CyberGhost vs. Proton VPN 2024: A Narrow Victory

CyberGhost and Proton VPN are two strong contenders when it comes to privacy-focused virtual private networks (VPNs). They both offer a strict no-logs policy, a privacy-friendly headquarters, and extensive security features for enhanced anonymous browsing.

However, CyberGhost offers a user-friendly interface and budget-friendly pricing for VPN beginners. On the other hand, Proton VPN steps it up with security features focused on unblocking geo-restrictions and bypassing censorship.

See how these two top VPNs compare in our CyberGhost vs. Proton VPN comparison. 

CyberGhost vs. Proton VPN at a glance

Upon initial comparison, one might struggle to find substantial differences between CyberGhost and Proton VPN. Both provide top-tier encryption, worldwide servers, and a strict no-logs policy. But as we dive deeper, unique attributes emerge, painting a clearer picture of how each distinguishes itself.

• CyberGhost: Best for streamers and VPN beginners
• Proton VPN: Best for security-conscious users 
  

How do CyberGhost and Proton VPN compare?

Server location
Starting price	Starting at $2.03/mo (billed every two years)	Starting at $2.99/mo (billed every two years)
Max # of connected devices	7	10
24/7 customer support
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and more	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and more
# of servers	Unlisted in 100 countries	9,100+ servers in 112 countries
VPN protocol	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, Stealth
No-logs policy	No logs	No logs
Unblocks Netflix?
Learn more	Get CyberGhost Read CyberGhost Review	Get Proton VPN Read Proton VPN Review

CyberGhost pros and cons

CyberGhost is a great service to dip your toes into the VPN waters. For a two-year plan, you'll pay only $2.03/mo (billed every two years). Plus, you can take advantage of its free trials or its 45-day money-back guarantee to truly determine if it's right for you. 

It also has an easy-to-use interface, with clear labels for its server types and labels on the distance of a server from your physical location. You'll find servers for streaming specific services, torrenting content, and more. 

Proton VPN pros and cons

Proton VPN is a service that puts your privacy first. It starts with a no-logs policy that it gets routinely audited by third parties, with its most recent audit being in 2023. Plus, Proton's no-logs policy was has also been tested in court,

Proton also offers extensive security features to keep your browsing anonymous. The Stealth protocol can be used to avoid VPN detection to assist with bypassing VPN blocks. It also includes Secure Core servers, also known as double VPN, to pass your internet traffic through multiple VPN servers.

Finally, your user data will also be protected by Switzerland's strict privacy laws. 

Which VPN is the better value?

CyberGhost offers the better value, with a lower starting price and a longer money-back guarantee. It provides excellent value for the money, making it an ideal budget while still providing a quality VPN service.

Server location	Our Pick
Price range	$2.03–$6.99/mo	Free–$9.99/mo
Best value plan	Two-year plan for $2.03/mo (billed every two years)	Two-year plan for $2.99/mo (billed every two years)
Money-back guarantee	Yes — 45 days	Yes — 30 days
Learn more	Get CyberGhost Read CyberGhost Review	Get Proton VPN Read Proton VPN Review

CyberGhost’s starting price is a more attractive deal for those on a budget. Its prices range from a reasonable $2.03/mo (billed every two years) for a two-year plan through $12.99/mo for a one-month plan.

Proton VPN has a slightly higher starting price of $2.99/mo (billed every two years) for its two-year plan. While the higher price point is justified by the premium features and services, it might be a deterrent if you’re looking for a budget-friendly VPN. 

Proton does offer a competitive month-by-month price for $9.99/mo. It even has a free plan with no data or speed limits. 

Both providers offer a money-back guarantee, giving you some time to try the service without risk. CyberGhost offers a generous 45-day money-back guarantee, while Proton VPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. With this time, you can try out the VPNs before making a final decision.

CyberGhost vs. Proton VPN: payment options

When it comes to payment options, both VPN providers provide a range of methods catering to different user preferences. Notably, both providers accept cryptocurrency payments, which adds an extra layer of privacy, as it allows you to maintain anonymity.

CyberGhost payment options

• Credit cards
• PayPal
• Amazon Pay
  
• BitPay

Proton VPN payment options

• Credi/debit card
• PayPal
• bitcoin (existing subscriptions only)
• Cash (existing subscriptions only)

Which VPN is faster?

Proton VPN provided better speeds with every server location compared to CyberGhost. 

Server location		Our Pick
US	48% decrease	15% decrease
CA	79% decrease	7% decrease
UK	42% decrease	22% decrease
AU	83% decrease	35% decrease
Learn more	Get CyberGhost Read CyberGhost Review	Get Proton VPN Read Proton VPN Review

Speed is crucial when choosing a VPN. A good VPN should provide excellent security without significantly hampering your internet speed.  

We measured how both VPNs impacted our download speeds across four popular server countries: the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia. This variety helped us understand the overall consistency of speed performance for each VPN, taking into account our geographical distance from the servers.

Proton VPN demonstrated much less impact on our internet speeds compared to CyberGhost. Only the Australian server location had a large impact, with a 35% decrease on our speeds. However, this is to be expected considering that the Australian server is furthest from our physical location. 

CyberGhost dropped our download speeds by an average of 64%, with inconsistent results. The U.S. and U.K. servers had the smallest impact, but they both still increased our speed above 40%.

Which VPN is more secure?

It's a close call, but Proton VPN wins out on features based on it's additional Stealth protocol and its extensive server network.

Server location		Our Pick
Number of servers	Unlisted in 100 countries	9,100+ servers in 112 countries
No-logs policy	No logs	No logs
VPN headquarters	Romania	Switzerland
Encryption	AES-256	AES-256 or ChaCha20
VPN protocol	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, Stealth
Kill switch
Split tunneling
DNS leak protection
Ad blocker
Learn more	Get CyberGhost Read CyberGhost Review	Get Proton VPN Read Proton VPN Review

CyberGhost and Proton VPN both have robust no-logs policies, which ensure your online activities aren't tracked or stored. As a demonstration of their commitment to user privacy, both VPNs have undergone independent audits to confirm these no-logs claims — CyberGhost by Deloitte in 2023 and Proton VPN by Securitum in 2023.

In terms of jurisdiction, CyberGhost is based in Romania, and Proton VPN is based in Switzerland. Neither of these countries are part of any intelligence-sharing alliances, like the Eyes alliances. 

Both providers use OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2/IPsec, which are all reliable and secure VPN protocols. Proton VPN also offers the Stealth protocol, which can avoid VPN detection to assist with bypassing geo-restrictions and internet censorship. 

Both VPNs deliver on crucial VPN features, like a kill switch. This feature instantly cuts off your internet connection if the VPN connection drops, preventing accidental exposure of your real IP address or personal data. 

Both also support split tunneling, allowing you to decide which apps use the VPN and which don’t — this is beneficial for managing network speed and accessing local and international services simultaneously.

Proton VPN and CyberGhost both offers servers in 100 countries. However, CyberGhost is no longer open about its server count. Proton VPN now offers over 6,300 servers, having significantly increased its server count over the years.  

Which VPN has the better compatibility and customer service?

This is another close call but we'll give the win to CyberGhost for its smart device compatibility and user-friendly interface.

Server location	Our Pick
Windows
macOS
Android
iOS
Linux
Router
Smart devices
24/7 live chat
Customer support options	Live chat, email, online guides	Live chat, email, online guides
Learn more	Get CyberGhost Read CyberGhost Review	Get Proton VPN Read Proton VPN Review

Both CyberGhost and Proton VPN display excellent compatibility across various platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. They also support routers and smart devices, ensuring comprehensive coverage for users with diverse device environments. 

CyberGhost also provides compatibility with an additional variety of smart TV devices (Apple and Amazon Fire TV) and gaming consoles (Xbox, Playstation, and Nintendo Switch), while Proton VPN doesn’t.

When it comes to ease of use, CyberGhost has a user-friendly interface that is straightforward and intuitive, making it an excellent choice for VPN beginners. The setup process is simple, and the main controls are easy to navigate. Its one-click connection and automatic server selection make the VPN experience hassle-free for users.

Proton VPN also boasts a clean and uncluttered interface. It provides detailed information about server loads and locations, so you can make informed decisions when connecting. 

However, some users have reported a slightly steeper learning curve due to the advanced settings and options available, particularly in its Secure Core servers feature.

CyberGhost and Proton VPN both offer comprehensive support tools, including email support, support forums, and detailed online guides. Both offer 24/7 live chat, so you can get prompt assistance, day or night. 

FAQs

Is CyberGhost or. Proton VPN better?

Both CyberGhost and Proton VPN have their respective strengths and weaknesses, and the choice between the two ultimately depends on individual needs and preferences.

CyberGhost shines with its extensive server network, ease of use, and reliable streaming. It also offers great value for the money, considering its feature-rich service. But you should note that it can have significant impacts on your speed.

On the other hand, Proton VPN offers strong security and privacy features. However, it's not as user-friendly and its more expensive than CyberGhost.

Given its excellent balance of price, features, ease of use, and customer support, CyberGhost emerges as the overall winner in this comparison. While Proton VPN is a solid choice, particularly for advanced users valuing high-end security features, CyberGhost provides a more well-rounded service that caters to a broader range of users, making it our top recommendation.

CyberGhost vs. Proton VPN alternatives

If you're looking to dig deeper into VPN research, we've selected the following VPNs as the best alternatives to CyberGhost and Proton VPN: