⚡ Quick Verdict:
- Pricing: CyberGhost starts at $2.03/month on its longest term. PrivadoVPN starts at $1.11/month.
- Best for: CyberGhost for streaming sites and a huge server network. PrivadoVPN for anyone who wants a free VPN first.
- Key difference: CyberGhost runs 9,200+ servers with a Deloitte-audited no-logs policy. PrivadoVPN runs roughly 330 servers with no third-party audit yet.
- Our pick: CyberGhost, because the wider server locations and the 45 day money back guarantee lower your risk.
The cheaper VPN here is not the weaker one.
PrivadoVPN undercuts CyberGhost on its long plan.
It also gives away a free plan with 10GB every 30 days.
But price is the smallest gap between these two VPN services.
Server counts, audits, and app features are where they split.
Overview
This CyberGhost vs PrivadoVPN comparison covers pricing, servers, apps, and streaming capabilities.
We reviewed documentation, pricing pages, and published test results for both VPN providers.
Our writers also spent hands-on time with each VPN app.
Those notes sit in the “What Our Team Noticed” sections below.
By the end you will know which VPN service fits your setup.
What is CyberGhost?
CyberGhost is a Romanian VPN service built around streaming and simplicity.
It runs a huge server network of over 9,200 servers in 126 locations across 100 countries.
The CyberGhost app sorts those global servers by task: streaming, torrenting, or gaming.
You pick a row, click once, and the VPN tunnel opens in a few seconds.
Most people choose it for that one-click approach to streaming platforms.
Here is a closer look at how the service works day to day.
🏆 Winner: CyberGhost
Streaming optimized servers for Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video. Two Deloitte audits back the no-logs claim. Seven devices on one account.
CyberGhost Pricing
CyberGhost runs three terms. The longest one carries the real discount.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Month | $12.99/month | Short trips and one-off jobs |
| 6 Months | $6.99/month | Testing before a long commitment |
| 2 Years + 4 Month | $2.03/month | Households that stream all year |
Pricing verified September 2026.
Free trial: Free trials run on mobile apps. On desktop, the refund window acts as the trial.
Money-back guarantee: 45 days on the longer terms. The one-month plan gets 14 days.
📌 Note: A dedicated IP costs an extra $5 billed monthly. Payments go through credit card, PayPal, Google Pay, or Bitcoin.
⚠️ Price check: Some review sites list the two-year term as a single $57 charge and the six-month term at $41.94. CyberGhost VPN deals change by region, so confirm the total at checkout before you pay.
Key Benefits of CyberGhost
Here is what makes CyberGhost worth a look:
- Audited privacy: Deloitte checked CyberGhost’s privacy claims in 2022 and again in January 2024. Neither audit found stored connection logs.
- Streaming rows built in: The app lists servers optimized for over 15 Netflix libraries, plus Hulu, HBO Max, and Disney Plus.
- NoSpy servers: CyberGhost owns and operates these machines in Romania. No data centre staff touch them.
- Smart Rules: Set the VPN app to launch and automatically connect when a chosen program opens.
- Wide device support: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, routers, and smart TVs through the Smart DNS feature.
- Long refund window: 45 days is longer than what most VPN providers offer.
- Bundled blocking: An ad, tracker, and malware blocker stops domains tied to malicious websites.
What Our Team Noticed
Our writer signed up for CyberGhost and used it for streaming and everyday browsing. Here is what stood out from that hands-on time:
CyberGhost Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Over 9,200 servers in 126 locations across 100 countries
- No-logs policy audited twice by Deloitte
- RAM only servers wipe data on every reboot
- Unblocks US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+
- 45 day money back guarantee on longer plans
❌ Cons
- Average speed loss sits near 30%, slower than rival VPN services
- Distant servers have shown up to 60% speed loss in published tests
- Apps have been reported as buggy in some reviews
- Only seven simultaneous device connections
What is PrivadoVPN?
PrivadoVPN is a Swiss VPN service run by Privado Networks AG.
It is best known for a free version that gives you 10GB every 30 days.
PrivadoVPN’s server network is small: roughly 330 servers in 46 to 49 countries.
The company owns and operates most of those physical servers itself.
Paid plans add unlimited data and 10 simultaneous connections.
The video below walks through the app and its settings menu.
Runner Up: PrivadoVPN
Swiss jurisdiction and a free plan that unblocks US Netflix. Ten devices per account. A free SOCKS5 proxy ships with every paid subscription.
PrivadoVPN Pricing
PrivadoVPN keeps its paid menu short. Three terms, one feature set.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Month Plan | $10.99/month | Trying the paid tier for a month |
| 12 Month Unlimited VPN + 3 free | $1.33/month | Solo users on a budget |
| 24 Month Unlimited VPN + 3 free | $1.11/month | Families sharing 10 devices |
Pricing verified September 2026.
Free trial: No timed trial. The free plan runs forever with a 10GB cap and one device.
Money-back guarantee: 30 days on paid subscriptions.
📌 Note: Free users get 12 free servers and one connection. Payment goes through major cards, PayPal, or cryptocurrency.
⚠️ Price check: Other review sites quote $1.99 and $2.50 per month for the same terms, with renewals near $3.99 and $4.99. Introductory rates end after the first term, so read the renewal line before you subscribe.
Key Benefits of PrivadoVPN
Here is where PrivadoVPN earns its place:
- A real free service: 10GB per month with no ads. Reviewers rank PrivadoVPN’s free version with the best free VPNs.
- Ten devices: Paid plans cover 10 devices at once, above what most VPN companies allow.
- Swiss base: Privado Networks AG sits under Swiss consumer privacy law.
- SmartRoute: The Windows app has split tunneling, so you pick which programs use the VPN connection.
- SOCKS5 proxy: Included free with paid plans and useful for port forwarding setups in torrent clients.
- Local speed: Nearby servers showed only 8% to 15% loss in published tests, with WireGuard hitting 830 to 880 Mbps.
- New add-ons: PhantomMode holds system-level protection when the link drops. Privado Sentry adds optional cloud antivirus and malware protection.
What Our Team Noticed
Our writer installed PrivadoVPN on Windows and Android and ran it on the free tier first. Here is what came out of that:
PrivadoVPN Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Free plan with 10GB of data every 30 days
- Up to 10 simultaneous connections on paid plans
- Free version unblocks US Netflix
- Free SOCKS5 proxy with every subscription
❌ Cons
- No third-party audit of the logging claims
- Around 330 servers, far below the 1,600 average
- No 24/7 live chat, so customer support runs on email
- No multi-hop, no dedicated IP, no ad blocker
Feature Comparison
Now to the part that decides it. We lined up eleven areas where these two VPN apps behave differently, from server locations to the kill switch feature.
| Feature | CyberGhost | PrivadoVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $2.03/month | $1.11/month |
| Free Plan | ❌ | ✅ 10GB/month |
| Server Network | ✅ 9,200+ servers | ❌ ~330 servers |
| Independent Audit | ✅ Deloitte, 2022 and 2024 | ❌ None yet |
| Simultaneous Connections | 7 | 10 |
| Streaming Optimized Servers | ✅ | ❌ |
| Split Tunneling | ✅ Windows and Android | ✅ Windows only |
| Dedicated IP | ✅ $5/month extra | ❌ |
| 24/7 Live Chat | ✅ | ❌ Email only |
| Best For | Streaming and device coverage | Free use and low-cost paid plans |
1. Server Network and Virtual Locations
CyberGhost: Over 9,200 servers sit in 126 locations across 100 countries. Some entries are virtual locations, where the IP address belongs to one country while the hardware sits elsewhere. Either way, CyberGhost servers replace your real IP address before traffic leaves the device. CyberGhost’s servers also include NoSpy machines in Romania that the company owns outright.
PrivadoVPN: Around 330 servers cover 46 to 49 countries. That small server network is the trade-off for owning the hardware. PrivadoVPN’s servers are mostly physical rather than virtual servers, so your originating IP address comes from hardware the company controls. Some privacy buyers prefer that.
⚠️ Warning: More servers does not always mean faster. But fewer server locations means fewer fallbacks when a streaming site starts blocking VPN servers.
2. Streaming Services and Netflix Libraries
CyberGhost: A Streaming tab lists servers optimized for Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, and HBO Max. Coverage stretches to over 15 Netflix libraries plus Paramount Plus, Peacock, RTVE, DRTV, TV4Play, and C MORE. These streaming optimized servers get retested and swapped when a platform blocks them.
PrivadoVPN: It unblocks US Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer, and the free tier handles US Netflix too. Access to BBC iPlayer has been inconsistent across servers. Netflix in Australia, Canada, and Japan stayed blocked, and Disney Plus did not open.
3. Live Sports and Gaming
CyberGhost: Dedicated rows exist for live sport and for gaming, so you are not guessing which VPN server to pick. Smart Rules can launch the CyberGhost app and connect the moment a game client opens.
Gaming gets its own server group as well.
PrivadoVPN: There are no task-specific server groups. Latency rose 83% in one published test round, which matters for competitive play. Download speeds on nearby servers stayed strong, so casual gaming is fine.
4. Speed and Connection Speeds
CyberGhost: Average speed loss lands near 30%, which is slower than the top tier of the VPN industry. WireGuard has reached 760 Mbps in testing. Distant servers are the weak spot, with losses up to 60% on long hops.
PrivadoVPN: Local servers lost only 8% to 15%, and long-distance hops lost 10% to 25%. Wider test rounds showed a 48% average loss, with upload speeds down 58.6% and download speeds down 71.6%. Your internet connection and distance decide which number you get.
⚠️ Warning: Speed figures swing hard between test locations. Treat both sets as a range, not a promise.
5. Privacy, Logging, and Jurisdiction
CyberGhost: Romania sits outside the 14-Eyes alliance. The strict no logs policy covers browsing history and connection logs, and Deloitte verified it in 2022 and January 2024. RAM only servers, transparency reports, and a bug bounty program back that up.
PrivadoVPN: Switzerland is a strong base for online privacy, and the zero-log promise covers traffic destinations, IP addresses, and DNS queries. But no third party has audited it. There are no transparency reports, no warrant canary, no RAM disks, and the policy allows some data to be held indefinitely.
6. Kill Switch and DNS Leak Protection
CyberGhost: An automatic kill switch cuts internet traffic the second the tunnel fails. DNS requests stay inside the tunnel, which keeps DNS leaks off the table. CyberGhost’s mobile apps carry the same switch as the desktop apps.
PrivadoVPN: The VPN kill switch stops web traffic if the VPN connection drops. The Android app has it. The iOS app does not, which is a real gap for iPhone owners who want DNS leak protection at all times.
7. Encryption and VPN Protocols
CyberGhost: AES 256-bit encryption is standard, with WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2 available. CyberGhost’s Windows app can also connect through a random port when a network blocks the usual ones.
PrivadoVPN: The same AES-256 encryption, and the same three VPN protocols. Multiple security protocols means you can drop from WireGuard to OpenVPN when a network fights the connection. Servers use disk encryption instead of RAM. This is not a wider security suite, so online security here stops at the VPN layer plus the optional antivirus.
8. Split Tunneling, SmartRoute, and SOCKS5
CyberGhost: Split tunneling works on Windows and Android. Add Wi-Fi protection and the client will automatically connect on any unsecured network. CyberGhost’s client keeps these controls in one panel rather than buried in submenus.
PrivadoVPN: SmartRoute handles split tunneling on Windows, but macOS and iOS miss out. An auto connect toggle covers untrusted networks. The free SOCKS5 proxy is the standout here, and it helps with port forwarding in torrent clients.
The proxy sits in its own account area rather than the app.
9. Extra Tools: Dedicated IP, Blocking, and Antivirus
CyberGhost: A dedicated IP costs $5 a month and is yours alone. The built-in blocker stops ads, trackers, and malware domains, and CyberGhost’s malicious URL filter sits in the same panel. A Security Updater flags outdated software on your machine.
Content blocking is handled in the same settings area.
PrivadoVPN: No dedicated IP and no ad blocker. Privado Sentry is an optional antivirus add-on with cloud scanning and quarantine. PhantomMode, added in 2026, keeps system-level protection alive during brief drops.
10. Device Support and Simultaneous Connections
CyberGhost: Native apps cover Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android, and the Mac app carries the same security features. CyberGhost’s apps share one layout across platforms. The Smart DNS feature pushes coverage to smart TVs, Apple TV, and consoles that cannot run a VPN app. Amazon Fire TV and Android TV get their own builds. You get up to seven devices per account.
PrivadoVPN: Desktop and mobile apps cover Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Fire TV, and Android TV. The PrivadoVPN app looks identical on all of them, which speeds up setup across several mobile devices. There is no Smart DNS, so older smart TV models are out. Ten simultaneous connections beat CyberGhost by three.
💡 Pro Tip: Count your mobile device list first. A household with a smart TV, two laptops, and four phones will hit CyberGhost’s limit fast.
11. Pricing & Cost
Here are both ladders side by side.
| Plan Length | CyberGhost | PrivadoVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Free | ❌ | 10GB per month, 1 device |
| 1 Month | $12.99/month | $10.99/month |
| 6 / 12 Months | $6.99/month (6 months) | $1.33/month (12 months + 3 free) |
| Longest Term | $2.03/month (2 years + 4 months) | $1.11/month (24 months + 3 free) |
| Refund Window | 45 day money back guarantee | 30 days |
CyberGhost: You pay more per month and get audits, 9,200+ servers, 24/7 live chat, and a 45 day refund window. The monthly plan is poor value at $12.99, so the long term is the only sensible entry point.
PrivadoVPN: Cheaper at every term, and free if you stay under 10GB. What you give up is audit proof, server scale, and live support. For light VPN users that trade is reasonable.
Different Scenarios
| If You Need… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| To pay nothing | PrivadoVPN | Free plan, 10GB monthly |
| Streaming across many regions | CyberGhost | 15+ Netflix libraries covered |
| Audited privacy proof | CyberGhost | Two Deloitte audits |
| More than seven devices | PrivadoVPN | Ten connections included |
| A VPN on an old smart TV | CyberGhost | Smart DNS covers it |
| Fast help at 2am | CyberGhost | 24/7 live chat |
💰 Your Budget
PrivadoVPN is cheaper on every term and free under 10GB. CyberGhost only makes sense on its longest plan.
🔌 Your Tech Stack
Routers, consoles, and older televisions need Smart DNS, and only CyberGhost has it. Both cover Android TV and Fire TV directly.
📺 Your Streaming Habits
If you hop between country libraries weekly, CyberGhost’s labelled rows save time. If you only need US Netflix, PrivadoVPN does it free.
🎓 Your Experience Level
Beginners do fine with either. CyberGhost hides complexity behind task rows, while PrivadoVPN keeps the whole app to one screen.
🆓 Free Trials and Demos
Install PrivadoVPN’s free tier tonight and test it against your own streaming sites. Use CyberGhost’s refund window the same way.
🛟 Support Options
CyberGhost runs 24/7 live chat plus email, though its knowledge base has been called thin. PrivadoVPN leans on email and a light help site.
Switching Guide
Already paying for one of them? Here is what changes.
🔄 Switching from CyberGhost to PrivadoVPN?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- Three extra device slots, ten instead of seven
- A permanent free tier to fall back on
- A free SOCKS5 proxy and a lower monthly rate
❌ What you’ll lose:
- Audited no-logs proof and RAM only hardware
- Streaming and gaming server groups
- Smart DNS, dedicated IP, and 24/7 live chat
📋 How to switch:
- Claim your CyberGhost refund if you are inside the window
- Open a free PrivadoVPN account and test it for a week
- Upgrade, then uninstall CyberGhost to avoid two VPN tunnels fighting
🔄 Switching from PrivadoVPN to CyberGhost?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- Roughly 28 times more servers and far wider server locations
- Two independent audits behind the logging policy
- Smart DNS, Smart Rules, and a 45 day refund window
❌ What you’ll lose:
- The free plan and its 10GB allowance
- Three device slots
- The bundled SOCKS5 proxy
📋 How to switch:
- Note which servers you actually use in PrivadoVPN
- Buy the CyberGhost term you want and install it on one device
- Test your streaming platforms before rolling it out to the family
What Our Review Didn’t Cover
This comparison looked at home users and small households. We did not test either VPN inside heavily censored networks, and we did not run router firmware installs. Business accounts, bulk licensing, and long-term torrent performance also sit outside it. If you are on a mobile-only setup in Asia or Africa, your speeds will likely differ from the published figures quoted here.
Final Verdict
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| 💰 Pricing | PrivadoVPN |
| 🌍 Server Network | CyberGhost |
| 📺 Streaming | CyberGhost |
| ⚡ Speed | Tie |
| 🔒 Privacy Proof | CyberGhost |
| 📱 Device Coverage | CyberGhost |
| 🛟 Support | CyberGhost |
| 🏆 Overall Winner | CyberGhost |
🏆 WINNER: CYBERGHOST
CyberGhost wins 5 of 7 categories.
Best for: Streaming across regions, households with smart TVs, and anyone who wants audited privacy claims.
These two VPN providers are aiming at different buyers. CyberGhost sells scale and proof, and it charges for both.
PrivadoVPN sells access. Its free plan is the best reason to install it, and its paid tier is the cheapest way to cover ten devices.
If you stream from several countries, or you want an audit trail behind the no-logs claim, CyberGhost is the safer buy. If your budget is the deciding factor, PrivadoVPN will not disappoint you.
More of CyberGhost Compared
Here is how CyberGhost lands against three rivals people shortlist beside it:
CyberGhost vs NordVPN
CyberGhost wins on: Task-labelled server rows, a longer 45 day refund window, and a cheaper long-term rate.
NordVPN wins on: Lower speed loss on long hops, double VPN routing, and a bundled password manager.
CyberGhost vs ExpressVPN
CyberGhost wins on: Roughly four times the server count, a dedicated IP option, and a far lower yearly bill.
ExpressVPN wins on: Steadier long-distance performance, its Lightway protocol, and a router app that covers a whole house.
CyberGhost vs Private Internet Access
CyberGhost wins on: Streaming rows that name the platform, Smart DNS for televisions, and Romanian jurisdiction.
Private Internet Access wins on: Unlimited device slots, deeper manual settings, and open-source client code.
More of PrivadoVPN Compared
And here is where PrivadoVPN sits against its closest rivals:
PrivadoVPN wins on: Ten device slots against Proton’s lower free-tier limit, a cheaper paid term, and a free SOCKS5 proxy.
Proton VPN wins on: Unlimited free data, published independent audits, and open-source apps.
PrivadoVPN vs Surfshark VPN
PrivadoVPN wins on: A usable free tier, Swiss jurisdiction, and a simpler app for first-time users.
Surfshark VPN wins on: Unlimited connections, more extensive server networks, and multi-hop routing.
PrivadoVPN vs PureVPN
PrivadoVPN wins on: The free plan, self-owned hardware, and no upsell for basic features.
PureVPN wins on: A much larger server count, port forwarding add-ons, and 24/7 chat support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can CyberGhost VPN be trusted?
Deloitte audited the no-logs policy in 2022 and January 2024 and found no activity logs. RAM only hardware and public transparency reports support that finding.
Is PrivadoVPN completely free?
There is a permanent free tier with 10GB every 30 days, one device, and 12 servers. Unlimited data and ten connections require a paid plan.
Does the PrivadoVPN work with Netflix?
Yes for the US catalogue, even on the free tier. Australian, Canadian, and Japanese catalogues stayed blocked in testing, and Disney Plus did not open.
What country is CyberGhost VPN from?
Romania. That places it outside the 14-Eyes alliance, with no mandatory data retention law forcing it to keep records of your online traffic.
Is CyberGhost better than NordVPN?
Not on raw speed. It is better for labelled streaming servers and refund length. NordVPN holds the edge on long-distance performance and extra security tools.
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