ExpressVPN vs CyberGhost: Which VPN is Better in 2023?

How about pitting the veteran against a relatively new service in the field of VPNs? The ExpressVPN vs CyberGhost VPN test is what we are talking about. Both are packed with great privacy and security features. But which one gets the crown? Well, read on to know our take on that.

Last updated on 19 September 2023

Summary of ExpressVPN vs CyberGhost VPN Comparison

Our CyberGhost VPN vs ExpressVPN is a 360-degree test. Further, we have checked factors like the number of servers, performance of the servers, speed, safety, privacy features, etc. However, if you are in a hurry and want to know quickly about the ExpressVPN vs CyberGhost VPN test result, here we name our winner.

ExpressVPN shines as the winner in our ExpressVPN vs CyberGhost VPN test. Especially, ExpressVPN leaves CyberGhost behind in safety and privacy.

Presenting ExpressVPN

Detailed discussion on both services is important so that you can see the justness of the ExpressVPN vs CyberGhost VPN test. Here we present ExpressVPN, the most consistent and reliable VPN service provider.

Server Presence and Features

ExpressVPN comes with servers in 94 countries across all continents. Some countries even have virtual server locations so that users enjoy a fast and safe connection. Further, the ExpressVPN Smart Location feature lets you connect to the server, offering the best speed. Also, the Smart Location algorithm makes sure that all the servers are ranked based on distance, latency, and download speed.

In addition, 70% of the ExpressVPN servers are upgraded to 10 Gbps speed for faster service. The remaining 30% is undergoing this upgradation from 1 Gbps to 10 Gbps speed. Moreover, the TrustedServer technology makes sure that the servers only run on RAM. Audited by PWC and F-Secure, this technology speaks for the strict no-logging policy followed by ExpressVPN.

Speed

ExpressVPN offers great speed because of three reasons. First of all, it has an in-built Lightway protocol along with standard protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP/IPSEC, etc. Usually, ExpressVPN automatically chooses the best protocol for you once you get connected. You can even manually change the protocol. Lightway has no competitor in the market and offers unmatched speed by keeping your bandwidth free of throttling measures.

The Smart Location feature of ExpressVPN is another reason why you enjoy the good speed with ExpressVPN. You will always get to connect to the server that promises the best speed as per your location. The third reason for getting a blazing speed with ExpressVPN is split tunneling. The split tunnel function partially encrypts your device or app traffic so that your internet speed is not hampered.

Network Lock Kill Switch for Optimum Privacy

ExpressVPN will hide your real IP address as its server will assign you a new IP address. Further, the kill switch mechanism ensures that your IP address does not get leaked even when the connection to the VPN is disrupted for a while. Also, this kill switch feature offers protection on application and system levels.

The Network Lock of ExpressVPN gets activated whenever there is a connection failure. The Network Lock disconnects all traffic, eliminating the chances of IP leakage.

Best-in-Class Encryption

All the ExpressVPN protocols, especially Lightway, ensure that ExpressVPN is top-class in encryption. Its control channel and data channel encryptions are practically impregnable. Further, its HMAC authentication and server authentication certificate tell how strong its encryption is. Moreover, ExpressVPN uses military-grade AES-256-bit encryption so that your data and traffic never get stolen.

No-Logging Policy

ExpressVPN is independently audited for a strict no-logging policy. So, your IP address, browsing history, traffic destination, and metadata will never get tracked. In addition, it will block all third-party DNS requests and removes important data from users’ logging history to ensure complete safety.

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Know About CyberGhost

It’s time to know about CyberGhost, a service that started in 2011. CyberGhost is also known for great safety features, a wide server presence, and ensuring online anonymity.

Servers

CyberGhost comes with a wide server presence. It has 9300 servers in 91 countries. Further, its servers cover 117 locations. In addition, the servers are speed optimized to offer users the best streaming experience. Also, these servers will help you access all the blocked sites in your area. Moreover, the NoSpy servers of CyberGhost will give you extended bandwidth and avoid intrusions. These NoSpy servers are located inside CyberGhost’s office in Romania.

Strong Digital Privacy

It has been difficult for us to pick a winner in the ExpressVPN vs CyberGhost VPN comparison for online privacy. Like ExpressVPN, CyberGhost also has a kill switch mechanism to protect your traffic during network disruption.

No-Log Policy

CyberGhost helps evade internet censorship by masking your IP address. Further, CyberGhost follows a strict no-log policy. Based in Romania, the service does not fall under the 5, 9, or 14 Eyes Alliance. So, they will never keep track of your sensitive data and share them with government bodies or any other third party. They will never log your IP address, browsing history, bandwidth usage, website visits, session duration, and VPN server connections.

Speed

CyberGhost comes with the best VPN protocols and is committed to using the latest server hardware to offer you the best speed. Protocols like WireGuard, (L2TP) / IPSec, IKEv2, and others keep your bandwidth out of throttling measures. On the other hand, the speed-optimized servers ensure streaming at a great speed. In addition, CyberGhost allows you to multitask at high speed by partially encrypting your traffic with a speed tunneling mechanism.

Encryption

With AES-256-bit encryption, CyberGhost transforms plain texts or data into unbreakable ciphers. The process is similar to breaking your data into thousands of puzzle pieces and locking each piece in separate containers. But there is more to it. CyberGhost encryption standard hides these containers and replaces them with decoys with fake pieces of the puzzle. The process ends with scrambling the decoys. Overall, this process is repeated 14 times to ensure impregnable safety.

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ExpressVPN vs CyberGhost VPN: Knowing Which One is the Best

From our brief comparison table, you already know who wins the ExpressVPN vs CyberGhost VPN test. Here we will discuss each criterion and its winner.

Number of Servers and Covered Countries

Let us start by comparing Express VPN vs CyberGhost in the number of servers. CyberGhost wins this Express VPN vs CyberGhost test as it has more than 7000 servers. On the other hand, ExpressVPN comes with 3000+ servers.

However, ExpressVPN wins if we consider the number of countries where servers are present. ExpressVPN has servers in 94 countries, while CyberGhost servers are in 91 countries.

Speed

ExpressVPN wins the CyberGhost vs ExpressVPN test in speed. First of all, its in-built Lightway protocol sets it above any competition. Though CyberGhost also has an advanced WireGuard protocol along with other protocols, it can hardly match Lightway when it comes to speed.

Further, 70% of its servers are upgraded to 10 Gbps speed, and the other 30% is on the verge of getting upgraded. CyberGhost also has speed-optimized servers. But the streaming experience and speed are more consistent with ExpressVPN servers.

ExpressVPN has a Smart Location algorithm so that you can choose the fastest VPN based on your location. Similarly, CyberGhost comes with the Best Location button for choosing the server offering the best speed. Moreover, both have split tunneling mechanisms to allow you to enjoy unrestricted bandwidth and do multitask. However, despite similar features, our speed tests in different locations showed that ExpressVPN is way faster than CyberGhost.

On Lightway protocol, ExpressVPN recorded an average speed of 475 Mbps, while CyberGhost, with its WireGuard protocol, recorded 54 Mbps speed. When tested on OpenVPN, ExpressVPN offered 355 Mbps speed, and CyberGhost offered 30 Mbps speed.

Safety and Security

Encryption Standard

ExpressVPN wins the CyberGhost vs ExpressVPN comparison in safety or security. ExpressVPN and CyberGhost both are apparently at par regarding the encryption standard. Both use the AES-256-bit encryption standard and have a 4096-bit RSA key. However, ExpressVPN gets the edge in HMAC certification. ExpressVPN has SHA-512 HMAC authentication, and CyberGhost has SHA-256 HMAC authentication. That is why ExpressVPN wins the game when it comes to the encryption standard.

Encryption Protocol

A VPN protocol ensures that the data from your device to the VPN server is safe. ExpressVPN uses Lightway and other standard protocols like OpenVPN, (L2TP) / IPSec, IKEv2, etc. On the other hand, CyberGhost uses WireGuard and similar standard protocols. However, Lightway outshines WireGuard in terms of speed and safety.

Lightway and WireGuard both use ChaCha20 cipher for encryption. However, Lightway also uses AES-256 cipher according to your operating system. In addition, as seen in speed tests, Lightway is matchless when it comes to speed.

Ad and Malware Blocker

CyberGhost has a strong ad and malware blocker for Windows devices. Further, it has partnered with Intego to bring a powerful antivirus to your VPN application. However, its parent company, Kape Technologies, has a history of infesting user devices with software bundle attacks. So, this will always remain a concern with CyberGhost.

ExpressVPN, on the other hand, has a threat manager. The threat manager stops the device from interacting with servers blocked by ExpressVPN. Further, the threat manager does not allow the apps and websites on the users’ devices to interact with third parties known for tracking activities and malicious behaviors. Thus, ExpressVPN protects you from seeing unnecessary ads.

Leak Protection 

ExpressVPN and CyberGhost both have a kill switch mechanism to prevent IP leakage. However, the CyberGhost kill switch mechanism is only available in Android, macOS, iOS, and Windows operating systems. But the ExpressVPN kill switch also works with Linux OS and routers.

Both VPNs are known for blocking DNS requests from third parties. However, the private DNS installed on every server of ExpressVPN is more trustworthy than the DNS leak protection feature of CyberGhost.

Specialty Servers

Every ExpressVPN server comes with an in-built obfuscation feature. This is important to evade the advanced tracking technologies of streaming sites and enhance overall performance. That is why ExpressVPN even works in China and other countries where VPNs are banned. CyberGhost does not have obfuscated servers.

Server Security

ExpressVPN is the winner of the CyberGhost vs ExpressVPN comparison in terms of server security. Since 2019 the entire ExpressVPN network has been running on RAM. Further, the server network never runs on hard drives. So, no data is kept on the server. Without data storage on servers, the question of data being seized by third parties does not arise.

However, CyberGhost is not known to run its server network on its RAM-disk mode. So, it is not at par with ExpressVPN when it comes to server security.

Security Infrastructure Audits

The infrastructure audit of ExpressVPN by PWC confirms that its servers provide users with the necessary privacy protections. Further, F-Secure recently audited its Windows app and declared it safe.

Deloitte audits the VPN server network and management system of CyberGhost. The audit report confirms that CyberGhost offers comprehensive privacy protection.

Privacy and Anonymity Comparison

Both services have equal grades in the matter of privacy and online anonymity. To put it simply, both are winners in this CyberGhost vs ExpressVPN parameter.

ExpressVPN has its headquarters in the British Virgin Islands. CyberGhost is based in Romania. Both countries are outside the 5, 9, or 14 Eyes Alliance. So, you can stay at ease regarding data safety and online anonymity.

ExpressVPN and CyberGhost need your email ID, postal code, and payment details for signing up. They don’t need any sensitive information. Further, they will not store the data.

Moreover, both services follow strict no-logging policies. They never track or store the IP address, browsing history, accessed content, connection/disconnection stamps, DNS queries, etc.

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Unblocking Streaming Sites

ExpressVPN is the winner in this CyberGhost vs ExpressVPN comparison for unblocking streaming sites. First of all, ExpressVPN has servers in 94 countries which is greater than CyberGhost’s server presence in 91 countries. Further, ExpressVPN has obfuscated servers which CyberGhost does not have. These obfuscated or specialty servers help ExpressVPN to bypass advanced detection technologies of Netflix, Amazon Prime, and other streaming sites.

Which One is Better for Torrenting?

ExpressVPN gets the laurel in the CyberGhost vs ExpressVPN simply because it’s faster than CyberGhost. Further, the performance of ExpressVPN servers is more consistent than that CyberGhost servers. Officially, both services support P2P torrenting.

Price and Plan Comparison

CyberGhost wins the CyberGhost vs ExpressVPN contest for pricing. None of the services have a free tier. CyberGhost offers a 24-hour free trial for all users. ExpressVPN offers a 7-day free trial, but that is only available to Android and iOS mobile users. Further, the packages offered by CyberGhost are cheaper than ExpressVPN packages. Let’s have a look.

ExpressVPN

• 1 month: $12.95
• 6 months: $9.99 per month
• 1-year plan with 3 months free subscription: $6.67 per month

CyberGhost

• 1 month: $12.99
• 1 year: $3.99 per month
• 2-year plan with 4 months free subscription: $3.49 per month

ExpressVPN accepts payments through Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, Diners Club, and other credit cards. You can also make payments using bitcoins and PayPal. CyberGhost takes payments through Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and JCB cards.

ExpressVPN offers a 49% discount on its yearly plan. Further, CyberGhost comes with a whopping 83% discount on its 2-year plan. Additionally, both services keep offering Cyber Monday and Black Friday deals.

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Money-Back Guarantee

CyberGhost wins the CyberGhost vs ExpressVPN money-back comparison. It offers a 14-day money-back guarantee of its monthly plan. For the 1-year and 2-year plans, it has a 45-day money-back guarantee.

ExpressVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee for all packages.

Features

ExpressVPN has more advanced features than CyberGhost. So, it wins the CyberGhost vs ExpressVPN test. Especially the TrustedServer technology and the presence of private DNS on every server and obfuscated servers always help it to stand tall. In addition, all its servers are speed optimized for the best gaming, streaming, and browsing experiences. Moreover, as already said, it is better than CyberGhost, even in terms of safety features.

Simultaneous Connections and Operating System

CyberGhost gets the edge in this matter. It wins the CyberGhost vs ExpressVPN test here, as it offers to support up to 7 devices at a time. However, ExpressVPN supports up to 5 devices at a time.

The OS compatible with CyberGhost is:

• Windows
• Mac
• Linux
• Android
• iOS
• Router

OS compatible with ExpressVPN are:

• Windows
• Mac
• Linux
• Android
• iOS
• Router
• Chromebook

Customer Service

ExpressVPN has better customer service than CyberGhost. You can reach out to ExpressVPN with live chat. You can even mail them to support@expressvpn.com. When mailed, the support team will get back to you in 45-50 minutes, as they did to us many times. In addition, you will find many details in their blogs, FAQ sections, and video tutorials.

The CyberGhost team is available on real-time chats. The email address for writing to the support team is webmaster@cyberghost.ro. The team took more than 1 hour and 30 minutes to answer. You can also read the product guides and FAQ sections on the CyberGhost website to know more about the VPN.

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FAQs

Here are some common questions related to the topic and answers to those questions.

Is ExpressVPN better than CyberGhost VPN?

Yes, ExpressVPN is better than CyberGhost VPN. ExpressVPN is stronger in safety protocol, standards, and features than CyberGhost. Further, it is way faster than CyberGhost because of its Lightway protocol. Also, its servers with obfuscation technology are more capable of bypassing internet censorship.

Is ExpressVPN faster than CyberGhost VPN?

Yes, ExpressVPN is faster than CyberGhost VPN. Its Lightway protocol offers the best speed and defeats CyberGhost’s WireGuard protocol in its performance. ExpressVPN is also faster than CyberGhost on protocols like OpenVPN, which both services have. In addition, ExpressVPN’s speed-optimized servers offer better speed.

Does ExpressVPN offer any promotions?

Yes, ExpressVPN offers a 49% discount and 3 months free subscription on its 1-year plan. It comes with special deals on holiday seasons such as Cyber Monday, and Black Friday deals.

Conclusion

We can call ExpressVPN the winner at the end of this CyberGhost vs ExpressVPN test. It does way better than CyberGhost in server performance, speed, security, customer support, torrenting, and many other things. So, it will be wise to buy an ExpressVPN plan with a 30-day no-question-asked money-back guarantee. Hurry up, and happy streaming!