The Betternet Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Betternet in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Betternet
The Insider’s Guide
Ad-supported free VPN with an ad-free Premium plan
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among VPNs, read from Betternet’s own pages.
Made by Betternet LLC · checked Nov 12, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Betternet’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Betternet’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 12, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.4
GPA, above 10 of the 27 other VPNs we grade
Betternet is a VPN with apps for iOS, Android, Windows and Mac and a Chrome extension. The free version needs no registration and has unlimited data, but it is supported by ads. Premium removes the ads, allows up to 10 devices at once and is sold as a monthly or annual subscription with a 7-day free trial.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about Betternet, taken from its own pages and our grades.
Install it and connect, with no sign-up for the free version.
- 1
Best for a free VPN with ads
Betternet is a VPN with a free version that has no data cap and no sign-up, supported by ads.
- 2
Paid plans start at $8 a month when paid by the year
As its pricing page puts it: $95.99 per year, or $11.99 per month.
- 3
There is a free plan
Free VPN with unlimited data and no registration, supported by ads. The vendor's App Store reply says the free version connects to a US server.
- 4
It runs on 4 platforms
iOS, Android, Windows and macOS, with a browser extension too.
- 5
Free VPN without registration
The free version needs no account or email and has unlimited data, in exchange for showing ads.
- 6
Kill switch and leak protection
The features page lists a kill switch, always-on auto-connect and IP and DNS leak protection.
- 7
Anti-phishing alerts
Warns you before you visit a site that may carry malware or phishing.
- 8
A 2.4 GPA, above 10 of 27
That is against the other VPNs we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
To replace Betternet you would be making servers in dozens of countries, kept fast and private. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
Betternet at a glance
- Pricing
- Free plan, from $95.99 per year, or $11.99 per month
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- 7-day free trial of Premium on the monthly and annual plans, per the App Store listing.
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension
- Made by
- Betternet LLC
- Category
- VPNs
- Our grade
- 2.4 GPA, fair
- Store rating
- 4.5 on the App Store, 238,386 ratings
The report card
Best for a free VPN with ads
Betternet is a VPN with a free version that has no data cap and no sign-up, supported by ads. The free version connects to a US server only, Premium is $95.99 a year, and the home page still shows a promotion that ended in March 2026.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | C | Premium is $95.99 a year, about $8 a month, or $11.99 monthly, against a category middle of $5. |
| Free plan and trial | C | A free VPN with unlimited data and no sign-up, but with ads and, per the vendor's App Store reply, a US server only. Premium has a 7-day trial that renews unless you cancel. |
| Features | C | Kill switch, leak protection, anti-phishing alerts and connection modes, but the free version is limited to one location and ads. |
| Ease of use | B | 4.5 from 238K App Store ratings. Install it and connect, with no sign-up for the free version. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | iOS, Android, Windows, Mac and a browser extension. No API or integration list. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Betternet is for
- 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
Who it is not for
- 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
Good to know
Good for
- Casual users who want a free VPN with no sign-up
- People who want to trial an ad-free VPN for 7 days
- Households with many devices under one Premium account
Worth knowing
- 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.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$8
A month to start, paid by the year. There is a free plan too
Betternet has a free plan. Paid plans start at $95.99 per year, or $11.99 per month.
A free VPN with unlimited data and no sign-up, but with ads and, per the vendor's App Store reply, a US server only.
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.
The free plan
Free VPN with unlimited data and no registration, supported by ads. The vendor's App Store reply says the free version connects to a US server.
Trying it first
7-day free trial of Premium on the monthly and annual plans, per the App Store listing.
Read from apps.apple.com on Nov 12, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
5
Places it runs: macOS, Windows, iOS, Android and Browser extension
Ad-supported free VPN with an ad-free Premium plan. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: vPN, malware protection.
Kill switch, leak protection, anti-phishing alerts and connection modes, but the free version is limited to one location and ads.
- 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.
Where it runs
- macOS
- Windows
- iOS
- Android
- Browser extension
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
Betternet is made by Betternet LLC.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
10/27
Other VPNs it is graded above
Betternet's GPA of 2.4 is higher than 10 of the 27 other VPNs we grade, and level with 5.
It stands best on ease of use (B, above 7 of 27) and worst on features (C, above 0).
Its paid plans start at $8 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $5 for the category: 20 of the 26 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.7 out of 4. 9 tools score higher and cost less.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 28 VPNs we grade, cut by the letter each got. Betternet’s own letter is outlined.
- CValue for moneyAbove 2 of 27
- CFree plan and trialAbove 16 of 27
- CFeaturesAbove 0 of 27
- BEase of useAbove 7 of 27
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 27
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 27 VPNs. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Betternet is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
To replace Betternet you would be making servers in dozens of countries, kept fast and private. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
It costs $95.99 a year.
What you could not
- Servers in dozens of countries, kept fast and private.
- An engine that recognises new malware as it appears.
- Apps for macOS, Windows, iOS and Android that stay in step with each other.
What this rests on. Betternet’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Hotspot Shield, TunnelBear, Windscribe, X-VPN and Proton VPN
The 5 tools Betternet is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.6GPA
Hotspot Shield
Free plan · from $95.99/yr
- 2.4GPA
TunnelBear
Free plan · from $3.33/mo
McAfee-owned VPN with a 2GB free plan and pay-once multi-year plans.
- Betternet also covers malware protection.
- TunnelBear also covers ad and tracker blocking.
- 2.6GPA
Windscribe
Free plan · from $3/mo
VPN with a 10GB free plan and pay-per-location pricing.
- Only Windscribe lists a Linux app.
- Windscribe is open source, according to its own site.
- Betternet also covers malware protection.
- 3.0GPA
X-VPN
Free plan · from $71.99/yr
VPN with an unlimited-data free plan and discounted first terms.
- Only X-VPN lists a Linux app.
- Betternet also covers malware protection.
- X-VPN also covers ad and tracker blocking.
- 2.8GPA
Proton VPN
Free plan · from $83.88/yr
Open-source Swiss VPN with a free plan that has no data cap.
- Only Proton VPN lists a Linux app.
- Proton VPN is open source, according to its own site.
- Betternet also covers malware protection.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
12
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Betternet free?
Betternet has a free plan. Free VPN with unlimited data and no registration, supported by ads.
How much does Betternet cost?
Betternet lists 3 plans. Free: $0.
What platforms does Betternet work on?
Betternet is available on iOS, Android, Windows and macOS. It also has a browser extension.
How is Betternet rated?
Betternet's iPhone and iPad app averages 4.5 out of 5 from 238,386 ratings on the App Store in the United States, as read on Nov 13, 2026.
Does Betternet have a Linux app?
No Linux app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. Betternet is listed for iOS, Android, Windows and macOS.
Is Betternet open source?
Betternet is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 12, 2026.
Does Betternet have a free trial?
Yes. 7-day free trial of Premium on the monthly and annual plans, per the App Store listing.
Who makes Betternet?
Betternet is made by Betternet LLC.
What are the alternatives to Betternet?
The closest alternatives to Betternet in our directory are Hotspot Shield, TunnelBear, Windscribe, X-VPN and Proton VPN.
How does Betternet compare with other VPNs?
Betternet's GPA of 2.4 is higher than 10 of the 27 other VPNs we grade, and level with 5.
Is Betternet good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Betternet C for value for money. Its paid plans start at $8 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $5 for the category: 20 of the 26 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of Betternet?
To replace Betternet you would be making servers in dozens of countries, kept fast and private.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Betternet’s own pages on Nov 12, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 12, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Betternet's own pages on 12 November 2026, and its App Store rating. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Betternet LLC. Prices change, so check betternet.co before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
5,038
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
5,038
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Betternet, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/betternet
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Betternet: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 12, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/betternet
Know someone choosing between VPNs?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/betternet/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded VPNs after Betternet, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- VPNs Insider's GuideEvery one of the 28 VPNs we grade, compared
- Cloudflare WARP Insider's GuideFree Cloudflare app that encrypts traffic, with an optional paid tier3.2 GPA
- hide.me Insider's GuideMalaysia-based VPN with a no-signup free plan and flat renewal prices3.0 GPA
- X-VPN Insider's GuideVPN with an unlimited-data free plan and discounted first terms3.0 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Betternet’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Betternet is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Betternet LLC. Prices and plans change: check betternet.co before you buy.