ExpressVPN vs CyberGhost: features, device limits and refund terms

ExpressVPN is a practical candidate when you need the connection allowance or app controls of a particular ExpressVPN tier. CyberGhost is a practical candidate when its seven-device allowance and documented core features cover your setup, and its purchase terms suit the commitment you want to make. An eligible longer CyberGhost subscription has a different refund window from a monthly one, so even that comparison needs the exact plan and seller.

The important questions are what you will connect, which controls work on that platform and what you are paying for. This article updates an archived comparison using current provider documentation. VPNBlade has not run a comparative speed, streaming or security test, and we do not carry forward the old article’s prices or performance winners.

ExpressVPN versus CyberGhost: the useful differences

Check the selected subscription and purchase route

Decision	ExpressVPN	CyberGhost
Simultaneous VPN connections	Ten on Basic, twelve on Advanced and fourteen on Express Pro in current support guidance.	Up to seven at the same time on one subscription.
Routing controls	Desktop split-tunneling documentation covers Windows, Mac and Linux; mobile instructions are separate.	The Android guide documents app exclusions through App Split Tunnel.
Included versus additional products	Review the precise tier and checkout rather than assuming every ExpressVPN product is included.	The plan guide distinguishes core VPN features from paid Dedicated IP and Windows Security Suite add-ons.
Refund headline	The website advertises a thirty-day guarantee for eligible first-time subscribers, with exclusions.	The refund policy specifies fourteen days for one-month plans and forty-five days for eligible plans of six months or longer.
App-store purchase	Do not assume the direct website guarantee applies to an in-app subscription.	Marketplace purchases have separate refund handling from the direct provider guarantee.

A longer allowance or refund window is a real detail to investigate, but neither is a security score. If both products cover your actual devices and task, other requirements and the full price can matter more than the larger number in a table.

Device coverage: count concurrent connections, not installations

ExpressVPN’s current connection guide lists ten simultaneous devices for Basic, twelve for Advanced and fourteen for Express Pro. The archived five-device figure should not guide a current purchase. Also check the selected tier: the highest allowance is not automatically included in the lowest-priced offer.

CyberGhost’s support page says one subscription permits up to seven simultaneous connections, although the app can be installed on more devices. It describes disconnecting an active device when the allowance is reached and managing devices through the account. This is more precise than assuming that every installed copy consumes a permanent extra subscription.

Consider a person who regularly uses a phone, tablet, work-permitted personal laptop and television. The connection count may be modest even if they have older devices in a drawer. A household with several people using devices at the same time faces a different calculation. Write down the concurrent requirement before buying a higher tier or ruling out a seven-device plan.

Supported software matters too. A slot in an account does not make an unsupported console run a native VPN app. If the intended route is through a router, use the router VPN comparison and verify the hardware, firmware and supported configuration separately.

VPNBLADE · PLAN SHORTLIST

A current plan to consider

Compare all terms →

Selected plan offers, not performance rankings. We may earn a commission through affiliate links. Monthly equivalents require the full payment shown.

ExpressVPN

Check your exact device setup

ExpressVPN Basic — 28-month introductory offer

USD 2.99/mo equivalent

USD 83.72 upfront · First 28 months, paid upfront

Get ExpressVPN deal ↗Offer details & coupon conditions →

Renewal & refund conditions

USD 99.95 annually after the initial 28-month term.

30-day money-back guarantee for new users; provider terms and purchase-channel conditions apply.

Price source checked 2026-10-25 · Confirm tax and eligibility at checkout.

NordVPN

Apps across major device platforms

NordVPN Basic — 27-month introductory offer

USD 3.49/mo equivalent

USD 94.23 upfront · First 27 months, paid upfront

Get NordVPN deal ↗Offer details & coupon conditions →

Renewal & refund conditions

USD 139.08 every year after the initial 27-month term at the current renewal price.

30-day money-back guarantee; provider eligibility, payment-channel and refund terms apply.

Price source checked 2026-10-25 · Confirm tax and eligibility at checkout.

Surfshark

Households with multiple devices

Surfshark One — 27-month introductory offer

USD 2.49/mo equivalent

USD 67.23 upfront · First 27 months, paid upfront

Get Surfshark deal ↗Offer details & coupon conditions →

Renewal & refund conditions

Automatic renewal after the introductory term at the then-applicable rate. Confirm the chosen bundle’s next invoice and billing interval before purchase; no numeric renewal amount was verified.

30-day money-back guarantee; purchase-channel and provider eligibility conditions apply.

Price source checked 2026-10-25 · Confirm tax and eligibility at checkout.

PureVPN

Published subscription offer

PureVPN Standard — 27-month prepaid offer

USD 2.16/mo equivalent

USD 58.20 upfront · First 27 months, paid upfront

Get PureVPN deal ↗Offer details & coupon conditions →

Renewal & refund conditions

Checkout displays USD 2.15/month after 27 months. This is the provider’s renewal-rate label, not a verified future invoice. The next charge amount and billing interval were not separately established; confirm both before paying.

31-day money-back guarantee advertised; provider eligibility and refund terms apply.

Price source checked 2026-10-25 · Confirm tax and eligibility at checkout.

VeePN

Published subscription offer

VeePN Basic — 28-month introductory offer

USD 1.99/mo equivalent

USD 55.72 upfront · First 28 months, paid upfront

Get VeePN deal ↗Offer details & coupon conditions →

Renewal & refund conditions

Card/PayPal checkout quotes automatic renewal at USD 59.76 every 12 months after the initial 28-month period. Future renewal prices can change.

Thirty-day refund window for the original purchase, subject to terms. Rebilling and previously refunded accounts are excluded; plan extensions or added licenses can waive eligibility.

Price source checked 2026-10-25 · Confirm tax and eligibility at checkout.

Routing features: inspect the app you will use

ExpressVPN’s desktop guide explains choosing applications that use the tunnel or bypass it. It covers Windows, Mac and Linux, and distinguishes the Linux graphical app from its command-line edition. Check the current instructions for your app rather than copying a menu sequence from another operating system.

CyberGhost’s Android instructions describe App Split Tunnel: selected applications can connect outside the VPN. The guide says to disconnect the VPN before changing those settings. This documents a particular platform workflow; it is not evidence that every CyberGhost app exposes the same controls.

For either provider, an exclusion changes coverage. If you let a game, browser or other application use the ordinary route, do not continue describing that task as VPN-routed. A setting that fixes compatibility may be useful, but it should be recorded as an intentional exception.

Our VPN verification checklist helps check the intended route. Test the relevant application rather than using one browser’s visible IP address as proof that every program follows the same path.

CyberGhost features and add-ons: separate the jobs they perform

CyberGhost’s plan guide lists core features including VPN protocols, a DNS-level Content Blocker and startup or Wi-Fi rules. It separately lists Dedicated IP and Security Suite for Windows as additional-cost options. That distinction belongs in a purchase comparison: a core VPN offer should not be presented as automatically including a paid extra.

A DNS-level blocker and antivirus also perform different tasks. Domain blocking can affect connections to listed destinations; it is not the same operation as examining every file or repairing an infected device. Likewise, a dedicated IP address is an account or routing choice, not a universal upgrade in anonymity.

Ask what problem the extra product solves and whether it supports your platform. Buying an additional Windows application for a requirement that exists only on a phone would not meet the same need. Our VPN and antivirus explainer develops the difference between those protections.

Refunds: the seller and subscription length matter

CyberGhost’s refund policy distinguishes one-month subscriptions from subscriptions of six months or longer. The stated request windows are fourteen and forty-five days respectively for eligible purchases. The same policy says its provider guarantee excludes purchases through Google Play, Apple’s App Store and Amazon’s Appstore; those marketplaces handle their own refund decisions.

ExpressVPN’s website advertises a thirty-day refund-request window for eligible first-time subscribers. Its guarantee page excludes previously refunded users or payment accounts and in-app billing through Apple’s App Store or Google Play. The Apple-specific support guide likewise says an Apple-billed subscription does not receive the provider’s direct guarantee.

These are purchase conditions, not free subscriptions. A money-back guarantee can involve an initial charge and a later request that must meet the applicable terms. Do not treat a longer headline window as permission to ignore the seller, eligibility rules or purchase date.

CyberGhost also states that turning off automatic renewal does not itself request a refund. Those actions answer different questions: one concerns future billing, the other concerns a payment already made. Keep a copy of the order details and use the refund process for the seller that actually billed you.

ExpressVPN: pros, cons and reasons to choose it

Pros for a suitable setup

• The tier-specific allowances offer options when your concurrent device requirement exceeds a smaller fixed cap.
• Its platform-specific routing documentation helps evaluate the app and edition you intend to use.
• Current offer records put the initial payment and term together so you can examine the full commitment.

Cons and trade-offs

• A headline feature or connection limit should not be extended automatically to every tier.
• App-edition and operating-system differences can affect the available controls.
• Refund eligibility depends on the purchase route and conditions; the website headline is not every seller’s policy.

Choose ExpressVPN when: the exact tier covers your devices and the supported app provides the controls you need, with a complete subscription commitment you accept. That is a reasoned purchase fit, not a claim that ExpressVPN won an unperformed speed test.

See the ExpressVPN coupons and offers page for the documented subscription destinations. If you are also considering an unlimited VPN device allowance, our separate ExpressVPN versus Surfshark comparison covers that different choice.

CyberGhost: pros, cons and reasons to choose it

Pros for a suitable setup

• A seven-device concurrent allowance may cover a personal setup without needing an additional account.
• The plan documentation distinguishes included VPN capabilities from separately priced add-ons.
• The longer eligible direct-purchase refund window can be relevant when evaluating a longer subscription.

Cons and trade-offs

• A larger household may need to manage the connection cap more carefully.
• A platform feature such as Android app exclusions should not be assumed to work identically everywhere.
• The monthly plan’s refund window and marketplace exceptions differ from the longer-plan headline.

Choose CyberGhost when: its supported app and allowance meet your actual requirements, the relevant features solve a defined problem and the complete payment terms make sense. A longer refund window can help frame an evaluation, but it does not replace checking the platform and seller.

Use the CyberGhost deals and company page to examine the documented offers. Check optional products individually rather than treating a discounted VPN plan as a promise of every security tool.

Which is cheaper? Build a complete purchase record

A monthly equivalent is not necessarily a monthly bill. Record the first payment, the period it buys, taxes, any optional product and the renewal terms. A lower displayed equivalent can still require more money upfront or commit you for longer than you need.

For example, someone evaluating a VPN for a short trip faces a different commitment from a household planning year-round use. Neither should buy a longer subscription only to obtain a particular refund headline. Compare the need and total cost first, then read the actual eligibility terms.

Record these details before either purchase

Item	What to confirm
Product	The provider, tier and any additional application or service.
Payment	The amount due now, currency, term and renewal arrangement.
Seller	Whether the provider, an app store or another seller bills you.
Eligibility	The refund conditions attached to this purchase and the deadline for a request.
Practical fit	The supported device, required control and application task.

The VPN buying checklist keeps those questions together. Use the current offer details below and verify the final checkout before purchasing.

Speed, streaming and privacy: avoid an invented winner

The archived article named winners from old prices, server totals and unsupported performance statements. Those are not current VPNBlade test results. A server category marketed for streaming does not guarantee access, and a connection that works once does not establish a permanent performance advantage.

For an authorized evaluation, check the application you need on a supported device under comparable network conditions. Record unsuccessful connections as well as successful ones. If gaming is the task, our gaming VPN guide explains why the route and latency matter more than a generic “fastest” label.

Privacy also deserves its own review. Read a policy’s stated scope and any assurance report’s date and coverage rather than using an encryption label as a universal safety score. This comparison does not claim that either VPN makes every activity anonymous or replaces secure accounts and maintained devices.

Common ExpressVPN versus CyberGhost questions

Is the old five-versus-seven device comparison still correct?

No. ExpressVPN’s current allowances vary by tier. CyberGhost documents seven concurrent connections. Use current terms for the exact purchase.

Is CyberGhost’s longer guarantee a forty-five-day free trial?

No. A paid subscription with conditional refund eligibility is different from a free trial. Check the duration, seller and request process.

Which provider should I choose?

Choose from the app, allowance and full subscription terms that match your requirements. ExpressVPN’s tier options may suit a larger concurrent setup; CyberGhost may fit a smaller one with the relevant core features and eligible purchase terms. Neither receives an invented performance or privacy victory here.

Cover: AI-generated editorial illustration of travel preparation with a tablet and phone; not a product screenshot or evidence of comparative testing.

Continue your research

ExpressVPN →

CyberGhost →

VPNBLADE · PLAN SHORTLIST

Ready to choose a plan?

Compare all terms →

Selected plan offers, not performance rankings. We may earn a commission through affiliate links. Monthly equivalents require the full payment shown.

ExpressVPN

Check your exact device setup

ExpressVPN Basic — 28-month introductory offer

USD 2.99/mo equivalent

USD 83.72 upfront · First 28 months, paid upfront

Get ExpressVPN deal ↗Offer details & coupon conditions →

Renewal & refund conditions

USD 99.95 annually after the initial 28-month term.

30-day money-back guarantee for new users; provider terms and purchase-channel conditions apply.

Price source checked 2026-10-25 · Confirm tax and eligibility at checkout.

NordVPN

Apps across major device platforms

NordVPN Basic — 27-month introductory offer

USD 3.49/mo equivalent

USD 94.23 upfront · First 27 months, paid upfront

Get NordVPN deal ↗Offer details & coupon conditions →

Renewal & refund conditions

USD 139.08 every year after the initial 27-month term at the current renewal price.

30-day money-back guarantee; provider eligibility, payment-channel and refund terms apply.

Price source checked 2026-10-25 · Confirm tax and eligibility at checkout.

Surfshark

Households with multiple devices

Surfshark One — 27-month introductory offer

USD 2.49/mo equivalent

USD 67.23 upfront · First 27 months, paid upfront

Get Surfshark deal ↗Offer details & coupon conditions →

Renewal & refund conditions

Automatic renewal after the introductory term at the then-applicable rate. Confirm the chosen bundle’s next invoice and billing interval before purchase; no numeric renewal amount was verified.

30-day money-back guarantee; purchase-channel and provider eligibility conditions apply.

Price source checked 2026-10-25 · Confirm tax and eligibility at checkout.

PureVPN

Published subscription offer

PureVPN Standard — 27-month prepaid offer

USD 2.16/mo equivalent

USD 58.20 upfront · First 27 months, paid upfront

Get PureVPN deal ↗Offer details & coupon conditions →

Renewal & refund conditions

Checkout displays USD 2.15/month after 27 months. This is the provider’s renewal-rate label, not a verified future invoice. The next charge amount and billing interval were not separately established; confirm both before paying.

31-day money-back guarantee advertised; provider eligibility and refund terms apply.

Price source checked 2026-10-25 · Confirm tax and eligibility at checkout.

VeePN

Published subscription offer

VeePN Basic — 28-month introductory offer

USD 1.99/mo equivalent

USD 55.72 upfront · First 28 months, paid upfront

Get VeePN deal ↗Offer details & coupon conditions →

Renewal & refund conditions

Card/PayPal checkout quotes automatic renewal at USD 59.76 every 12 months after the initial 28-month period. Future renewal prices can change.

Thirty-day refund window for the original purchase, subject to terms. Rebilling and previously refunded accounts are excluded; plan extensions or added licenses can waive eligibility.

Price source checked 2026-10-25 · Confirm tax and eligibility at checkout.