ExpressVPN vs. CyberGhost VPN 2024: Which VPN is Better?

Gjurgjica Panova
Updated on: October 22, 2024 Writer

ExpressVPN and CyberGhost VPN are among the best VPNs on the market. Both come with industry-standard security features like 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy that’s been independently audited and confirmed. Plus, they offer large server networks than most competitors and have intuitive apps for most major devices.

Moreover, they have great extra features, including:

• Split-tunneling.
• Ad and malware blocker.
• Dedicated IP addresses.
• Support for Tor traffic.
• Smart DNS feature.
• Perfect forward secrecy.
• RAM-only servers.

However, there are some differences between ExpressVPN and CyberGhost VPN. ExpressVPN maintains fast speeds across all servers, reliably works with 100+ streaming sites, allows P2P support on all servers, and works in restrictive countries. On the other hand, CyberGhost VPN causes minor slowdowns on distant servers, works with 50+ streaming sites, has dedicated P2P servers in 85+ countries, and doesn’t work in restrictive countries.

I compared ExpressVPN and CyberGhost VPN across various categories including security features, additional features, privacy features, servers, speeds, streaming, torrenting, gaming, bypassing internet restrictions, ease of use, plans and pricing, and customer service. After weeks of testing, ExpressVPN came on top. That said, this decision wasn’t easy to make, so I highly recommend reading the full comparison to determine which VPN offers you the best value. Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

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ExpressVPN vs. CyberGhost VPN — Quick Overview

Security — Both VPNs Have Strong Security Features

You can’t go wrong with either VPN when it comes to security. They offer industry-standard VPN security features, including:

• 256-bit AES encryption. This encryption makes your internet traffic completely unreadable and is typically used by financial institutions and military organizations.
• No-logs policy. This ensures that the VPN provider doesn’t store any information about your online activities, such as the websites you visit or the files you download.
• Kill switch. Automatically cuts off your internet connection if the VPN unexpectedly loses connection to the server, protecting you against data leaks that would expose your IP address.

Each provider comes with RAM-only servers and perfect forward secrecy. The RAM-only servers save data only on the RAM (and not the hard drive), providing better privacy because every server reboot wipes all data. Perfect forward secrecy changes the encryption key for each VPN session, so even if a hacker gains access to one key, they won’t be able to see any future or past online activities.

ExpressVPN offers full leak protection against DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks. CyberGhost VPN has DNS and IPv6 leak protection but is missing WebRTC leak protection — it provides steps for how to disable it, though. That said, I never experienced any leaks when connected to each provider’s servers.

ExpressVPN has its own proprietary protocol called Lightway, which is available on all devices. It’s very lightweight, making it both fast and efficient, so it won’t drain your laptop or phone battery. The protocol has undergone multiple independent audits that have confirmed it’s safe.

You can choose between 256-bit AES encryption or ChaCha20 (faster for older devices) on Windows, Android, and iOS. On mobile, you can enable NAT heartbeats in the Lightway advanced settings to fetch notifications faster, though it may use more battery.

CyberGhost doesn’t have its own proprietary protocol, but it offers WireGuard, which is safe and one of the fastest protocols on the VPN market. Both VPNs also let you choose OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec.

However, only ExpressVPN has multi-factor authentication, which requires you to approve each login attempt using a time-sensitive code generated by an app or a security key. So bad actors won’t be able to log in to your account even if they steal your password.

Extra Features — ExpressVPN Wins This Round

ExpressVPN is the winner here as its extra features offer better functionality. Both VPNs offer split-tunneling, allowing you to choose which apps use the VPN and which stay on your local network. With CyberGhost, you’ll only get the split-tunneling feature on the Android app, while ExpressVPN has it on more platforms (Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS).

Unlike CyberGhost,  ExpressVPN offers obfuscation on all servers and protocols. This feature makes your VPN traffic look like regular internet traffic. It allows the VPN to work on restrictive networks (like at school or work) and in countries that block or restrict VPN use, like China and Russia.

Although CyberGhost VPN includes an ad blocker, ExpressVPN’s tool is more effective at blocking ads and is available on iOS (CyberGhost’s Content Blocker isn’t). I like that they both block connections to potentially dangerous sites, but it’s pretty neat that ExpressVPN also includes an adult site blocker.

The VPNs support Tor traffic on all their servers, allowing you to secure your connection before accessing the dark web.

You can use either VPN on devices that don’t support VPN apps, like gaming consoles and certain smart TVs with a smart DNS tool. Both also provide dedicated IP addresses, which are only assigned to you, but ExpressVPN offers them in 20+ countries while CyberGhost has them in 10+ countries.

ExpressVPN also offers the following extra features that CyberGhost lacks:

• ExpressVPN Keys. The provider’s password manager securely stores your passwords and notes in a vault. It also allows unlimited logins, auto-fills credentials for quick access, includes a password generator, checks for data breaches, and checks for weak passwords. ExpressVPN Keys is included with every subscription and remains even after the subscription expires.
• ShuffleIP. ExpressVPN’s ShuffleIP feature automatically changes your IP address every time you visit a new website, open an app, or re-open one running in the background on desktop and mobile. This makes it harder for trackers to monitor your online activity across different sites and build an ad profile on you.
• Port forwarding. This feature allows you to connect to more peers for faster P2P speeds — it improved my speeds by around 10–15% during tests. Port forwarding is only available through the provider’s user-friendly router app.
• App screenshots (on Android). It protects your privacy by blocking anyone from spying on your in-app activity. It allows you to disable in-app screenshots, hide in-app content from appearing in the multitasking panel, and prevent apps with special permissions from accessing specific in-app content.

And CyberGhost VPN has the following extra features that ExpressVPN is missing:

• Smart Rules. It enables you to automate your VPN connections. For instance, you can set the VPN to automatically connect to any server location when you open the app, launch any specific app on your desktop after you connect to a certain server location, or connect to a certain server location the moment you click on an app (like Netflix).
• NoSpy servers. CyberGhost VPN’s NoSpy servers are located within the provider’s headquarters and only in-house, authorized personnel have access to them. This setup prevents rogue employees or malicious actors at third-party data centers from compromising your data.
• Identity Guard. Identity Guard notifies you if your email address and passwords have been compromised. Note that this feature is only accessible through your VPN account dashboard on the provider’s website.

Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

Privacy — Each VPN Protects Your Privacy Online

ExpressVPN and CyberGhost VPN offer great privacy as they come with strict no-logs policies. This means that they don’t collect user data, such as IP addresses, browsing history, or downloaded files.

ExpressVPN’s no-logs policy passed independent security audits in 2019, 2022, and 2023. What’s more, when one of its servers was seized by Turkish authorities in 2017 no user data was found, confirming that the provider doesn’t store any personal information.

CyberGhost also underwent an independent audit by security firm Deloitte in 2022, which verified that the provider doesn’t log any user data.

I also like that ExpressVPN’s TrustedServer technology underwent audits in 2019, 2022, and 2023 revealing only minor issues that were quickly addressed. Plus, its proprietary Lightway protocol was independently audited in 2021 and 2022.

In addition, ExpressVPN’s Chrome extension was audited in 2018, followed by a security review of its Windows app in 2021, with a retest in 2022. That same year, ExpressVPN had its iOS, Android, macOS, and Linux apps as well. All audits confirmed that its extension and apps are fully secure.

Finally, these providers are based in privacy-friendly locations. ExpressVPN is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands, while CyberGhost is in Romania. These countries have no mandatory data retention laws and are outside the reach of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances, an international coalition that shares surveillance data.

Servers — Both VPNs Have Good Server Networks

These VPNs have large server networks — ExpressVPN has servers in 105 countries, while CyberGhost VPN in 100 countries.

ExpressVPN and CyberGhost use physical servers located in the countries you connect to. They also offer virtual locations, where the server assigns an IP address from the country you choose, even though it’s physically located elsewhere. While some might think virtual locations are less secure, they are just as safe as physical servers. I tested 10+ virtual locations, and they consistently provided the correct IP address without any leaks.

ExpressVPN is better when it comes to torrenting. The VPN allows P2P traffic on all of its servers in 100 countries while CyberGhost offers dedicated P2P servers in 85+ countries. ExpressVPN’s large P2P server network allows you to easily find the fastest server nearby for fast downloading speeds.

I also like that ExpressVPN includes obfuscation on all of its servers. This feature makes your VPN traffic look like regular traffic, adding an extra layer of privacy when browsing in restrictive countries like China. Plus, it helps bypass restrictive networks, like on a college campus. CyberGhost, on the other hand, doesn’t offer obfuscation.

Each VPN offers dedicated IP addresses, which are unique IP addresses that are only assigned to you. However, ExpressVPN offers them in 20+ countries, which is a lot more than CyberGhost’s 10+ countries.

Both VPNs allow Tor (The Onion Router) traffic on all of their servers. However, CyberGhost also comes with NoSpy servers which are located in the VPN’s headquarters, so only the staff has access to them.

I like that CyberGhost VPN has 100+ dedicated servers for streaming that are optimized to work with 50+ streaming apps. Plus, it has dedicated servers for gaming that are optimized to provide low-ping and stable connections.

Speeds — ExpressVPN Is Faster

CyberGhost VPN and ExpressVPN offer impressive speeds, but ExpressVPN is faster — no surprise, as it is the fastest VPN on the market.

I tested several of ExpressVPN’s nearby and distant servers and experienced lightning-fast speeds across the board. Websites loaded instantly, HD and 4K videos played without buffering, and I was able to download a 20 GB file in about 10–13 minutes on nearby servers and just 13–15 minutes on distant ones.

With CyberGhost, I found that nearby servers delivered very fast speeds, but some distant servers experienced slowdowns. On the nearby servers, websites, HD, and 4K videos loaded instantly without buffering, and it took me 13–17 minutes to download the same 20 GB file that I downloaded with ExpressVPN.

However, on certain distant servers, websites took 2–3 seconds to load, HD videos loaded in 1–2 seconds (also without buffering), while 4K videos took 4–5 seconds to load, with minor buffering when skipping through them. I also downloaded the 20 GB file in approximately 18–23 minutes.

Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

Streaming — ExpressVPN Has Better Streaming Support

ExpressVPN offers access to more streaming platforms than CyberGhost VPN. ExpressVPN works with 100+ streaming platforms, whereas CyberGhost VPN has dedicated servers for streaming that are optimized to work with 50+ streaming sites in 20+ countries.

Both are good choices for streaming Netflix as they consistently work with 15+ Netflix libraries. CyberGhost VPN offers 17+ dedicated servers for the platform, some of which are optimized for accessing Netflix on specific devices. For instance, there are dedicated Netflix servers for Android TV and Fire Stick devices available in 5+ countries.

In addition to Netflix, ExpressVPN and CyberGhost VPN can easily access other popular platforms like BBC iPlayer and Max, along with various Amazon Prime and Disney+ libraries. They also support less popular sites such as VRV and Pluto TV.

I like that the VPNs offer a smart DNS tool for using them on devices that don’t have a native VPN app, like smart TVs and gaming consoles. CyberGhost VPN’s smart DNS feature works with Hulu and Netflix, while ExpressVPN’s smart DNS also works with Amazon Prime and BBC iPlayer.

Torrenting — ExpressVPN Is the Better Choice

ExpressVPN supports P2P traffic on servers in more countries. CyberGhost VPN offers P2P servers in 85+ countries, whereas ExpressVPN allows torrenting on all servers in 105 countries. This makes it easier to find a server nearby with the fastest possible speeds for downloading.

It’s great that these providers work well with popular P2P apps. In my tests, I used P2P client apps like Vuze, qBittorrent, and uTorrent while connected to both VPNs and encountered no issues.

I also appreciate that ExpressVPN offers port forwarding through its router app, allowing you to connect to more peers for faster downloads. On average, my P2P speeds were about 10–15% faster with port forwarding enabled.

In addition, each VPN offers excellent security for torrenting, including a kill switch, a no-logs policy that has been independently audited multiple times, and leak protection. Plus, ExpressVPN’s Advanced Protection and CyberGhost’s Content Blocker protect you from malicious ads on P2P and torrenting sites.

Before torrenting, I performed leak tests across 10+ server locations from each provider and found no leaks. I also tested for torrent IP leaks on 3 torrent clients with each. The results consistently showed only the provider’s IP address.

Gaming — ExpressVPN Is the Better Choice

I played Dota 2 and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and experienced the fastest speeds with ExpressVPN. It maintained excellent ping on local servers and a stable ping on distant servers. With CyberGhost VPN, I had good ping on local servers, but I did notice some minor lag on very distant servers. Fortunately, it didn’t significantly impact my games.

CyberGhost VPN has dedicated gaming servers in 4 countries (the US, the UK, France, and Germany) that are optimized for stable ping and connections. When I used these gaming servers, my ping was even lower than when using the provider’s non-gaming servers.

Both VPNs offer protection against Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks on all their servers. This means that even if someone attempts to launch a DDoS attack on the VPN server you’re connected to, they won’t be successful.

Although both offer router support, only ExpressVPN provides a dedicated router app. CyberGhost has helpful setup tutorials for configuring its service on your router, so you can use it on devices that don’t support VPNs, such as gaming consoles. However, ExpressVPN’s router app is much easier to install and has an intuitive design that makes it simple to use.

Plus, ExpressVPN has cloud gaming support, allowing it to work with platforms that stream games to portable devices like mobile phones and laptops. I tested it with GeForce Now, and it worked flawlessly.

Bypassing Censorship — ExpressVPN Is Better

Only ExpressVPN works in restrictive countries like China and Russia, and this is because it offers obfuscation, a feature that CyberGhost doesn’t have. This means that if any network (whether it’s an entire country or your workplace) has measures in place that block or restrict VPN usage, CyberGhost won’t be able to hide VPN traces and allow you to browse freely.

I like that ExpressVPN offers obfuscation on all of its servers and protocols. This makes it simple for users in restrictive countries to find a nearby server for the fastest speeds.

You can still use CyberGhost on restricted networks at work or school if the network blocks access to specific sites and apps but doesn’t restrict VPN usage. This is because the VPN encrypts your traffic, keeping it hidden from network administrators.

Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

Apps & Ease of Use — Both VPNs Are Intuitive

The VPNs have apps for most major devices, including iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android TV, Fire app, and Chromebook. However, ExpressVPN also comes with a dedicated router app and an app for Kindle Fire.

Each provider offers excellent mobile apps — ExpressVPN and CyberGhost’s iOS and Android apps are feature-rich, secure, and user-friendly. Plus, their iOS apps have a kill switch feature (most VPN iOS apps lack a kill switch). However, CyberGhost only offers to connect you to the best server possible, while ExpressVPN has a list of recommended locations.

Their desktop apps are also very intuitive. ExpressVPN’s desktop apps have a simpler design, with the main screen displaying only the connect option. To access additional settings, you need to go to the main menu. I also found it convenient that ExpressVPN organizes all its servers by region for quicker access and includes a separate tab for recommended servers tailored to your location.

CyberGhost connects you to the fastest server with 1 click on the best server location button. Once connected, it provides useful connection details, including the used protocol, your IP address, and your upload and download speeds. While the connection panel is quite useful, expanding it into a dedicated window shows all of CyberGhost’s servers, including dedicated servers for gaming, torrenting, and streaming.

ExpressVPN is the better option if you want to use the VPN on a router because of its intuitive router app. With CyberGhost, you’ll need to perform a manual setup on your router. Although it has helpful tutorials, the process is less straightforward than using ExpressVPN’s router app.

Plans & Pricing — CyberGhost VPN Is More Affordable

ExpressVPN and CyberGhost provide excellent value, but CyberGhost is more affordable. It provides a 1-month, a 6-month, and a 2-year plan (that has 2 extra months for free), with the 2-year plan being the best value at just $2.19 per month. The long-term plans come with a 45-day money-back guarantee, while the 1-month plan includes a 14-day money-back guarantee.

ExpressVPN supports 8 simultaneous connections, while CyberGhost VPN allows for 7. However, with ExpressVPN, you can easily set up its router app to cover an unlimited number of devices.

ExpressVPN offers a 1-month, a 1-year, and a 2-year plan (its longest-term plan often includes 3 extra months for free). The 2-year plan offers the best value and savings, although it’s still a little pricey. Luckily, you can take advantage of our exclusive 63% discount to get ExpressVPN for just $5.49 per month.

ExpressVPN and CyberGhost VPN accept credit cards, PayPal, and cryptocurrency payments. CyberGhost also accepts payments through Amazon Pay, Google Pay, and Apple Pay.

Editors' Note: CyberGhost and this site are in the same ownership group.

Customer Support — Each Has Good Customer Support

Both VPNs offer detailed support libraries with helpful FAQs, setup tutorials that include screenshots and video guides, and troubleshooting articles. The support guides typically answered all my questions, so I rarely needed to contact ExpressVPN and CyberGhost’s support representatives.

I’m very pleased with the live chat support from ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. I was connected to a live chat representative in under 5 seconds with each provider, and the representatives consistently answered all my questions. Plus, CyberGhost offers a multilingual support team while ExpressVPN has a helpful translation tool.

Each VPN has excellent email support. ExpressVPN replied in a few hours while CyberGhost took 24 hours to respond, which is still fast. Every response I received was helpful and I never had to send a follow-up email to clarify something.

Overall Winner: ExpressVPN

I think both VPNs are great, but ExpressVPN outperforms CyberGhost in several areas. It has faster speeds, works with more streaming platforms, allows P2P traffic on more servers, and has better gaming support. On top of that, the VPN has extra features with better functionality, reliably works with restrictive countries like China and Russia, and has plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

That said, CyberGhost VPN has strong security and privacy features, a large server network, and intuitive apps for most major devices. Plus, it’s more affordable than ExpressVPN and offers a 45-day money-back guarantee on its longest plan. The customer support is helpful and quick, too. Although it falls behind ExpressVPN in certain aspects, it’s still a high-quality VPN that provides good value.

Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ExpressVPN better than CyberGhost VPN?

Yes, ExpressVPN is better than CyberGhost VPN. It maintains faster speeds, offers more extra features, and works with more streaming platforms. Plus, it allows P2P traffic on more servers, offers cloud gaming support, and works in restrictive countries like China.

Is ExpressVPN better than CyberGhost VPN for streaming?

Yes, ExpressVPN is better than CyberGhost VPN for streaming as it works with more streaming platforms — over 100 sites including Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu. Plus, its smart DNS feature, which allows you to use the VPN on devices that don’t have native VPN support, works with more sites.

Which is faster — ExpressVPN or CyberGhost VPN?

ExpressVPN is faster than CyberGhost VPN. ExpressVPN maintained super fast speeds on nearby and distant servers for different online activities in my tests. CyberGhost VPN had fast speeds on nearby servers, but I experienced minor slowdowns on distant servers.

Which one is more secure — ExpressVPN or CyberGhost VPN?

Both VPNs provide strong security features. They offer industry-standard features such as 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch to prevent data leaks if the VPN connection drops, and an independently audited no-logs policy to ensure your data isn’t recorded. Plus, they include advanced security features, including RAM-only servers (where every server reset wipes all data), leak protection, and perfect forward secrecy, which changes the encryption key for each VPN connection.

Read more about the best VPNs in 2024