Betternet Review: Fast Speeds, Records Device Identifiers
Betternet is a consumer VPN with desktop and mobile apps and browser extensions, offering a limited free tier alongside a premium service. The provider delivers fast connection performance on many premium servers and includes features for streaming, gaming, and P2P traffic.
This VPN may suit users who prioritize speed and straightforward apps for streaming and downloads, but privacy-sensitive users should note that the provider records device advertising identifiers and other account details and has no documented independent audits. Performance, unblocking success, and feature availability can vary by region, server choice, device, and the provider’s current implementation.
At a Glance
Betternet combines fast performance and streaming support with a limited free tier and recurring privacy concerns. It provides strong encryption and leak protection but records certain device and account identifiers and has not completed independent audits.
| Logging | Claims not to collect identifiable data but records device advertising identifiers, OS version, ISP/carrier, and may collect name, email and payment details; free version may involve advertising data sharing |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Switzerland |
| Audits | No independent audits |
| Protocols | Catapult Hydra, IKEv2 (IPSec), WireGuard |
| Encryption | AES‑256; Perfect Forward Secrecy; Catapult Hydra uses AES‑128 with 2048 DHE‑RSA keys |
| Kill switch | Yes |
| Leak protection | IP, DNS and WebRTC leak protection (tested without leaks) |
| Server network | 1,000 servers in 115 countries; free version limited to 4 servers |
| Connections | 10 simultaneous devices (premium); 1 with free version |
| Refund policy | 45-day money-back guarantee |
Our Ratings
The ratings for Betternet are derived from a structured review approach that evaluates publicly available privacy disclosures, documented technical features, and overall usability across supported platforms.
Category ratings are presented in the table below. Extended reviews of each category appear later in the post and provide more detail on specific findings and test results.
Security & Privacy
Betternet’s security and privacy posture combines standard encryption and leak-protection features with a logging approach that retains some device and account identifiers according to the provider. Betternet states it does not collect or store identifiable browsing activity while the paid service is in use.
The provider’s published policy lists specific items it records, including device advertising identifiers, operating system versions, internet service provider/carrier, and may collect name, email and payment details. The privacy policy has not been independently audited. Betternet is based in Switzerland; the provider’s ownership and jurisdictional context are noted in the published material and may affect responses to legal requests.
Security features include AES-256 encryption, Perfect Forward Secrecy, support for WireGuard, IKEv2 and Catapult Hydra, a kill switch, and DNS/IP/WebRTC leak protection; published tests report no leaks during checks. A kill switch and multiple leak-protection mechanisms are documented and were not observed to leak in reported tests.
| Logging policy | Claims not to collect identifiable browsing activity for paid users but records device advertising identifiers, OS version, ISP/carrier, and may collect name, email and payment details; free tier may involve advertising data sharing |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Switzerland (ownership and jurisdiction noted in published material) |
| Independent audits | No independent audits |
| Protocols and encryption | Catapult Hydra, IKEv2 (IPSec), WireGuard; AES-256 and Perfect Forward Secrecy; Catapult Hydra uses AES-128 with 2048 DHE-RSA keys |
| Kill switch | Yes |
| Leak protection (DNS/IP/WebRTC) | IP, DNS and WebRTC leak protection reported and tested without leaks |
💡 Security tip
Enable the kill switch, keep the app updated, prefer WireGuard for a balance of speed and security, and avoid sending sensitive information unless comfortable with the stated logging policy.
Transparency & Ownership
Betternet is based in Switzerland and was recently acquired by Pango Group. No independent audits or third‑party verifications are documented in the public materials. The provider was previously linked to research in 2016 that found multiple tracking libraries and alleged malware in its apps.
[Open-source apps] – Not available. Notable limitations disclosed in the provider’s policy include the collection of device advertising identifiers, operating system version, ISP/carrier, and the potential collection of name, email and payment details; the free tier may involve advertising or data sharing and the privacy policy has not undergone independent audit.
| Jurisdiction | Switzerland |
|---|---|
| Parent company / ownership | Pango Group |
| Public audits or reports | No independent audits |
| Open-source apps | Not available |
| Notable disclosures or limitations | Records device advertising identifiers, OS version, ISP/carrier; may collect name, email and payment details; free tier may involve ad/data sharing; privacy policy not audited |
Server Network & Infrastructure
Betternet’s network comprises about 1,000 servers in 115 countries; the complete server list is only available to premium customers. The free tier is limited to four locations: Singapore, Los Angeles, New York, and the UK.
Betternet states it owns all its servers and notes that many server locations are virtual rather than physical. The provider does not offer dedicated/static IP addresses; private DNS servers are mentioned as a premium feature. Information on RAM-only servers is not specified.
- Number of servers: 1,000 servers
- Countries/regions covered: 115 countries
- Virtual locations: Yes — servers are virtual locations
- RAM-only servers: Not specified
- Dedicated/static IP availability: No — dedicated/static IPs not offered
- Notable server specializations: Not specified
Speed & Performance
VPN speed depends on factors such as distance to the server, server load, and the chosen protocol.
| Nearby servers | During our testing, nearby servers generally produced small speed reductions, with reported drops around 8% on average |
|---|---|
| Distant servers | While reviewing, we found distant servers caused larger slowdowns, commonly around a 25% reduction and in some cases much higher (e.g., an 81% drop on one far-away server) |
| Connection stability | Our testing revealed consistently fast and stable connections on most premium servers, though the free tier was frequently slow and unstable |
| Gaming and latency | During our testing, gaming performed well on nearby servers (pings as low as ~17 ms) but suffered very high latency on distant servers (up to ~417 ms); the free tier could not reliably load games, and overall observed reductions align with reported ~8% (nearby) and ~25% (distant) drops |
During our testing, fast-paced multiplayer gameplay was evaluated and found to be smooth on nearby premium servers with low ping. Our testing revealed very high latency on distant servers and that the free tier was too slow to load games reliably.
Suitable for fast-paced multiplayer gaming on nearby premium servers. Distant servers and the free tier produce high latency that limits competitive play.
Streaming & Unblocking
Betternet’s paid service reliably unblocked several popular streaming platforms during testing, though the free tier is limited to 500 MB/day and fewer servers and is not well suited for streaming. Unblocking success varied by server and region; some streams took longer to start or required a local server.
Supported Streaming Services
❗ Regional variations
Paid servers were tested and unblocked several local platforms, but performance and success vary by region and server selection. The free tier is limited (4 servers, 500 MB/day) and often cannot unblock content. BBC iPlayer and some services sometimes took longer to load; results depend on region, server, and device.
Torrenting & P2P Use
Betternet’s premium service is described as suitable for torrenting and performed well in downloads during review; during our testing, a 1.6-GB file downloaded in under 18 minutes on a premium server. According to the provider, the free tier has a 500 MB/day limit and is inadequate for torrenting.
Port forwarding and proxy/tunneling options are not documented in the available materials. The app includes a kill switch, which was tested and found to stop network traffic when the VPN connection drops, reducing the risk of IP exposure during P2P activity.
| P2P Support | Not specified |
|---|---|
| Port forwarding | Not specified |
| SOCKS5/Proxy support | Not specified |
| Kill Switch | Yes, prevents IP leaks if connection drops; tested to pause traffic until reconnected |
App Compatibility
Betternet provides apps for major desktop and mobile platforms and offers browser extensions, but it does not support routers or smart TVs. Premium plans allow 10 simultaneous connections, while the free tier is limited to one device and reduced features.
Customer Support
The provider offers email support and an account-area chatbot that can escalate to a human agent. Documentation and support channels list email as the primary contact method.
Feedback indicates email responses commonly arrive within about 12 hours, though some interactions took longer. The provider maintains a knowledge base with FAQs, tutorials, and guides.
- Live chat availability: Chatbot only; can escalate to human agent
- Email/ticket support: Email support; responses reported around 12–24 hours
- Knowledge base/guides: Knowledge base with FAQs, tutorials and guides; no video tutorials
- Other: App “Send Email” button; no phone support
- Languages: Not specified
Pricing & Plans
Betternet’s paid tiers correspond to access to premium servers, higher speeds, and additional features such as AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and streaming and torrenting support; customer help is provided via an in‑app chatbot and email.
12 Months — $7.99 / month. Also available: 1 Month — $12.99 / month, and a free offering/free trial that includes a limited free tier (500 MB/day and access to 4 servers). The service includes a 45-day money-back guarantee.
❗ Pricing considerations
Pricing and promotions may vary over time. This website is updated regularly, but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Users should verify current plans directly on the provider’s website before purchasing.
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Free Trial
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12-Month
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Monthly
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|---|---|---|---|
| Price |
$0.00/week
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$7.99/month
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$12.99/month
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| Details | Free tier with 500 MB daily data, access to four servers and limited speeds; suitable for basic browsing only. | Annual subscription with access to premium servers, streaming and P2P support, AES-256 encryption and kill switch; allows up to 10 devices. | Monthly subscription with premium servers, streaming and torrenting support, AES-256 encryption and 10-device allowance; useful for short-term needs. |
| Get started | Get started | Get started |
Final Verdict
Betternet is suited for users who prioritize fast connections for streaming, gaming, and torrenting on premium servers. The paid service includes AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, WireGuard and other protocol options, and a server network that delivered strong regional performance in tests. The free tier is highly limited and not appropriate for sustained streaming or gaming.
Users concerned about privacy or seeking audited no-logs assurances should consider alternatives. Betternet records device advertising identifiers and other account details and its privacy policy has not been independently audited. Past reports of tracking libraries and the provider’s documented data-collection practices make trust considerations especially relevant for privacy-sensitive users.
Users who prioritize verified no-logs policies and broader device compatibility may prefer other providers.
FAQ about Betternet
Is Betternet safe for protecting personal privacy online?
Betternet states it does not collect identifiable browsing activity for paid users but records device advertising identifiers, OS version, ISP/carrier, and may collect name, email and payment details. Its privacy policy has not been independently audited and past research reported tracking libraries in older app versions.
Does Betternet offer a free plan or trial?
Betternet offers a free tier that limits daily bandwidth to 500 MB and provides access to four servers. A paid subscription is available and the service documents a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Can Betternet unblock Netflix and other streaming platforms?
The paid Betternet was reported to work with Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Max (HBO), Peacock, and BBC iPlayer in testing. The free tier is limited and often insufficient for streaming due to bandwidth and server restrictions.
Does Betternet support torrenting and P2P file sharing?
Betternet’s premium service performed well for torrenting in tests, with a 1.6-GB file downloading in under 18 minutes on a nearby server. The free tier is limited by 500 MB/day and slow speeds and is not suitable for P2P use.
Which platforms and devices does Betternet officially support?
Betternet provides apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. Router, smart TV, and console support are not available and the premium plan permits 10 simultaneous connections while the free tier allows one.
Are Betternet apps audited or available as open source?
There are no documented independent audits of Betternet’s privacy policy or apps. Open-source status of the apps is not available in the public materials.
Does Betternet work reliably in countries with censorship like China?
Betternet claims it can work in China but documentation and support responses are vague about specific methods. Reports indicate connections can be sporadic, and users are advised to test access before travel.
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