CyberGhost VPN is a partly free VPN service that provides a variety of security features: surfing or torrenting anonymously, unblocking streaming and websites, protecting one's internet connection from tampering while using unfamiliar Wi-Fi networks, or even customizing one's settings to accomplish any other VPN task you might dream of.  

The full monty

Before anything else, it bears noting that CyberGhost is extremely easy to use. To get an idea of how easy it is to use, it's worth trying yourself. Essentially, all of the most common VPN tasks are a tap or two away, so if this is your first battle against Internet censorship, CyberGhost will ensure you win it quickly and handily.

The app also handles a less common use case: streaming. Though a VPN is never appropriate for time-sensitive gaming, CyberGhost goes through the complex work of figuring out if and where it can direct you to streaming services (be they news or movies), which many VPNs cannot do. 

Advanced selections for advanced users, a free selection for free users

For most people, the above will be enough to more than get by with CyberGhost. For those who want to customize their experience, they have their own single panel out of the many CyberGhost provides: "Choose my VPN server".

Not only does this let the user choose their server, but it allows them to decide which of the other modes' settings to use, from ad- or malware-blocking to whether to compress data. It can be used, for example, to simultaneously surf anonymously and get around regional Internet blocking policies.

The server browser still does what it can to make life simple for power users, though. It allows the user to sort by useful criteria, such as the fewest current users, the closest and lowest-latency servers, or the overall fastest. For other concerns, it also lets you search for P2P-compatible servers specifically, NoSpyProxy servers, or servers with more users, if you want to further bury your tracks.

That said, although CyberGhost VPN is a subscription service, you can use it for free. Only the "Unblock Basic Websites" profile is available, which lets you get around censorship and website bans of all sorts. Since this is the overall most essential use case for VPNs, the fact it's free and lets you try out CyberGhost is a good thing. 

New automated Wi-Fi defense

As part of its recent mobile feature updates, CyberGhost VPN rolled out an automation system designed specifically to tackle the unique security risks of on-the-go browsing. Because mobile users constantly connect to unfamiliar networks throughout the day, this update removes the hassle of manually turning the app on and off. Instead of forcing you to open the interface and tap a connection button every single time you change locations, a dedicated Wi-Fi Protection menu allows you to pre-program how the app behaves based entirely on the specific network your iPhone detects.

The app allows you to whitelist your trusted home network so the VPN remains completely inactive while you are at home. However, on occasions when you need to jump onto an unverified public network, such as the wireless connection at a coffee shop, airport, or hotel, the app immediately steps in and triggers a secure encryption tunnel in the background. Backed by protocols like WireGuard and IKEv2, this transition happens seamlessly even during sudden network shifts, keeping your data masked without stalling background downloads.

A master of all trades in the VPN world

Overall, it's hard not to recommend Cyberghost VPN for just about any purpose. If you need it for the most common VPN purpose, getting around restrictive Internet provisions, it's even free to use. The app is both data-wise and capable of giving you as many layers of security as a VPN can provide, and it does all of this without putting the burden of configuration on the user (unless that's what they want!). It even lets you use your own browser, or apps of choice, with it.

Strongly consider it if any of the profiles match your VPN needs: they're great examples of what Cyberghost VPN can do.