Per the operator's own support pages CyberGhost SmartDNS no longer unblocks streaming - only take it if you want plain DNS alongside a cheap long-term VPN, and use the 45-day money-back to confirm it does what you need.
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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
No trial - use the 45-day money-back window in week one. Evidence labels and dates: meta-review.
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). |
Run the long-term math: price calculator with these plans →
What it takes to start with CyberGhost Smart DNS, from documented facts only - undokumented steps are named as such. More: CyberGhost Smart DNS FAQ.
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Real captures of the public website and setup/client pages, taken by us. We do not fake product shots - pages we could not reach (bot walls, geo blocks) simply have no image.
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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.
CyberGhost Smart DNS is gone; these providers are still operating and have documented Smart DNS.
MediaStreamer is only worth it together with an ExpressVPN subscription: heavily audited operator and excellent setup guides, but US/UK only and no public product page - start the 30-day money-back and test your services in week one.
A well-audited bundle extra with a 30-day money-back, but Netflix is Originals-only, UK services are undocumented and unblocking is explicitly not guaranteed - buy it for the VPN and treat the Smart DNS as a bonus.
340+ listed services and a no-logs audit, but Netflix US is missing from the operator's own grid, prices doubled since 2024 and the apps are stale - test your services in the 3-day trial and prefer the 2-year tier for value.
Also see the full discontinued list and the standalone ranking.
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