- CyberGhost vs Surfshark: Which VPN is Better?
- Quick Buy Guide: The Most Important Differences
- CyberGhost vs Surfshark: Which VPN is More Secure?
- CyberGhost vs Surfshark: Which VPN Handles Data Better?
- CyberGhost vs Surfshark: Which VPN is Better for Daily Use?
- CyberGhost vs Surfshark: Which VPN has the Best Bang-for-Buck?
- Conclusion: Our Verdict
In this article, we compare CyberGhost and Surfshark. CyberGhost is owned by Kape Technologies and Nord Security is the parent company behind Surfshark. These two companies are major competitors to each other.
CyberGhost and Surfshark look very similar on paper, so they both appear in many ‘best VPN’ lists. If you can’t decide between CyberGhost and Surfshark, taking a deep dive into their pros and cons might help. That’s why we’re comparing these two VPNs across various categories: speed, security, privacy, pricing, ease of use, and customer service.
Let’s start with the test. CyberGhost or Surfshark, which of the two is the best?
CyberGhost vs Surfshark: Which VPN is Better?
Don’t have the time to read through our entire testing process? Here’s the short version of what we discovered by reviewing both:
| Section | Winner | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Which VPN is More Secure? | Surfshark | Keep your data safe with Surfshark |
| Which VPN Handles Data Better? | Surfshark | Protect yourself online with Surfshark |
| Which VPN is Better for Daily Use? | Tie | Stream and game without lag with CyberGhost or Surfshark |
| Which VPN has the Best Bang-for-Buck? | Surfshark | Get the best deal with Surfshark |
We are satisfied with both VPNs, but as you can see Surfshark wins in most areas!
Quick Buy Guide: The Most Important Differences
With VPNs so similar, the big question is: what are the differences between CyberGhost and Surfshark? Below, we have listed the most important features for each VPN.
That way, you can easily see which is the best VPN for you.
Why CyberGhost is right for you
Choose CyberGhost if you are looking for an easy-to-use and secure VPN with strong encryption and excellent streaming capabilities.
Pros
- User-friendly apps
- Optimized servers for streaming
- Possible to download torrents
- 45-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Not as many security features as Surfshark
CyberGhost is very user-friendly, making it great for novice VPN users. The VPN is also fast and offers excellent security.
A big plus for CyberGhost are its dedicated servers for streaming and gaming. These optimized servers allow you to easily unblock streaming services from different countries.
Compared to other VPN services, CyberGhost offers a long money-back guarantee. You can try out the VPN for free for up to 45 days before you decide on a permanent subscription.
Why Surfshark is right for you
Surfshark offers the best value-for-money. This cheap VPN has rock-solid security, and is secure and fast.
Pros
- Unlimited number of devices on one account
- Works with all major streaming services
- Very affordable VPN
- Many useful extras such as CleanWeb and Camouflage Mode
Cons
- Server network not as extensive as CyberGhost's
Surfshark is the perfect VPN for the whole family. In fact, you can use one subscription on an unlimited number of devices simultaneously.
Surfshark is also very reasonably priced and offers excellent value-for-money. For just a few dollars a month, you get a secure VPN with excellent speeds.
Surfshark also offers many useful additional features such as an adblocker (CleanWeb) and Bypasser (split-tunneling).
CyberGhost vs Surfshark: Which VPN is More Secure?
You can’t have a reliable VPN without bulletproof security. Online, we’re faced with more online threats than ever before, so you need to count on your VPN to keep your internet traffic hidden. Hackers, spies, and ISPs are all vying for your private information, either to sell it or to monitor your online activities.
A good VPN encrypts your data and makes sure no one can see what you’re doing. Do CyberGhost and Surfshark keep you safe online?
When it comes to security, both VPN services excel. Below we highlight a few key features.
- Both VPNs offer rock-solid AES-256-bit encryption.
- Both VPNs use strong encryption protocols.
- Both VPNs have a kill switch to protect you when your internet connection suddenly drops.
- Both VPNs offer malware protection.
- Surfshark offers additional features such as Multi-hop for double encryption and Nexus for rotating IPs.
Fortunately, both CyberGhost and Surfshark offer excellent security features. The table below gives you a quick overview of the features offered by these VPN providers.
| Security feature | CyberGhost | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Kill switch (against IP leaks) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Obfuscation (against censorship) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Double VPN (Multi-hop) | ✖ | ✔ |
| Nexus (constant encryption) | ✖ | ✔ |
| Malware protection | ✔ | ✔ |
| Split tunneling | ✔ | ✔ |
| Obfuscated servers (against censorship) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Website | Choose CyberGhost | Choose Surfshark |
In conclusion, Surfshark is better than CyberGhost in terms of security. Surfshark, ultimately, offers more options to improve user security.
VPN protocols
A VPN encrypts your internet traffic. For this encryption, a VPN uses different protocols. OpenVPN and WireGuard are the most common protocols.
CyberGhost and Surfshark have identical lists of supported VPN protocols. They include:
| Protocol | CyberGhost | Surfshark | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| OpenVPN (TCP/UDP) | ✔ | ✔ | Most popular open-source protocol: secure, reliable, and fast. |
| WireGuard | ✔ | ✔ | A modern, powerful VPN protocol focused on simplicity, speed, and strong encryption. |
| Ikev2 | ✔ | ✔ | Stable and secure VPN protocol that is suitable for mobile VPN connections. |
This is an excellent list of connection protocols optimized for speed and security. Both providers ensure effortless torrenting, lag-free streaming, secure online gaming, and much more. These protocols will also allow you to deal with online censorship and reclaim your internet freedom.
Surfshark automatically connects to the fastest protocol. This is usually WireGuard, but sometimes the VPN switches to OpenVPN if it detects that this is a better choice under certain network conditions. CyberGhost also offers the option to automatically choose the fastest protocol based on your connection.
In terms of protocols, both VPN services perform equally well.
Encryption
Both VPN providers use 256-bit encryption to encrypt your data. This is the highest level of encryption that modern VPNs can offer. It cannot be cracked by today’s computer software.
Security features
Both VPN providers are very secure. CyberGhost and Surfshark offer various security features such as kill switch and split tunneling. In the end, we do see a clear difference between CyberGhost VPN and Surfshark VPN. Surfshark has additional security features such as its Multi-hop feature and Nexus.
| VPN | Adblocker | Split-tunneling | Extra features |
|---|---|---|---|
| CyberGhost | Security Suite: must be purchased separately from the VPN. | Available for Windows, Android and macOS. | ✖ |
| Surfshark | CleanWeb: included with your VPN subscription. | Bypasser: available for Windows, Android and iOS. Also ‘Route via VPN’. | Nexus and Multi-hop |
CyberGhost’s Security Suite vs. Surfshark’s CleanWeb
Both VPNs protect against ads, trackers, and malware. Surfshark does this with an in-client feature called ‘CleanWeb’. CyberGhost VPN offers a similar service called ‘Security Suite‘. The difference is that this is a separate program and thus not built into the VPN client.
You have to buy CyberGhost’s Security Suite separately from the VPN. We prefer Surfshark’s inclusive security vulnerability protection.
CyberGhost’s split-tunneling vs. Surfshark’s Bypasser
Split-tunneling allows you to keep certain apps from running through the VPN tunnel. Both CyberGhost and Surfshark offer this option. Surfshark calls this feature Bypasser. With this feature, you can choose to use your own IP address to connect to trusted apps and websites.
By not routing certain apps or websites through the VPN, you can improve speed for specific services. CyberGhost offers split tunneling on Windows, Android and macOS. Surfshark’s Bypasser is available for Windows, Android and iOS.
Surfshark also offers Reverse Bypasser under the name ‘Route via VPN‘. This allows you to set certain websites or apps to always be routed through the VPN server. This feature is available on Android and Windows.
Surfshark’s unique features: Nexus, Multi-hop
Surfshark offers additional features that CyberGhost does not, such as Multi-hop (double VPN). This feature allows you to route your internet traffic through multiple VPN servers instead of just one. It doubles your security with an extra layer of encryption. We recommend this feature only if it is really necessary, as it can cause significant speed drops.
We are also very impressed with Surfshark’s Nexus upgrade. Essentially, it automatically connects you to all Surfshark servers, making it easy to switch between servers without losing your VPN connection.
CyberGhost and Surfshark are both secure VPNs but after in-depth research, we can conclude that Surfshark offers the best security. This VPN offers additional features for even better security, such as Multi-hop and Nexus.
CyberGhost vs Surfshark: Which VPN Handles Data Better?
Security and privacy go hand-in-hand. Your chosen provider has to protect you from itself by logging as little of your data as possible. Even the giants like NordVPN can get hacked and leak information. By implementing strict no-logging policies, VPNs can prevent this from happening.
To assess privacy for this CyberGhost vs. Surfshark comparison, we looked at log policies, privacy features, and independent third-party audits. In the end, Surfshark has a slight advantage over CyberGhost because of its Camouflage Mode that provides even more privacy.
Privacy policy & no-logs policy
We took a critical look at the logging policies of CyberGhost and Surfshark. The providers have the following points in common:
- Both VPNs have a no-logs policy. That is, they do not log information about users’ activities.
- Both providers use RAM-only servers which means they can’t even store data about your online activities.
- Both services have undergone independent audits that support the no-log policy.
Still, there are some differences as well:
- CyberGhost VPN is based in Romania, a country where companies are not required to store customer data. Surfshark, on the other hand, is based in the Netherlands, a country that is part of the 9 Eyes alliance.
- CyberGhost and Surfshark do keep anonymous data for improving the service. This includes anonymized IP addresses and payment information.
- CyberGhost VPN is part of Kape Technologies. This company has a dubious past. In fact, the CIO of this company was involved in an espionage project by the UAE, Project Raven.
Important:
Countries that are part of the 9 Eyes alliance, such as the Netherlands, share data with each other. Because Surfshark has a no-logs policy, however, you need not worry. Since Surfshark does not store any data, they cannot share it either.
Privacy features and infrastructure
Both VPNs use RAM-only servers. This means that all data is erased from the server with every server reboot. For your privacy, it is beneficial that sensitive data is not stored for long periods of time.
Both VPNs offer dedicated IP addresses to get a unique IP address. This makes the VPN less likely to be blacklisted and less likely to be blocked by streaming services. CyberGhost requires you to pay an additional $2.50 per month to request a dedicated IP address. Surfshark charges $3.75 per month for the feature.
Both CyberGhost and Surfshark also come with a SmartDNS service that keeps your DNS queries 100% anonymous.
Surfshark additionally offers obfuscated servers (Camouflage mode) for even more privacy. CyberGhost does not offer this feature. The obfuscated servers make your VPN traffic look like regular browsing. This makes it more difficult to detect VPN use, so obfuscation can be used in countries that have banned the use of VPNs.
Of course, for your privacy, it is also important that you can buy a VPN anonymously:
- You can easily subscribe to both VPNs with an anonymous email address.
- With both providers, you can subscribe anonymously by paying with Bitcoin. With CyberGhost, paying with Bitcoin is not possible with additional services such as a dedicated IP or Security Suite.
Third party audits: can they back up their promises?
A VPN’s no-logs policy means nothing if the VPN does not keep its promise and cannot prove that the policy is foolproof. Independent audits check how good companies’ privacy policies are and report potential problems.
Both providers regularly undertake independent audits to test their security and no-log policies. Audit firm Deloitte has verified Surfshark’s no-logs statement several times and concludes that Surfshark, indeed, does not keep logs. The most recent review was in December 2024.
Moreover, Surfshark publishes a quarterly transparency report that lists requests for personal data from government agencies. Surfshark did not provide user-related information in any of these instances.
CyberGhost also releases a transparency report every three months with all data release requests. The company, so far, has not complied with any of these requests. CyberGhost was last audited by Deloitte in May 2024. In this audit, CyberGhost’s no-log policy was confirmed.
Surfshark is the best VPN for your privacy. You can subscribe anonymously and the VPN does not keep any (anonymous) data about you. The no-log policy also negates the fact that the company is based in the Netherlands, since it can’t hand over any data, even on request. Camouflage Mode provides extra privacy.
CyberGhost vs Surfshark: Which VPN is Better for Daily Use?
Of course, it’s important that a VPN is pleasant in day-to-day use. You don’t want to suffer from speed loss. We tested Surfshark and CyberGhost with various everyday activities such as gaming, streaming, and surfing. Below, you can see the results:
| What? | CyberGhost | Surfshark | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | Excellent | Excellent | Both VPNs are very fast. |
| Streaming & unblocking | Good | Excellent | Surfshark can unblock most streaming services. |
| Torrenting & downloading | Good | Good | We were able to quickly download relatively large files. |
| Server network | Excellent | Good | CyberGhost’s server network is larger. |
| User Interface & Customer Service | Good | Good | Both VPNs have user-friendly apps and helpful customer service. |
Speed: Which VPN is faster?
Speed is an important aspect of a VPN. We tested both CyberGhost and Surfshark to see which VPN provider offers higher speeds. We tested Dutch (nearby) and U.S. servers (distant) for both CyberGhost and Surfshark.
The speed of a VPN depends on many factors, including base speeds, location, server selection, and device type. If you test these VPNs yourself, the results may differ from our results.
To make a good comparison, we tested both VPNs. Some details about our test:
- Tested from our office in the Netherlands.
- We used the same wired connection.
- Conducted test on a Windows 11 laptop.
- WireGuard protocol used.
- We checked our connection speed without a VPN first, to see how speeds changed.
| VPN | Download speed (Mbps) | Upload Speed (Mbps) | Ping | % Download speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No VPN | 202.92 | 240.57 | 4 | 100% |
| CyberGhost (nearby server) | 194.34 | 87.18 | 5 | 95,77% |
| Surfshark (nearby server) | 194.89 | 234.78 | 15 | 95,33% |
| CyberGhost (distant server) | 191.79 | 44.93 | 97 | 94,52% |
| Surfshark (distant server) | 175.35 | 96.16 | 173 | 85,77% |
We measured download speed, upload speed, and ping. In the table, the best score is bold. The ping rises sharply for servers further away. You would notice this, for example, while gaming via an American server.
As you can see, both VPNs are very fast, with download speeds ranging between 85.77% retention on distant servers and 95.77% on nearby servers. For most VPN users, download speed is most important for daily use.
On nearby servers, Surfshark is the winner, although the download speeds of the two providers are very close. On U.S. servers, CyberGhost has a better download speed, but a less impressive upload speed.
In practice, both providers perform well for daily activities, including gaming, torrenting and streaming. Both Surfshark and CyberGhost are very fast and the results do not differ much. Which VPN is best for you depends predominantly on which servers you need. That’s why we’ll make this a draw.
Keep in mind:
When it comes to speed, we want to note a few things:
- A VPN cannot make your internet connection faster than your base speeds; poor connection speeds will remain slow.
- Some speed loss is to be expected with VPNs because traffic is encrypted and redirected.
- High speeds usually indicate a high-quality VPN, but keep in mind that daily activities can be done with speeds as low as 50 Mbps; you can still have a smooth browsing experience.
Streaming & unblocking
One of the main advantages of using a VPN is the opportunity to gain access to popular streaming platforms and get more out of your favorite streaming service’s subscription. For example, you can connect to an American server to access Netflix USA.
On a daily basis, our team tests whether VPNs can unblock the most popular streaming services. Of our top five VPNs, we can say with certainty that they have few problems unblocking the biggest streaming services.
So, how good are CyberGhost and Surfshark at accessing such streaming providers? We have included our findings in the table below.
| Streaming platform | CyberGhost | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix (US) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Netflix (UK) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Disney Plus (EU) | ✖ | ✔ |
| Hulu (US) | ✔ | ✔ |
| HBO Max (EU) | ✔ | ✔ |
| BBC iPlayer (UK) | ✖ | ✔ |
| Prime Video (EU) | ✖ | ✔ |
Keep in mind:
Streaming platforms often engage in a sort of cat-and-mouse game with VPN providers. Generally, it’s legal to use a VPN to access content from other countries. However, these platforms sometimes attempt to block VPN usage.
Fortunately, the best VPNs have no trouble bypassing these blocks. If you do encounter any issues, simply switch servers or contact customer support for assistance.
Both VPNs provide access to many Netflix libraries. CyberGhost offers dedicated servers for popular streaming services. Despite the dedicated CyberGhost servers, Surfshark still proves better at unblocking streaming services.
Torrenting & downloading
Wondering what the best VPN for torrenting is? Both VPNs allow torrenting. We tested both Surfshark and CyberGhost extensively and downloaded multiple files. This went smoothly and we did not experience any speed loss.
Surfshark and CyberGhost do not support port forwarding. Without port forwarding, some connections may be blocked or delayed. This means you can’t seed optimally.
CyberGhost offers dedicated P2P servers that are optimized for torrenting. Surfshark supports torrenting on all servers. This means you don’t have to choose specific servers to torrent. This allows for more flexibility and ease of use.
Server network
A large server network increases your chances of bypassing geo-restrictions and accessing foreign websites. A large server network is also not likely to become congested. An overcrowded network can cause poor connections or slow speeds.
It is also important for a VPN to offer servers in many different locations. This allows you to easily access blocked content. For example, if a VPN has several different locations in the United States, you can use it to bypass NFL blackouts.
Both CyberGhost and Surfshark have extensive networks with servers spread around the world. As you can see from the overview, CyberGhost has the largest server network.
| VPN | Number of Servers | Number of Countries | Specialty Servers |
|---|---|---|---|
| CyberGhost | 11500 | 100 | Streaming servers, P2P-servers, No Spy servers |
| Surfshark | 4500 | 100 | Multi-hop |
User interface & customer service
Our previous reviews of CyberGhost VPN and Surfshark have shown that both of these providers have excellent reputations when it comes to ease of use. Still, there can only be one winner. So, what are the differences between the two?
The installation of both applications is basically self-explanatory and very easy. After you subscribe, you can download the app for different operating systems on the service’s website. Using the wizard, you’ll have the apps installed in no time.
Both apps are easy to use and beginners can navigate their way around the apps without issue. You can connect directly to a VPN server of your choice. With CyberGhost, this is done with the large on and off button; with Surfshark with the ‘Quick-connect’ button.
Still, there are some differences:
- With CyberGhost, you first have to ‘unfold’ the software before seeing the list of server locations. With Surfshark, we find the server network more clearly indicated.
- Surfshark offers ‘Static IP’, ‘Multi-hop’ and ‘Dedicated IP’ options right from the main menu. With CyberGhost, to get a dedicated IP, you have to unfold the software.
- Surfshark lets you choose servers based on location. CyberGhost also has dedicated servers for streaming, torrenting, and gaming.
- With CyberGhost, you will find privacy settings and split tunneling (Smart Rules) in the servers and not in the settings. Surfshark does have all the settings listed together.
We find both apps very user-friendly and cannot pick a clear winner at this point. What you’re most comfortable with, depends on your personal preferences.
Customer service
Of course, problems can always crop up. Good customer service, then, makes all the difference. How do CyberGhost’s and Surfshark’s customer service departments respond?
- Both Surfshark and CyberGhost’s websites have a knowledge center with information and manuals.
- Both CyberGhost and Surfshark offer a live chat that allows you to talk to an actual person. In both cases, we were quickly redirected to an employee.
- Support agents at both VPNs provided clear answers and were knowledgeable.
- For both providers, customer service is only available in English.
We are very satisfied with both CyberGhost’s and Surfshark’s customer service.
Both CyberGhost and Surfshark are very nice for everyday use. They are fast, have an extensive server network, and good customer service. Downloading and streaming is no problem with these VPNs. Surfshark can unblock more streaming services and CyberGhost has a larger server network. This makes it a draw.
CyberGhost vs Surfshark: Which VPN has the Best Bang-for-Buck?
Surfshark and CyberGhost both offer some amazing long-term deals. The table below shows the plans offered by both VPNs.
- CyberGhost 2 Years + 2 Months $ 1.59mth Deal View offer
- CyberGhost 6 Months $ 6.99mth View offer
- CyberGhost 1 Month $ 12.99mth View offer
- Surfshark 24 months $ 2.49mth Deal View offer
- Surfshark 12 months $ 3.19mth View offer
- Surfshark 1 month $ 15.45mth View offer
Subscriptions for both VPNs are very affordable and a lot cheaper compared to more expensive options such as ExpressVPN (starting at $ 2.49 per month). We definitely recommend going with longer plans so you can save money in the process.
Surfshark’s and CyberGhost’s 2-year subscriptions give you the cheapest option. The monthly plans for both CyberGhost and Surfshark do not differ much in price.
CyberGhost offers better prices for the short-term subscription. Surfshark offers slightly better value-for-money with additional security features and unlimited device connections.
Please note:
The prices may fluctuate based on any temporary deals and discounts. Make sure to check the provider’s official website for the latest price.
Both Surfshark and CyberGhost support various payment methods, including credit cards, PayPal and local payment options. Both services offer the option to purchase the VPN anonymously with cryptocurrency.
You can try out both services at your leisure before being locked into a subscription. Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can try CyberGhost’s longer subscriptions for up to 45 days.
Optional services
Both CyberGhost and Surfshark offer the option to extend your VPN subscription with additional cyber security services:
- Surfshark One: For an additional $2.49 per month, you can purchase Surfshark One and get access to Surfshark Antivirus and Surfshark Alert (a data breach scanner).
- Dedicated IPs: Both VPNs offer the option to purchase a dedicated IP at an additional cost.
- CyberGhost Security Suite: On top of your CyberGhost subscription, you can add a ‘Security Suite’ with antivirus and security updater. This package works on Windows 10 and 11 and prices range between $1.00 and $4.50 per month (depending on the duration).
When looking at additional services, CyberGhost wins. This VPN offers a broader package. But overall, Surfshark offers the best value for money! In fact, many extra services are already included in the Surfshark subscription.
Surfshark offers the best value for money. Surfshark is very inexpensive, offers many additional security options, and can be used on an unlimited number of devices.
Conclusion: Our Verdict
Surfshark and CyberGhost are very similar and both VPNs perform very well in our test. The differences are small, but in almost all areas, Surfshark scores just a little better. We therefore have no choice but to declare Surfshark the winner.
| Category | Winner | Why this VPN is the best choice |
|---|---|---|
| Security | Surfshark | Surfshark offers some additional features like a double VPN, obfuscated servers, and the Nexus feature. |
| Privacy | Surfshark | Both Surfshark and CyberGhost do not track users’ data, even anonymously. Surfshark offers a feature called Camouflage Mode for even more privacy. |
| Daily use | Tie | Both VPNs are fast, have an extensive server network, and helpful customer service. Our experiences with downloading and streaming are very good. Surfshark can unblock more streaming services and CyberGhost has a larger server network. This makes it a tie, as far as we are concerned. |
| Price | Surfshark | Both VPNs are very inexpensive, but Surfshark offers the most value-for-money with additional security features |
Surfshark and CyberGhost are both very good VPN services. In most cases, the differences lie in the details.
If CyberGhost added more additional security options and worked on unblocking streaming services, CyberGhost could catch up. But for now, Surfshark is the winner!
Want to subscribe to either provider? Use the buttons below to go to Surfshark’s or CyberGhost’s website.
Save 88% and get CyberGhost for 2 years + 2 months for free
Still want to know more about the providers? Read our comprehensive reviews:
Would you like to see the other VPN comparisons? Then click on one of the links below:
- ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN
- ExpressVPN vs. CyberGhost
- Surfshark vs. PIA
- ExpressVPN vs. Surfshark
- Surfshark or IPVanish
- NordVPN vs. CyberGhost
- NordVPN vs Windscribe VPN
- Differences between Proton VPN and Surfshark
- Differences between NordVPN and McAfee VPN
If you have additional questions about our CyberGhost vs Surfshark comparison, just click on one of the FAQs below to read the answer.
No, CyberGhost is not better than Surfshark! Surfshark is the superior VPN service at the moment. It offers better security features, speeds, and customer support. CyberGhost is also a good VPN, however, and comes very close to Surfshark.
No, CyberGhost is not the best VPN. CyberGhost is a good VPN and definitely one of the top services out there. However, it still can’t compete with the likes of NordVPN and Surfshark. If you’re looking for the best of the best, we recommend taking a look at our list of the top VPN providers.
Yes, Surfshark is faster than CyberGhost. Our testing shows that Surfshark has faster speeds than CyberGhost on distant and local servers. For more information, check our list of the fastest VPNs currently out there.
