Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
User consensusAlternativesIs it worth it?
The verdict on

Betternet

45
User verdict / 100 High confidence Divided

Betternet offers a functional VPN, particularly for bypassing restrictions, but recent updates have significantly degraded the free user experience with excessive ads, strict time limits, and connection issues, leading many long-time users to consider alternatives.

4.5★ lifetime (238,333) Free + in-app purchases since 2014 by Betternet LLC updated 0.0 mo ago recent negative 32% 120 reviews across 4 regions
Ad Experience Reduced Free Usage Time Connection Issues Premium Push/Paywall Effectiveness (when working)
5★504
4★84
3★58
2★38
1★266
recent reviews across 4 regions, vs the 4.5★ lifetime average

Betternet is a VPN app that has historically been praised for its ease of use and effectiveness, especially for bypassing regional restrictions. However, recent updates have introduced significant drawbacks for free users, including frequent and lengthy ads, limited usage time, and recurring connection problems. While some users still find it useful, many are frustrated by what they perceive as a shift towards a pay-to-use model.

What users like

  • Effective for bypassing regional restrictions and school firewallsR6R33R21
  • Easy to navigate and useR1R24R19
  • Offers a good selection of countriesR3

What users complain about

  • Free version is heavily burdened by frequent, lengthy ads and strict time limits (15 minutes per ad)R7R54R111R122
  • Many users report connection issues, disconnections, or inability to connect at all, especially after recent updatesR68R17R106R510
  • Premium subscription pop-ups are intrusive and sometimes prevent free usage, with some users reporting being charged unexpectedly after free trialsR10R58R13R197
  • Perceived decline in quality and shift towards a 'pay-to-use' model, frustrating long-time free usersR45R60R12R105

Latest update · v6.44.0

What the developer says changed (the verdict above weighs this against what reviewers report):

We’re always working behind the scenes to make Betternet VPN better for you! Stay tuned - exciting new features are on the way!

Recurring themes

Ad Experience negative
Users are overwhelmingly negative about the ad experience in the free version. They report an excessive number of ads, including ads upon opening, connecting, and disconnecting. Many ads are described as lengthy (30-90+ seconds) and are required for only 15 minutes of VPN usage, a significant reduction from previous versions. Some ads are also considered inappropriate.R7R54R43R101
Connection Issues negative
A significant number of recent reviews highlight problems with the VPN's connection. Users report that the VPN frequently disconnects, fails to connect, or is very slow. Some users also note that the app doesn't work in specific regions like China or Russia.R68R17R104R510
Premium Push/Paywall negative
Many users feel that the app is aggressively pushing its premium subscription. They describe intrusive pop-ups that are difficult to dismiss and, in some cases, a complete paywall that prevents free usage. There are also reports of users being charged for subscriptions despite signing up for free trials or not intending to subscribe.R10R58R60R129
Reduced Free Usage Time negative
A recurring complaint is the drastic reduction in free VPN usage time. Users recall being able to use the VPN for extended periods (e.g., 12 hours or all day) in the past, but now they are limited to only 15 minutes per ad watched, with a maximum of 30 minutes in total. This change is a major point of frustration for long-time users.R73R92R99R110
Effectiveness (when working) positive
Despite the issues, some users still find the VPN effective for its core purpose when it does connect and work. It is praised for bypassing school firewalls and regional restrictions and for generally providing good service.R6R33R21R16

Who it's for

This app is for users who need a VPN for basic tasks like bypassing school firewalls or regional content restrictions and are willing to tolerate frequent, lengthy ads and limited usage time in the free version R6R19. It might also suit those looking for a reasonably priced premium VPN, provided they can navigate the cancellation process R1R16. Users who prioritize a completely free, ad-free, or consistently stable VPN experience should skip this app R7R106.

Evidence note: The recent reviews heavily skew negative, focusing on the degraded free user experience and connection issues. While there are positive reviews, they are fewer and often from users who either tolerate the ads or use the paid version. The lifetime rating of 4.5 reflects a past positive sentiment that is not fully represented in the recent sample's complaints about new updates.

Frequently asked

Is Betternet VPN truly free?
Betternet offers a free version, but recent updates have made it heavily ad-supported, requiring users to watch lengthy ads for only 15 minutes of VPN usage, and many users report intrusive premium subscription prompts that can make the free option difficult to access R7R54R111R60.
Why am I being charged for Betternet VPN?
Some users report being charged unexpectedly for Betternet's premium subscription, even after signing up for a 'free trial' or when attempting to use the free version, with charges like $11.98 mentioned R2R13R197R97.
Does Betternet VPN work reliably?
Recent reviews indicate that Betternet VPN often has connection issues, with users reporting frequent disconnections, inability to connect, or very slow speeds, especially after recent updates R68R17R106R510.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R6] 5/5 · US Good vpn for scrolling TikTok: I’m not a bot but this is a good vpn for when you are in places like china where you can’t use apps like YouTube google or TikTok
  2. [R33] 5/5 · US Best: Real good for school internet
  3. [R21] 5/5 · US Love it!: It helps the people who live in dictator countries to see the free world. Many thanks!
  4. [R1] 5/5 · US Exactly what I was looking for!: Very easy to navigate and reasonably priced worked very well for what I needed!!
  5. [R24] 5/5 · US Finally someone gets it right!: Easy to use privacy!!
  6. [R19] 5/5 · US nice!: works good even if you proceed with ads.
  7. [R3] 5/5 · US Love it: Great and cute app with many countries to choose from!
  8. [R7] 1/5 · US ads: so many ads on the free version. i try to connect? ad. try to disconnect? ad. open the app? ad. do NOTHING? ad. KILL THE ADS ALREADY LEAVE FREE USERS ALONE
  9. [R54] 3/5 · US i hate how i have to watch adds to get to use the vpn: its a good vpn but if i didnt have to watch advertisements for only 15 minutes of use it would be a 5⭐️
  10. [R111] 1/5 · US Watching ads for 15 min of vpn ???: I have used better, not for many many years, probably at least seven. It was pretty good, and then sometimes there will be ads that would began when I wanted to connect to the VPN, but I would watch the ad and then I could connect to the VPN for however long I wanted to. I made the mistake of updating this app and now I cannot get more than 15 minutes of this VP
  11. [R122] 3/5 · US Ads: Gotta watch 2 ads just for 15 min usage of the vpn terrible update
  12. [R68] 3/5 · US Vpn: it’s turn off every second bro
  13. [R17] 1/5 · US Not working: Not working
  14. [R106] 1/5 · US Updates make it worse: I don't know what's up with their development team, I've used this app as a premium user for years and like 6/10 times the updates actually make it harder to connect. Like the most recent one, it keeps showing "something went wrong", or when it shows that it's connected, it's actually not, and just won't work. I'll be switching to another competitor VPN soon.
  15. [R510] 3/5 · CA nah: ts ahh bru everytime i connect 5 mins later it literally disconnects like whats the point??? slow af too
  16. [R10] 2/5 · US Come on!: I can’t cancel the premium version’s pop up so I can’t connect
  17. [R58] 3/5 · US I mean it’s okay: The vpn itself isn’t bad. I just think the screen that pops up and gives the premium option is kind of stupid. Not that you shouldn’t advertise premium, but the fact that the “proceed without ads” button is so small. I didn’t notice it at first like, months ago. And I literally thought I couldn’t use the app because it was ‘pay only’. Until then I noticed it. I just think it shou
  18. [R13] 2/5 · US Took my money: Charged me $11.98 even though it’s was supposed to be a free trial for the premium?? It said “1 WEEK FREE TRAIL”? Why take my money.
  19. [R197] 3/5 · US Forced free trial: Like other I’ve used the app for a long time but was also faced with the screen that made me take the free trial and didn’t allow me to refuse it, after canceling the free trial it worked normally for a while before happening again. This time I was charged for the subscription. I’ve very disappointed in this outcome and did genuinely love the app and used it a lot.
  20. [R45] 1/5 · US This app used to be amazing: I remember back in high school you could literally just poke up the app and connect to a VPN, now the “free” version is just screen to sell you the “premium” version. The app isn’t free anymore, you have to pay to use it in any capacity. What happened??
  21. [R60] 1/5 · US No longer allows me to use free with ads- paywall: Like title says, used to use this for free with ads and it was awesome. Now I’m stuck at a paywall where it refuses to leave the “Betternet Premium” subscription page until I subscribe. They used to be good but now they’re greedy, they suck.
  22. [R12] 4/5 · US It's good: Wish it wasn't almost pay 2 use
  23. [R105] 3/5 · US Why a timer: This use to be a great free VPN that you’d only have to watch ads to connect and disconnect but now they have gotten money hungry and has single handily ruined the app.
  24. [R43] 3/5 · US Weird Ad’s: Pretty useful app for school, and sorts of that, but makes me sometimes sit through some pretty uncomfortable sex ads that are very inappropriate for a VPN App, otherwise I appreciate the app, regardless, ads such as those should not be advertised on a app that is rated 13+.
  25. [R101] 1/5 · US I’ve used this app for almost 10 years lol: Completely ruined the app with the recent update. 15 sec. AD is fine, but they want you to watch a 1 min. + for 15 mins, who came up with that 😂
  26. [R104] 1/5 · US Cannot connect: After using it, I couldn't connect and kept showing connection errors, which disappointed me
  27. [R129] 3/5 · US refuses to let you use the free with adds: the newest update doesn’t even let you open the app anymore without trying to make you subscribe there isn’t an option for free , which is crazy disappointing since i’ve been using betternet for years
  28. [R73] 3/5 · US What?: Why does the app have a timer now? Ts used to be free and it used to work so good, I got it again thinking I could better WiFi at school but no I’m slapped in the face with a subscription a subscription with better internet I get but now you need “TIME!?” Come one man.
  29. [R92] 3/5 · US Bring 30 back: When the vpn had 30 mins is was so good now its 15 per add and u cant watch a add after u have 30 mins
  30. [R99] 3/5 · US 15 Minutes isn’t enough: The app used to let you watch on ad for 30 minutes but now you have to watch two ads for just 15 minutes and it’s unacceptable. If you’re gonna make us watch two ads atleast give us 30 minutes. Really considering deleting the app if it stays this way..
  31. [R110] 3/5 · US 15 minute ad watch is terrible: I’ve used this app for many years on so many different devices. It used to be free and i could connect automatically and last all day. Now i have to watch an ad to get just 15 minutes of usage. I don’t want to pay $13 a month. I read other reviews and i’m highly disappointed in the quality of your response. It doesn’t feel personal. Rather just a copying and pasting
  32. [R16] 4/5 · US Albert: Good service, hard to cancel
  33. [R2] 1/5 · US Engaño: Me están cobrando por app gratuita obligatoriamente, no recomiendo la app
  34. [R97] 1/5 · US THIS APP IS A SCAM: This app is a scam DO NOT DOWNLOAD IT. They will suggest the free trial subscription service but still charge you for a monthly subscription before the trail ends.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store