CyberGhost vs Mullvad VPN

CyberGhost and Mullvad represent opposite ends of the VPN spectrum. CyberGhost is a budget streaming VPN with 11,500+ servers, Kape Technologies ownership, and streaming-optimized labels. Mullvad is a privacy-first VPN with 700 servers, independent ownership, and zero interest in streaming. This comparison is really about what you need a VPN for.

Quick Verdict

CyberGhost is the choice for streaming and everyday use. It actually works with Netflix, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer. Mullvad is the choice for privacy. Anonymous signup, open-source code, and the highest transparency standards in the industry. If you need streaming, CyberGhost wins by default. If you need privacy, Mullvad wins by a wide margin.

At a Glance

| Category | CyberGhost | Mullvad | Winner | |----------|------------|---------|--------| | Overall Score | 8.3 | 8.4 | Mullvad | | Privacy Score | 8.0 | 9.8 | Mullvad | | Speed | 79.8 Mbps | 82.4 Mbps | Mullvad | | Streaming | 8.7 | 5.5 | CyberGhost | | Price (2-year) | $2.03/mo | ~$5.48/mo | CyberGhost | | Transparency Score | 62 | 95 | Mullvad | | Servers | 11,500+ | 700+ | CyberGhost |

Speed Comparison

| Location | CyberGhost | Mullvad | Difference | |----------|------------|---------|------------| | US (New York) | 79.8 Mbps | 82.4 Mbps | -3.2% | | UK (London) | 75.2 Mbps | 78.9 Mbps | -4.7% | | Germany (Frankfurt) | 73.6 Mbps | 80.1 Mbps | -8.1% | | Japan (Tokyo) | 61.4 Mbps | 63.2 Mbps | -2.8% | | Australia (Sydney) | 58.2 Mbps | 60.7 Mbps | -4.1% |

Winner: Mullvad. Despite having 16x fewer servers, Mullvad is faster than CyberGhost in every test location. Server count does not equal performance - Mullvad's smaller, well-maintained network outperforms CyberGhost's larger but less optimized infrastructure.

Pricing Comparison

| Metric | CyberGhost | Mullvad | |--------|------------|---------| | Monthly | $12.99/mo | ~$5.48/mo (5 EUR) | | 2-Year | $2.03/mo | ~$5.48/mo | | Renewal | $4.29/mo (yearly) | ~$5.48/mo | | 3-Year True Cost | $133.56 | ~$197.28 |

Winner: CyberGhost on long-term plans. CyberGhost's 2-year plan is less than half of Mullvad's flat rate. Mullvad is cheaper than CyberGhost's monthly plan. Over three years, CyberGhost saves about $64. Mullvad's single honest price has no tricks - CyberGhost's introductory pricing will increase at renewal.

Streaming

Winner: CyberGhost. CyberGhost unblocks Netflix US, UK, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, and most major platforms (9/12 in our tests). Mullvad scores 0/12. This is the one category where CyberGhost clearly leads.

Privacy

| Factor | CyberGhost | Mullvad | |--------|------------|---------| | Jurisdiction | Romania | Sweden | | Parent Company | Kape Technologies | Mullvad VPN AB | | Email Required | Yes | No | | Anonymous Payment | Crypto | Cash, crypto | | Open Source | No | Yes (everything) | | RAM-Only | Yes | Yes | | Post-Quantum | No | Yes | | Transparency Score | 62 | 95 | | Cancellation Dark Patterns | Yes | No |

Winner: Mullvad, by far. Mullvad's privacy model is the industry gold standard. Anonymous accounts, cash payments, fully open-source, post-quantum encryption, and a transparency score of 95. CyberGhost's Kape ownership, closed-source apps, and cancellation dark patterns put it at the opposite end of the trust spectrum.

Who Should Choose CyberGhost

• Users who need streaming at the lowest possible price
• Beginners who want streaming-optimized server labels
• Anyone who wants the longest money-back guarantee (45 days)
• Budget buyers who need a functional VPN for everyday use

Who Should Choose Mullvad

• Privacy-focused users with a genuine threat model
• Anyone who wants zero personal information shared
• Open-source advocates and technical users
• Users who value honest pricing and business practices
• Journalists, activists, and security researchers

Our Recommendation

These VPNs serve completely different purposes. Choose CyberGhost if you need streaming on a budget. Choose Mullvad if you need privacy. If you want both streaming and strong privacy, skip both and choose NordVPN or Proton VPN instead.