2

ExpressVPN vs. Cyberghost - Comparing Top VPN Services

 2 years ago
source link: https://www.makeuseof.com/cyberghost-vs-expressvpn/
Go to the source link to view the article. You can view the picture content, updated content and better typesetting reading experience. If the link is broken, please click the button below to view the snapshot at that time.

ExpressVPN vs. Cyberghost - Comparing Top VPN Services

By Alvin Wanjala

Published 3 hours ago

Stuck between choosing two VPNs? Here we compare ExpressVPN and Cyberghost and help you decide which is the best VPN for you.

If you're shopping around for the best Virtual Private Network (VPN) provider, ExpressVPN and Cyberghost can't miss on the list. Both VPN providers are reputable in all the key areas from their security, privacy practices, ease of use, and more.

However, it doesn't make sense to pay for both ExpressVPN and Cyberghost simultaneously. Between ExpressVPN and Cyberghost, which one should you go for? Here's a breakdown of the different features offered by each to help you make an informed decision in our VPN comparison.

Where Are ExpressVPN and Cyberghost Servers Based?

When choosing a VPN provider, the number of servers available and where they are based is important. At the time of writing, ExpressVPN has over 3000 servers in 94 countries with over 160 VPN server locations.

Cyberghost VPN, on the other hand, boasts over 7200 servers in 91 countries. With a massive number of server locations, you're well assured that you can't lack a server to hook up to.

You can check exact server locations on their respective websites.

ExpressVPN vs. Cyberghost: Privacy

ExpressVPN and Cyberghost are based in the British Virgin Islands and Romania, respectively. The two countries are both out of the five- nine- or 14-eyes surveillance alliances.

Additionally, both the British Virgin Islands and Romania don't have data-retention laws, thus proving ideal locations from a privacy standpoint.

It's no wonder both ExpressVPN and Cyberghost are no-log VPN providers. However, the key difference in matters of privacy is ExpressVPN doesn't keep your private IP address and connection timestamps. Additionally, it changes your IP address every time you hook up your device.

Cyberghost keeps your private IP address although in an anonymized format. It also provides a shared static IP address.

ExpressVPN vs. Cyberghost: Security

On the security front, both VPN services are excellent. They use AES 256-bit encryption, a key feature that ensures your web browsing activity is well protected.

The difference, however, is in the available VPN protocols. Both use OpenVPN and IKEv2, two of the major VPN protocols at the time of writing. In addition to the two, ExpressVPN uses Lightway, its proprietary protocol, and L2TP/IPsec, while Cyberghost includes the free and open-source WireGuard protocol.

Related: What Is WireGuard and Does It Replace VPNs?

Advanced Features Offered by ExpressVPN and Cyberghost

Away from security and privacy features, both VPN services offer handy nice-to-haves that you should know.

Shared Features

  • Kill Switch: A VPN kill switch is a critical privacy feature that hides your data and IP address if your VPN connection is interrupted. It blocks all the traffic until a connection is restored.
  • Split Tunneling: You have the power to choose which apps should use a VPN connection and those that shouldn't. A handy use case includes setting Netflix to use a VPN connection to stream content outside your geo-restriction while still browsing other web content through a direct connection.
  • DNS and IP leak protection: Both VPNs protect you from DNS and IP leaks, a common issue with free VPN providers. With DNS and IP leak prevention, your traffic is well secured while traversing the VPN tunnel.

Additional Features on ExpressVPN

  • Port forwarding: ExpressVPN supports port forwarding, a useful feature for advanced users. It allows you to access files on your computer remotely over the internet.

Additional Features on Cyberghost

  • Dedicated IP: If you prefer having a dedicated IP address Cyberghost does provide support. However, it comes at an additional cost.

How Easy Are ExpressVPN and Cyberghost to Use?

Cyberghost VPN Windows app

ExpressVPN and Cyberghost are both intuitive and easy to use, even for starters. You can connect each at the click or tap of a button.

Both support a plethora of platforms. You can use the two on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, and more. They also have browser extensions on major browsers.

Getting started with ExpressVPN and Cyberghost is pretty easy. Installation is straightforward, and connecting to a VPN server of your choice is just a click or tap away.

ExpressVPN Windows app

On both, you can hit the intuitive connect button to let your VPN select a suitable server or manually select a server on desktop and mobile. They also offer 24/7 live support, which is handy in case you face any problems.

The major distinction here is the number of simultaneous connections.

Cyberghost VPN supports up to seven devices, while ExpressVPN is capped at five simultaneous connections.

Can You Stream Using ExpressVPN and Cyberghost?

One of the reasons for using a VPN is being able to watch content outside your location. In this regard, both ExpressVPN and CyberGhost allow you to stream content from various platforms, including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO, ESPN, and others.

All servers on ExpressVPN and Cyberghost can help unlock geo-restricted content, so no need to switch manually.

ExpressVPN vs. Cyberghost: Torrenting

If you're into torrenting, both VPNs are ideal for the task. On CyberGhost VPN, not all servers are optimized for torrenting. Most of them do, but you should personally check which servers have such capability for a secure and seamless experience.

On the other hand, all ExpressVPN servers do support torrenting. However, keep in mind that ExpressVPN has fewer servers relative to Cyberghost.

ExpressVPN vs. Cyberghost: Price Comparison

ExpressVPN and Cyberghost have nearly the same monthly price.

ExpressVPN starts at $12.95 a month. You can however pay less if you select a long-term plan. Its 6-month and annual plans cost $9.99 and $6.67 a month, respectively. Additionally, the annual plan includes three months free.

CyberGhost starts at $12.99. However, it's relatively cheaper if you pay six months upfront—at $6.39 a month. Cyberghost also offers a 2-year subscription plan that goes for $2.25 a month.

Payment Options and Refund Policies

Both VPN providers offer different payment options. You can use your credit card, PayPal and Bitcoin. In addition to that, ExpressVPN also supports a variety of e-wallets.

However, despite the provider you choose, you can claim a refund. ExpressVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee across the board. On the other hand, Cyberghost offers a 45-day money-back guarantee on its 6-month and 2-year plan. Its monthly plan only includes a 14-day money-back guarantee.

Which VPN Is Right For You?

ExpressVPN is slightly better than Cyberghost. It offers a dynamic shared IP address and doesn't store your IP address. However, ExpressVPN is also relatively expensive. Cyberghost offers similar features save for a few additional features here and there, but it is very cheap if you're willing to pay upfront for a long-term plan.

So depending on your needs, you can pick either of the two. Go for ExpressVPN if you value the extra features available and are willing to pay the price. However, you can use the money-back guarantee period to give both services a trial and see what suits you best.

About The Author

60828a8fa39bd-alvin.jpg?fit=crop&w=100&h=100

Alvin Wanjala (120 Articles Published)

Alvin Wanjala has been writing about technology for over 2 years. He writes about different facets, including but not limited to mobile, PC, and social media. Alvin loves programming and gaming during downtimes.

More From Alvin Wanjala

Subscribe to our newsletter

Join our newsletter for tech tips, reviews, free ebooks, and exclusive deals!

Click here to subscribe

About Joyk


Aggregate valuable and interesting links.
Joyk means Joy of geeK