Betternet alternatives: 7 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 8, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank All VPN services

Top picks

Best overall
NordVPN
Paid
Best free option
Proton VPN
Starting price: VPN Plus: $3.49/month on 2-year plan ($83.76 upfront)
Best open source
Windscribe
Starting price: $9 per month (Pro, monthly)

Common reasons people leave Betternet: free tier shows ads and has only 5 locations, and proprietary Hydra protocol is not open source. We ranked 7 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Betternet, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. NordVPN currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#	App	Pricing	Verified price	Open source	Platforms	Verified facts	Score
1	NordVPN	Paid	—	No	Windows, macOS, Linux +3	3 of 3	70.3
2	Proton VPN	Free plan + paid	VPN Plus: $3.49/month on 2-year plan ($83.76 upfront)	Yes	Windows, macOS, Linux +3	7 of 7	68.8
3	Windscribe	Free plan + paid	$9 per month (Pro, monthly)	Yes	Windows, macOS, Linux +3	7 of 7	64.8
4	Hotspot Shield	Free plan + paid	—	No	Windows, macOS, Linux +3	4 of 4	61.8
5	TunnelBear	Free plan + paid	From $3.33 a month (Unlimited plan)	No	Windows, macOS, iOS +2	5 of 5	59.4
6	Turbo VPN	Free plan + paid	$3.33/month, billed $89.99 every 27 months (Gold)	No	Android, iOS, Windows +2	7 of 7	57.5
7	X-VPN	Free plan + paid	$2.99/month ($69.99 billed for 24 months)	No	Windows, macOS, Linux +3	7 of 7	55.9

1. NordVPNTop pick
Best for: People who want a mainstream VPN that works for streaming, travel and everyday privacy
PaidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
70.3
score / 100
Why switch from Betternet
Paid VPN with a much larger network for streaming and travel.
Pros
Large server network with consistently good speeds
Apps for desktop, mobile, browsers and TV devices
Meshnet links your own devices without extra software
Cons
Renewal prices are much higher than the first term
Apps push bundled add-ons and upsells
Desktop and mobile apps are closed source
Visit NordVPN Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.363
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
Freshness ×0.1585
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is NordVPN a good Betternet alternative?
Verified facts
3 of 3 verified
Platforms
Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, browsers, TV
Checked Nov 8, 2026support.nordvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
Owner
Nord Security
Checked Nov 8, 2026support.nordvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
Linux client licence
GPL-3.0
Checked Nov 8, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
2. Proton VPN
Best for: Privacy-focused users, and anyone who needs a free VPN they can trust
Free plan + paidOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
68.8
score / 100
Why switch from Betternet
Free tier with no data cap and no ads, from a privacy-focused Swiss company with audited no-logs claims.
Pros
Free plan with no data cap and no ads
Open-source, audited apps on every platform
Secure Core multi-hop routing on paid plans
Cons
Free plan allows only one device and fewer locations
Full price is high without a long commitment
Some streaming and P2P features are paid only
Visit Proton VPN Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.3100
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Proton VPN a good Betternet alternative?
Verified facts
7 of 7 verified
Free plan
Yes, $0
Checked Nov 8, 2026protonvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
Free plan limits
1 device, no data cap, no ads
Checked Nov 8, 2026protonvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
Devices on VPN Plus
10
Checked Nov 8, 2026protonvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
Money-back guarantee
30 days
Checked Nov 8, 2026protonvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
Open source
Yes, apps open source and audited
Checked Nov 8, 2026protonvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
Starting price
VPN Plus: $3.49/month on 2-year plan ($83.76 upfront)
Checked Nov 8, 2026protonvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
Proton Unlimited plan
$7.99/month on 2-year plan ($191.76 upfront)
Checked Nov 8, 2026protonvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
3. Windscribe
Best for: Budget users who want a decent free plan or to pay only for the locations they use
Free plan + paidOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
64.8
score / 100
Why switch from Betternet
Generous free plan with several server locations and a built-in ad and tracker blocker.
Pros
Free plan with a monthly data allowance
Build-a-plan pricing per location
Customisable ad and tracker blocking
Cons
Free plan has limited data and locations
Smaller network than the biggest providers
Interface style can feel cluttered
Visit Windscribe Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.387
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Windscribe a good Betternet alternative?
Verified facts
7 of 7 verified
Pro monthly price
$9/month
Checked Nov 8, 2026windscribe.com(opens source in a new tab)
Pro yearly price
$69/year
Checked Nov 8, 2026windscribe.com(opens source in a new tab)
Build A Plan
$1 per location/month, $3 minimum
Checked Nov 8, 2026windscribe.com(opens source in a new tab)
Server countries
69+
Checked Nov 8, 2026windscribe.com(opens source in a new tab)
Desktop app licence
GPL-2.0
Checked Nov 8, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
Starting price
$9 per month (Pro, monthly)
Checked Nov 8, 2026windscribe.com(opens source in a new tab)
Pro yearly plan
$69 per year ($5.75 a month)
Checked Nov 8, 2026windscribe.com(opens source in a new tab)
4. Hotspot Shield
Best for: Speed-focused users who want a free tier and a long refund window
Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
61.8
score / 100
Why switch from Betternet
From the same parent company, with a faster paid tier and more locations if Betternet's free plan feels slow.
Pros
Free tier without ads
45-day money-back guarantee
Fast Hydra protocol
Cons
Hydra protocol is proprietary
Past privacy controversies
Free tier limited to one device and fewer locations
Visit Hotspot Shield Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.377
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Hotspot Shield a good Betternet alternative?
Verified facts
4 of 4 verified
Money-back guarantee
45 days
Checked Nov 8, 2026hotspotshield.com(opens source in a new tab)
Free plan
Yes, 1 device
Checked Nov 8, 2026hotspotshield.com(opens source in a new tab)
Premium devices
Up to 10
Checked Nov 8, 2026hotspotshield.com(opens source in a new tab)
Protocol
Hydra (proprietary)
Checked Nov 8, 2026hotspotshield.com(opens source in a new tab)
5. TunnelBear
Best for: Beginners and occasional users who want a simple, friendly VPN
Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, iOS, Android, Browser extension
59.4
score / 100
Why switch from Betternet
Simple, friendly free VPN with a small monthly data allowance and independent security audits.
Pros
Very easy to use
Free plan to try it
Long record of published security audits
Cons
Free plan's data allowance is small
No official Linux app
Smaller network and weak streaming support
Visit TunnelBear Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.369
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is TunnelBear a good Betternet alternative?
Verified facts
5 of 5 verified
Free plan
Yes, 2GB of secure browsing
Checked Nov 8, 2026tunnelbear.com(opens source in a new tab)
Unlimited plan
Unlimited data and devices
Checked Nov 8, 2026tunnelbear.com(opens source in a new tab)
Platforms
iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, Windows, browser
Checked Nov 8, 2026tunnelbear.com(opens source in a new tab)
Starting price
From $3.33 a month (Unlimited plan)
Checked Nov 8, 2026tunnelbear.com(opens source in a new tab)
Teams plan
$5.75 per user/month
Checked Nov 8, 2026tunnelbear.com(opens source in a new tab)
6. Turbo VPN
Best for: Casual users who want a free, simple VPN on their phone
Free plan + paidAndroid, iOS, Windows, macOS, Browser extension
57.5
score / 100
Why switch from Betternet
Another free, ad-supported one-tap mobile VPN, for people who want the same no-signup experience.
Pros
Free tier with no subscription needed
Apps for phones, computers, Chrome and consoles
Up to 10 devices on the cheaper premium plan
30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
Free tier shows ads and has limited servers
Kill switch and split tunnelling need premium
Best prices require multi-year subscriptions
Visit Turbo VPN Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.363
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Turbo VPN a good Betternet alternative?
Verified facts
7 of 7 verified
Free plan
Yes, limited servers with ads
Checked Nov 8, 2026turbovpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
Server locations
111
Checked Nov 8, 2026turbovpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
Money-back guarantee
30 days
Checked Nov 8, 2026turbovpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
Devices
10 on premium
Checked Nov 8, 2026turbovpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
Owner
Innovative Connecting (Singapore)
Checked Nov 8, 2026turbovpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
Starting price
$3.33/month, billed $89.99 every 27 months (Gold)
Checked Nov 8, 2026turbovpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
Platinum plan
$4.58/month, billed $109.99 every 24 months
Checked Nov 8, 2026turbovpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
7. X-VPN
Best for: People who want a free VPN they can use without making an account
Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
55.9
score / 100
Why switch from Betternet
Free mobile and desktop VPN with no signup needed and many paid locations if you upgrade.
Pros
Free tier with no account needed
Apps for almost every device, including routers and TVs
30-day money-back guarantee on Premium
Cons
Free tier only offers a few locations
Low headline prices need long plans and renew higher
Bundled PC cleaner and extras add clutter
Visit X-VPN Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.357
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is X-VPN a good Betternet alternative?
Verified facts
7 of 7 verified
Free plan
Yes
Checked Nov 8, 2026xvpn.io(opens source in a new tab)
Starting price
$2.99/month ($69.99 billed for 24 months)
Checked Nov 8, 2026xvpn.io(opens source in a new tab)
Monthly price
$11.99/month
Checked Nov 6, 2026xvpn.io(opens source in a new tab)
Money-back guarantee
30 days
Checked Nov 8, 2026xvpn.io(opens source in a new tab)
Headquarters
Singapore
Checked Nov 8, 2026xvpn.io(opens source in a new tab)
Monthly plan
$11.99/month
Checked Nov 8, 2026xvpn.io(opens source in a new tab)
12-month plan
$47.99 for the first 12 months
Checked Nov 8, 2026xvpn.io(opens source in a new tab)

The best Betternet alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Best Betternet alternative for most people

NordVPN

Paid VPN with a much larger network for streaming and travel.

Best Betternet alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Proton VPN

Free tier with no data cap and no ads, from a privacy-focused Swiss company with audited no-logs claims.

Best Betternet alternative for open source

Windscribe

Generous free plan with several server locations and a built-in ad and tracker blocker.

Best Betternet alternative for Mac

Hotspot Shield

From the same parent company, with a faster paid tier and more locations if Betternet's free plan feels slow.

Best Betternet alternative for Windows

TunnelBear

Simple, friendly free VPN with a small monthly data allowance and independent security audits.

Best Betternet alternative for Linux

X-VPN

Free mobile and desktop VPN with no signup needed and many paid locations if you upgrade.

Best Betternet alternative for iPhone and Android

Turbo VPN

Another free, ad-supported one-tap mobile VPN, for people who want the same no-signup experience.

Betternet alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Betternet?

NordVPN ranks first right now. Paid VPN with a much larger network for streaming and travel. Proton VPN and Windscribe follow it in our ranking.

Betternet vs NordVPN: what's the difference?

Betternet is free with paid plans; NordVPN is a paid product. Only NordVPN runs on Linux.

Is Betternet free?

Betternet is free with paid plans.

How much do Betternet alternatives cost?

Verified prices for the top-ranked Betternet alternatives: Proton VPN, VPN Plus: $3.49/month on 2-year plan ($83.76 upfront); Windscribe, $9 per month (Pro, monthly); TunnelBear, From $3.33 a month (Unlimited plan); Turbo VPN, $3.33/month, billed $89.99 every 27 months (Gold); X-VPN, $2.99/month ($69.99 billed for 24 months). Each price was checked on the app's own site; see each card below for the date and source.

Is there a free alternative to Betternet?

Yes. Proton VPN (free plan + paid), Windscribe (free plan + paid), Hotspot Shield (free plan + paid) and TunnelBear (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Betternet?

Yes: Proton VPN and Windscribe.

Which Betternet alternatives work on Linux?

NordVPN, Proton VPN, Windscribe, Hotspot Shield and X-VPN run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Betternet?

The complaints we hear most: free tier shows ads and has only 5 locations; proprietary Hydra protocol is not open source; introductory prices renew much higher.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Betternet, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.

Top picks

Quick comparison

1. NordVPNTop pick

Pros

Cons

Verified facts

2. Proton VPN

Pros

Cons

Verified facts

3. Windscribe

Pros

Cons

Verified facts

4. Hotspot Shield

Pros

Cons

Verified facts

5. TunnelBear

Pros

Cons

Verified facts

6. Turbo VPN

Pros

Cons

Verified facts

7. X-VPN

Pros

Cons

Verified facts

The best Betternet alternative for…

Best Betternet alternative for most people

Best Betternet alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Best Betternet alternative for open source

Best Betternet alternative for Mac

Best Betternet alternative for Windows

Best Betternet alternative for Linux

Best Betternet alternative for iPhone and Android

Betternet alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Betternet?

Betternet vs NordVPN: what's the difference?

Is Betternet free?

How much do Betternet alternatives cost?

Is there a free alternative to Betternet?

Is there an open-source alternative to Betternet?

Which Betternet alternatives work on Linux?

Why do people switch from Betternet?

How is this list ranked?