CyberGhost vs PIA: price and which to choose
Quick verdict
CyberGhost and PIA differ a lot in the US. CyberGhost lists 1,376 US servers in 11 cities (none virtual), allows 7 devices and gives 45 days on longer plans; PIA covers all 50 states (55 regions, 32 geo-located), allows unlimited devices and has port forwarding outside the US — but is a US company.
Option A
$12.99/moCyberGhost VPN
Official price before tax: $12.99
Price checked
CyberGhost VPN price and plans
Option B
$11.95/moPIA VPN
Official price before tax: $11.95
Price checked
Private Internet Access price and plansWe compare plans with a similar purpose, whose features may differ; prices before sales tax; prices for other plans and periods are in the reviews.
Feature comparison
| Criterion | CyberGhost VPN | Private Internet Access |
|---|---|---|
| Devices | 7 | Unlimited |
| US coverage | 1,376 servers, 11 cities | 55 regions, all 50 states |
| Money-back | 45 days (monthly: 14) | 30 days, new subscribers |
| Jurisdiction | Romania (EU) | USA (Five Eyes) |
| Port forwarding | Not listed | Not on US servers |
| Latest audit | 2025 | 2025 |
Two VPNs with different strengths: CyberGhost for an easy, low-risk start; PIA for coverage and devices.
If you don’t want to read further
The longest refund window or EU jurisdiction — CyberGhost. Unlimited devices or a location in every state — PIA.
What really sets them apart
In each row, the last sentence matters most — what the difference means for you.
How many devices?
CyberGhost VPN
7.
Private Internet Access
Unlimited.
Big households: PIA.
US coverage?
CyberGhost VPN
1,376 servers in 11 cities; none marked virtual.
Private Internet Access
55 regions covering all 50 states; 32 geo-located.
PIA for state choice; CyberGhost for physical servers in big cities.
Money-back window?
CyberGhost VPN
45 days on 6-month and 2-year plans; 14 on monthly.
Private Internet Access
30 days for new subscribers.
More time to test with CyberGhost.
Where is the company?
CyberGhost VPN
Romania — EU.
Private Internet Access
USA — inside the Five Eyes.
If you’d rather avoid US jurisdiction, CyberGhost.
Port forwarding?
CyberGhost VPN
Not in the feature list.
Private Internet Access
Yes — but not on US servers.
Neither gives you port forwarding on a US server.
Linux?
CyberGhost VPN
Command-line app for 64-bit distributions.
Private Internet Access
64-bit desktop app with split tunneling; ARM too.
Both cover Linux – check your distribution.
TV apps?
CyberGhost VPN
Fire TV app; other TVs through Smart DNS.
Private Internet Access
Fire TV and Apple TV apps.
No app for your TV? A VPN router covers it.
Where they don’t differ, even though it seems they should
This part is often more useful than the list of differences — it saves money for anyone who was about to pay for an imaginary advantage.
2025 audits
Both had an independent no-logs audit in 2025.
Dedicated IP as an add-on
Both sell it separately at checkout.
Antivirus as an add-on
Both offer it as an extra, not in the base plan.
Which one fits whom
| Your situation | What to choose | On what condition |
|---|---|---|
| More than 7 devices | PIA | Unlimited. |
| You want the most time to test | CyberGhost | 45 days on longer plans. |
| You need a particular state | PIA | All 50 states. |
| You want EU jurisdiction | CyberGhost | Romania. |
- CyberGhost’s monthly plan has only a 14-day guarantee.
- PIA’s guarantee doesn’t cover app store purchases.
- PIA is under US jurisdiction.
- CyberGhost notes that taxes may apply; PIA’s price list doesn’t say.
Where the facts come from
Sources: CyberGhost’s and PIA’s US price lists and server lists. Prices are in the price blocks on each service’s page.
Facts in the text checked: .
FAQ: CyberGhost VPN or Private Internet Access
Other comparisons
The same products against other competitors, and other comparisons in the “VPN services” category.
Where their scores differ
Only criteria we’ve checked for both services and where the scores differ. Equal criteria and criteria without data aren’t shown here, because they add nothing to the decision.
If what matters most is — port forwarding: Private Internet Access
CyberGhost VPN: no (1,0/5) · Private Internet Access: yes (5,0/5)
If what matters most is — devices at once: Private Internet Access
CyberGhost VPN: 7 (2,5/5) · Private Internet Access: unlimited (5,0/5)
If what matters most is — jurisdiction: CyberGhost VPN
CyberGhost VPN: EU (3,5/5) · Private Internet Access: US or Five Eyes (1,5/5)
If what matters most is — free way to try it: CyberGhost VPN
CyberGhost VPN: refund within 45 days (4,0/5) · Private Internet Access: refund within 30 days (3,0/5)
If what matters most is — app rating: Private Internet Access
CyberGhost VPN: 4,2 out of 5 (4,2/5) · Private Internet Access: 4,7 out of 5 (4,7/5)
If what matters most is — price now: Private Internet Access
CyberGhost VPN: 2,19 USD/mo before tax (4,8/5) · Private Internet Access: 1,89 USD/mo before tax (5,0/5)
The scores and their weights are the same as in the reviews of both services. How we calculate
Comparison text updated: