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CyberGhost vs StrongVPN pairs two long-running VPNs owned by big groups. CyberGhost, a Kape brand based in Romania, has three Deloitte no-logs audits in our table, allows seven devices and renews at $56.94 a year after a 26-month first term, with 45 days for refunds on longer plans. StrongVPN, owned by Ziff Davis in the US and launched in 2005, has no audit in our table, allows 12 devices, offers Smart DNS for consoles and costs $47.69 for its first year, then $89.99.
This guide compares evidence, streaming, Smart DNS, speed, cost, refunds and fit.
CyberGhost vs StrongVPN on Evidence
CyberGhost’s three Deloitte audits run from 2022 to late 2025, checking its no-logs claim more than once. StrongVPN has no audit in our table, and Top10VPN notes its apps have not been audited and that it lacks post-quantum encryption.
For outside proof, CyberGhost is ahead. An audit checks systems against the privacy policy; without one, you rely on the company’s word. Our VPN audit tracker compares records.
Streaming
Streaming blocks change often. Test the services you use within each refund window.
CyberGhost groups servers by streaming service in its apps, Gizmodo notes, which makes picking a server for Netflix or BBC iPlayer simple. StrongVPN works best for US services, Top10VPN found, unblocking HBO Max on the first attempt, while its BBC iPlayer results were unreliable.
For a wide range of services, CyberGhost’s labelled servers are easier; for US platforms, both can work.
Smart DNS for Consoles
StrongVPN includes Smart DNS, which lets consoles and smart TVs reach streaming services without a VPN app, and Top10VPN rates the feature highly. CyberGhost offers no Smart DNS in our sources, so a console needs a router or a shared connection.
Smart DNS changes only DNS lookups and adds no encryption, so it suits streaming rather than privacy.
Speed and Ping
Ping is the delay before data starts to move. Download speed is how fast it moves once it does.
Top10VPN’s 2026 tests found StrongVPN had the lowest local ping of the 59 VPNs it reviewed, and strong long-distance speeds. CyberGhost’s speeds suit streaming on nearby servers.
Gamers and people on frequent video calls will notice StrongVPN’s low ping most.
Two-Year Cost
Introductory prices hide the real cost. Always compare what each charges once the first term ends.
CyberGhost costs $56.94 for its first 26 months, then $56.94 a year. StrongVPN’s yearly plan costs $47.69 and then $89.99, about $137.68 over two years, while its monthly plan costs $11.99.
CyberGhost is far cheaper over two years. Our renewal price guide shows how renewals add up.
Refunds
Ask for a refund in writing before the window closes, and keep your order number.
CyberGhost gives 45 days on plans of six months or more and 14 days on monthly plans. StrongVPN refunds only yearly plans within 30 days; monthly plans get none, Comparitech and TechRadar note in our tables.
Avoid StrongVPN’s monthly plan if you want a safety net while testing.
Devices and Apps
A router running either VPN counts as one device and covers TVs and consoles behind it.
StrongVPN allows 12 devices; CyberGhost allows seven. StrongVPN’s kill switch is off by default, Top10VPN notes, and its split tunnelling works only on Android; CyberGhost includes a kill switch in its main apps.
Families with eight or more devices fit StrongVPN without a router.
Who Each Is For
Neither is a bad pick; they simply serve different screens. Count your consoles and streaming apps first.
CyberGhost suits streamers who want labelled servers, three audits and low renewals. StrongVPN suits console owners who want Smart DNS, gamers who value low ping, and households of up to 12 devices.
Both are owned by large groups: Kape for CyberGhost, Ziff Davis for StrongVPN.
Protocols
Both also support manual setups, which matter for routers and devices without apps.
StrongVPN uses WireGuard by default, offers OpenVPN and IKEv2, and provides a WireGuard configuration generator for routers and other devices. CyberGhost’s Windows app offers WireGuard, IKEv2 and OpenVPN, its support pages say.
For everyday speed, WireGuard is the sensible default on both.
Extras
CyberGhost also sells a Windows security suite and a password manager as add-ons.
CyberGhost sells a dedicated IP from $5 a month and includes ID Guard monitoring at no extra cost, its pricing page lists. StrongVPN’s main extra is its Smart DNS, which comes with every plan.
A dedicated IP helps with services that block shared VPN addresses.
Ownership
Neither group publishes how it separates editorial and commercial teams in our sources.
Ziff Davis owns StrongVPN alongside IPVanish and publications including PCMag and CNET. Kape owns CyberGhost along with ExpressVPN, PIA and review sites including vpnMentor and Wizcase, CyberInsider reports. We put the two side by side in our Proton VPN vs StrongVPN comparison.
Both groups own media as well as VPNs, so weigh their reviews of their own brands with care.
How We Research
This page draws on Top10VPN’s StrongVPN review, Gizmodo on CyberGhost, CyberGhost’s pricing pages and our audit, price and refund tables. We cross-checked these sources against each other, and where they conflict or something can’t be verified, we say so in the text rather than guessing. We checked time-sensitive figures, including prices in US dollars, on 8 October 2026. The main source we relied on is Top10VPN’s StrongVPN review. Our full approach lives on the About Us page.
CyberGhost vs StrongVPN FAQ
CyberGhost for audits, streaming and price; StrongVPN for Smart DNS and low ping.
Not in our table; CyberGhost has three audits.
Not in our sources; StrongVPN does.
CyberGhost.
StrongVPN, with 12 against seven.
The Verdict
CyberGhost vs StrongVPN: CyberGhost for audited streaming at a low renewal; StrongVPN for Smart DNS, low ping and 12 devices.