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CyberGhost VPN alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave CyberGhost VPN: monthly plan has only a 14-day refund window, and linux app is command-line only. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces CyberGhost VPN, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Private Internet Access currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Private Internet Access logoPrivate Internet AccessPaidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +35 of 566.5
2Surfshark logoSurfsharkPaidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +34 of 462.6
3NordVPN logoNordVPNPaidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +33 of 359.6
4ExpressVPN logoExpressVPNPaidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +36 of 657.2
5Hotspot Shield logoHotspot ShieldFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +34 of 455.3
  1. Private Internet Access logo

    1. Private Internet AccessTop pick

    Best for: Tinkerers who want port forwarding and fine-grained settings on unlimited devices

    PaidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from CyberGhost VPN

    Same parent company, with unlimited devices and far more settings.

    Pros

    • Unlimited simultaneous devices
    • Port forwarding and detailed connection settings
    • Open-source desktop and mobile apps

    Cons

    • Monthly plan is expensive compared with long terms
    • Busy interface for beginners
    • Owned by a group that also runs several rival brands
    Visit Private Internet Access Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Private Internet Access a good CyberGhost VPN alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Monthly price
    $11.95/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026privateinternetaccess.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Money-back guarantee
    30 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026privateinternetaccess.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Devices per account
    Unlimited
    Checked Oct 25, 2026privateinternetaccess.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Server countries
    113
    Checked Oct 25, 2026privateinternetaccess.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
    Checked Oct 25, 2026privateinternetaccess.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Surfshark logo

    2. Surfshark

    Best for: Households that want to cover lots of devices on one cheap subscription

    PaidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from CyberGhost VPN

    Similar price range with unlimited devices.

    Pros

    • No cap on simultaneous devices
    • Low price on long plans
    • Built-in ad and malware blocking

    Cons

    • Best prices need a multi-year commitment
    • Speeds vary more between locations than top rivals
    • Bundles push extra security products
    Visit Surfshark Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Surfshark a good CyberGhost VPN alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Devices per account
    Unlimited
    Checked Oct 25, 2026surfshark.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Money-back guarantee
    30 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026surfshark.com(opens source in a new tab)
    RAM-only servers
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026surfshark.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, TVs, browsers
    Checked Oct 25, 2026surfshark.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. NordVPN logo

    3. NordVPN

    Best for: People who want a mainstream VPN that works for streaming, travel and everyday privacy

    PaidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from CyberGhost VPN

    Larger feature set and generally faster speeds.

    Pros

    • Large server network with consistently good speeds
    • Apps for desktop, mobile, browsers and TV devices
    • Meshnet links your own devices without extra software

    Cons

    • Renewal prices are much higher than the first term
    • Apps push bundled add-ons and upsells
    • Desktop and mobile apps are closed source
    Visit NordVPN Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is NordVPN a good CyberGhost VPN alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, browsers, TV
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.nordvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Owner
    Nord Security
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.nordvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Linux client licence
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. ExpressVPN logo

    4. ExpressVPN

    Best for: Non-technical users who want reliable streaming and travel access with minimal setup

    PaidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from CyberGhost VPN

    Even simpler apps and strong streaming support, at a higher price.

    Pros

    • Very simple apps on every platform
    • Servers in over a hundred countries
    • Open-source Lightway protocol and RAM-only servers

    Cons

    • More expensive than most rivals at renewal
    • Fewer advanced settings than power users may want
    • No free tier
    Visit ExpressVPN Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is ExpressVPN a good CyberGhost VPN alternative?

    Verified facts

    6 of 6 verified
    Starting price
    $2.99/month (Basic, 2-year plan)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026expressvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Money-back guarantee
    30 days for new users
    Checked Oct 25, 2026expressvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Simultaneous devices
    10 (Basic plan)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026expressvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Server countries
    113
    Checked Oct 25, 2026expressvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
    RAM-only servers
    Yes (TrustedServer)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026expressvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Lightway licence
    AGPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Hotspot Shield logo

    5. Hotspot Shield

    Best for: Speed-focused users who want a free tier and a long refund window

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from CyberGhost VPN

    Also offers a 45-day refund window, plus a free tier.

    Pros

    • Free tier without ads
    • 45-day money-back guarantee
    • Fast Hydra protocol

    Cons

    • Hydra protocol is proprietary
    • Past privacy controversies
    • Free tier limited to one device and fewer locations
    Visit Hotspot Shield Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Hotspot Shield a good CyberGhost VPN alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Money-back guarantee
    45 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026hotspotshield.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan
    Yes, 1 device
    Checked Oct 25, 2026hotspotshield.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Premium devices
    Up to 10
    Checked Oct 25, 2026hotspotshield.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Protocol
    Hydra (proprietary)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026hotspotshield.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best CyberGhost VPN alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Private Internet Access logo

Best CyberGhost VPN alternative for most people

Private Internet Access

Same parent company, with unlimited devices and far more settings.

Hotspot Shield logo

Best CyberGhost VPN alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Hotspot Shield

Also offers a 45-day refund window, plus a free tier.

Surfshark logo

Best CyberGhost VPN alternative for Mac

Surfshark

Similar price range with unlimited devices.

NordVPN logo

Best CyberGhost VPN alternative for Windows

NordVPN

Larger feature set and generally faster speeds.

ExpressVPN logo

Best CyberGhost VPN alternative for Linux

ExpressVPN

Even simpler apps and strong streaming support, at a higher price.

Private Internet Access logo

Best CyberGhost VPN alternative for iPhone and Android

Private Internet Access

Same parent company, with unlimited devices and far more settings.

CyberGhost VPN alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to CyberGhost VPN?

Private Internet Access ranks first right now. Same parent company, with unlimited devices and far more settings. Surfshark and NordVPN follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to CyberGhost VPN?

Yes. Hotspot Shield (free plan + paid) has a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to CyberGhost VPN?

None of the 5 alternatives in this list is open source.

Which CyberGhost VPN alternatives work on Linux?

Private Internet Access, Surfshark, NordVPN, ExpressVPN and Hotspot Shield run on Linux.

Why do people switch from CyberGhost VPN?

The complaints we hear most: monthly plan has only a 14-day refund window; linux app is command-line only; fewer advanced settings than rivals.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces CyberGhost VPN, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.