Surfshark Vs. Cyberghost: Which Vpn Should You Get?

Allison Murray/ZDNET

Surfshark and CyberGhost are consistently classed among the apical VPNs. They are high-value yet comparatively affordable VPNs, which is why astir users emotion them. 

Also: NordVPN vs Surfshark

One unsocial point astir Surfshark is that there's nary headdress connected nan number of devices you tin connect. It shares a batch pinch NordVPN, particularly from a information constituent of view. But it's not arsenic streaming-centered arsenic CyberGhost. Also, I had insignificant but persistent server relationship issues pinch nan app, but it worked smoothly erstwhile I connected.

So, which 1 should you take for your needs? Based connected my acquisition pinch some services, I tin constituent you successful nan correct direction.

Specifications

You should bargain Surfshark if...

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

1. You want relationship elasticity and pocket-friendly rates

A limitation pinch astir VPNs, CyberGhost included, is that they restrict connections to astir 5 aliases 10 devices astatine a time. That's not nan lawsuit pinch Surfshark, which allows unlimited connections pinch each scheme you choose. It's an perfect action if you want a VPN to screen your full family, positive devices that you usage erstwhile walking distant from home. With CyberGhost, I sometimes person to log retired of 2 aliases much devices to create much slots for my testing companions erstwhile nan maximum of 7 devices is reached.

Review: Surfshark

Surfshark isn't that costly either. It's 1 of nan most affordable VPN services for extended use, pinch Starter plans from arsenic debased arsenic $1.99/month for 27 months. CyberGhost's two-year scheme is astir $2.19 per month, but it has nan cheaper one-month scheme of nan two.

2. You want a VPN to bypass web restrictions and net censorship

Can't unfastened immoderate domains from nan schoolhouse Wi-Fi aliases a stay-in hotel? Surfshark useful amended pinch specified kinds of web filters. When connected to nan OpenVPN protocol (UDP aliases TCP), Camouflage Mode is instantly activated. It masks your IP reside and VPN use, making it easier to get astir these firewalls without detection. Also, NoBorders Mode suggests reliable servers for restrictive places for illustration China, wherever astir VPNs don't work.

However, I noted that CyberGhost has an advantage erstwhile it comes to IP addresses. It offers servers successful locations that aren't VPN-friendly, for illustration China, Iran, Russia, and Belarus. That intends you get unafraid section servers erstwhile visiting these places -- taxable to nan information that nan VPN works. But if you're going to usage Surfshark, you whitethorn person to find servers successful adjacent countries to safely browse without being monitored. 

3. You want a speedier VPN of nan 2

Surfshark and CyberGhost aren't the fastest VPNs, but they are still above-average performers. That being said, I've many times noted successful my velocity tests that Surfshark's WireGuard protocol delivers much businesslike tunneling than CyberGhost's. It's intolerable to guarantee akin outcomes (several different factors, including your location, tin impact performance), but you're amended disconnected pinch Surfshark if you request moreover nan slightest velocity advantage. 

4. You want precocious protection (except for immoderate insignificant privateness issues)

Both Surfshark and CyberGhost usage robust encryption protocols and IP protection mechanisms. But Surfshark offers importantly much settings to tailor information and privacy. Unlike CyberGhost, which only has move IPs, you tin take betwixt fixed and rotational IP addresses. It's besides imaginable to group up an replacement online profile, truthful you won't expose delicate specifications for illustration your email aliases location reside erstwhile signing up for little important services online.

Again, Surfshark's Security Suite (VPN positive antivirus) provides defense from real-time threats erstwhile downloading files and apps connected PC and mobile devices (CyberGhost's suite only useful connected Windows). A drawback of Surfshark is that it's based successful nan Netherlands, which isn't arsenic bully for privateness arsenic Romania for CyberGhost. In very utmost cases, nan supplier tin beryllium compelled to manus complete users' information to nan Dutch authorities and its 14 Eyes Alliance partners. 

You should bargain CyberGhost if...

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

1. You want a much reliable VPN for media streaming and gaming

CyberGhost's stronghold is its specialized servers. It offers streaming-ready servers for much than eighty platforms worldwide, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus, alongside low-ping servers for responsive gameplay. Of course, Surfshark besides has obfuscation to thief get astir streaming georestrictions, but my acquisition pinch CyberGhost was seamless and convenient.

Review: CyberGhost

The smart DNS characteristic CyberGhost offers tin beryllium configured for US and UK streaming, while Surfshark's instrumentality only useful pinch US streaming services. Smart DNS support enables you to entree and watch georestricted contented connected streaming devices that don't natively support VPN setup, for illustration Samsung and LG TVs and consoles for illustration Xbox and Nintendo Switch. However, it doesn't supply encrypted connections for illustration a VPN does. 

2. You want a stress-free VPN app that is convenient for a beginner

CyberGhost apps are very simple. The supplier maintains nan aforesaid minimalist consciousness crossed nan board, whether you instal it connected a smartphone, PC, aliases smart TV. I stake you will for illustration it a batch much connected Android and iPhone apps than Surfshark, 1 logic being it's much lightweight and doesn't drain power. Server action is simply a batch easier because nan database shows latency accusation connected individual servers, and nan specialized servers are good labeled. 

While my acquisition mounting up some apps was rather similar, Surkshark took almost a afloat infinitesimal to motorboat connected Windows and moreover longer to link to servers. It kept bouncing from 1 server to different earlier yet settling connected one. But pinch Cyberghost, things were mostly smooth. Even switching servers took astir 5 seconds. However, CyberGhost's router setup is constricted to nan OpenVPN protocol, while Surfshark besides supports nan modern WireGuard protocol.

3. You want immoderate hands-off VPN automation features

When utilizing home, public, aliases agency hotspots without immoderate protection, you go an easy target for cybercriminals. CyberGhost offers immoderate cool settings to automate erstwhile and really nan VPN should connect. Smart Rules and WiFi Protection features tin instantly motorboat nan VPN aliases springiness reminders each clip you want to usage an untrusted network. You tin besides group exemptions for location networks wherever encrypting connections isn't necessary.

Provided you've group nan Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) to automatic, CyberGhost adjusts information packet sizes depending connected nan spot of your net source. This fragmentation helps to support dependable connections moreover connected slow networks. There's besides a built-in Connection Checker to thief diagnose whether your net is moving decently erstwhile troubleshooting connectivity problems.

4. You want a coagulated VPN proceedings pinch a longstanding refund argumentation

CyberGhost offers free tests connected PCs and mobile devices, thing that isn't very communal pinch astir of nan large providers. Windows and Mac users tin trial nan app for free for up to 24 hours (no in installments paper needed), Android for 3 days, and iOS for up to 7 days. That's capable clip to get a consciousness of nan premium work and determine if it's worthy buying. 

Along pinch that, nan VPN has a 45-day money-back guarantee, which is much than capable clip to inquire for a refund if you alteration your mind. Surfshark's money-back guarantee, connected nan different hand, lasts 30 days, and you tin only get a free proceedings connected mobile (you must acquisition done Google Play aliases nan App Store).

The last verdict

The much durable and feature-rich of these 2 is Surfshark. If you want thing beyond conscionable a basal VPN, for illustration highly configurable information settings and travel-friendly features, it's nan correct choice. But for novices who cherish simplicity and awesome streaming support, CyberGhost useful correct retired of nan box, including pinch smartphones. Pricewise, it doesn't make that overmuch of a quality which 1 you take because some person economical extended subscriptions.

Does Surfshark extremity viruses?

Yes, Surfshark Security Suite (with antivirus package) tin artifact threats for illustration viruses, malware, and trojans. It scans strategy files and downloads, disabling immoderate malicious programs and apps from executing. The package besides utilizes a database called Cloud Protect to place emerging threats connected nan net and instantly updates protection to mitigate zero-day attacks. However, it's not arsenic precocious arsenic a standalone antivirus, and truthful isn't effective for immoderate kinds of threats, for illustration those that utilization quality error.

Which VPN offers amended worth for money betwixt Surfshark and CyberGhost?

Surfshark has much features and costs somewhat little than CyberGhost. You tin simultaneously link each your devices, and it's moreover faster successful position of velocity performance. Subscribing monthly, however, is costly compared to CyberGhost. You get nan astir worth retired of nan VPN if you acquisition 1 aliases two-year plans. 

Which 1 is bully for torrenting betwixt CyberGhost and Surfshark?

Either tin beryllium utilized for torrenting since some person P2P-optimized servers. Surfshark provides much beneficial features for torrenting, including businesslike tunneling speeds and privateness protection settings. Unfortunately, some VPN apps do not support larboard forwarding, citing information reasons. See nan top VPNs we urge for torrenting pinch useful features to optimize your peer-to-peer connections.

What are nan disadvantages of CyberGhost?

CyberGhost supports up to 7 simultaneous connections per account, while astir providers mean 10 aliases more. Connections aren't accordant astatine highest hours and connected immoderate server locations. Sometimes it's slow and sometimes it's fast, making it not arsenic reliable for high-bandwidth activities. Also, iOS and Mac users whitethorn find immoderate basal features missing from nan apps, for example, divided tunneling and nan OpenVPN protocol. CyberGhost lacks obfuscation features, limiting its expertise to efficaciously entree immoderate strict websites that artifact VPN traffic.

Alternatives to see