CyberGhost VPN Review 2026: Prices, Audit, Refund, Safety

CyberGhost VPN at a glance

CyberGhost VPN is a commercial virtual private network. It encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a server in another location, so websites see the server's IP address instead of yours ^[1]. It is a paid service with short trials, not a free VPN.

The service is still active and current in 2026. Its website shows 2026 copyright notices, new prices in US dollars, a server list covering 100 countries and a third Deloitte audit published in February 2026 ^[1][3][5].

• Best for: people who want an easy VPN with a large server choice, dedicated streaming and torrent servers, and a long refund window.
• Company: CyberGhost S.R.L., registered in Bucharest, Romania; its privacy policy names Kape Technologies PLC as the ultimate holding company ^[2].
• Network: servers in 100 countries, 126 locations and 21 dedicated IP locations, all on RAM-only servers according to CyberGhost ^[3].
• Devices: up to 7 at once on one subscription ^[1].
• Price: from $2.19 a month on the 2 years plus 2 months plan, billed $56.94, as shown on 2026-10-08 ^[1].
• Refunds: 45 days on plans of 6 months or longer, 14 days on the monthly plan ^[7].
• Privacy check: three no-logs assurance reports by Deloitte Audit Romania, in 2022, 2024 and 2025 ^[5].

How we reviewed CyberGhost and how we earn money

For this 2026 update we checked every fact against CyberGhost's own pages. That includes the homepage and pricing table, the privacy policy, the server list, the no-logs page, the Deloitte audit post and several Support Center articles ^{[1][2][3][4][5][7][8]}.

We did not run our own speed tests for this update, and we did not read an independent lab test of CyberGhost's speed or streaming. Where this review mentions speed or streaming, it repeats what CyberGhost says and labels it as a vendor claim.

The app screenshots on this page come from our earlier test of the Windows app. The current apps look different, so treat those screenshots as a picture of the older design. The hero image at the top is CyberGhost's own picture of its current Mac app.

2-spyware.com earns a commission only from partner products, such as the Fortect offer shown on this page. We have no affiliate deal with CyberGhost and earn nothing if you buy it. CyberGhost's own homepage says it sometimes pays expert sites to refer customers ^[1], so keep that in mind when you read VPN rankings elsewhere.

Who owns CyberGhost? Company, Kape and Romania

The service is owned and operated by CyberGhost S.R.L. The company is registered in Romania under number J40/1278/2011, with its office at 68 Polona St. in Bucharest ^[2]. The footer of CyberGhost's Privacy Hub blog names CyberGhost S.A. instead ^[5], so the exact legal form appears in two versions on its own sites.

CyberGhost belongs to a larger group. Its privacy policy says personal data may be shared within the group, which it defines as its subsidiaries and its ultimate holding company, Kape Technologies PLC ^[2]. The same group also owns the Mac security brand Intego, which we cover in our Intego review.

That privacy policy was last updated on March 18, 2024 ^[2]. We could not find a 2026 page from CyberGhost that describes the group structure in more detail. If the holding company's name or form has changed since then, the policy does not yet say so.

Our old review described CyberGhost as based in Romania and Germany. The current pages only mention the Romanian company and its Bucharest headquarters. CyberGhost says Romania's privacy laws are one reason it is based there ^[1].

Privacy and the no-logs policy: what the Deloitte audits checked

A VPN sees all the traffic you send through it. That makes the provider's logging policy the most important part of any VPN review. CyberGhost says it does not track, store or sell what you do online ^[1].

The privacy policy lists what it does not keep. That covers browsing history, traffic destinations, search preferences, data content, IP addresses and DNS queries made inside the VPN tunnel ^[2]. It also says CyberGhost does not know the original IP address of a user's computer ^[2].

Some data is still collected. CyberGhost processes your email address, billing data and order history, plus connection attempts and how often you use the service ^[4]. For connection attempts, the policy says it records the country of origin and the app version, but not your source IP address ^[2].

The audit is the strongest point. CyberGhost says Deloitte Audit Romania completed its third independent review in 2025, after earlier ones in 2022 and 2024 ^[5]. The post describing it was last updated on February 24, 2026 ^[5].

The 2025 engagement used the ISAE 3000 (Revised) assurance standard. Its scope covered the VPN server network, configuration, change management and incident response controls ^[5]. It also covered the dedicated IP system, which uses tokens so a fixed IP address is not tied to a user account ^[5].

CyberGhost says Deloitte concluded its VPN servers comply with the no-logs policy ^[4], and that the full assurance report can be downloaded ^[5]. We read CyberGhost's summary of the audit, not the report itself, so the exact wording of Deloitte's conclusion is not quoted here.

Two more practices support the policy. CyberGhost runs RAM-only servers, which it says wipe session data on every reboot ^[3][4]. It also publishes quarterly transparency reports on legal requests and runs a public vulnerability disclosure program ^[5].

Server network: 100 countries and RAM-only servers

CyberGhost's server page lists 100 countries, 126 locations and 21 dedicated IP locations ^[3]. The Windows page speaks of thousands of servers across Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia, without giving an exact total ^[6].

That is a change from our old review. It quoted more than 5,800 servers in 89 countries, and the old app screenshot below shows 6,000 plus servers in 90 countries. CyberGhost now leads with countries and locations rather than a server count, so we cannot confirm a current total.

CyberGhost says its most popular locations run on 10-Gbps servers, and that every server has unlimited bandwidth with no data caps ^[1]. It supports three VPN protocols: WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2 ^[1].

Speed: what we could and could not verify

We did not read an independent speed test for this update, and we did not measure speed ourselves. Any VPN slows your connection somewhat, because traffic is encrypted and travels further. CyberGhost says the same in its own FAQ ^[1].

CyberGhost's claims are that its servers handle 4K streaming without buffering, that popular locations use 10-Gbps servers and that WireGuard is available on its apps ^[1]. Those are plausible design choices, but they are the vendor's words, not a test result.

Our speed score is therefore neutral. If speed matters to you, use the refund window. Try the servers you would use day to day, at the times you would use them, and ask for a refund within the window if they fall short.

Streaming, gaming and torrenting

CyberGhost markets itself for streaming, sports streaming and gaming. Its apps have a For streaming section and a For downloading section, and its menus list a gaming VPN ^[1]. The product image at the top of this page shows both sections in the current Mac app.

We did not read an independent test of which streaming services work with CyberGhost today, so we name none here. Our old review listed Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer and Hulu. That list came from 2020 era marketing, and streaming services change their VPN blocks often.

One useful detail from CyberGhost itself: its Smart DNS feature no longer works with streaming services ^[15]. It can still be set up for general DNS use, but it does not encrypt traffic ^[15]. For streaming you need the full VPN app.

Torrenting is allowed on dedicated P2P servers in selected locations, not on every server ^[11]. CyberGhost adds that downloading or sharing copyrighted content without permission is illegal in many countries ^[11]. To use CyberGhost with uTorrent or another client, connect to a P2P server first.

uTorrent itself has its own history, covered in our article on whether uTorrent is spyware. A VPN hides your IP address from other peers but does not make a risky client safe.

Apps, devices and security features

One subscription covers up to 7 devices at once ^[1]. CyberGhost lists apps or setup guides for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, smart TVs, routers and Chrome and Firefox browser extensions ^[1].

• Windows: a native app for Windows 10 and 11; older Windows versions need a manual OpenVPN setup ^[6].
• macOS: macOS 10.13 High Sierra or later ^[14].
• iOS: iOS 15 or later ^[13].
• Linux: a command line app ^[10].
• Routers: a router setup covers devices that cannot run the app, such as game consoles ^[1].

The Windows app's stated minimum requirements are a .NET 4.8 compatible PC, a 1 GHz processor, 2 GB of RAM and about 310 MB of free disk space ^[6]. That is light for current hardware.

The core security features are AES 256-bit encryption, an automatic kill switch, DNS and IP leak protection and split tunneling ^[1]. Split tunneling lets you choose which apps or websites go through the VPN ^[1]. A dedicated IP, an address used only by you, is a paid add-on ^[1].

CyberGhost also sells a Windows Security Suite. A CyberGhost support article shows that its antivirus part relies on an Intego antivirus service on Windows ^[9]. That is a sister brand inside the same group.

Our old review described five extra toggles: blocking ads, malicious websites and online trackers, an automatic HTTPS redirect and data compression. The current CyberGhost pages we read do not list those toggles ^[1], so we cannot say whether all of them remain in today's apps.

CyberGhost VPN prices and plans in 2026

CyberGhost shows three plans, all in US dollars and all for up to 7 devices. The prices below are as shown on cyberghostvpn.com on 2026-10-08 ^[1].

The long plan is clearly the best value. The first 26 months cost $56.94, and the plan then renews at $56.94 for each further year ^[1]. That renewal is higher per month than the first term, because the same amount then covers 12 months instead of 26.

The monthly plan is the most expensive way to use CyberGhost, at $12.99 a month ^[1]. It suits a short trip, but its refund window is only 14 days ^[7].

There is no lifetime or one-time payment plan on the pricing table ^[1]. Every plan renews automatically until you cancel. Prices change with promotions, so check the amount at checkout.

Payment methods depend on your country. CyberGhost lists credit and debit cards, PayPal, digital wallets and local options, and shows the exact list at checkout ^[12]. Our old review mentioned Bitcoin. The current help article does not mention cryptocurrency, so we could not confirm that Bitcoin is still accepted.

Free trial and the 45-day refund

CyberGhost has no free plan, but it offers short trials of the full app. According to its homepage, the trial lasts 24 hours on Windows and macOS, 3 days on Android and 7 days on iOS ^[1].

The macOS trial starts in the app with only an email address and password, without payment details ^[14]. On iOS the 1-week trial is tied to a long-term App Store plan. Once the week ends, Apple charges for the yearly plan unless you cancel first ^[13].

We verified the refund policy on CyberGhost's support site. Plans of 6 months or longer have a 45-day money-back window, and 1-month plans have 14 days ^[7]. To ask for a refund you contact support by email, by ticket or by 24/7 live chat, ideally with your order number ^[7].

There are exclusions. The money-back policy does not cover in-app purchases through Google Play, the App Store or the Amazon Appstore ^[7]. Those refunds are decided by Google, Apple or Amazon. Gift cards and third-party sellers follow the seller's own refund rules ^[7].

Turning off automatic renewal does not by itself request a refund ^[7]. If you want your money back, you need both steps: cancel the renewal and contact support within the window.

How to cancel CyberGhost and turn off auto-renewal

Canceling stops future payments but does not delete your account ^[8]. You keep using CyberGhost until the end of the period you already paid for ^[8]. How you cancel depends on where you bought it.

Bought on the CyberGhost website

1. Sign in to your CyberGhost account on the website and select the profile icon at the top right ^[8].
2. Select Subscriptions ^[8].
3. Select Cancel Subscription, then Continue To Cancel ^[8].
4. Look for the message that automatic billing has been turned off ^[8].

Bought through Apple, Google or Amazon

On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap your name, then Subscriptions, choose CyberGhost VPN and tap Cancel Subscription ^[8]. On a Mac, use Account Settings and Subscriptions in the App Store app ^[8]. On Android, open Google Play, tap your profile, then Payments and subscriptions, Subscriptions, CyberGhost VPN, Manage and Cancel Subscription ^[8].

If you want to remove your data as well, CyberGhost has a separate account deletion process ^[8]. Canceling a subscription alone keeps the account.

How to uninstall CyberGhost VPN

Uninstalling the app does not cancel the subscription. Cancel first if you do not want another charge, then remove the app.

Windows 10 and 11

1. Close CyberGhost if it is open ^[9].
2. Press Windows + I to open Settings and select Apps, then Installed apps ^[9].
3. Find CyberGhost VPN, click the three dots next to it and select Uninstall ^[9].
4. Confirm, allow the changes if Windows asks, and wait for the uninstall to finish ^[9].
5. Restart the PC so that no CyberGhost process or service keeps running ^[9].

Mac, Linux and phones

On Linux, run sudo cyberghostvpn --uninstall in a terminal, then choose whether to keep the configuration files ^[10]. On a Mac, iPhone or Android phone, remove the app the usual way for that system. Removing the app from a phone does not cancel an App Store or Google Play subscription.

Is CyberGhost safe and legit, or a scam?

CyberGhost is a legitimate, long-running commercial VPN and not a scam or a virus. It is run by a registered Romanian company, has a public privacy policy, publishes transparency reports and has had its no-logs setup checked by Deloitte three times ^[2][5].

Fair criticism is about the business, not the software. CyberGhost belongs to a large group that owns several privacy brands ^[2], and it says it sometimes pays review sites for referrals ^[1]. Long plans also renew automatically, so set a reminder before the renewal date.

The real risk is fake copies. Fake VPN apps are a known way to spread malware. In 2025, Malwarebytes described a fake VPN and streaming app for Android that installed Klopatra, a banking trojan that gives attackers remote control of the phone ^[16]. Install CyberGhost only from its own site or the official app stores.

CyberGhost full version, crack, unlocked and free download

Many searches for CyberGhost ask for a full version, an unlocked app, a free download with a year of premium, or a subscription crack. We do not link to or explain any of these. They break CyberGhost's terms, and they are also a poor bet for your security.

A VPN sees every connection your device makes. A tampered VPN app is therefore one of the worst things to install from an unknown source. Malwarebytes warns that sideloaded VPN and streaming apps are a common malware lure, and advises installing VPNs only from Google Play, the App Store or the official provider ^[16].

Cracked software for PCs carries the same risk. Our article on cracked Windows 11 copies spreading malware shows how this works in practice. Security tools often flag key generators as Hacktool:Win32/Keygen for good reason.

Fake VPN brands also appear as adware, such as the Pirate Chick VPN virus. If you already installed an unofficial CyberGhost build, remove it and scan the device with a trusted security tool. On Windows you can also run a scan with a tool such as Fortect.

The legal alternative is cheap. The free trials let you test the full app, and the 45-day refund window covers longer plans ^[1][7]. The long plan costs $56.94 for its first 26 months, as shown on 2026-10-08 ^[1].

Old versions, CyberGhost 6 and 7, and servers down

Some people look for CyberGhost 6, CyberGhost 7 or another old version. Those builds are years out of date and miss current protocols and fixes. The current Windows app supports Windows 10 and 11, and CyberGhost suggests manual OpenVPN setup for older Windows versions ^[6].

If CyberGhost will not connect, CyberGhost's own advice is to check your internet connection, restart the app, make sure you have the latest version and close any other VPN or proxy ^[6]. We could not find a public status page for server outages, so contact the 24/7 live chat if one location stays down ^[1].

The download address people search for, download.cyberghostvpn.com, is not something we link to. To get the app, go to cyberghostvpn.com or your device's official app store.

Support

CyberGhost offers support through 24/7 live chat on its website, email to support@cyberghost.ro and tickets on its Support Center ^[7][1]. The Support Center articles we read were edited in 2026, which shows they are kept current ^[7][8].

Verdict: is CyberGhost VPN worth it in 2026?

CyberGhost VPN is a strong, easy choice for most home users. It combines a wide network in 100 countries, apps for nearly every device, 7 connections per account and three Deloitte no-logs assurance reports ^[1][3][5].

The long plan at $56.94 for 26 months is good value, and the 45-day refund window gives you time to test it ^[1][7]. The monthly plan is expensive, and renewal on the long plan costs more per month than the first term.

We could not verify speed or streaming results independently for this update, so those scores are neutral. Use the trial and the refund window to check them on your own connection. Avoid cracked or unofficial copies: a tampered VPN can see everything you do online.