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Alternatives · VPNs

Betternet alternatives

As of Nov 13, 2026, the best Betternet alternative for most people is Proton VPN (2.8 GPA), first in our ranking of VPNs. The best free one is X-VPN (3.0 GPA).

Betternet compared with 5 alternatives: Hotspot Shield, TunnelBear, Windscribe, X-VPN and Proton VPN.

Betternet has a free plan. Paid plans start at $95.99 per year, or $11.99 per month. All 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan.

Listings checked up to Nov 12, 2026 · Where the facts come from

Black Friday: is there a Betternet sale?

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
BetternetThis toolFree plan · from $95.99/yrYesmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension
Hotspot ShieldFree plan · from $95.99/yrYesmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension
TunnelBearFree plan · from $3.33/moYesmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension
WindscribeFree plan · from $3/moYesmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
X-VPNFree plan · from $71.99/yrYesmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
Proton VPNFree plan · from $83.88/yrYesmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension

Price against what you get

Betternet starts at $8 a month when paid by the year and scores 2.7 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. 3 of the 5 alternatives on this chart score higher and start lower: Windscribe, X-VPN and Proton VPN.

Hotspot Shield scores higher without starting lower. TunnelBear starts lower without scoring higher.

Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged

C2.0B3.0A4.0$1$2$5$10$20More for lessCosts more, scores moreCosts less, scores lessCosts more, scores lessBetternetHotspot ShieldTunnelBearWindscribeX-VPN

What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →

  • The best score at each price
  • Has a free plan
  • No free plan
The full chart of VPNs, and the best at every price

How each one differs from Betternet

  1. Hotspot Shield

    VPN with a free Basic tier and its own Hydra protocol

    • Hotspot Shield starts at $95.99 per year at renewal (Premium), after a first year for $29.

    Suits: Occasional users who want a free VPN on one device

    Hotspot Shield vs BetternetHotspot Shield pricing and details

  2. TunnelBear

    McAfee-owned VPN with a 2GB free plan and pay-once multi-year plans

    • TunnelBear starts at $3.33 per month on the 3-year Unlimited plan ($120 paid once).
    • TunnelBear also covers ad and tracker blocking.
    • TunnelBear does not cover malware protection, which Betternet does.

    Suits: Occasional users who need a VPN for a few gigabytes

    TunnelBear vs BetternetTunnelBear pricing and details

  3. Windscribe

    VPN with a 10GB free plan and pay-per-location pricing

    • Windscribe starts at $3 per month for 3 locations (Build A Plan).
    • Windscribe also lists a Linux app.
    • Windscribe is open source, according to its own site.
    • Windscribe also covers ad and tracker blocking.
    • Windscribe does not cover malware protection, which Betternet does.

    Suits: Light users who can live within 10GB a month for free

    Windscribe vs BetternetWindscribe pricing and details

  4. X-VPN

    VPN with an unlimited-data free plan and discounted first terms

    • X-VPN starts at $71.99 per year at renewal, after a first 24 months for $69.99.
    • X-VPN also lists a Linux app.
    • X-VPN also covers ad and tracker blocking.
    • X-VPN does not cover malware protection, which Betternet does.

    Suits: People who want a free VPN with no data cap

    X-VPN vs BetternetX-VPN pricing and details

  5. Proton VPN

    Open-source Swiss VPN with a free plan that has no data cap

    • Proton VPN starts at $83.88 per year at renewal (VPN Plus), after a first year for $53.88.
    • Proton VPN also lists a Linux app.
    • Proton VPN is open source, according to its own site.
    • Proton VPN also covers ad and tracker blocking.
    • Proton VPN does not cover malware protection, which Betternet does.

    Suits: Trying a VPN for free without a data cap

    Proton VPN vs BetternetProton VPN pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in Betternet

  • The free version shows ads and, per the vendor's App Store reply, connects to a US server only; Premium removes the ads.
  • The vendor's site did not show a pricing page when read; the prices come from the App Store listing and a promotion notice on the home page.
  • The home page still displays a $71.99 first-year promotion whose stated end date, March 24, 2026, has passed; it renews at $95.99 a year.
  • Trials convert to paid plans unless cancelled at least 24 hours before they end.
Betternet pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Betternet?

The alternatives to Betternet in this directory are Hotspot Shield, TunnelBear, Windscribe, X-VPN and Proton VPN. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Betternet.

Is there a free alternative to Betternet?

Yes. Hotspot Shield, TunnelBear, Windscribe, X-VPN and Proton VPN have a free plan alongside paid ones.

Which Betternet alternatives work on Linux?

The Betternet listing does not include a Linux app. Windscribe, X-VPN and Proton VPN list one.

Is there an open-source alternative to Betternet?

Windscribe and Proton VPN are described as open source on their own sites.

When were these prices checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 17, 2026 to Nov 12, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.