CyberGhost vs NordVPN (2024): Which VPN Ought to You Select?

As one of the well-liked VPNs in the present day, NordVPN affords a powerful steadiness of quick efficiency, handy security measures and an total polished consumer expertise. Alternatively, CyberGhost has additionally constructed a repute for being a stable VPN with its giant server fleet, intuitive software and optimized server choices.

With these two high quality choices, it could be troublesome to resolve which VPN is best for you and your corporation. Happily, there are key variations that assist set CyberGhost VPN and NordVPN aside.

On this article, we check out which VPN supplier is best for you and your group.

• CyberGhostVPN: Finest for people and small groups with particular VPN use instances like streaming, torrenting or gaming.
• NordVPN: Finest for many companies on the lookout for an all-around VPN that gives dependable speeds, a refined consumer expertise and helpful additional options.

CyberGhost VPN vs NordVPN: Comparability

Whereas each VPNs can simply set up encrypted connections for you and your corporation, they differ in key areas akin to machine connections, server networks and free trial entry. Under is a abstract trying into these options:

CyberGhost VPN vs NordVPN: Pricing

CyberGhost VPN pricing

CyberGhost has three subscription choices: a month-to-month, six-month and two-year plan. I personally would have beloved for CyberGhost to supply a one-year subscription plan as nicely, since this affords a comparatively affordable contract size at a decrease month-to-month worth.

• 1 month: $12.99 per 30 days.
• 6 months: $6.99 per 30 days.
• 2 years: $2.19 per 30 days.

One handy providing from CyberGhost is its 24-hour desktop free trial. At first look, one may suppose that is too quick for a trial. Nevertheless, it’s distinctive in that it’s one of many few free trials that doesn’t require any cost or bank card info.

SEE: Does a VPN Gradual Down Your Web Velocity? (TechRepublic)

That is in distinction to different VPN free trials, which both require some type of cost info or solely give free trial entry to the VPN’s cellular software, not desktop.

On this regard, I actually commend CyberGhost for being beneficiant to customers in letting them take a look at drive its software program with no strings hooked up. Hopefully, different VPN suppliers will observe swimsuit in making their free trials extra accessible.

If you wish to be taught extra, learn our full CyberGhost VPN overview.

NordVPN pricing

NordVPN has three subscription tiers, with every tier having a month-to-month, an annual and a two-year plan possibility. The tiers are NordVPN Primary, Plus and Full, and have various function inclusions as you go additional up.

Under is a fast abstract of pricing and options included with every subscription tier:

Whereas NordVPN has a seven-day free trial, it’s solely accessible by way of its Android cellular app. Even should you can check out its desktop counterpart after accessing the trial on Android, I nonetheless wished NordVPN had no less than the identical free trial providing for iOS customers as nicely.

SEE: Can a VPN Be Hacked? (TechRepublic)

This is able to no less than make the free trial accessible to most smartphone customers, not simply these within the Android ecosystem.

If you wish to be taught extra, learn our full NordVPN overview.

CyberGhost VPN vs NordVPN: Function comparability

Safety protocols and encryption

Winner: Tie

When it comes to safety protocols and encryption, it’s a tie. Each CyberGhost VPN and NordVPN include the requisite VPN protocols we would like in a contemporary VPN answer. Ideally, we would like a mixture of security-focused protocols like OpenVPN and speed-centric protocols like WireGuard.

Happily, each VPNs hit this mark. CyberGhost comes with OpenVPN, WireGuard and IKEv2 protocols. In the meantime, NordVPN carries OpenVPN and NordLynx — its WireGuard based mostly proprietary protocol.

SEE: NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: Which VPN Is Finest? (TechRepublic)

The 2 VPNs additionally make the most of top-tier encryption algorithms for his or her respective providers. Each CyberGhost VPN and NordVPN use 256-bit encryption, widely known because the business commonplace encryption algorithm. For context, authorities companies, banks and even army establishments use AES 256 to safe their knowledge in opposition to malicious third events.

VPN server community and places

Winner: NordVPN

NordVPN takes the spherical on the subject of having the higher VPN server fleet. As of July 2024, NordVPN has 6,400+ servers throughout 111 international locations — hitting a very good candy spot over the three,000-4,000 and 65-country common I’ve seen throughout different VPNs.

Compared, CyberGhost reportedly has round 11,000+ servers in 100 international locations. Regardless of CyberGhost having considerably extra servers, I discover extra worth in NordVPN’s bigger nation/location depend as compared. It’s because a bigger nation depend provides companies extra flexibility in having the ability to entry a bigger number of geo-restricted content material.

If your corporation primarily desires a VPN with a geographically numerous server suite, NordVPN’s 111-country server community is the higher selection over CyberGhost’s 100-country fleet. The bigger nation depend may also profit companies that journey, because it provides them extra choices when selecting a brand new VPN IP handle or location.

Third-party audits and monitor data

Winner: Tie

For third-party safety audits and total safety file, I rating it a tie. Each CyberGhost VPN and NordVPN have fortunately undergone unbiased audits assessing their respective VPN providers.

As of July 2024, NordVPN has accomplished 4 unbiased audits. Particularly, these audits assessed NordVPN’s no-logs coverage — trying into whether or not its service doesn’t file consumer searching knowledge because it claims.

In the meantime, CyberGhost has additionally not too long ago accomplished its second unbiased audit performed by Deloitte and revealed final Might 2024. This audit examined CyberGhost VPN’s “server network and its management systems.”

I commend each VPNs for exhibiting dedication to third-party testing, particularly because it’s really easy to make claims about how VPNs deal with consumer knowledge. Nevertheless, I might say that each CyberGhost and NordVPN could possibly be extra clear in sharing their audit outcomes.

SEE: Surfshark vs NordVPN: Which VPN Is Higher in 2024? (TechRepublic)

Each VPNs’ opted to not share the total outcomes to the general public, with the total report solely accessible in case you have an present CyberGhost VPN or NordVPN account. In keeping with them, this was finished to keep away from any of the audit findings to be taken out of context.

Whereas that is comprehensible, I personally suppose the higher transfer could be to publish the outcomes — good or unhealthy — as a method to construct belief and credibility with the general public.

Standout options

Winner: NordVPN

In terms of further options, I give it to NordVPN. On high of its VPN, NordVPN features a ton of additional safety capabilities and VPN-focused options for an enhanced expertise. It features a darkish internet monitor that alerts customers of leaked logins and built-in menace safety in opposition to trackers and malware.

One spotlight addition is NordVPN’s Meshnet function, which lets customers create a safe non-public community that permits encrypted file-sharing on a number of units.

I additionally like how NordVPN goes all-in when it comes to safety with their server know-how. For instance, it has obfuscated servers that cover the truth that you’re utilizing a VPN — a vital function in areas that prohibit VPN use. It additionally has a double VPN function that mechanically modifications IP addresses twice for added safety.

This isn’t to say that CyberGhost doesn’t have standout performance as nicely. I actually like CyberGhost VPN’s handy categorization of its optimized servers. Specifically, its desktop software separates servers optimized for streaming, torrenting and gaming.

It additionally has a strong Good Guidelines panel that lets customers configure automations after sure occasions or actions are fulfilled. For instance, you possibly can set CyberGhost VPN to mechanically hook up with a server of your selection after you launch the desktop consumer.

Whereas CyberGhost has methods up its sleeve, I really feel NordVPN simply has a stronger providing of further options alongside its major VPN service.

Efficiency and pace

Winner: NordVPN

For VPN pace and efficiency, NordVPN will get the benefit over CyberGhost VPN. Per my testing, it recorded the general quicker speeds and confirmed extra consistency when it comes to connectivity.

To offer context, I examined for pace by connecting to a VPN server from every service and doing my traditional workflow as a author. This concerned having a number of Chrome tabs open for analysis, streaming the occasional 1080p YouTube video, attending on-line video conferences and utilizing Google apps like Docs and Drive, amongst others.

SEE: Free VPN vs Paid VPN: Which One Is Proper for You? (TechRepublic)

In these duties, I really had zero points with both CyberGhost VPN and NordVPN. I didn’t encounter any slowdowns and customarily had a superb searching expertise with each.

The distinction got here in pace testing, the place NordVPN recorded actually spectacular outcomes in comparison with CyberGhost. In comparison with my web service supplier, NordVPN had a drop of solely 5.80% for obtain speeds and 16.18% for uploads.

Alternatively, CyberGhost had an equally respectable 7.52% drop in downloads and a extra important 48.21% lower for uploads.

Whereas I personally suppose each VPNs can present quick and dependable speeds, my testing confirmed that NordVPN will provide higher efficiency in each obtain and upload-intensive duties.

Ease of use and design

Winner: Tie

For ease of use, we get one other tie. For my part, CyberGhost VPN and NordVPN each provide very intuitive and well-designed desktop shoppers that may accommodate all sorts of customers.

NordVPN employs a modern and trendy design that I discovered to be simple to know and nice to make use of. There’s no litter, and I felt like I used to be utilizing a premium service from the get-go. As well as, I by no means discovered Nord’s desktop consumer overwhelming, even with its in depth suite of options, as all of it was neatly organized throughout the app.

SEE: How A lot Does a VPN Value? + Financial savings Suggestions (TechRepublic)

Alternatively, CyberGhost VPN makes use of a darker-themed software however supplies a equally intuitive expertise. It has an organized set of tabs the place you could find its servers and different options, in addition to a outstanding On/Off button which handles establishing or ending VPN connections.

A giant plus for me with CyberGhost’s desktop consumer is its nifty categorization of its optimized servers for streaming, torrenting and gaming. I can envision this saving a whole lot of time for customers who wish to shortly hook up with a specialised server in a pinch.

No matter which VPN you select, I’m assured that each CyberGhost and NordVPN will go away you fairly glad with their respective consumer expertise.

Simultaneous machine connections

Winner: NordVPN

In terms of simultaneous machine connections, NordVPN wins. Proper now, NordVPN permits for a most of 10 units linked on the similar time. In the meantime, CyberGhost VPN permits solely a most of seven units linked concurrently.

SEE: How you can Begin a Profession in Cybersecurity (TechRepublic Premium)

Whereas I might have beloved it if each VPNs allowed for limitless simultaneous machine connections, NordVPN’s three extra further units is a big benefit. This lets companies join their smartphones, laptops and different units extra freely with the much less restrictive machine restrict.

In case you have a number of units or have a number of staff you need linked to a VPN server on the similar time, NordVPN goes to be the higher possibility right here.

CyberGhost VPN execs and cons

Professionals

• Customizable Good Guidelines automation panel.
• Server community throughout 100 international locations; 11,000+ servers.
• Optimized servers for streaming, torrenting and gaming.
• 24-hour desktop free trial, with no cost particulars required.

Cons

• No 1-year subscription.
• Solely permits as much as 7 units linked at a time.
• Audit is simply accessible with an official account.

NordVPN execs and cons

Professionals

• Servers unfold throughout 111 international locations; 6,400+ servers.
• Quick obtain and add speeds.
• As much as 10 simultaneous machine connections.
• Consists of security-focused further options.

Cons

• Impartial audit outcomes require a NordVPN account.
• On the dearer facet.
• Free trial is by way of Android solely.

Ought to your group use CyberGhost VPN or NordVPN?

Between the 2 VPNs, NordVPN will get my vote as the higher total VPN answer. It consists of an intensive suite of options that complement its VPN service; affords a various 111-country server suite to unblock geo-restricted content material; and supplies constantly quick VPN speeds that may deal with each obtain and upload-heavy duties.

That is on high of getting a simple to make use of and well-designed VPN software and a extra beneficiant machine restrict on the subject of simultaneous machine connections. It’s no marvel NordVPN has garnered a powerful repute as an all-around VPN service.

NordVPN is greatest for many companies that need a no-nonsense VPN that’s dependable, consists of quite a lot of security measures and affords an intensive server fleet.

This isn’t to decrease CyberGhost VPN’s high quality in any respect. Quite the opposite, I really feel CyberGhost is a stable choose for small groups or particular person customers that particularly have streaming, torrenting or gaming as their major causes to make use of a VPN.

It’s additionally a good selection for potential customers enthusiastic about making an attempt a premium VPN software, by way of its beneficiant 24-hour desktop free trial.

Methodology

My comparability of CyberGhost VPN and NordVPN concerned an in-depth evaluation of each VPN’s options, real-world efficiency and worth.

To judge every VPN, each providers have been scored on every thing from their server networks to their pricing. Specifically, I took into consideration 5 major pillars, every having corresponding weights:

• Pricing (20%).
• Core VPN options (30%).
• Ease of use (15%).
• Buyer help (30%).
• Skilled evaluation (5%).

I additionally seemed into actual consumer testimonials and respected critiques to spherical out my remaining suggestions for each CyberGhost VPN and NordVPN.

For pace and efficiency, I examined each VPNs on my private Home windows pc and ran them by way of Ookla’s public Speedtest. Lastly, I thought of which sorts of companies or particular person customers would greatest profit from both CyberGhost VPN or NordVPN.