If you’re shopping for the best virtual private network (VPN) provider, ExpressVPN and CyberGhost should be on your list. Both VPN providers are respected in all major areas from their security, privacy practices, ease of use, and more.
However, it doesn’t make sense to pay for both ExpressVPN and CyberGhost simultaneously. Between ExpressVPN and CyberGhost, which should you go for? Here’s a breakdown of the different features each offers to help you make an informed decision in our ExpressVPN vs CyberGhost VPN comparison.
Where are the ExpressVPN and CyberGhost servers based?
ExpressVPN:
- Number of servers: Over 3,000 servers.
- Server locations: 160 in 94 countries.
CyberGhost:
- Number of servers: More than 9,700 servers.
- Server locations: 117 in 91 countries.
When choosing a VPN provider, the number of servers available and where they are based are important. At the time of writing, ExpressVPN It has more than 3000 servers in 94 countries with more than 160 VPN server locations.
CyberGhost VPNOn the other hand, there are more than 9,700 servers in 91 countries. With a huge number of server locations, you are well assured that you will never run out of servers to hook up with.
You can check the exact server locations on their respective websites.
ExpressVPN vs CyberGhost: Privacy
ExpressVPN:
- Zero-log policy: Yes.
- Location: British Virgin Islands.
- Pay via Crypto: Yes (Bitcoin accepted).
- Independently audited: Yes.
CyberGhost:
- Zero-log policy: Yes.
- Location: Romania.
- Pay via Crypto: Yes (Bitcoin accepted).
- Independently Audited: No.
ExpressVPN and CyberGhost are based in the British Virgin Islands and Romania, respectively. Both countries are members of five-, nine-, and 14-eye monitoring alliances.
Additionally, both the British Virgin Islands and Romania have no data-retention laws, thus proving ideal locations from a privacy perspective. It’s no surprise that both ExpressVPN and CyberGhost are no-log VPN providers.
However, the main difference in terms of privacy is that ExpressVPN does not keep your private IP address and connection timestamps. Additionally, it changes your IP address when connecting your device.
CyberHost keeps your private IP address, albeit in an anonymous format. It also provides a shared static IP address.
ExpressVPN vs CyberGhost: Security
ExpressVPN:
- Encryption: AES-256 encryption.
- VPN protocols supported: Lightway, L2TP/IPsec, OpenVPN, and IKEv2.
- WebRTC Leak/DNS Leak Prevention: Yes.
CyberGhost:
- Encryption: AES-256 encryption.
- VPN protocols supported: WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2.
- WebRTC Leak/DNS Leak Prevention: Yes.
On the security front, both VPN services are excellent. They use AES 256-bit encryption, a key feature that ensures your web browsing activity is well protected.
The difference, however, is in the VPN protocols available. Both use OpenVPN and IKEv2, the two major VPN protocols at the time of writing. Apart from the two, ExpressVPN uses Lightway, its proprietary protocol, and L2TP/IPsec, while CyberGhost includes the free and open source WireGuard protocol.
ExpressVPN vs CyberGhost: Availability
ExpressVPN:
- Desktop and Mobile: Windows (versions 11,10, 8, and 7), macOS, Linux (Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Raspberry Pi OS, Linux Mint, and Arch), iOS, and Android.
- Browser add-ons: Chrome and Microsoft Edge.
- Smart TV: Samsung, Android, Sony, Apple TV, Fire Stick, Chromecast, Roku, and more.
- Router Configuration: Supported.
CyberGhost:
- Desktop: Windows (versions 11,10, 8, and 7), macOS, and Linux (Ubuntu, Fedora, Kali, CentOS, Linux Mint, and PoP!_OS).
- Mobile Apps: iOS and Android.
- Browser add-ons: Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox.
- Smart TV: Samsung, Android, Sony, Apple TV, Fire Stick, Chromecast, Roku, and more.
- Router Configuration: Supported.
Both services are available on various platforms. The most important detail is that you can configure it directly on your router, so you don’t need to install individual applications on your device. But if you need to use a personal app, you can download it on your preferred platform.
ExpressVPN vs CyberGhost: Speed Test
One of the biggest trade-offs when using a VPN is slower internet speeds. While this is always true, the most important aspect is a VPN that doesn’t slow down your connection speed too much. In our tests, CyberGhost edged out ExpressVPN in several tests on fast.com with a 45Mbps link.
CyberGhost recorded a top speed of 39Mbps, while ExpressVPN topped out at 35Mbps. Your mileage, however, depends on a variety of factors, including how far your VPN’s server location is from your current location.
ExpressVPN vs CyberGhost: Accessing geo-blocked content
ExpressVPN:
- Unblock websites: Yes.
- Data Bandwidth: Unlimited.
CyberGhost:
- Unblock websites: Yes.
- Data Bandwidth: Unlimited.
One reason to use a VPN is to be able to watch content outside of your location. Both in this regard ExpressVPN and Cyberghost Allows you to stream content from various platforms including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO, ESPN, and more.
All servers on ExpressVPN and CyberGhost can help unblock geo-restricted content, so there’s no need to switch manually.
ExpressVPN vs CyberGhost: Torrenting
If you’re into torrenting, both VPNs are up to the task. On CyberGhost VPN, not all servers are optimized for torrenting. Most of them are, but you should personally check which servers have such capability for a secure and seamless experience.
On the other hand, all ExpressVPN servers support torrenting. However, keep in mind that ExpressVPN has fewer servers relative to CyberGhost.
Advanced features offered by ExpressVPN and CyberGhost
Aside from security and privacy features, both VPN services offer good things you should know.
Common features
- Kill Switch: A VPN kill switch is an important privacy feature that hides your data and IP address if your VPN connection is interrupted. It blocks all traffic until the connection is restored.
- Split Tunneling: You have the power to choose which apps should use a VPN connection and which should not. A useful use case involves setting up Netflix to use a VPN connection to stream content outside of your geo-restrictions while still browsing other web content via a direct connection.
- DNS and IP leak protection: Both VPNs protect you from DNS and IP leaks, a common problem with free VPN providers. With DNS and IP leak prevention, your traffic is well protected when traversing the VPN tunnel.
Additional features on ExpressVPN
- Port Forwarding: ExpressVPN supports port forwarding, a useful feature for advanced users. It allows you to access files on your computer remotely via the Internet.
- Threat Manager: It blocks trackers and access to malicious websites.
Additional features in CyberGhost
- Dedicated IP: If you want a dedicated IP address, CyberGhost offers support. However, this comes at an additional cost.
How easy are ExpressVPN and CyberGhost to use?
Both ExpressVPN and CyberGhost are intuitive and easy to use, even for beginners. You can connect at the click or tap of each button. Both support a plethora of platforms. You can use the two on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, and more. They also have browser extensions on major browsers.
Getting started with ExpressVPN and CyberGhost is very easy. Installation is simple, and connecting to your favorite VPN server is just a click or tap away.
In both, you can press the Easy Connect button to select a suitable server for your VPN or manually select a server on desktop and mobile. They also offer 24/7 live support, which is useful when you face any problem.
The major difference here is the number of simultaneous connections.
CyberGhost VPN supports up to seven devices, while ExpressVPN is capped at five simultaneous connections.
ExpressVPN vs CyberGhost: Price Comparison
ExpressVPN and CyberGhost have roughly the same monthly price.
ExpressVPN Starts at $12.95 per month. However, you may pay less if you choose a long-term plan. Its six-month and annual plans cost $9.99 and $8.32 a month, respectively. Additionally, the annual plan includes three months free.
Cyberghost Starts at $12.99. However, it’s relatively cheap if you pay six months in advance – at $6.99 per month. CyberGhost also offers a two-year subscription plan that goes for $2.11 per month.
Payment options and return policies
Both VPN providers offer different payment options. You can use your credit card, PayPal, and Bitcoin. In addition, ExpressVPN also supports a variety of e-wallets.
However, regardless of the provider you choose, you can claim back. ExpressVPN has a 30-day money back guarantee. CyberGhost, on the other hand, offers a 45-day money-back guarantee on its six-month and two-year plans. Its monthly plan only includes a 14-day money back guarantee.
Which VPN is right for you?
ExpressVPN is slightly better than CyberGhost. It has been independently audited by third-parties and has a clean record regarding its no-logs policy. It does not store private IP addresses, even in an anonymous format, provides a dynamic public IP address, and does not store your IP address. However, ExpressVPN is also relatively expensive.
CyberGhost offers similar features, save for a few extras here and there, but it’s much cheaper if you’re willing to pay upfront for a long-term plan. It was also fast in our tests and allows for up to seven simultaneous connections.
So depending on your needs, you can choose either of the two. Go for ExpressVPN if you value privacy and are willing to pay the price. CyberGhost is ideal for its fast speeds, and a high simultaneous connection limit of seven devices. Don’t forget that you can use the money back guarantee period to test both services and see which one suits you.
