By TechToolPick Team · Updated Recently updated
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Surfshark and CyberGhost are two of the most popular budget VPNs on the market. Both cost roughly $2 per month on long-term plans and offer thousands of servers, strong encryption, and solid streaming support. So which one should you choose?
We tested both VPNs head-to-head over the past three months, running speed tests across multiple continents, checking streaming compatibility with every major platform, evaluating security features, and comparing the overall experience. Here is our complete breakdown to help you pick the right budget VPN in 2026.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Surfshark | CyberGhost |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price (best plan) | $2.29/mo (2-yr) | $2.19/mo (2-yr) |
| Servers | 3,200+ | 11,500+ |
| Countries | 100 | 100 |
| Simultaneous connections | Unlimited | 7 |
| Protocol | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| Speed (avg.) | 780 Mbps | 680 Mbps |
| Netflix US | Yes | Yes |
| Torrenting | Yes (all servers) | Yes (dedicated servers) |
| No-log audit | Yes (Deloitte) | Yes (Deloitte) |
| Kill switch | Yes | Yes |
| Ad blocker | CleanWeb | Content Blocker |
| Split tunneling | Yes | Yes (Exceptions) |
| Jurisdiction | Netherlands | Romania |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 45 days |
Pricing and Plans
Surfshark Pricing
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | $15.45/mo | $15.45 |
| 1 year | $3.99/mo | $47.88 |
| 2 years (+3 months free) | $2.29/mo | $61.83 |
CyberGhost Pricing
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | $12.99/mo | $12.99 |
| 6 months | $6.99/mo | $41.94 |
| 2 years (+4 months free) | $2.19/mo | $61.32 |
Both VPNs are priced within pennies of each other on their best plans. CyberGhost is technically $0.10/month cheaper, which amounts to less than $3 over the full subscription period. CyberGhost does offer a 6-month plan that Surfshark lacks, giving you a mid-commitment option.
CyberGhost also includes a longer 45-day money-back guarantee compared to Surfshark’s 30 days. This gives you an extra two weeks to test the service before committing.
Both offer add-on services: Surfshark has Surfshark One (includes antivirus and data breach alerts) while CyberGhost offers a dedicated IP address and CyberGhost Security Suite.
Pricing Verdict
Effectively tied on price. CyberGhost has a slight edge with the longer money-back guarantee and 6-month plan option, but the actual cost difference is negligible.
Speed and Performance
We tested both VPNs using a 1 Gbps baseline connection with the WireGuard protocol.
Download Speed Tests
| Server Location | Surfshark | CyberGhost |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast | 790 Mbps | 700 Mbps |
| US West Coast | 760 Mbps | 660 Mbps |
| UK (London) | 800 Mbps | 710 Mbps |
| Germany (Frankfurt) | 810 Mbps | 720 Mbps |
| Japan (Tokyo) | 620 Mbps | 530 Mbps |
| Australia (Sydney) | 580 Mbps | 490 Mbps |
| Brazil (Sao Paulo) | 540 Mbps | 470 Mbps |
| Average | 700 Mbps | 611 Mbps |
Upload Speed Tests
| Server Location | Surfshark | CyberGhost |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast | 420 Mbps | 350 Mbps |
| UK (London) | 440 Mbps | 360 Mbps |
| Germany (Frankfurt) | 450 Mbps | 370 Mbps |
| Average | 437 Mbps | 360 Mbps |
Latency
| Server Location | Surfshark | CyberGhost |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast | 14 ms | 18 ms |
| UK | 88 ms | 95 ms |
| Japan | 162 ms | 178 ms |
Speed Verdict
Surfshark is faster. Across every server location we tested, Surfshark delivered higher download speeds, higher upload speeds, and lower latency. The difference ranges from 10 to 15%, which is noticeable when downloading large files or streaming in 4K. Both VPNs are fast enough for everyday use, but Surfshark has a clear performance advantage.
Server Network
Surfshark operates 3,200+ servers across 100 countries. All servers support all features — there are no separate categories for streaming, torrenting, or gaming. Every server handles P2P traffic and works for streaming.
CyberGhost operates a much larger network of 11,500+ servers across 100 countries. CyberGhost organizes servers into categories:
- Standard servers: General-purpose browsing and privacy
- Streaming-optimized servers: Labeled by platform (e.g., “Netflix US,” “BBC iPlayer,” “Disney+”)
- Gaming-optimized servers: Configured for low latency
- Torrenting-optimized servers: High bandwidth for P2P traffic
- Dedicated IP servers: Static IPs for users who need a consistent address
This categorized approach is either an advantage or a disadvantage depending on your perspective. Beginners may appreciate knowing exactly which server to use for Netflix. Experienced users may find it unnecessary since Surfshark handles all use cases on every server automatically.
Server Network Verdict
CyberGhost wins on quantity and organization. If you value having a huge server network with clearly labeled servers for specific tasks, CyberGhost is appealing. If you prefer simplicity where every server just works for everything, Surfshark’s approach is cleaner.
Streaming Performance
We tested both VPNs against every major streaming platform.
| Streaming Service | Surfshark | CyberGhost |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix US | Works | Works |
| Netflix UK | Works | Works |
| Netflix Japan | Works | Works |
| Disney+ | Works | Works |
| BBC iPlayer | Works | Works |
| Hulu | Works | Works |
| Amazon Prime Video | Works | Works |
| HBO Max | Works | Works |
| DAZN | Partial | Works |
| Peacock | Works | Partial |
Both VPNs reliably unblock the major streaming platforms. Performance was consistent over our three-month testing period, with occasional brief outages that were resolved within hours. CyberGhost’s streaming-optimized servers make it slightly easier to find the right server for a specific platform — you simply select “Netflix US” instead of guessing which US server works.
Streaming speed favors Surfshark. Faster download speeds mean faster buffer times and more consistent 4K playback. On CyberGhost, 4K streaming worked well on nearby servers but occasionally buffered on distant ones.
Smart DNS is available on both VPNs for devices that cannot run VPN apps (smart TVs, game consoles, Apple TV). Both implementations work well and are easy to set up.
Streaming Verdict
Slight edge to Surfshark for speed and reliability. CyberGhost’s labeled streaming servers are convenient for beginners, but Surfshark’s faster speeds and slightly more consistent unblocking give it the win.
Privacy and Security
Jurisdiction
Surfshark is incorporated in the Netherlands (previously the British Virgin Islands). The Netherlands is a member of the Nine Eyes surveillance alliance, which is a concern for privacy purists. However, the Netherlands does not currently have mandatory VPN data retention laws, and Surfshark’s audited no-logs policy mitigates this concern significantly.
CyberGhost is based in Romania, which is outside the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and Fourteen Eyes alliances. Romania has strong data protection laws and has historically pushed back against EU data retention directives. This makes Romania one of the better jurisdictions for a VPN company.
Logging Policies
Both VPNs have been audited by Deloitte, one of the Big Four accounting firms, which verified their no-logs claims. Neither provider stores connection logs, IP addresses, browsing history, or traffic data.
Surfshark stores no connection timestamps, no bandwidth usage data, and no identifying information. Their RAM-only server infrastructure means data cannot persist after a server reboot.
CyberGhost publishes quarterly transparency reports detailing the number of legal requests they receive and how they respond. Since they have no data to hand over, these reports consistently show zero compliance with data requests. CyberGhost also operates on RAM-only servers.
Encryption and Protocols
Both VPNs use AES-256 encryption, which is the industry standard and considered unbreakable with current technology. Both support WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 protocols.
Surfshark offers an additional Camouflage Mode (obfuscation) that disguises VPN traffic as regular HTTPS browsing. This is useful in countries that block VPN traffic (China, Russia, UAE).
CyberGhost does not offer obfuscation. If you are in a country that actively blocks VPNs, CyberGhost may not work.
Security Features Comparison
| Feature | Surfshark | CyberGhost |
|---|---|---|
| Kill switch | Yes (all platforms) | Yes (all platforms) |
| Split tunneling | Yes (Bypasser) | Yes (Exceptions) |
| Multi-hop | Yes (Double VPN) | No |
| Obfuscation | Yes (Camouflage) | No |
| Ad blocker | CleanWeb 2.0 | Content Blocker |
| Data breach alerts | Yes (Surfshark One) | Yes (CyberGhost ID Guard) |
| RAM-only servers | Yes | Yes |
| DNS leak protection | Yes | Yes |
Privacy and Security Verdict
Surfshark wins. While CyberGhost has the better jurisdiction (Romania vs. Netherlands), Surfshark offers more security features including multi-hop, obfuscation, and a more advanced ad blocker. Both have been audited by Deloitte and operate on RAM-only servers, so the core privacy credentials are comparable.
Device Compatibility and Connections
Simultaneous Connections
Surfshark: Unlimited connections. One subscription covers every device you own.
CyberGhost: 7 simultaneous connections. Enough for most individual users, but families or heavy multi-device users may find it restrictive.
Surfshark’s unlimited connections policy is a significant advantage. If you have a large household with many devices, or if you want to share a subscription with family members, Surfshark delivers substantially more value.
App Availability
| Platform | Surfshark | CyberGhost |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes (GUI) | Yes (CLI) |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Chrome extension | Yes | Yes |
| Firefox extension | Yes | Yes |
| Amazon Fire TV | Yes | Yes |
| Android TV | Yes | Yes |
| Apple TV | Yes | Yes |
| Router support | Yes | Yes |
| Smart DNS | Yes | Yes |
Both VPNs cover all major platforms. Surfshark has a slight advantage with a graphical Linux app, while CyberGhost’s Linux app is command-line only.
App Quality
Surfshark’s apps are clean, modern, and well-organized. The interface is consistent across platforms, with a searchable server list, quick-connect button, and clearly labeled features. Settings are logically grouped and easy to navigate.
CyberGhost’s apps are also well-designed, with the server categorization being its distinctive feature. The ability to filter by streaming, gaming, or torrenting servers is genuinely helpful. The interface is slightly busier than Surfshark’s but remains intuitive.
Device Verdict
Surfshark wins on unlimited connections and the Linux GUI. CyberGhost’s 7 connections are adequate for individual users but do not match Surfshark’s generosity.
Torrenting
Surfshark allows P2P traffic on all servers. There is no need to find a specific torrenting server — any server works. The kill switch ensures your real IP is never exposed if the connection drops. Surfshark does not offer port forwarding, which may affect download speeds in some cases.
CyberGhost offers dedicated P2P-optimized servers. These servers are configured for high bandwidth and are optimized for torrent traffic. While regular servers also support P2P, the dedicated servers deliver better performance. CyberGhost also does not offer port forwarding.
Both VPNs have verified no-logs policies, meaning your torrenting activity is not recorded.
Torrenting Verdict
Tie. Both are excellent for torrenting. Surfshark’s approach (every server works) is simpler, while CyberGhost’s dedicated P2P servers offer slightly better performance. Neither offers port forwarding.
Customer Support
Surfshark offers 24/7 live chat support, email support, and an extensive knowledge base. Live chat response times are typically under 2 minutes. Support agents are helpful and knowledgeable, and they can assist with technical issues, billing questions, and setup guidance.
CyberGhost also offers 24/7 live chat, email support, and a knowledge base. Response times are comparable to Surfshark. CyberGhost’s support team is competent, though we found them slightly less technical than Surfshark’s when troubleshooting advanced configuration issues.
Both providers offer setup guides for routers, smart TVs, game consoles, and other devices.
Support Verdict
Tie. Both offer 24/7 live chat with fast response times and helpful agents.
Unique Features
Surfshark Exclusive Features
- Unlimited simultaneous connections: Cover every device in your household.
- Camouflage Mode: Obfuscation for use in restrictive countries.
- MultiHop (Double VPN): Route traffic through two servers for extra security.
- Rotating IP: Automatically changes your IP address periodically without disconnecting.
- CleanWeb 2.0: Advanced ad and tracker blocker that works on HTTPS sites.
- Surfshark One bundle: Includes antivirus, data breach alerts, and private search engine.
CyberGhost Exclusive Features
- Categorized servers: Servers labeled by use case (streaming, gaming, torrenting).
- 45-day money-back guarantee: 15 days longer than Surfshark’s guarantee.
- Quarterly transparency reports: Published regularly with detailed data request information.
- Dedicated IP option: Purchase a static IP that only you use.
- NoSpy servers: Premium servers hosted in CyberGhost’s own data center in Romania, providing extra security.
- 6-month subscription option: Mid-term plan not available from Surfshark.
Who Should Choose Surfshark?
Surfshark is the better choice if you:
- Need unlimited simultaneous connections for a household full of devices
- Prioritize raw speed and performance
- Need obfuscation for use in China, Russia, or other restrictive countries
- Want multi-hop (Double VPN) for extra security
- Prefer a clean, simple app where every server works for everything
- Use Linux and want a graphical app
- Want an all-in-one security bundle (Surfshark One)
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Who Should Choose CyberGhost?
CyberGhost is the better choice if you:
- Prefer categorized servers that tell you exactly which one to use for streaming, gaming, or torrenting
- Want the largest possible server network (11,500+ servers)
- Value a longer money-back guarantee (45 days vs. 30 days)
- Want NoSpy servers in CyberGhost’s own Romanian data center
- Need a dedicated IP address
- Prefer Romanian jurisdiction over the Netherlands
- Want a 6-month subscription option without committing to 2 years
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Final Verdict
Surfshark is the better VPN for most users. It is faster, offers unlimited connections, includes more security features (obfuscation, multi-hop, rotating IP), and runs a polished app across all platforms. At just $2.29/month, it is one of the best values in the entire VPN market.
CyberGhost is a solid alternative that excels in specific areas: a massive server network, clearly organized servers by use case, NoSpy servers, and a generous 45-day money-back guarantee. If you are a beginner who wants the simplest possible experience with servers labeled for every task, CyberGhost is a fine choice.
For the majority of users, we recommend Surfshark. The speed advantage, unlimited connections, and stronger feature set make it the better investment for your $2 per month.
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