VPN Showdown: Comparing Surfshark, IPVanish, and CyberGhost

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Aug 4, 2024 — 4 min read

In this detailed comparison, we evaluate three popular VPN services: Surfshark, IPVanish, and CyberGhost. Each VPN is assessed based on criteria such as speed, security features, ease of use, and pricing. This article aims to help readers make an informed decision about which VPN best suits their needs.

1. Surfshark

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Pros:

Unlimited Simultaneous Connections: Surfshark allows users to connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously, making it highly versatile for families or small businesses.
Camouflage Mode: This feature hides the fact that you are using a VPN, which is particularly useful in countries with strict internet censorship.
Affordable Long-Term Plans: Surfshark offers budget-friendly pricing for long-term subscriptions, making it a cost-effective option for extended use.
Wide Range of Features: Includes a kill switch, split tunneling, and various VPN protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN.

Cons:

IP Address Logging: Surfshark records your IP address whenever you connect, although it is encrypted and deleted after 15 minutes.
14-Eyes Jurisdiction: Based in the Netherlands, which is part of the 14-Eyes alliance, potentially subjecting it to government data requests.
Expensive Monthly Plan: The monthly subscription is relatively high compared to other VPNs.

Performance:

Speed: Surfshark is generally fast, with minimal impact on internet speed.
Streaming: Excellent for streaming, capable of unblocking various streaming services.

Pricing:

Monthly Plan: $15.45
Annual Plan: Significantly cheaper, making it a more attractive option for long-term users.

2. IPVanish

Pros:

Unlimited Simultaneous Connections: Like Surfshark, IPVanish also allows unlimited device connections.
Good for Streaming: Effective for streaming, with decent performance across various platforms.
24/7 Customer Support: Offers live chat and phone support, which is beneficial for troubleshooting.

Cons:

US Jurisdiction: Based in the US, a member of the 14-Eyes alliance, which could be a concern for privacy-conscious users.
Data Collection Practices: Not ideal for users with critical privacy needs due to its data collection practices.
Relatively Slow Speeds: Performance is slower compared to top competitors.
Clunky App: The app interface is not as user-friendly as other VPNs.

Performance:

Speed: IPVanish offers moderate speeds, which might not be sufficient for high-bandwidth activities.
Streaming: Generally good for streaming, but performance can vary.

Pricing:

Monthly Plan: Higher than average, making it less competitive for short-term use.
Annual Plan: Offers better value but still pricier compared to other VPNs.

3. CyberGhost

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Pros:

Vast Server Network: Over 11,500 servers in 100 countries, providing extensive coverage.
Excellent for Streaming: Performs well for streaming international content.
Quarterly Transparency Reports: Provides some level of transparency about its operations.

Cons:

Buggy App: Users have reported issues with the app's stability and performance.
Questionable Data Sharing Practices: Concerns about how user data is handled.
Limited Feature Set: Offers fewer advanced features compared to competitors.
Only Seven Simultaneous Connections: Limited compared to Surfshark and IPVanish.

Performance:

Speed: CyberGhost experiences a 30% speed loss, which is higher than some competitors but still acceptable for most activities.
Streaming: Strong performance for streaming, making it a good choice for entertainment.

Pricing:

Monthly Plan: $13, which is competitive but not the cheapest.
Annual Plan: Offers better value, especially for users who prioritize streaming.

Comparison Table

Feature	Surfshark	IPVanish	CyberGhost
Simultaneous Connections	Unlimited	Unlimited	7
Jurisdiction	Netherlands (14-Eyes)	US (14-Eyes)	Romania
Speed	Fast	Moderate	Moderate
Streaming	Excellent	Good	Excellent
Monthly Price	$15.45	Higher than average	$13
Annual Price	Budget-friendly	Better value	Competitive
Unique Features	Camouflage Mode, Split Tunneling	Basic features, Threat Protection	Quarterly Transparency Reports
Server Network	3,200+ servers in 100 countries	2,200 servers in 50 countries	11,500+ servers in 100 countries