CyberGhost Review

What is CyberGhost VPN?

CyberGhost is a commercially available VPN (virtual private network) service. It routes your internet traffic through secure servers in other locations, masking your real IP address and encrypting your connection. It’s been around since 2011 and is based in Romania (which matters for jurisdiction and privacy laws). 

Over time, it has added features like dedicated streaming servers, “NoSpy” servers (servers managed more privately), smart rules (automation), and a large network of global servers. 

What I Tested / What Others Report

Before judging, here’s how reviewers typically test VPNs (and what I paid attention to):

• Speed and performance (nearby & faraway servers)
• Streaming unblocking (Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, etc.)
• Security features (encryption, kill switch, no-logs policy, DNS leaks)
• Privacy (jurisdiction, audits, data practices)
• Usability (apps, supported platforms)
• Customer support
• Price / value
• Edge cases (like in highly restrictive countries)

I'll compare what I found to what recent reviews and audits show.

Strengths of CyberGhost VPN

1. Strong privacy foundations and audits

• CyberGhost maintains a strict no-logs policy. Deloitte Romania has audited it more than once to confirm aspects of that claim.
• All servers operate in RAM-only mode, meaning data does not persist across reboots.
• Based in Romania, which is outside the 5/9/14-Eyes surveillance alliances, giving some privacy leverage.
• The company also publishes transparency reports, indicating law enforcement or data requests received.

These measures lend credibility. No VPN is perfect, but CyberGhost is working in the right direction.

2. Large server network & specialization

• It has over 11,500 servers across about 100 countries as of 2025.
• Many of those servers are optimized for streaming, torrenting, or gaming, which helps with performance in those use cases.
• It offers NoSpy servers, which are servers managed strictly by CyberGhost (not outsourced) to reduce exposure.
• They also support smart rules / automation, so you can set certain behaviors (e.g., auto-connect in specific WiFi networks).

Having many server options often helps you find one that’s both fast and reliable.

3. Good for streaming, often

• CyberGhost’s dedicated streaming servers help it unblock many major services (Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer) in many regions.
• However, some reviewers found it inconsistent for certain platforms (e.g. Disney+ or BBC iPlayer in certain regions).
• Its Smart DNS feature helps devices that don’t run VPN apps (like some gaming consoles or smart TVs).

So, it does well most of the time — but streaming is a cat-and-mouse game, and performance can vary.

4. Strong speeds (especially with WireGuard)

• With WireGuard, CyberGhost is capable of very high throughput. In tests, speeds reached over 950 Mbps on robust connections.
• Even on more typical connections, it holds up well compared to many other VPNs.
• The tradeoff is that on more distant servers, speed drops (as is normal). The key is whether the drop is acceptable — for many users, it is.

5. Usability & device support

• CyberGhost has apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux (CLI mostly), smart TVs, and even router support via manual setup.
• Interface is generally clean and intuitive, though some users say parts of it (especially in less-used platforms) could be more intuitive.
• It allows 7 simultaneous device connections, which is generous but not exceptional.
• For unlimited protection, you can configure the VPN on your router so all your home devices go through it (counts as one connection).

6. Refunds / trials

• CyberGhost offers a 45-day money-back guarantee on long-term subscriptions (some shorter plans have shorter refund windows).
• There is also a limited free trial or short trial period on some devices (check current offers).

Weaknesses / Things to Be Careful About

1. Not cutting-edge features

CyberGhost doesn’t offer some advanced options that power users might expect:

• No multi-hop (double VPN) in its standard feature set (or it’s very limited)
• No port forwarding (which helps with peer-to-peer / torrenting performance)
• Obfuscation (making your VPN traffic look like regular traffic to bypass strict firewalls) is weaker than in some competitors
• Its kill switch is occasionally reported to be inconsistent on some platforms.

If you need those advanced features, you might want to look elsewhere.

2. Streaming is good but not flawless

While it unblocks many platforms, there are reports of:

• Occasional failure or slow performance with BBC iPlayer in some regions.
• Disney+ only working reliably on very specific servers.
• Since streaming services constantly try to block VPNs, what works today might not tomorrow.

So it's solid for streaming, but not perfect.

3. Performance might lag in certain scenarios

• On long-distance servers, speed drops more than on closer ones (though this is normal).
• Upload speeds (for uploading large files, etc.) may be weaker.
• The app might have occasional bugs or interface quirks, especially on less common platforms.

4. Questions about past ownership and data collection components

• The parent company is Kape Technologies (formerly Crossrider). Earlier, the original Crossrider had a reputation for adware or more questionable practices, though things have changed.
• Some users point out that portions of the app send anonymized metadata (app versions, device info) via analytics services (e.g. AppsFlyer, Firebase), which raises minor privacy concerns regarding telemetry.

These aren’t deal-breakers necessarily, but worth knowing.

5. Limited utility in extremely restrictive countries

In places with strong censorship (China, UAE, Russia, etc.), CyberGhost may struggle more than VPNs that emphasize obfuscation and anti-censorship as core features. 

Who Is CyberGhost Best Suited For?

Given the pros and cons, here are situations where CyberGhost is a good pick — and where it might not be:

Great choices:

• You want a balance of ease and privacy, without needing advanced features.
• You use streaming services often and want a VPN that generally “just works” with Netflix, etc.
• You have multiple devices and want solid performance across them.
• You like having a large server pool and options to pick from.
• You appreciate long money-back guarantees so you can test without risk.

Maybe look elsewhere if:

• You need features like multi-hop, port forwarding, or advanced obfuscation.
• You live in or travel to heavily censored countries and need very strong anti-blocking.
• You push the limits of upload-heavy workflows (e.g. broadcasting, large uploads) and need top-tier upload performance.
• You’re extremely privacy-paranoid and want minimal telemetry or parent-company baggage.

Final Verdict

CyberGhost VPN is a very solid, well-rounded VPN choice in 2025. It hits many of the right notes: good privacy stance, large server network, strong streaming support, solid speeds, and ease of use. It’s not as flashy or advanced as some premium competitors, but for many users it’s “good enough” — often exceeding expectations for its price point.

If I were you, I’d try it under the 45-day refund window (or free trial if available). Use it with your actual workflows (streaming, torrenting, whatever you do) and see if its performance is acceptable. If you hit limitations (streaming failures, slower speed, missing features), then you could consider a backup VPN that leans more hardcore, like NordVPN or something focused on privacy-first features.