Surfshark vs. CyberGhost 2024: Stealthy Web Surfing Beats Phantom Speeds

Discover why CyberGhost is best for streaming Netflix in the U.S. and why Surfshark is the ultimate VPN for browsing with extra privacy and security.
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Best for Private and Secure Browsing

4.9
Learn More
On Surfshark's website

Surfshark
  • Offers stronger encryption than CyberGhost
  • Allows for unlimited device connections
  • Its headquarters is in a Nine Eyes alliance country

Best for Streaming

4.6
Learn More
On CyberGhost's website

CyberGhost
  • Offers a better value two-year plan
  • Had faster download speeds than Surfshark
  • Only allows you to connect seven devices at once

Surfshark VPN is the perfect fit if you require a virtual private network (VPN) with extra privacy and security through features like double VPN servers, an ad and tracker blocker, and strong AES-256-GCM encryption.Un

On the other hand, CyberGhost is a good choice if you're looking for a VPN provider that works well for streaming thanks to its fast speeds and a wide selection of servers.

In this review, we'll dive into Surfshark and CyberGhost's features, speed test results, streaming capabilities, and pricing information, so you can make an informed decision on the best VPN for you.

In this article
Surfshark vs. CyberGhost at a glance
Surfshark vs. CyberGhost: prices
Surfshark vs. CyberGhost: features
Surfshark vs. CyberGhost internet speeds
Surfshark vs. CyberGhost: compatibility and customer support
Surfshark vs. CyberGhost FAQs
Surfshark vs. CyberGhost: which is better?

Surfshark vs. CyberGhost at a glance

Surfshark and CyberGhost both have a lot to offer: low pricing, multi-device support, a wide range of compatibility with various platforms, 24/7 live chat support, secure VPN protocols, and a vetted no-logs policy. However, there are some key differences between them.

When we tested these VPNs for speed, we learned that CyberGhost had faster download speeds than Surfshark. This makes CyberGhost ideal for high-bandwidth activities such as streaming, gaming, and torrenting. However, Surfshark took the lead with its features that boost privacy and security.

  • Surfshark: Best for private and secure browsing
  • CyberGhost: Best for streaming

How do Surfshark and CyberGhost compare?

Surfshark
Our Pick
CyberGhost
Price Starts at $2.03/mo Starts at $1.99/mo
Max # of connected devices Unlimited 7
24/7 customer support
Compatibility Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and more
Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and more
# of servers 3,200+ 10,000+
VPN protocol WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN
No-logs policy No logs No logs
Unblocks Netflix?
Get Surfshark
Read Surfshark Review
Get CyberGhost
Read CyberGhost Review

As far as pricing, CyberGhost offers a lower starting price of $2.03/mo along with a considerably higher number of servers (over 10,000 servers in 100 countries). Surfshark’s lowest starting price is $1.99/mo, and it offers a lower number of servers but the same number of server countries (3,200 servers in 100 countries).

Although both VPN services are compatible with many platforms, Surfshark supports unlimited simultaneous connections, while CyberGhost supports only a maximum of seven. In regard to streaming, CyberGhost sidestepped network blocks for Netflix U.S., Canada, U.K., and Australia. Surfshark unblocked Netflix U.S., U.K., and Australia, but failed to unblock Netflix Canada.

Surfshark vs. CyberGhost: prices

Our Pick
Price range $1.99–$19.99/mo $2.03–$12.99/mo
Best value plan Surfshark Starter 24-month plan for $1.99/mo 2-year plan for $1.99/mo
Money-back guarantee Yes — 30 days Yes — 30 days
Get Surfshark
Read Surfshark Review
Get CyberGhost
Read CyberGhost Review

Surfshark and CyberGhost both have multiple plans that fit different budgets for the amount of time you are seeking. Surfshark’s plans range anywhere from $1.99–$19.99/mo. Its best deal is the 24-month plan, which costs only $1.99/mo and sometimes comes with extra free months. Even though Surfshark's lowest monthly price is slightly more expensive than CyberGhost, it's still a terrific deal if you’re looking for a VPN service at an affordable price range.

Depending on which plan you choose, CyberGhost costs anywhere from $2.03–$12.99/mo. The best possible deal is the two-year plan, which costs just $2.03/mo, which can also come with extra months for free. This makes CyberGhost an affordable option for those who want to save money on a VPN by paying over an extended period of time.

Additionally, CyberGhost and Surfshark offer money-back guarantees, so you can try their services risk-free without worrying about a no-refund policy. That way, you can test these products before committing to a long-term plan. CyberGhost offers a 45-day money-back guarantee, while Surfshark only offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Winner: CyberGhost takes the crown for the best pricing plan, which is a couple of cents cheaper than Surfshark's. It also has a longer money-back guarantee.

Surfshark vs. CyberGhost: features

Feature
Our Pick
Number of servers 3,200+ servers in 100 countries 10,000+ servers in 100 countries
No-logs policy No logs No logs
VPN headquarters The Netherlands Romania
Encryption AES 256-GCM AES-256-bit
VPN protocol WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN 
Kill switch
Split tunneling
Netflix support
Torrenting support
Get Surfshark
Read Surfshark Review
Get CyberGhost
Read CyberGhost Review

Surfshark and CyberGhost have largely similar security offerings, including strong encryption, secure VPN protocols, and a kill switch. Both VPNs can also block ads, trackers, and malware. Surfshark’s blocker is called CleanWeb 2.0, while CyberGhost’s is called Content Blocker. Additionally, both VPNs have had their no-logs policies audited by Deloitte.

However, Surfshark offers stronger encryption because it uses the AES-256-GCM algorithm. This algorithm is faster than just AES 256-bit encryption, which is what CyberGhost employs. Surfshark’s VPN protocols — OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2/IPsec — also use AES-256-GCM. Surfshark has a double VPN feature called Dynamic MultiHop, which lets you route traffic through more than one VPN server location. CyberGhost does not have a double VPN.

CyberGhost is headquartered in Romania, so it's not part of the intelligence-sharing agreement required of Eyes alliance countries. Surfshark is headquartered in the Netherlands, which is a member of the Nine Eyes alliance.

Surfshark vs. CyberGhost: streaming support

Platform
Netflix
Amazon Prime Video
Hulu
BBC iPlayer
Disney+
HBO Max

Surfshark supports most major streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max. During our Netflix testing, Surfshark was able to unblock Netflix U.S., U.K., and Australia with ease. However, we couldn't unblock Netflix Canada, even after reaching out to customer support for some troubleshooting tips. 

CyberGhost also supports plenty of streaming services from around the world. During our Netflix testing, CyberGhost seamlessly unblocked Netflix with every server we tried. It even provides streaming-optimized servers, which are constantly tested to work with popular streaming services. 

Winner: CyberGhost and Surfshark are nearly tied in streaming support, but Surfshark has the edge due to its robust security features, such as a double VPN and AES-256-GCM encryption.

Surfshark vs. CyberGhost: internet speeds

We independently tested CyberGhost and Surfshark's internet speeds by connecting to their servers in the U.S., the U.K., and Australia. This speed test assessment helped us determine their capabilities for heavy bandwidth activities, such as streaming, torrenting, and gaming. We conducted our Surfshark test on a PC laptop running Windows 11, while our CyberGhost test was conducted on a Macbook Pro.

Surfshark vs. CyberGhost speed test results

Server location
Our Pick
US 41% slower 10.8% slower
UK 4% slower 29.3% slower
AU 108% slower 30.5% slower
Get Surfshark
Read Surfshark Review
Get CyberGhost
Read CyberGhost Review

Reviewed by Mars Groves
“When we tested these VPNs for speed, we learned that CyberGhost had faster download speeds than Surfshark. This makes CyberGhost ideal for high-bandwidth activities such as streaming, gaming, and torrenting.”

Surfshark's download speeds dropped significantly compared to CyberGhost's with the exception of the U.K. CyberGhost dropped speeds by about 30% while Surfshark only dropped speeds by 4%, which is an unusual results. Typically, your internet speeds should drop the farther your VPN servers is from your physical location. It was nice to see CyberGhost didn't drop off our speed too much while connected to an Australian server, while our Surfshark speed suffered a lot more greatly.

Winner: CyberGhost was clearly our winner in a head-to-head race against Surfshark for its largely faster download speeds.

Surfshark vs. CyberGhost: compatibility and customer support

Our Pick
Windows
macOS
Android
iOS
Linux
Router
Smart devices
Browser extensions Chrome, Firefox Chrome, Firefox
24/7 support
Customer support options Live chat, email, online guides Live chat, email, online guides
Get Surfshark
Read Surfshark Review
Get CyberGhost
Read CyberGhost Review

CyberGhost has a very simple interface that lets you enable or disable its VPN with just one click of its “on and off” button. Plus, it offers to connect to the best available server location for you.

CyberGhost's interface prompting you to enable or disable the VPN with it's on and off button.

However, it was less intuitive than Surfshark when it came to finding VPN settings and other features. Surfshark had a panel on its left-hand side that took you directly to its VPN, alerts, antivirus, and search features, including general settings.

Surfshark's interface with a server list, alerts, antivirus, search features, and general settings.

As far as customer support, Surfshark and CyberGhost have knowledge bases with online guides, email support, and 24/7 live chat. We tested both live chat options by asking simple questions. CyberGhost connected us to a live agent within seconds. Surfshark took around 20 seconds to connect us to a live agent when we asked its chatbot to do so.

Even though CyberGhost was extra fast in connecting us to a live agent, Surfshark offered top-tier customer service with its friendly reps who provided detailed answers to our questions. While chatting with Surfshark customer support, we even asked if they had any servers in China, and (to our surprise) we were offered a discount just for asking questions.

When it comes to payment methods, Surfshark and CyberGhost both accept major credit cards, PayPal, and Amazon Pay. Both services also take bitcoin, which caters to those seeking private payment options for added anonymity. However, Surfshark surpasses CyberGhost by supporting various cryptocurrencies, including ether, tether, and dogecoin.

Winner: Although CyberGhost provided great customer service and prompt responses, Surfshark is clearly the winner for its user-friendly interface, helpful 24/7 live chat, and wide range of accepted payment options.

Surfshark vs. CyberGhost FAQs


+

Is Surfshark blocked by Netflix?

According to our internal testing, Netflix appears to be blocking Surfshark because we were unable to bypass any restrictions when we selected servers in Canada, although we had no issues with servers in the U.S., U.K., and Australia. Keep in mind that restrictions and regulations that streaming services impose can change over time.


+

Is CyberGhost easy to use?

Yes, CyberGhost is simple to use, which is convenient for novice and intermediate users.


+

Does Surfshark work in China?

Yes, Surfshark has server locations in Macau SAR China and in Hong Kong. To learn about other VPNs that work in China, you can read our guide on the best VPNs for China.


+

Can I trust CyberGhost VPN?

Yes, you can trust CyberGhost VPN as a reliable and secure VPN service provider for a few reasons:

  • Has a vetted no-logs policy that's been audited by independent third-party companies
  • Has no history of breaches or sharing information about its users with authorities
  • Is based in Romania, which isn't part of the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, or Fourteen Eyes alliances
  • Utilizes strong and secure bank-grade encryption
  • Accepts cryptocurrency payments for additional privacy

CyberGhost vs. Surfshark: which is better?

CyberGhost offered faster download speeds and it excelled at supporting streaming. We were also impressed by its customer support and straightforward interface. However, Surfshark's interface is more intuitive and offers more features. 

Ultimately, Surfshark is the better VPN option for most thanks to its robust features for added privacy and security, user-friendly interface, top-notch customer support, unlimited device support, and wide range of payment options. It's a solid provider for a wider range of internet users.

4.9
Limited-time offer: 82% off + 4 months free
Learn More
On Surfshark's website

Surfshark
  • VPN technology offering stability and speed
  • Unlimited simultaneous connections
  • Works with Netflix and other streaming services
  • Headquarters in Nine Eyes Alliance
Author Details
Mars is a cybersecurity professional and writer based in California. He serves as an Advisory Board Member for WEBGAP, specializing in browser isolation.