ExpressVPN vs CyberGhost VPN in 2024

By Arthur Sabayi

Last update: June 11, 2024

Quick Summary: ExpressVPN vs CyberGhost VPN

Quick Summary: ExpressVPN vs CyberGhost VPN

The main differences between these two providers are that ExpressVPN is faster and more secure than CyberGhost, it has been audited more times, and it’s compatible with more devices. You can trial an ExpressVPN subscription with its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Overall Rating 9.5 / 10

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Winner!

ExpressVPN vs CyberGhost is a clash between heavyweights. Both feature in our best VPN list as they provide reliable security and fast speeds for streaming. While they may appear to serve the same needs, this ExpressVPN vs CyberGhost comparison tells a different story.

To start, ExpressVPN has better security and privacy, and it has a lot of features automatically built into its servers. On the other hand, CyberGhost allows for more tinkering and has specialty VPN servers for streaming, torrenting and gaming. Even so, ExpressVPN has it outclassed in the VPN features department.

Both VPN providers have also been around for a long time, which is a testament to their reliability. Additionally, they’re compatible with a wide range of everyday devices like smartphones, PCs, smart TVs, routers and more. If you can’t decide which VPN service to pick between CyberGhost and ExpressVPN, this guide is for you.

1. 

   Overall Rating 9.5 / 10

   Get 49% Off ExpressVPN
   Money-Back Guarantee

   30 Days

   Worldwide Server Amount

   Over 3,000 servers in 105 countries
2. 

   Overall Rating 7.5 / 10

   Visit CyberGhost
   Money-Back Guarantee

   45 Days

   Worldwide Server Amount

   7,300 Servers worldwide

ExpressVPN vs CyberGhost VPN: Comparison at a Glance

Before we dive into the real thing, here’s a quick overview of how ExpressVPN and CyberGhost square off. 

My Expert Opinion: Is ExpressVPN or CyberGhost Better?

I would choose ExpressVPN over CyberGhost for many reasons. It has fewer speed drops than CyberGhost. In my streaming tests, I struggled a lot with CyberGhost and saw significant buffering on 4K content.

You can also rely on ExpressVPN’s privacy, as it has never been compromised and has been audited more times than CyberGhost. ExpressVPN supports a maximum of eight simultaneous connections — one more than CyberGhost — and it’s the only VPN to provide a pre-installed router with a native app.

The only area in which CyberGhost truly bested ExpressVPN was affordability. Still, CyberGhost put up a good fight in most categories where ExpressVPN beat it, and they tied each other in the areas of speeds, streaming access and customer support. You can see our ExpressVPN review and CyberGhost review for more information on either one.

I Recommend ExpressVPN For:

• Streamers and gamers: ExpressVPN is faster with less buffering.
• First-time users: ExpressVPN’s apps are easy to use, and the functions and features are more uniform across different operating systems.
• Larger households: You can connect up to eight devices simultaneously, which is ideal for houses with people who need to encrypt all their devices. It also works with many routers.

You can try ExpressVPN with the 30-day money-back guarantee on any plan.

1. $6.67/month for 15 months
   

   Overall Rating 9.5 / 10

   Get 49% Off ExpressVPN

I Recommend CyberGhost VPN For:

• Those on tight budgets: CyberGhost is cheaper and has a longer money-back guarantee, which is good for people who can’t afford ExpressVPN.
• Activists and dissidents: CyberGhost fully owns and runs its NoSpy servers within its Romanian headquarters, putting them beyond the reach of surveillance.

You can try CyberGhost with a 14-day money-back guarantee on the monthly plan and a 45-day money-back guarantee on any of the longer plans.

1. $2.19/month for 26 months
   

   Overall Rating 7.5 / 10

   Visit CyberGhost

Security

ExpressVPN and CyberGhost use secure VPN protocols that protect your online traffic from interception and third-party monitoring. They also have a kill switch,a private DNS to prevent DNS leaks, and blockers for ads, malware and web trackers. Here’s a summary of the key security components that are available.

VPN Protocols

ExpressVPN comes with three protocols. The Lightway protocol (UDP and TCP) combines amazing security with fast speeds for streaming and gaming. The second protocol is OpenVPN, a secure protocol that’s common in most VPNs but isn’t as fast as Lightway. Lastly, there is IKEv2, which is available on the macOS and iOS apps with reliably fast speeds.

CyberGhost also has three protocols. WireGuard is fast, secure and available on all platforms that are compatible with CyberGhost. IKEv2 also has good speeds but is unavailable on Android. The last protocol is OpenVPN, which is secure but slightly slower, and it’s offered on all platforms except macOS and iOS.

Encryption Tests

To test if the encryption was working for CyberGhost and ExpressVPN, I connected to random servers and ran the VPN traffic through Wireshark. Below are the results for each VPN, side by side.

From the screenshot above, you can see that Wireshark displays a series of texts, symbols and numbers that don’t make sense. That’s the unusable, scrambled-up details of my online traffic data that anyone who monitors my activities will see. CyberGhost and ExpressVPN passed the encryption tests.

Security Breaches

ExpressVPN has yet to experience any security or privacy breaches in all the years it has been active, a feat that CyberGhost unfortunately can’t share. In 2023, CyberGhost suffered a command injection vulnerability involving a JSON payload that compromised the entire system when the OpenVPN process was launched.

CyberGhost responded quickly with a patch that fixed the issue, but it didn’t communicate well during the process. Although no user data is known to have actually leaked, it’s hard to tell if serious damage occurred or if prevention measures were put in place to stop anything similar from happening again.

Privacy

Virtual private networks help ensure your online activities are for your eyes only, protected even from the VPN providers themselves. Let’s see how the two compare in this category.

RAM Servers

ExpressVPN has TrustedServer technology that ensures all of its servers are RAM-only. They’re periodically wiped clean, avoiding the risk of future retrieval by the government or anyone else. All CyberGhost servers are RAM-only too, so if someone were to raid the physical locations of the servers and confiscate them, they wouldn’t get anything.

Independent Audits

ExpressVPN and CyberGhost have been audited by independent parties to verify the validity of their apps, features and, most importantly, their logging policies. ExpressVPN has had 16 independent audits — its TrustedServer technology alone was audited twice — all with favorable results.

Furthermore, ExpressVPN proved that it doesn’t store logs when some of its servers were confiscated by Turkish authorities during an assassination investigation in 2017. The government claimed the assassin used ExpressVPN to hide their online communication, but they found no evidence on the seized servers as they had been wiped clean.

CyberGhost was audited by Deloitte in 2022. The audit focused on the no-logs policy, and the VPN received a clean bill of health. CyberGhost demonstrated its dedication to user privacy when it removed all its physical servers from India. This followed the passing of a law forcing online services to collect customer data and hand it over on request.

Key Features

Let’s take a look at some important VPN features that CyberGhost and ExpressVPN offer, including the kill switch, split tunneling, blockers, obfuscation and more.

Kill Switch

Both ExpressVPN and CyberGhost provide a kill switch. Once activated, it turns off your internet connection when your VPN connection drops to prevent your IP address from being seen. You won’t be able to access the internet until the VPN connection is restored (or you turn off the kill switch).

On ExpressVPN, the kill switch is called Network Lock, and it’s available on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android and routers. CyberGhost also has a kill switch, but since this feature is automatically activated on most CyberGhost apps, you may not see the kill switch button anywhere. You can only turn the kill switch off on the Windows app.

Split Tunneling

Another vital feature is split tunneling, which lets you choose specific traffic to either bypass or route through the VPN. ExpressVPN has this feature on Windows, Android and Mac computers running on versions below macOS 11. CyberGhost offers split tunneling on the Windows and Android apps.

Blockers

You can also use a blocker for ads, malware and trackers on ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. ExpressVPN has a Threat Manager for blocking malicious sites and trackers, an ad blocker for blocking ads, and a parental controls feature for blocking adult sites. All three are available on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux. Apple TV has the tracker blocker only.

CyberGhost has the “block content”feature, which blocks ads, trackers and malicious websites. Unlike ExpressVPN, where you can enable or disable each blocker individually, CyberGhost makes you block everything or nothing. This feature isn’t available on iOS.

Automation Features

ExpressVPN only has minimal VPN automation — the kind that launches and connects the app on device startup. CyberGhost has the more complex “smart rules”system that lets you specify actions for different types of WiFi networks.

Obfuscation

Obfuscation is another important feature that helps you bypass VPN blocks on some networks by hiding VPN traces from your connection. ExpressVPN is the only one here that offers obfuscation across all protocols; it’s automatically activated when the VPN detects blocks on your network.

NoSpy Servers

CyberGhost has NoSpy servers,which it owns and runs in-house. NoSpy servers are ideal for activists and dissidents. Unlike ordinary servers that may be hosted on third-party centers, CyberGhost has complete control over its NoSpy servers, and that greatly reduces the chances of hacking or government seizure.

Speed

I ran speed tests using seven locations from different continents to see who was faster between ExpressVPN and CyberGhost.

ExpressVPN Speed Tests

Here are the ExpressVPN speed test results. Our team completed speed tests from Osijek, Croatia using ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol.

ExpressVPN’s servers near our physical testing location had the lowest latency and highest speeds (the UK servers maintained 96.7% of our download speeds and 94.6% of our upload speeds). Not surprisingly, locations further away — like Australia, Japan and Brazil — had more impacted speeds and higher latency.

Overall, the worldwide speed averages were 76.8% of our unprotected download speeds, 90.3% of our unprotected upload speeds, and 13.5x latency increase. Nevertheless, these speeds were still good for gaming and streaming.

CyberGhost Speed Tests

CyberGhost’s speed test results are shown below. Our team completed speed tests from Osijek, Croatia using CyberGhost’s WireGuard protocol.

CyberGhost’s server speeds were a bit more consistent than ExpressVPN’s: the worldwide speed averages were 81.7% of our unprotected download speeds, 85% of our unprotected upload speeds, and 13.6x latency increase. There was a strange blip in Australia, resulting in 38.7% of our unprotected upload speeds.

Streaming Performance

ExpressVPN and CyberGhost are both reliable streaming VPNs that can unblock multiple services worldwide. I tested them with six of the most prominent streaming platforms, and the table below shows how each performed.

ExpressVPN and CyberGhost unblocked every streaming service without issues on the first attempt. It took a fraction longer for CyberGhost to unblock Hulu and Max, but I still managed to access the two in the end.

Server Network

ExpressVPN and CyberGhost have huge server networks around the world. Here’s how they compare.

ExpressVPN Server Spread

ExpressVPN has servers in 164 locations across 106 countries. Most of these are located in North America, Europe and Asia, but Africa also has an impressive amount with six locations. That’s more African IP addresses than most premium VPNs offer, including CyberGhost. The table below illustrates the server spread in more detail.

CyberGhost Server Spread

CyberGhost recently increased its server locations to 124 across 100 contries, with additions mostly in South America and Asia. Like ExpressVPN, most servers are concentrated in Europe, the Americas and Asia (including a virtual server in China), while Africa has six and the Middle East has four.

OS Support & Usability

ExpressVPN is compatible with macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Linux, Android TV, Apple TV and Chrome. It’s also the only virtual private network that also makes a router — ExpressVPN Aircove — with the VPN preinstalled and an app for VPN users to manage it. Additionally, you can connect up to eight simultaneous devices on a single ExpressVPN account.

Smart DNS is a workaround for devices that don’t support VPN apps. On ExpressVPN, the “smart DNS” feature is called MediaStreamer,and it unblocks streaming services on LG and Samsung TVs. The downside of MediaStreamer is that you’re limited to U.S. locations, and no encryption is involved. The upside is that you get amazing streaming speeds.

CyberGhost is compatible with Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Fire TV, Android TVs, Chrome, Firefox and some routers. It also has a “SmartDNS” feature for Apple TV, LG and Samsung TVs, and gaming consoles to access the U.S. and U.K. libraries of Netflix and Hulu. 

Like MediaStreamer, there’s no encryption, but you’ll get amazing speeds as a trade-off. Smart DNS is one of the fastest ways to get Netflix unblocked on any system.

CyberGhost supports a maximum of seven simultaneous device connections on a single account. For our PC users, it’s also worth mentioning that both services made my list of the best VPN for Windows.

Ease of Use

The ExpressVPN app is simple and easy to navigate, from using the search function to find your desired server to locating important features like the kill switch or ad blocker. The client even arranges servers by continent.

CyberGhost also has an appealing user interface, with servers listed based on different activities for which you might use the VPN. For example, there are special physical and virtual servers for streaming, gaming or using a torrent client. 

However, CyberGhost’s VPN apps sometimes differ too much between various OSes for my liking. For example, CyberGhost for macOS doesn’t have buttons for split tunneling or the kill switch like the Windows app does. The Windows version has a tab for gaming and NoSpy servers, while the macOS version only has servers optimized for downloading and streaming. 

This lack of uniformity across the apps forces you to switch devices, a luxury that only a few people have. For example, I love excluding my PayPal app from the VPN tunnel via split tunneling, but I can’t do that on my Mac.

Plans & Pricing

CyberGhost is cheaper than ExpressVPN, and it earns a spot on our best cheap VPN list. Let’s break these price plans down further.

ExpressVPN Pricing Plans

ExpressVPN has three price plans. The 12-month option offers the best deal at $6.67 per month with three free months as a bonus. It’s followed by a six-month plan that costs $9.99 per month and a monthly option for $12.95.All ExpressVPN plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.

CyberGhost Pricing Plans

CyberGhost has one of the most affordable price plans in the industry. The cheapest is the 24-month option that goes for $2.19 per month with two extra free months. This is followed by a six-month plan for $6.99 per month and a monthly plan costing $12.99.

The two-year and six-month plans have a 45-day money-back guarantee, which is one of the longest among VPN providers, while the monthly plan has a 14-day warranty.

Customer Support

Being able to contact your VPN provider at any time is important for users. Here’s how these two compare in this category.

ExpressVPN Customer Support

ExpressVPN offers 24/7 customer support through a live chat with fast and responsive agents who are ready to solve various issues. Responses for the email option can take up to 48 hours, so only use it if the live chat isn’t getting through. An FAQ section covers the most common problems and has video tutorials that teach you how to install ExpressVPN on many platforms.

CyberGhost Customer Support

Like ExpressVPN, CyberGhost has 24/7 customer support, with a live chat option combining bots and real people. You can also contact support via email, but that takes longer than the live chat. The site has a wide range of resources like installation guides, troubleshooting tips, FAQs and a section dedicated to announcements about the latest CyberGhost developments.

CyberGhost vs ExpressVPN: Reddit Feedback

Reddit has “straight-from-the-heart” reviews of these two VPNs that don’t pull punches. For instance, I came across a post declaring that ExpressVPN and CyberGhost are untrustworthy as they’re all owned by Kape Technologies, a company that used to distribute data-tracking adware back when it was known as Crossrider.

It’s a legitimate concern, but Kape Technologies has completely jettisoned the Crossrider adware, and it now focuses on VPNs. I didn’t notice any declines in quality for either VPN after Kape acquired them.

Conclusion: Why I Think ExpressVPN Wins Overall

ExpressVPN is the overall winner of this contest because it outperforms CyberGhost in many key areas. It’s a better option for streaming and gaming. ExpressVPN hasn’t had a security breach in the past, proving that the current security framework works.

All ExpressVPN apps are easy to use, and it’s the only VPN with a router that comes with the VPN preinstalled, plus an app to run it. The only area where CyberGhost edges out ExpressVPN is the pricing. 

Do you agree with this result, or do you still believe CyberGhost is a better fit for you? What is the most important feature that helps you choose between ExpressVPN and CyberGhost? Tell us your feedback in the comments below, and thank you for always reading our blog.

1. $6.67 Best Price
   

   Overall Rating 9.5 / 10

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Methodology: CyberGhost VPN vs ExpressVPN Comparison 

Here’s the methodology I used for this head-to-head comparison.

ExpressVPN-CyberGhost Alternatives: VPNs I Like

Here are some good alternatives if ExpressVPN and CyberGhost don’t cut it for you.

1. NordVPN: Fast Speeds
   

   Overall Rating 9.2 / 10

   Visit NordVPN
   NordVPN is even faster than ExpressVPN. It also features a lot of essential specialty servers like double VPN and obfuscated servers, which offer extra security. Read more on that in this NordVPN review.

1. Surfshark: Cost-Effective
   

   Overall Rating 8.9 / 10

   Visit Surfshark
   If ExpressVPN is too expensive for you, or you have more devices that need protection beyond CyberGhost’s capabilities, then Surfshark should meet your needs. It has one of the cheapest long-term price plans, and you can connect unlimited devices simultaneously, which is perfect for large households. You can learn more in our Surfshark review.

1. Proton VPN: Great Security Suite
   

   Overall Rating 8.8 / 10

   Visit Proton VPN
   Proton VPN is a fast, easy-to-use VPN that also folds in other tools in an excellent security suite, including email. Find out more in our Proton VPN review.

FAQ: ExpressVPN and CyberGhost VPN

• Is CyberGhost Better Than ExpressVPN?

  CyberGhost is slower and less user-friendly than ExpressVPN, and it has experienced a unique data vulnerability in the past. The size of the server network and the affordable price plans are the only areas in which CyberGhost is superior to ExpressVPN.

• Is There a Better VPN Than ExpressVPN?

  A VPN that’s potentially better than ExpressVPN is NordVPN. It’s faster and has a bigger server network with specialty servers for different situations, and it offers one of the most secure connections. Private Internet Access is another cheap alternative.

• Is ExpressVPN the Best?

  ExpressVPN is the best at certain roles like streaming and gaming because it has fast servers that never experience huge speed drops. Overall, it outperforms a lot of other VPNs in many areas besides speeds and unblocking capacity.

• Is CyberGhost a Trusted VPN?

  CyberGhost is a trusted VPN. It may have experienced a breach in the past, but the service moved quickly to deal with it. Furthermore, CyberGhost’s logging policy has been audited, and nothing suspicious was found.