Virtual private networks (VPNs) have become a must-have for protecting your privacy and security online. With more people working remotely and streaming content, the demand for VPNs continues to grow. Two of the most popular options are CyberGhost and ExpressVPN.
But there‘s a clear pricing difference between these two industry leaders. ExpressVPN costs significantly more than CyberGhost. The question is — is ExpressVPN actually worth paying almost 3 times as much compared to CyberGhost?
I put both VPNs through extensive testing to find out if that premium price tag is justified. Keep reading to see how ExpressVPN and CyberGhost compare based on criteria like speed, unblocking abilities, security, and more.
How CyberGhost and ExpressVPN Stack Up
CyberGhost and ExpressVPN share some core features you expect from a VPN:
- Encrypted tunnel for online traffic
- Masks your IP address
- Strict no-logs policies
- Allows torrenting and P2P filesharing
- Works with streaming platforms like Netflix
But there are some key differences that make them suitable for different users:
CyberGhost
- Cheapest pricing starting at $2.19/month
- 7 simultaneous connections
- Over 9,100 servers in 91 countries
- Apps for all major platforms
- 45 day money-back guarantee
ExpressVPN
- Fastest speeds with Lightway protocol
- No trouble unblocking restricted content
- Apps for all major platforms
- Excellent customer support
- 30 day money-back guarantee
Pricing Comparison
The most glaring difference is the subscription cost. Let‘s take a look at how CyberGhost and ExpressVPN pricing stacks up:
CyberGhost Pricing
- 1 month: $12.99/month
- 1 year: $5.99/month (billed $71.88 every 12 months)
- 2 years: $3.99/month (billed $95.75 every 24 months)
ExpressVPN Pricing
- 1 month: $12.95/month
- 6 months: $9.99/month (billed $59.95 every 6 months)
- 12 months: $8.32/month (billed $99.95 annually)
When you compare CyberGhost vs. ExpressVPN‘s longest subscription plan (2 years for CyberGhost and 1 year for ExpressVPN), the price difference is huge.
- CyberGhost 2-year plan: $3.99/month
- ExpressVPN 1-year plan: $8.32/month
Over the course of those 2 years, you‘ll spend $191.50 in total for CyberGhost. But with ExpressVPN‘s 1-year plan, you‘ll spend $99.95 per year, so $199.90 for 2 years.
That‘s over $100 more for ExpressVPN!
Clearly CyberGhost provides more affordability. But keep in mind ExpressVPN offers a bit more flexibility if you just want a short-term plan.
Number of Connections
One area where CyberGhost edges out ExpressVPN is the number of simultaneous connections.
CyberGhost allows 7 simultaneous connections compared to ExpressVPN‘s 5 connections.
This makes CyberGhost a better choice if you plan on using the VPN across lots of devices. You can encrypt your phone, laptop, media streaming device, and more without having to disconnect another device first.
Server Network Size
A VPN‘s server network is crucial since that determines where you can mask your IP address. Both providers offer excellent global coverage:
- CyberGhost: Over 9,100 servers in 91 countries
- ExpressVPN: Over 3,000 servers in 94 countries
CyberGhost wins when it comes purely to the number of servers. But server count alone doesn‘t tell the full story. ExpressVPN has servers strategically placed to offer fast speeds no matter where you connect from.
During my tests, both networks provided good connection speeds across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.
VPN Protocols
CyberGhost and ExpressVPN use standard VPN protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec. However, ExpressVPN also uses Lightway – an exclusive protocol optimized for speed.
The custom Lightway protocol gave ExpressVPN a clear advantage in my speed tests. I achieved blazing fast speeds that outperformed CyberGhost.
Streaming Support
Unblocking popular streaming platforms like Netflix is a core feature of any strong VPN.
Both CyberGhost and ExpressVPN can bypass geoblocks to unblock regional libraries on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and other sites.
But I experienced far better streaming performance with ExpressVPN. It connected smoothly and instantly unblocked content every time.
CyberGhost was hit or miss. Some servers worked flawlessly, while others caused Netflix to show proxy errors. Overall, ExpressVPN offered superior unblocking abilities.
Speed Comparison
To measure the performance impact of CyberGhost and ExpressVPN, I tested speeds across 3 different server locations.
Here‘s an overview of the download, upload, and latency results:
Average Download Speed
| Server Location | CyberGhost Speed | ExpressVPN Speed |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 97 Mbps | 105 Mbps |
| United Kingdom | 59 Mbps | 90 Mbps |
| Australia | 44 Mbps | 47 Mbps |
ExpressVPN achieved the fastest downloads on all 3 test connections. The UK server was particularly impressive, with ExpressVPN averaging 90 Mbps vs just 59 Mbps for CyberGhost.
You can see the impact of ExpressVPN‘s Lightway protocol in these results. It‘s optimized to reduce speed loss, and that advantage is clear across both nearshore and long-distance connections.
Average Upload Speed
| Server Location | CyberGhost Speed | ExpressVPN Speed |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 95 Mbps | 103 Mbps |
| United Kingdom | 63 Mbps | 86 Mbps |
| Australia | 42 Mbps | 73 Mbps |
Once again, ExpressVPN provided faster upload speeds compared to CyberGhost. The upload difference was most noticeable on Australian servers — ExpressVPN averaged 73 Mbps, while CyberGhost managed just 42 Mbps.
Faster uploads are especially beneficial for activities like video calls, online gaming, and sharing large files.
Latency
Latency measures the time delay for your data to travel to the target server. Lower latency equals better responsiveness.
Here‘s how the latency results stack up:
| Server Location | CyberGhost Latency | ExpressVPN Latency |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 28ms | 31ms |
| United Kingdom | 50ms | 59ms |
| Australia | 162ms | 175ms |
CyberGhost had a lower latency at each location tested. However, both VPNs increased latency by 150+ ms when connected to distant servers in Australia. That kind of delay can negatively impact your experience for gaming or voice/video chat.
Overall, ExpressVPN is the winner in the speed department. The fast downloads and uploads enabled by Lightway more than make up for slightly higher latency times. Streaming and downloading content was noticeably quicker with ExpressVPN.
Ease of Use Comparison
Finding a VPN that‘s simple to set up and manage is key. Here‘s how ExpressVPN and CyberGhost usability compares:
Apps for All Major Platforms
You can access both CyberGhost and ExpressVPN on all popular operating systems:
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Android and iOS smartphones/tablets
- Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV
- Gaming consoles like PlayStation and Xbox
- Browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, etc.
No matter your device, you‘ll have no problem finding a compatible ExpressVPN or CyberGhost app.
Router Installation
Installing your VPN at the router level helps encrypt all traffic for devices on your home network.
Both ExpressVPN and CyberGhost provide guides on manually configuring your router. For those less tech-savvy, CyberGhost also sells pre-configured routers with the VPN pre-installed.
User Interfaces
You‘ll find the apps for both VPNs well-designed and user-friendly. Toggling the VPN on/off is straightforward.
CyberGhost has a more graphical interface showing the load for each server. ExpressVPN keeps things simpler with just a server list.
I find ExpressVPN‘s apps slightly more intuitive overall. But both providers offer a smooth user experience.
Added Features
ExpressVPN comes with a few bonus features you won‘t get with CyberGhost:
- Password manager: Stores passwords securely under one master password.
- ExpressVPN Keys: Encrypts and stores data across devices like a secure cloud drive.
- Threat Manager: Blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites (only for Mac and iOS).
These extras are nice perks if you want an all-in-one privacy bundle. But the core VPN protection is what matters most.
For usability, I give the narrow win to ExpressVPN thanks to its refined apps and bonus features. But you can‘t really go wrong with either provider here.
VPN Security Compared
Safety should be the number one priority for any virtual private network. Here‘s how CyberGhost and ExpressVPN security stacks up.
Encryption & Protocols
CyberGhost and ExpressVPN both use AES 256-bit encryption to secure data in transit. This military-grade algorithm provides virtually unbreakable protection.
For protocols, the providers offer:
- CyberGhost: OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard
- ExpressVPN: OpenVPN, IKEv2, Lightway
OpenVPN and IKEv2 are industry standards. WireGuard is a promising newcomer praised for speed and security.
And ExpressVPN‘s custom Lightway protocol delivered excellent speeds in my testing. Overall, both platforms provide highly secure protocols and encryption.
Network Protection
CyberGhost and ExpressVPN have built-in "kill switches" that block internet access if your VPN connection drops. This prevents accidental exposure of your IP address.
ExpressVPN also offers split-tunneling. This routes only your web browser traffic through the VPN tunnel. Other apps can connect directly for potentially faster speeds.
Both providers will keep you safe, but ExpressVPN offers a bit more flexibility with split tunneling.
DNS & IP Leak Protection
I tested both VPN services for any DNS or IP leaks that could compromise privacy.
CyberGhost and ExpressVPN passed all tests with no leaks detected. Your IP address and DNS data stay protected at all times.
Strict No-Logs Policies
All VPNs claim to offer a zero-logs policy. But audits by independent firms help verify these claims.
ExpressVPN completed a thorough audit by PwC showing a strict no-logs policy. CyberGhost also had its no-logging practices verified through an audit by Deloitte.
You can trust that neither VPN records or stores any browsing data or personal information.
Based on security features, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are evenly matched. Both utilize top-tier encryption, advanced protocols, and independent audits to guarantee a secure and private connection.
Customer Support Comparison
Reliable customer service can provide reassurance in case any issues arise. Here‘s how support options for CyberGhost and ExpressVPN break down:
Live Chat
I tested the live chat support for both VPN providers by asking general questions.
The ExpressVPN live chat agent provided quick, accurate, and thoughtful responses. The entire chat took under 5 minutes.
My CyberGhost live chat session took much longer at 15 minutes. The agent took a while to respond to each question. Their answers also lacked helpful details compared to ExpressVPN.
Support Center Resources
In addition to live chat, both VPNs offer searchable support centers full of setup guides and how-to articles.
ExpressVPN provides a particularly impressive knowledge base. I found step-by-step instructions for resolving any usability issues.
CyberGhost‘s support articles were useful as well, but some lacked visuals and detailed descriptions compared to ExpressVPN‘s docs.
Response Time
To test email support response time, I submitted a question about account management for each provider.
- ExpressVPN: Responded in under 6 hours
- CyberGhost: Responded in around 18 hours
ExpressVPN‘s email support was both quicker and provided a more helpful response.
Other Contact Options
You can get support through:
- ExpressVPN: Live chat, email
- CyberGhost: Live chat, email, support tickets
ExpressVPN keeps things simple with just chat and email. CyberGhost gives you one extra option by submitting support tickets.
Overall, ExpressVPN offers the superior customer support experience. During my tests, I received quicker and higher quality responses across live chat, email, and the knowledge base.
Final Verdict: Is ExpressVPN Worth the Cost?
Based on my extensive testing and comparison, ExpressVPN is worth paying extra for.
The faster speeds unlocked by Lightway alone make ExpressVPN the more powerful VPN option even at the higher subscription cost.
Unblocking streaming content was seamless with ExpressVPN. CyberGhost struggled more often and loaded content slowly at times.
And ExpressVPN excelled in customer service response time and quality. The support agents were patient, fast, and provided actionable instructions.
That said, CyberGhost remains an excellent VPN choice if you‘re on a budget. The pricing can‘t be beat and the performance is solid across the board.
But for the absolute best VPN experience, ExpressVPN is worth the investment. The premium price gets you superior speeds, watertight security, and helpful 24/7 customer support.
Now Try For Yourself with a Money-Back Guarantee
See which VPN works best by taking advantage of the money-back guarantees:
Try CyberGhost risk-free for 45 days
Get ExpressVPN & protect your data for 30 days
Which VPN provider is right for you depends on your individual needs and priorities. Hopefully this full comparison of CyberGhost vs ExpressVPN features helps you decide!
