⚡ Kort oordeel:
- Prijzen: CyberGhost starts at $2.03/month on the 2 Years + 4 Month plan. McAfee starts at $39.99/yr on the Essential plan.
- Het meest geschikt voor: CyberGhost for streaming, torrenting and gaming. McAfee Safe Connect for basic Wi-Fi cover inside a security suite.
- Belangrijkste verschil: CyberGhost runs a huge server network with 9,200+ servers in 100 countries. McAfee runs roughly 2,000 servers in 40+ countries.
- Privacy: CyberGhost keeps no connection logs and passed two Deloitte audits. McAfee Safe Connect logs IP addresses and browsing history.
- Onze keuze: CyberGhost for most people. It is a real VPN service, not a bundled add-on.
One of these is a VPN company. The other is an antivirus company that added a VPN.
That single fact explains most of the gap between them.
CyberGhost sells online privacy as its main product.
McAfee Safe Connect ships as one tile inside a wider security suite.
Only one of them is built to fight streaming sites for a living.
Overzicht
This CyberGhost vs McAfee VPN comparison covers pricing, servers, speed, privacy and device support.
Sources are published specs, both privacy policies and third party test gegevens.
Ons schrijver also spent hands on time with CyberGhost’s client.
Notes on McAfee come from documentation, not hands on use.
Wat is CyberGhost?
CyberGhost is a virtual private network run from Bucharest, Romania.
Romania sits outside the 14-Eyes alliance, which matters for data requests.
The company operates a huge server network of 9,200+ global servers in 126 locations across 100 countries.
CyberGhost’s servers include streaming picks, torrent picks and gaming picks.
You pick a country, hit connect, and the VPN tunnel opens in a few seconds.
🏆 Winnaar: CyberGhost
Servers picked for Netflix, BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime Video. Seven devices on one account. A 45 day money back window on long plans.
CyberGhost-prijzen
Three plans, and the gap between them is wide.
| Plan | Prijs | Het beste voor |
|---|---|---|
| 1 maand | $12,99/maand | Occasional use or one trip |
| 6 maanden | $6,99/maand | Testing without a long lock in |
| 2 jaar en 4 maanden | $2,03/maand | Households that want the lowest cost |
Pricing verified September 2026.
Gratis proefperiode: Short trials run on Windows, Android and iOS. No card needed on desktop apps.
Geld-terug-garantie: 45 days on the 6 month and 2 year plans. 14 days on the 1 month plan.
📌 Opmerking: A dedicated IP costs an extra $5 billed monthly. You can pay with card, PayPal, Google Pay or Bitcoin. The two year plan also throws in two free months.
⚠️ Price check: Some CyberGhost VPN deals pages list $13 monthly, $41.94 for six months and $56.94 up front for the long plan. Prices shift with promotions, so confirm the final total at checkout.
Belangrijkste voordelen van CyberGhost
What you actually pay for:
- Audited no logs policy: Deloitte checked CyberGhost’s privacy claims twice, in 2022 and January 2024. Quarterly transparency reports back them up.
- RAM only servers: Data is wiped on every reboot. Nothing survives a power cycle.
- Servers picked per platform: The Streaming tab holds picks for Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video and HBO Max, including 15+ Netflix libraries.
- NoSpy servers: These sit in a data centre CyberGhost owns and staffs itself.
- Slimme regels: The app can automatically connect to a chosen VPN server when you launch software or join Wi-Fi you do not trust.
- Blocking built in: CyberGhost’s malicious URL filter stops ad, tracker and malware domains before they reach your browser. A Security Updater flags out of date software.
- Seven devices: One account covers up to seven devices at once.
Wat ons team opmerkte
Our writer installed the CyberGhost app on Windows, Android and an iPhone. Here is what stood out in CyberGhost’s apps:
The benefits below line up with what our writer saw in the app.
Voordelen en nadelen van CyberGhost
✅ Voordelen
- 9,200+ servers in 126 locations across 100 countries
- No logs policy audited twice by Deloitte
- 45 dagen geld-terug-garantie op langere abonnementen.
- Unblocks US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+
- Connects up to seven devices at once
❌ Nadelen
- Average speed loss of around 30%, slower than top rivals
- Long distance servers can lose up to 60% of your speed
- Apps have been reported as buggy
- The 1 month plan only gets 14 days to claim a refund
Wat is McAfee VPN?
McAfee VPN, sold as McAfee Safe Connect, is a US based VPN service.
It ships inside McAfee’s All-in-One Protection plans with antivirus and identity protection.
Many people meet it pre-installed on a laptop or through a mobile carrier deal.
Safe Connect VPN turns itself on when you join unsecured public Wi-Fi.
It runs on Catapult Hydra, the same protocol behind Hotspot Shield.
The server list is smaller and the feature set is the bare minimum.
This walkthrough shows the app and where the VPN sits inside it.
McAfee VPN
A VPN bundled with antivirus, a wachtwoordbeheerder and identity monitoring. Best if you already pay McAfee for online security.
McAfee VPN-prijzen
You buy a plan, not a VPN. Every tier is an annual plan bundling security tools.
| Plan | Prijs | Het beste voor |
|---|---|---|
| Essentieel | $39,99/jaar | One person who wants antivirus plus a VPN |
| Gevorderde individuele | $89,99/jaar | Identity monitoring and credit tools |
| Geavanceerde familie | $119,99/jaar | Households sharing one security suite |
Pricing verified September 2026.
Gratis proefperiode: McAfee runs limited trials on its own site. There is no permanent free VPN tier.
Geld-terug-garantie: 30 days. Claim it in your account or contact McAfee support.
📌 Opmerking: Unlimited bandwidth is normally tied to auto renewal being switched on. Turn auto renewal off and your data allowance can be capped.
⚠️ Price check: Some review sites list a standalone McAfee VPN at $7.99 monthly, or $19.99 for the first year and $47.99 on renewal. First year discounts jump at renewal, so confirm the final total at checkout.
Belangrijkste voordelen van McAfee VPN
Where McAfee earns its place:
- Security suite in one bill: Antivirus, password manager, Personal Data Cleanup and identity monitoring sit beside the VPN.
- Hands off Wi-Fi cover: The VPN connection fires on open networks by itself, shielding your online activity from man-in-the-middle attacks.
- Solid raw speed: Tests recorded 97Mbps on a nearby server, never dropping below 75Mbps on international hops.
- AES-256 encryption: Traffic is encrypted with AES-256 and DNS leak protection is included.
- No ISP throttling: Encrypted traffic makes it harder for an ISP to spot heavy downloads and slow you down.
- Eenvoudige prijsbepaling: Three tiers, one page.
Wat ons team opmerkte
Note: we have not had extended hands on time with McAfee Safe Connect VPN. Everything above comes from McAfee’s documentation, its privacy policy and published third party tests.
Voordelen en nadelen van McAfee VPN
✅ Voordelen
- Bundled with antivirus, a password manager and identity protection
- Turns on by itself on unsecured public Wi-Fi
- Fast nearby speeds, measured at 97Mbps in testing
- Simple interface that beginners can handle
❌ Nadelen
- Logs IP addresses and the websites you visit
- No macOS or Linux app
- Kill switch on Windows only
- Weak with Netflix and Hulu, and no P2P support
Functievergelijking
Ten areas, head to head. The summary table first.
| Functie | CyberGhost | McAfee VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Startprijs | $2,03/maand | $39,99/jaar |
| Servers | Meer dan 9200 mensen in 100 landen | ~2,000 in 40+ countries |
| No Connection Logs | ✅ Gecontroleerd | ❌ Logs IPs |
| Noodstop | ✅ Alle platforms | ⚠️ Alleen voor Windows |
| Split Tunneling | ✅ Windows, Android | ⚠️ Alleen voor Android |
| macOS and Linux Apps | ✅ | ❌ |
| Netflix and BBC iPlayer | ✅ | ❌ |
| Torrenting (P2P) | ✅ | ❌ |
| Gelijktijdige verbindingen | 7 | 5 |
| Het beste voor | Streaming en privacy | Bundled online security |
1. Servernetwerk en serverlocaties
CyberGhost: 9,200+ servers sit in 126 locations across 100 countries. Some CyberGhost servers are virtual locations, where the IP address belongs to one country and the hardware lives elsewhere. The server list still runs far deeper than most VPN providers offer at this price.
McAfee VPN: Around 2,000 servers cover 40+ countries, with roughly 47 reachable for geo-blocked content. Coverage is thin outside North America and Europe. There is no city picker, so you get a country and whatever server locations sit behind it.
2. Streaming Services and Smart DNS
CyberGhost: Streaming is the strongest part of the service. The sidebar lists picks for US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Now TV, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, Paramount Plus, Peacock, RTVE, DRTV, TV4Play and C MORE. A Smart DNS feature carries streaming platforms onto devices that cannot run VPN apps, like older smart TVs.
McAfee VPN: Safe Connect is not built for streaming sites. Reviews report it failing on Netflix and Hulu, and there is no Smart DNS. It shifts your location for lighter geo-restrictions, but do not buy it for a foreign catalogue.
⚠️ Waarschuwing: Streaming picks go stale. CyberGhost retests and rotates them, but if one fails, try another server in the same country first.
3. Speed and Connection Speeds
CyberGhost: Average speed loss sits near 30%, trailing the fastest names in the VPN industry. WireGuard has been clocked at 760 Mbps on a good line. Nearby servers hold up, but distant servers can cost up to 60% of your internet connection.
McAfee VPN: Raw speed tests look good. A speed test on a close server hit 97Mbps, and international runs stayed above 75Mbps. Latency is the problem, with increases reported at 600 percent on Windows.
4. Gaming, Torrenting and Live Sports
CyberGhost: Separate tabs hold gaming servers and torrent friendly servers. CyberGhost’s Windows app can also force a random port, which helps when a network throttles common ports. Live sport runs through the same country picks used for TV.
McAfee VPN: P2P traffic is not supported, so torrenting is out. High latency rules out competitive play. This is a browsing and email VPN.
5. Privacy, Connection Logs and Audits
CyberGhost: The strict no-logs policy covers your online traffic and connection logs, and Deloitte audited it in 2022 and January 2024. Romania sits outside the 14-Eyes alliance. A bug bounty programme and transparency reports back the paperwork, though data sharing with its parent company still draws criticism.
McAfee VPN: The privacy policy says Safe Connect logs personally identifiable information, including your IP address, the sites you visit and geo location information. That data is kept indefinitely and only cleared 30 days after account deletion. McAfee claims to protect privacy, but the US sits inside the Five Eyes alliance and the policy promises data to legal, governmental or judicial authorities on request.
⚠️ Read this twice: A VPN that logs your browsing history cannot give you anonymity, and data may reach third party advertisers. If privacy is why you are shopping, this is a big deal.
6. Security Features: Kill Switch, Split Tunneling and DNS Leaks
CyberGhost: An automatic kill switch cuts your internet traffic the moment the VPN fails, on desktop and mobile. Split tunneling runs on the Windows app and the Android app. DNS queries stay inside the tunnel, so tests rarely show DNS leaks. There is no multi hop routing, the one advanced security feature enthusiasts will miss.
McAfee VPN: AES-256 encryption and DNS leak protection are there. The kill switch only exists on Windows, and split tunneling reaches Android users only. The iOS app has no kill switch, so a dropped VPN connection quietly exposes your real IP address.
7. Apparaatondersteuning en gelijktijdige verbindingen
CyberGhost: Desktop and mobile apps cover Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, plus Android TV, Amazon Fire TV and routers. Smart DNS handles an Apple TV or a smart TV with no app. Seven simultaneous device connections beats what most VPN providers allow.
McAfee VPN: Device support stops at Windows, iOS and Android. There is no macOS app and no Linux build. Five simultaneous connections is fair, but Mac and Apple TV owners are not served.
8. Ease of Use and the Apps
CyberGhost: CyberGhost’s client is user friendly, with a favourites list and a one click connect button. CyberGhost’s mobile apps are lighter than the desktop apps and drop some settings. Apps have also been reported as buggy, the most common complaint in any CyberGhost VPN review.
McAfee VPN: The interface is plain and hard to get wrong, which suits a mobile device you barely think about. The trade off is almost no settings to adjust, and iOS users get the thinnest build.
9. Dedicated IP, NoSpy Servers and Extras
CyberGhost: A dedicated IP costs $5 extra per month and gives you an address nobody else uses. NoSpy servers add hardware CyberGhost controls end to end, and the content blocker strips ads and trackers before they load.
The content blocker sits in the same settings panel.
McAfee VPN: The extras sit outside the tunnel. Advanced antivirus, a password manager, Personal Data Cleanup, credit monitoring and identity theft restoration all come in the box. For a family wanting one subscription across their online activities, that bundle is worth real money.
Identity monitoring runs beside it on the higher tiers.
10. Prijsbepaling en kosten
Different billing shapes, so read the row labels carefully.
| Plan | CyberGhost | McAfee VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Gratis niveau | ❌ | ❌ |
| Maandelijks | $12,99/maand | ❌ (annual plans only) |
| Middenklasse | $6.99/month (6 Months) | $89,99/jaar (Geavanceerd individueel) |
| Entry tier | $2.03/month (2 Years + 4 Month) | $39,99/jaar (Essentieel) |
| Family tier | ❌ | $119,99/jaar (Advanced Family) |
CyberGhost: At $2.03/month the long plan lands near $24 a year for a pure VPN. The 1 Month plan at $12.99 is the expensive way in. The 45 day money back guarantee on long plans gives you six weeks to change your mind.
McAfee VPN: $39.99/yr buys antivirus plus a VPN, which is fair for a bundle and poor for a VPN alone. Judge it against other security suites, not VPN companies. Renewal pricing is where bundles bite, so check the second year figure.
💡 Pro-tip: Free VPNs look tempting next to both. A free VPN usually pays its bills with your data, so a $2 plan is cheaper in the end.
Verschillende scenario's
| Als u het nodig heeft... | Kiezen | Waarom |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest yearly cost | CyberGhost | About $24 a year on the long plan |
| Antivirus in the same bill | McAfee VPN | Security suite included |
| Netflix and BBC iPlayer | CyberGhost | 15+ Netflix libraries covered |
| Audited no logs | CyberGhost | Two Deloitte audits |
| Mac or Linux cover | CyberGhost | McAfee has no Mac app |
| Set and forget Wi-Fi safety | McAfee VPN | Connects itself on open networks |
💰 Jouw budget
CyberGhost’s long plan is cheaper by a wide margin. McAfee only looks good if you were buying antivirus anyway.
🔌 Jouw technologie-stack
Count your machines first. A house with a MacBook or a Linux box has no path with McAfee.
📺 Jouw streaminggewoonten
If you watch shows from another country, this is settled. Only one keeps servers pointed at streaming services.
🔐 Uw privacybehoeften
VPN users who care about logs should read both policies. One was audited twice, the other records your IP address and sites visited.
🆓 Gratis proefversies en demo's
Test on your own line first. Run a speed test on a nearby server, then repeat it on a distant one.
🛟 Ondersteuningsopties
CyberGhost runs 24/7 live chat support, email and a knowledge base, though the articles can be thin. McAfee support sits inside the wider product, so VPN answers take longer.
Overstaphandleiding
Already paying for one? Here is what changes.
🔄 Switching from CyberGhost to McAfee VPN?
✅ Wat je eraan hebt:
- Antivirus, password manager and identity tools in one subscription
- A VPN that switches on by itself on open Wi-Fi
- Fewer settings on a shared family device
❌ Wat je verliest:
- 7,000+ extra servers and streaming access
- The audited no logs promise and Romanian base
- Torrenting, dedicated IP, Smart DNS and macOS cover
📋 Zo schakel je over:
- Claim your CyberGhost refund inside the 45 day window
- Buy a McAfee plan and install it on each device
- Turn Safe Connect on in settings, then uninstall the CyberGhost app
🔄 Switching from McAfee VPN to CyberGhost?
✅ Wat je eraan hebt:
- A huge server network with virtual locations in 100 countries
- Working access to Netflix, BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime Video
- A kill switch on every platform, not just Windows
❌ Wat je verliest:
- Bundled antivirus and credit monitoring
- Identity theft coverage and restoration help
- One renewal date for all your online security
📋 Zo schakel je over:
- Note your McAfee renewal date, then cancel auto renewal
- Start a CyberGhost plan and download the apps you need
- Keep a standalone antivirus if you drop the suite
Wat onze recensie niet behandelde
Limits of this comparison
We did not run long term speed tests across every region, and results in Asia and Africa differ from Europe and the US. McAfee was not tested hands on, so those notes lean on documentation and third party data. Bedrijf licensing, router setups and antivirus detection rates sit outside this piece. Figures reflect the September 2026 versions.
Eindconclusie
| Categorie | Winnaar |
|---|---|
| 💰 Prijzen | CyberGhost |
| 🌍 Servernetwerk | CyberGhost |
| 📺 Streaming | CyberGhost |
| ⚡ Pure snelheid | McAfee VPN |
| 🔐 Privacy and Logs | CyberGhost |
| 🛡️ Beveiligingsfuncties | CyberGhost |
| 💻 Apparaatondersteuning | CyberGhost |
| 🎁 Extra's inbegrepen | McAfee VPN |
| 🏆 Algemene winnaar | CyberGhost |
🏆 WINNAAR: CYBERGHOST
CyberGhost wins 6 of 8 categories.
Het meest geschikt voor: Streaming abroad, torrenting, multi device households, privacy first buyers
These two are not in the same race. CyberGhost sells a VPN and lives or dies on server quality, streaming access and its logging record.
McAfee sells protection for a household, and the VPN is one feature in that box. Judged that way, it earns its place on a family laptop.
Judged as a VPN, the logging policy, the missing Mac app and the Windows only kill switch are hard to argue past. Pay $2.03 a month for CyberGhost and keep whatever antivirus you already trust.
Meer over CyberGhost vergeleken
How CyberGhost lands against the rivals people shortlist beside it:
CyberGhost versus CyberGhost NordVPN
CyberGhost wint op: Cheaper long plan, 45 day refund window against 30, far more country locations
NordVPN scoort hoog op de volgende punten: Lower speed loss on distant hops, double VPN routing, Threat Protection and Meshnet
CyberGhost wint op: Roughly a fifth of the price per month, per platform streaming picks, a longer refund window
ExpressVPN wint op de volgende punten: Faster long distance performance, steadier apps, router firmware of its own
CyberGhost versus CyberGhost Surfhaai
CyberGhost wint op: Larger raw server count, dedicated streaming picks per platform, NoSpy hardware
Surfshark wint op: Unlimited devices on one account, multi hop routing, camouflage mode for restrictive networks
CyberGhost versus CyberGhost Privé internettoegang
CyberGhost wint op: Friendlier apps for beginners, streaming picks that are labelled by service, richer country list
Private Internet Access scoort hoog op de volgende punten: Unlimited connections, deep manual settings, court tested no logs history
Meer informatie over McAfee VPN vergeleken
McAfee VPN gets shortlisted against these three most often:
McAfee VPN wint op de volgende punten: Antivirus in the same purchase, identity monitoring, hands off setup for non technical users
NordVPN scoort hoog op de volgende punten: Independent no logs audits, macOS and Linux apps, streaming access that actually holds
McAfee VPN wint op de volgende punten: Bundled password manager, credit monitoring, one dashboard for a whole family
Proton VPN wint op de volgende punten: A usable free tier, Swiss jurisdiction, open source apps and published audits
McAfee VPN wint op de volgende punten: Security suite value, automatic Wi-Fi triggering, simpler billing for one household
PureVPN wint op: P2P support, port forwarding, a kill switch across every platform it ships on
Veelgestelde vragen
Is CyberGhost VPN te vertrouwen?
Yes, within limits. The no-logs policy passed two Deloitte audits, servers run from RAM, and Romania sits outside the 14-Eyes alliance. Data sharing with the parent company remains the open vraag.
Is CyberGhost 100% gratis?
No. There is no permanent free tier. You get short trials on Windows, Android and iOS, plus a 45 day refund window on the six month and two year plans.
Is McAfee VPN een goed idee?
Only as part of a bundle. Safe Connect adds automatic Wi-Fi cover beside antivirus and identity monitoring. As a standalone tool it logs IP addresses and struggles with streaming.
Blokkeert Netflix McAfee VPN?
Often, yes. Reviews report the service failing on Netflix and Hulu. There are no streaming picks and no Smart DNS, so a foreign catalogue usually stays locked.
Is McAfee VPN beter dan NordVPN?
No. NordVPN has an audited no logs record, a kill switch on every platform and working streaming access. Bundled antivirus is the only area where the McAfee package pulls ahead.
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