Speed | 6.0 / 10 |
Servers | 6.0 / 10 |
User Experience | 6.0 / 10 |
Support | 5.0 / 10 |
Pricing | 7.0 / 10 |
Ghost Path Review 2024: Before You Buy, Is It Worth It?
Ghost Path Overview
Ghost Path’s low price caught my attention, and I wondered how the company was able to add so many high-tech security features without raising prices. To determine whether or not the VPN lived up to its claims and could hold its own against the industry’s best, I subjected it to a battery of tests.
I discovered that Ghost Path offers pretty good features. The VPN has solid encryption, fast speeds, and supports torrenting. However, it wasn’t perfect. It lacks a kill switch and could only unblock half of the streaming sites that I tested.
Don’t Have Time? Here’s a 1-Minute Summary
- Unblocks a couple of streaming platforms. I could only access my Netflix and HBO Max accounts. Find out which platforms it couldn’t unblock.
- Provides fast speeds across all servers. I was impressed to find out that Ghost Path maintains fast speeds on all servers. Take a look at my speed test results.
- Offers top-grade security. Ghost Path offers military-grade encryption but lacks some other advanced security features. Find out more about its security.
- No-logs Policy. Although Ghost Path has a no-logs policy, its location within the US made me concerned. Jump to the privacy policy.
- Connects up to 5 devices. You can only connect 5 devices with your subscription. Check out the devices that are supported.
- Slow support response time. I was disappointed with the slow response time of Ghost Path support. Find out how long it took before I got a response.
- 30-day money-back guarantee. Ghost Path allows you to claim a full refund if you’re not satisfied with the service. Learn how to get your money back.
Ghost Path Unblocks Netflix and HBO Max (But Can’t Access Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer)
It was disappointing that Ghost Path couldn’t unblock most of the streaming sites during my tests. It worked perfectly with Netflix and HBO Max but failed miserably with Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video.
Netflix and HBO Max: Unblocked
Whether you’re an expat living abroad who misses your favorite Netflix shows or a tourist looking for some entertainment while traveling, Ghost Path will help satisfy your Netflix craving. I successfully unblocked my Netflix US account and watched Fuller House in HD. In addition to the United States, Netflix was also accessible in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Spain without sacrificing video quality.
You can also use Ghost Path to access HBO Max without any problems. Its servers in the United States made it possible for me to stream Aquaman and a few other movies on my computer and smart TV.
For the most part, Ghost Path’s streaming quality on Netflix and HBO Max exceeded my expectations, and I appreciated how quickly and easily I was able to watch some of my favorite films again.
Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and BBC IPlayer+: Blocked
It was disappointing that Ghost Path couldn’t unblock most of the streaming sites that I tested. I tested different US servers with my streaming accounts on Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video. Unfortunately, the VPN couldn’t unblock any of these platforms. All platforms knew right away that I was using a VPN and cut me off while showing similar error messages
Ghost Path also blocked access to UK-only streaming services like BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, and Peacock TV. Since Ghost Path couldn’t unblock most streaming platforms, I suggest you try a different VPN service with better unblocking capabilities. I particularly use ExpressVPN to unblock every popular streaming site and get UHD streaming quality.
Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
Speed
- 6.0 / 10Ghost Path Offers Fast Speeds Across All Servers
Ghost Path maintained fast speeds across all of its servers. I was astounded by how quick my connections were, whether I was using a nearby or far-off server. I had no trouble streaming 4K videos without interruption, zipping around the web, or downloading public domain torrents because the speeds were so fast.
Speed Test Results
My default internet download speed was 35 Mbps before I connected to the Ghost Path servers. After connecting to a couple of servers, I got an average download speed of around 22Mbps — a 37% drop in my internet speed. The fastest download speeds I experienced were on the United States and United Kingdom servers, at 24.65 and 27.91 Mbps, respectively.
In addition, I didn’t experience any significant lag when connecting to distant servers. My download speed dropped by 61% when I connected to the server in Singapore, which is the farthest away from where I am. That’s a big drop, but the performance was surprisingly good considering the VPN’s size.
I didn’t experience a significant drop in upload speeds either. I got an average of 7.75Mbps on a 17.52Mbps base internet upload speed. These speeds allowed me to play different games successfully.
Ghost Path Is Fast Enough for Gaming
Ghost Path provided a flawless in-game performance on most servers. I could play online multiplayer games without lag when using local servers, but I had inconsistent luck with distant servers. Even though there were a few bugs, I was still able to play Killstreak on my computer and have a satisfying experience.
Keep in mind that for online games, you should have a 3Mbps upload speed and a latency of between 20ms and 40ms. But Ghost Path falls short of those benchmarks. Despite having adequate upload speeds, I often experienced spikes in ping and latency that exceeded 40 milliseconds, resulting in lag. Therefore, I recommend that you have a look at ExpressVPN because of its higher speeds and lower latency, both of which make it an excellent VPN option for gamers.
Why Most Speed Tests are Pointless & How We Correctly Test VPN Speeds
Speed determines how fast content uploads, so if you're torrenting or streaming, you want the speed to be somewhat identical to your regular internet speed. Since a VPN encrypts your data, it usually takes a bit longer to send your data back and forth, which can slow down your connection. However, if your ISP deliberately slows down your connection (also known as throttling) a VPN might increase your internet speed. Testing a VPN is somewhat pointless because new servers pop up and affect speed. Your speed can also differ according to your location, so your speed test might not match ours. Having said that, we tested the speed in numerous locations to provide you with the average.
Servers
- 6.0 / 10Server Network — Hundreds of Servers in 50+ Locations
Ghost Path has a decent-sized server network.
Ghost Path provides you with the opportunity to connect to more than 130 servers situated across 50 distinct nations, along with an extensive pool of IP addresses at your disposal. Feel at liberty to sign in whenever convenient for you, allowing you to seamlessly switch between servers as required.
The United States (with 44 servers in 27 cities) and the United Kingdom (12 servers in 7 cities) make up the bulk of Ghost Path’s network. There are also servers in Germany, France, India, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, the Russian Federation, Turkey, Japan, and Spain. However, there are no servers in Africa and no specialized servers for specific services like streaming or P2P.
You get between 1 and 6 gateways with each server location. So, if one isn’t connecting, you can pick another one within the same location. Switching between servers is easy, and connection time usually takes an average of 20 seconds. However, I had trouble connecting with some servers in Japan and France during my tests.
In my extensive testing, Ghost Path consistently and reliably preserved my connection. Even though connecting to a server that is close by usually gives you the fastest speeds and most reliable connections, I had very few problems connecting to servers that were farther away.
The full list of server locations for Ghost Path can be found on both the website and the mobile app. While the app displays a map of all server locations, the website only shows a list of them along with OpenVPN configurations.
Ghost Path’s server count and global distribution offer great coverage in North America and the UK, but users outside those regions may run into issues with finding nearby connections. If the server location you prefer isn’t available on Ghost Path, you may want to look into CyberGhost’s wider selection of more than 11,670 servers in 100 countries. The larger network improves the likelihood of a faster connection and enables users to connect from more locations.
Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
Security — Provides Military-Grade Encryption
Ghost Path’s support for various protocols and strong encryption ciphers ensures that your data is secure no matter what you plan to use it for. On the downside, it lacks any advanced capabilities that would set it apart from its competitors.
Read on for a rundown of Ghost Path’s security features:
- Best-in-class encryption — Ghost Path employs the state-of-the-art AES-256 algorithm for encryption. The AES-256 algorithm is extremely hard to crack, even with the most powerful supercomputer.
- Good protocol options — Ghost Path takes extra precautions to protect its users’ information by employing the VPN protocols OpenVPN and IKEv2. Even though IKEv2 is a viable choice, OpenVPN provides superior performance and security.
- Leak protection — By default, Ghost Path secures all servers from DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks. You also have the option to select how frequently the IP address should be rotated.
To find out if Ghost Path was leaking any of my information, I put it through a DNS and IP leak test. After connecting to a server in the US, I double-checked with an IP lookup service to make sure the displayed IP address was indeed from the US. In addition to that, a WebRTC leak test was carried out on the VPN. As can be seen in the findings below, no leaks were found.
Ghost Path claims that its software includes a kill switch that cuts off your internet connection if your connection suddenly drops, but I was unable to locate the relevant settings for this feature. The VPN also claims to have a multi-hop feature that is meant to route your traffic through multiple VPN servers for increased security, but there is no way to turn on this feature in the app.
Privacy — No Traffic Logs
Ghost Path’s no-logs policy adheres to sufficient standards. By default, the service doesn’t record the websites you visit, the data you download, or your IP addresses, which is great. However, the company does collect names, emails, passwords, and billing information.
Ghost Path’s USA-based headquarters is a major reason for concern. The United States is a part of the data-sharing alliance known as the 5 Eyes, which requires VPN service providers to disclose their customers’ identities to the government. If the government were to ever ask, Ghost Path would have minimal data to hand over because it keeps no sensitive logs.
In conclusion, Ghost Path has a rock-solid privacy policy, but its home jurisdiction isn’t ideal for keeping users’ information safe. If maintaining your privacy is a priority for you, try ExpressVPN because its no-logging policy is stricter, more clear, and independently verified.
Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
Torrenting — Supports P2P
Ghost Path openly endorses peer-to-peer file sharing and torrenting. While there are no specialized P2P servers, this platform supports torrenting on any of its servers. Torrenting with the VPN was quite fast. I downloaded a 2-hour movie in the public domain within a few minutes.
Note that Ghost Path is based in the US, a country that frowns on torrenting. So, your activities may be shared with the government if the information was to somehow get leaked. Even though Ghost Path takes extensive precautions to protect your privacy and security, it may be in your best interest to use a VPN that is headquartered in a region that is torrent-friendly.
I rely on Cyberghost to safely download torrents. It is located in Romania, which is quite safe for VPN users. Cyberghost has hundreds of specialized P2P servers in different countries across the world. This way, you can get a super-fast optimized P2P server close to your location.
No matter which VPN you use, downloading copyrighted files is illegal, and I wouldn’t suggest breaking the rules of any country. Before you begin torrenting, it is imperative that you familiarize yourself with the laws that govern your nation.
Does Ghost Path Work in China? Not Likely!
I couldn’t get a clear response from Ghost Path’s support if the VPN works in China. Since I don’t live in China, I couldn’t personally test the VPN there. I reached out to support to find out if the VPN works over there, but the agent didn’t provide any helpful feedback.
Even though it has a server in Hong Kong, it is highly unlikely that it will work in China because it does not include any additional obfuscation technology. If you need a VPN that’s guaranteed to work for you when traveling to China, I recommend using ExpressVPN to safely surf the web in China.
Keep in mind that using a non-government-approved VPN is illegal in China. However, there haven’t been any cases of tourists being penalized for using a VPN. Instead, the country makes use of tools that technologically block many VPNs from working over there.
Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
Server Locations
User Experience
- 6.0 / 10Simultaneous Device Connections — Connects up to 5 Devices
You can connect up to 5 devices at once with Ghost Path, but only one server at a time. I was able to get a stable connection on my Windows computer, two Android phones, and two iPhones. Some people may only need five devices, but I found that I needed a lot more to connect all of my most-used devices. If you have more than 5 devices that you want to protect with a VPN, then I suggest that you use CyberGhost because it allows for 7 simultaneous connections per subscription.
Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
Device Compatibility — Native App for Windows and Mac Only
Ghost Path works with many operating systems, but right now, it only has apps for Windows and Mac. If you want to use it on Android/iOS phones or Linux devices, you’ll have to manually set it up using OpenVPN-compatible clients like Viscosity.
The VPN also works with DD-WRT, Merlin, and Tomato routers. Manual setup tutorials for various devices are available on the Ghost Path website, but they are rather brief and not very helpful. There are no Ghost Path add-ons for the Chrome, Firefox, or Edge web browsers.
Ease of Setup & Installation — Requires Manual Setup Except for Windows
Ghost Path was easy to install on both Windows and Mac, but other devices can be harder to set up. Getting it to work on my various mobile devices required some manual effort. Guides for setting up OpenVPN, Tunnelblick, and Viscosity can be found on the site.
Ghost Path’s client software gives you a wide range of configuration options for your VPN service. You can connect to any of the many servers, have your IP address changed routinely, prevent DNS leaks, and do much more.
Steps to Installing Ghost Path on Windows:
- Subscribe to Ghost Path. Sign up for Ghost Path’s premium subscription service on the provider’s website.
- Download the Windows client. The Windows installer can be obtained from the downloads page of your account dashboard.
- Install and open the application. Simply run the software by doing a double-click on the installation file that you downloaded and following the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
- Type in your login information. You can access your account by entering the username and password you created during signup.
- Connect and start using the service. Proceed to the servers tab and select a server to connect to.
Support
- 5.0 / 10Ghost Path doesn’t have reliable support. To obtain assistance, you have multiple options available. You can seek support by completing the form found on our contact page, sending an email, or engaging with the live chat feature. It’s important to note that while the live chat button is accessible, it does not offer immediate support. The VPN says it has support around the clock, but when I asked for help via live chat, I didn’t hear back for nearly 24 hours. Some of my email inquiries went unanswered for over 14 hours.
Ghost Path has a couple of FAQs, installation, and troubleshooting guides on its Help Center page. There’s also a blog with a few cybersecurity-related articles and setup guides. However, the information provided in those articles is usually insufficient for you to handle most issues on your own. Additionally, it’s active on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
How We Test Customer Support and Why Should You Care
We personally test the customer support team of every VPN we review. This means asking technical question through the live chat feature (where applicable) and measuring the response time for email questions. Whether you need to connect to a specific server, change your security protocol, or configure a VPN on your router, finding a VPN with quality customer support should be important to you.
Pricing
- 7.0 / 10Ghost Path excels at its budget pricing. It provides an extremely affordable monthly subscription and an even cheaper annual plan. There is no difference between the plans, given that each one contains the exact same features.
Payment can be made with credit/debit cards (Mastercard, Visa, Discover, Amex, JCB, Diners Club, Apple Pay) via Stripe, PayPal, cash by mail via USPS, and cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Dash, Dogecoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Monero, etc.) via BitPay.
All subscription plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is the same as most VPN services. However, refunds cannot be issued for payments made with cash or money orders. I used the chat button to ask for a refund, and I heard back within a few hours that my request had been taken care of. If you only need a VPN for a short time, you can try one of the best monthly VPN services. They also come with proven money-back guarantees.
Ghost Path offers the following plans
Final Verdict
Ghost Path is a budget VPN that is useful for most activities. It provides a decent-sized server network and supports torrenting. However, the fact that it is located within the US makes it less privacy-friendly. I was also disappointed to learn that the VPN didn’t have apps for the Android and iOS operating systems. This can make the process of setting up the service a little more difficult for people who aren’t familiar with the OpenVPN protocol.
Still, Ghost Path is a good VPN because it connects quickly, has strong security, and has servers in many places. I was impressed that the VPN could offer so many features for such a low price. I also like how easy it was to set up the service on my Windows computer.
ExpressVPN is the superior VPN service to use if you’re looking for an alternative to Ghost Path. It’s definitely worth the money if you’re willing to pay a little bit more for a high-quality VPN. If not, you can still try ExpressVPN risk-free. It’s covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee so it’s easy to get a refund if you decide it isn’t for you.
Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
FAQs About Ghost Path
Is Ghost Path good?
Can I use Ghost Path for free?
No, but it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee that allows you to try the service risk-free. This way, you can get a full refund if you’re not satisfied with the service.
Ghost Path’s pricing is relatively low. But if you prefer a VPN that you can use without committing upfront, then take a look at these reliable free VPNs. That said, I usually don’t recommend free VPNs because most of them often compromise on security, privacy, or speed.
Is Ghost Path really safe?
Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.