Betternet

Betternet is a popular consumer VPN owned by Pango, part of Aura, the same group behind Hotspot Shield. It is best known for its free, ad-supported tier, which has helped it accumulate a very large user base of people who want a no-signup, one-tap way to get a VPN connection on their phone or computer.

The free plan delivers basic protection but is supported by advertising and offers a limited selection of server locations, with the premium subscription used to remove ads, unlock the full network, increase device limits, and provide faster, more consistent performance. Under the hood, Betternet shares technology with Hotspot Shield, including access to the high-speed Catapult Hydra protocol.

Performance on the paid tier is generally good and the apps are simple and approachable, which makes Betternet a reasonable option for casual users who prioritize ease of use over granular control. It lacks many of the advanced features that enthusiasts look for, such as extensive protocol choice or sophisticated split tunneling on every platform.

On privacy, buyers should be aware of context. Betternet has faced past criticism in academic and security research over data handling and the presence of tracking libraries in its free Android app, and like its sibling Hotspot Shield it operates under US jurisdiction within the Five Eyes alliance. The company has updated its practices over time, but privacy-sensitive users should weigh the ad-supported free model and ownership before relying on it for sensitive activity.