Both Proton VPN and CyberGhost VPN offer robust features, but cater to different needs. Proton VPN is ideal for users prioritizing privacy and streaming, while CyberGhost VPN is suitable for those seeking 24/7 support and a clear pricing structure. Proton VPN has a larger server network, but CyberGhost VPN has a more defined pricing structure and 24/7 customer support.
| Attribute | Proton VPN | CyberGhost VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Server Network Size and Distribution | Over 11,800 servers in 117 countries, including Secure Core servers in Switzerland, Sweden, and Iceland. | Over 9,000 servers in 100 countries, optimized for streaming, torrenting, and gaming. Strong presence in Europe and the Americas, decent spread in Asia. |
| VPN Protocol Support | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, and Stealth protocol. | WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. WireGuard is often the primary protocol. |
| Encryption Standards | AES-256 and ChaCha20, 4096-bit RSA for key exchange, and HMAC with SHA384 for message authentication. | AES-256 encryption. ChaCha20 encryption is used with WireGuard. |
| Logging Policy | Strict no-logs policy; only stores a single timestamp of the most recent login. | No-logs policy, independently audited. Does not record browsing history, IP addresses, connection timestamps, or DNS queries. Collects some data for account management. |
| Jurisdiction and Privacy Laws | Headquartered in Switzerland, benefits from strong data protection laws and neutrality. | Operates out of Romania, which has favorable privacy laws. Parent company, Kape Technologies, is based in the UK. |
| Speed and Performance | Average speed loss of around 15.8%. High-speed servers with a minimum of 1 Gbps bandwidth, many utilize 10 Gbps connections. VPN Accelerator feature can increase speeds by over 400%. | Speeds vary depending on server location. WireGuard typically provides the best speeds. Some tests show CyberGhost's speeds are not as high as some top competitors. |
| Simultaneous Connections Allowed | Depends on the subscription plan; the Plus plan allows up to 10 devices. | 7 devices |
| Streaming Service Unblocking | Excellent streaming support on premium tiers, reliably unblocks popular platforms like Netflix. | Designed to unblock many streaming platforms. Dedicated streaming servers. Some users report inconsistent results with certain services like Disney+ and BBC iPlayer. |
| Torrenting Support | Allowed on dedicated P2P servers in 90+ countries. Supports port forwarding. | Allowed on many servers. Dedicated P2P-optimized servers. |
| Kill Switch Functionality | Offers a kill switch feature that instantly blocks your connection if the VPN drops. | Kill switch feature blocks traffic if the VPN connection drops. |
| Price and Subscription Options | Offers a free plan with limited features and paid subscriptions (Proton Plus and Proton Unlimited). | Subscriptions range from $2.19 to $12.99 per month. 45-day money-back guarantee for longer subscriptions, 14-day guarantee for the monthly plan. |
| Customer Support Quality and Availability | Available via email and chat. Some users have noted that response times could be improved. | 24/7 customer support via live chat and email. |