CyberGhost vs. ExpressVPN: Get to Know The Best One

CyberGhost vs. ExpressVPN: a combination of quality services providing inviolable security and privacy to its users. Security is at the core of every VPN, including these two. CyberGhost is famous for its credible security features, fully functional no-logs policy, and kill switch. Additionally, it is highly reasonable in price. ExpressVPN, on the other hand, is known for its premium service, catering to larger masses worldwide. It has over 3000 servers spread across 105 different countries on this planet. Each VPN has its fair share of qualities and downsides.

CyberGhost has a number of great features to its credit, resulting in careful dominance among its competitors. From early on, CyberGhost has been strict on its security features. It has over 10,000 servers across 100 countries—far more than its counterpart, ExpressVPN. This vast number of servers gives CyberGhost an extra edge over its competitors, as the higher number directly results in better security and faster speed. ExpressVPN, on the other hand, has a robust infrastructure, and it provides access to quality apps on multiple operating systems, such as Linux, Apple TV, Fire TV, and Android TV. Furthermore, it has a highly advanced privacy policy, including access to no-logs and RAM-only servers.

Quick Comparison Between CyberGhost and ExpressVPN

We tested CyberGhost vs. ExpressVPN based on their security features and access to platform services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and many others. During our testing, we realized there were quite a few similarities between the features of the two services and also some vital distinctions. It was also during our testing that we realized ExpressVPN had more positive points to its credit than its counterpart, CyberGhost. ExpressVPN is superior in its security features, user interface, and overall service performance. When we compared its price with CyberGhost, we found that it did not do well. CyberGhost had lower price plans than ExpressVPN, and it was justifiable as well.

	CyberGhost	ExpressVPN
Servers	11,700	3,000+
Network of Servers	100	105
No Logs Policy	Audited	No-logs Policy
VPN Protocols	IKEv2, WireGuard, OpenVPN (TCP/UDP)	OpenVPN, Lightway, IKEv2
Streaming Services Access	Netflix, Hulu, BBS, iPlayer, Disney+	Netflix, Hulu, BBS, iPlayer, Disney+
Platform Compatibility	Linux, Windows, macOS, Android, iOS	Linux, Windows, macOS, iOS
Simultaneous Device Connections	7	8
Service Support	Knowledge base, FAQs, Live Chat 24/7	Knowledge base, FAQs, Live Chat 24/7

As mentioned, the two services are highly competent. They have advanced features and qualify for the top best VPNs in the market. CyberGhost has the highest number of servers, about 11,500+ in 100 countries across the globe. However, if CyberGhost is among the top VPNs, ExpressVPN should already be at the top. It has highly advanced features that outcompete CyberGhost at many levels. Currently, ExpressVPN has about 3,000+ servers across 105 different countries, making it one of the most extensive service networks in the VPN industry. 

Furthermore, security is at the center of every VPN, and these two services (i.e., CyberGhost vs. ExpressVPN) also have some important security features, such as a no-logs policy. The no-logs policy makes it clear that both CyberGhost and ExpressVPN cannot keep the personal information of their users, such as IP address, browsing history, and log information. 

To make security even stronger, CyberGhost has inculcated more than one protocol in its system, for example, WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN (TCP/UDP). Among these three protocols, WireGuard is a new addition and is a highly advanced protocol. It has dramatically increased the speed and overall performance of CyberGhost. On the other hand, ExpressVPN also has three protocols to its credit, for example, Lightway, OpenVPN, and ILEv2. Among these three, Lightway is a new and highly advanced technology. It has increased the overall speed and performance of ExpressVPN quite impressively.

Each VPN is designed for specific operating systems. It is essential to know which systems are allowed to access these VPNs. For example, CyberGhost can be accessed from Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS systems. ExpressVPN cannot be accessed from outside the domain of these operating systems. On the other hand, ExpressVPN lets only a few operating systems access its services, such as Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

There is also a specific limitation on how many devices you can connect to each service simultaneously. For example, CyberGhost allows for seven devices and ExpressVPN 8 devices to be connected at once. It is the maximum limit to which one can connect the device to the service. These services would only entertain the number within the given margin. Finally, both CyberGhost and ExpressVPN provide a world-class support system to their users. They provide access to their Knowledge base, FAQs, and 24/7 live chat. You can contact them through these options to resolve any problem or seek answers to your queries.

Here is a list of a few standard features between CyberGhost vs. ExpressVPN:

	CyberGhost	ExpressVPN
Kill Switch	Yes	Yes
Members of Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and 14 Eyes	No	No
Split Tunneling	Yes	Yes
Torrenting	Yes	Yes
AES-256	Yes	Yes
No-leaks	Yes	Yes
Netflix Streaming Access	Yes	Yes
Server Switch	Yes	Yes
App Support	Yes	Yes
VPN Support	Yes	Yes

These are a few fundamental features that are accessible in CyberGhost vs. ExpressVPN services. It includes basic security features, encryption, VPN protocols, streaming, and quality-built apps for specific applications. Down below is a brief explanation of each feature that is similar in both services.

Kill Switch:

This is an emergency feature that is activated in case you are disconnected from the VPN. It helps protect your browsing history online during a VPN session that has now ended abruptly. The protection is needed to prevent eavesdropping and hacking attempts. It also helps protect your private internet setup from your local ISP.

Members of Security Alliance:

 There are multiple types of security alliances at the state level. The most famous alliances are the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and 14 Eyes alliances. These alliances are adapted chiefly at the state level and become part of legislation. Every community and business entity is entitled to cooperate with security agencies under these laws, including sharing personal information if needed. Fortunately, neither CyberGhost nor ExpressVPN are members of any of these alliances due to their jurisprudence. 

Split Tunneling:

It is a technique that lets users route their internet traffic between two different paths. You can use a VPN for private browsing but keep the remaining Internet browsing connected to your regular connection. This is a unique feature that helps reduce unnecessary load on the VPN service. You can enjoy complete privacy on the content you want and also keep the rest of your connection like a regular one.  For example, you can do business activity via a private network and use the standard connection to join Zoom meetings, which does not require extra security other than what the application provides itself.

Torrenting:

Both CyberGhost vs. ExpressVPN are considered the safest VPNs for torrenting. It is a technique that lets users download legal and non-copy-righted material through a P2P connection. Both services perform torrenting highly efficiently; you can choose any option from the two for this feature. Moreover, a P2P connection helps share content from one user to another. You can also share your files using this feature. 

AES-256:

It represents an encryption protocol. AES-256 is an advanced level of encryption. Both CyberGhost and ExpressVPN use this encryption model to protect users from online threats, such as privacy breaches. Moreover, this encryption helps hide your online identity more easily.

No-leaks:

Again, this is a security feature. Leaks are terrifying. Most VPNs claim to have reasonable security systems; however, they end up leaking users’ personal information and causing potential harm. We tested both CyberGhost and ExpressVPN to see if they actually provide foolproof security against any leaks. We checked for the domain name and IP addresses to see whether they remained intact after being exposed to the local ISP. Luckily, both services did great at hiding users’ information, including successfully disguising it from local ISPs.

Netflix Streaming Access:

Netflix is strict on its security and barely lets any VPN access its service. Luckily, both CyberGhost and ExpressVPN were able to access Netflix. We managed to access USA libraries for Netflix, and it worked perfectly. However, keep in mind that Netflix has overarching authority over the services it lets users access their system. Today, we are able to access Netflix via these two VPNs; however, the same might not happen in the future.

Server Switch:

Based on their subscription plan, both CyberGhost and ExpressVPN let you switch servers as many times as you want. This technique has benefits, such as switching between different servers to see which one functions faster and better. You can also find the geo-location of your selected servers and choose the one near you for better speed and experience.

App Support:

Each VPN has its own set of functionalities; some work better for streaming, others for security. Likewise, each VPN provides access to specific app applications. For example, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN both provide apps for their Mac and Windows computers and iPhone and Android devices.

VPN Support:

This is an essential part of any VPN service. When you have a problem or a general curiosity-driven question, you contact the service via its support system. Support involves email, live chat 24/7, and a Knowledge base. Both CyberGhost and ExpressVPN provide access to ultra-efficient support systems.

When there are multiple similarities between the two services, there are going to be some differences as well. Otherwise, what is the point of building a service? Here is a brief list of differences between the top two VPN services in the market.

Privacy Policy

This is the most critical part of a VPN. Privacy policy plays a vital role in setting the tone for how secure and fast a VPN will eventually become. We tested the privacy of both CyberGhost and ExpressVPN, and there was a clear winner in this test. CyberGhost claims to have strong security nets in place. However, reality is the opposite. During our testing, we realized CyberGhost was storing users’ IP addresses and log activity. If you want to keep your IP address private and fully secure, then CyberGhost might not be for you. Instead, we recommend using ExpressVPN, which did not breach any privacy terms that it claims in its official privacy policy. Here are some of the details we were able to capture related to privacy policy from our testing on both CyberGhost and ExpressVPN:

	CyberGhost	ExpressVPN
Activity Log	No	No
IP address	Yes	No
Time stamps	Yes	No
Name	Yes	Yes
Email address	Yes	Yes
Username	Yes	No
Payment	Yes	Yes
Anonymous app diagnostics	No	Yes
Operating System Version	Yes	No
Preferred Language	No	Yes
Mobile Service Provider	Yes	No

The above table shows what information each VPN service stores about users’ personal information. From comparison, it is clear that ExpressVPN is highly secure but does not secure users’ personal information. ExpressVPN only stores information about users’ names, email addresses, and payment information. As per their official statement, this information is required to sign users up for the ExpressVPN service. There is no serious threat associated with the information needed by ExpressVPN. On the other hand, CyberGhost keeps a record of all the necessary information, which does not look good on any VPN. Among the information it stores is IP address, name, email, username, payment information, preferred language, and the device you are using CyberGhost on.

Speed Comparison

Security and speed are the two most essential features. Both CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are known for their quality service. It is important to note that when you connect your regular connection with a VPN, there is going to be a decrease in speed. It happens due to the transfer of internet traffic via tunnels into secure encryption mode, and then it heads back to your device. The process consumes extra load and, therefore, ends up affecting the additional speed. Here is how we tested CyberGhost and ExpressVPN for testing purposes:

Here is a test of ten different servers based on the Lightway/WireGuard tunneling protocol. The speed is taken as the average of all test performances.

Our baseline Internet speed: 1 ms/298 Mbps download/298 Mbps upload

	CyberGhost	ExpressVPN
Average Download Speed	95 Mbps	105 Mbps
Average Upload Speed	114 Mbps	96 Mbps

The table above shows that the tunneling protocol Lightway/WireGuard performs far better for ExpressVPN than its counterpart CyberGhost. However, keep in mind that ExpressVPN performs better in providing download speed, whereas CyberGhost easily outperforms ExpressVPN in upload speed.

Here is a test of ten different servers based on the OpenVPN UDP tunneling protocol. The speed is taken as the average of all test performances.

	CyberGhost	ExpressVPN
Average Download Speed	45 Mbps	167 Mbps
Average Upload Speed	136 Mbps	112 Mbps

Each VPN is capable of using more than one protocol at once. Both CyberGhost and ExpressVPN also use this technique. The above table represents the average speed of download and uploads of each VPN based on the OpenVPN UDP tunneling protocol. The download speed of ExpressVPN is higher, but it remains behind CyberGhost in upload speed. It shows the competitive nature of both VPN services. No doubt, both services are one of the top services available online.

The Encryption and Protocols

Both CyberGhost vs. ExpressVPN use AES-256 encryption by default. This encryption is resistant to all significant shocks and attacks, including brute-force attacks. In addition to AES-256, ExpressVPN also provides access to the ChaChha20/Poly1305 cipher when you activate its Lightway protocol. The ChaCha20 protocol is light in configuration and works on all weak devices with medium-sized processors. Furthermore, ExppressVPN also provides access to more features of the Tunneling protocol than CyberGhost, such as:

Lightway:

This is a small protocol that enables a fast connection on the user’s device.

OpenVPN (UDP/TCP)

is an advanced security protocol that enables users to maintain online security and privacy. It is divided into two separate versions: UDP and TCP. The former is faster than the latter. When it comes to security, OpenVPN is considered a top-level security protocol.

IKEv2

is a highly efficient and faster VPN and works perfectly for mobile users.

L2TP/IPsec:

This protocol is less efficient than any other protocol. However, it still works better if alternatives are not available.

CyberGhost does not offer a diverse list of protocols. More resources are needed when it comes to protocols and their integration into the system. Here are a few essential protocols of CyberGhost:

WireGuard:

This highly advanced protocol adds significant value to CyberGhost VPN and is readily available to all users as a tunneling protocol.

OpenVPN (UDP/TCP):

This is similar to EnpressVPN in terms of providing top-level security and safety

Platform Compatibility

	CyberGhost	ExpressVPN
Operating System Support	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS
Any other device	.It only provides access to manual	Routers, Android devices, and fire devices
Extensions	Chrome and Firefox	Chrome and Firefox
Device Connections	Seven devices	Eight devices

Apps

CyberGhost and ExpressVPN offer unique app application styles with easy-to-navigate and install features. CyberGhost has a simple navigation system; furthermore, it is highly advanced in a design application.

Pros and Cons of CyberGhost and ExpressVPN

Pros

1. DNS and IP leak protection
2. OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard® protocols
3. Automatic Kill Switch
4. 45-Day Refund Guarantee

Cons

1. No Free Trial
2. Linux app is limited

Pros

1. 5 Simultaneous Connections
2. Verified "No-Logs" Policy
3. 30-Day Refund Guarantee
4. 3,000+ Servers in 90+ Countries
5. Split Tunneling/Network Kill Switch

Cons

1. No Free Trial Available

CyberGhost vs. ExpressVPN: Desktop App

The CyberGhost desktop app has a great design and a default dark theme. The layout is simple and easy to navigate, and the color combination is also great. Compared to the Windows desktop app, the macOS version is more advanced.

The Linux application is still under development. It has quality issues and a few essential features that need to be included. The application could be improved in many ways, from installation to design navigation and access to its features.

ExpressVPN has identical desktop applications for Windows and Mac. The design is minimalist, and there are a good number of features available inside it. There is an option where you can choose your desired server location for connection. As for Linux, ExpressVPN has a dedicated protocol called Lightway that supports the application. The application is simple and robust; we did not find any problems with it, neither with design nor features, throughout our testing.

CyberGhost vs. ExpressVPN: Mobile App

CyberGhost has a unique mobile application that works great for both Android and iOS. The application design is simple and efficient in terms of performance. CyberGhost uses different protocols for both Android and iOS operating systems. For example, the CyberGhost Android application supports OpenVPN and WireGuard tunneling protocol, whereas the CyberGhost iOS application uses WireGuard and IKEv2 tunneling protocol.

ExpressVPN’s Windows and macOS applications share similar designs and features, and the same applies to mobile applications. ExpressVPN shares the same features and design in both Android and iOS applications. However, Android features are a bit more futuristic compared to iOS, such as a kill switch, split tunneling, and more.

Subscription Plans

There is an excellent margin between the plans these two, CybeGhost and ExpressVPN, offer. Both offer unique price plans in conjunction with the features of their service. Here is a quick overview of the price plans of each VPN service:

	CyberGhost	ExpressVPN
30 Days Plan	$12.99	$12.95
6 Monts Plan	$6.99 per month	$9.99 per month
1 Year Plan	–	$6.67 per month
2 Year Plan	$2.19 per month	–

CyberGhost offers the cheapest price compared to ExpressVPN. It does go up to $2.19/month
per month for a year’s subscription plan. However, it does not provide any relaxation for a single-month subscription plan, as it costs about $12.99 per month. If you are looking for a long-term subscription plan, you can subscribe to their six-month plan, which comes down to $6.99 per month. Again, it is costly. CyberGhost’s two-year plan is highly favorable. 

ExpressVPN, on the other hand, offers three unique plans. It starts with its monthly package, which starts at $12.95, followed by a month and one-year plan of about $9.99 per month and $8.32 per month. ExpressVPN is a premium service, and its subscription is hefty. However, from a price-to-feature perspective, the price is justifiable. It is more secure and fast compared to other VPNs, including CyberGhost.

Note:

ExpressVPN provides a 30-day money-back guarantee. However, CyberGhost provides a 14-day guarantee if you subscribe to its monthly plan. For the other two plans, you will be provided with a 45-day money-back guarantee option.

Final Remarks

Remember, both CyberGhost vs. ExpressVPN are best at their service. Each has its challenges, such as security and price plans. CyberGhost is a cheaper VPN, but it has some security issues, such as not being able to protect against leaks fully. It keeps the log information, including user name, IP address, location, and user device name. This creates a severe security concern, especially when, as a VPN, the service is obliged to fulfill security measures.
ExpressVPN, on the other hand, is an expensive VPN, but it protects against all threats online. It is highly secure and uses advanced protocols to establish a security net around users’ traffic. Additionally, it offers a diverse set of features that enhance the overall performance of the service. Based on factual data and our testing, ExpressVPN is clearly a big winner.

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