CyberGhost VPN Reviews

CyberGhost VPN has a couple of neat little features that makes it all the more suitable for avid web explorers. Whenever you visit a website, CyberGhost VPN will figure out if it can use HTTPS, and can be configured to always force these connections. Other interesting features include the auto app launch, which enables CyberGhost to immediately start your preferred browser in incognito mode as soon as a connection is established, for instance. These additions accompany the reliable DNS and IPv6 leak protection in place, alongside a NAT firewall, a kill switch, and more.

The intuitive desktop app is also worth mentioning since it’s appealing to both beginner and the most advanced users. To explain, those looking for just a simple ‘connect and go’ service can choose to make use of the shrunken version of CyberGhost and immediately start protecting their device with just a click. Everyone else can expand the program to reveal other functions, such as dedicated servers for torrenting or streaming.

Other settings allow for the simple changing of the language to fully configurating proxy connections. It’s here that it is also possible to set the address exceptions that should not be included inside VPN connections, disable IPv6 or DNS leak protection, and more.

Unblocking streaming services

When it comes to unblocking streaming services there is one particular feature that needs to be discussed. With other VPNs the common procedure is to manually pick a server destination and then visit the newly-unblocked site, which means that some knowledge is required to opt for the best option.

But with CyberGhost everything is much easier. Everything can still be tackled manually, obviously, but the client displays several of the most common targets of such blocks, with each being associated with the most suitable server. For instance, Netflix and YouTube Red are associated with an American server, while the BBC or Comedy Central use British and German ones, respectively. These are not the only options, though, as there are also UK, France, and other servers to unblock their respective versions of Netflix.

Torrent servers and wi-fi protection

There are features benefitting Torrent and wi-fi protection, too, with more or less the same editable options as in previous versions of cyber ghost. All the servers that the company has reserved for p2 p sharing are placed in their own tab, displaying their approximate physical distance and user load. If you’re intending to use a vpn to torrent safely, then the Dns leak protection Will be integral, which is a great addition to the ‘always on’ kill switch that cyber ghost has put in place.

Regarding wi-fi protection, it’s particularly interesting how the vpn behavior can be altered for whenever a new network is detected – between asking for an action, ignoring or automatically securing – which is useful for those likely to connect to public hotspots. Also, when a connection is established users can easily check the speed of the connection, how much data has been used and how many issues were blocked.

CyberGhost’s server list includes more than 3,000 servers across over 60 countries. We conducted tests from Europe to several of the company’s servers and found the speeds to be acceptable. Naturally, the servers that were the most distant – Argentina, for example – showed the weakest results, though the South African server was surprisingly quicker than expected. Speeds are also influenced by each country’s own internet quality, as the American server had a high ping but some of the fastest speeds as well. Likewise, the DNS and IP leak protection lived up to expectations, since there were never any problems of this nature.

CyberGhost offers a reliable 256-bit AES encryption for all protocols, which include OpenVPN, L2TP, and IKEv2. It’s possible to change between them easily in the settings, but there’s also an automatic option for all those who don’t like to alter too much themselves. As mentioned earlier, CyberGhost offers trustworthy DNS and IP leak prevention, on top of the always-on kill switch. Other security tools include blockers for malicious websites, ads, and other methods of online tracking.

It’s also worth pointing out that it is beneficial for CyberGhost to have their headquarters in Romania. This is most apparent when you take a look at their log policy since “user’s traffic data such as browsing history, traffic destination, data content and search preferences are not monitored, recorded, logged or stored”. CyberGhost even claims that it doesn’t log “real IP addresses, connection timestamps or session duration”, though their website – while using SSL – does use cookies. Still, the company makes all the information regarding its transparency records public. Anonymity is taken even further since, instead of a username, subscribers are given a randomly generated user ID and can pay using Bitcoin.

Nowadays it is more important than ever for VPN companies to provide a good range of devices to connect with. CyberGhost gives a strong response to this by supporting up to seven simultaneous connections, an impressive amount that goes beyond what the majority of other VPN providers offer. They can be used across a vast range of devices, including Windows computers running at least XP. Linux Ubuntu and Chrome OS are also options, as is MacOS X and beyond.

The selection for mobile and other devices is also noteworthy. The appearance of Android and iOS apps is expected, but the inclusion of nicely elaborated L2TP, OpenVPN and IPSec setup processes is something that not all VPNs offer. This allows people to manually configure the service on Raspberry Pi, DD-WRT and Tomato routers and even on some rare devices like Synology NAS and VU+ Solo2 for Linux-based satellite receivers.

CyberGhost follows the usual three-plan system, delivering the same full service across different lengths of time, but there’s actually a fourth plan that brings the biggest discount. This best value package costs $2.75 monthly as part of a three-year subscription billed in one go at $99.00. This represents a 75% saving or essentially one year of free service, since the total cost is the same as the two-year option. However, there are shorter-time contracts, too, such as the monthly $12.99 and the $63 annual offer, which is the equivalent of paying $5.25 each month.

Given the service provided, these prices should be considered fair given that there’s no shortage of features or servers in any of the plans. It’s also worth noting that CyberGhost’s pricing is subject to multiple discounts and special promotions throughout the year. We advise you to check on CyberGhost’s latest offers through this special promotional link and to take a look at our complete overview of coupons and discounts.

Unfortunately, the free trial is limited to a single day, though the money-back guarantee is set at an extraordinary 45 days (except for the monthly plan, which is 14 days). Payment options include credit cards, PayPal and Bitcoin.

Installing and using CyberGhost is very easy, but if any problems arise there are a number of ways to seek for assistance 24/7. The first places to visit would be the FAQ and knowledge base pages, which not only provide responses to the most basic questions but have tutorials, too, that give guidance in supreme detail. Live chat is also available, though we recommend turning to their ticket system in cases of more serious technical problems. In this regard, the built-in troubleshooter is also a capable option.

In addition to their own blog, CyberGhost’s social media presence is one of the strongest in the industry, since they are actively present on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, YouTube, Pinterest, Vimeo, Linkedln and Flickr.

The range of supported devices and the additional security tools also deserve highlighting, particular the always-on kill switch, the different threat blockers and tracking prevention, and the reliable IP and DNS leak protection. In the end CyberGhost is a trustworthy VPN provider with an open and transparent culture that every user can trust.