CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are two suppliers with among the largest server networks in VPNs at present. CyberGhost VPN has quick servers unfold throughout 100 nations. In the meantime, ExpressVPN has a slight edge with servers from 105 nations.
Whereas each provide wholesome server suites, they’ve key variations that set them aside. On this article, we discover whether or not CyberGhost VPN or ExpressVPN is the appropriate selection for you and your group.
- CyberGhost VPN: Finest for people and small groups searching for optimized servers for streaming, gaming and torrenting.
- ExpressVPN: Finest for many companies that need a no-nonsense VPN with quick speeds and a user-friendly interface.
CyberGhost VPN vs ExpressVPN: Comparability
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CyberGhost VPN vs ExpressVPN: Pricing
Each CyberGhost VPN and ExpressVPN categorize their subscription choices based on contract size.
SEE: NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: Which VPN Is Best? (TechRepublic)
I actually respect this in comparison with different VPN suppliers that categorize paid plans relying on the included options. With each VPNs, you get the identical options throughout the assorted subscription choices.
CyberGhost VPN pricing
CyberGhost has three plans: a month-to-month, six-month and two-year subscription. It’s one of many few VPNs with out an annual subscription possibility. Personally, I might have most well-liked having an annual plan, as this affords a superb mixture of a decrease month-to-month price and an affordable time dedication.
- 1 month: $12.99 monthly.
- 6 months: $6.99 monthly.
- 2 years: $2.19 monthly.
Regardless of this, CyberGhost has a handy 24-hour free trial for its desktop VPN software that doesn’t require any cost or bank card information. Whereas the trial could possibly be longer, CyberGhost is without doubt one of the few distributors that has a full desktop free trial with no strings hooked up.
Different VPNs will both require you to enter your bank card particulars or solely enable customers entry to the free trial through their cellular app.
If you wish to be taught extra, learn our full CyberGhost VPN review.
ExpressVPN pricing
Like CyberGhost, we get three paid plans for ExpressVPN which might be divided relying on the contract size. We get a one-month, a six-month and an annual subscription with ExpressVPN.
I’m blissful that we get an annual subscription this time round, in contrast to with CyberGhost. Nonetheless, I do want ExpressVPN additionally supplied a longer-term, two or three-year plan contract that enables for a decrease month-to-month price.
- 1 month: $12.95 monthly.
- 6 months: $9.99 monthly.
- 1 yr: $8.32 monthly.
ExpressVPN has a seven-day free trial that’s solely accessible through its Android or iOS cellular app. Sadly, ExpressVPN requires cost particulars to entry the trial, but it surely solely expenses you till after the trial interval lapses.
If you wish to be taught extra, learn our full ExpressVPN review.
CyberGhost VPN vs ExpressVPN: Function comparability
Safety protocols and encryption
Winner: Tie
Each CyberGhost VPN and ExpressVPN carry a powerful mixture of safety and speed-focused safety protocols that’ll work nice for many customers.
CyberGhost VPN comes with OpenVPN, WireGuard and IKEv2 VPN protocols. In the meantime, ExpressVPN consists of OpenVPN and its proprietary Lightway protocol. Per ExpressVPN, its Lightway protocol is constructed for each velocity and safety.
SEE: Is a VPN Really Worth It in 2024? (TechRepublic)
All in all, with the 2 VPNs having protocols like OpenVPN for safety and WireGuard/Lightway for velocity, most companies could have all they want by way of safety protocols.
Having a look at encryption, each VPNs use the AES-256 encryption algorithm — extensively thought-about one of the crucial uncrackable encryption protocols so far. To color an image, AES-256 is utilized by United States authorities companies and banking establishments to safe their knowledge in opposition to prying eyes.
For this spherical, CyberGhost VPN and ExpressVPN every get a degree. Whichever VPN you select, you’ll be blissful to know that you simply’re going to be set on the VPN safety protocol and encryption division.
VPN server community and places
Winner: ExpressVPN
It is a powerful one — however I give the slight edge to ExpressVPN. As of July 2024, ExpressVPN has the extra geographically various server community, with server places spanning 105 nations, whereas CyberGhost VPN has server places in an equally strong 100 nations.
SEE: 4 Different Types of VPNs & When to Use Them (TechRepublic)
Checking ExpressVPN’s official server record, I really counted 106 places in ExpressVPN’s nation record, regardless of its promoting that it has servers in 105 nations. After all, this record is topic to vary or could possibly be a clerical error on my half.
In any case, ExpressVPN will get the win right here for its barely extra in depth server suite. Since a VPN is primarily used to unblock geo-restricted content material, having a extra various server community is a should, and ExpressVPN offers that in spades.
Under is a desk exhibiting the geographic unfold between each VPNs’ server places:
To CyberGhost VPN’s credit score, it has a equally spectacular 100-country server fleet that reportedly has round 11,000+ servers. Then again, ExpressVPN reportedly has round 3,000+ servers.
Whereas one may argue that CyberGhost has a greater server community due to the sheer variety of servers it has, I personally discover extra worth in having extra server nations or places.
Third-party audits and monitor data
Winner: ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN will get the win with regards to unbiased third-party audits. As of 2024, it has revealed a complete of 18 unbiased audits testing numerous features of its VPN. Thus far, that is the most important portfolio of audits I’ve seen from a VPN firm.
ExpressVPN’s most up-to-date audit was on its Privacy Policy, which was carried out by KPMG and revealed in Might 2024. As a VPN supplier, it began present process and publishing safety audits in 2018 — having core options like its no-logs coverage, browser extension and desktop apps examined by unbiased companies.
On the flipside, CyberGhost VPN has accomplished two audits, with the most recent audit revealed in Might 2024. This was carried out by Deloitte and regarded into CyberGhost VPN’s “server community and administration techniques.”
Whereas I’m blissful CyberGhost VPN doesn’t skimp on unbiased testing, I do suppose it may enhance total transparency with its audit outcomes. In its press release on the Might 2024 audit, CyberGhost stated “excerpts from the report can’t be shared straight” as a approach to make sure that the “audit outcomes are usually not taken out of context or misunderstood.”
Though I perceive how audit stories will be taken out of context, I believe publishing audit outcomes — good or dangerous — exhibits greater credibility and affords extra worth to end-users. To be clear, CyberGhost says the total Deloitte report is obtainable through CyberGhost VPN accounts.
SEE: 5 Best VPNs for Travel in 2024 (TechRepublic)
In distinction, ExpressVPN’s audits are accessible to each the general public and energetic ExpressVPN customers. For these , you possibly can go to its full suite of audits.
With its extra clear strategy and huge assortment of third-party audits, ExpressVPN will get the benefit on this spherical of our match-up.
Standout options
Winner: CyberGhost VPN
For standout options, my vote goes to CyberGhost VPN. On prime of its foremost VPN service, I felt CyberGhost added extra significant options to its shopper in comparison with ExpressVPN.
A noteworthy function for me is CyberGhost VPN’s sensible categorization of its optimized servers. Particularly, CyberGhost divides its server suite into servers optimized for streaming, gaming and torrenting — three of the most typical use circumstances of VPN software program.
To me, this protects end-users a ton of time searching for one of the best suited server for his or her wants. As well as, CyberGhost additionally has its “Sensible Guidelines” panel, which allows customers to set automated actions inside the VPN primarily based on configured prompts.
An instance of that is having your CyberGhost VPN shopper routinely hook up with a specific server upon launch or setting the app to routinely launch a particular software as soon as CyberGhost establishes a connection.
Personally, these user-centric options enable CyberGhost VPN to supply a customized VPN expertise that helps elevate its already strong service.
That’s to not say that ExpressVPN doesn’t have its personal spotlight options. It consists of its Menace Supervisor function, which blocks trackers and malware, and bundles a devoted password supervisor for each ExpressVPN subscription.
Whereas these are helpful function additions in their very own proper, I nonetheless suppose CyberGhost’s VPN-focused function set is the higher select of the 2.
Efficiency and velocity
Winner: ExpressVPN
For VPN velocity and efficiency, ExpressVPN is my selection. Whereas each VPNs supplied quick speeds, I discovered ExpressVPN to show extra constant speeds, notably with regard to hurry take a look at outcomes.
For context, I examined each ExpressVPN and CyberGhost VPN’s efficiency by doing my normal workflow of duties as a author. This concerned having a number of browser tabs open for analysis, attending on-line video conferences, utilizing Google apps akin to Docs and Drive and streaming 1080p video content material infrequently.
SEE: How to Start a Career in Cybersecurity (TechRepublic Premium)
In real-world use, I received quick speeds from each CyberGhost and ExpressVPN. I didn’t encounter any noticeable drops in velocity or efficiency with each VPNs in comparison with my web service supplier’s efficiency.
The place ExpressVPN received the benefit over CyberGhost was with velocity testing. Per the velocity take a look at outcomes, ExpressVPN garnered very constant scores — recording solely a 25.6% drop in downloads and a 28% lower in uploads in comparison with my ISP.
I particularly discovered it spectacular how ExpressVPN received related outcomes for each downloads and uploads. As a rule, VPNs garnered extra favorable velocity take a look at scores for downloads solely, not uploads. This was really the case with CyberGhost VPN, the place it recorded solely a 7.5% drop in obtain speeds however had a large drop for uploads with a 48.21% change, in comparison with my ISP.
Whereas each VPNs provide quick VPN efficiency on the entire, I discover ExpressVPN to be the higher decide with regards to consistency and total velocity take a look at efficiency.
Ease of use and design
Winner: Tie
Relating to ease of use and in-app expertise, each CyberGhost VPN and ExpressVPN rating excessive marks. I’ve it as a tie as each VPNs provide intuitive desktop purposes with well-designed person interfaces — albeit with key variations of their design selections.
ExpressVPN makes use of a contemporary and minimalist design, making for a clear and seamless VPN shopper that doesn’t have a lot litter. It makes use of a light-themed design aesthetic for its desktop app, offering a UI that’s simple on the eyes and nice to make use of. The app itself can be cleanly organized, with menus being positioned proper the place I anticipated them to be.
Then again, CyberGhost VPN employs a darker theme with an identical give attention to neat group. A spotlight for me is its handy categorization of its optimized servers, which helps scale back the time wanted to seek for the right server in a given scenario.
Like ExpressVPN, CyberGhost’s software is pretty simple to grasp and doesn’t really feel too technical or intimidating to make use of.
No matter which VPN you select, I really feel each CyberGhost VPN and ExpressVPN present a high-quality VPN interface that’s well-designed and simple to make use of.
Simultaneous system connections
Winner: Tie
By way of simultaneous system connections, I name it a tie. CyberGhost VPN at present permits for a most of seven simultaneous system connections. In the meantime, ExpressVPN lets customers join as much as a most of eight system connections on the identical time.
Whereas ExpressVPN technically has a one-device benefit over CyberGhost, I believe we’re getting nearly an identical performance with each suppliers, given the very minimal distinction.
Both approach, I hope each VPNs think about both rising their system restrict and even pushing their respective providers to help limitless simultaneous connections.
CyberGhost VPN professionals and cons
Professionals
- Quick access to optimized servers for streaming, torrenting and gaming.
- Configurable automations through Sensible Guidelines panel.
- Extra inexpensive 6-month and 2-year subscriptions.
- 24-hour free trial; no cost particulars required.
Cons
- No annual subscription.
- Unbiased audits could possibly be extra accessible.
ExpressVPN professionals and cons
Professionals
- Geographically various 105-country server suite.
- 18 revealed third-party safety audits up to now.
- Nicely-designed and easy-to-use desktop software.
- Spectacular obtain and add velocity take a look at outcomes.
Cons
- No 2- or 3-year subscription possibility.
- Costlier.
- Free trial requires cost info.
Ought to your group use CyberGhost VPN or ExpressVPN?
Total, I discover ExpressVPN to be the higher selection for many companies or organizations. It brings top-tier encryption and persistently quick VPN speeds, features a geographically various server community throughout 105 nations and has proven a powerful dedication to unbiased testing with its spectacular 18-audit portfolio.
A standout for me is ExpressVPN’s minimalist and user-friendly VPN interface. I discover it actually helps present a no-nonsense, user-friendly and polished VPN expertise that simply works. This may be helpful for companies that will have much less tech-savvy workers and need a VPN resolution that may accommodate all sorts of customers.
Then again, CyberGhost VPN is an efficient selection for companies that need a extra inexpensive various to ExpressVPN. With its extra inexpensive six-month and two-year plans, CyberGhost can provide a equally intuitive person interface with comparable VPN speeds.
CyberGhost can be a superb decide for companies or groups searching for VPN servers which might be particularly optimized for duties akin to streaming, gaming or torrenting. CyberGhost VPN’s handy categorization of its optimized servers is a particular plus for most of these customers.
Methodology
My comparability of CyberGhost VPN and ExpressVPN concerned an in-depth evaluation of each VPN’s options, real-world efficiency and worth.
To guage every VPN, each providers had been scored on all the things from their safety protocols to pricing. Particularly, I took under consideration 5 foremost pillars, every having corresponding weights:
- Pricing (20%).
- Core VPN options (30%).
- Ease of use (15%).
- Buyer help (30%).
- Professional evaluation (5%).
I additionally regarded into precise person suggestions and different respected critiques to spherical out my closing suggestions for each CyberGhost VPN and ExpressVPN.
For velocity and efficiency, I examined each VPNs on my private Home windows laptop and ran them by means of Ookla’s public Speedtest. Lastly, I thought-about which sorts of companies or particular person customers would finest profit from both CyberGhost VPN or ExpressVPN.
