CyberGhost SmartDNS no longer unblocks streaming services per the operator itself - it is general-purpose DNS only. Not a Smart DNS option anymore; listed for reference.
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curated review - researched and written by the smartdnscomparison desk · prose updated 2026-10-04 · facts as of 2026-10-04 · how we verify
CyberGhost is an established Romanian VPN (Trade Register J40/1278/2011 [5], domain registered 2007 [4]) owned by Kape Technologies [6]. Its SmartDNS feature still exists - the support center carries a Smart DNS section with 17 articles, maintained as of October 2026 - but the feature has been de-scoped: the operator's own article states plainly that it "is no longer compatible with streaming services" and works only "for general DNS purposes" [1]. That statement is why this review reads as a reference entry, not a recommendation.
There is nothing to unblock here anymore: the operator explicitly withdrew the streaming compatibility of SmartDNS [1]. All eight tracked services are marked "no" in our database on that basis - this is the operator's own characterization, not our test result. The feature retains the geographic DNS servers (UK, US, Germany, Japan, Netherlands) [1], which is useful for general DNS purposes but not for changing which catalog a streaming service shows you. Every streaming service still needs its own paid subscription regardless [1].
Setup is documented per device in the Smart DNS section (Xbox One among others, with articles updated through October 2026) [1]. The dashboard handles Smart DNS activation ("head to My Smart DNS" and "pick the DNS that corresponds to the geolocation you require" [1]). Device count is unlimited within one network/IP [1]. Note the conflict rule: VPN and SmartDNS cannot run at the same time [1].
Smart DNS reroutes only DNS lookups, so streams keep line speed - though for CyberGhost the point is moot for streaming, since the feature no longer targets it [1]. The support infrastructure is clearly alive: articles edited September-October 2026 [1]. The main site blocks simple clients behind Cloudflare; the Zendesk API confirmed the article state [1].
CyberGhost's privacy policy commits to a strict no-logs policy covering browsing history, traffic destinations and DNS queries inside the VPN tunnel [2] - an operator claim, notable for explicitly including DNS queries. The jurisdiction is Romania [5], with Kape Technologies as parent [3]. Smart DNS does not encrypt traffic or change your IP - CyberGhost's own wording [1].
SmartDNS is bundled with CyberGhost subscriptions - there is no standalone price. Current pricing: $12.99 monthly, $6.99 per month for 6 months, or $2.19 per month on the 2-years+2-months intro ($56.94 billed for the first 26 months, renewing at $56.94 per year) [2]. Money-back terms: 14 days on the monthly plan, 45 days on longer subscriptions [2][3].
Founded 2011 in Bucharest [5]; a long-running, verifiable operator with a real corporate imprint and a domain registered since 2007 [7]. The Smart DNS retirement-from-streaming is documented in the operator's own support center (article updated September 2026) [1] - an honest disclosure that many competitors would have buried.
CyberGhost SmartDNS is no longer a Smart DNS in the sense this site compares - the operator itself withdrew streaming compatibility [1]. If you need unblocking, use the standalone ranking; CyberGhost remains relevant as a VPN, not for this feature.
| Money-back | 45 days |
|---|---|
| Documented pricing | $12.99/mo · $56.94/2yr |
| Pricing notes | Smart DNS feature is bundled with CyberGhost VPN but no longer marketed. Pricing: 1-month $12.99 (14-day money-back), 6-months $6.99/mo, 2yr+2mo intro $2.19/mo ($56.94 for 26 months, renewing $56.94/yr; 45-day money-back). |
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Based on our checks as of 2026-10-04: CyberGhost Smart DNS scores 3.7/10 in our weighted review. We logged 1 red flag (listed above). User reports and operator background are documented with dated sources in the meta-review below.
MediaStreamer is a well-documented bundle extra from a heavily audited operator - but it unblocks only US/UK sites per third-party testing, has no marketing page anymore, and only makes sense alongside an ExpressVPN subscription.
SmartDNS is a solid bundled extra for smart TVs, with six independent no-logs audits behind the operator - but its streaming list is US-focused, unblocking is explicitly not guaranteed for every service, and it only exists alongside a NordVPN subscription.
Smart DNS is still sold with a 3-day no-card trial and 340+ listed services, but Netflix US is disabled in the operator's own grid, prices have doubled since 2024, and the client apps have not shipped in years. Verify your exact services in the trial before paying.
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