We review VPNs independently, but we may earn commissions if you buy a VPN via our links.

Betternet VPN Review

Two screenshots of Betternet VPN's app side-by-side

Simon Migliano is a recognized world expert in VPNs. He's tested hundreds of VPN services and his research has featured on the BBC, The New York Times and more.

Additional Testing by Harry Ferrigno

Our Verdict

3.0/10
How is this calculated?

We calculate the VPN service’s Overall Rating by combining the ratings of several testing categories. Each category is weighted as follows:

  • Privacy & Logging Policy: 20%
  • Speed: 20%
  • Security & Technical Features: 15%
  • Streaming: 15%
  • Ease of Use: 10%
  • Torrenting: 5%
  • Server Locations: 5%
  • Bypassing Web Censorship: 5%
  • Customer Support: 5%

Learn more by reading our VPN testing and review methodology.

Betternet VPN isn’t a safe or reliable VPN, despite recent improvements. It only has 3 server locations, it logs identifying data, and it can’t unblock streaming services or download torrents. We also found the VPN frustrating to use due to its restrictive 500MB data cap and unskippable ads. Betternet is fast, but it isn’t a private or functional VPN and we don’t recommend using it.

Ranked #41 out of 62 VPNs

Betternet VPN Category Ratings

  • 0.2/10
  • 0.0/10
  • 3.2/10
  • 9.0/10
  • 3.5/10
  • 1.0/10
  • 6.0/10
  • 2.5/10
  • 3.4/10

Betternet VPN Pros & Cons

  • Easy-to-use VPN apps

  • Doesn’t work with any streaming services
  • Restrictive 500MB daily data cap
  • DNS leaks & previous malware issues
  • Only 3 server locations & barely any features
  • Difficult to install & usability issues
  • Blocks torrenting on its free plan

Why Trust Us?

We’re fully independent and have been reviewing VPNs since 2016. Our ratings are based on our own testing results and are unaffected by financial incentives. Learn who we are and how we test VPNs.

Launched in 2015, Betternet is a freemium VPN service developed by the Aura group.

In this updated review, we evaluated Betternet’s free version using our VPN testing methodology. Our testing confirmed that Betternet VPN Free still isn’t safe, reliable, or private.

EXPERT ADVICE: Instead of getting a risky VPN like Betternet, try using Private Internet Access. It’s fast, safe and unblocks websites and applications around the world, including US Netflix. Try PIA VPN risk-free for 30 days.

Betternet VPN Key Data

Data Cap500MB
Download Speed93Mbps
Logging PolicyIntrusive Logging
Data LeaksYes
JurisdictionUS (Five-Eyes Member)
ServersNot disclosed
IP AddressesNot disclosed
Countries with Servers3
US NetflixNo
TorrentingNo
Simultaneous Connections5
Works In ChinaNo
SupportEmail & Online Resources Only
Official WebsiteBetternet.co

Privacy & Logging Policy

Betternet VPN Logs Enough Data to Identify You

3.2/10
How is this calculated?

We analyze and dissect the VPN service’s logging and privacy policy. A VPN should never log and store:

  • Your real IP address
  • Connection timestamps
  • DNS requests

Headquarters outside of 14 Eyes or EU jurisdictions are also preferable.

Betternet is not a private VPN service. It logs your real IP address, your location, connection timestamps, and device information. While the most sensitive data is stored only for the duration of the VPN session, this is still enough to put your online privacy at risk.

Ranked #39 out of 62 VPNs for Privacy & Logging Policy

Below is a summary of all the data that Betternet logs:

Data TypeLogged by Betternet VPN
Account InformationYes
Browsing ActivityYes
Date of Last ConnectionNo
Device InformationYes
DNS QueriesNo
Individual Bandwidth UsageYes
Individual Connection TimestampsYes
ISPNo
Number of Simultaneous ConnectionsNo
Originating IP AddressYes
VPN Server IPNo
VPN Server LocationYes

You can read Betternet’s full privacy policy on its website.

Betternet collects enough data to compromise your online anonymity. The service permanently logs your ISP, originating location, and VPN connection timestamps. All of this taken together can be used to identify you.

Your real IP address is also logged by Betternet, but only for the duration of the VPN session. While this can’t be used to identify you, we’d prefer if Betternet didn’t log IP addresses at all.

Extract from Betternet's privacy policy

Betternet lists multiple reasons for logging your real IP address.

Betternet also uses your IP address for determining your approximate geographical location. This is a concerning misuse of user IP addresses and we’re not sure how it assists in the functioning of the VPN service.

Better VPNs, like Mullvad, provide a working VPN service without needing to log any user information whatsoever.

We’d feel less concerned about Betternet’s ambiguous privacy policy if we were presented with real-world evidence of its procedure, such as an independent audit of its logging practices or regularly published transparency reports.

Controversial Ownership & US Jurisdiction

Betternet is owned by Aura, which also manages several other VPN services, including Hotspot Shield, Touch VPN, and VPN 360.

As Aura, and by extension Betternet, is incorporated in the US, your personal data is subject to intrusive data laws and the mass surveillance of the Five Eyes alliance. Put simply, US authorities can force Betternet to log and share your personal data.

We’d like to see Betternet implement a no-logs privacy policy to mitigate its US jurisdiction or consider relocating to a region with more lenient data retention laws, like the British Virgin Islands or Seychelles.

Past Android App Controversy

Most of Aura’s VPN products have been the subject of past controversies. For example, Hotspot Shield was accused of injecting trackers into its Android app to collect and sell user data to advertisers.

While these allegations don’t mention Betternet, and happened under a different ownership, it’s worth noting that Betternet uses the same proprietary VPN protocol and privacy policy as Hotspot Shield.

Betternet also has its own controversy. A 2016 academic report on VPNs revealed that Betternet’s Android app contained malware and embedded tracking libraries.

This was never publicly addressed but Betternet has since changed ownership and avoided inclusion in later reports.

Our own, more recent, research into the risks of free VPNs discovered excessive permissions in Betternet’s Android app but didn’t detect any malware.

Security & Technical Features

Improved Security but Still Lacks Extra Features

6.0/10
How is this calculated?

A secure VPN must offer OpenVPN or WireGuard protocols, AES-256 encryption, and a working kill switch.

To calculate this rating, we also factor in additional security settings and features.

Betternet performed well in our security tests but still lacks the necessary advanced features to compete with top-rated VPNs. We’re also concerned about the VPN’s controversial history and its use of Hydra, a close-sourced protocol.

Ranked #39 out of 62 VPNs for Security & Technical Features

You can use the table below to see a full breakdown of Betternet’s protocols, encryption ciphers, and technical features:

ProtocolsAvailable in Betternet VPN
HydraYes
IKEv2/IPSecYes
OpenVPN (TCP/UDP)No
WireGuardYes
EncryptionAvailable in Betternet VPN
AES-128Yes
AES-192No
AES-256Yes
BlowfishNo
ChaCha20Yes
SecurityAvailable in Betternet VPN
Diskless ServersNo
DNS Leak BlockingNo
First-party DNSNo
IPv6 Leak BlockingNo
Supports TCP Port 443No
VPN Kill SwitchNo
WebRTC Leak BlockingNo
Advanced FeaturesAvailable in Betternet VPN
Ad BlockerNo
Dedicated IPNo
Double VPNNo
SOCKSNo
Split TunnelingYes
Static IPNo
Tor over VPN ServerNo
Tracker BlockerNo

Supports Hydra & Open-Source Protocols

Betternet defaults to its proprietary protocol Hydra (formerly Catapult Hydra). Though close-sourced, we consider Hydra to be secure and trustworthy. It is based on TLS 1.2 and uses 128-bit AES encryption, which are both proven to safely encrypt internet traffic. It also incorporates Perfect Forward Secrecy for further protection.

To test this, we ran Betternet through a packet analyzer called Wireshark:

Testing Betternet's VPN encryption with Wireshark

Betternet encrypted our web traffic with every protocol we tested.

As you can see, Betternet successfully encrypted our network traffic using the Hydra protocol. Each data packet displayed an incoherent string of symbols, confirming the encryption.

For further reassurance, Hydra is also used by Hotspot Shield, a prominent VPN service, as well as by VPNs created by cybersecurity firms such as BitDefender and McAfee.

If you still don’t trust Hydra, Betternet has added WireGuard and IKEv2 as alternatives. Unlike Hydra, these protocols are open-sourced and widely used by multiple VPNs. WireGuard in particular is highly secure and has undergone several technical audits to prove this.

Passed All Leak Tests – Except Chrome

Our tests detected no IP, DNS, or WebRTC leaks when Prevent IP Leaks was enabled in Betternet’s settings.

Using our VPN Leak Test tool on Betternet

Betternet passed all tests on our proprietary VPN leak test tool.

However, switching this off caused Betternet to leak our DNS requests. Thankfully, this feature is enabled by default, but the option to deactivate it is confusing and unnecessary.

Betternet’s Chrome extension doesn’t include the leak blocking feature and consequently leaked our DNS requests. As such, your ISP can monitor which websites you access on Chrome while using Betternet.

Effective Kill Switch On All Apps

Following an update in October 2022, Betternet finally added a kill switch to its desktop and mobile apps. This is a security essential as it cuts your internet access in the event of a VPN disconnection, preventing data leaks.

To verify this, we ran it through our kill switch test tool:

Testing Betternet's kill switch with our in-house tool

Betternet’s kill switch has a 100% success rate in our tests.

Our testing confirmed that Betternet’s kill switch works well, blocking our internet following a change in VPN server location and after a disconnection.

We were concerned to learn that this kill switch is not enabled by default, though. We recommend you activate it in the app’s settings before connecting to the VPN.

Extra Technical Features We’d Like to See

While we appreciate the additions of split tunneling and a kill switch, Betternet still lacks basic and advanced features. We’ve listed some of the most important ones we’d like to see Betternet add moving forward:

  • Open-sourced proprietary protocol for increased transparency over Hydra’s technical implementation. This would allow anyone to inspect its code and identify potential security flaws.
  • Multi-hop servers for further anonymity and protection against traffic correlation attacks.
  • OpenVPN support to provide an additional open-source alternative to Hydra.
  • Router app or Smart DNS to allow Betternet to be used on games consoles and streaming devices.

Speed

Fast Download Speeds Across Its Server Network

9.0/10
How is this calculated?

We calculate the VPN’s speed rating using our download speeds, upload speeds, and ping (latency) measurements.

We regularly test the VPN’s local and international speeds using a dedicated 100Mbps internet connection in New York, USA.

Using its Hydra protocol, we recorded an average download speed loss of 4% across all server locations. This is an impressive result, but you can’t make the most of it due to Betternet’s restrictive 500MB data cap.

Ranked #26 out of 62 VPNs for Speed

We calculated Betternet’s speed rating by conducting a speed test while connected to each of its server locations. This process was repeated several times and the results aggregated into an average.

Here’s a table showing Betternet Free’s speed test results:

As outlined above, connecting to a nearby server barely affected our download speed, with a loss of just 7%.

This is more than fast enough for bandwidth-intensive activities, such as 4K streaming, but Betternet’s 500MB data cap limits you to just minutes of usage.

Betternet’s international download speeds were even faster, with an average speed loss of 2%. Its upload speeds declined sharply over longer-distances, but this is only important for file-sharing.

For consistently fast internet speeds, with unlimited data, we recommend installing a top-rated VPN such as IPVanish. We recorded an average download speed loss of 5% while connected to a nearby IPVanish server and its upload speed never dropped below 90Mbps — regardless of location.

Streaming

Free Plan Doesn’t Support Streaming

0.2/10
How is this calculated?

This rating is calculated by how many different streaming services and regional content libraries the VPN can unblock, and how consistently it can access them.

We test access to Netflix, Disney+, Max, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and many more platforms on a weekly basis.

Betternet intentionally blocks access to streaming services on its free version, including Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. Even if it didn’t, the VPN is limited by a data cap and lacks the server network necessary to bypass geo-restrictions.

Ranked #60 out of 62 VPNs for Streaming

Here is a list of popular streaming services that Betternet Free doesn’t work with:

Streaming PlatformWorks with Betternet VPN
Amazon Prime VideoNo
BBC iPlayerNo
Channel 4No
Disney+No
Hotstar IndiaNo
HuluNo
ITVXNo
MaxNo
Netflix USNo

To encourage subscriptions to its premium service, Betternet restricts streaming access on its free plan. In fact, it’s listed as an intentional feature on the VPN’s website.

Even if Betternet updated its policy, the VPN’s 500MB data cap limits you to 12 minutes of HD streaming a day. If you want to access the vast majority of streaming services without any limits on your data, we recommend paying for a premium streaming VPN instead.

Can’t Access Any Netflix Regions

Betternet Free used to occasionally unblock US Netflix but this is no longer the case. In the past 18 months of testing, Betternet Free hasn’t worked with US Netflix once.

US Netflix blocking Betternet VPN

We couldn’t sign into US Netflix while connected to Betternet.

We also failed to access Netflix in the UK or Singapore using Betternet’s new servers.

For more reliable access to Netflix, we suggest using the free version of Windscribe. It consistently unblocks 6 Netflix libraries without any of Betternet’s privacy risks.

Fails to Unblock US Streaming Services

Despite supporting multiple US server locations, Betternet was unable to unblock any US streaming services.

Hulu detecting our Betternet VPN connection

We couldn’t get Hulu to work with either of Betternet’s US servers.

We were unable to bypass geo-blocks on Hulu, Max, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. In each instance, the streaming service displayed an error message indicating the use of VPN or proxy software.

Our testing data indicates that ExpressVPN is the best VPN for US streaming. Unlike Betternet, it can consistently unblock US Netflix, Max, Hulu, and more in 4K definition.

Torrenting

BitTorrent Traffic Is Blocked on All Servers

0.0/10
How is this calculated?

This rating is determined by the VPN’s torrenting speeds, the percentage of servers that allow P2P file sharing, the service’s privacy and trustworthiness, and useful settings like port forwarding.

For speed specifically, we calculate the VPN’s average download bitrate using our bespoke torrenting setup.

Betternet blocked P2P traffic during our torrenting tests. Plus, its logging policy isn’t private enough for safe file-sharing.

Ranked #53 out of 62 VPNs for Torrenting

Below is a summary of how Betternet Free performed in our torrenting tests:

Torrenting Attribute Result
Average Download Bitrate N/A
No. of P2P Servers 0
Logging Policy Intrusive Logging
Kill Switch Yes
Port Forwarding No

Despite its FAQs claiming otherwise, Betternet has always blocked P2P traffic in our torrenting tests.

We suspect that this is another attempt to force its free users to pay for a subscription.

Betternet blocking P2P traffic on qBittorrent

Betternet blocked our torrent client from downloading or seeding.

Even if Betternet permitted torrenting, we can’t recommend it due to its intrusive logging policy, US jurisdiction, and its cooperation with DMCA requests.

If you need a VPN for torrenting, we recommend Private Internet Access. Its no-logs privacy policy ensures your downloads remain anonymous, as proven in an independent audit.

Server Locations

Server Network Lacks Quantity & Coverage

3.5/10
How is this calculated?

The key factor for calculating this rating is the global spread and coverage of the VPN’s server network.

We also consider the total number of servers, the number of city-level servers, and the number of IP addresses available.

Betternet VPN Free has servers in 3 countries, including city-level options in the US. Though this is an improvement, it’s still a limited server network compared to higher-rated free VPNs.

Ranked #52 out of 62 VPNs for Server Locations

Globe with a blue flag
3 Countries
Image of a city landscape
4 Cities
Image of a pink marker
Undisclosed number of IP Addresses

Betternet VPN provides free servers in the following regions:

Continent Number of Countries
Europe 1
Asia 1
South America 0
North America 1
Africa 0
Oceania 0

As shown above, Betternet VPN Free no longer restricts you to a single server location. Alongside its existing US server, you can now connect to the UK and Singapore.

We’re also impressed that Betternet has added city-level options for the US, with servers in New York and Los Angeles. These are sensible choices as they accommodate both US coasts.

Betternet VPN Free's server list

Betternet clearly labels its free server locations.

Though improved, Betternet’s server coverage is still inadequate. We’d like to see Betternet address this by expanding its server network in Europe and Asia, and adding servers to poorly accommodated regions like South America and Africa.

A limited server network can adversely affect your download speeds as it may force you to connect to a distant or overcrowded server.

Bypassing Web Censorship

Doesn’t Work in Censored Regions

1.0/10
How is this calculated?

We routinely test if the VPN can bypass strict internet restrictions in China using our remote-access server in Shanghai.

Other important factors we consider include obfuscation technologies and the availability of servers in neighboring countries (for faster connections).

Betternet VPN doesn’t work in China or any other censored region. Its own customer support admits that the VPN struggles with strict web censorship. Even if Betternet did work, it’s far too unsafe to use in a restrictive country.

Ranked #52 out of 62 VPNs for Bypassing Web Censorship

Betternet claims its Hydra protocol is equipped with VPN obfuscation, an essential tool for bypassing web censorship.

To test this, we regularly connect to a secure server in Shanghai and try to access censored websites and services with the VPN. In our latest tests, Betternet failed to connect in China.

Testing Betternet VPN in China

Betternet is not a suitable VPN for bypassing censorship.

In fact, Betternet has worked in China only once in over 8 years of testing. Even if the VPN did work, its logging policy and jurisdiction would compromise your anonymity which is especially dangerous in a highly-censored country.

We’ve also come across troubleshooting articles on Betternet’s website warning of connectivity issues in Pakistan, Iran, Oman, Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia. As such, we suspect Betternet lacks consistency in these regions too.

If bypassing censorship is a priority for you, consider reading our Astrill VPN review. Although it’s expensive at $12.50 per month, its StealthVPN protocol maintains a 100% uptime in China.

Device & OS Compatibility

Only Has Apps for Desktop & Mobile

How is this rated?

A high-quality VPN should maintain functional, fully-featured applications and browser extensions for as many platforms and devices as possible.

Our ‘Device & OS Compatibility’ assessment contributes to the Ease of Use rating.

Betternet has custom apps for desktop and mobile devices, the bare minimum for a VPN service. It also has a chrome extension, but no router app, Smart DNS, or apps for streaming devices. Betternet allows five simultaneous connections which is unusually low for a free VPN.

Apps

Betternet has apps for the following devices:

  1. Windows
  2. Mac
  3. iOS
  4. Android

Although Betternet covers the main platforms, we’re disappointed by its limited device compatibility.

Betternet does not have a custom app for any streaming devices, including Amazon Fire TV Stick, Android TV, or Apple TV. Moreover, you can’t circumvent this by connecting your devices to a VPN router as Betternet isn’t compatible with router firmware.

Similarly, there isn’t a Smart DNS tool for changing your geo-location on streaming devices or games consoles.

Five Simultaneous Connections

You can use Betternet Free on five devices simultaneously. This is a confusing decision by Betternet as most freemium services do not impose a device limit on their free plan.

For example, Windscribe and Atlas VPN allow you to install their free VPN on an unlimited number of devices.

Browser Extensions

  1. Chrome

You can install Betternet as a VPN extension on Chrome, but it failed to properly encrypt our browser traffic as covered in our security analysis of Betternet’s software. It doesn’t provide browser extensions for Microsoft Edge or Firefox.

For a safer browser extension with more features, we suggest downloading one of the best VPNs for Chrome.

Ease of Use

Basic Apps With Frustrating Usability Issues

2.5/10
How is this calculated?

This rating mainly consists of the user-friendliness and intuitiveness of setting up and regularly using the VPN.

We also factor in customization settings, as well as device and OS compatibility (see section above).

Betternet’s apps employ a simple user interface, but they are plagued by ads, broken features, and connectivity issues. We also found it difficult and time-consuming to install the VPN apps on desktop.

Ranked #58 out of 62 VPNs for Ease of Use

We found it frustrating to install, set up, and use Betternet. Firstly, it isn’t clear where the download link for the free plan is located on the provider’s website; better VPNs tend to have a dedicated download page.

We eventually found the download link in our account area, but we would’ve liked the option to try out the VPN first before creating user details.

During desktop installation, the download froze and forced us to open a second installer. We tested this on multiple devices and the same error occurred every time.

Once downloaded, the VPN required us to sign in a second time despite the download link being located within our account area. This entire process took around 15 minutes which is unacceptable.

We’d welcome the inclusion of an activation code to simplify the installation process and remove the need to re-enter login details.

Below is a closer look at how each Betternet app looks and functions:

Desktop & Laptop (Windows & Mac)

Betternet uses an identical user interface on Windows and Mac, ensuring a similar user experience across both platforms.

Its desktop apps are simple and uncluttered, with a large central button and a smaller widget that displays your current server location.

Betternet VPN's apps for Windows and macOS

Despite its streamlined interface, we’d like the option to resize Betternet’s desktop apps. Currently, the apps are too large and take up a significant amount of the screen.

Clicking the central button starts your VPN connection, with the animation changing to blue to indicate a successful connection. This worked as intended on Windows but often failed to connect on macOS.

You can select your current server location to access the full server list. All 3 free server locations are displayed at the top of this list, but there’s also a search function if you want to look through the paywalled locations.

Frustratingly, we were often unable to access this server list on macOS unless we disabled the kill switch first. We’re unsure as to why this happens but we’d like Betternet to address this for a smoother user experience.

We were also frustrated by the number of video ads in Betternet’s desktop app. You’re made to watch one when you first launch the app and they then appear more sporadically during normal usage.

Mobile (iPhone & Android)

Betternet’s mobile apps are almost identical to their desktop counterparts, using the same button layout and color scheme.

Betternet VPN's apps for Android and iOS

One major difference is that the mobile apps aren’t capped by a 500MB data limit and instead force you to watch a video ad in exchange for 15 minutes of usage.

Not only is this frustrating but it poses a significant privacy risk as the VPN disconnects after the allotted time, without warning. This can cause your real IP address to leak if you forget to enable the VPN’s kill switch.

We particularly struggled to use Betternet’s Android app due to several usability issues. For example, a prompt appears within the app requesting you to allow notifications to unlock full functionality.

This message obscures the bottom of the app and doesn’t disappear unless you accept it. Confusingly, we didn’t notice any difference in the Android app’s functionality after making this change.

Betternet’s Android app also advertises a 24/7 live chat in its settings. However, selecting this just sends an email to a support agent and then prevents you from leaving the ‘chat.’ We then had to restart the app to fix this.

It’s much easier to set up Betternet on your Chrome browser than it was before: you just need to install its extension and accept the prompt that appears. The whole process takes seconds and involves no further steps.

Previously, Betternet required you to download My Safe Search, a third-party extension, and allow it to run continuously in the background. We were frustrated by this unnecessary step and concerned by the privacy and security implications of downloading software from an unknown publisher. We’re pleased to see Betternet has since abandoned this.

Betternet's Chrome extension

You can only connect to the US on Betternet’s Chrome extension.

The Chrome extension itself follows the same design and layout of its desktop and mobile apps. Its interface is simple and requires no learning curve to start using, just click the connect button to turn the VPN on and off.

Customer Support

Serviceable Support Options, but No Live Chat

3.4/10
How is this calculated?

This rating is based on our assessment of the VPN’s:

  • Live chat support
  • Email support
  • Online resources

Not every VPN offers all these support options, and they often vary in quality and response times.

Betternet provides a support hub with articles covering FAQs, troubleshooting, and setup guides. However, they’re poorly written and littered with typos and inaccuracies. We also used its email support which was much more helpful.

Ranked #53 out of 62 VPNs for Customer Support

You can see a full list of Betternet’s customer support options in the table below:

Customer SupportAvailable in Betternet VPN
24/7 Email SupportNo
24/7 Live Chat SupportNo
ChatbotYes
EmailYes
Email Support via Online FormYes
Live Chat SupportNo
Online ResourcesYes
Tutorial VideosNo

For well-informed customer support we suggest emailing Betternet directly. Our testing team always found their answers useful, even for more technical queries.

We were disappointed by how long Betternet’s support agent took to reply, though, with an average response time of six days.

Betternet's automated Chatbot

We didn’t find Betternet’s automated chatbot particularly helpful.

You can get more immediate support through Betternet’s automated chatbot but we found it often failed to properly address our query.

There’s also a support hub on Betternet’s website but we learnt that the articles often contained outdated or inaccurate information.

To compete with the best VPN services, we’d like Betternet to overhaul its customer support. A dedicated 24/7 live chat like ExpressVPN’s support team would allow for faster resolutions to users’ issues.