In today’s digital age, safeguarding your online presence is paramount, and virtual personal networks (VPNs) have emerged as vital gear for accomplishing this. As we traverse the VPN terrain of 2024, two standout contenders, Surfshark and CyberGhost, vie for supremacy. This guide is tailored to simplify the Surfshark vs CyberGhost debate, imparting insights throughout a spectrum of classes and empowering you to make a knowledgeable preference on your VPN necessities.
Surfshark Vs CyberGhost: Privacy & Security
Privacy and security are the primary reasons to use a consumer VPN. So it’s important to evaluate Surfshark vs CyberGhost protections in these vital areas:
Logging Policies
- Surfshark – Follows a strict no-logs policy for all user activity. Independently audited for verification of no-logging claims.
- CyberGhost – Also advertises a no-logs policy covering website visits or traffic. However, they do collect some session data and identifiers.
Both utilise no-logs policies, but the Surfshark vs CyberGhost comparison finds Surfshark more transparent and committed to eliminating any user data tracking.
Encryption & Protocols
- Surfshark – Relies on AES 256-bit encryption, along with OpenVPN UDP/TCP, IKEv2 and WireGuard protocols.
- CyberGhost – Leverages AES 128/256-bit encryption standards over OpenVPN, IKEv2 and WireGuard as well.
Surfshark and CyberGhost are matched evenly when comparing encryption and VPN protocol support. Both satisfy industry standards. Surfshark gets a minor boost using AES 256-bit encryption exclusively.
Leak Protection
- Surfshark – DNS and IP leak protection, private DNS and IPv6/DNSSEC support, plus multi-hop connections and whitelisting.
- CyberGhost – Includes DNS and IP leak prevention, automatic IPv6 and DNSSEC, a kill switch feature, and a dedicated streaming profile.
For leak protection Surfshark vs CyberGhost offers all the expected protections against IP/DNS leaks including IPv6 and DNSSEC handling. They take equivalent approaches overall.
Additional Features
- Surfshark – Offers private search with DuckDuckGo, incognito browsing with CleanWeb, and blind sign-up via Multihop.
- CyberGhost – Provides ad blocking, tracking prevention, and malicious website blocking. Also has a dedicated streaming profile.
Surfshark focuses more on direct privacy enhancements while CyberGhost leans into general security protections regarding ads, malware and phishing. Another draw between the two competitors.
Evaluating privacy and security only, it’s very close between the two services though Surfshark rates higher strictly for no-logging integrity.
Speed & Performance
Fast connection speeds are imperative for responsive streaming, downloads and web access through a VPN tunnel. Recent speed checks showed:
- Surfshark – Delivered 30-50 Mbps speeds globally using WireGuard during tests. Handled 4K video streaming easily without buffering.
- CyberGhost – Also provided respectable speeds averaging 25-40 Mbps based on location and protocol. Sufficient for HD/4K streaming with few slowdowns.
In the Surfshark vs CyberGhost speed comparison, both services enabled fast streaming and downloads. Surfshark scored faster peak rates while CyberGhost showed better consistency across different servers. For speed and performance, Surfshark vs CyberGhost are well matched, though Surfshark has a slight throughput advantage for simpler setups.
Streaming & Torrenting
Many consumers use VPNs specifically to access blocked streaming content or share files via torrenting:
- Surfshark – Unblocks Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ along with 15 other dedicated streaming profiles. All servers allow P2P and torrent transfers.
- CyberGhost – Successfully unblocks Netflix US and UK in testing. Provides configurable dedicated streaming profile. Permits torrents on specified servers only.
For video streaming access, Surfshark vs CyberGhost gives the advantage to Surfshark for smoothly unblocking more services including tricky ones like Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video.
For P2P torrenting, Surfshark again dominates by offering full file-sharing compatibility on all 3200+ servers globally.
Platform Support
It’s most convenient when a VPN works across all major platforms:
- Surfshark – Offers native apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and Fire TV plus manual setup guides for gaming consoles, routers, etc.
- CyberGhost- Provides dedicated clients for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. Limited additional device compatibility.
Surfshark supports more systems overall like smart TVs and routers. So Surfshark vs CyberGhost goes to Surfshark to cover more gadgets.
Surfshark Vs CyberGhost: Pricing & Plans
Of course, pricing often affects which VPN offers the best value:
Surfshark
- Month-to-month – $14.99
- 6 months – $7.99/mo ($48 total)
- 24 months – $3.49/mo ($84 total)
CyberGhost
- Month-to-month – $15.99
- 1 year – $3.75/month ($45 total)
- 2 years – $2.75/mo ($66 total)
Evaluating the cost of Surfshark vs CyberGhost shows Surfshark has better monthly pricing and super cheap 2-year rates. But CyberGhost comes ahead on 1-year pricing. Both offer 30-day refund periods to try risk-free. Overall Surfshark wins on value the longer you subscribe. But shorter CyberGhost plans cost less in the Surfshark vs CyberGhost financial comparison.
Ease of Use
A VPN should be straightforward to set up and use even for networking novices:
- Surfshark – Gets high marks for an intuitive app design centred around quick connect features. But still allows under-the-hood customization for advanced users.
- CyberGhost – Also offers handy quick-connect profiles but the console has steeper learning managing configurations like dedicated streaming profile, ad blocking and such.
Based on simplicity, Surfshark vs CyberGhost goes to Surfshark for the most user-friendly experience for VPN newcomers while still satisfying experts. CyberGhost has great options but is more involved.
Trustworthiness
It’s prudent to weigh each VPN’s reputation and track record:
- Surfshark – A rising VPN star since 2018, Surfshark is completely transparent about ownership, history and infrastructure. Actively participates in advancing online privacy.
- CyberGhost – An established VPN provider since 2011, formerly owned by Crossrider/Kape until the buyout by Norton LifeLock (previously Symantec) in 2021 for the merger.
Both companies initially gained user trust over the past decade. Surfshark management has more direct VPN experience but CyberGhost benefits from the stability of the Norton security umbrella. A subjective draw depends on viewpoints.
The Verdict: Surfshark or CyberGhost?
Surfshark consistently matched or edged out CyberGhost evaluating Surfshark vs CyberGhost in key areas:
Surfshark Pros
- Faster peak connection speeds
- Fewer usage restrictions and content blocks
- Unblocks more streaming services
- Supports P2P activity on all 3200+ servers
- Intuitive and newbie-friendly apps
- Long-term savings with very cheap 2-year pricing
CyberGhost Pros
- Established security backing via Norton ownership
- Expertise in catering privacy features to European markets
- Local servers deployed across 90+ countries
- Short-term savings on 1-year plan cost
- Capable streaming and torrenting functionality
Conclusion
After thoroughly examining Surfshark vs CyberGhost across various metrics, Surfshark emerges as the quintessential choice, excelling in speed, privacy features, and user-friendliness. However, CyberGhost warrants attention, particularly for those seeking a budget-friendly option or prioritizing European standards backed by the reputable Norton brand. Explore further insights on Surfshark vs CyberGhost for iOS on their respective official websites and TheWebHunting. Making the right VPN choice has never been more crucial; let this guide illuminate your path to online security and freedom.
