Free VPN review
Betternet Free review
An ad-supported continuing free VPN with desktop and mobile apps. Data allowances and location access vary by platform, so check the free mode shown in your app.
By VPNTrends · Updated 2026-10-21
Our assessment
Betternet Free at a glance
An ad-supported continuing free VPN with desktop and mobile apps. Data allowances and location access vary by platform, so check the free mode shown in your app.
Key capabilities
An ad-supported continuing free VPN with desktop and mobile apps. Data allowances and location access vary by platform, so check the free mode shown in your app.
Limitations to check
Continuing Free mode is optional alongside paid Premium. Paid trials and paid renewal offers are not the free plan.
See platform support ↓
Continuing Free mode alongside paid Premium
Betternet offers a continuing Free mode as well as paid Premium subscriptions. Upgrading is optional. That distinction matters because the website also promotes paid subscriptions and limited free trials: choosing one of those offers can involve purchase conditions that do not apply to the ordinary free mode.
Before accepting a trial or purchase prompt, confirm which mode the application is using. This review covers Free mode and does not calculate savings from a refundable paid purchase. The free plan’s price is zero, while the practical trade-offs are advertising, restricted locations and the allowance available on your particular app.
Check the data allowance on the installed version
Betternet’s official descriptions are not fully consistent across its website and support material. The current feature page describes unlimited free data and says iOS users may watch advertising to go beyond a daily Basic allowance. The Free-versus-Premium support comparison instead lists 500 MB each day.
We therefore do not promise a single unlimited allowance on every platform. Check the remaining-data indicator and any conditions attached to additional access inside the app. Daily and monthly caps also behave differently: an unused daily allowance is not automatically a larger bank of data for another day. No guaranteed free connection speed is established here.
Five listed connections and limited location access
The current Free-versus-Premium feature table lists five simultaneous device connections for Free and ten for Premium. Betternet provides Windows, Mac, Android and iOS applications, but individual settings can vary. The availability of a browser extension should not be confused with protecting every application on the device.
The free location set is also limited. The current table lists five virtual locations, whereas the support comparison lists four and older location instructions describe United States access. Use the actual free server list in your app rather than planning around a guaranteed country count. Premium’s much larger list is not inherited by the free plan.
Security controls differ between applications
Betternet’s Free-versus-Premium table includes WireGuard, a kill switch and split tunneling. The settings guide explains these controls for desktop and mobile applications. A kill switch must be checked and configured in the relevant app; its presence in a feature list is not a result from our own leak testing.
Split tunneling can deliberately send selected traffic outside the VPN. Windows and Android documentation describes application or website rules, while Mac website routing requires Hydra. The iOS description concerns website rules, which is not the same as excluding arbitrary installed apps. Some iOS automatic reconnection behavior is explicitly reserved for Premium.
Advertising is part of the free experience
The free edition displays advertising. Betternet’s Android settings guide includes a Free-only privacy section for revisiting choices such as personalized-ad consent. Those settings are relevant to evaluating the service, but they do not justify assuming that every free VPN uses the same advertising model or handles data identically.
Review the current privacy policy and app permissions, and decide whether an advertising-supported connection fits your use. Free mode also lacks Premium streaming and gaming modes, so a successful connection does not guarantee access to a particular service. We have not conducted hands-on speed, streaming or application tests for this review.
Free plan and limits
This continuing free plan has no subscription charge. Check the actual allowance and restrictions before relying on it.
Data allowance: Allowances vary by app: support lists 500 MB per day; the current feature page describes unlimited free data and extra ad viewing to exceed the iOS daily limit. Check the allowance in your app.
- Advertising in the free edition; consent controls vary by app
- Data limits differ between official plan and support descriptions
- Limited virtual locations; the current table lists five, while support lists four
- Premium streaming and gaming modes are not included
- Some automatic connection features are Premium-only on iOS
Free mode includes advertising. Check consent settings and the app’s actual data allowance before relying on it; do not assume unrestricted locations or guaranteed streaming access.
Continuing Free mode is optional alongside paid Premium. Paid trials and paid renewal offers are not the free plan.
Features and platform support
Support can differ between apps and operating systems. Platform coverage and limitations are shown below.
- Windows
The current Free/Premium table includes this platform; exact settings differ between apps.
- macOS
The current Free/Premium table includes this platform; exact settings differ between apps.
- Linux
Free-plan support is not verified.
Current support not verified.- iOS
The current Free/Premium table includes this platform; exact settings differ between apps.
- Android
The current Free/Premium table includes this platform; exact settings differ between apps.
- WireGuard / WireGuard-based protocol
Free/Premium table includes WireGuard alongside Hydra and IPSec. Support lists WireGuard on desktop and mobile apps.
Verified platforms: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS.- OpenVPN
Free-plan support is not verified.
Current support not verified.- Kill switch
Free/Premium table includes a kill switch; support describes the setting on Windows, Mac, Android and iOS. It must be configured in the relevant app.
Verified platforms: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS.- Router support
Free-plan support is not verified.
Current support not verified.- Split tunneling
Included in the Free/Premium table. Windows and Android support app/site rules; Mac uses site rules with Hydra. iOS support describes site rules, not arbitrary application exclusion.
Verified platforms: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS.- Dedicated IP available
Free-plan support is not verified.
Current support not verified.
Questions about Betternet Free
How many devices can connect simultaneously?
Current Free/Premium feature table lists five simultaneous connections for Free and 10 for Premium. Older support comparisons do not establish an alternative free number.
Is this a continuing free plan or a paid trial?
This is a continuing free plan, not an introductory paid subscription. Allowances vary by app: support lists 500 MB per day; the current feature page describes unlimited free data and extra ad viewing to exceed the iOS daily limit. Check the allowance in your app.
Does a supported platform include every feature?
No. Protocols, split tunneling and kill switches can have different platform support. Use the feature descriptions above to check the app you intend to use.
Is Betternet Free unlimited on every platform?
A universal unlimited allowance is not established. The current feature page describes unlimited free data with ad-based extra access on iOS, while support lists 500 MB daily. Check the allowance in your installed app.
Does Betternet Free contain advertising?
Yes. Free mode is ad-supported. Android settings include controls for revisiting privacy choices such as personalized-ad consent; available controls vary by app.
Before you choose
Check data, location, speed and connection limits for the free plan. Paid subscriptions and trials have separate terms and are not included here.
We have not conducted hands-on speed, streaming or app tests for this review. No numerical ratings or test badges are assigned.