CyberGhost VPN vs OctoVPN

Compare CyberGhost VPN and OctoVPN on capabilities, jurisdiction, assurance, and fit for European buyers.

Both listed as alternatives to: ExpressVPN

Logo: CyberGhost VPN

CyberGhost VPN

Romania· VPN Services

Needs review

Shortlist CyberGhost when you want a Romanian-entity consumer VPN with polished multi-device apps, streaming/P2P server profiles, NoSpy HQ servers, and repeated Deloitte no-logs assurance. Skip when you need holding-company independence, a published B2B DPA/subprocessor pack, or minimal US SaaS in the account path—consider Mullvad or Proton VPN instead.

Romanian entityWireGuard + OpenVPNNoSpy HQ serversDeloitte no-logs (claimed)7 simultaneous devicesStreaming/P2P profiles
Logo: OctoVPN

OctoVPN

Norway· VPN Services

Needs review

Shortlist when you need a Norwegian-operated WireGuard/OpenVPN with claimed DDoS-protected exits and optional private dedicated IPs for gaming or small-group use. Skip when independent no-logs audits, enterprise SSO/fleet controls, or strict EU-only egress are mandatory—consider Mullvad or Proton VPN instead.

Norway-operated (EEA)WireGuard + OpenVPNDDoS-protected exits (claimed)Private dedicated serversZero-logs (claimed)
CyberGhost VPN vs OctoVPN: Snapshot
FeatureLogo: CyberGhost VPNCyberGhost VPNLogo: OctoVPNOctoVPN
Country of originRomaniaNorway
CategoryVPN ServicesVPN Services
Open sourceNoNo
Self-hostedNoNo
HeadquartersRomaniaNorway
Legal entityCyberGhost S.R.L. (J40/1278/2011; 68 Polona St., District 1, Bucharest)OctoSEC AS (org. no. 926185918), Bosmyrkollen 9, 4620 Kristiansand S
Governing lawRomania / EU (entity); group policies under Kape Technologies PLC (UK)Laws of Norway; Kristiansand tingrett (per ToS), subject to mandatory consumer rules
US parent / controlNo known US parentNo known US parent
CLOUD Act exposure (indicative)MediumMedium
Hosting / residencyVPN egress: vendor-operated NoSpy servers at Romanian HQ plus self-owned colocated servers in third-party data centers worldwide (100 countries marketed). Account/billing/support/analytics path per privacy policy includes Cleverbridge (DE), Stripe, PayPal/Braintree, Zendesk, Google Analytics, AppsFlyer, Mouseflow, Iterable, and related processors—several US-group. Full infra subprocessor register not published as a single procurement table.Multi-region VPN exits (EU and non-EU, including multiple US cities). Payments via Stripe (US). Private-server DDoS marketed with Cloudflare Partner. Hosting providers not fully listed publicly; third-party maps associate some PoPs with OVHcloud, Linode/Akamai, BuyVM, and others. No complete official subprocessor register found.
Summary

Romanian consumer VPN from CyberGhost S.R.L. with WireGuard/OpenVPN, NoSpy HQ servers, streaming/P2P profiles, and Deloitte no-logs audits—under Kape Technologies PLC.

Norwegian (OctoSEC AS) WireGuard/OpenVPN service focused on DDoS-protected exits, low-latency gaming use, and optional private dedicated servers—not an audited enterprise fleet VPN.

Tags
At a glance: CyberGhost VPN vs OctoVPN
At a glanceLogo: CyberGhost VPNCyberGhost VPNLogo: OctoVPNOctoVPN
HQ / entityCyberGhost S.R.L., Bucharest, RomaniaOctoSEC AS (926185918), Kristiansand, Norway; founded 2020-11-25
Parent groupKape Technologies PLC (UK)Not listed
ProtocolsWireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2WireGuard; OpenVPN TCP/UDP
Network (vendor)100 countries, 120+ locationsNot listed
DevicesUp to 7 simultaneousNot listed
Open source / self-hostNo (proprietary apps; not self-hosted)Not listed
Commercial modelSubscription; optional Dedicated IP; money-back window on long-term plansSubscription + optional private servers (see vendor site)
LocationsNot listedOver 40 claimed (NA, EU, APAC); multi-region including US
Shared plan sessionsNot listed1–3 concurrent devices by tier (vendor site)
Private serversNot listedDedicated IP, multi-user, optional Cloudflare Partner DDoS
Independent auditNot listedNo public no-logs audit found
Payment processorNot listedStripe (per privacy policy)
Key capabilities: CyberGhost VPN vs OctoVPN
Key capabilitiesLogo: CyberGhost VPNCyberGhost VPNLogo: OctoVPNOctoVPN
Romanian entityYesNot listed
WireGuard + OpenVPNYesNot listed
NoSpy HQ serversYesNot listed
Deloitte no-logs (claimed)YesNot listed
7 simultaneous devicesYesNot listed
Streaming/P2P profilesYesNot listed
Norway-operated (EEA)Not listedYes
WireGuard + OpenVPNNot listedYes
DDoS-protected exits (claimed)Not listedYes
Private dedicated serversNot listedYes
Zero-logs (claimed)Not listedYes

CyberGhost VPN

  • NoSpy servers inside Romanian HQ

    Self-owned servers CyberGhost says it operates end-to-end at its Bucharest headquarters with staff-only physical access—for higher physical-control privacy than third-party facilities. Colocated self-owned servers elsewhere cover non-RO egress. NoSpy access may depend on plan length (not monthly-only).

  • Streaming, P2P, and gaming server profiles

    Labeled optimized servers for streaming, torrenting, and gaming across a network marketed at 100 countries and 120+ locations. Reduces trial-and-error for households; unblocking success still varies by platform and changes over time.

  • WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 with kill switch

    Choose WireGuard for speed, OpenVPN for flexibility, or IKEv2 on supported platforms. Automatic kill switch, DNS leak protection, RAM-only server claims, and split tunneling address common tunnel-failure and mixed-app workflows.

  • Multi-platform apps and seven simultaneous devices

    Native apps for major desktops and mobiles, extensions, selected TVs/Fire Stick, and router setup. One subscription covers up to seven concurrent connections—fit for mixed family fleets, not unlimited-device competitors.

  • Token-based Dedicated IP add-on

    Optional static IP sold separately; company describes a token design so operational systems do not map the fixed address to the account the way naive dedicated-IP setups do. Useful against CAPTCHA-heavy sites; still a paid add-on, not core anonymity.

  • Published Deloitte no-logs audits and transparency reports

    Repeated Deloitte Audit Romania ISAE 3000-style reviews of no-logs configuration (including dedicated-IP token handling), with public report links, plus quarterly legal-request transparency reports. Assurance scope is configuration/operations—not a guarantee of absolute anonymity.

OctoVPN

  • DDoS-protected shared VPN exits

    All published shared locations are marketed with enterprise-grade DDoS protection on the exit path, aimed at absorbing IP-targeted attacks common in multiplayer gaming while keeping WireGuard/OpenVPN tunnels available. Confirm current coverage and mitigation scope with the vendor for high-risk use.

  • WireGuard and OpenVPN on every location

    Every plan includes both WireGuard (speed/latency focus) and OpenVPN over TCP or UDP for restrictive networks. Protocol choice is productized for mixed device fleets rather than WireGuard-only stacks.

  • Private dedicated VPN servers with exclusive IP

    Optional private servers provide an isolated host, dedicated IP, live resource monitoring, region changes, multi-user management with expiry, and higher concurrent connection limits than shared tiers. Private-server marketing includes Cloudflare Partner anti-DDoS capacity (claimed high-capacity protection).

  • Gaming-oriented routing and CoD DNS helper

    Positioning and server placement target low ping near major exchanges. CoD VPN is a separate DNS-based Call of Duty matchmaking product (not a full-tunnel VPN) that can be combined with OctoVPN when users want both lobby routing and encrypted general traffic.

  • Cross-platform clients with tight device caps

    Official materials list Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and router support under a single subscription model. Standard shared tiers allow only one to three concurrent devices depending on plan—plan capacity carefully for households or small teams.

Assurance & compliance: CyberGhost VPN vs OctoVPN
Assurance & complianceLogo: CyberGhost VPNCyberGhost VPNLogo: OctoVPNOctoVPN
Independent no-logs audit (Deloitte)
Vendor claimed

Public Deloitte Audit Romania ISAE 3000-style assurance engagements (2022, 2024; third cycle announced Feb 2026 with downloadable report). Scope: configuration/operations vs no-logs description.

Not found

Privacy policy claims zero VPN activity logs; no public third-party audit PDF or firm engagement found on official pages.

ISO 27001
Vendor claimed

Privacy policy states QSCert ISO 27001 (and ISO 9001) ISMS certification since 2012 with yearly renewal. Confirm current certificate validity independently.

Not found
SOC 2 / SOC 3
Not found

No SOC 2/3 report identified on primary trust/legal pages reviewed.

Not found
GDPR / EU data protection
Vendor claimed

EU (Romanian) controller CyberGhost S.R.L.; privacy policy describes GDPR rights, DPO contact, and lawful bases. Not a legal compliance certificate.

Vendor claimed

Norwegian EEA entity; privacy policy cites GDPR and Personopplysningsloven; Datatilsynet complaint path listed.

US CLOUD Act exposure (indicative)
Partial

Romanian entity, no known US parent; UK group (Kape). Account path uses US-group SaaS (Stripe, Zendesk, Google Analytics, AppsFlyer, etc.). Medium/partial—not low. Not legal advice.

Partial

No known US parent (Norwegian AS). Medium indicative exposure: Stripe payments, Cloudflare Partner DDoS for private servers, multi-region exits including US hosts; hosting subprocessors not fully published. Not legal advice.

Data processing agreement (B2B)
Not found

Consumer-focused public site; no clear self-serve B2B DPA portal found during research. Request under contract if needed.

Not found

Consumer ToS/privacy only on public site; no productized B2B DPA flow found.

EU AI Act
Not applicable

Consumer VPN connectivity product; not an AI system offering.

Not applicable

Connectivity/VPN product; not an AI system under typical procurement framing.

Considerations & known limitations: CyberGhost VPN vs OctoVPN
Considerations & known limitationsLogo: CyberGhost VPNCyberGhost VPNLogo: OctoVPNOctoVPN
Part of multi-brand Kape VPN group
Medium

Ultimate holding company Kape Technologies PLC also operates ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access. Switching among Kape brands does not diversify group-level ownership risk.

Not listed
US-group SaaS for account and support data
Medium

Privacy policy discloses Stripe, Zendesk, Google Analytics, AppsFlyer, and similar processors for non-tunnel data. Separates VPN no-logs claims from account/support transfer risk.

Not listed
Most locations are colocated, not NoSpy
Low

Only NoSpy servers sit in company HQ. Global city coverage relies on third-party data centers even when hardware is self-owned—relevant for physical-access threat models.

Not listed
Thin public enterprise procurement pack
Medium

No public B2B DPA/subprocessor schedule found for fleet buyers. Consumer money-back and app UX do not replace contractual diligence.

Not listed
Streaming unblocking is not guaranteed
Low

Optimized server labels help users, but platform detection changes frequently. Do not treat marketing unblocking claims as durable SLA.

Not listed
No public independent no-logs auditNot listed
High

Zero-logs is first-party only. If vendor risk requires audit letters or ISO/SOC, treat as a blocker until evidence is obtained offline.

Incomplete public subprocessor / hosting listNot listed
Medium

Stripe and Cloudflare (private servers) are named; full server-host inventory is not published. Third-party PoP maps are incomplete leads. Demand a written subprocessor list for procurement.

US-linked processors and multi-region exitsNot listed
Medium

No US parent found, but Stripe, Cloudflare commercial DDoS, and US PoPs/US VPS brands create a non-zero indicative CLOUD Act / US process path versus pure EU hosting. Not legal advice.

User-selected non-EU exitsNot listed
Medium

Traffic can exit in the US and other non-EU countries. Strict residency policies need operational controls (allowed server lists), not HQ location alone.

Low concurrent device caps on shared plansNot listed
Low

Shared tiers advertise 1–3 devices. Households and teams may need private servers or multiple subscriptions.

Norwegian jurisdiction (Nine Eyes)Not listed
Low

Norway is often grouped in Nine Eyes intelligence cooperation discussions. Policy claims zero activity data to hand over; still a jurisdiction factor for some threat models.

Fit

CyberGhost VPN

Best fit when

  • Households and individuals needing easy apps across phones, PCs, TVs, and up to seven concurrent devices
  • Users who prioritize streaming- or P2P-labeled servers over manual protocol tinkering
  • Buyers who want a Romanian operating company plus published Deloitte no-logs assurance and transparency reports
  • Travelers needing kill switch, split tunneling, and quick public-Wi-Fi protection
  • Teams evaluating consumer VPN shortlists where UX and server coverage outweigh pure minimalism

Poor fit when

  • Organizations that require a published B2B DPA, subprocessor schedule, and enterprise fleet controls out of the box
  • Evaluators who reject multi-brand holding groups (Kape also owns ExpressVPN and PIA)
  • Buyers insisting on zero US-group SaaS for payments, support, or analytics
  • Power users who need port forwarding, deep open-source client control, or anonymous no-email accounts (prefer Mullvad/AirVPN-class tools)
  • Procurement policies that disallow UK-group ownership regardless of EU operating entity

Consider instead when

  • When: You want hard privacy minimalism, anonymous accounts, and open-source focus

    Consider: Mullvad

    Swedish VPN; weaker streaming-marketing packaging, stronger anonymity defaults

  • When: You want a Swiss/EU privacy suite with free tier and open-source clients

    Consider: Proton VPN

    Different product family; less multi-brand VPN conglomerate context

  • When: You need technical port forwarding, DDNS, and enthusiast configuration depth

    Consider: AirVPN

    Italian technical VPN; not a consumer streaming specialist

  • When: You specifically want the premium Kape-family brand with different protocol positioning

    Consider: ExpressVPN

    Same ultimate group (Kape); ownership risk is not diversified by switching brands inside the group

OctoVPN

Best fit when

  • Multiplayer gamers who want VPN exits marketed with DDoS mitigation and low-latency WireGuard
  • Users who need an optional private dedicated VPN server with exclusive IP and multi-user management
  • Buyers preferring a Norwegian AS operator under Norwegian law rather than US-owned consumer VPN brands
  • Small households or individuals fine with 1–3 concurrent devices on shared plans
  • Call of Duty players evaluating the DNS-based CoD VPN helper alongside a full tunnel

Poor fit when

  • Security policy requires a public independent no-logs audit, ISO 27001, or SOC 2 from the VPN vendor
  • Enterprise fleet needs SSO/SAML, MDM-managed clients, or org-wide admin consoles
  • You require contractually enforced EU-only egress for all devices
  • You prioritise accountless/anonymous payment UX and audited RAM-only architecture over gaming DDoS features
  • Large teams needing high concurrent device counts on a single shared subscription

Consider instead when

  • When: You prioritise audited no-logs and minimal identity over gaming DDoS features

    Consider: Mullvad

    Mullvad is stronger on the public privacy/audit narrative; weaker on marketed exit DDoS and private gaming servers.

  • When: You want a broader European privacy suite (VPN plus mail/storage ecosystem) or a free tier

    Consider: Proton VPN

    Different product scope; confirm DDoS and dedicated-IP needs separately.

  • When: You need remote port forwarding and open-source clients

    Consider: AirVPN

    AirVPN is stronger for inbound ports and GPLv3 Eddie; different eligibility constraints apply.

  • When: You need a large commercial consumer brand with maximum server footprint

    Consider: NordVPN or ExpressVPN

    Trade small Norwegian operator transparency for scale and packaging; re-check audit and ownership facts for each.

Open questions for due diligence

CyberGhost VPN

  • Will CyberGhost sign a B2B DPA and provide a current subprocessor list with locations for support, billing, and analytics?
  • What is the current ISO 27001 certificate number, scope, and expiry (beyond privacy-policy wording)?
  • Which personal data categories, if any, are accessible to Kape group entities outside CyberGhost S.R.L. in production operations?
  • For NoSpy-only threat models, what fraction of traffic and which use cases still require colocated non-RO egress?

OctoVPN

  • Will OctoSEC AS sign a B2B DPA and publish a current subprocessor list (hosts, CDN/DDoS, email, analytics)?
  • Is any independent no-logs or infrastructure security assessment available under NDA?
  • Can org devices be forced to EU-only exits, and how is that enforced technically?
  • Which legal entities operate the Cloudflare Partner DDoS and each data-centre PoP used for customer traffic?
  • Are client applications open source or third-party auditable, and where are binaries signed from?