by Stephan Kubrik
digitalwelt Lead Columnist for IT Security
In 2024, CyberGhost emerged as a highly successful VPN tool in the market, boasting a vast user base of over 38 million individuals globally. It is worth noting that the brand’s meteoric rise to prominence has not always been the case. In the year 2015, CyberGhost’s popularity was relatively limited. However, in the years that followed, the brand has significantly transformed and positioned itself as one of the most reputable VPN providers in the industry among NordVPN, HideMyAss, and Avira VPN.
CyberGhost VPN is widely regarded as one of the most advanced, secure, and sophisticated VPN tools available in the market today. This distinction is a result of several features unique to the tool, making it stand out amongst its competitors.
To further elaborate, comparing VPNs to cars draws a useful analogy. While a Mercedes model from 2023 may have been considered one of the best cars in the world at that time, the industry is continuously evolving. Just like how the release of the November 2024 model by BMW boasted even more advanced technology, CyberGhost has similarly developed its offerings to stay ahead of the curve.
In terms of the ever-evolving VPN market, CyberGhost stands as a formidable contender. While NordVPN and other competitors are regularly reviewed and tested by us, CyberGhost is currently outperforming with its advanced technology, usability, and system compatibility.
Who is behind CyberGhost VPN?
Behind the success of CyberGhost VPN lies a brief yet fascinating history. Formerly under the helm of German-run company Mobile Concept GmbH, CyberGhost had already established a reputation for delivering high-quality technology and robust data protection, propelling it to one of the top VPN providers in the market. Subsequently, Kape Technologies PLC, a London-based company specializing in cyber and online security, acquired Mobile Concept GmbH, resulting in Kape investing in CyberGhost’s infrastructure. As a result, the software underwent a significant overhaul in both technology and user experience, leading to heightened service standards in 2023 and 2024. Furthermore, in light of the high competition in the VPN software market, CyberGhost lowered its prices, ultimately benefiting the end consumer.
The result of these efforts is CyberGhost VPN’s software, offered at an unbeatable price point. As we move into 2025, we remain committed to keeping a watchful eye on CyberGhost VPN’s continued evolution.
CyberGhost VPN Overview
- Dedicated Netflix 45 Day Servers
- 45 Days Money Back Guarantee
- 9500+ servers available in more than 90 countries
- Up to 3,000 MBit
- Up to 7 devices simultaneously with one user license
- Strict No Logs Policy
- P2P Torrenting
- Automatic Kill Switch
If the VPN server or software fails, the IP remains protected (see test below) - 256-bit AES Encryption
CyberGhost VPN With Streaming Service Providers
CyberGhost’s success can be attributed to its exceptional streaming capabilities. Within the community, CyberGhost is widely hailed as the best VPN provider for streaming services. A significant proportion of its users report seamless access to a vast array of paid streaming platforms beyond just Amazon Prime USA/Japan, Netflix, and Hulu.
To cater to this demand, CyberGhost has optimized its dashboard exclusively for streaming service providers. This move reflects the company’s commitment to providing a streamlined user experience and enhancing the accessibility of popular streaming services through its platform.
CyberGhost Screenshots
We successfully tested CyberGhost with the following streaming providers:
- CyberGhost VPN with Hulu USA
- CyberGhost VPN with Netflix USA
- CyberGhost VPN with Amazon Prime USA
- CyberGhost VPN with Disney Plus
- CyberGhost VPN with HBO Max
- CyberGhost VPN with YouTube TV
- CyberGhost VPN with YouTube Prime
- CyberGhost VPN with Paramount+
- CyberGhost VPN with discovery+
- CyberGhost VPN with IMDb TV
- CyberGhost VPN with Showtime
- CyberGhost VPN with SonyLIV
- CyberGhost VPN with ESPN
- CyberGhost VPN with Amazon Prime Japan
- CyberGhost VPN with HBO USA (HBONOW ™)
- CyberGhost VPN with BBC
- CyberGhost VPN with Comedy Central
- CyberGhost VPN with SonyLIV
- CyberGhost VPN with MTV
- CyberGhost VPN with ARD
- CyberGhost VPN with FOX
- CyberGhost VPN with ORF
- CyberGhost VPN with ABC
- CyberGhost VPN with NBC
Installing and Operating CyberGhost
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Installing CyberGhost is a straightforward process that is compatible with both PC and Mac devices. Users can download the file directly from the CyberGhost website onto their home computer. The file is small and functions like any other application. Upon successful execution, the software installs itself automatically and can be immediately deployed.
Our team tested CyberGhost on the Windows operating system, and it functioned seamlessly. Moreover, CyberGhost is compatible with older Windows versions as well as the MacBook Pro, Smart-TVs, iOS, Android, and Linux. The installation process on the MacBook Pro follows a similar process to that of a PC.
Once installed, CyberGhost leaves no extraneous registry entries on the system. The software operates quietly in the background of the Windows operating system, without burdening any running programs. The “CG7Service” service remains active and ready until the next activation, without causing any adverse impact on the Windows system.
As a VPN tool, CyberGhost is widely regarded as one of the most efficient and unobtrusive options in the market. Its ability to operate seamlessly without any adverse effects on system performance is a testament to its robust design and user-centric approach.
CyberGhost Speed
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It is worth noting that many of the larger and more established VPN providers share anonymous VPN servers with one another. This is evident in the case of NordVPN and CyberGhost, both of whom utilize the same servers interchangeably.
Previously, VPN providers were expected to establish their own servers, leading to significant expenditure of time, effort, and resources. Additionally, these providers were solely responsible for managing their servers, leading to a significant dependency on internal server management. Thankfully, the industry has evolved, and the practice of sharing anonymous VPN servers has become more commonplace, allowing for a more efficient and cost-effective approach to VPN service provision.
A significant number of VPN servers are currently available in the market, with many offering licensing services to selected VPN providers. These servers are equipped with the latest and fastest connections, and provide advanced security features that ensure user anonymity and immunity.
At CyberGhost, we recognize the importance of partnering with reputable VPN servers, which enables us to offer fast and reliable speeds of up to 3,000 Mbps. To put this in perspective, the average household typically has speeds between 50 to 100 Mbps, making our servers significantly faster than what most households have access to. In our CyberGhost VPN tests, we recorded speeds ranging from 20 to 50 Mbps, with a few reaching an average of 6 Mbit. This speed is sufficient to download a 1080p HDmovie over a 2-minute torrent network, while UHD/4K movies can be downloaded in under 4 minutes.
In terms of torrenting, CyberGhost is committed to providing high-speed servers that ensure fast and secure connections. This demonstrates our commitment to delivering an exceptional user experience that is tailored to the unique needs of their customers.
Furthermore, CyberGhost still maintains its own servers and manages them in-house. This approach provides us with an added level of control over the servers we offer, allowing us to tailor our services to specific customer needs.
For instance, CyberGhost provides dedicated VPN servers that are exclusively optimized for Netflix, ensuring that users can enjoy their favorite shows and movies without any buffering or latency issues. Additionally, when it comes to streaming and general internet browsing (e.g., watching YouTube), their VPN servers offer seamless and uninterrupted speeds that are on par with in-house internet connections, providing a superior user experience.
CyberGhost Reliability
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The Kill Switch is an essential feature of modern VPN software tools, and is designed to prevent IP leakage if the VPN server or software fails. This feature is critical, as it ensures that users remain anonymous and secure, even in the event of a VPN failure.
For instance, during long uploads or downloads, if the VPN server goes down, the internet connection automatically reverts to the user’s original IP address, compromising their anonymity and security.
CyberGhost’s Kill Switch is designed to prevent this from happening, ensuring that even in the event of a VPN failure or software crash, the user’s IP remains disguised. To test this promise, we conducted an experiment where we forced a switch-off during existing VPN connections with CyberGhost. The results were conclusive – CyberGhost did what it promised, and the VPN connection persisted, even after uninstalling the software.
CyberGhost’s Kill Switch is one of the most unique and advanced features among VPN servers, providing a significant advantage in terms of security. Additionally, if a simulated or real failure occurs, users can restore connections themselves, without any automatic catastrophic consequences. This user intervention approach is a real plus for CyberGhost, providing customers with added control and peace of mind.
CyberGhost VPN Value For Your Money
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CyberGhost VPN is one of the most cost-effective VPN providers available in the market, with plans starting at only $2.19 per month. However, it is important to note that the market is flooded with an extensive range of VPN software tools, some of which may be dubious and unknown.
While our VPN rating has considered the most significant and reputable players in the market, it is critical to exercise caution when considering VPN providers with extremely low prices. Such VPN providers may compromise security in exchange for affordability, putting users’ data and privacy at risk.
In some instances, we found that VPN providers that advertised with unbelievably low prices did not even have an established VPN connection, instead offering users a fake dashboard to give them a false sense of security. It is imperative to research and compare VPN providers carefully, especially when evaluating pricing.
When comparing CyberGhost with market leaders such as NordVPN, Avira Phantom VPN, Hide My Ass VPN, and Avast SecureLine VPN, it remains one of the most affordable and reliable VPN providers in the market.
CyberGhost Conclusion
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One of the standout features of CyberGhost VPN is its German origin. Managed by Germans, the company has set the standard for user experience, pricing, and quality in the VPN market. While there are several VPN providers from various countries, German VPN providers have demonstrated exceptional expertise in understanding users’ needs for privacy, anonymity, and technical reliability.
Germany’s commitment to data protection is unparalleled, with the country championing the protection of user data more than any other nation. Notably, Germany played a significant role in driving the European Data Protection Directive, and is home to the world’s largest hacker club – the Chaos Computer Club – which champions user privacy (and is a member of the Federal Press Conference). Additionally, the Pirate Party was founded in Berlin, further highlighting the country’s strong privacy culture.
It is no surprise that Germany boasts some of the best developers and executives in the VPN market, and CyberGhost VPN is a prime example of this. The company’s German roots have played a vital role in enabling it to understand and cater to users’ privacy and security needs effectively. Overall, CyberGhost VPN’s German origin is a significant factor in its success and reputation in the VPN market.
by Stephan Kubrik
Stephan Kubrik is a Computer Scientist and expert on VPNs and computer viruses. Stephan has been researching for the Fraunhofer Society and has been developing software for the autonomous discovery of computer viruses and trojans using artificial intelligence.
He was previously a Research Associate at the Technical University of Cologne, studied Computer Engineering, and regularly publishes in IT magazines and journals, including the PC Magazine and digitalwelt.
digitalwelt Lead Columnist for IT Security