VPN comparison
We compared Private Internet Access and CyberGhost features, prices, ease of use, support and speeds. Reading our guide can help you decide between these two VPNs. The leading providers in the market, Private Internet Access and CyberGhost, are similar in many important categories. However, they are very different in other respects, so let's compare and try them!
Article by
Ivo Rusev
Ivo is a Spain-based digital privacy expert with experience in OSINT, SEO, DevOps and cybersecurity.
about the writer
Contents
- general description
- Compare ratings
- Expert Ratings
- Ratings by characteristics
- Diploma
Compare ratings
classification
Characteristics
9.3
9
Prices
9.2
8.8
Easy to use
8.6
Support
8.8
9.2
Expert Ratings
reviews
Review by our expert
9.5
Private Internet Access (PIA) is a premium VPN servicebased in the USA that focuses on being simple and easy to use for a target consumer market. Their main selling points are their no-logging policy and they claim fast network speeds. In addition, it offers subscribersUnlimited bandwidthwith blazing fast servers, and the company claims it never throttles speeds. Unlike other regions like Europe, there are currently no data retention laws for US-based services.Combined with no logging policy, it means that user privacy should theoretically be guaranteed.
The VPN service is implemented using open-source protocols to provide users with transparency about the integrity of their service. First and foremost, the service can be configured to use OpenVPN or WireGuard, offering the latest and most secure protocols. The VPN service for iOS devices uses IPsec (IKEv2) by default. Subscriptions can be monthly, yearly or biennial. The latter offers the best value for money in the long term and currently includes two additional months free of charge. The cost of the basic service compares favorably to other popular premium VPN service providers.
A nice feature is that a subscription covers thatsimultaneous use of up to ten different devices, so ideal as a solution for the whole family.
VPN apps are compatible with the most popular devices and platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. There are also browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. VPN apps are quick and easy to set up, although they've been proven to offer the safest operation by default. A nice feature was the ability to configure devicesAutomatically use a VPN for all connections over insecure open WiFiConnections and disable VPN for all connections using a secure WiFi connection. This feature provides automatic security protection for mobile devices when they need it and the best possible connection speed when that extra security isn't needed.
The PIA VPN service includes an automatic kill switch to prevent data leakage in case the VPN connection is lost during use. The PIA service also uses its own DNS servers to prevent potential DNS leaks. These features provide users with a high level of privacy. Access to streaming services like Netflix and BBC iPlayer is generally suitable for users who want legitimate access to these services while keeping browsing history private.The PIA VPN service terms of service do not allow downloading or sharing of illegal material.When streaming services apply preemptive blocks to VPN services, PIA operates servers that implement port forwarding to prevent such blocks when necessary.
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Article by
Stefan Masch
Last updated:
14.02.2022, 02:06
9
CyberGhost is a premium VPN servicewith headquarters within the European Union in Bucharest, Romania. It claims to offer the “fastest VPN on the market” using the WireGuard protocol. Users have the option to use OpenVPN or IKEv2/IPsec protocols. It offers servers optimized for media streaming, torrenting or maximum download speeds. The iOS UI includes a list of streaming-optimized servers, showing a summary of which server is recommended for which streaming service.
Its main selling points are its reportedly high speeds and no-logging policy. offers subscribersUnlimited bandwidthfor up to seven connected devices at once, and the company claims it never throttles speeds.
Although the service provider is based within the EU and is subject to the GDPR, local data protection laws do not currently require data recording and storage. It states that it does not collect any connection logs or traffic data, therefore, users' privacy must be guaranteed while using the service.
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Article by
Stefan Masch
Last updated:
14.02.2022, 02:09
Compare side by side
- Prices
- Monthly
- 9,95 $
- Yearly
- $39.95 (equivalent to $3.33 per month)
- 3 years
- $79 (equivalent to $2.19 per month)
- Payment Methods
- parallel connections
- 10
- server locations
- Over 75 countries
- jurisdiction
- United States of America
- logs
OpenVPN
wire protection
IPsec (IKEv2) und iOS
- encryption
AES 128 CBC/GCM
AES 256 CBC/GCM
Patinaje in Mano SHA96/SHA160/SHA256
- speeds
Private Internet Access VPN-Serverstandorte Dispose Move up Great Britain 173,79MB 87.37MB Australia 240.41MB 20.21MB porcelain 340.28MB 1.4MB South Africa 16.38MB 35.44MB California, USA 316.32MB 14.23MB New York, USA 147.4MB 25.34MB Deutschland 79.82MB 149,91MB Taiwan 167.48MB 0,94MB Spain 82,95MB 122.37MB Brazil 130.67MB 30.3MB
private internet access
- Monthly
- 12,99 $
- Half a year
- $38.34 (equivalent to $6.39 per month)
- 2 years
- $58.50 (equivalent to $2.25 per month)
- Payment Methods
- parallel connections
- 7
- server locations
- 91 countries
- jurisdiction
- Romania (EU)
- logs
IPsec (IKEv2)
OpenVPN
wire protection
- encryption
AES256
- speeds
CyberGhost VPN-Serverstandorte Dispose Move up Great Britain 110.13MB 60.27MB Australia 23.24MB 11.69MB Taiwan 217.49MB 13.91MB South Africa 38.26MB 8.36MB California, USA 222.27MB 11.74MB New York, USA 94.86MB 25.83MB Deutschland 246.1MB 62.73MB Spain 242.2MB 131.09MB Brazil 73.23MB 8.3MB Filipinas 201.78MB 7.3MB
Cyberfantasie
- Prices
- VPNs
private internet access
Cyberfantasie
- Prices
- Monthly
- 9,95 $
- Yearly
- $39.95 (equivalent to $3.33 per month)
- 3 years
- $79 (equivalent to $2.19 per month)
- Monthly
- 12,99 $
- Half a year
- $38.34 (equivalent to $6.39 per month)
- 2 years
- $58.50 (equivalent to $2.25 per month)
- Payment Methods
- parallel connections
10
7
- server locations
Over 75 countries
91 countries
- jurisdiction
United States of America
Romania (EU)
- logs
OpenVPN
wire protection
IPsec (IKEv2) und iOS
IPsec (IKEv2)
OpenVPN
wire protection
- encryption
AES 128 CBC/GCM
AES 256 CBC/GCM
Patinaje in Mano SHA96/SHA160/SHA256
AES256
- speeds
Private Internet Access VPN-Serverstandorte Dispose Move up Great Britain 173,79MB 87.37MB Australia 240.41MB 20.21MB porcelain 340.28MB 1.4MB South Africa 16.38MB 35.44MB California, USA 316.32MB 14.23MB New York, USA 147.4MB 25.34MB Deutschland 79.82MB 149,91MB Taiwan 167.48MB 0,94MB Spain 82,95MB 122.37MB Brazil 130.67MB 30.3MB CyberGhost VPN-Serverstandorte Dispose Move up Great Britain 110.13MB 60.27MB Australia 23.24MB 11.69MB Taiwan 217.49MB 13.91MB South Africa 38.26MB 8.36MB California, USA 222.27MB 11.74MB New York, USA 94.86MB 25.83MB Deutschland 246.1MB 62.73MB Spain 242.2MB 131.09MB Brazil 73.23MB 8.3MB Filipinas 201.78MB 7.3MB
comparison test
Although CyberGhost and PIA are the best VPNs, they are very different. Today we're going to compare these two providers across a number of key categories, including security and privacy, speed, apps, streaming, ease of use, customer support, and pricing.
We have a winner? Let's go into detail!
Data protection: PIA takes the lead
First things first: PIA is based in the US, which isn't great for privacy. On the plus side, the company offers a no-logs policy and anonymous payments using cryptocurrencies and gift cards.
CyberGhost offers more security as it is based in Romania. It is a privacy-friendly country that is not a member offourteen eyesAlliance. Similar to PIA, CyberGhost offers a no registrations and no bitcoin payments policy.
Fuente:https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/privacidad-en-linea
However, CyberGhost is owned by Kape Technologies (UK), which some have linked to a "dark past". After another,PIA might be the best alternativein this regard.
Security: It's a tie
Both CyberGhost and PIA take protecting their users seriously. Both VPNs offer military-grade encryption, WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 protocols. They also offer protection against IP, DNS and WebRTC leaks, as well as the necessary kill switch function.
In addition, CyberGhost offers malware blockers, split tunneling, SOCKS5 proxy and Tor over VPN. PIA, in turn, comes with HNS, Shadowsocks, split tunneling and SOCKS5 proxy.
Whatever you choose as a user, you can be sureyou will not be exposed.
Speed: Which VPN is more consistent?
CyberGhost has a well-established server network with 7,264 servers in 91 countries. PIA takes things to another level. It has 29,300 servers in 78 countries, all of which are physical P2P servers.
However, keep in mind that more servers don't always mean better speeds. The distribution of the server plays a decisive role here. As a rule of thumb, the closer you are to the VPN server, the lower the latency.
Now Private Internet Access has only a few servers in Africa, South America and Asia. So it can be said with certaintyCyberGhost takes the lead in terms of speed.
Fuente:https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/servidor-vpn
Applications and Compatibility
Both CyberGhost and PIA work with all major apps like Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Apple iOS. But "the devil is always in the details".
CyberGhost offers a better selection of apps, including Chrome and Firefox, TV apps, consoles, routers and more. PIA, in turn, is limited to browsers only in this sense. You can't set it up on your TV unless you set it up on the router first.
Fuente:https://www.cyberghostvpn.com/en_US/apps
When it comes to ease of use, there is no significant difference. Both VPNs offer more or less the same settings. Even so,PIA has a slight advantage in the number of concurrent devices. You can configure up to ten devices at a time, while CyberGhost lets you reach up to seven. Still, it is enough even if you share the account with friends and family.
Fuente:https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/download
Streaming Opportunities: Who's #1 on Netflix?
CyberGhost VPN leaves PIA behind when it comes to streaming options. The provider has servers optimized for streaming Full HD videos without buffering for 40+ platforms including Netflix, BBC Player, NBC, HBO Now, etc. Better yet, CyberGhost comes with oneDNS intelligentspecial feature.
Private Internet Access offers none of these as mentioned above.
Fuente:https://www.cyberghostvpn.com/en_US/unblock-streaming
Customer Service: 24/7 is essential
CyberGhost offers 24/7 customer support via live chat and email, as well as a helpful knowledge base. On the other hand, PIA lacks these properties. The VPN enables a ticketing system to be set up. With him, too, he offers no helpful answers, but rather robotic and mostly useless ones.
So that's itanother easy win for CyberGhost VPN.
Prices
Finally, it would be better to consider prices.
CyberGhost offers discounts on longer-term plans. It also allows for a 14-day money-back guarantee for the monthly plan and a 45-day money-back guarantee for the 6-month and 2-year plans.
Fuente:https://www.cyberghostvpn.com/en_US/buy/cyberghost-vpn-2
PIA is the significantly cheaper alternative. Many consider him theUltimate Cheap VPN.” Better yet, all of their plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Fuente:https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/buy-vpn-online
Diploma
Who is the winner: Cyberghost VPN or PIA VPN?
Both CyberGhost and PIA have a lot to offer. So the real competition lies in what you are looking for in a VPN. And most importantly, how much are you willing to pay for it? Bottom line, CyberGhost is the more expensive alternative. However, it offers some great bonuses to justify the extra cost. Private Internet Access (PIA) can better fit your budget and still perform better than many premium providers.Who will it be?