CyberGhost vs. ExpressVPN 2024: Is ExpressVPN Worth The High Cost?

ExpressVPN and CyberGhost are two of the top virtual private network (VPN) providers. ExpressVPN has a premium cost, but it does provide a high-quality VPN. The Lightway protocol is unique to ExpressVPN, and it does a great job of ensuring fast internet speeds while protecting your data.

Meanwhile, CyberGhost is far more affordable and does everything you expect from a VPN. It's a no-frills option, but it didn't quite impress as much as ExpressVPN. 

Learn more about how CyberGhost and ExpressVPN compare.

CyberGhost vs. ExpressVPN at a glance

Between CyberGhost and ExpressVPN, ExpressVPN is the service that edges ahead. It provides extraordinary service with fast speeds, robust security features, and dedicated customer support. 

But don't sleep on CyberGhost either. It's a user-friendly service that has a significantly lower starting cost and unique features like specialty servers.

• CyberGhost: Best for affordable privacy
• ExpressVPN: Best for top-notch service

How do CyberGhost and ExpressVPN compare?

Price	From $2.03/mo (billed every two years)	From $6.67/mo (billed annually)
Max # of simultaneous connections	7	8
24/7 customer support
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and more	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and more
# of servers	Unlisted in 100 countries	Unlisted in 105 countries
VPN protocol	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2	Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2
No-logs policy	No logs	No logs
Unblocks Netflix?
Learn more	Get CyberGhost Read CyberGhost Review	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review

CyberGhost pros and cons

CyberGhost is a great choice if you're looking to secure your devices on a budget. Its lowest price is $2.03/mo (billed every two years) for a two-year plan, which often includes extra months thrown in. 

CyberGhost also has unique features to make its subscriptions worthwhile. There are servers that have been optimized for specific online activities like streaming and gaming.

Finally, CyberGhost doesn't skimp on privacy. Its headquarters are in privacy-friendly Romania and it routinely has its no-logs policy audited by third parties like Deloitte. 

ExpressVPN pros and cons

ExpressVPN has a premium price tag, but it provides a premium service. For one, its proprietary VPN protocol called Lightway is designed to be fast without compromising security. 

And although ExpressVPN doesn't disclose its server count, it does offer servers in 105 countries. According to a customer service agent, each server location can have hundreds of servers each. 

Finally, ExpressVPN has features that extend beyond the VPN service. With a subscription, you'll get tools like ExpressVPN Keys, a password manager, and Threat Manager, which blocks ads, trackers, and malicious sites.

Which VPN is the better value?

CyberGhost takes the win for its significantly lower starting price and longer money-back guarantee.

	Our Pick
Price range	$2.03–$6.99/mo	$4.99–$12.95/mo
Best value plan	Two-year plan for $2.03/mo (billed every two years)	12-month plan for $6.67/mo (billed annually)
Money-back guarantee	Yes — 45 days for annual plans, 14 days for monthly plans	Yes — 30 days
Learn more	Get CyberGhost Read CyberGhost Review	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review

When it comes to the best long-term subscription plan, you can save money on a VPN with CyberGhost. ExpressVPN’s yearly subscription can be more than three times the cost in comparison to CyberGhost’s two-year plan. 

If you prefer the flexibility of a month-to-month plan, then ExpressVPN is nominally cheaper. However, ExpressVPN only has an annual, a six-month, and a monthly subscription term. 

CyberGhost also has a longer money-back guarantee of 45 days, so long as you don’t opt for the monthly plan. The monthly plan has a 14-day money-back guarantee. ExpressVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is pretty standard for VPNs. 

CyberGhost vs. ExpressVPN: payment options

Payment options can be a concern for some people. Bitcoin payments are usually preferred by those wishing to protect their privacy since there is typically no identifying information attached. If you live abroad, you may want to use a different payment method than is traditionally used in places like the U.S. Here's a quick overview of what payment options each VPN offers.

CyberGhost payment options

• Credit and debit cards
• PayPal
  
• AmazonPay
• BitPay

ExpressVPN payment options

• Credit card
  
• PayPal
• bitcoin
• Paymentwall for international payment methods

Which VPN is faster?

ExpressVPN is the better option in this category, increasing our speed with every server location.

Server location		Our Pick
US	48% decrease	4% increase
CA	79% decrease	7% increase
UK	42% decrease	10% increase
AU	83% decrease	3% increase
Learn more	Get CyberGhost Read CyberGhost Review	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review

Using a VPN will slow down your internet connection, but it should only have a minimal impact on your speed to keep your device from becoming unusable. But VPNs can significantly reduce internet speeds, especially if you select servers that are far from your physical location. 

CyberGhost significantly reduced our internet speeds, even with servers close to our location. The Canadian server dropped our speed by nearly 80%, which was similar to how much our speed dropped with the Australian server. 

On the other hand, ExpressVPN increased our internet speeds with every server we selected. Although it was a small increase, we still appreciate that we don't have to worry about speed with ExpressVPN.

Which VPN is more secure?

Both services are evenly matched with features, but ExpressVPN edges CyberGhost out with its additional features focused on speed and privacy.

		Our Pick
Number of servers	Unlisted in 100 countries	Unlisted in 105 countries
No-logs policy	No logs	No logs
VPN headquarters	Romania	British Virgin Islands
Encryption	AES-256	AES-256
VPN protocol	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2	Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2
Kill switch
Split tunneling
DNS leak protection
Ad blocker
Learn more	Get CyberGhost Read CyberGhost Review	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review

CyberGhost and ExpressVPN share many similarities. Both providers have had their no-logs policies audited by third parties. CyberGhost had its audit completed by Deloitte in March 2023 while ExpressVPN was successfully audited by KPMG in December 2023. 

Both are also based in data privacy-friendly countries outside of the Eyes alliances. CyberGhost is based in Romania, while ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands.

One of the most notable differences is the VPN protocols. CyberGhost uses several common protocols, including WireGuard. However, ExpressVPN has Lightway, which is unique to its product. Lightway is designed to keep speeds fast while still being reliable and secure.

ExpressVPN includes several features to make its price worthwhile. You'll get Threat Manager, which can block ads, trackers, and malicious sites. There's also ExpressVPN Keys, which is ExpressVPN's built-in password manager that's been independently audited. You'll even be able to block adult websites as a parental control. 

CyberGhost's special featuers included specialized servers for online activities like streaming, torrenting, and gaming. It also includes a c ontent blocker, which will protect your device from ads and trackers.

Which VPN has the better compatibility and customer service?

ExpressVPN has a more intuitive interface and its customer support representatives provided a better experience compared to CyberGhost.

		Our Pick
Windows
macOS
Android
iOS
Linux
Browser extensions	Yes — Chrome and Firefox	Yes — Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, and Vivaldi
Router
Smart devices
24/7 support
Customer support options	Live chat, email, online guides	Live chat, email, online guides
Learn more	Get CyberGhost Read CyberGhost Review	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review

Both CyberGhost and ExpressVPN have great device compatibility, and you can easily connect both providers to several operating systems and devices, including smart TVs. We also thought the interface for both providers was user-friendly. 

However, the CyberGhost app wouldn't change screen sizes on a Chromebook. It took up the whole screen, and there was no way to change the window size.

CyberGhost and ExpressVPN both offer the same customer service options: 24/7 live chat, email, and an online knowledge base. 

For our reviews, we tested each provider's live chat customer support option. ExpressVPN provided an overall pleasant experience but we didn't have the same experience with CyberGhost. After 40 minutes of chatting, we didn't get the answers we were looking for and found the overall service slow.

FAQs

Is CyberGhost or ExpressVPN better?

ExpressVPN is the best VPN service of the two. Despite its higher subscription cost, it justifies its worth with the advanced Lightway protocol that enables fast internet speeds and no issues unblocking streaming content. ExpressVPN also impressed us with excellent customer support and a wide variety of payment options.

CyberGhost put up a strong fight with affordable prices and has the essential features for a VPN. But it suffered slower internet speeds, sometimes difficult usability, and a poor customer support experience in comparison to ExpressVPN.

CyberGhost vs. ExpressVPN alternatives

CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are two services on the opposite ends of the cost spectrum. If you want a better idea of what services you can purchase in between, take a look at our recommendations below: