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Best for Private and Secure Browsing
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Offers stronger encryption than CyberGhost
Allows for unlimited device connections
Best for Streaming
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Offers a better value two-year plan
Has faster download speeds than Surfshark
Surfshark VPN is the perfect fit if you require a virtual private network (VPN) with extra privacy and security through features like double VPN servers, an ad and tracker blocker, and strong AES-256-GCM encryption.
On the other hand, CyberGhost is a good choice if you're looking for a VPN provider that works well for streaming, thanks to its fast speeds and wide selection of servers.
In this review, we'll dive into Surfshark and CyberGhost's features, speed test results, streaming capabilities, and pricing information, so you can make an informed decision on the best VPN for you.
Surfshark and CyberGhost both have a lot to offer: low pricing, multi-device support, a wide range of compatibility with various platforms, 24/7 live chat support, secure VPN protocols, and a vetted no-logs policy. However, there are some key differences between them.
When we tested these VPNs for speed, we learned that CyberGhost has faster download speeds than Surfshark. This makes CyberGhost ideal for high-bandwidth activities such as streaming, gaming, and torrenting. However, Surfshark took the lead with its features that boost privacy and security.
 Our Pick
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| Price | Starts at $2.29/mo | Starts at $2.19/mo |
| Max # of connected devices | Unlimited | 7 |
| 24/7 customer support | ||
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and more |
Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and more |
| # of servers | 3,200+ | 11,700+ |
| VPN protocol | WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN | WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN |
| No-logs policy | No logs | No logs |
| Unblocks Netflix? | ||
| Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review |
Get CyberGhost Read CyberGhost Review |
Although both VPN services are compatible with many platforms, Surfshark supports unlimited simultaneous connections, while CyberGhost supports only a maximum of seven. Regarding streaming, CyberGhost sidestepped network blocks for Netflix U.S., Canada, U.K., and Australia. Surfshark unblocked Netflix U.S., U.K., and Australia but failed to unblock Netflix Canada.
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Our Pick
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| Price range | $2.29–$21.99/mo | $2.19–$12.99/mo |
| Best value plan | Surfshark Starter 24-month plan for $2.29/mo | 2-year plan for $2.29/mo |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — 30 days | Yes — 30 days |
| Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review |
Get CyberGhost Read CyberGhost Review |
Surfshark and CyberGhost both have multiple plans that fit different budgets depending on subscription length. Surfshark’s plans range anywhere from $2.29–$21.99/mo. Its best deal, the 24-month plan, only costs $2.29/mo and sometimes comes with extra free months. Even though Surfshark's lowest monthly price is slightly more expensive than CyberGhost, it's still a terrific deal if you’re looking for a VPN service at an affordable price range.
Depending on which plan you choose, CyberGhost costs anywhere from $2.19–$12.99/mo. The best possible deal is the two-year plan, which costs just $2.19/mo and can also come with extra months for free. This makes CyberGhost an affordable option for those who want to save money on a VPN by paying over an extended period of time.
Additionally, CyberGhost and Surfshark offer money-back guarantees, so you can try their services risk-free without worrying about a no-refund policy. That way, you can test these products before committing to a long-term plan. CyberGhost offers a 45-day money-back guarantee, while Surfshark only offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
| Feature | Our Pick
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| Number of servers | 3,200+ servers in 100 countries | 11,700+ servers in 100 countries |
| No-logs policy | No logs | No logs |
| VPN headquarters | The Netherlands | Romania |
| Encryption | AES 256-GCM | AES-256-bit |
| VPN protocol | WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN | WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN |
| Kill switch | ||
| Split tunneling | ||
| Netflix support | ||
| Torrenting support | ||
| Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review |
Get CyberGhost Read CyberGhost Review |
Surfshark and CyberGhost have largely similar security offerings, including strong encryption, secure VPN protocols, and a kill switch. Both VPNs block ads, trackers, and malware. Surfshark’s blocker is called CleanWeb 2.0, while CyberGhost’s is called Content Blocker. Additionally, both VPNs have had their no-logs policies audited by Deloitte.
However, Surfshark offers stronger encryption because it uses the AES-256-GCM algorithm. This algorithm is faster than just AES 256-bit encryption, which is what CyberGhost employs. Surfshark’s VPN protocols—OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2/IPsec—also use AES-256-GCM. Surfshark has a double VPN feature called Dynamic MultiHop, which lets you route traffic through more than one VPN server location. CyberGhost does not have a double VPN feature.
CyberGhost is headquartered in Romania, so it's not part of the intelligence-sharing agreement required of Eyes alliance countries. Surfshark is headquartered in the Netherlands, which is a member of the Nine Eyes alliance.
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| Netflix | ||
| Amazon Prime Video | ||
| Hulu | ||
| BBC iPlayer | ||
| Disney+ | ||
| HBO Max |
Surfshark supports most major streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max. During our Netflix testing, Surfshark easily unblocked Netflix in the U.S., U.K., and Australia. However, we couldn't unblock Netflix Canada, even after reaching out to customer support for some troubleshooting tips.
CyberGhost also supports plenty of streaming services from around the world. During our Netflix testing, CyberGhost seamlessly unblocked Netflix with every server we tried. It even provides streaming-optimized servers, which are constantly tested to work with popular streaming services.
We independently tested CyberGhost and Surfshark's internet speeds by connecting to their servers in the U.S., the U.K., and Australia. This speed test assessment helped us determine their capabilities for heavy bandwidth activities, such as streaming, torrenting, and gaming. We conducted our Surfshark test on a PC laptop running Windows 11, while our CyberGhost test was conducted on a Macbook Pro.
| Server location |
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Our Pick
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| US | 41% slower | 10.8% slower |
| UK | 4% slower | 29.3% slower |
| AU | 108% slower | 30.5% slower |
| Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review |
Get CyberGhost Read CyberGhost Review |
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Surfshark's download speeds dropped significantly compared to CyberGhost's, with the exception of the U.K. CyberGhost dropped speeds by about 30% while Surfshark only dropped speeds by 4%, which is an unusual result. Typically, your internet speeds should drop the farther your VPN servers are from your physical location. It was nice to see CyberGhost didn't drop off our speed too much while connected to an Australian server, while our Surfshark speed dropped greatly.
Our Pick
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| Windows | ||
| macOS | ||
| Android | ||
| iOS | ||
| Linux | ||
| Router | ||
| Smart devices | ||
| Browser extensions | Chrome, Firefox | Chrome, Firefox |
| 24/7 support | ||
| Customer support options | Live chat, email, online guides | Live chat, email, online guides |
| Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review |
Get CyberGhost Read CyberGhost Review |
CyberGhost has a very simple interface that lets you enable or disable its VPN with just one click of its “on and off” button. Plus, it offers to connect to the best available server location for you.
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However, it was less intuitive than Surfshark when it came to finding VPN settings and other features. Surfshark had a panel on its left-hand side that took you directly to its VPN, alerts, antivirus, and search features, including general settings.
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As far as customer support is concerned, Surfshark and CyberGhost have knowledge bases with online guides, email support, and 24/7 live chat. We tested both live chat options by asking simple questions. CyberGhost connected us to a live agent within seconds, while Surfshark took around 20 seconds to connect us to a live agent.
Even though CyberGhost was extra fast in connecting us to a live agent, Surfshark offered top-tier customer service with its friendly reps, who provided detailed answers to our questions. While chatting with Surfshark customer support, we even asked if they had any servers in China, and (to our surprise) we were offered a discount just for asking questions.
When it comes to payment methods, Surfshark and CyberGhost both accept major credit cards, PayPal, and Amazon Pay. Both services also take Bitcoin, which caters to those seeking private payment options for added anonymity. However, Surfshark surpasses CyberGhost by supporting various cryptocurrencies, including ether, tether, and dogecoin.
According to our internal testing, Netflix appears to be blocking Surfshark because we were unable to bypass any restrictions when we selected servers in Canada, although we had no issues with servers in the U.S., U.K., and Australia. Keep in mind that restrictions and regulations that streaming services impose can change over time.
Yes, CyberGhost is simple to use, which is convenient for novice and intermediate users.
Yes, Surfshark has server locations in Macau SAR China and in Hong Kong. To learn about other VPNs that work in China, you can read our guide on the best VPNs for China.
Yes, you can trust CyberGhost VPN as a reliable and secure VPN service provider for a few reasons:
CyberGhost offered faster download speeds, and it excelled at supporting streaming. We were also impressed by its customer support and straightforward interface. However, Surfshark's interface is more intuitive and offers more features.
Ultimately, Surfshark is the better VPN option for most, thanks to its robust features for added privacy and security, user-friendly interface, top-notch customer support, unlimited device support, and wide range of payment options. It's a solid provider for a wider range of internet users.
All-in-one VPN app with 24/7 protection thanks to 3,200+ RAM-only servers in over 100 countries
Real-time malware defense, webcam protection, alternative ID creation, ad blocking, and more
One subscription covers unlimited devices for your entire household with access to 24/7 support
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