NordVPN vs. CyberGhost 2024: Nord Has the Advantage

CyberGhost focuses on a lower price whereas NordVPN is feature-rich.
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Best for Extra Security Features

4.9
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On NordVPN's website

VPN
NordVPN
Up to 66% off 2-year plans + 3 months extra
  • Ultra-secure, high-speed VPN complete with malware protection and automatic blocking of intrusive ads and third-party trackers
  • Other benefits include a premium password manager, dark web monitoring, and access to IP-restricted content
  • 3 plans to choose from for custom protection on up to 10 devices
  • Too many confusing plans

Best for a Variety of Devices

4.6
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On CyberGhost's website

VPN
CyberGhost
Save 83%
  • High-speed global servers offering industry-leading 256-bit AES encryption and no data logs
  • Unlimited bandwidth, DNS and IP leak protection, and automatic kill switch available for up to 7 devices
  • Configurable with your router, smart TV, Amazon Fire TV stick, or gaming console
  • No split tunneling feature

If you’re working remotely, want to access streaming, or are simply looking for increased security, CyberGhost and NordVPN will both work well for you. NordVPN has more security features, whereas CyberGhost is much less expensive.

If your main concern is a virtual private network (VPN) without a lot of extras, CyberGhost is definitely a win. If you’re looking for a more comprehensive security suite, NordVPN is a tried-and-true option. We'll go over how NordVPN and CyberGhost compare so you can make a well-informed decision on your VPN subscription.

In this article
NordVPN vs. CyberGhost at a glance
NordVPN vs. CyberGhost: prices
NordVPN vs. CyberGhost: features
NordVPN vs. CyberGhost: internet speeds
NordVPN vs. CyberGhost: compatibility and customer support
NordVPN vs. CyberGhost FAQs
NordVPN vs. CyberGhost: which is better?

NordVPN vs. CyberGhost at a glance

NordVPN and CyberGhost are both fast and secure VPNs that allow you to create encrypted connections to the internet. NordVPN has more security options and additional features, but CyberGhost is less expensive, especially with multi-year contracts.

In addition to the lower price, CyberGhost offers a free trial, which NordVPN doesn’t. CyberGhost has a 45-day money-back guarantee versus Nord’s 30-day option. Both work well with streaming and both have a hefty server list.

  • NordVPN: Best for extra security features
  • CyberGhost: Best for a variety of devices

How do NordVPN and CyberGhost compare?


NordVPN
Our Pick

CyberGhost
Price From $3.99/mo From $2.19/mo
Max # of connected devices 10 7
24/7 customer support
Compatibility Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and more Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and more
# of servers 6,300+ in 111 countries 11,700+ servers in 100 countries
VPN protocol OpenVPN, NordLynx (WireGuard), IKEv2/IPsec OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2
No-logs policy No logs No logs
Unblocks Netflix?
Get NordVPN

Read NordVPN Review

Get CyberGhost

Read CyberGhost Review

NordVPN has name recognition, but side-by-side, CyberGhost is less expensive, has more servers, and uses the same protocols as NordVPN. In our testing, we found that unblocking Netflix could get wonky, but it was a solid product.

Prior to 2023, CyberGhost hadn’t participated in third-party audits. But it underwent an audit by Deloitte Romania and released the findings on March 9, 2023. This greatly increases CyberGhost’s credibility and trustworthiness, and we’re excited to see them participate in these types of audits.

NordVPN is one of the best VPN services on the market but it has lots of pricing and plans that can get confusing. It’s also on the pricier side of VPN services. Although it has fewer servers than CyberGhost, don’t let that fool you. All you need is a good selection of reliable servers for a VPN to be effective. 

NordVPN vs. CyberGhost: prices

Our Pick
Price range $3.99–$15.99/mo $2.19–$12.99/mo
Best value plan NordVPN Ultimate 2-year plan for $3.99/moCyberGhost 2-year plan for $2.19/mo
Money-back guarantee Yes — 30 days Yes — 45 days
Get NordVPN

Read NordVPN Review

Get CyberGhost

Read CyberGhost Review

Almost all VPNs like to break down their cost by month for a comparative view, but that discount typically only applies if you purchase the yearly or multi-year price. If you want to pay month-to-month, that cost will be much higher.

Reviewed by Mary James
“In addition to the lower price, CyberGhost offers a free trial, which NordVPN doesn’t. CyberGhost has a 45-day money-back guarantee versus Nord’s 30-day option.”

CyberGhost offers three straightforward payment options. The monthly plan is the highest at $12.99/mo. The six-month plan charges $41.94, which works out to about $6.99/mo. The highest plan is for two years and only costs $56.94, which works out to $2.19/mo.

NordVPN is not so clean-cut when it comes to pricing structure. There are three categories for personal accounts, and each category has three pricing tiers. The least expensive monthly plan starts at $12.99/mo with basic features but goes up to $15.99/mo with the Complete plan if you want extra features like a password manager, cloud storage, file encryption, and more. The best value option is the Complete two-year plan, which costs $6.99/mo.

Winner: CyberGhost. Even though NordVPN has more features, CyberGhost provides you with a VPN plan for less than NordVPN’s price.

NordVPN vs. CyberGhost: features

Feature
Our Pick
Number of servers 6,300+ servers in 111 countries 11,700+ servers in 100 countries
No-logs policy No logs No logs
VPN headquarters Panama Romania
Encryption AES 256-bit AES 256-bit
VPN protocol OpenVPN, NordLynx (WireGuard), IKEv2/IPsec OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2
Kill switch
Split tunneling Yes — Android only
Netflix support
Torrenting support
Get NordVPN

Read NordVPN Review

Get CyberGhost

Read CyberGhost Review

Reviewed by Mary James
"Prior to 2023, CyberGhost hadn’t participated in third-party audits. But it underwent an audit by Deloitte Romania and released the findings on March 9, 2023. This greatly increases CyberGhost’s credibility and trustworthiness, and we’re excited to see them participate in these types of audits.”

If you’re looking for extra features, such as a password manager or an ad blocker, or if you’re interested in split tunneling for multiple devices, NordVPN has the advantage over CyberGhost. NordVPN comes with Threat Protection, which is a tool for blocking ads, trackers, and malware. Its higher tiers come with extras like NordPass password manager, file encryption, and more. 

Both VPNs have device optimization tools and use strong and safe protocols. We were happy to see both adhere to a no-logs policy when it comes to data. Because both products participate in third-party audits, we can trust that the published policies and procedures of each are valid and trustworthy.

CyberGhost optimization settings

CyberGhost optimization settings

We were surprised there were no split tunneling capabilities with CyberGhost, other than for Android devices. Split tunneling allows you to route some of your internet traffic through one VPN server (or no VPN at all) while your other traffic goes through another. This is useful for apps and websites that won’t work with VPNs, or if you want to work in multiple regions at once.

NordVPN’s additional features such as Meshnet are useful for creating a trusted network between devices no matter where they’re located. Additionally, the password manager feature is useful if you want to share passwords between those connected devices. 

A screenshot of the NordVPN Meshnet feature, which links remote devices over an encrypted connection.

NordVPN vs. CyberGhost: streaming support

Platform
Our Pick
Netflix
Amazon Prime Video
Hulu
BBC iPlayer
Disney+
HBO Max
Get NordVPN

Read NordVPN Review

Get CyberGhost

Read CyberGhost Review

As far as what works, both VPNs claim to work with streaming services. Streaming services — especially Netflix — can be tricky. Netflix is diligent about updating its VPN trackers to prevent you from accessing regional catalogs. We aren’t sure why Netflix is so adamant about blocking VPNs, but VPNs are constantly updating to stay ahead.

CyberGhost VPN connected to a U.S. server while streaming Netflix.

NordVPN actually doesn't have Netflix on its list of supported streaming services, most likely due to Netflix's blocks. However, we found that Nord unblocked Netflix in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia, so it never hurts to try.

NordVPN connected to an AU server while streaming Netflix.

NordVPN unblocked Netflix Australia

Winner: NordVPN. With the additional security and performance features, NordVPN definitely wins in the features department.

NordVPN vs. CyberGhost: internet speeds

People like fast internet. You’re far less likely to continue to use a VPN if it slows down your internet speed, so we test speeds to make sure each product is useable. Remember, if you’re out using public Wi-Fi, you should always use some kind of encryption, such as a VPN, to protect against hackers and identity thieves.

NordVPN vs. CyberGhost download speeds

Server location
Our Pick
US 9.1% slower 10.8% slower
UK 1.9% faster 29.3% slower
AU 14.9% slower 30.5% slower
Get NordVPN

Read NordVPN Review

Get CyberGhost

Read CyberGhost Review

Honestly, you can't go wrong with either NordVPN or CyberGhost when it comes to speed. However, Nord had the edge with every server location and even sped up our connection while using a U.K. server.

NordVPN outperformed CyberGhost, but all the speed drops listed should be fairly insignificant on your online activities. You should always expect slower speeds when connecting to servers that are further from your physical location. We were presently surprised to see that even an Australian server didn't drop our speed too much with either VPN.

Winner: Both VPNs maintained good speeds, but NordVPN was faster with every location.

NordVPN vs. CyberGhost: compatibility and customer support

Windows
macOS
Android
iOS
Linux
Router
Smart devices
Browser extensions Yes, Chrome and Firefox Yes, Chrome, Firefox, and Edge
24/7 live chat
Customer support options Live chat, email, online guides Live chat, email, online guides
Get NordVPN

Read NordVPN Review

Get CyberGhost

Read CyberGhost Review

Although CyberGhost has fewer features than NordVPN, it has a massive list of servers to choose from. CyberGhost likes to categorize its features into different lists to help you decide which is best for what you’re doing. As you can see in the image below, CyberGhost has a list of servers dedicated to online protection. This makes it easy to find exactly what you’re looking for quickly.

A list of CyberGhost's secured servers in its Romania headquarters

CyberGhost NoSpy servers

NordVPN’s dashboard is useful for navigating both the VPN as well as additional features. All the services are listed in the left-hand menu, and there are reminders for increased security on the main page. Because NordVPN has so many offerings wrapped into its subscriptions, it’s nice to see a clean and organized dashboard.

NordVPN's dashboard and account overview.

NordVPN’s dashboard

Customer support is pretty similar between these two services. They both have helpful online guides. They also both have 24/7 live chat support. CyberGhost has a longer trial period of 45 days and a free trial, which is the only real difference between the two services. Whichever you choose, you’ll receive excellent customer service.

You should never do an internet search for a company’s support phone number if you can’t find one on the company’s verified website. An endless number of scammers supply fake support numbers. Only go through verified support channels.

NordVPN vs. CyberGhost: payment options

NordVPN definitely offers more payment options, but both VPNs offer major credit card and cryptocurrency payments. Although you may not think of payment options being a determining factor in choosing a VPN, paying with crypto can help keep you anonymous.

CyberGhost allows for bitcoin payments, whereas NordVPN allows for bitcoin payments as well as a few other types of cryptocurrency. If you’re looking for genuine anonymity, this may be for you.

CyberGhost payment options

  • Major credit cards
  • PayPal
  • Amazon Pay
  • BitPay

NordVPN payment options

  • Major credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • PayPal
  • Amazon Pay
  • Google Pay
  • CoinGate (cryptocurrency)

Winner: Tie. CyberGhost has a better money-back guarantee and a free trial, but NordVPN accepts more types of payment. Both services have easy-to-use support options that are genuinely helpful.

NordVPN vs. CyberGhost FAQs


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Does CyberGhost have a lot of server locations?

Yes, CyberGhost has over 11,700+ servers in 100 countries. In CyberGhost’s latest third-party audit news, it mentioned it’s been adding additional servers, so this list could change quickly.


+

Can NordVPN beat Netflix?

Yes, in our testing NordVPN was able to unblock Netflix. Netflix is constantly updating its VPN scanners, so watching Netflix with any VPN is not always guaranteed.


+

What are the disadvantages of CyberGhost?

We found that some of the servers on CyberGhost’s massive list have issues connecting, but there are plenty of others to choose from if you find one that doesn’t work.


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Does NordVPN slow down internet speed?

We found that NordVPN did slow down our internet speeds but not enough for it to matter. For more information, check out the speed tests in our NordVPN review.

CyberGhost vs. NordVPN: which is better?

CyberGhost is strong, fast, and significantly less expensive than NordVPN. However, with the expansive list of additional features as well as encrypted storage, NordVPN wins out. With the addition of a password manager, an ad blocker, as well as the tendency to work most of the time when unblocking streaming services, NordVPN edges out CyberGhost just a little. If you want a solid VPN without a lot of additional features for a reasonable price, CyberGhost is still a strong and reliable VPN.

NordVPN vs. CyberGhost: alternatives

NordVPN and CyberGhost are two of the best VPNs on the market, but that doesn't mean they're the only VPNs available. Here are some other VPN services that we can vouch for:

  • Surfshark: Surfshark offers the best bang for your buck, with affordable plans that allow for unlimited simultaneous connections. It's also user-friendly, making it a great choice for any VPN beginner. 

    Get Surfshark | Read Our Surfshark Review

  • ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN comes at a higher price point, but its performance makes up for it. Its known for its fast speeds, extensive device compatibility, and easy-to-use interface. 

    Get ExpressVPN | Read Our ExpressVPN Review

  • Private Internet Access: PIA is a solid option if you're looking to combine security with affordability. Even at its low starting price, it comes with plenty of privacy features like two types of kill switches, split tunneling, and even double VPN.

    Get Private Internet Access | Read Our Private Internet Access Review

Customizable Coverage That is Simple to Use
4.9
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On NordVPN's website
VPN
NordVPN
Up to 66% off 2-year plans + 3 months extra
  • Ultra-secure, high-speed VPN complete with malware protection and automatic blocking of intrusive ads and third-party trackers
  • Other benefits include a premium password manager, dark web monitoring, and access to IP-restricted content
  • 3 plans to choose from for custom protection on up to 10 devices
  • Too many confusing plans
Author Details
Mary is a seasoned cybersecurity writer with over seven years of experience. With a B.S. in Liberal Arts from Clarion University and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Point Park University, she educates audiences on scams, antivirus software, and more. Her passion lies in educating audiences on helpful ways to protect their data.