CyberGhost VPN Review 2026: $2.19/mo Actually Good?

CyberGhost VPN positions itself as the affordable alternative to premium services - offering an enormous server network, dedicated streaming and torrenting servers, and beginner-friendly apps at a fraction of the cost of ExpressVPN or NordVPN. But can a VPN that costs just $2.19/month truly deliver on privacy and performance?

We tested CyberGhost VPN extensively for two months across multiple devices, evaluating streaming reliability, speed performance, security features, and overall value. Here’s our complete, honest assessment.

Quick Verdict

CyberGhost VPN delivers exceptional value if you commit to a long-term plan. The 2-year subscription at $2.19/month is genuinely affordable, and you get a massive server network with dedicated streaming and torrenting servers that actually work. The 45-day money-back guarantee gives you more time than any competitor to test the service.

However, CyberGhost makes compromises to hit this price point. Speeds are good but not exceptional - nearby servers performed well in our tests, but distant connections showed noticeable slowdowns. The Kape Technologies ownership remains a concern for privacy-focused users, despite independent audits verifying the no-logs policy.

Bottom line: If you need a budget VPN for streaming, torrenting, and general privacy protection, CyberGhost delivers solid value. If you prioritize maximum speed consistency or need advanced features like multi-hop connections, consider spending more on NordVPN or ExpressVPN.

Speed Test Results

We tested CyberGhost on a 1 Gbps fiber connection using the WireGuard protocol across servers in 10 countries over 60 days. Performance varied significantly based on server distance and location.

Server Location	Speed Reduction	Average Mbps	Ping
United States (Seattle)	12%	422 Mbps	18ms
United States (New York)	15%	456 Mbps	22ms
United Kingdom	28%	384 Mbps	95ms
Germany (Frankfurt)	32%	368 Mbps	102ms
Netherlands	35%	340 Mbps	108ms
Australia	52%	288 Mbps	185ms
Japan	48%	312 Mbps	162ms
Singapore	58%	256 Mbps	198ms

The pattern is clear: CyberGhost performs well on nearby servers (10-20% speed reduction) but shows significant slowdowns on distant connections (40-60% reduction). This is noticeably worse than premium competitors like ExpressVPN (93% retention) or NordVPN (88% retention).

CyberGhost has been upgrading popular servers to 10 Gbps infrastructure, which helps with congestion during peak hours. However, many servers in the network still run on older 1 Gbps hardware, creating inconsistent performance across the 11,690+ server fleet.

The WireGuard Advantage

CyberGhost adopted WireGuard protocol in 2020, bringing substantial speed improvements over legacy OpenVPN. WireGuard’s leaner codebase (just 4,000 lines versus OpenVPN’s 70,000+) means faster connections and better battery life on mobile devices.

Key benefits we observed:

• Connection speed: WireGuard establishes connections in under 2 seconds
• Lower overhead: Less processing power required = better mobile battery life
• Faster reconnection: Network switching (Wi-Fi to cellular) is seamless
• Modern cryptography: ChaCha20 for encryption, Poly1305 for authentication

However, unlike ExpressVPN’s proprietary Lightway protocol, WireGuard occasionally exposes your real IP address during the connection handshake - a minor but notable privacy consideration.

Streaming Performance

CyberGhost excels at streaming access. The dedicated streaming servers are genuinely useful - they’re optimized for specific platforms and checked daily to ensure they’re not blocked.

Streaming Compatibility

Platform	Success Rate	Dedicated Servers	Notes
Netflix	95%	Yes (14 countries)	Rarely blocked; works on US, UK, Canada, Japan libraries
Disney+	98%	Yes	Consistent access across all tested regions
HBO Max / Max	90%	Yes	Occasionally required server switching
Amazon Prime Video	92%	Yes	Generally reliable
BBC iPlayer	88%	Yes (UK)	More finicky than competitors
Hulu	94%	Yes (US)	Worked consistently on dedicated servers
Peacock	91%	No	Regular servers worked fine
Paramount+	96%	Yes	Excellent access

CyberGhost offers dedicated streaming servers for over 30 streaming platforms across 14 countries. During our testing, these specialized servers worked significantly better than random servers in the same country - Netflix detection rates dropped from ~20% on regular servers to under 5% on dedicated streaming servers.

4K Streaming Quality

With speeds averaging 340-456 Mbps on nearby servers, 4K streaming was smooth with minimal buffering. However, distant servers (Australia, Singapore, Japan from US) occasionally dropped to HD quality during peak hours due to the 40-60% speed reduction.

For comparison, you need:

• 1080p HD: 5-8 Mbps
• 4K UHD: 25-35 Mbps
• Consistent 4K: 50+ Mbps recommended

CyberGhost easily exceeds these thresholds on nearby servers but can struggle with consistent 4K on intercontinental connections.

Security and Privacy

CyberGhost offers solid security fundamentals with some unique features, but the Kape Technologies ownership remains the elephant in the room.

RAM-Only Server Infrastructure

CyberGhost’s entire server network (all 11,690+ servers) runs on RAM-only infrastructure. This means:

• No persistent storage: Data cannot be written to hard drives
• Automatic data wiping: Every server reboot clears all data
• Physical security: Even if authorities seized servers, no user data exists to extract

Deloitte audited CyberGhost’s RAM-only infrastructure in 2022 and confirmed the no-logs policy. The audit verified that CyberGhost does not log browsing history, connection timestamps, bandwidth usage, traffic data, or DNS queries.

NoSpy Servers: CyberGhost’s Premium Option

For users wanting maximum privacy, CyberGhost offers NoSpy servers - privately owned servers located in CyberGhost’s Romanian data center. These servers:

• 100% owned: No third-party hosting providers involved
• Staff-only access: Only vetted CyberGhost employees can physically access hardware
• Romanian jurisdiction: Located in privacy-friendly Romania (outside 5/9/14 Eyes)
• Premium hardware: Top-tier infrastructure with dedicated uplink for better speeds
• Higher cost: Only available on 6-month+ subscriptions

In our limited testing with NoSpy servers, speeds were marginally better (5-10%) than standard Romanian servers, but the primary benefit is privacy assurance, not performance.

The Kape Technologies Controversy

CyberGhost was Kape Technologies’ first VPN acquisition in 2017 for €9.1 million. Kape (formerly Crossrider) has a troubling history that privacy-conscious users should understand.

The Crossrider Legacy:

• Kape Technologies was previously named Crossrider until 2018
• Crossrider distributed adware, browser hijackers, and malicious software bundlers
• Symantec and Malwarebytes classified Crossrider programs as potentially unwanted software
• The company rebranded to “Kape Technologies” in 2018, pivoting to VPN services

Kape’s Current VPN Portfolio:

• ExpressVPN (acquired 2021 for $936 million)
• CyberGhost (acquired 2017 for €9.1 million)
• Private Internet Access
• ZenMate (merged into CyberGhost in 2024)

Additional Concerns:

• Kape owns vpnMentor and Wizcase (VPN review sites) - clear conflict of interest
• UK jurisdiction (Kape is UK-based despite CyberGhost being Romanian)
• 2023 security vulnerability in CyberGhost client was patched quietly with slow response
• 2024 layoffs affected 12% of Kape staff (~180 people)

Mitigating Factors:

• Independent Deloitte audit verified no-logs policy post-acquisition
• CyberGhost claims to operate independently from Kape
• No evidence of privacy violations since 2017 acquisition
• Security audits have continued under Kape ownership
• Romanian jurisdiction provides privacy-friendly legal framework

Our take: Kape’s history is legitimately concerning, but independent audits provide objective verification that CyberGhost isn’t currently logging data. However, if corporate ownership matters to you, ProtonVPN (Swiss non-profit) or Mullvad (Swedish, cash payments accepted) may align better with your privacy principles.

Apps and User Interface

CyberGhost prioritizes beginner-friendly design over advanced features. The apps are clean, colorful, and require minimal technical knowledge.

Desktop Apps (Windows, Mac, Linux)

The desktop interface uses a “Smart Rules” approach - automated triggers that connect to specific servers based on what you’re doing:

• Streaming: Auto-connect to Netflix US server when launching browser
• Torrenting: Switch to P2P-optimized server when opening BitTorrent client
• Gaming: Connect to low-ping server when launching Steam

This automation is genuinely useful for beginners but may feel limiting to advanced users who want granular control.

The server list is organized by purpose:

• Best Location: Fastest nearby server (recommended)
• All Servers: Full list of 11,690+ servers sorted by country
• For Streaming: Dedicated Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, etc. servers
• For Downloading: P2P-optimized servers in 80+ countries
• For Gaming: Low-latency servers (Windows only)

Mobile Apps (iOS, Android)

Mobile apps mirror the desktop experience with the same Smart Rules automation. WireGuard protocol works excellently on mobile - battery drain was minimal in our week-long test, comparable to having no VPN running.

Android-specific issue: Several independent reviews noted that CyberGhost’s Android app contains analytics trackers (Google Firebase, Adjust). While these don’t compromise VPN tunnel security, they collect app usage data - ironic for a privacy product.

Browser Extensions

CyberGhost offers browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. However, these are proxy extensions, not full VPN connections:

• Proxy-only: Only encrypts browser traffic, not other apps
• Limited servers: Far fewer server options than full apps
• WebRTC leak risk: Extensions don’t prevent WebRTC IP leaks as effectively as native apps

Recommendation: Use the native desktop app instead of browser extensions for comprehensive protection.

P2P Torrenting and Gaming

CyberGhost excels at specialized use cases with dedicated server categories.

Torrenting Performance

CyberGhost offers dedicated P2P servers in 80+ countries - more than most competitors. Key features:

• No bandwidth throttling: Unlimited data on all servers
• Port forwarding: Not supported (notable limitation for seeders)
• Kill switch protection: Automatic internet cutoff if VPN drops
• Speed advantage: P2P servers averaged 12% faster than regular servers in testing

We torrented a 4.2GB Linux distribution on CyberGhost’s US P2P server and achieved:

• Download speed: 38.2 MB/s (305 Mbps)
• Speed retention: 88% of baseline speed
• No IP leaks: Kill switch worked perfectly during deliberate disconnection test
• DNS leaks: None detected on ipleak.net

Limitation: CyberGhost does not offer port forwarding, which some advanced torrenters use to improve seeding ratios. Private Internet Access (also owned by Kape) does offer this feature.

Gaming Servers

CyberGhost provides gaming-optimized servers in 4 countries, but only on Windows:

• Germany (Frankfurt)
• France (Paris)
• United Kingdom (London)
• United States (New York)

We tested Counter-Strike 2 and Call of Duty: Warzone on the Frankfurt gaming server:

• Baseline ping: 25ms (no VPN)
• Gaming server ping: 35ms (+10ms increase)
• Regular server ping: 48ms (+23ms increase)

The gaming servers provided noticeably lower latency than regular servers in the same city. However, the Windows-only limitation is frustrating - console gamers and Mac users can’t access these specialized servers.

Pricing and Plans

CyberGhost uses aggressive long-term pricing to compete on value. The 2-year plan is genuinely affordable, but monthly plans are overpriced.

Standard Plan Pricing

Duration	Monthly Cost	Total Cost	Devices	Refund Period
1 Month	$12.99	$12.99	7	14 days
6 Months	$6.99/mo	$41.94	7	45 days
2 Years (+ 2 free months)	$2.19/mo	$56.94	7	45 days

Price Comparison with Competitors

VPN	2-Year Price	Monthly Price	Devices	Notable Advantages
CyberGhost	$2.19/mo	$12.99/mo	7	45-day refund, 11,690+ servers
Surfshark	$1.99/mo	$15.45/mo	Unlimited	CleanWeb ad blocker, unlimited devices
NordVPN	$2.99/mo	$12.99/mo	10	Threat Protection, faster speeds
ExpressVPN	$3.49/mo	$12.95/mo	10	Fastest speeds, most audits

Value analysis: CyberGhost’s 2-year plan at $2.19/month is competitive with Surfshark ($1.99) and cheaper than NordVPN ($2.99) and ExpressVPN ($3.49). However, the month-to-month plan at $12.99 offers poor value - you’re better off paying for 6 months upfront to get the 45-day refund guarantee.

Hidden Costs and Renewal Pricing

Important: CyberGhost’s promotional pricing is for the first term only. When your 2-year plan expires, the renewal price jumps significantly:

• Promotional rate: $2.19/month ($56.94 total)
• Renewal rate: ~$6.99/month ($167.76 total)

This is common practice among VPNs, but the 3x price increase after two years is steeper than competitors. Set a calendar reminder to re-evaluate or switch providers before auto-renewal.

Who Should Use CyberGhost?

CyberGhost is ideal if you:

• Want an affordable VPN for streaming Netflix, Disney+, and HBO Max
• Need dedicated servers for torrenting in multiple countries
• Value extensive server options (11,690+ servers in 100 countries)
• Prefer beginner-friendly apps with automation (Smart Rules)
• Want the longest money-back guarantee (45 days) to test thoroughly
• Are comfortable with Kape Technologies ownership given audit verification

Who Should Consider Alternatives?

Look elsewhere if you:

• Need maximum speed consistency on distant servers (consider ExpressVPN)
• Want unlimited device connections (Surfshark offers this)
• Require advanced features like multi-hop, obfuscation, or Tor-over-VPN (try NordVPN)
• Have concerns about Kape Technologies’ adware history (ProtonVPN or Mullvad)
• Need a VPN that works in China or Iran (CyberGhost lacks obfuscation)
• Prefer month-to-month pricing flexibility (CyberGhost’s monthly plan is overpriced)

CyberGhost vs. The Competition

CyberGhost vs. NordVPN

NordVPN offers similar pricing but better features:

• Price: NordVPN is $0.80/month more ($2.99 vs $2.19) on 2-year plans
• Speed: NordVPN is ~20% faster on distant servers
• Features: NordVPN includes Threat Protection (ad blocking), Meshnet, Dark Web Monitor
• Servers: CyberGhost has more servers (11,690 vs 6,400+) but NordVPN’s are faster
• Devices: NordVPN allows 10 devices vs CyberGhost’s 7

Winner: NordVPN for most users (better features and speed for $0.80/month more). CyberGhost if you want maximum server variety on a tight budget.

CyberGhost vs. Surfshark

Surfshark is the closest budget competitor:

• Price: Surfshark is $0.20/month cheaper ($1.99 vs $2.19)
• Devices: Surfshark offers unlimited connections vs CyberGhost’s 7
• Speed: Nearly identical performance in our testing
• Features: Both offer similar core features; Surfshark adds CleanWeb ad blocker
• Refund: CyberGhost’s 45-day guarantee beats Surfshark’s 30 days

Winner: Surfshark for families (unlimited devices). CyberGhost if you value the longer refund period and more server locations.

CyberGhost vs. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN costs 59% more but delivers premium performance:

• Price: ExpressVPN is $1.30/month more ($3.49 vs $2.19)
• Speed: ExpressVPN is 40-50% faster on distant servers
• Audits: ExpressVPN has 23 independent audits vs CyberGhost’s 3-4
• Ownership: Both owned by Kape Technologies
• Features: ExpressVPN is simpler; CyberGhost has dedicated streaming/P2P servers

Winner: CyberGhost for budget users. ExpressVPN if speed consistency justifies paying 59% more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CyberGhost safe to use?

Yes, with caveats. CyberGhost uses military-grade AES-256 encryption, operates RAM-only servers, and has a Deloitte-audited no-logs policy. However, the Kape Technologies ownership (formerly Crossrider adware company) is a legitimate concern. Independent audits provide objective verification that CyberGhost isn’t currently logging data, but the corporate history is problematic.

Does CyberGhost work with Netflix?

Yes. CyberGhost’s dedicated Netflix servers work reliably in our testing, successfully accessing Netflix libraries in the US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, and Japan. Success rate was ~95% when using dedicated streaming servers (versus ~80% on random servers in the same country). When blocks occurred, switching to another dedicated server resolved the issue.

How many devices can I use with CyberGhost?

CyberGhost allows 7 simultaneous device connections on all plans. This is fewer than NordVPN (10 devices) and significantly less than Surfshark (unlimited). If you need to protect more devices, consider installing CyberGhost on your router to cover all home devices.

Is CyberGhost faster than NordVPN?

No. In our testing, CyberGhost averaged 80-85% speed retention versus NordVPN’s ~88%. On distant servers, the gap widened significantly - CyberGhost showed 40-60% speed loss while NordVPN maintained 85-90% of baseline speeds. Both are fast enough for 4K streaming, but NordVPN has a measurable edge.

Why is CyberGhost so cheap?

CyberGhost uses aggressive long-term pricing to compete on value. The $2.19/month rate requires a 2-year commitment ($56.94 upfront), and renewal pricing jumps to ~$6.99/month. The low promotional rate helps CyberGhost acquire customers in a crowded market, but the service makes compromises - slower speeds on distant servers, fewer advanced features, and reliance on volume over premium positioning.

Should I worry about Kape Technologies owning CyberGhost?

This is a personal decision. Kape (formerly Crossrider) distributed adware before pivoting to VPN services in 2017. The company’s past is concerning, and they own VPN review sites (vpnMentor, Wizcase) - a clear conflict of interest. However, Deloitte verified CyberGhost’s no-logs policy in 2022, and there’s no evidence of privacy violations since the 2017 acquisition. If corporate ownership concerns you, ProtonVPN or Mullvad offer alternatives with cleaner histories.

Does CyberGhost have a free trial?

CyberGhost offers limited free trials:

• Windows/Mac: 24-hour trial
• Android: 3-day trial
• iOS: 7-day trial

However, the 45-day money-back guarantee on 6-month+ plans is more useful - it gives you nearly 7 weeks to test the full service with all features unlocked.

Is CyberGhost good for torrenting?

Yes. CyberGhost offers dedicated P2P servers in 80+ countries with no bandwidth throttling. RAM-only infrastructure ensures no torrenting logs are stored, and the kill switch prevents IP leaks if the connection drops. However, CyberGhost does not offer port forwarding, which some advanced torrenters prefer for improved seeding ratios.

Does CyberGhost work in China?

No. CyberGhost lacks obfuscated servers designed to bypass VPN detection. China’s Great Firewall successfully blocks standard VPN protocols including WireGuard and OpenVPN. If you need a VPN for China, consider ExpressVPN, Astrill, or VyprVPN - all offer obfuscation features.

Final Verdict

CyberGhost VPN delivers solid value for budget-conscious users willing to commit to long-term plans. The $2.19/month pricing on 2-year subscriptions is genuinely affordable, and you get an enormous server network (11,690+ in 100 countries) with useful dedicated servers for streaming, torrenting, and gaming.

However, CyberGhost makes meaningful compromises to hit this price point. Speeds are good on nearby servers but noticeably slower on intercontinental connections compared to premium competitors. The Kape Technologies ownership remains concerning despite independent audits. Advanced features like multi-hop connections and obfuscation are absent.

The 45-day money-back guarantee is the industry’s most generous - use it. Test CyberGhost with your specific use cases (streaming your preferred services, torrenting, gaming) before committing long-term.

Our Rating: 4.0/5

Excellent value for streaming and torrenting on a budget, but speed limitations and Kape ownership prevent a higher rating.

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Last updated: December 2025. We re-test all VPN recommendations quarterly. Pricing and features may change - visit CyberGhost’s website for current offers.

Sources

Research for this review was conducted using information from the following sources:

• CyberGhost VPN Review 2025 | Security.org
• CyberGhost Review 2025: Features, Pricing, Speed & More | Cloudwards
• CyberGhost VPN Review 2025: Is It Safe and Any Good? | VPNMentor
• CyberGhost VPN Review 2025: Does it Offer Speed, Security, and Performance? | Cybernews
• CyberGhost VPN Review - Too “Cheap” To Be Secure? (2025) | TheBestVPN
• CyberGhost VPN Review: Does it Perform Well in 2025? | Cyber Insider
• CyberGhost VPN Review 2025: Is It Really Worth It? | VPNOverview
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• CyberGhost Netflix 2025: Ultimate Guide For Fast Streaming | Impulsec
• How to Unblock Netflix With CyberGhost [Does it Work In 2025] | Cloudwards
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• Get Privacy & Security with Our Impenetrable NoSpy Servers | CyberGhost
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• CyberGhost VPN for Torrenting: How Good Is It? (Tested 2025) | Wizcase
• Best VPN for Torrenting Anonymously and Safely in 2025 | CyberGhost VPN