Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | NordVPN | CyberGhost |
|---|---|---|
| Server count | 6,300+ in 111 countries | 11,400+ in 100 countries |
| Price (2-year plan) | ~$3.99/mo | ~$2.19/mo |
| Price (monthly) | ~$12.99/mo | ~$12.99/mo |
| Simultaneous devices | 6 | 7 |
| Protocols | NordLynx, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| Jurisdiction | Panama | Romania |
| Parent company | Nord Security | Kape Technologies |
| No-logs audit | Deloitte (multiple) | Deloitte (2022) + quarterly reports |
| Dedicated streaming servers | Yes (labeled in app) | Yes (platform-specific labels: Netflix, BBC, etc.) |
| Kill switch | Yes | Yes |
| Ad blocking | Threat Protection (advanced) | No built-in |
| Streaming (Netflix US) | Reliable | Reliable (dedicated servers) |
Our Picks
- No adware-history ownership concerns
- NordLynx (WireGuard) — consistently faster
- Threat Protection: advanced ad/malware blocking
- Multiple Deloitte audits
- Panama jurisdiction
- Streaming servers less explicitly labeled by platform
- 6 device limit (vs CyberGhost's 7)
- Platform-labeled streaming servers (Netflix US, BBC, etc.)
- 11,400+ servers — largest network
- 7 simultaneous devices
- Beginner-friendly app interface
- Quarterly transparency reports
- Kape Technologies ownership history
- No built-in ad or malware blocking
- Less consistent BBC iPlayer reliability than NordVPN
CyberGhost's Streaming Server Labels
CyberGhost's most distinctive feature is its streaming server organization. Instead of selecting a country and hoping the server works with Netflix, CyberGhost has a 'For Streaming' tab in its app with servers explicitly labeled by platform and region: 'Netflix US,' 'BBC iPlayer UK,' 'Disney+ UK,' 'Hulu US.' Each label includes a success rate indicator. For users who want zero guesswork about which server to use for which service, this is the most beginner-friendly streaming interface of any major VPN.
NordVPN also has streaming-optimized servers but labels them less specifically — you typically select a country server marked as streaming-optimized rather than a platform-specific server. For technically comfortable users, this is not a meaningful difference. For true beginners, CyberGhost's explicit labels reduce friction significantly.
The Kape Technologies Question
CyberGhost is owned by Kape Technologies, a company formerly known as Crossrider — which had a history of distributing adware before rebranding and pivoting to the VPN industry. This history is frequently cited in VPN discussions. Kape has since acquired multiple VPN providers (CyberGhost, Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN) and has made significant efforts to distance itself from its adware past, including commissioning third-party audits and publishing detailed transparency reports.
Whether Kape's history is a disqualifying concern depends on your threat model. For casual streaming use, the operational evidence suggests CyberGhost is functioning as a normal VPN. For users with high privacy requirements, the ownership history of NordVPN (independent, Panama-based, no such history) makes it the more comfortable choice.
Server Count: Quality vs Quantity
CyberGhost's 11,400+ server count is the largest advertised by any VPN. NordVPN has 6,300+. In practice, more servers does not always mean better performance — it depends on how those servers are maintained, how frequently IPs are rotated for streaming purposes, and how server load is managed. NordVPN's smaller but well-maintained network has consistently outperformed CyberGhost in streaming reliability for services like BBC iPlayer in independent testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CyberGhost safe?
CyberGhost has an audited no-logs policy (Deloitte, 2022) and publishes quarterly transparency reports showing law enforcement requests received and data shared. Its ownership by Kape Technologies is a historical concern that many users factor in, but operational evidence since the acquisition shows it functioning as a standard privacy-focused VPN.
Does CyberGhost work with Netflix?
Yes. CyberGhost maintains platform-specific streaming servers labeled explicitly for Netflix US, UK, and other regions. These dedicated servers are regularly updated when Netflix blocks IPs. The platform-specific labeling makes finding the right server easier than most competing VPNs.
Which is faster, NordVPN or CyberGhost?
NordVPN is consistently faster in independent speed tests, primarily due to the NordLynx protocol being a more optimized WireGuard implementation than CyberGhost's WireGuard deployment. For typical home broadband speeds (under 200 Mbps), the difference is imperceptible in daily use. At faster connections (500 Mbps+), NordVPN's performance advantage becomes more measurable.
Does CyberGhost allow torrenting?
Yes. CyberGhost has dedicated P2P-optimized servers visible in its app under the 'For Torrenting' tab, similar to its streaming server organization. NordVPN also allows torrenting but directs P2P traffic through servers in countries with favorable copyright enforcement policies (Switzerland, Netherlands, etc.).