At a Glance CyberGhost and IPVanish
CyberGhost
CyberGhost is a bargain-priced VPN provider, who despite its low price provides comprehensive online security and privacy, as well as fast connection speeds. The provider also offers excellent device support, a large global server network, and much more.
IPVanish
IPVanish is a well-known VPN provider that offers speedy, well-protected connections from its impressive global server network. Although the provider allows BitTorrenting on its entire network, its streaming support could stand some improvement.
How to Choose a VPN
Before making any important buying decision, you should always carefully research and consider the product or service. A VPN provider is no exception to the rule.
I’ll be taking a close look at two VPN providers, IPVanish and CyberGhost. I’ll explore how well both of these VPNs perform in each service category, then declare a victor in that category. Once we cover all of the important services, I’ll add up the scores and declare an overall champion.
Once we reach the end of the article you’ll have plenty of information at hand, allowing you to make a decision about which VPN is the right one for your needs.
CyberGhost and IPVanish Features
In the following sections, I’ll take a look at the features you should always consider before making a VPN buying decision.
Connection Speeds
Whether you enjoy streaming videos, playing games online, or sharing large files, a fast connection is your best friend.
My VPN connection speed tests are conducted on a regular basis. Here’s how I perform my testing:
- All tests are performed on a Windows server located in North America with a gigabit Ethernet connection.
- Connections are made to VPN servers in London, New York City, and Hong Kong, at three different times of the day.
- Tests are performed using the Windows version of the providers’ app, configured to connect using the Wireguard protocol when available.
- I run the Speedtest app after connecting to each VPN server location, exiting the Speedtest app following each speed test.
Both providers delivered quite impressive download speeds. While both VPNs’ connections were fast enough to easily handle any popular online activity, one provider was a bit faster.
CyberGhost delivered blazing download speeds, measuring in at 296.1 Mbps.
IPVanish’s average download speeds were also impressive at 251.6 Mbps.
The connection speeds you’ll see will be different from what I experienced, depending on your unprotected connection speeds, your location, and the location of the VPN server you connect to.
Average Connection Speed Winner: CyberGhost
| Provider | Avg. Connection Speed | Link |
| IPVanish | 251.6 Mbps | Visit Site |
| CyberGhost | 296.1 Mbps | Visit Site |
Pricing
Inflation is a big concern these days, and there doesn’t seem to be any relief in sight. This means that we’re all looking to save money whenever we can. However, you should never base your VPN buying decision solely on a low price.
Bargain rate VPNs may be tempting, but make sure that the provider doesn’t skimp on features, limit your usage, or lack support for multiple devices. Both CyberGhost and IPVanish boast a reasonable price, while also offering top-notch VPN services.
CyberGhost’s monthly tariff is about the price of a large Coke at your favorite fast food purveyor when you opt for the two-year plan. A 45-day money-back guarantee is available.
IPVanish’s two-year plan is available for the same monthly cost as a breakfast sandwich from that same fast food merchant. The provider offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. (You get a seven-day free trial if you subscribe using the iOS or Android apps.)
I never publish a VPN’s exact pricing in my articles, as most VPNs change their pricing and offer special deals on a regular basis. Visit a VPN provider’s website for its most current pricing.
Pricing Winner: CyberGhost
| Provider | Money-Back Guarantee Period | Link |
| IPVanish | 30 Days, 7 Day free trial on iOS and Android Signups | Visit Site |
| CyberGhost | 45 Days | Visit Site |
Privacy
Going online without a VPN protecting you ensures that you’ve left behind evidence of your online activities. This means it’s easier for nosy folks to see what you’ve been up to online. This makes a VPN’s privacy features an important consideration.
The following should always be considered when researching a VPN’s privacy protections:
- Is the provider located in a country that respects online privacy?
- Does the provider save user activity logs on its servers?
- Does the provider accept Bitcoin or other types of cryptocurrency?
IPVanish is located in the United States. Although U.S.-based VPNs are allowed, nay, encouraged by the government and law enforcement to save user activity logs, this provider follows a strict “no logs” policy. Unfortunately, the provider does not accept cryptocurrency as a subscription payment.
Romanian provider CyberGhost also respects and protects your online privacy, saving no logs of user activity. Bitcoin is present and accounted for when it comes to a private payment option here.
Privacy Winner: CyberGhost
| Provider | Privacy Ranking | Site |
| IPVanish | 4.5 | Visit Site |
| CyberGhost | 5.0 | Visit Site |
Security
As I mentioned above, there are all kinds of nosy folks that would love to watch what you do online. A VPN provider encrypts your internet connection, creating a protective tunnel that hides your online travels.
CyberGhost uses military-grade encryption, kill switch protection, DNS leak prevention, and IPv6 leak prevention to keep your online travels incognito. Available connection protocols include Wireguard, OpenVPN with TCP/UDP, IPSec, PPTP, and L2TP/IPSec. The provider also offers blocking of ads, malicious websites, and online tracking.
IPVanish uses banking-grade encryption, as well as kill switch protection, IPv6 leak and DNS leak protection. Available connection protocols include WireGuard, OpenVPN, PPTP, and L2TP/IPSec. The provider also offers a “scramble” option to disguise your VPN traffic as normal internet activity.
Security Winner: It’s a tie
| Provider | Overall Security Score | Link |
| IPVanish | 5.0 | Visit Site |
| CyberGhost | 5.0 | Visit Site |
Simultaneous Connections
I’d venture to say that most of us own and use more than one connected device each day. This means a VPN provider’s simultaneous connections allowance is an important thing to keep in mind.
IPVanish limits simultaneous connections to its servers to a total of 10.
Meanwhile, CyberGhost limits simultaneous connections to seven.
Simultaneous Connections Winner: IPVanish
| Provider | Simultaneous Connections Allowed | Link |
| IPVanish | 10 | Visit Site |
| CyberGhost | 7 | Visit Site |
Streaming Support
If you’re like me, you subscribe to multiple streaming services. Unfortunately, most of those streaming services limit the availability of their content to certain countries. This means that you’re not getting all that you could be out of your streaming subscriptions. This is where a VPN comes in handy.
A VPN can temporarily assign a new IP address to your internet-connected device, making it appear as if you are connecting to the internet from another region of the world. This opens access to content that might normally be unavailable to you in your current location.
CyberGhost provides access to numerous streaming providers. The provider’s streaming-optimized servers offer reliable access to content from Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, ESPN+, and numerous others.
IPVanish is a bit more limited when it comes to unblocking streaming content. A U.S.-based IPVanish server allowed me to watch Netflix and HBO Max content. However, I was unable to access BBC iPlayer or Netflix UK content when connected to a UK server.
Streaming Support Winner: CyberGhost
| Provider | # of U.S. Streaming Services VPN Unblocks | # of International Services VPN Unblocks | Link |
| IPVanish | 2 | 0 | Visit Site |
| CyberGhost | 10+ | 8+ | Visit Site |
BitTorrent Support
BitTorrent is an efficient way to share files with other internet users. Although file sharing is legal around most of the globe, it is illegal to share copyrighted materials.
Since copyrighted materials include movies and music, the entertainment industry puts pressure on ISPs to block file sharing. This means many ISPs will throttle or completely block your internet connection if you’re sharing files, even if the files are being shared legally.
A VPN protects against this by encrypting your internet connection and temporarily assigning a new IP address to your connected device. This means you can’t be monitored and won’t expose your real IP address.
IPVanish also allows file sharing on its entire server network.
CyberGhost allows file sharing activity on its servers in 70+ countries. The provider’s app indicates the countries where downloading-optimized servers are located.
BitTorrenting Winner: Tie
| Provider | # of Countries Where VPN Allows BitTorrents | Link |
| IPVanish | All of them | Visit Site |
| CyberGhost | 70+ Counties | Visit Site |
Global Server Coverage
If you’re simply looking for a protected connection, you might be able to skip this section. However, if you’re looking to access content in other countries, you should pay close attention.
The larger a VPN’s global server network, the better your access will be to geo-controlled content around the globe. Also, look for a provider with multiple servers stationed in each country, as that helps prevent a single server from being overwhelmed by users.
IPVanish has more than 2,000 servers located in 75+ countries around the globe.
CyberGhost has 9,000+ servers placed in 90+ countries.
Global Server Coverage Winner: CyberGhost
| Provider | Server Count | Countries | Link |
| IPVanish | 2,000+ | 75+ | Visit Site |
| CyberGhost | 9,000+ | 90+ | Visit Site |
Multi-Platform Support
If you have more than one device (and I’d bet most of you do), a VPN provider’s native app support is an important factor to consider.
CyberGhost provides native apps for Android, Android TV, iOS, macOS, Linux, Amazon Fire, and Windows device platforms. Firefox and Chrome browser extensions are also available. The provider works with select routers. (Pre-configured routers are available through Flashrouters.com.)
IPVanish’s native app options include apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire TV devices. The VPN can be manually set up on Linux, Chrome OS machines, and select routers are also available. (Pre-configured routers through Flashrouters.com.)
Multi-Platform Support Winner: CyberGhost (it has browser extensions)
| Provider | Platforms Supported | Browser Extensions? | Router Support? |
Link |
| IPVanish | 7 | No | Yes – Manual setup, routers available through Flashrouters.com | Visit Site |
| CyberGhost | 7 | Yes (Chrome, Opera) | Yes – Manual setup. Flashrouter options available. | Visit Site |
Customer Support
Both of these VPNs are reliable. However, you may still have an occasional question for customer support.
IPVanish’s support options are an online trouble ticket submission form and a searchable support library. A system status page lets you know if there are any issues, and a support “bot” chat feature does its best to answer your questions.
CyberGhost support options are a 24/7 live chat option, a support request form, and a searchable knowledge base.
Customer Support Winner: It’s a tie
| Provider | Customer Support Rating | Link |
| IPVanish | 5.0 | Visit Site |
| CyberGhost | 5.0 | Visit Site |
And The Winner Is…
While both IPVanish and CyberGhost offer comprehensive VPN services. But, the nature of this type of article requires me to name an overall winner.
CyberGhost won by a huge margin, thanks to how well the provider performed in the Connection Speeds, Streaming Support, Privacy, Global Server Coverage, Multi-Platform Support, and Pricing departments.
Meanwhile, IPVanish was victorious in only the Simultaneous Connections column.
It was a tie when it came to BitTorrent Support, Customer Support, and Security arenas.
For more information or to purchase a subscription, visit CyberGhost.
