Best CyberGhost Alternatives [Free + Paid]

CyberGhost is a well-known VPN with a strong marketing presence and a wide range of features. However, not all users are satisfied with its service. For some, the drawbacks outweigh the benefits, particularly when it comes to transparency and reliability. Here are a few common frustrations users have shared about CyberGhost:

• Murky Ownership Structure: CyberGhost is owned by Kape Technologies, a company with a controversial past involving adware and questionable business practices. This has made some users uneasy about trusting the service with their data.
• Server Limitations: While CyberGhost boasts thousands of servers, users report inconsistent performance, particularly during peak hours. For a VPN that advertises high-speed connections, this can be a significant downside.
• UI and App Bloat: CyberGhost’s app, while feature-rich, can feel cluttered or overly complicated for users who prefer a streamlined experience.

If you’re looking for a VPN that addresses these concerns while offering robust features and transparency, here are the best free and paid CyberGhost alternatives.

Best Free Alternatives to CyberGhost

Windscribe

Windscribe’s free plan is one of the most generous and reliable options available, making it a standout alternative to CyberGhost for users who want a no-cost solution without sacrificing key features.

• Generous Bandwidth: With Windscribe’s free plan, you get 10GB of data per month—far more than most free VPNs. Additional bandwidth is easy to earn through simple actions like tweeting about the service or referring friends.
• R.O.B.E.R.T: Windscribe’s R.O.B.E.R.T feature provides customizable filtering, blocking ads, trackers, and specific content categories like gambling, malware, or social media trackers. This is a premium-grade feature available even on the free plan.

• Unlimited Simultaneous Connections: Unlike many free VPNs that limit device connections, Windscribe lets you connect as many devices as you like, even on its free plan. This makes it ideal for multi-device households or tech-savvy users.
• Decent Server Selection: Free users have access to servers in multiple major regions, offering more flexibility for location switching than CyberGhost’s free trial options.
• User-Friendly Design: Windscribe’s clean and straightforward interface is a breath of fresh air compared to CyberGhost’s feature-heavy app, which can feel overwhelming.

For users seeking a free VPN with robust features, transparency, and user-friendly design, Windscribe’s free plan is an excellent choice.

ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN offers a free plan that’s particularly appealing to privacy-conscious users. While its feature set differs from Windscribe’s, it still stands out as a strong alternative to CyberGhost.

• Unlimited Data: ProtonVPN’s free plan provides unlimited data—something very few free VPNs offer. However, speeds are capped to ensure stable server performance across all users.
• Three Server Locations: Free users can access servers in the US, Netherlands, and Japan. While the selection is limited, these servers are strategically placed to cover major regions.
• Privacy-First Approach: ProtonVPN, based in Switzerland, adheres to strong privacy laws and has a clear no-logs policy, making it a trustworthy choice for users wary of CyberGhost’s ownership.
• Single Device Limit: Free accounts are restricted to one device, which can be a limitation for users with multiple devices.

ProtonVPN’s unlimited data and commitment to privacy make it a good choice for those prioritizing security over speed or server variety.

Hide.me

Hide.me’s free plan strikes a good balance between ease of use and functionality, offering solid performance for casual users.

• Five Server Locations: Free users can connect to servers in the US, Canada, Netherlands, Germany, Singapore, and more, providing more flexibility than CyberGhost’s limited free trial options.
• Ad-Free Browsing: Hide.me’s free plan doesn’t include ads, ensuring a smooth and distraction-free user experience.
• Decent Speeds: Hide.me doesn’t throttle speeds for free users, making it a good option for casual streaming or browsing.

Hide.me’s combination of generous data, ad-free browsing, and straightforward design make it a strong free alternative for those looking to switch from CyberGhost.

Hotspot Shield

Hotspot Shield’s free plan is built for speed, making it a better option for users frustrated with CyberGhost’s inconsistent performance.

• Single Server Location: Free users are restricted to a US-based server, limiting location flexibility but working well for accessing US-based content.
• Good Speeds: The Catapult Hydra protocol ensures fast and reliable connections, making it ideal for light streaming and browsing.
• Ad-Supported: The free version includes ads, which may detract from the experience for users who prefer an ad-free interface.

Hotspot Shield’s speed-focused design and daily data allowance make it a compelling alternative for users dissatisfied with CyberGhost’s server performance.

Best Paid Alternatives to CyberGhost

Windscribe

Windscribe’s paid plan builds on the strengths of its free version, offering advanced features and excellent performance, making it a top choice for those looking to move away from CyberGhost.

• Transparent Ownership: Unlike CyberGhost, which is owned by Kape Technologies, Windscribe operates with a clear and ethical ownership structure. This transparency reassures users who are concerned about data privacy.
• Streaming Optimization: Windscribe offers optimized servers for streaming platforms, ensuring smooth playback without buffering—an area where CyberGhost can struggle.
• Pricing: Windscribe costs $5.75/month on annual plans, making it easy on your pocket. It also runs frequent promotions, helping you save even more.
• User-Friendly Interface: Windscribe’s intuitive and polished app design is far more streamlined than CyberGhost’s feature-heavy interface, making it a better fit for beginners and experienced users.
• Customizable Features: Windscribe’s R.O.B.E.R.T and flexible server options provide a level of customization that caters to users seeking more control over their VPN experience.

Windscribe’s transparency, usability, and strong performance make it a standout paid alternative for users seeking a better experience than CyberGhost provides.

TunnelBear

TunnelBear offers a simple and approachable VPN that caters to casual users who may find CyberGhost’s complexity overwhelming.

• Playful, Beginner-Friendly Design: TunnelBear’s bear-themed animations and intuitive interface make it an easy-to-use VPN, especially for first-time users.
• Security Audits: TunnelBear undergoes regular independent security audits, adding credibility to its privacy practices.
• Affordable Pricing: TunnelBear’s pricing is competitive, making it a good option for users who don’t need advanced features or vast server networks.

While TunnelBear lacks some of CyberGhost’s features, its simplicity and transparency make it an appealing choice for less tech-savvy users.

Surfshark

Surfshark’s budget-friendly pricing and extensive feature set make it a good alternative to CyberGhost for users seeking more value.

• Unlimited Device Connections: Surfshark, similar to Windscribe, allows unlimited devices on a single account, perfect for families or users with multiple gadgets.
• CleanWeb Feature: Like Windscribe’s R.O.B.E.R.T, Surfshark’s CleanWeb blocks ads, trackers, and malware, enhancing browsing security.
• Streaming-Friendly: Surfshark’s optimized servers ensure smooth platform streaming—an improvement over CyberGhost’s inconsistent performance.
• Nebulous Ownership Structure: Surfshark merged with NordVPN a few years back, which may raise some eyebrows for people concerned about ethics and transparency.

With its strong streaming capabilities and unlimited connections, some users may find value in Surfshark.

AirVPN

AirVPN is an excellent choice for users who value transparency and advanced customization, offering features that cater to privacy-conscious users.

• Advanced Customization: AirVPN’s open-source app, Eddie, allows users to configure detailed settings like VPN over Tor, giving them unparalleled control.
• Transparent Policies: AirVPN publishes real-time server information and adheres to strict ethical data practices, appealing to users who value transparency.
• Smaller Server Network: AirVPN’s smaller server network may be a limitation for some, but its reliable performance and focus on privacy compensate for this drawback.

AirVPN is ideal for users who appreciate CyberGhost’s privacy claims but want more transparency and control.

Conclusion

CyberGhost may be popular, but it’s not without its issues. From Windscribe’s feature-packed free plan to Surfshark’s cost-effective multi-device coverage, these alternatives offer something for every type of VPN user. Whether you’re looking for better transparency, faster speeds, or a more user-friendly experience, these VPNs provide reliable options for those seeking an upgrade from CyberGhost.