Betternet

What Betternet does

Betternet is a US-based consumer VPN service provider founded in 2015 and operated by Betternet LLC out of Sunnyvale, California. The company sits within the Pango corporate umbrella, which provides shared infrastructure including the proprietary Hydra VPN protocol. Betternet distributes native applications across all major consumer platforms — iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Chrome — and earns a 1.2M-review Google Play footprint and 191K-review App Store footprint, with a server network of 1,000+ nodes across 115+ virtual locations delivering speeds up to 1 Gbps. The technical stack combines the proprietary Hydra protocol alongside WireGuard and IPSec, supported by features such as kill switch, anti-phishing protection, split tunneling, Tor-over-VPN, and dedicated streaming (Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Prime) and gaming (Roblox, Fortnite) modes.

Betternet operates a freemium business model: free users get basic VPN functionality with no registration required (not even email), 5 device connections, and ads — with the option to watch ads to extend iOS usage limits. A Premium subscription tier upgrades users to 10 device connections, full streaming/gaming modes, kill switch, split tunneling, 24/7 live chat support, and an ad-free experience. Pricing is monthly ($12.99 standard, $1.99 introductory first month) or annual ($71.99 promotional / $95.99 standard), backed by a 7-day free trial and a 45-day money-back guarantee. The company acquires users primarily through app-store listings, organic/SEO, and a direct subscription website (order.betternet.co), targeting individual privacy-conscious consumers, streamers, gamers, and multi-device households globally.

Betternet's strategic positioning emphasizes a no-friction free tier as the top of funnel, with premium upsell for power users. Trust signals include a 2024 independent third-party security audit, a no-logs privacy stance, and military-grade encryption claims. The company has disclosed no venture funding rounds and operates as a private entity, with Pango functioning as the strategic parent company that consolidates infrastructure and compliance across the product.

Name

Betternet

Legal name

Betternet LLC

Website

https://betternet.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Betternet is a US-based consumer VPN service that offers a freemium (free, ad-supported) plus premium subscription across iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Chrome, serving privacy-conscious consumers, streamers, and gamers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Consumer VPN Services

NAICS

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182)

SIC

Computer Communications Equipment (3576)

akta.pro primary industry

VPN & Remote Access Gateways (HDADABAD)

Keywords

• VPN service
• Privacy protection
• Anonymous browsing
• Content unblocking
• Internet security

Headquarters

HQ city

Sunnyvale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. Premium Subscription: Freemium model with premium subscription tiers. Free users receive basic VPN functionality with 5 device connections and ads. Premium subscribers pay for enhanced features including unlimited data, 10 device connections, streaming and gaming modes, kill switch, split tunneling, and ad-free experience. Revenue is recurring subscription-based with monthly and annual billing options.
2. Annual Subscription: Annual subscription at $95.99/year (standard rate) with promotional pricing of $71.99/year for new customers. Provides discount incentive for annual commitment over month-to-month billing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Betternet is a consumer VPN service that encrypts users' internet traffic, hides their IP address, and routes connections through 1,000+ servers in 115+ virtual locations to provide online privacy, anonymous browsing, and access to geo-restricted content. The service operates on a freemium model: a free tier (ad-supported, no registration required, basic features) and a Premium subscription ($12.99/month or $95.99/year) unlocking 10 device connections, streaming/gaming modes, kill switch, split tunneling, and 24/7 support. Available across iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Chrome.

Product overview

Betternet is a VPN service provider offering a dual-tier model comprising a free VPN and a Premium subscription. The product portfolio includes native apps for iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS, plus a Chrome browser extension. Premium features include 115+ virtual locations, 1,000+ servers with speeds up to 1 Gbps, optimized streaming/gaming modes, Hydra/Wireguard/IPSec protocols, and 24/7 support. The free tier provides basic VPN functionality without registration, with optional ad viewing to extend usage limits.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Betternet Free VPN A free VPN service providing basic privacy protection, IP masking, military-grade encryption, access to limited virtual locations, and no registration requirement. Free users may watch ads to extend daily limits on iOS. Targets individual consumers seeking basic online privacy and geo-content access without subscription commitment.
• Betternet Premium VPN A paid VPN subscription providing 10 device connections, 115+ virtual locations, 1,000+ servers with speeds up to 1 Gbps, streaming and gaming optimized modes, Hydra/WireGuard/IPSec protocols, kill switch, split tunneling, anti-phishing, Tor-over-VPN, 24/7 support, and ad-free experience. Available on monthly ($12.99) and annual ($95.99 standard, $71.99 promotional) billing with 7-day free trial and 45-day money-back guarantee. Targets individual consumers wanting full-feature VPN access.
• Betternet iOS VPN App Native VPN application for iPhone and iPad offering tap-and-go connection, unlimited bandwidth, streaming/gaming modes, and access to 115+ virtual locations. Distributed via the Apple App Store (191K reviews).
• Betternet Android VPN App Native VPN application for Android devices with single-tap secure connection, streaming and gaming modes, and privacy protection. Distributed via Google Play Store (1.2M reviews).
• Betternet Windows VPN App Native VPN application for Windows PCs providing high-speed server access across 115+ virtual locations, optimized for streaming and gaming. Distributed via direct download from betternet.co.
• Betternet macOS VPN App Native VPN application for macOS offering high-speed servers in 115+ virtual locations and streaming-optimized connectivity. Distributed via direct download from betternet.co.
• Betternet Chrome Browser Extension VPN browser extension for Google Chrome that secures browser traffic and provides privacy protection within the browser session. Distributed via the Chrome Web Store.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 1 Gbps connection speed
• +4 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CyberGhost: Consumer VPN owned by Kape Technologies with streaming-optimized servers and a large global footprint. Targets the same streaming and privacy use cases as Betternet.
• IPVanish: Consumer VPN owned by Ziff Davis (formerly j2 Global) offering unlimited device connections and global servers. Competes directly with Betternet on multi-device household positioning.
• TunnelBear: Consumer VPN owned by McAfee, marketed toward VPN beginners with strong UX and a limited free tier. Overlaps with Betternet on simplicity, multi-platform support, and entry-level positioning.
• Surfshark: Consumer VPN under Nord Security offering budget-friendly multi-device plans, alternative ID, and bundled security. Directly comparable in product scope and price positioning to Betternet Premium.
• Windscribe: Freemium consumer VPN with a generous free tier and ad-supported model. Closely mirrors Betternet's free-with-ads monetization strategy and privacy-focused branding.
• Hotspot Shield: Sibling consumer VPN under the same Pango corporate umbrella, with freemium model, Hydra/Catapult protocol, and global server network. Operates the most overlapping infrastructure and go-to-market motion of any peer.
• ExpressVPN: Premium consumer VPN operated by Kape Technologies, with global server coverage and a focus on streaming and privacy. Competes head-to-head with Betternet Premium for the same consumer segment.
• ProtonVPN: Privacy-focused VPN by Proton AG, offering a genuine free tier with no ads plus paid plans — the closest analog to Betternet's freemium, privacy-positioned model.
• NordVPN: Flagship consumer VPN of Nord Security, offering freemium-adjacent paid plans, global server network, and proprietary NordLynx protocol. Directly competes with Betternet in the consumer VPN subscription market across all the same platforms.

Emerging players

• Mullvad VPN: Privacy-purist Swedish VPN with anonymous account creation and no-recurring-payment model. Represents the emerging privacy-maximalist segment that increasingly pressures Betternet's 'no registration' positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/betternet_co

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Betternet