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The All About Cookies editorial team strives to provide accurate, in-depth information and reviews to help you, our reader, make online privacy decisions with confidence. Here's what you can expect from us:
Best for Affordable Privacy
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High-speed global servers offering industry-leading 256-bit AES encryption and no data logs
Unlimited bandwidth, DNS and IP leak protection, and automatic kill switch available for up to 7 devices
Configurable with your router, smart TV, Amazon Fire TV stick, or gaming console
Best for Top-Notch Service
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Hides intrusive display ads when browsing the web, improving page speed and easing data usage on mobile
Privacy and safety benefits of a VPN with best-in-class encryption and innovative server technology in 105 countries
Enjoy no activity logs, malicious sites and trackers protection, and more on up to 8 devices
ExpressVPN and CyberGhost are two of the top virtual private network (VPN) providers. ExpressVPN has a premium cost, but it does provide a high-quality VPN. The Lightway protocol is unique to ExpressVPN, and it does a great job of ensuring fast internet speeds while protecting your data.
Meanwhile, CyberGhost is far more affordable and does everything you expect from a VPN. It's a no-frills option, but it didn't quite impress as much as ExpressVPN.
Learn more about how CyberGhost and ExpressVPN compare.
Between CyberGhost and ExpressVPN, ExpressVPN is the service that edges ahead. It provides extraordinary service with fast speeds, robust security features, and dedicated customer support.
But don't sleep on CyberGhost either. It's a user-friendly service that has a significantly lower starting cost and unique features like specialty servers.
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| Price | From $12.99/mo | From $12.95/mo |
| Max # of simultaneous connections | 7 | 8 |
| 24/7 customer support | ||
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and more | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and more |
| # of servers | Undisclosed number of servers in 100 countries | Undisclosed number of servers in 100 countries |
| VPN protocol | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| No-logs policy | No logs | No logs |
| Unblocks Netflix? | ||
| Learn more | Get CyberGhost | Get ExpressVPN |
We complete standardized hands-on tests for each VPN we review so we can put their claims to the test. This includes vigorous third-party testing by comparing our internet speed while connected to different servers, checking for DNS leaks, making sure the kill switch actually works, and more. We also make sure we can comfortably access popular streaming sites, like Netflix, and still do our day-to-day work without interruption.
Once we’ve completed the testing, our editorial rating is calculated by taking into account key features you’d expect from a good product. We score each VPN in the following categories and use a weighted average to calculate the final rating out of 5 stars: price, server count, speed, security, and features.
To learn more about how we test, check out our full VPN methodology here.
CyberGhost is a great choice if you're looking to secure your devices on a budget. Its lowest price is $2.03/mo (billed every two years) for a two-year plan, which often includes extra months thrown in.
CyberGhost also has unique features to make its subscriptions worthwhile. There are servers that have been optimized for specific online activities like streaming and gaming.
Finally, CyberGhost doesn't skimp on privacy. Its headquarters are in privacy-friendly Romania and it routinely has its no-logs policy audited by third parties like Deloitte.
ExpressVPN has a premium price tag, but it provides a premium service. For one, its proprietary VPN protocol called Lightway is designed to be fast without compromising security.
And although ExpressVPN doesn't disclose its server count, it does offer servers in 105 countries. According to a customer service agent, each server location can have hundreds of servers each.
Finally, ExpressVPN has features that extend beyond the VPN service. With a subscription, you'll get tools like ExpressVPN Keys, a password manager, and Threat Manager, which blocks ads, trackers, and malicious sites.
CyberGhost takes the win for its significantly lower starting price and longer money-back guarantee.
Our Pick
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| Price range | $2.03–$12.99/mo | $6.67–$12.95/mo |
| Best value plan | Two-year plan for $2.03/mo (billed every two years) | 12-month plan for $6.67/mo (billed annually) |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — 45 days for annual plans, 14 days for monthly plans | Yes — 30 days |
| Learn more | Get CyberGhost | Get ExpressVPN |
When it comes to the best long-term subscription plan, you can save money on a VPN with CyberGhost. ExpressVPN’s yearly subscription can be more than three times the cost in comparison to CyberGhost’s two-year plan.
If you prefer the flexibility of a month-to-month plan, then ExpressVPN is nominally cheaper. However, ExpressVPN only has an annual, a six-month, and a monthly subscription term.
CyberGhost also has a longer money-back guarantee of 45 days, so long as you don’t opt for the monthly plan. The monthly plan has a 14-day money-back guarantee. ExpressVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is pretty standard for VPNs.
Payment options can be a concern for some people. Bitcoin payments are usually preferred by those wishing to protect their privacy since there is typically no identifying information attached. If you live abroad, you may want to use a different payment method than is traditionally used in places like the U.S. Here's a quick overview of what payment options each VPN offers.
ExpressVPN is the better option in this category, increasing our speed with every server location.
| Server location |
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Our Pick
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| US | 48% decrease | 4% increase |
| CA | 79% decrease | 7% increase |
| UK | 42% decrease | 10% increase |
| AU | 83% decrease | 3% increase |
| Learn more | Get CyberGhost | Get ExpressVPN |
Using a VPN will slow down your internet connection, but it should only have a minimal impact on your speed to keep your device from becoming unusable. But VPNs can significantly reduce internet speeds, especially if you select servers that are far from your physical location.
CyberGhost significantly reduced our internet speeds, even with servers close to our location. The Canadian server dropped our speed by nearly 80%, which was similar to how much our speed dropped with the Australian server.
On the other hand, ExpressVPN increased our internet speeds with every server we selected. Although it was a small increase, we still appreciate that we don't have to worry about speed with ExpressVPN.
Both services are evenly matched with features, but ExpressVPN edges CyberGhost out with its additional features focused on speed and privacy.
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Our Pick
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| Number of servers | Undisclosed number of servers in 100 countries | Undisclosed number of servers in 105 countries |
| No-logs policy | No logs | No logs |
| VPN headquarters | Romania | British Virgin Islands |
| Encryption | AES-256 | AES-256 |
| VPN protocol | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| Kill switch | ||
| Split tunneling | ||
| DNS leak protection | ||
| Ad blocker | ||
| Learn more | Get CyberGhost | Get ExpressVPN |
CyberGhost and ExpressVPN share many similarities. Both providers have had their no-logs policies audited by third parties. CyberGhost had its audit completed by Deloitte in March 2023 while ExpressVPN was successfully audited by KPMG in December 2023.
Both are also based in data privacy-friendly countries outside of the Eyes alliances. CyberGhost is based in Romania, while ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands.
One of the most notable differences is the VPN protocols. CyberGhost uses several common protocols, including WireGuard. However, ExpressVPN has Lightway, which is unique to its product. Lightway is designed to keep speeds fast while still being reliable and secure.
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ExpressVPN includes several features to make its price worthwhile. You'll get Threat Manager, which can block ads, trackers, and malicious sites. There's also ExpressVPN Keys, which is ExpressVPN's built-in password manager that's been independently audited. You'll even be able to block adult websites as a parental control.
CyberGhost's special featuers included specialized servers for online activities like streaming, torrenting, and gaming. It also includes a c ontent blocker, which will protect your device from ads and trackers.
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ExpressVPN has a more intuitive interface and its customer support representatives provided a better experience compared to CyberGhost.
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Our Pick
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| Windows | ||
| macOS | ||
| Android | ||
| iOS | ||
| Linux | ||
| Browser extensions | Yes — Chrome and Firefox | Yes — Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, and Vivaldi |
| Router | ||
| Smart devices | ||
| 24/7 support | ||
| Customer support options | Live chat, email, online guides | Live chat, email, online guides |
| Learn more | Get CyberGhost | Get ExpressVPN |
Both CyberGhost and ExpressVPN have great device compatibility, and you can easily connect both providers to several operating systems and devices, including smart TVs. We also thought the interface for both providers was user-friendly.
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However, the CyberGhost app wouldn't change screen sizes on a Chromebook. It took up the whole screen, and there was no way to change the window size.
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CyberGhost and ExpressVPN both offer the same customer service options: 24/7 live chat, email, and an online knowledge base.
For our reviews, we tested each provider's live chat customer support option. ExpressVPN provided an overall pleasant experience but we didn't have the same experience with CyberGhost. After 40 minutes of chatting, we didn't get the answers we were looking for and found the overall service slow.
Yes, ExpressVPN is safe to use while banking. It uses AES 256-bit encryption to protect your connection. It also passed our leak protection security tests for DNS leaks and WebRTC leaks.
The first step to setting up a CyberGhost VPN router is to choose a VPN-compatible router. Your router should have OpenVPN protocols, and you can find this information in its documentation. Then you can take steps to configure CyberGhost VPN manually and set up a VPN on a router.
Alternatively, you can purchase a router with a pre-installed CyberGhost VPN, which can make the setup process easier.
The downside to ExpressVPN is its expensive price. Starting at $6.67/mo (billed annually), it has one of the highest subscription prices of the VPNs we've reviewed.
However, if you prefer paying month-to-month, then ExpressVPN is $12.95/mo, which is comparable to other VPN providers like CyberGhost.
Yes, there is a CyberGhost Android app. You can download it directly from the Google Play Store and try a seven-day free trial. It's compatible with any phone running Android 5 (Lollipop) or higher.
The CyberGhost Android app can work on devices like Samsung, Huawei, Sony, LG, and Google.
ExpressVPN is the best VPN service of the two. Despite its higher subscription cost, it justifies its worth with the advanced Lightway protocol that enables fast internet speeds and no issues unblocking streaming content. ExpressVPN also impressed us with excellent customer support and a wide variety of payment options.
CyberGhost put up a strong fight with affordable prices and has the essential features for a VPN. But it suffered slower internet speeds, sometimes difficult usability, and a poor customer support experience in comparison to ExpressVPN.
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Hides intrusive display ads when browsing the web, improving page speed and easing data usage on mobile
Privacy and safety benefits of a VPN with best-in-class encryption and innovative server technology in 105 countries
Enjoy no activity logs, malicious sites and trackers protection, and more on up to 8 devices
CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are two services on the opposite ends of the cost spectrum. If you want a better idea of what services you can purchase in between, take a look at our recommendations below:
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| Price | $3.39–$15.99/mo | $2.19–$17.95/mo | $2.03–$11.99/mo |
| Free version | |||
| Max # of connected devices | 10 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| # of servers | 6,300+ servers in 111 countries | 3,200 in 100 countries | Servers in 91 countries |
| VPN protocol | NordLynx (WireGuard), OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | WireGuard, OpenVPN |
| Encryption | AES 256-bit | AES 256-bit | AES-128-GCM |
| No-logs policy | No logs | No logs | No logs |
| Headquarters | Panama | The Netherlands | United States |
| Netflix access | |||
| Learn more | Get NordVPN | Get Private Internet Access | Get CyberGhost |
Hides intrusive display ads when browsing the web, improving page speed and easing data usage on mobile
Privacy and safety benefits of a VPN with best-in-class encryption and innovative server technology in 105 countries
Enjoy no activity logs, malicious sites and trackers protection, and more on up to 8 devices
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