Which VPN Ought to You Select?

As one of the fashionable VPNs immediately, NordVPN provides a robust steadiness of quick efficiency, handy security measures and an general polished person expertise. Alternatively, CyberGhost has additionally constructed a fame for being a strong VPN with its massive server fleet, intuitive utility and optimized server choices.

With these two high quality choices, it could be troublesome to determine which VPN is best for you and your enterprise. Luckily, 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: Finest for people and small groups with particular VPN use circumstances like streaming, torrenting or gaming.
• NordVPN: Finest for many companies searching for an all-around VPN that provides 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 enterprise, they differ in key areas similar to machine connections, server networks and free trial entry. Beneath is a abstract trying into these options:

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 liked for CyberGhost to supply a one-year subscription plan as nicely, since this provides a comparatively affordable contract size at a decrease month-to-month worth.

• 1 month: $12.99 per 30 days.
• 6 months: $6.99 per 30 days.
• 2 years: $2.19 per 30 days.

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

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

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

On this regard, I actually commend CyberGhost for being beneficiant to customers in letting them take a look at drive its software program with no strings connected. Hopefully, different VPN suppliers will comply with go well with in making their free trials extra accessible.

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

NordVPN pricing

NordVPN has three subscription tiers, with every tier having a month-to-month, an annual and a two-year plan choice. 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:

Whereas NordVPN has a seven-day free trial, it’s solely accessible through its Android cell app. Even in the event 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 could 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 overview.

CyberGhost VPN vs NordVPN: Function comparability

Safety protocols and encryption

Winner: Tie

By way of safety protocols and encryption, it’s a tie. Each CyberGhost VPN and NordVPN include the requisite VPN protocols we would like in a contemporary VPN resolution. Ideally, we would like a mixture of security-focused protocols like OpenVPN and speed-centric protocols like WireGuard.

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

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

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

VPN server community and areas

Winner: NordVPN

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

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

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

Third-party audits and observe information

Winner: Tie

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

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

In the meantime, CyberGhost has additionally not too long ago accomplished its second unbiased audit carried out by Deloitte and printed final Could 2024. This audit examined CyberGhost VPN’s “server community and its administration techniques.”

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. Nevertheless, I’d say that each CyberGhost and NordVPN may very well 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 if in case you have an current CyberGhost VPN or NordVPN account. Based on them, this was executed 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 unhealthy — as a way to construct belief and credibility with the general public.

Standout options

Winner: NordVPN

In the case of 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 risk safety in opposition to trackers and malware.

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

I additionally like how NordVPN goes all-in by way of safety with their server expertise. For instance, it has obfuscated servers that cover the truth that you’re utilizing a VPN — a vital function in areas that prohibit VPN use. It additionally has a double VPN function that robotically modifications IP addresses twice for added safety.

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. Specifically, its desktop utility separates servers optimized for streaming, torrenting and gaming.

It additionally has a strong Good Guidelines panel that lets customers configure automations after sure occasions or actions are fulfilled. For instance, you possibly can set CyberGhost VPN to robotically hook up with a server of your alternative after you launch the desktop shopper.

Whereas CyberGhost has methods up its sleeve, I really feel NordVPN simply has a stronger providing of extra options alongside its important 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 quicker speeds and confirmed extra consistency by way of connectivity.

To supply context, I examined for velocity by connecting to a VPN server from every service and doing my standard 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 truly had zero points with both CyberGhost VPN and NordVPN. I didn’t encounter any slowdowns and customarily had a superb looking 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.

Alternatively, CyberGhost had an equally respectable 7.52% drop in downloads and a extra important 48.21% lower for uploads.

Whereas I personally assume each VPNs can present quick and dependable speeds, my testing confirmed that NordVPN will provide 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 provide very intuitive and well-designed desktop purchasers that may accommodate all sorts of customers.

NordVPN employs a modern and fashionable design that I discovered to be straightforward to grasp and nice to make use of. There’s no litter, 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 shopper overwhelming, even with its in depth suite of options, as all of it was neatly organized inside the app.

SEE: How A lot Does a VPN Price? + Financial savings Ideas (TechRepublic)

Alternatively, CyberGhost VPN makes use of a darker-themed utility however offers a equally intuitive expertise. It has an organized set of tabs the place you could find its servers and different options, in addition to a distinguished On/Off button which handles establishing or ending VPN connections.

An enormous plus for me with CyberGhost’s desktop shopper is its nifty categorization of its optimized servers for streaming, torrenting and gaming. I can envision this saving a number of time for customers who need to shortly hook up 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 happy with their respective person expertise.

Simultaneous machine connections

Winner: NordVPN

In the case of simultaneous machine connections, NordVPN wins. Proper now, NordVPN permits for a most of 10 units related on the identical time. In the meantime, CyberGhost VPN permits solely a most of seven units related concurrently.

SEE: The right way to Begin a Profession in Cybersecurity (TechRepublic Premium)

Whereas I’d have liked it if each VPNs allowed for limitless simultaneous machine connections, NordVPN’s three extra extra units is a big benefit. This lets companies join their smartphones, laptops and different units extra freely with the much less restrictive machine restrict.

When you’ve got a number of units or have a number of workers you need related to a VPN server on the identical time, NordVPN goes to be the higher choice right here.

CyberGhost VPN execs and cons

Professionals

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

Cons

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

NordVPN execs and cons

Professionals

• Servers unfold throughout 111 nations; 6,400+ servers.
• Quick obtain and add speeds.
• As much as 10 simultaneous machine connections.
• Contains security-focused extra options.

Cons

• Impartial audit outcomes require a NordVPN account.
• On the costlier facet.
• Free trial is through Android solely.

Ought to your group use CyberGhost VPN or NordVPN?

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

That is on prime of getting a straightforward to make use of and well-designed VPN utility and a extra beneficiant machine restrict in the case of simultaneous machine connections. It’s no surprise NordVPN has garnered a robust fame as an all-around VPN service.

NordVPN is finest for many companies that need a no-nonsense VPN that’s dependable, consists of a wide range of security measures and provides 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 important causes to make use of a VPN.

It’s additionally a sensible choice for potential customers inquisitive about attempting a premium VPN utility, by 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 companies have been scored on every little thing from their server networks to their pricing. Specifically, I took into consideration 5 important pillars, every having corresponding weights:

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

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

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