhost on any compatible device.
• Log in to your account. 
• Enable the Smart DNS to bypass geo-blocks. 
• Decide which Hulu library you want to access, like the US. 
• Connect to a streaming-optimized server in the country of your choice. 
• Open Hulu and begin streaming.

Now you can stream all your favorite shows with ease. 

Can I unblock HBO Max with CyberGhost VPN?

CyberGhost VPN worked well with HBO, also. The speed was fast, and most servers worked with HBO Max. However, the homepage loaded quickly, and browsing the site was similar to browsing it with no VPN. 

Setting up HBO was simple; we connected to the UDP protocol for fast speed and connected to a US server. The connection took only a few seconds, just like HBO Max was unblocked. However, the video quality was not as good as BBC, but it depends on your internet speed. We can’t blame this on CyberGhost VPN. The video quality will be better if you have a stable internet connection. 

How to set up CyberGhost VPN for HBO Max;

• Download and launch CyberGhost on any compatible device.
• Log in to your account. 
• Enable the Smart DNS. 
• Connect to a streaming-optimized server in the country of your choice. 
• Open HBO Max and begin streaming.

Now you can stream all your favorite shows with ease. 

Troubleshooting.

Having trouble accessing streaming sites? Try these methods. 

1. Switch the servers.
2. Change the encryption protocol.
3. Reboot the VPN app.
4. Verify your IP address.
5. Check antivirus and firewall settings.
6. Contact customer support.

These tips will surely help you unblock streaming sites and resolve other streaming issues. 

How to enable Smart DNS

Step 1: Access your Account Dashboard and click on My Smart DNS. 

Step 2: From the available choices, pick the DNS that corresponds to the service which is aimed at unblocking:

• Hulu US Address
• Netflix US address
• Netflix UK Address

Torrenting with CyberGhost VPN

In countries like US and UK, torrenting is prohibited, and if you are caught torrenting by your ISP you might end up facing charges. Besides these restrictions, many people torrent with a VPN. it masks your IP and prevents ISP monitoring. 

CyberGhost VPN is among the top VPN services when it comes to security. Therefore, we tried to test the VPN with torrenting. First, let’s check out the torrenting features it offers. 

• Specialized P2P servers: It supports P2P sharing and file downloads. 
• Split tunneling: It helps maintain privacy by only sending specific traffic through the VPN while the rest travels through the regular network. 

We followed the CyberGhost VPN guide and used the P2P-optimized servers. The file took exactly 3 minutes to download, and the split tunneling feature helped maintain security. However, the US and Australian servers prohibit torrenting, so you must choose a server other than those in these countries. We recommend choosing a server nearby for better speed. 

Here is how to set up CyberGhost VPN for torrenting.

• Launch the CyberGhost app and select your subscription plan. 
• Select a P2P-optimized server from a nearby country. 
• Choose a server from the P2P section of servers for fast speed and security.  

Is CyberGhost VPN a good choice for gamers?

Gaming requires fast speed and low ping; only a few VPNs can work well while gaming. We decided to put CyberGhost VPN to the test. Here are some of the features that help while gaming. 

• VPN protocols: Fast encryption protocols promise fast gaming speeds. 
• DDOS attack shield: It prevents DDOS attacks by masking your real IP. 
• Split tunneling: It helps maintain privacy by only sending specific traffic through the VPN while the rest travels through the regular network. 
• Gaming-optimized servers: They offer fast speed and low ping time. 

For gaming, we recommend using the OpenVPN protocol; this protocol works along the AES-256-bit encryption. Moreover, in CyberGhost, OpenVPN offers faster speeds than WireGuard. We experienced a prominent decrease in ping time. Besides, the split tunneling feature was also helpful in maintaining fast speed, and the high encryption prevented DDOS attacks. It also offers gaming-optimized servers, which are only available for Windows users. 

Here is how to set up CyberGhost VPN for gaming.

• Launch the CyberGhost app and select your subscription plan. 
• Select a gaming-optimized server if you have Windows.
• Or choose a nearby for fast speed.
• Enable the Kill Switch. 
• Open the game you want to play. 
• start gaming. 

The VPN is not the best choice for gaming, as we experienced a few lags, and it took many tries to find a reliable server. You can use the ‘Best Server Location’ feature to find the best servers nearby. 

CyberGhost VPN support with Tor

Using a Tor browser without a VPN can result in a security breach. If your  ISP tracks you using Tor, it can create suspicion. It is better to use a VPN while using Tor for maximum security. CyberGhost VPN offers Tor over VPN features to protect against data leaks. 

• Tor over VPN: It hides your IP address from Tor’s entry nodes to ensure maximum browsing privacy. 
• Split tunneling: It helps maintain privacy by only sending specific traffic through the VPN while the rest travels through the regular network. 

There are two ways to use a VPN with Tor. Tor over VPN  and VPN over Tor. However, we used Tor over the VPN method, as it is easier to set up and provides more anonymity. The automatic  Kill Switch feature prevents IP leaks. Then we selected a nearby server, and the speed was fast, and there were only a few lags. Overall, it was a good experience, and it’s safe to say that CyberGhost VPN works well with Tor. 

Pricing and Money back guarantee 

The service offers 3 subscription plans with a 14-day money-back guarantee with the 1-month plan and a 45-day money-back guarantee with the other plans. 

Plan.	Pricing.
1-month plan	$12.99/m
6-month plan	$6.99/m
2-year + 4 months plan	$2.03/m

CyberGhost accepts the following Payment methods;

• Credit cards.
• Amazon Pay.
• PayPal.
• Cryptocurrencies.

The payment is billed in USD, and taxes apply to these prices.

Customer support – Is CyberGhost VPN user-friendly?

While contacting CyberGhost’s customer support, we connected with an agent. The agent replied to our queries fast, and the answers were to the point and helpful. Moreover, if you have a problem, the service will create a ticket and submit your issue. You will get a reply to your problem soon after that.

Besides, the FAQ section and articles were also helpful; most customer queries were solved by reading those articles. CyberGhost VPN is user-friendly and offers various ways to contact customer support, such as;

• 24/7 live chat.
• Email.
• Guides or articles.
• FAQs.

They also offer tutorials on how to set up the VPN on different devices. 

Pros and cons of CyberGhost VPN- an Overview. 

Here is a list of our favorite features that CyberGhost VPN offers. On the right, you can see the features that the VPN lacks. It is to provide a better insight into CyberGhost VPN. 

Pros	Cons
It offers industry-level AES-256-bit encryption.	WireGuard doe not work with Mac.
Light-weighted protocols like WireGuard offers security and high speeds.	Only a few servers support torrenting.
The Smart DNS helps in bypassing censorships.	Fewer servers than other VPNs.
Dedicated IP helps in keeping your identity private.	Lac of voice call customer service.
The VPN is audited and offers a strict no-log policy.	Apple apps have fewer features.
It offers specialized servers for gaming, streaming, and torrenting.	Split tunneling is only available for Windows users.
Users get a 45-day money-back guarantee and a free trial.
Customer supports available 24/7.
It prevents ISP throttling and offers unlimited bandwidth.
Users can pay via cryptocurrency.

Final Words 

CyberGhost took no time to become our favorite. It is a user-friendly VPN with unique features. We loved that the VPN worked with all three; torrenting, streaming, and gaming. Moreover, it is based in a privacy-friendly jurisdiction and has an audited no-log policy. Just like other services CyberGhost VPN also lacks a few features. The servers are limited in number, and it only offers 7 simultaneous device connections. But overall, it is a good choice. 

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