Vpn services: CyberGhost VPN 9 vs. Private Internet Access (PIA) 12

Quick Verdict

Both CyberGhost VPN 9 and Private Internet Access (PIA) 12 are reputable VPN providers with strengths in different areas. PIA stands out with its larger server network, unlimited simultaneous connections, and broader split tunneling support. CyberGhost offers a longer money-back guarantee and dedicated servers for streaming and P2P. PIA's speed performance is average, while CyberGhost's is not available. Users should consider their specific needs and priorities when choosing between these two VPNs.

PIA has a significantly larger server network with over 35,000 servers compared to CyberGhost's 9,000+.
CyberGhost offers a longer money-back guarantee (45 days for longer subscriptions) compared to PIA's 30 days.
PIA allows unlimited simultaneous connections, while CyberGhost allows 7.
PIA offers split tunneling on more platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android) compared to CyberGhost (Android only).
Both VPNs have a no-logs policy and have been independently audited by Deloitte.
PIA's speed performance is rated as average, with a 48% average internet download speed loss in tests. CyberGhost's speed performance is not available.
Both VPNs support major streaming services, but PIA requires dedicated streaming servers in 10+ countries, and some CyberGhost users have reported issues accessing certain services.
PIA allows P2P downloads across all servers and offers port forwarding and SOCKS5 proxy servers, while CyberGhost has dedicated P2P servers.

Key features – Side-by-Side

Attribute	CyberGhost VPN 9	Private Internet Access (PIA) 12
Server Network Size	Over 9,000 servers (some sources state over 11,500), continuously growing	Over 35,000 servers
Number of Countries with Servers	100	91 countries
VPN Protocol Support	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP/IPsec, IPsec, PPTP	WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPSec
Encryption Strength	AES-256 (ChaCha20 for WireGuard)	AES-128 (GCM) and AES-256 (GCM)
Logging Policy	No-logs policy, audited by Deloitte. Limited details recorded for account management and technical issues.	Strict no-logs policy, independently audited by Deloitte. Servers don't store logs or information that could identify users or their activities.
Simultaneous Connections Allowed	7	Unlimited
Kill Switch Feature	Available on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android	Prevents IP address exposure if the VPN connection drops. Advanced kill switch available to block all internet traffic until VPN is connected.
Split Tunneling Feature	Available only for Android	Available on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. Offers split tunneling and inverse split tunneling.
Dedicated IP Option	Yes, for an additional fee	Available for an additional cost
Streaming Support	Dedicated servers for Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, and Disney+	Works with 25+ streaming services, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. Only works via dedicated streaming servers in 10+ countries.
Torrenting Support	Dedicated P2P servers	Allows P2P downloads across all servers. Offers port forwarding and SOCKS5 proxy servers.
Customer Support	24/7 via live chat and email	24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and an extensive knowledge base.
Price	$2.19 to $12.99 per month	Starts at $2.19/month. Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Money-back Guarantee	45-day money-back guarantee for longer subscriptions, 14-day money-back guarantee for monthly subscriptions	30-day money-back guarantee

Overall Comparison

PIA has 35,000+ servers vs CyberGhost's 9,000+. PIA allows unlimited connections vs CyberGhost's 7. CyberGhost offers a 45-day money-back guarantee for longer subscriptions vs PIA's 30-day guarantee. PIA split tunneling available on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android vs CyberGhost's Android only.

Pros and Cons

CyberGhost VPN 9

Pros:

Large server network
Servers in 100 countries
Supports multiple VPN protocols
Strong encryption
Audited no-logs policy
7 simultaneous connections
Kill switch feature
Dedicated IP option
Dedicated streaming servers
Dedicated P2P servers for torrenting
24/7 customer support
User-friendly and easy to set up
DNS leak protection
WebRTC leak protection
45-day money-back guarantee for longer subscriptions
14-day money-back guarantee for monthly subscriptions

Cons:

Split tunneling only for Android
Kill switch can be unreliable
Inconsistent performance in countries with strict internet censorship (e.g., China)
Some users reported issues accessing BBC iPlayer and Disney+

Private Internet Access (PIA) 12

Pros:

Easy to set up and use on different devices
Full leak protection, including DNS leak protection, WebRTC leak protection, and IPv6 leak protection
Responsive customer support with fast response times to support tickets

Cons:

Average speed performance
Inconsistent unblocking of streaming services, requiring server switching
Some users have reported slow customer support response times and unhelpful answers
Doesn't consistently work in restrictive countries

User Experiences and Feedback

CyberGhost VPN 9

What Users Love

Can reliably unblock streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer using specialized streaming servers.
User-friendly and easy to set up on various devices, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.

Common Complaints

Some tests have shown the kill switch to be unreliable.
Some users have reported issues accessing BBC iPlayer and Disney+.
Does not consistently work in countries with strict internet censorship like China.

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.

Private Internet Access (PIA) 12

What Users Love

Easy to set up and use
Offers dedicated streaming servers
Provides full leak protection

Common Complaints

Speed performance is average
Unblocking streaming services can be inconsistent
Customer support can be slow and unhelpful for some users
Doesn't consistently work in restrictive countries

Value Perception

Pricing starts at $2.19/month
Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee

User Recommendations

PIA's kill switch prevents data leaks during connection drops.
The design of both of PIA's mobile apps (Android and iOS) is almost identical to the desktop versions.
Deloitte found that PIA's servers don't store any logs or information that could be used to identify users or pinpoint their activities.