Betternet is no longer a fully free VPN. It now runs on a freemium model with a free plan and a paid Premium plan. The free version caps server locations to 5, shows ads, limits you to one device, and does not let you pick your server location. I tested the free plan myself and found it works fine for light browsing, but it cannot unblock major streaming services like Netflix or BBC iPlayer.
If you want full access, you need Premium. That gets you unlimited data, servers in over 80 locations, and no ads, but it comes at a real cost. Betternet Premium runs close to $96 a year at current pricing, which puts it on the pricier end for a VPN.
Betternet still gives you solid core protection. It encrypts your connection, hides your IP address, and helps you get around basic location restrictions. Just know going in that "free" today means limited, not unlimited, and the full feature set requires a paid subscription.
More information on Betternet’s tariffs
Free option – The free service provider allows you to download the app and software completely free. Most free VPNs in the USA would compromise on security, but not Betternet, which thrives by getting more and more customers. This free VPN is believed to be a rather reliable VPN service that is available completely free, which is a great investment for cyber junkies who already have their hands full with the prospect of paying off their expensive electronic gear.
Premium package – Betternet now has a premium package. The plan runs about $12.99/month, but you get a discount for the first month – only $1.99. All plans come with a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Premium removes the ads and the server limit that free users face. It also opens up a much larger server network of over 115 locations worldwide, and lets you pick exactly which server and location you connect to. Premium users can also connect up to 10 devices at once, something the free plan does not allow.
Free option and premium package comparison
It is obvious that free versions always lag some features that are offered by paid packages. Let’s see how the deals are with Betternet VPN:
Free option
- Slower connections
- Only 5 locations available
- Ads and video watching
Premium package
- More server locations are at disposal
- Faster connections
- Without ads
- 10 devices for one subscription
Statistics of Betternet
Betternet is one of the most downloaded VPN apps on Google Play and the App Store, with reported user counts ranging from roughly 25 million to 50 million. The app holds a 4.5 out of 5 rating on Google Play and a 4.5 out of 5 rating on the App Store, which puts it ahead of many other free VPNs in user satisfaction.
Betternet is now owned by Aura, the same company behind Hotspot Shield, and offers servers in more than 115 virtual locations worldwide. It still gives you a free, no-signup option in most countries, which remains one of its biggest draws compared to VPNs that require an account or payment info upfront.
How can Betternet improve your online life?
The internet makes up a huge part of our lives. Today, the internet and online companies have modernized enough to supply consumers with everything they need, such as information, education, products, services, advice, and entertainment. The internet is still a bit rough, though, and can be terribly insecure. Some companies, for instance, completely banned social media sites and YouTube in an attempt to prevent the outside world and terrorists from gaining access to sensitive information. This can be quite terrible for those living in these countries and those who travel there. Betternet VPN software unlocks a great number of restricted sites and provides internet users with an undetectable method to access geo-restricted sites like Facebook and Twitter that are currently restricted. The encryption software also provides users with confidentiality, so they can do anything they like online without the risk of getting hacked or censored.
Security and Privacy of Betternet
Betternet has gotten more transparent about its security since 2019. It now lists its protocols directly on its features page, and you can choose between them in the app. Betternet supports Hydra, its own proprietary protocol built for speed, along with IPSec (IKEv2) and WireGuard. All traffic is protected with 256-bit AES encryption, which is the current industry standard and the same level of encryption used by banks.
Betternet also added a kill switch, which cuts your internet connection if the VPN connection drops, so your real IP address never leaks. We found some disagreement among reviewers on how reliable this kill switch is and which platforms fully support it, so we suggest testing it yourself on your specific device before relying on it. Split tunneling is available too, letting you choose which apps or sites use the VPN and which connect normally.
One gap still remains: Betternet has not published an independent, third-party security audit to confirm these protections work as advertised. A 2016 study found more trackers embedded in Betternet than in any other free VPN tested at the time, and no outside audit has been released since to clear that up. If a verified audit matters to you, keep that history in mind.
Read what information the provider collects and keeps here.
The VPN Betternet reviews and comments from clients are mostly positive which suggests that just about all of Betternet’s clients are in fact happy with the security that they enjoy after doing a Betternet VPN download.
Betternet’s customer care and support services
Betternet offers a searchable support center with over 139 articles covering common issues, along with a chatbot for quick questions. You can also submit a support ticket directly, and free users still get this basic level of help without paying anything.
Premium members now get access to 24/7 support, which is an improvement over the free tier. That said, Betternet still does not offer a true live chat with a real human agent, even on Premium. Support for paid users mostly works through the same ticket and chatbot system, just with faster response times and round-the-clock availability.
If you reach out on social media, Betternet typically redirects you back to its standard support channels rather than resolving issues directly there. For billing problems, Betternet offers a 45-day refund window if you contact support within that period.
Betternet’s account processes
The free version still requires no payment or account. You just download the app and click connect, with no email or personal details required. Server selection stays automatic on the free plan, since the app picks a location for you.
Premium is no longer a future plan – it's live now. Signing up for Premium does require creating an account with an email address, and it unlocks manual server selection across 115+ locations, plus full-speed, ad-free access.
How to start using Betternet VPN?
As we have mentioned above, the process of installing Betternet VPN is very simple. You just need to take a few steps below:
- Go to Betternet's website and download the app for your device.
- Open the installer and follow the simple setup steps.
- Open the app and click "Connect." The free version picks your server automatically.
- To choose your own server location and unlock full features, click "Go Premium" and create an account.
Betternet works on multiple platforms
You can enjoy great functionality from this fantastic app because you can download the VPN for Mac, Windows, Android, and iOS devices.
Betternet VPN’s Privacy Policy
The privacy policy matters more than almost anything else when you pick a VPN, especially a free one. It decides how much of your real activity actually stays private.
Betternet is now owned by Aura, and its privacy policy covers the main app, website, and browser extensions under one set of rules. Betternet states it does not log your VPN browsing activity in any way that ties back to your identity. In 2024, Betternet also had its privacy policy reviewed by an outside firm, Point Wild, which confirmed the policy's written claims match what the company says it does. That review looked at the policy itself, not independently verified code or live traffic, so it is not the same as a full independent security audit.
Betternet does still collect some data, including device information, connection metadata, and diagnostic data used to fix bugs and improve performance. By its own policy, this data is not meant to include anything that identifies you personally.
Like most VPNs, Betternet does not replace antivirus software. A VPN protects your connection and hides your IP address, but it does not block malware or viruses on your device.
Betternet’s Terms of Service
You must be 18 or older to use the service on your own, or at least 13 with a parent or guardian's permission. Anyone under 13 cannot use Betternet at all.
Betternet's terms still ban the same kind of misuse: sending spam, posting illegal or harmful content, attacking or disrupting the service or other users, and using Betternet for any illegal activity. Breaking these rules lets Betternet suspend or end your access immediately and without advance notice.
The free version remains genuinely free, but it is supported by third-party ads. By using the free tier, you agree to receive these ads, and Betternet does not control or take responsibility for the content that those advertisers show you.
Betternet's current refund policy is simpler than it used to be. If you subscribe directly through Betternet, you can request a refund within 45 days of your purchase by contacting support. There is no bandwidth usage limit tied to refund eligibility anymore. One catch worth knowing: if you buy Premium through the Apple App Store or Google Play instead of Betternet's own website, you need to request your refund directly from Apple or Google, since Betternet cannot process it on its end.
Payment methods run through Betternet's website, the App Store, or Google Play. Betternet does not accept cryptocurrency or other anonymous payment options, so your payment details go through standard card processing either way.
Summary
Betternet is not a fully free, no-compromise VPN anymore. The free tier limits server locations, shows ads, and blocks streaming services. Premium removes those limits and adds 115+ server locations, but costs $12.99/month.
On the plus side, Betternet uses solid 256-bit AES encryption, and its Hydra protocol delivers fast speeds. On the downside, its privacy record has a real blemish: an old study found heavy tracker use, and no independent audit has cleared that up since.
Betternet works fine for casual browsing on a budget. For streaming, torrenting, or a verified no-logs guarantee, we'd test other VPNs first.
Betternet VPN pros
- User-friendly interface
- 45-day money-back guarantee
- Hydra, IPSec, and Wireguard protocols
- Free version
Betternet VPN cons
- Only 5 server locations on the free plan
- Ads and video in the free version of Betternet
- Not responsible for the actions of third agencies
- Free plan limits the device connections to 5
Do you think that Betternet is good free VPN service to try in 2026? Do you find Betternet weak or not?
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