Which VPN Ought to You Select?

As one of the vital widespread VPNs right this moment, NordVPN affords a powerful steadiness of quick efficiency, handy safety features and an total polished person expertise. Then again, CyberGhost has additionally constructed a fame for being a strong VPN with its giant server fleet, intuitive software and optimized server choices.

With these two high quality choices, it could be tough to determine which VPN is best for you and your small business. Thankfully, there are key variations that assist set CyberGhost VPN and NordVPN aside.

On this article, we check out which VPN supplier is best for you and your group.

  • CyberGhostVPN: Greatest for people and small groups with particular VPN use instances like streaming, torrenting or gaming.
  • NordVPN: Greatest for many companies searching for an all-around VPN that gives dependable speeds, a refined person expertise and helpful further options.

CyberGhost VPN vs NordVPN: Comparability

Whereas each VPNs can simply set up encrypted connections for you and your small business, they differ in key areas reminiscent of gadget connections, server networks and free trial entry. Beneath is a abstract wanting into these options:

CyberGhost VPN
NordVPN
Our ranking
4.3 out of 5
4.7 out of 5 stars
Safety protocols
OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2
OpenVPN, NordLynx (based mostly on WireGuard)
No. of servers
11,000+ (reportedly)
6,400+
VPN server places
100 international locations
111 international locations
Simultaneous gadget places
7
10
Supported platforms
Home windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Android TV, Amazon Hearth TV, good TVs, routers, Apple TV, Roku TV, recreation consoles, proxy for Chrome, proxy for Firefox, Synology NAS, Raspberry Pi
Home windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Apple TV, routers, recreation consoles
Free trial
1-day free trial (no fee information required)
7-day free trial by way of Android (can register on different platforms afterwards)
Beginning worth
$6.99 per thirty days (6-month plan)
$4.99 per thirty days (annual plan)

CyberGhost VPN vs NordVPN: Pricing

CyberGhost VPN pricing

CyberGhost has three subscription choices: a month-to-month, six-month and two-year plan. I personally would have beloved for CyberGhost to supply a one-year subscription plan as nicely, since this affords a comparatively affordable contract size at a decrease month-to-month worth.

  • 1 month: $12.99 per thirty days.
  • 6 months: $6.99 per thirty days.
  • 2 years: $2.19 per thirty days.

One handy providing from CyberGhost is its 24-hour desktop free trial. At first look, one would possibly assume that is too brief for a trial. Nonetheless, it’s distinctive in that it’s one of many few free trials that doesn’t require any fee or bank card data.

SEE: Does a VPN Sluggish Down Your Web Pace? (TechRepublic)

That is in distinction to different VPN free trials, which both require some type of fee data or solely give free trial entry to the VPN’s cellular software, not desktop.

On this regard, I actually commend CyberGhost for being beneficiant to customers in letting them check drive its software program with no strings hooked up. Hopefully, different VPN suppliers will observe swimsuit in making their free trials extra accessible.

If you wish to be taught extra, learn our full CyberGhost VPN assessment.

NordVPN pricing

NordVPN has three subscription tiers, with every tier having a month-to-month, an annual and a two-year plan possibility. The tiers are NordVPN Fundamental, Plus and Full, and have various function inclusions as you go additional up.

Beneath is a fast abstract of pricing and options included with every subscription tier:

Fundamental Plus Full
Month-to-month $12.99 per thirty days $13.99 per thirty days $14.99 per thirty days
1 yr $4.99 per thirty days $5.99 per thirty days $6.99 per thirty days
2 years $3.99 per thirty days $4.99 per thirty days $5.99 per thirty days
Options Consists of principal VPN service All Fundamental options plus anti-malware and searching safety, password supervisor and information breach scanner All Plus options plus 1TB encrypted cloud storage

Whereas NordVPN has a seven-day free trial, it’s solely accessible by way of its Android cellular app. Even in case you can check out its desktop counterpart after accessing the trial on Android, I nonetheless wished NordVPN had at the very least the identical free trial providing for iOS customers as nicely.

SEE: Can a VPN Be Hacked? (TechRepublic)

This may at the very least make the free trial accessible to most smartphone customers, not simply these within the Android ecosystem.

If you wish to be taught extra, learn our full NordVPN assessment.

CyberGhost VPN vs NordVPN: Characteristic comparability

Safety protocols and encryption

Winner: Tie

When it comes to safety protocols and encryption, it’s a tie. Each CyberGhost VPN and NordVPN include the requisite VPN protocols we wish in a contemporary VPN answer. Ideally, we wish a mixture of security-focused protocols like OpenVPN and speed-centric protocols like WireGuard.

CyberGhost VPN’s VPN protocol menu.
CyberGhost VPN’s VPN protocol menu. Picture: Luis Millares

Thankfully, each VPNs hit this mark. CyberGhost comes with OpenVPN, WireGuard and IKEv2 protocols. In the meantime, NordVPN carries OpenVPN and NordLynx — its WireGuard based mostly proprietary protocol.

SEE: NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: Which VPN Is Greatest? (TechRepublic)

The 2 VPNs additionally make the most of top-tier encryption algorithms for his or her respective providers. Each CyberGhost VPN and NordVPN use 256-bit encryption, well known because the business customary encryption algorithm. For context, authorities companies, banks and even navy establishments use AES 256 to safe their information towards malicious third events.

VPN server community and places

Winner: NordVPN

NordVPN takes the spherical on the subject of having the higher VPN server fleet. As of July 2024, NordVPN has 6,400+ servers throughout 111 international locations — hitting a very good candy spot over the three,000-4,000 and 65-country common I’ve seen throughout different VPNs.

Server list within the NordVPN desktop app.
Server record inside the NordVPN desktop app. Picture: Luis Millares

Compared, CyberGhost reportedly has round 11,000+ servers in 100 international locations. Regardless of CyberGhost having considerably extra servers, I discover extra worth in NordVPN’s bigger nation/location depend compared. It is because a bigger nation depend provides companies extra flexibility in having the ability to entry a bigger number of geo-restricted content material.

CyberGhostVPN’s server selection.
CyberGhostVPN’s server choice. Picture: Luis Millares

If your small business primarily desires a VPN with a geographically numerous server suite, NordVPN’s 111-country server community is the higher alternative over CyberGhost’s 100-country fleet. The bigger nation depend may even profit companies that journey, because it provides them extra choices when selecting a brand new VPN IP deal with or location.

Third-party audits and monitor information

Winner: Tie

For third-party safety audits and total safety file, I rating it a tie. Each CyberGhost VPN and NordVPN have fortunately undergone impartial audits assessing their respective VPN providers.

NordVPN’s press release on its 4th no-logs audit.
NordVPN’s press launch on its 4th no-logs audit. Picture: NordVPN

As of July 2024, NordVPN has accomplished 4 impartial audits. Particularly, these audits assessed NordVPN’s no-logs coverage — wanting into whether or not its service doesn’t file person searching information because it claims.

In the meantime, CyberGhost has additionally lately accomplished its second impartial audit carried out by Deloitte and revealed final Might 2024. This audit examined CyberGhost VPN’s “server community and its administration methods.”

May 2024 Deloitte audit on CyberGhost VPN.
Might 2024 Deloitte audit on CyberGhost VPN. Picture: CyberGhost

I commend each VPNs for exhibiting dedication to third-party testing, particularly because it’s really easy to make claims about how VPNs deal with person information. Nonetheless, I might say that each CyberGhost and NordVPN could possibly be extra clear in sharing their audit outcomes.

SEE: Surfshark vs NordVPN: Which VPN Is Higher in 2024? (TechRepublic)

Each VPNs’ opted to not share the complete outcomes to the general public, with the complete report solely accessible you probably have an present CyberGhost VPN or NordVPN account. In keeping with them, this was achieved to keep away from any of the audit findings to be taken out of context.

Whereas that is comprehensible, I personally assume the higher transfer can be to publish the outcomes — good or dangerous — as a way to construct belief and credibility with the general public.

Standout options

Winner: NordVPN

In relation to extra options, I give it to NordVPN. On prime of its VPN, NordVPN features a ton of additional safety capabilities and VPN-focused options for an enhanced expertise. It features a darkish net monitor that alerts customers of leaked logins and built-in menace safety towards trackers and malware.

NordVPN’s dark web monitor.
NordVPN’s darkish net monitor. Picture: Luis Millares

One spotlight addition is NordVPN’s Meshnet function, which lets customers create a safe personal community that allows encrypted file-sharing on a number of gadgets.

Secure file-sharing via NordVPN’s Meshnet feature.
Safe file-sharing by way of NordVPN’s Meshnet function. Picture: Luis Millares

I additionally like how NordVPN goes all-in when it comes to safety with their server know-how. For instance, it has obfuscated servers that disguise the truth that you’re utilizing a VPN — a vital function in areas that limit VPN use. It additionally has a double VPN function that mechanically modifications IP addresses twice for added safety.

NordVPN’s Double VPN feature.
NordVPN’s Double VPN function. Picture: NordVPN

This isn’t to say that CyberGhost doesn’t have standout performance as nicely. I actually like CyberGhost VPN’s handy categorization of its optimized servers. Particularly, its desktop software separates servers optimized for streaming, torrenting and gaming.

CyberGhost VPN optimized servers.
CyberGhost VPN optimized servers. Picture: Luis Millares

It additionally has a strong Good Guidelines panel that lets customers configure automations after sure occasions or actions are fulfilled. For instance, you’ll be able to set CyberGhost VPN to mechanically connect with a server of your alternative after you launch the desktop consumer.

CyberGhost Smart Rules panel.
CyberGhost Good Guidelines panel. Picture: Luis Millares

Whereas CyberGhost has tips up its sleeve, I really feel NordVPN simply has a stronger providing of extra options alongside its principal VPN service.

Efficiency and velocity

Winner: NordVPN

For VPN velocity and efficiency, NordVPN will get the benefit over CyberGhost VPN. Per my testing, it recorded the general sooner speeds and confirmed extra consistency when it comes to connectivity.

To supply context, I examined for velocity by connecting to a VPN server from every service and doing my ordinary workflow as a author. This concerned having a number of Chrome tabs open for analysis, streaming the occasional 1080p YouTube video, attending on-line video conferences and utilizing Google apps like Docs and Drive, amongst others.

SEE: Free VPN vs Paid VPN: Which One Is Proper for You? (TechRepublic)

In these duties, I really had zero points with both CyberGhost VPN and NordVPN. I didn’t encounter any slowdowns and usually had a great searching expertise with each.

The distinction got here in velocity testing, the place NordVPN recorded actually spectacular outcomes in comparison with CyberGhost. In comparison with my web service supplier, NordVPN had a drop of solely 5.80% for obtain speeds and 16.18% for uploads.

Then again, CyberGhost had an equally respectable 7.52% drop in downloads and a extra vital 48.21% lower for uploads.

Whereas I personally assume each VPNs can present quick and dependable speeds, my testing confirmed that NordVPN will supply higher efficiency in each obtain and upload-intensive duties.

Ease of use and design

Winner: Tie

For ease of use, we get one other tie. In my view, CyberGhost VPN and NordVPN each supply very intuitive and well-designed desktop purchasers that may accommodate all sorts of customers.

NordVPN main desktop interface.
NordVPN principal desktop interface. Picture: Luis Millares

NordVPN employs a smooth and trendy design that I discovered to be simple to grasp and nice to make use of. There’s no muddle, and I felt like I used to be utilizing a premium service from the get-go. As well as, I by no means discovered Nord’s desktop consumer overwhelming, even with its intensive suite of options, as all of it was neatly organized inside the app.

SEE: How A lot Does a VPN Value? + Financial savings Suggestions (TechRepublic)

Then again, CyberGhost VPN makes use of a darker-themed software however supplies a equally intuitive expertise. It has an organized set of tabs the place yow will discover its servers and different options, in addition to a outstanding On/Off button which handles establishing or ending VPN connections.

CyberGhost desktop application.
CyberGhost desktop software. Picture: Luis Millares

A giant plus for me with CyberGhost’s desktop consumer is its nifty categorization of its optimized servers for streaming, torrenting and gaming. I can envision this saving numerous time for customers who wish to shortly connect with a specialised server in a pinch.

No matter which VPN you select, I’m assured that each CyberGhost and NordVPN will depart you fairly glad with their respective person expertise.

Simultaneous gadget connections

Winner: NordVPN

In relation to simultaneous gadget connections, NordVPN wins. Proper now, NordVPN permits for a most of 10 gadgets related on the identical time. In the meantime, CyberGhost VPN permits solely a most of seven gadgets related concurrently.

SEE: Learn how to Begin a Profession in Cybersecurity (TechRepublic Premium)

Whereas I might have beloved it if each VPNs allowed for limitless simultaneous gadget connections, NordVPN’s three extra extra gadgets is a major benefit. This lets companies join their smartphones, laptops and different gadgets extra freely with the much less restrictive gadget restrict.

You probably have a number of gadgets or have a number of workers you need related to a VPN server on the identical time, NordVPN goes to be the higher possibility right here.

CyberGhost VPN execs and cons

Execs

  • Customizable Good Guidelines automation panel.
  • Server community throughout 100 international locations; 11,000+ servers.
  • Optimized servers for streaming, torrenting and gaming.
  • 24-hour desktop free trial, with no fee particulars required.

Cons

  • No 1-year subscription.
  • Solely permits as much as 7 gadgets related at a time.
  • Audit is just accessible with an official account.

NordVPN execs and cons

Execs

  • Servers unfold throughout 111 international locations; 6,400+ servers.
  • Quick obtain and add speeds.
  • As much as 10 simultaneous gadget connections.
  • Consists of security-focused extra options.

Cons

  • Impartial audit outcomes require a NordVPN account.
  • On the dearer facet.
  • Free trial is by way of Android solely.

Ought to your group use CyberGhost VPN or NordVPN?

Between the 2 VPNs, NordVPN will get my vote as the higher total VPN answer. It contains an intensive suite of options that complement its VPN service; affords a various 111-country server suite to unblock geo-restricted content material; and supplies constantly quick VPN speeds that may deal with each obtain and upload-heavy duties.

That is on prime of getting a simple to make use of and well-designed VPN software and a extra beneficiant gadget restrict on the subject of simultaneous gadget connections. It’s no marvel NordVPN has garnered a powerful fame as an all-around VPN service.

NordVPN is finest for many companies that desire a no-nonsense VPN that’s dependable, contains a wide range of safety features and affords an intensive server fleet.

This isn’t to decrease CyberGhost VPN’s high quality in any respect. Quite the opposite, I really feel CyberGhost is a strong decide for small groups or particular person customers that particularly have streaming, torrenting or gaming as their principal causes to make use of a VPN.

It’s additionally a good selection for potential customers fascinated by making an attempt a premium VPN software, by way of its beneficiant 24-hour desktop free trial.

Methodology

My comparability of CyberGhost VPN and NordVPN concerned an in-depth evaluation of each VPN’s options, real-world efficiency and worth.

To judge every VPN, each providers had been scored on every thing from their server networks to their pricing. Particularly, I took under consideration 5 principal pillars, every having corresponding weights:

  • Pricing (20%).
  • Core VPN options (30%).
  • Ease of use (15%).
  • Buyer assist (30%).
  • Skilled evaluation (5%).

I additionally seemed into actual person testimonials and respected critiques to spherical out my last suggestions for each CyberGhost VPN and NordVPN.

For velocity and efficiency, I examined each VPNs on my private Home windows pc and ran them by way of Ookla’s public Speedtest. Lastly, I considered which sorts of companies or particular person customers would finest profit from both CyberGhost VPN or NordVPN.

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