Betternet VPN Overview: The Ultimate Guide on Canadian VPN Service

Why may you need this software? There are several reasons. Firstly, to get access to the sources that don’t work in your country. For example, such streaming services as Hulu, Amazon, or Disney+ are available in the USA only. Netflix provides different content for users from different countries. And you don’t have to travel physically when you can travel online.

However, it is not the only reason for using VPN services. Since this software is available to hide your real IP address and replace it with the other one, it is a good tool to protect your connection. Internet Service Providers, local authorities, and even scammers can’t get access to your data. It is especially useful when you’re using torrents, connect to public Wi-Fi, or use your work computer for personal purposes.

One of the tools you may have heard of is Betternet VPN. However, it is normal if you have some worries because you know nothing about this service, its advantages, and disadvantages. That’s why we have decided to write this review so that you can find all the answers and decide whether you want to install Betternet VPN.

Short on Time? Here’s What Matters Most

So, what do we know about Betternet VPN? It is a Canadian-based software owned by Pango (you may know them as AnchorFree). It claims it has more than 38 Mio. users and 60% of them are located beyond the USA. However, despite this amazing community growth, this VPN service is still receiving a lot of critical reviews. This is mainly related to a study by the State Association for Scientific and Applied Research (CSIRO), which showed that the Betternet VPNimposes ads on its users. In this overview, we are going to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of this product so that you can get the full picture.

Betternet VPNwas created in 2015, so it is pretty young. However, 5 years on the market are enough to make some conclusions and to decide whether this software is worth your attention.

The first thing that may attract your attention is that Betternet VPN is free. We’re going to discuss it in our article too. So, stay tuned and don’t miss any important information!

The Website Design and Usability

There is one thing we like, and it is the website. It was created professionally, and it is easy to navigate and find whatever information you need. What is also good, you do not need to look through dozens of pages. If you want to download the application, all you need is to click the appropriate button. There are several options: to try the free plan or to go Premium. However, it is unobvious why exactly, you should choose the second option. Most users pay attention to the word “free” only.

Streaming – Can You Enjoy Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Other Services With Betternet VPN?

It is not a secret that 2016 was the worst year for Netflix fans. Service began the real war against VPNs and forbade customers to use them while they’re connected. Some companies have overcome these restrictions, but unfortunately, Betternet VPN is not one of them. All network servers and IP addresses are blocked. And you even don’t have to check this for yourself: read some other Betternet VPNreviews, and you’ll quickly find out that users are not happy with this software when they’re trying to watch their favorite Netflix TV shows.

Speaking about BBC iPlayer, Amazon, Hulu, Disney+, and other content services with geo-restriction, we failed with them as well. The good news is that Betternet VPN works with US YouTube and some small websites, but it matters nothing since all VPN tools in the business can unblock these sources.

Is Betternet VPN Good for Torrenting?

One more reason to use the VPN software is torrenting. Since there are some copyright legislations in various countries, you can’t just download a movie or a game whenever you need it. Torrents are websites that provide you with such opportunities. However, they are forbidden in most countries, and therefore you need to hide your IP when using them.

You may feel really happy when you connect to Betternet VPN and see that you can open Torrent websites. They can be unblocked, but it makes no sense since the low speed doesn’t let you use them. Just imagine how much time you should wait to download a movie in HD-quality that takes about 4 Gb. Of course, it is possible. But we can tell you that there are much better solutions you can use.

Betternet VPN Speeds

Don’t be surprised when you see ads with words like “Betternet VPN is a super-fast VPN.” No one will say, “We suck” when it comes to attracting more new users. They claim they have an optimal location feature that lets you access the closest server automatically.

However, it didn’t help them. When we tried to use this opportunity, it was just impossible to connect. Each time, the application opened a loading screen for about a minute before disconnecting. And when we tried to connect to a server manually, there were no issues. We have found that we are not the only ones who faced this problem.

Without Betternet VPN, our connection speed was 70 Mbps. Once we connected to the closest US server, something happened. The first speed test showed that the average download speed went to less than 13 Mbps. And when we connected to servers outside of the US, things went a bit better. It can be explained by the fact that they are available to premium users only. The US servers are the most crowded, and their speeds suffer because of many free users. However, you should understand that in the second case, the Betternet VPN was just average; it wasn’t something that could impress.

To be fair, the Betternet VPN is not the only one that is responsible for low speed because many factors may affect the connection. But, of course, you need a seamless process without hurdles, and it looks like this product is not able to provide you with it.

Is Betternet VPN Good for Gaming?

Free Betternet VPN plan provides users with 500 MB of traffic per day. This is a generous offer. However, there are some issues you need to consider.

The first is compatibility with routers. You can’t install Betternet VPNon your router, and it makes it impossible to protect your set-top box with it. But this service works on PC and mobile devices.

The second essential issue is the speed of the connections. Only one US server is available for free plan users. While conducting tests, we encountered serious drops in download speed and constant lags. Even games that are light on bandwidth suffer from Betternet VPNslow connections. In addition, the free plan allows you to connect only one device at a time.

Moreover, you can't avoid advertising. Betternet VPN maintains its free plan through ads.

Security

We have conducted thorough research to define whether Betternet VPN is safe. Looking ahead, we are ready to say that it is not. This opinion is based on the following facts:

• Betternet VPNapplications contain malware;
• Their apps also contain tracking libraries;
• There was a case in 2017 when the Betternet VPN Chrome extension was hacked and used to spread malware.

Although this VPN provider offers OpenVPN with AES 256-bit encryption and IPsec with AES 128-bit AES-CBC encryption, users can’t expect the Kill Switch and ad blocker to make their experience more remarkable. So, security is not the strongest point of Betternet VPN.

Privacy

When you want to understand whether VPN software you consider is secure enough, pay attention to the country it is located in. Security is always tightly connected with the legislation.

You already know that Betternet VPN is a Canadian-based software, and you should understand that Canada belongs to countries that have signed an agreement on surveillance and communications. It is not good for privacy when the company hands over its connection logs to the authorities when they request this information.

And what exactly does it mean for Betternet VPNusers? This software maintains your connection logs (bandwidth you use and connection times). And even if you find official information that this company doesn’t collect personally identifiable information, it doesn’t explain what constitutes this personal data. Your IP address? There are too many questions without answers, and that’s why it is impossible to sleep well with Betternet VPN. Of course, many other providers keep connection logs, but they don’t store them with IP addresses.

This is what Betternet VPN stores:

• Account Data: your name and surname, the username, email, and password you have used when signing up;
• Billing and Payment Data: the customer’s billing name, contact information, preferable payment method;
• Identity Verification Data: email addresses and/or phone.

It is a pretty interesting phenomenon: when you use software to protect yourself and your data, but it is this tool that you should be really afraid of. That’s why you shouldn’t download the app once you see the attractive ads. Take some time to read honest reviews and to find out all the truth about the company.

Betternet VPN Server Number and Locations

Before we tell you how many servers Betternet VPNhas, it is essential to understand that this number matters nothing. There is one factor that is much more important: the number of placements. For example, you may have 35 servers in two cities, and it means you have no other options otherwise to connect to these two cities. Moreover, the number of servers can affect speed. It depends on the number of users as well, and if we know that Betternet VPN claims it has more than 38 million customers, you can imagine the workload they have to deal with.

Speaking about Betternet VPN, if you’re using the free version, you can connect just to one server in the USA, which is distributed at random. Amazing, right? Of course, it is not! And users who pay for the subscription have access to servers in 10 countries: Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Australia, UK, Germany, Netherlands, France, Canada, and 7 US cities. Again, not so impressive.

When you’re the Betternet VPNpremium customer, you can choose the server from a list. However, it is the only opportunity this service provides you with. You can’t change the VPN protocol or specify whether you need an Open VPN with UDP or TCP.

So, speaking about server numbers and locations, Betternet VPNdefinitely can’t be called the best choice.

Apps, Extensions, and Compatibility

Whether you’re macOS, Windows, Android, or iOs user, you can download the Betternet VPNdedicated application. All tools have the same interface and opportunities. There is also a Chrome extension. However, it is the only browser that supports this VPN right now. And it is full of bugs; for example, it can lie about the server location, so it would be a good idea to keep track of which country you need to connect to and where you’re connected.

If you need to install the app on other platforms, there are no manual installation guides.

Betternet VPN Customer Service

If you think that the customer service quality doesn’t matter, you’re wrong. It shows the company’s attitude, how it interacts with customers, and whether you can trust your VPN provider.

Speaking about Betternet VPN, you have two ways to get in touch with the customer support service: 1. Submit a request ticket on the official website; 2. Contact the email support team that works round the clock. Live chat or phone lines are not available. We’ve contacted the customer support manager via email to understand how quickly and well they respond. Though Betternet VPN claims their team works 24\7, we got an answer within a few hours. And it was not what we expected. It looked like they sent an automatic response without a personal attitude.

Of course, you can find some resources and blogs on their website, but it definitely can’t be called customer service. And when we answered their message explaining our issues again, we had to wait for hours as well. And it was a test! Imagine how frustrating it is to wait for help when you need it right now. The live chat and customer-focused managers could solve this problem.

Besides, if you explore some independent platforms like Trustpilot, you can easily find out that users are not satisfied with the level of customer service. Take a look at this review below:

Pricing

Betternet VPNis not the cheapest solution on the market. You can easily find premium tools that offer more features and better performance but offer more affordable prices. Maybe this service is worth $3 per month, but not $13. At least, they offer you a slight discount if you buy a year subscription. However, it is still expensive, and not all users are ready to pay $95.88 at once when it is not their favorite service; they just can’t live without it.

Speaking about payment methods, several options are depending on the device you use. For example, you can buy a subscription with the iTunes Store if you’re an iOS or macOS user. And you can also purchase Betternet VPN through Google Play Store if you’re on Android. Windows users have to download the software to buy a subscription within the app.

Betternet VPNaccepts different payment systems: VISA, MasterCard, AmericanExpress, Discover, JCB, UnionPay, Diners Club.

Refund policy

Once you’ve installed the premium Betternet VPN service, there is an opportunity to get your money back if you’re not satisfied with its quality. However, consider the fact that you can get a refund only if you’ve used less than 50 MB. And you have 30 days to submit your request. As you may understand, 50 MB is pretty small, so you can’t test all features of the application to understand whether you like it.

So, if you want to test Betternet VPN, there is a weekly trial. However, it is impossible to use it until you enter your payment information. And if you forget to cancel the subscription, the application automatically puts you on the monthly rate. Overall, we can’t say that these policies are user-friendly. Moreover, we have found a review where the user says she can’t unsubscribe after the trial.

Free Version Features

Many people feel happy when they find out there is something they can get absolutely for free. And there is one thing to remember: The only free cheese is in the mousetrap. If you use the free version of the Betternet VPN, you should be ready for:

• impossibility to access any other services except the US (only one and random);
• advertisement;
• long awaiting the support team response;
• only one device per account using;
• 500 MB bandwidth cap per day;
• blocked streaming content.

You can try a weekly free trial to understand how Betternet VPN paid plans work, and you’ll mention the difference. And then you should ask yourself one more question: are you ready to pay $13 per month if there are many cheaper and better opportunities? It wouldn’t be the wisest choice!

Advantages and Disadvantages

Each VPN software has its pros and cons to consider. And Betternet VPNis not an exception.

Advantages:

• Premium-version without ads;
• Weekly free trial to try premium;
• Discount for a yearly subscription.

Disadvantages:

• Privacy policy;
• A lot of ads in free version;
• Slow connections;
• Keeps logs;
• Poor customer support;
• Impossibility to reach streaming content services;
• Limited servers.

Betternet VPN online reputation

We have already mentioned that there are different independent websites with reviews from people who have already tried Betternet VPNand other services. Each company will tell you about its advantages, but you always need a second opinion to understand all the truth.

So, what can we say about the online reputation of this company? Though some positive testimonials are related to ease of install and use, a lot of people are not happy with the Betternet VPN. Take a look at these reviews:

And what is even worse, we haven’t found any feedback from the Betternet VPN representatives. Do they even care?

The Bottom Line

All applications have their advantages and disadvantages. And, of course, Betternet VPN is not the worst tool in the world. It wouldn’t have so many subscribers without some benefits. This tool is simple and easy-to-use, it can hide your IP address, and it can protect your data using secure encryption. There is also a free version. Though it is limited, it can be a choice when you don’t have another option.

However, there is the second side of this coin that makes use of Betternet VPNnot as impressive as you may expect. It goes about privacy policies, inability to reach Netflix and other streaming websites, unreliable speeds. We also don’t like the lack of an automatic kill switch. There are many other reasons why you shouldn’t install Betternet VPN if you’re looking for decent quality.

It is especially relevant these days when there are so many opportunities you can benefit from. You can read other reviews to find out more about companies that provide users with access to any content with reliable speeds and other advantages. So, if you need a free version for 5 minutes just to try, Betternet VPNcan be your choice. But there is no reason to pay for its premium service: choose the VPN software that is fast, reliable, and 100% private.

FAQ: Everything You Want to Know About Betternet VPN

Breaking Geoblocks: Can Betternet VPNWork in China?

Yes, this application works in China, so if you’re traveling abroad and want to access Facebook, Instagram, or any other platform that is blocked in this country, you can do it. However, you should remember that Betternet VPN keeps logs, so ensure its usage is secure.

How Many Devices Can I Connect With Betternet VPN?

If you’re subscribed to a Premium plan, you can use up to six devices at the same time. It goes about personal computers, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles. Right now, Betternet VPNdoesn’t support routers.

Can I choose my IP address myself?

Unfortunately, you don’t have an option to pick the IP address yourself. Betternet VPNis developed to assign addresses automatically, depending on the geolocation the user chooses. So, there is no available option to define the specific address right now. The static IP is also not available.

Is there an antivirus in Betternet VPN?

Some VPN providers help users secure not only Internet sessions but the computer as well. Betternet VPNdoesn’t have such an opportunity, and if you want to be protected from viruses or malware, you need to get appropriate software from a reputable provider. On the one hand, it is not the task of the VPN, so you shouldn’t be disappointed. But on the other hand, there are no extra features, so it is hard to understand what exactly you pay for.

What features does Betternet VPN lack?

Betternet VPNdoesn't offer all the important features a premium application should have. And we find it very disappointing. Here are some of the most important features that you will miss when using this app:

• Emergency disconnect from the Internet;
• DNS leak protection;
• Disguise system;
• Stealth technology;
• Port forwarding choices.

What are the differences between Free and Premium?

When you download a free Betternet VPN version, the only opportunity you get is to access the one virtual location with 500 MB per day. There is also data encryption, but you can’t benefit from ad-free browsing, a dedicated support team, the ability to connect from more devices, and faster speeds. Premium users have 17 virtual locations and an unlimited bandwidth cap. Though they promise 24\7 customer support and faster speeds, the quality of these additional opportunities is not enough to pay $13 monthly.

Is my data encrypted when I use a free plan?

Betternet VPN encrypts all connections regardless of what subscription the user has. Pay attention that this company uses industry-standard SSL encryption. It means it can’t modify or customize it in any way.