Betternet Free

Betternet Free is a VPN service with an ad-supported entry tier and paid plans that remove the main usage limits. It is strongest for people who want no-registration access, streaming support and coverage for several devices, while users with heavy daily traffic or Linux desktops should consider other services.

Overview

Betternet encrypts a device's internet traffic and assigns it a new IP address. The free mode allows connection without an account or email address, which is useful when you want to start quickly and share as little personal information as possible. Its 500 MB daily allowance and four virtual locations make that tier suitable for short browsing sessions, occasional public-Wi-Fi protection or checking a service from another region, not sustained streaming or large downloads.

Betternet says it does not log browsing data or activity that can be tied to users. An Aon review summary covers its privacy and logging claims across free and paid tiers, giving privacy-focused readers an independent assessment to weigh with the provider's stated protections.

Key features

Security controls include an always-on VPN, kill switch, anti-phishing protection and IP and DNS leak protection. A kill switch matters when a connection fails because it can prevent traffic from continuing outside the encrypted tunnel; leak protection addresses accidental exposure of identifying network requests. Support documentation describes Hydra, WireGuard and IPSec protocol choices, so users can select WireGuard where that protocol's balance of speed and modern design is preferred.

Betternet says its network exceeds 1,000 servers and can provide connections of up to 1 Gbps. Premium adds streaming and gaming modes optimized for services and games such as Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Prime, Roblox and Fortnite. Tor over VPN is also offered for accessing Tor sites and services through the VPN. Premium subscribers additionally receive 24/7 live chat and email support.

Pricing

The free plan costs nothing but its daily quota, advertising, single-device limit and small location selection quickly constrain regular use. The monthly Premium plan fits a short commitment or a temporary need for unrestricted data. Annual Premium lowers the effective monthly cost compared with paying $12.99 each month, but requires paying the full $95.99 upfront. Betternet also presents Premium monthly and Premium annual plans without a published price; the priced options above are the ones with explicit terms. A seven-day trial is offered, so prospective subscribers can assess the paid experience before a longer commitment.

Platforms

Apps are offered for Android, iOS, macOS and Windows, with a browser extension. The service supports up to 10 simultaneous devices on Premium, while Free allows one device. There is no listed Linux app, which is a decisive limitation for Linux desktop users.

Who it's for

Choose Betternet Free for occasional VPN use when no registration, a kill switch and a modest set of locations matter more than high data volume. Premium suits households or individuals connecting many devices, streaming, gaming or using the VPN throughout the day; unlimited bandwidth and 115+ locations remove the free tier's practical bottlenecks. It is a weaker fit for Linux users and anyone unwilling to accept ads or a seven-day trial window before deciding on a paid plan.

Pros and cons

Pros

• No email or registration is required to download and connect.
• Premium supports up to 10 devices, unlimited bandwidth and 115+ virtual locations.
• Kill switch, always-on mode, anti-phishing and IP/DNS leak protection cover common VPN failure and exposure risks.
• WireGuard, Hydra and IPSec options, plus streaming, gaming and Tor-over-VPN modes, broaden use cases.
• An Aon review summary addresses privacy and logging claims across free and paid tiers.

Cons

• Free use is restricted to 500 MB per day, four locations, one device and advertising.
• The listed apps do not include Linux.
• Premium's annual charge is due in full, and some plan entries have custom pricing rather than a published amount.

Alternatives

Cloudflare WARP is a better match if you want encrypted device traffic and DNS with traffic-and-DNS or DNS-only modes.

hide.me is worth choosing if Linux support and a 30-day money-back guarantee are priorities.

Proton VPN suits users wanting a free plan with unlimited data, 10 countries and one simultaneous device.

Windscribe fits users seeking a free allowance of up to 10 GB per month across 10 countries.

Hotspot Shield offers a one-device free tier with 500 MB daily data and a single U.S. location at 2 Mbps.

iTop VPN is an alternative with a 300 MB daily free allowance and Premium plans supporting eight devices.

PrivadoVPN provides a free 10 GB data allowance for one device.

Psiphon is another freemium option with paid tiers that remove advertisements and increase speed.

Browse more options in our Free VPN Services and VPN services lists.

Verdict

Betternet Free is a sensible starting point for no-registration VPN access, especially when you need occasional protection or plan to cover up to 10 devices with Premium. Its strongest reasons to upgrade are unlimited bandwidth, broad location choice and streaming support. Look elsewhere if you need Linux compatibility or a free plan that can handle heavy daily traffic.