Best for Streaming in the U.S.

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On CyberGhost's website

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• Offers a better value two-year plan
• Had faster download speeds, faster upload speeds, and lower latency compared to Surfshark
• Only allows you to connect seven devices at once

Best for Private and Secure Browsing

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On Surfshark's website

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• Offers stronger encryption than CyberGhost
• Allows for unlimited device connections
• Its headquarters is in a Nine Eyes alliance country

​​If you're looking for a VPN provider that works well for streaming Netflix and Amazon Prime Video in the U.S., CyberGhost could be a good choice. It provides fast speeds and a wide selection of servers.

On the other hand, Surfshark VPN is the perfect fit if you require a VPN that offers an ad-free browsing experience while providing extra privacy and security through features such as a double VPN and strong AES-256-GCM encryption.

In this review, we will dive deeper into both CyberGhost and Surfshark’s features, speed test results, streaming capabilities, and pricing information, enabling you to make an informed decision when choosing the best virtual private network (VPN) for you.

CyberGhost vs. Surfshark at a glance

CyberGhost and Surfshark 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 had faster download speeds, faster upload speeds, and lower latency compared to 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.

• CyberGhost: Best for streaming in the U.S.
• Surfshark: Best for private and secure browsing

How do CyberGhost and Surfshark compare?

	CyberGhost	Surfshark Our Pick
Price	Starts at $2.19/mo	Starts at $2.49/mo
Max # of connected devices	7	Unlimited
24/7 customer support
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, smart TVs, routers, gaming consoles	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, smart TVs, routers, web browsers, gaming consoles
# of servers	9,300+	3,200+
VPN protocol	OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard, L2TP/IPSec	WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN
No-logs policy	No logs	No logs
Unblocks Netflix?	Yes — US only
	Get CyberGhost Read CyberGhost Review	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review

As far as pricing, CyberGhost offers a lower starting price of $2.19/mo along with a considerably higher number of servers (nearly 10,000 servers in 91 countries). Surfshark’s lowest starting price is $2.49/mo, and it offers a lower number of servers but a higher number of server countries (3,200 servers in 100 countries).

Although both VPN services are compatible with many platforms, Surfshark supports unlimited simultaneous connections, while CyberGhost supports only a maximum of seven. In regard to streaming, CyberGhost sidestepped network blocks for Netflix in the U.S. only, while Surfshark could not unblock Netflix in the U.S., Canada, Australia, or the U.K.

We also decided to reach out to CyberGhost and ask them if they had dedicated servers for torrenting. Its responsive 24/7 live chat support assisted us within seconds and advised that there are dedicated servers available for torrenting activities, that also work well for streaming and gaming.

CyberGhost vs. Surfshark: prices

CyberGhost and Surfshark both have multiple plans that fit different budgets for the amount of time you are seeking. 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 sometimes comes 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.

Surfshark’s plans range anywhere from $2.49–$12.95/mo. Its best deal is the 24-month plan, which costs only $2.49/mo and comes with two free months. Even though Surfshark's lowest monthly price is slightly more expensive than CyberGhost, it is still a terrific deal if you’re looking for a VPN service at an affordable price range.

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.

CyberGhost vs. Surfshark: features

CyberGhost and Surfshark have largely similar security offerings, including strong encryption, secure VPN protocols, and essential VPN features like a kill switch and split tunneling. Both VPNs can also 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.

CyberGhost is headquartered in Romania, so it is 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.

CyberGhost vs. Surfshark: streaming support

We tested CyberGhost and Surfshark’s streaming capabilities with the following streaming platform services: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and HBO Max. We did this by selecting servers in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the U.K., then using the streaming services while connected to see if the VPN could bypass any geo-restrictions.

CyberGhost was able to access Netflix only from a U.S. server (and it streamed flawlessly), while Surfshark could not access Netflix from any of the server locations listed above. CyberGhost was also able to access Amazon Prime Video from its U.S. and Canada servers, while Surfshark could stream videos only on Prime from a U.S. server.

Interestingly, CyberGhost was blocked on Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and HBO Max from all the server regions we tested. Surfshark seemed to unblock more restrictions in the U.K. though, as it was able to stream BBC iPlayer and Disney+ while connected to U.K. servers without any lag or issues.

CyberGhost vs. Surfshark: internet speeds

We independently tested CyberGhost and Surfshark's internet speeds by connecting to their servers in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the U.K. This speed test assessment helped us determine their capabilities for heavy bandwidth activities, such as streaming, torrenting, and gaming. We conducted our test in Los Angeles, California, on a 2017 MacBook Pro and measured our download, upload, and ping speeds while using both VPNs.

Before diving into our VPN speed comparison, let's briefly review our baseline internet speeds without a VPN connection in Los Angeles, California.

CyberGhost vs. Surfshark speed test results

Reviewed by Mars Groves

“When we tested these VPNs for speed, we learned that CyberGhost had faster download speeds, faster upload speeds, and lower latency compared to Surfshark. This makes CyberGhost ideal for high-bandwidth activities such as streaming, gaming, and torrenting.”

Ping, also known as latency, is measured in milliseconds and determines the speed of how long it takes for a data packet to travel from your device to a destination and back. It is very important in determining the quality of your network performance; a lower latency indicates a faster and smoother connection, while an increase in latency indicates slower speeds, lag, and reduced quality. An increase in latency is typically noticeable when selecting VPN servers across the globe. According to AT&T, a ping rate over 150 milliseconds (ms) will generate noticeable lag.[1]

Our testing revealed that CyberGhost's download speeds were at least double those of Surfshark, indicating faster performance for streaming and downloading. However, Surfshark's upload speeds were slightly lower than those of CyberGhost, except in Australia. Neither VPN exhibited extremely high latency, ensuring a decent user experience for most online activities.

CyberGhost vs. Surfshark latency comparison

CyberGhost vs. Surfshark: compatibility and ease of use

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.

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.

CyberGhost vs. Surfshark: customer service

CyberGhost and Surfshark have knowledge bases with online guides, email support, and a 24/7 live chat. We tested both live chat options by asking simple questions. CyberGhost connected us to a live agent within seconds. Surfshark took around 20 seconds to connect us to a live agent when we asked its chatbot to do so.

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.

CyberGhost vs. Surfshark: payment options

CyberGhost and Surfshark 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.

CyberGhost payment options

• Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover
• PayPal
• Amazon Pay
• Bitcoin

Surfshark payment options

• Visa, Mastercard, Amex, and Discover
• PayPal
• Sofort
• Google Pay
• Amazon Pay
• Cryptocurrencies (bitcoin, ether, dogecoin, etc.)

Surfshark vs CyberGhost FAQs

CyberGhost vs. Surfshark: which is better?

CyberGhost offered faster download and upload speeds, lower latency, and it excelled at supporting streaming for Netflix and Amazon Prime Video in the U.S. 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. While CyberGhost offers faster speeds and better streaming support for some platforms, Surfshark is a solid alternative for a wider range of internet users.

Limited-time offer: 85% off + 2 months free

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On Surfshark's website

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• Unlimited simultaneous connections
• Works with Netflix and other streaming services
• Headquarters in Nine Eyes Alliance

Author Details

Mars Groves

About the Author

Mars is a cybersecurity professional and writer based in California. He serves as an Advisory Board Member for WEBGAP, specializing in browser isolation.