PureVPN vs CyberGhost: which VPN is better?

Both CyberGhost and PureVPN are affordable VPNs that don't disappoint when it comes to security features. Although they are less talked about than some of the other industry favorites, our tests showed there’s no reason not to consider these two for your next VPN purchase.

That being said, we tested them side by side across 10 categories, including streaming, performance, price, security, and much more. We’ve got all our results for you here. So get ready to dive deep into a full PureVPN vs CyberGhost comparison and find out which one is better today.

PureVPN vs CyberGhost – an overview

PureVPN and CyberGhost both offer top-of-the-line VPN services at a low price. They take privacy and security seriously while offering plenty of great features. However, CyberGhost takes the lead regarding the server fleet, which consists of 11500 servers in 100 countries. Meanwhile, PureVPN allows more simultaneous connections (10, to be exact). But when comparing these two VPNs side by side, eventually, PureVPN is the all-around winner.

	PureVPN	CyberGhost VPN
⭐ Rating:	4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆	4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
🥇 Overall rank:	#8 out of #41	#5 out of #41
🖥️ Servers:	6,000 + servers in 65 countries	11,500 + servers in 100 countries
📖 No logs policy:	No logs	Independently-audited
💵 Price:	From $4.07/month	From $2.19/month
🔥 Coupons:	PureVPN coupon 80% OFF	CyberGhost VPN coupon 83% OFF
🔒 VPN protocols:	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, SSTP, L2TP/IPSec	WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN (TCP/UDP)
🍿 Streaming services:	Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube	Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+
🖥️ Platforms:	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
📥 Simultaneous connections:	10	7
💁🏻 Support:	Knowledge base, tickets, live chat	24/7 live chat, Knowledge base, FAQs

Netflix and streaming performance

One of the top things people want to do with a VPN is stream binge-worthy content from around the world. If watching geo-restricted shows is one of your top priorities, you’ll need a VPN to keep up with your international tastes.

	PureVPN	CyberGhost
Netflix	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Amazon Prime Video	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Hulu	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
HBO Max	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Disney +	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
BBC iPlayer	✅ Yes	✅ Yes

CyberGhost consistently unlocks geo-restricted content and offers fast streaming speeds for a buffer-free viewing experience. Plus, it offers streaming-optimized servers across all of the streaming platforms we tested. You can select a server dedicated to Netflix libraries in different countries or one designed just for Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more. All in all, it makes an excellent streaming VPN.

In the meantime, PureVPN advertises that it can unlock all major streaming platforms, like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, HBO Go, and more. But when we tested it, we got mixed results. We could access the US Netflix library but struggled to unblock content in other countries. It unblocked BBC iPlayer as promised but struggled to load or play anything without buffering.

PureVPN lacks dedicated streaming servers, but you can take advantage of the Proxy Control feature. You’ll sacrifice a bit of security for more speed. This can help boost streaming performance, especially if connected to a slower server.

Plans & pricing

Both PureVPN and CyberGhost have multiple pricing plans, ranging from the low-commitment monthly option to the economically-priced 2-year plan. Neither one offers a free version.

Plan	PureVPN	CyberGhost
Monthly	$19.95/month	-
6-month plan	–	$6.99/month
1-year plan	$7.07/month	–
2-year plan	$4.07/month	$2.19/month
	Check PureVPN deals	Check CyberGhost deals

While these two providers offer comparable pricing, PureVPN is consistently cheaper for any length plan. Plus, PureVPN allows for 10 simultaneous device connections, while CyberGhost only offers 7. With PureVPN, you’ll be getting more devices for cheaper– it’s a win-win!

If you want to test either one out before committing to a subscription, you’ve got some options. You can test out CyberGhost with a fully free trial, with versions on iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows. PureVPN offers a paid 7-day trial for 0.99 cents.

If you subscribe but change your mind, you can always take advantage of the full money-back guarantees both VPNs provide. CyberGhost has one of the best out there, with 45 days to try this VPN out and make your final decision. With PureVPN, you get 31 days to request a full refund.

When you get to the checkout, both VPNs allow for cryptocurrency payments in addition to regular payment methods, like credit cards and PayPal. Make sure to check the refund policies for crypto since conversion rates can fluctuate.

PureVPN vs CyberGhost: which is more secure?

Both competitors have excellent security and privacy measures in place. They have everything you might expect from a VPN, like top-notch encryption ciphers and strict no-logs policies. Plus, they deliver a few extras, like ad blockers and independent audits.

	PureVPN	CyberGhost
Encryption	AES-256	AES-256
HASH	SHA-512	SHA-256
RAM-only servers	No	Yes
Member of 5-9-14-eyes alliance?	No	No
No-logs policy	Audited	Audited
Kill switch	Yes	Yes
As blocker	Yes	Yes
DNS leak protection	Yes	Yes

CyberGhost, with its headquarters in Romania, is well outside of the 5, 9, or 14-eyes alliance. PureVPN can say the same, as it’s based in British Virgin Islands. Both VPNs operate in countries without stressful and suspicious data retention laws.

Infrastructure

CyberGhost, with its massive server fleet, has converted to RAM-only servers. For privacy enthusiasts, RAM-only is appealing since all data is wiped clean anytime the server is rebooted. When the server itself is incapable of storing data, it makes it even easier to trust in promised no-logs policies.

Unfortunately, PureVPN currently doesn’t offer RAM-only or diskless servers. Nevertheless, there’s no reason to get scared, as this VPN still doesn’t collect any of your online activities, respecting your privacy to the full extent.

Privacy

Both VPNs offer AES-256-bit encryption. You can trust this encryption cipher to be virtually uncrackable since it would take an estimated million years to get the job done. PureVPN does offer SHA-512 compared to CyberGhost’s SHA-256, giving PureVPN a slight edge in hashing algorithms.

Both VPNs are also equipped with DNS leak protection and a kill switch. These both provide an extra layer of security, keeping your data from accidentally being exposed. Only PureVPN can also offer obfuscation, where it can conceal the fact that you’re using a VPN at all.

Logging

Lots of VPNs promise a strict no-logs policy, but do they deliver? When it comes to PureVPN and CyberGhost, they certainly do. Both of these VPNs have strict no-log policies that are backed up with independent audits.

The results confirmed that both CyberGhost and PureVPN do not keep any logs, just as they promised. You can trust that your online activity won’t be retained with either one of these secure VPNs.

And still, PureVPN is the first VPN to have an always-on audit. Meaning, it can be inspected by an independent audit company without prior notice. This way, the VPN has no chance of hiding security or privacy flaws. As for now, CyberGhost can’t compare to this advantage yet.

Speed comparison: PureVPN vs CyberGhost

So, which VPN is really faster? That’s one of the biggest concerns when picking a VPN, so we tested PureVPN vs CyberGhost with a head-to-head speed test. We used the ultra-fast WireGuard protocol with both, connected to servers around the world, and recorded the speeds.

• Baseline: 470 Mbps download speed/ 462 Mbps upload speed

	PureVPN	CyberGhost
Canada	300 Mbps/ 389 Mbps	197 Mbps/ 122 Mbps
The UK	386 Mbps/ 411 Mbps	462 Mbps/ 279 Mbps
The US	252 Mbps/ 226 Mbps	442 Mbps/ 370 Mbps

It was a close race, with both VPNs performing well. PureVPN averaged 313 Mbps download speed in these three countries, while CyberGhost clocked in at 367 Mbps. When it came to upload speed, PureVPN had an average of 342 Mbps, and CyberGhost had 257 Mbps.

If that’s too many numbers, let’s make it clear: PureVPN was faster. While its average download speed was a bit slower, the upload speed was much faster, making it better than CyberGhost.

While we compared these two with the WireGuard protocol, it’s worth noting that both VPNs have other tunneling protocols you can choose from. IKEv2 is another speedy option, available on both CyberGhost and PureVPN. OpenVPN is also available with both, offering a stable yet slower connection.

Features overview

	PureVPN	CyberGhost
Split tunneling	✅ Yes, Windows & Android only	✅ Yes, Android only
Obfuscation	✅ Yes	❌ No
Kill switch	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Ad blocker	✅ Yes	✅ Yes

A great VPN can do so much more than simply encrypt your activity. Both PureVPN and CyberGhost have some of the most essential features, like a kill switch and ad blocking abilities. However, only PureVPN offers obfuscation and a more flexible split tunneling compatibility.

Split tunneling

Split tunneling makes multitasking with your VPN easy. With split tunneling enabled, you can select which apps are sent through the VPN tunnel and which use your local IP. This makes it easy to unblock geo-restricted content while ordering takeout in your neighborhood.

However, most VPNs have limited compatibility with this feature. PureVPN can currently only support split tunneling on Windows and Android. Simply click the split tunneling toggle to activate and add the apps you want.

CyberGhost also has this feature but can only support it on Android for now. You can find the tool under VPN settings, where you can “Add Split Tunnel” and configure it to suit your preferences.

CyberGhost also has Smart Rules that lets you configure some default settings according to your preferences. You can use this as a workaround for split tunneling since it allows you some control over what apps use your VPN tunneling on certain wifi networks.

Obfuscation

If you’re living in a country with VPN blocks, obfuscation might be one of your top-used features. This feature hides that you’re using a VPN and makes it appear as regular traffic. The extra security can slow down your connection speed, but it can help keep your VPN from getting blocked.

PureVPN offers an obfuscation feature, while CyberGhost does not. If you need to mask your VPN connection while you’re online, PureVPN is ready to help you out.

Kill switch

A kill switch is a must-have for anyone who wants to make sure they’re protected at all times. When you turn your kill switch on, your browsing will be stopped if your VPN disconnects. This prevents you from revealing your real IP address, even if it’s just for a moment.

With just a click, you can easily activate the kill switch with either VPN. In PureVPN’s advanced settings, you can easily tick the box to enable “Internet kill switch.”

Ad blocker

An ad blocker is perfect if you’re tired of seeing pop-up ads, being followed around by trackers, or worried about ending up on malicious websites. Not all VPNs include ad blockers, but both PureVPN and CyberGhost have some protections in place to keep you safe online.

With PureVPN, you can turn on Content Filtering in your advanced security features. Once it’s activated, it will keep you away from unwanted web content. This can prevent you from ending up on sites with phishing attempts, malware, or other threats.

Yet, CyberGhost is another VPN with an ad blocker, which helps you remove ads, trackers, malicious websites, and more with a few simple clicks. Simply navigate to your Connection features and select the toggle of any blocking features you want to enable.

Server locations

	PureVPN	CyberGhost
Number of servers	6000+	11500+
Total countries	65	100
Total locations	88+	116
Specialty servers	No	Yes

PureVPN and CyberGhost both have impressive server fleets, with thousands of servers to choose from across the globe. Yet in sheer numbers, CyberGhost takes the lead with close to 10,000 servers worldwide.

CyberGhost doesn’t just have the most servers, it has some of the most specialized ones as well. This VPN knows how important streaming is and has dedicated, streaming-optimized servers for Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and more. It even has special servers for Netflix libraries according to the country whose content library you want to access.

CyberGhost also has specialized servers for gaming and torrenting. PureVPN doesn’t have dedicated or optimized servers, but you can use the Recommended Server feature to get the server with the best performance based on your location.

While PureVPN does technically have fewer servers than CyberGhost, it still has more than most of the top VPNs on the market. If any server goes down while using PureVPN, you’ll have plenty of others to choose from.

Torrenting

If torrenting with your VPN is a top priority, CyberGhost is the better choice. It has specialized P2P servers to give you the best torrenting experience. Its performance is on par with other top torrenting VPNs, giving us consistent speeds when we tested it out.

PureVPN doesn’t have designated P2P servers but does support this type of file sharing in general. Since countries have different policies when it comes to permitting torrenting, PureVPN will block P2P sharing on servers located in countries where it’s prohibited.

Platforms, interface and ease of use

	PureVPN	CyberGhost
Supported OS	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Other devices	Android TV, Fire devices	Android TV, Fire TV
Browser extensions	Chrome, Firefox	Chrome, Firefox
Simultaneous connections	10	7

PureVPN and CyberGhost both offer intuitive, easy-to-use apps across all the main operating systems. They both have browser extensions and can be configured on other devices.

The main difference between the two is the number of allowed simultaneous connections. PureVPN allows for 10 devices to be connected with a single plan, while CyberGhost only allows for 7. If you know you have a lot of devices to connect, you can take advantage of the extra 3 you’ll get with PureVPN.

Desktop apps

Both PureVPN and CyberGhost have well-designed apps for Windows and macOS. The designs are sleek and easy to navigate. Even beginners can open up the apps and get started with a single click. For more advanced users, additional features can be found in the side toolbars.

With PureVPN for Windows, seen below, you’ll get the server location, new IP address, and time spent connected, all clearly displayed above the main button. Everything about the display is clear and easy to navigate.

CyberGhost offers an equally easy-to-use and clear app, as seen below. Settings can easily be navigated by using the toolbar along the left. You can browse servers and even add a star to create a favorites list.

Mobile apps

PureVPN and CyberGhost both deliver smooth mobile app experiences. Both keep it simple by emphasizing the connection button and a minimalistic design.

With PureVPN, you’ll only see the button to connect and the location. If you want to see your IP address or any other information, you’ll have to do a little navigating. This keeps the main screen simple and uncrowded.

CyberGhost will give you a little more information, like your local and VPN IP address, the protocol you’re using, the time spent connected, and more. Even though there’s more information, it’s still designed in a way to be sleek and minimal.

Customer support

	PureVPN	CyberGhost
24/7 Live chat	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Phone	❌ No	❌ No
Email / Tickets	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Articles or guides	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
FAQ/Forums	✅ Yes	✅ Yes

When comparing PureVPN vs CyberGhost customer service, these two VPNs are pretty evenly matched. Both offer multiple ways to contact customer support, including a 24/7 live chat option where you can talk with a real human about your questions.

Both offer extensive knowledge bases, where you can browse how-to guides, troubleshooting articles, and detailed FAQ sections. You can also submit a ticket/email for more intricate problems with either VPN and wait for your detailed response.

PureVPN vs CyberGhost – which one is better?

	PureVPN	CyberGhost
Pricing	✅	❌
Security	✅	✅
Speed	✅	❌
Features	✅	❌
Streaming	❌	✅
Torrenting	❌	✅
Server locations	❌	✅
Ease of use	✅	❌
Customer service	✅	✅

The CyberGhost vs PureVPN competition was fierce, but PureVPN is our winner today. With more affordable pricing, better features and apps, PureVPN has excellent overall protection at a low cost.

In the meantime, CyberGhost’s strengths lie in streaming, torrenting, and its specialized servers. If these are your biggest priorities in a VPN, check the latest CyberGhost deals. And yet, there are only tiny bits where this VPN has to catch up with PureVPN, so who knows how long it will take for CyberGhost to outrival our current winner?

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