Surfshark vs. CyberGhost: Which VPN should you get?

Surfshark and CyberGhost are constantly ranked amongst the top VPNs. They’re high-value but comparatively inexpensive VPNs, which is why most customers love them. 

Additionally: NordVPN vs Surfshark

One distinctive factor about Surfshark is that there is not any cap on the variety of gadgets you’ll be able to join. It shares rather a lot with NordVPN, particularly from a safety perspective. Nevertheless it’s not as streaming-centered as CyberGhost. Additionally, I had minor however persistent server connection points with the app, nevertheless it labored easily as soon as I linked.

So, which one must you select on your wants? Based mostly on my expertise with each providers, I can level you in the suitable path.

Specs

You should purchase Surfshark if…

1. You need connection flexibility and pocket-friendly charges

A limitation with most VPNs, CyberGhost included, is that they limit connections to round 5 or ten gadgets at a time. That is not the case with Surfshark, which permits limitless connections with each plan you select. It is a super choice if you need a VPN to cowl your complete household, plus gadgets that you simply use when touring away from dwelling. With CyberGhost, I typically need to sign off of two or extra gadgets to create extra slots for my testing companions when the utmost of seven gadgets is reached.

Overview: Surfshark

Surfshark is not that expensive both. It is one of many most affordable VPN services for prolonged use, with Starter plans from as little as $1.99/month for 27 months. CyberGhost’s two-year plan is round $2.19 per 30 days, nevertheless it has the cheaper one-month plan of the 2.

2. You need a VPN to bypass community restrictions and web censorship

Cannot open some domains from the varsity Wi-Fi or a stay-in lodge? Surfshark works higher with such sorts of community filters. When linked to the OpenVPN protocol (UDP or TCP), Camouflage Mode is immediately activated. It masks your IP tackle and VPN use, making it simpler to get round these firewalls with out detection. Additionally, NoBorders Mode suggests dependable servers for restrictive locations like China, the place most VPNs do not work.

Nonetheless, I famous that CyberGhost has a bonus with regards to IP addresses. It gives servers in places that are not VPN-friendly, like China, Iran, Russia, and Belarus. Which means you get safe native servers when visiting these locations — topic to the situation that the VPN works. But when you are going to use Surfshark, you might have to search out servers in close by international locations to securely browse with out being monitored. 

3. You need a speedier VPN of the 2

Surfshark and CyberGhost aren’t the fastest VPNs, however they’re nonetheless above-average performers. That being mentioned, I’ve repeatedly famous in my velocity assessments that Surfshark’s WireGuard protocol delivers extra environment friendly tunneling than CyberGhost’s. It is inconceivable to ensure related outcomes (a number of different components, together with your location, can have an effect on efficiency), however you are higher off with Surfshark in case you want even the slightest velocity benefit. 

4. You need superior safety (apart from some minor privateness points)

Each Surfshark and CyberGhost use sturdy encryption protocols and IP safety mechanisms. However Surfshark gives considerably extra settings to tailor safety and privateness. Not like CyberGhost, which solely has dynamic IPs, you’ll be able to select between static and rotational IP addresses. It is also potential to arrange another on-line profile, so you will not expose delicate particulars like your electronic mail or dwelling tackle when signing up for much less essential providers on-line.

Once more, Surfshark’s Safety Suite (VPN plus antivirus) offers protection from real-time threats when downloading recordsdata and apps on PC and cellular gadgets (CyberGhost’s suite solely works on Home windows). A downside of Surfshark is that it is primarily based within the Netherlands, which is not pretty much as good for privateness as Romania for CyberGhost. In very excessive instances, the supplier might be compelled handy over customers’ information to the Dutch authorities and its 14 Eyes Alliance companions. 

You should purchase CyberGhost if…

1. You need a extra dependable VPN for media streaming and gaming

CyberGhost’s stronghold is its specialised servers. It gives streaming-ready servers for greater than eighty platforms worldwide, together with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus, alongside low-ping servers for responsive gameplay. After all, Surfshark additionally has obfuscation to assist get round streaming georestrictions, however my expertise with CyberGhost was seamless and handy.

Overview: CyberGhost

The sensible DNS characteristic CyberGhost gives might be configured for US and UK streaming, whereas Surfshark’s software solely works with US streaming providers. Sensible DNS assist allows you to entry and watch georestricted content material on streaming gadgets that do not natively assist VPN setup, like Samsung and LG TVs and consoles like Xbox and Nintendo Change. Nonetheless, it would not present encrypted connections like a VPN does. 

2. You need a stress-free VPN app that’s handy for a newbie

CyberGhost apps are quite simple. The supplier maintains the identical minimalist really feel throughout the board, whether or not you put in it on a smartphone, PC, or sensible TV. I wager you’ll prefer it much more on Android and iPhone apps than Surfshark, one motive being it is extra light-weight and would not drain energy. Server choice is rather a lot simpler as a result of the checklist reveals latency info on particular person servers, and the specialised servers are properly labeled. 

Whereas my expertise organising each apps was fairly related, Surkshark took nearly a full minute to launch on Home windows and even longer to connect with servers. It stored bouncing from one server to a different earlier than lastly deciding on one. However with Cyberghost, issues have been principally clean. Even switching servers took roughly 5 seconds. Nonetheless, CyberGhost’s router setup is proscribed to the OpenVPN protocol, whereas Surfshark additionally helps the trendy WireGuard protocol.

3. You need some hands-off VPN automation options

When utilizing dwelling, public, or workplace hotspots with none safety, you grow to be a straightforward goal for cybercriminals. CyberGhost gives some cool settings to automate when and the way the VPN ought to join. Sensible Guidelines and WiFi Safety options can immediately launch the VPN or give reminders each time you need to use an untrusted community. You can too set exemptions for dwelling networks the place encrypting connections is not vital.

Offered you have set the Most Transmission Unit (MTU) to automated, CyberGhost adjusts information packet sizes relying on the energy of your web supply. This fragmentation helps to take care of regular connections even on gradual networks. There’s additionally a built-in Connection Checker to assist diagnose whether or not your web is working correctly when troubleshooting connectivity issues.

4. You need a strong VPN trial with a longstanding refund coverage

CyberGhost gives free trials on PCs and cellular gadgets, one thing that is not quite common with many of the huge suppliers. Home windows and Mac customers can take a look at the app at no cost for as much as 24 hours (no bank card wanted), Android for 3 days, and iOS for as much as seven days. That is sufficient time to get a really feel of the premium service and resolve if it is value shopping for. 

Together with that, the VPN has a 45-day money-back assure, which is greater than sufficient time to ask for a refund in case you change your thoughts. Surfshark’s money-back assure, then again, lasts 30 days, and you’ll solely get a free trial on cellular (you should buy by way of Google Play or the App Retailer).

The ultimate verdict

The extra sturdy and feature-rich of those two is Surfshark. If you would like one thing past only a primary VPN, like extremely configurable safety settings and travel-friendly options, it is the suitable alternative. However for novices who cherish simplicity and nice streaming assist, CyberGhost works proper out of the field, together with with smartphones. Pricewise, it would not make that a lot of a distinction which one you select as a result of each have economical prolonged subscriptions.

Does Surfshark cease viruses?

Sure, Surfshark Safety Suite (with antivirus bundle) can block threats like viruses, malware, and trojans. It scans system recordsdata and downloads, disabling any malicious applications and apps from executing. The software program additionally makes use of a database known as Cloud Defend to establish rising threats on the web and instantly updates safety to mitigate zero-day assaults. Nonetheless, it is not as superior as a standalone antivirus, and due to this fact is not efficient for some sorts of threats, like those who exploit human error.

Which VPN gives higher worth for cash between Surfshark and CyberGhost?

Surfshark has extra options and prices barely lower than CyberGhost. You may concurrently join all of your gadgets, and it is even sooner by way of velocity efficiency. Subscribing month-to-month, nevertheless, is dear in comparison with CyberGhost. You get essentially the most worth out of the VPN if you are going to buy one or two-year plans. 

Which one is sweet for torrenting between CyberGhost and Surfshark?

Both can be utilized for torrenting since each have P2P-optimized servers. Surfshark offers extra useful options for torrenting, together with environment friendly tunneling speeds and privateness safety settings. Sadly, each VPN apps don’t assist port forwarding, citing safety causes. See the top VPNs we recommend for torrenting with helpful options to optimize your peer-to-peer connections.

What are the disadvantages of CyberGhost?

CyberGhost helps as much as seven simultaneous connections per account, whereas most suppliers common ten or extra. Connections aren’t constant at peak hours and on some server places. Generally it is gradual and typically it is quick, making it not as dependable for high-bandwidth actions. Additionally, iOS and Mac customers might discover some important options lacking from the apps, for instance, break up tunneling and the OpenVPN protocol. CyberGhost lacks obfuscation options, limiting its capability to successfully entry some strict web sites that block VPN visitors.

Alternate options to contemplate