CyberGhost vs. PureVPN 2024: A Close Race

CyberGhost and PureVPN are two heavy-hitter VPNs in the industry. But which one is right for you?

Last updated Jul 9, 2024

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4.3

Editorial Rating

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 on desktop

4.1

Editorial Rating

On PureVPN's website

VPN

PureVPN

83% off with + 4 months extra

Vast global network of 6,000+ optimized VPN servers in over 65 countries with smart server selection for the fastest connection
Turn any network private, protect apps separately, privately share files, and more with an ultra-fast 20Gbps connection
Fly past location restrictions and VPN blockers on up to 10 devices

CyberGhost and PureVPN are well-matched VPN services. They both offer affordable plans, useful security features, and unblocking capabilities for major streaming services.

However, CyberGhost shines when it comes to streaming thanks to its streaming-optimized servers. On the other hand, PureVPN allows up to 10 simultaneous connections, which is handy for large households.

Read on to learn whether CyberGhost or PureVPN is better suited for you based on price, features, customer support, and more.

In this article

At a glance
Which VPN is the better value?
Which VPN is faster?
Which VPN is more secure?
Which VPN has the better compatibility and customer support?
FAQs
Which VPN is better?

CyberGhost vs. PureVPN at a glance

CyberGhost and PureVPN both offer top-of-the-line VPN services at an affordable price. When comparing the two, CyberGhost specializes in optimized streaming, while PureVPN allows for more simultaneous connections (10 in total).

CyberGhost: Best for streaming
PureVPN: Best for multiple devices

How do CyberGhost and PureVPN compare?


Price	$2.03–$12.99/mo	$2.03-$19.95/mo
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	Undisclosed number of servers in 100 countries	6,000+ servers in 60+ countries
VPN protocol	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IPsec/IKEv2
No-logs policy
Unblocks Netflix?
Learn more	Get CyberGhost Read CyberGhost Review	Get PureVPN Read PureVPN Review

How we test and rate VPNs

We complete standardized hands-on tests for each VPN we review so we can put their claims to the test. This includes vigorous third-party testing by comparing our internet speed while connected to different servers, checking for DNS leaks, making sure the kill switch actually works, and more. We also make sure we can comfortably access popular streaming sites, like Netflix, and still do our day-to-day work without interruption.

Once we’ve completed the testing, our editorial rating is calculated by taking into account key features you’d expect from a good product. We score each VPN in the following categories and use a weighted average to calculate the final rating out of 5 stars: price, server count, speed, security, and features.

To learn more about how we test, check out our full VPN methodology here.

CyberGhost pros and cons

CyberGhost is budget-friendly but doesn't skimp on privacy standards. Its based in Romania, which is outside of the Eyes alliances. It's also commited to its no-logs policy, which is routinely audited by third parties.

CyberGhost stands out for its streaming capabilities. It offers streaming-optimized servers for Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and more.

Pros

Strict no-logs policy that's consistently audited
Provides optimized servers for streaming
Affordable service, especially compared to many premium VPNs

Cons

Limited to seven simultaneous connections
Inconsistent speed test results

PureVPN pros and cons

PureVPN is a provider dedicated to being open to its subscribers. We appreciate its strict no-logs policy and "Always On" audit policy, meaning it can be audited at any time. Its also based in the British Virgin Islands, outside of any intelligence-sharing alliances.

PureVPN is also open about its server count, offering over 6,000 servers. Although its country count is only over 60 countries, that's more than enough for regular VPN users.

Pros

Strict no-logs policy that can be audited at any time
Offers three different pricing tiers with additional cybersecurity tools
Extensive network of over 6,000 servers

Cons

Drastically reduced our internet speeds
Low server country count (60+ countries)

Which VPN is a better value?

	Our Pick
Price range	$2.03–$12.99/mo	$2.03-$19.95/mo
Best value plan	2-year plan for $2.03/mo (billed every two years)	Max 2-year plan for $3.48/mo (billed biannually) for the first 28 months
Money-back guarantee	Yes — 45-day money-back guarantee	Yes — 31-day money-back guarantee
Learn more	Get CyberGhost Read CyberGhost Review	Get PureVPN Read PureVPN Review

CyberGhost and PureVPN offer various pricing commitments, from monthly to yearly plans. CyberGhost's price ranges from $2.03–$12.99/mo depending on your subscription term length.

For the best value, CyberGhost offers a two-year plan for $2.03/mo (billed every two years), usually with some extra months thrown in. There's no difference between the CyberGhost plans as far as what features you receive.

PureVPN takes a different approach with its trial. You pay $0.99 to access all of its premium features and devices for a seven-day trial. You must cancel your trial within seven days so you're not charged for a subscription.

PureVPN comes with three different tiers: Standard, Plus, and Max. PureVPN’s best value plan is the Max two-year plan for $3.48/mo (billed biannually) for the first 28 months.

All Max plans comes with a VPN, password manager, file encryption, and data removal services. While the CyberGhost two-year plan is only $2.03/mo (billed biannually) for the first 27 months, it comes with only the VPN.

Both providers offer money-back guarantees, with CyberGhost offering 45 days and PureVPN offering 31 days.

We also like that CyberGhost allows you to try its VPN on a free trial, even though the trial is limited. CyberGhost offers a 24-hour free trial for Windows and macOS, a three-day free trial for Android, and a seven-day free trial for iOS.

CyberGhost vs. PureVPN: payment options

When it comes to payment options, PureVPN offers more diversity. They accept multiple cryptocurrencies, debit and credit cards, and other modern payment methods.

CyberGhost payment options

CyberGhost accepts the following payment options:

Credit cards
PayPal
Amazon Pay
PayPal

PureVPN payment options

Credit card or debit card
PayPal
Google Pay
CoinPayments
Paymentwall

Winner: CyberGhost is a better bang for your buck. It has a lower starting price and a longer money-back guarantee.

Which VPN is faster?

Many VPNs claim to provide fast speeds, so we put those claims to the test with every service we review. First, we record our internet speed prior to connecting to a VPN. Then, we connect to server locations worldwide and record the impact each server has on our baseline speed.

The table below compares how much CyberGhost and PureVPN impacted our internet speeds with each server location we tested.

Server location	Our Pick
US	48% slower	63% slower
UK	42% slower	85% slower
AU	83% slower	84% slower
Learn more	Get CyberGhost Read CyberGhost Review	Get PureVPN Read PureVPN Review

Honestly, both VPN services took big hits on our internet speed. However, CyberGhost maintained faster download speeds across the U.S., U.K., and Australian servers.

On the other hand, PureVPN seemed to struggle with maintaining a good internet speed. Surprisingly, it slowed down our connection more with a U.K. server than with an Australian server. We found that we didn't have many issues with general browsing, but PureVPN could be disappointing if you're doing more bandwidth-heavy activities.

It's normal to see a larger impact the farther your VPN server is from your physical location, hence why both services slowed down our internet connection more while connected to a server in Australia.

Winner: CyberGhost takes the win, maintaining faster download speeds than PureVPN with every server location.

Which VPN is more secure?

Server location		Our Pick
Number of servers	Undisclosed number of servers in 100 countries	6,000+ in 60+ countries
No-logs policy
VPN headquarters	Romania	British Virgin Islands
Encryption	AES-256	AES-256
VPN protocol	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec
Kill switch
Split tunneling
DNS leak protection
Ad blocker
	Get CyberGhost Read CyberGhost Review	Get PureVPN Read PureVPN Review

When it comes to server networks, CyberGhost offers servers in over 100 countries while PureVPN offers servers in over 65 countries. However, PureVPN openly shares its server count of 6,000-plus servers, while CyberGhost is no longer open about its server count.

One of CyberGhost's server strengths are its specialized servers, which are optimized for streaming, gaming, torrenting, and other purposes.

Both services have strict no-logs policies. CyberGhost's policy was audited by Deloitte, while PureVPN has an "Always On" audit policy and collaborated with a well-known audit firm for its second audit.

CyberGhost is headquartered in Romania, while PureVPN is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands. Both operate outside the jurisdiction of the 14 Eyes alliances.

As far as security features, both have automatic kill switches, although only PureVPN offers split tunneling on all its devices. CyberGhost's split tunneling feature is limited to its Android app.

The Split Tunneling page on the PureVPN app. — PureVPN split tunneling feature

On the other hand, CyberGhost has a content blockers for ads and trackers, but PureVPN only blocks trackers. This may not be a big deal for VPN shoppers though, since you can easily find a free ad blocker to pair with your VPN.

Winner: CyberGhost and PureVPN offer near-identical features, but we'll give the win to PureVPN. It has an open server count as well as split tunneling across devices.

Which VPN has the better compatibility and customer service?

		Our Pick
Windows
macOS
Android
iOS
Linux
Router
Smart devices
Browser extensions	Chrome, Firefox	Chrome, Firefox, Edge
24/7 live chat
Customer support options	Live chat, email, online guides	Live chat, email, online guides
	Get CyberGhost Read CyberGhost Review	Get PureVPN Read PureVPN Review

CyberGhost and PureVPN offer broad compatibility across operating systems, mobile apps, and even routers, smart devices, and browser extensions.

PureVPN is easy to install and use, with clear instructions and a user-friendly interface. Server selection is straightforward, and performance information is easily understandable. We encountered no difficulties with settings or functionality.

The PureVPN app interface, showing a connection to a server in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

When we tried to sign up for CyberGhost’s free trial, the web VPN client glitched on our 2018 MacBook Pro. Luckily, we were able to sign up and use the mobile version on our iPhone 12 Pro. During testing, we found that navigation on the mobile version is easy to understand.

One thing we noted is that CyberGhost displays speeds in KB and Mb instead of Mbps, requiring manual conversion for comparison with internet speed tests. This felt unnecessary, and we thought it took away from the overall experience.

CyberGhost offers various customer support options. Its 24/7 live chat quickly connects you to an agent who responds professionally and promptly to your issues. It also has a customer support portal with helpful guides, FAQs, and tutorials covering various topics suitable for new VPN users.

Part 1 of a live chat with CyberGhost customer support.

PureVPN offers the same customer support options as CyberGhost, except for its 24/7 live customer support. With PureVPN, live chat first connects you to a bot to quickly resolve your issue. If you need more help, you are then transferred to a human. Both the CyberGhost and the PureVPN live agents were quick to respond and helpful.

A live chat with a PureVPN customer support representative.

Winner: CyberGhost and PureVPN both excel in customer support.

FAQs

Can I trust CyberGhost?

CyberGhost is a trustworthy service. It encrypts your online activity with strong AES 256-bit encryption, keeps no logs, and is headquartered in a country outside of intelligence-sharing alliances.

Is there a PureVPN free trial?

PureVPN has a seven-day trial period, but it costs $0.99. Just be sure to cancel at any time within seven days so you're not charged for a full subscription.

What country owns CyberGhost?

CyberGhost’s ownership remains unclear, with links to CEO Robert Knapp but no confirmed details. The company operates independently under the ownership of its parent company, Kape Technologies, based in London, England. CyberGhost itself is headquartered in Bucharest, Romania.

Does PureVPN have any bandwidth limits?

PureVPN claims to offer "unlimited bandwidth," allowing you to browse and stream without restrictions or data caps. Generally, there are no restrictions on how much data you can use while using this VPN service.

CyberGhost vs. PureVPN: Which is better?

CyberGhost and PureVPN are two well-known and respected VPN providers. It was a close race, but CyberGhost outperforms PureVPN. It offers lower pricing, faster speeds, and unique features for streaming and other specific use cases.

If you’re looking for more device support, PureVPN allows up to 10 simultaneous connections. PureVPN is also open about its server count and offers the standard VPN features across devices.

Save 83%

4.3

VPN

CyberGhost

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 on desktop

Learn More

CyberGhost vs. PureVPN alternatives

CyberGhost and PureVPN are two solid provideres but maybe you're looking for a fast VPN or lower pricing. If that's the case, consider the following alternatives:


Price	$3.39–$15.99/mo	$2.19–$17.95/mo	$2.03–$11.99/mo
Free version
Max # of connected devices	10	Unlimited	Unlimited
# of servers	6,400+ servers in 111 countries	3,200+ servers in 100 countries	Unlisted in 91
VPN protocol	NordLynx (WireGuard), OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2	WireGuard, OpenVPN
Encryption	AES-256	AES-256	AES-128-GCM
No-logs policy	No logs	No logs	No logs
Headquarters	Panama	The Netherlands	United States
Netflix access
Learn more	Get NordVPN	Get Surfshark	Get Private Internet Access

Leading Protection, Even on Smart TVs and Gaming Consoles

4.3

Editorial Rating

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 on desktop

Author Details

Cheyenne Lightfoot

About the Author

Cheyenne Lightfoot is a freelance content writer specializing in the intersection between identity and access management and user privacy. As an account executive, she has helped small-to-medium-sized businesses prevent data breaches, safeguard sensitive information, and achieve compliance with passwordless multi-factor authentication software.