Betternet vs SetupVPN (2026): which should you pick?

Pick Betternet if

• Fits if you want a free VPN for light use and can live with ads
• Works for people who'll try Premium free for 7 days

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want to pick a server country on the free version, which connects to the US only
• Tight if you hate ads: they stay on the free version, and Premium removes them
• Watch out: the trial renews into a paid plan unless you cancel at least 24 hours before it ends
• Watch out: the home page shows a $71.99 first-year promotion that ended 24 March 2026; it renews at $95.99
• Watch out: the vendor's site showed no pricing page, so prices come from the App Store

Pick SetupVPN if

• Fits if you need a free VPN extension for occasional use
• Works for getting around a school or workplace firewall

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want to know what Premium costs, as no price or feature list is published
• Not for you if you send mail over SMTP, since ports 25 and 465 are blocked
• Watch out: Linux, Opera and ChromeOS versions are marked coming soon
• Watch out: televisions and routers are not supported

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.

SetupVPN

• A Premium account is mentioned on the home page and FAQ, but no price or feature list is published on the pages read.
• Ports such as 25 and 465 are blocked to limit spam, including SMTP.
• Linux, Opera and ChromeOS versions are marked as coming soon.
• The FAQ says televisions and routers are not supported.

Betternet

Free VPN without registration

The free version needs no account or email and has unlimited data, in exchange for showing ads.

Kill switch and leak protection

The features page lists a kill switch, always-on auto-connect and IP and DNS leak protection.

Anti-phishing alerts

Warns you before you visit a site that may carry malware or phishing.

Connection modes

Lets you optimize the connection for gaming, browsing or streaming, and includes Tor over VPN.

Server network

The features page cites 1,000+ servers with up to 1 Gbps, while the App Store listing says 1800+ servers and 125+ virtual locations.

SetupVPN

Free account

The home page promises a lifetime free account with no bandwidth restrictions and no hidden charges.

100+ locations

The site says it has over 100 locations around the world and is adding more.

Virus and malware filtering

The FAQ says SetupVPN filters viruses from browsing and shields you from malware on the sites you visit.

Unlimited server changes

You can switch servers as often as you like, with no stated limit.

Public Wi-Fi protection

Traffic is encrypted with SSL, which the vendor positions as protection on cafe and restaurant networks.

Extensions and apps

Downloads are listed for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android, Windows, macOS and iOS.

Betternet

• Free$0

  Ad-supported VPN with unlimited data and no sign-up.

• Premium, monthly$11.99

  per month

  Ad-free VPN on up to 10 devices at once. Price from the US App Store listing, where it is labeled Monthly VPN Subscription.

• Premium, annual$95.99

  per year, renewing every year

  The same Premium plan billed yearly. The vendor's site gives $95.99 a year as the annual renewal price; its own annual promotion had an end date of March 24, 2026.

SetupVPN

• Free$0

  Lifetime free account with no bandwidth restrictions, unlimited server changes and SSL-based encryption.