Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. We may earn a commission from partner links on Newsweek, but commissions do not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations.
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By
Juliana Kenny
Juliana Kenny
Contributor
Juliana is a freelance contributor to Newsweek’s small business section. She has 14 years of experience in copywriting and journalism, specializing in B2B technology. She is based in Blaine, WA and enjoys bird-watching along the Canadian border.
Read Juliana Kenny's full bio
Reviewed By
Kristy Snyder
Kristy Snyder
Banking Expert
Kristy is a freelance contributor to Newsweek’s personal finance team. As an editor, Kristy has worked with sites like Bankrate, JPMorgan Chase and NextAdvisor to craft and hone content on banking, credit cards and loans. She’s also written for publications such as Forbes Advisor and U.S. News and World. In her spare time, Kristy loves traveling, hitting up rail trails and reading.
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NordVPN is well-rounded with a focus on extra features, while CyberGhost is affordable and takes privacy to the next level.
Our Methodology
Our research is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of personal finance services and products that best suit your needs. To help you in the decision-making process, our expert contributors compare common preferences and potential pain points, such as affordability, accessibility, and credibility.
CyberGhost
Price
Starting at $56.94 for the first 2 years
Connections
Up to 7
NordVPN
Price
Starting at $83.43 for the first 2 years
Connections
Up to 6
Expert Take
Both CyberGhost and NordVPN are secure, fast and capable virtual private network (VPN) providers, but they differ in notable ways. NordVPN offers more tools and features than CyberGhost, but CyberGhost has nearly double the number of servers compared to NordVPN—giving users more choice when it comes to server location and utility. Users who are looking for a more versatile offering should go with NordVPN, while those who want more server options and/or a better deal should choose CyberGhost.
CyberGhost
Based in Romania, CyberGhost excels in privacy, offering extra-private NoSpy servers along with a host of useful features. Its server network is huge, and its two-year subscription is one of the better deals available for a VPN of this quality.
Pros
- Affordable pricing
- Over 11,700 servers in 100 countries
- NoSpy servers provide better speeds, bigger bandwidth and more data privacy
Cons
- Split tunneling feature only compatible with Android
- NoSpy servers cost extra
- No server obfuscation
NordVPN
Based out of Panama, NordVPN provides users with different options for how they want to approach privacy and security. NordVPN is on the pricier side compared to its competition but makes up for it with additional advanced features.
Pros
- Threat Protection tool scans downloaded files for malware and removes them
- Obfuscated servers mask VPN activity
- Meshnet, Data Breach Scanner, password manager and more
Cons
- Data Breach Scanner, encrypted cloud storage and password manager are premium features
- Expensive compared to some competition
- Price jumps considerably after promotional pricing
Vault’s Viewpoints on CyberGhost vs. NordVPN
CyberGhost and NordVPN share several commonalities. They are both headquartered in regions of the world with strong data privacy laws, and they are not beholden to government intelligence agencies. Their no-logs policies have been audited by third parties, and they both run off of RAM servers—meaning if someone physically steals a server, there won’t be any sensitive data for them to access. They also offer the same standard VPN features such as a kill switch, full leak protection, split tunneling and a dedicated IP option.
However, NordVPN can do more than CyberGhost thanks to its extra features, including Double VPN, Meshnet, Threat Protection, SOCKS5 proxy servers, obfuscated servers and more. NordVPN’s more expensive plans also include 1 TB encrypted cloud storage and coverage for identity theft and cyber extortion. CyberGhost can’t match these features, but it does have a high volume of servers in a diverse range of locations—making it easier for users to access the server that will meet their need for speed, functionality or content. CyberGhost also offers extra-private NoSpy servers housed in its Romanian headquarters, which only the CyberGhost team can access.
NoSpy servers are certainly a differentiator for CyberGhost in addition to its large server network. If you’re not going to make use of NordVPN’s advanced features—such as setting up a virtual LAN party via its Meshnet feature—then the more straightforward, less expensive CyberGhost is for you. However, if you want your VPN to have more options and functionality, NordVPN is the way to go.
CyberGhost Highlights
CyberGhost Highlights
Is CyberGhost Worth It?
It’s hard to find other VPN services that create the same privacy protection as CyberGhost’s NoSpy servers. For this reason, if privacy is your ultimate need, CyberGhost is worth it. It’s also worth it if you’re looking for an affordable VPN with a huge server network and standard but reliable capabilities. Just keep in mind that you need to commit to a two-year subscription to get the best deal from CyberGhost.
CyberGhost Product Perks
Here are the top reasons to choose CyberGhost:
- More servers in more locations means more options for accessing the right server—whether you need one close by for higher speeds or in a region that allows you to stream certain content.
- Servers are optimized and organized by activity—streaming, torrenting or gaming—making it easy to find which server you need to connect to.
- NoSpy servers provide the ultimate privacy protection for users who need it most, such as journalists or those who handle sensitive information regularly.
- You’ll save money with the two-year subscription.
- Using Smart Rules, you can configure your VPN to activate or deactivate depending on your activities.
- Scan the dark web to see if your email has been compromised in a data leak with Identity Guard.
- CyberGhost is located outside the jurisdiction of the Five/Nine/Fourteen Eyes Alliances, so certain government intelligence agencies can’t force the company to give up user data.
NordVPN Highlights
NordVPN Highlights
Is NordVPN Worth It?
Yes, NordVPN is worth it if you want a well-rounded VPN with lots of features. If you’re an advanced user and can make use of NordVPN’s extras like the Meshnet and SOCKS5 proxy servers, NordVPN is definitely worth it for you. NordVPN also offers more than one plan (unlike CyberGhost), so depending on your needs, you can upgrade to access more useful features. Just keep in mind that NordVPN’s promotional pricing will fall off eventually—making it fairly expensive.
NordVPN Product Perks
Choosing NordVPN will net you the following perks:
- Greatly increase your privacy when you need it by routing your traffic through two VPNs with the Double VPN feature.
- Create virtual LAN parties over encrypted VPN connections with Meshnet.
- Increase your speed—albeit at the cost of encryption—with SOCKS5 proxy servers.
- Automatically route your data through the Tor network with Onion over VPN.
- Scan downloads for malware with Threat Protection.
- Hide your VPN activity from restrictive governments by using obfuscated servers.
- Store up to 1 TB of sensitive data in encrypted cloud storage.
- Scan the dark web for your email addresses, passwords or credit card details that have been stolen in data breaches—and get recommendations on what to do.
- Generate unique and secure passwords and store them for future use with a cross-platform password manager.
- NordVPN is located outside of the jurisdiction of the Five/Nine/Fourteen Eyes Alliances, so certain government intelligence agencies can’t force the company to give up user data.
Who Is CyberGhost Best For?
CyberGhost is best for users who value affordability, privacy and a larger server network. Its two-year subscription is cheaper than anything offered by NordVPN, and its NoSpy servers provide an extra layer of security that NordVPN also cannot replicate. CyberGhost isn’t a great fit for users who want more advanced features with their VPN.
Who Is NordVPN Best For?
NordVPN is best for users who want a VPN filled with features and options. Upgrading to the Plus or Ultimate plan nets users even more tools like a cross-platform password manager and a Data Breach Scanner as well as benefits like identity theft recovery and cyber extortion protection. NordVPN is on the expensive side, so users who don’t need all of these extra features might not get the most value from it.
CyberGhost vs NordVPN Differences
CyberGhost | NordVPN | |
Server Network | Over 11,700 in 100 countries | Over 6,000 in 64 countries |
Platform and Browser Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Chromebook, Chrome, Firefox, Edge | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromebook, Chrome Firefox, Edge |
Simultaneous Connections | 7 | 6 |
Lowest Starting Price | $2.19 per month for first 2 years + 2 months | $3.99 per month for first 2 years (Standard plan) |
Privacy & Security | -Audited no-logs policy -RAM-only servers -256-bit AES encryption -Kill switch -Full leak protection -DNS and ad blocker included | -Audited no-logs policy -RAM-only servers -256-bit AES encryption -Kill switch -Full leak protection -DNS and ad blocker included -Malware file scanner/remover included |
Advanced/Additional Features | -Dedicated IP -Split tunneling (Android only) -NoSpy servers -Identity Guard -Smart Rules -Smart DNS | -Dedicated IP -Split tunneling -Double VPN -Smart DNS -Meshnet -SOCKS5 proxy servers -Data Breach Scanner -Encrypted cloud storage -Password manager (NordPass) |
Who Should Consider an Alternative?
CyberGhost and NordVPN are two of the best VPNs, but they’re not perfect for everyone. For instance, CyberGhost allows just seven simultaneous connections, and NordVPN allows six. If you have many devices that you want to protect with a VPN, these connection caps may push you toward an alternative. VPNs that allow for unlimited simultaneous connections—like Surfshark—are worth looking into in this case.
If you’re new to VPNs, it may be overwhelming to make a choice between the two, and some of the advanced features may be difficult to understand or use as intended. If you fall into this category, you may want to consider a more beginner-friendly and/or free VPN first. These VPNs are usually limited in scope but can be helpful to gain experience using a VPN. TunnelBear is a strong choice for those looking for a beginner-friendly VPN that offers a decent free version.
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Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. We may earn a commission from partner links on Newsweek, but commissions do not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations.
Juliana Kenny
Contributor
Juliana is a freelance contributor to Newsweek’s small business section. She has 14 years of experience in copywriting and journalism, specializing in B2B technology. She is based in Blaine, WA and enjoys bird-watching along the Canadian border.
Read more articles by Juliana Kenny