Betternet

121 of 158 criteria sourced · 23 % unsourcedProvider websiteView in the matrixJSON export

vpn-matrix.com earns nothing from this entry. The link to the provider website is a source, not a recommendation.

Who owns this

Parent company

Point Wild

Brands in the same group

Further brands according to the source: Hotspot Shield / Betternet / UltraVPN / VPN360 / TouchVPN (Point Wild consumer VPN portfolio; Hotspot Shield not separately fetched this session)

This group also owns review and comparison sites

Comparitech (acquired Oct 2021 by Pango Group)

If the same group tests its own service, that review is not independent. That is noted here as ownership only.

Audits and incidents

Sourced facts with dates only, no judgements. Ongoing proceedings are marked as such.

No-logs audit details

trust.nolog_audit_details

Aon plc prüfte im Auftrag der Pango Group zwei Kernaussagen der Betternet-Datenschutzrichtlinie: dass Browsing-Aktivität nicht auf eine Nutzeridentität zurückgeführt werden kann und dass keine IP-Adressen oder Geräte-Identifikatoren in Verbindung mit Browsing-Aktivität gespeichert werden. Grundlage waren Server-Logs, zwischengespeicherte Logs, eine Client-Analyse, der Transparenzbericht 2022 und Interviews mit Pango-Mitarbeitenden. Der Prüfumfang deckte ausdrücklich nur Erhebung und Protokollierung ab, nicht die generelle Absicherung der Infrastruktur.confirmed

Warrant canary

trust.warrant_canary

noneprovider claim

Acquisition history / former name

company.acquisition_history

June 2021 Pango formed as Aura sister unit; Oct 2021 acquired Comparitech; Aug 2024 separated from Aura; Dec 2024 merged with Total Security → Point Wildconfirmed

Documented misleading advertising claims

company.misleading_claims

none_knownprovider claim

User base migrated to

company.user_base_migrated_to

noneprovider claim

All criteria

Empty cells mean we lack the source.

Company and ownership

20/21 sourced

Legal company name

company.legal_name

Betternet LLC (division of Pango Group)confirmed

Trademark holder, if different

company.brand_owner

Point Wildprovider claim

Year founded

company.founded

2014provider claim

Headquarters (country)

company.hq_country

USprovider claim

Other relevant jurisdictions

company.jurisdictions

United States (Pango/Aura)provider claim

Intelligence alliance of the home country

company.eyes_alliance

Five Eyesconfirmed

Parent group / holding

company.parent

Point Wild (formerly Pango Group; separated from Aura Aug 2024; merged with Total Security Dec 2024 and rebranded Point Wild)confirmed

Beneficial owners publicly known

company.ubo_public

not knownprovider claim

Ownership structure

company.ownership_type

private equityprovider claim

Leadership team publicly named

company.team_public

yesconfirmed

Verifiable postal address for legal service

company.address_verifiable

noprovider claim

Sister VPN brands in the group

company.sister_vpn_brands

Hotspot Shield / Betternet / UltraVPN / VPN360 / TouchVPN (Point Wild consumer VPN portfolio; Hotspot Shield not separately fetched this session)provider claim
  • Point Wild
    Vendor documentretrieved 08/04/2026
  • Betternet
    Vendor documentretrieved 08/04/2026
  • UltraVPN
    Vendor documentretrieved 08/04/2026
  • VPN360
    Vendor documentretrieved 08/04/2026
  • Touch VPN
    Vendor documentretrieved 08/04/2026

Group owns VPN review and comparison sites

company.owns_review_sites

Comparitech (acquired Oct 2021 by Pango Group)confirmed

Runs an affiliate programme

company.affiliate_program

noprovider claim

Typical commission rate

company.affiliate_commission

none (affiliate_program false)provider claim

YouTube and influencer sponsoring

company.influencer_sponsoring

extensiveprovider claim

Documented misleading advertising claims

company.misleading_claims

none_knownprovider claim

Acquisition history / former name

company.acquisition_history

June 2021 Pango formed as Aura sister unit; Oct 2021 acquired Comparitech; Aug 2024 separated from Aura; Dec 2024 merged with Total Security → Point Wildconfirmed

Operating status

company.status

activeconfirmed

Discontinuation date

company.discontinued_date

We have no source for this criterion.

User base migrated to

company.user_base_migrated_to

noneprovider claim

Logging and data collection

13/16 sourced

Core statement of the logging policy

logging.policy_summary

VPN Products Privacy Notice: sites/apps visited during VPN session not connected to individual userprovider claim

Activity and traffic logs

logging.activity_logs

noneprovider claim

Connection logs

logging.connection_logs

aggregated onlyprovider claim

Storage of the real IP address

logging.source_ip_stored

transient onlyprovider claim

Storage of the assigned VPN IP

logging.assigned_ip_stored

not storedprovider claim

Precision of stored timestamps

logging.timestamps_stored

coarse (date only)provider claim

Recording of transferred data volume

logging.bandwidth_logged

per accountprovider claim

Enforcement of the device limit

logging.concurrent_conn_enforcement

5 devices (free) / 10 devices (premium) per comparison tableprovider claim

Minimum account data required

logging.account_data_minimum

Optional account for premiumprovider claim

Telemetry in the apps

logging.app_telemetry

cannot be disabledprovider claim

Trackers and SDKs in the Android app

logging.thirdparty_sdks_android

We have no source for this criterion.

Trackers in the iOS app

logging.thirdparty_sdks_ios

We have no source for this criterion.

Trackers and cookies on the website

logging.website_trackers

We have no source for this criterion.

Data shared with third parties

logging.data_shared_with

Pango/Aura group per privacy policyprovider claim

Retention periods stated in the policy

logging.retention_period

Account data per privacy policy; free tier ad-supportedprovider claim

EU representative named under GDPR

logging.gdpr_representative

yesprovider claim

Evidence, audits and track record

10/17 sourced

Independent no-logs audit

trust.nolog_audit

yesprovider claim
  • Homepage
    Vendor documentretrieved 08/04/2026

No-logs audit details

trust.nolog_audit_details

Aon plc prüfte im Auftrag der Pango Group zwei Kernaussagen der Betternet-Datenschutzrichtlinie: dass Browsing-Aktivität nicht auf eine Nutzeridentität zurückgeführt werden kann und dass keine IP-Adressen oder Geräte-Identifikatoren in Verbindung mit Browsing-Aktivität gespeichert werden. Grundlage waren Server-Logs, zwischengespeicherte Logs, eine Client-Analyse, der Transparenzbericht 2022 und Interviews mit Pango-Mitarbeitenden. Der Prüfumfang deckte ausdrücklich nur Erhebung und Protokollierung ab, nicht die generelle Absicherung der Infrastruktur.confirmed

Audit report published

trust.audit_report_public

summary onlyconfirmed

App and client audits

trust.app_audits

We have no source for this criterion.

Infrastructure and server audits

trust.infra_audit

We have no source for this criterion.

Audit frequency

trust.audit_cadence

never auditedprovider claim

Tested in court or by authorities

trust.court_tested

We have no source for this criterion.

Transparency report

trust.transparency_report

We have no source for this criterion.

Warrant canary

trust.warrant_canary

noneprovider claim

Security incidents and data leaks

trust.breach_history

We have no source for this criterion.

Bug bounty programme

trust.bug_bounty

none published on fetched Betternet pagesprovider claim

Handling of reported vulnerabilities

trust.cve_handling

Not documented on fetched Betternet pagesprovider claim

Open source clients

trust.opensource_clients

noneprovider claim
  • Homepage
    Vendor documentretrieved 08/04/2026

Open source server side

trust.opensource_server

noprovider claim

Reproducible builds

trust.reproducible_builds

We have no source for this criterion.

Available on F-Droid

trust.fdroid_available

noprovider claim

Listings by independent bodies

trust.independent_recommendations

We have no source for this criterion.

Protocols and cryptography

17/17 sourced

WireGuard

crypto.wireguard

noprovider claim

OpenVPN over UDP

crypto.openvpn_udp

yesprovider claim

OpenVPN over TCP

crypto.openvpn_tcp

yesprovider claim

IKEv2/IPsec

crypto.ikev2

yesprovider claim

Proprietary protocol

crypto.proprietary_protocol

Hydra family / Pango stack (Hotspot Shield uses Hydra; sister apps under same notice)provider claim

Legacy protocols still offered

crypto.legacy_protocols

noneprovider claim

Default data cipher

crypto.data_cipher_default

AES-256provider claim

Weakest accepted cipher

crypto.data_cipher_weakest

Not specified on fetched pagesprovider claim

Key exchange and authentication

crypto.handshake

Hydra/OpenVPNprovider claim

Perfect forward secrecy

crypto.pfs

yesprovider claim

Post-quantum key exchange

crypto.post_quantum

not availableprovider claim

Own DNS resolvers

crypto.own_dns

yesprovider claim

DNS leak protection

crypto.dns_leak_protection

yesprovider claim

IPv6 handling

crypto.ipv6_handling

unclearprovider claim

WebRTC protection or guidance

crypto.webrtc_guidance

noprovider claim

Obfuscation methods

crypto.obfuscation

yesprovider claim

Usability behind the Great Firewall

crypto.works_in_china

does not workprovider claim

Features

20/20 sourced

Kill switch

features.killswitch

not availableprovider claim

Permanent lockdown

features.killswitch_permanent

noprovider claim

Split tunneling

features.split_tunneling

noprovider claim

Multihop

features.multihop

not availableprovider claim

Tor integration (Onion over VPN)

features.tor_integration

noprovider claim

Port forwarding

features.port_forwarding

not availableprovider claim

Surcharge for a dedicated IP

features.dedicated_ip

€0.00provider claim

SOCKS5 proxy

features.socks5

noprovider claim

HTTP proxy

features.http_proxy

noprovider claim

Smart DNS

features.smart_dns

noprovider claim

Ad and tracker filtering in DNS

features.adblock_dns

not availableprovider claim

Malware and phishing filter

features.malware_filter

yesprovider claim

Custom DNS servers allowed

features.custom_dns_allowed

noprovider claim

Local network access toggle

features.lan_access_toggle

noprovider claim

Auto connect rules

features.autoconnect_rules

noprovider claim

Private device network (mesh)

features.mesh_private_net

noprovider claim

GPS location override (Android)

features.gps_spoofing

noprovider claim

Traffic analysis defence

features.traffic_analysis_defense

Not marketed on fetched Betternet pagesprovider claim

IPv6 inside the tunnel

features.ipv6_tunnel

noprovider claim

Obfuscation without configuration

features.stealth_default

noprovider claim

Servers and network

4/12 sourced

Number of servers

network.server_count

We have no source for this criterion.

Number of countries

network.country_count

We have no source for this criterion.

Number of cities

network.city_count

We have no source for this criterion.

Virtual locations

network.virtual_locations

We have no source for this criterion.

RAM-only servers (diskless)

network.ram_only

noprovider claim

Hardware ownership

network.ownership

We have no source for this criterion.

Own AS (autonomous system)

network.own_asn

noprovider claim

10 Gbps ports

network.10g_servers

We have no source for this criterion.

P2P and file sharing

network.p2p_servers

We have no source for this criterion.

Public server list

network.server_list_public

We have no source for this criterion.

Public status page

network.status_page

noprovider claim

Known upstream hosting providers

network.hosting_providers

Not disclosed (Pango/Aura infrastructure)provider claim

Apps and platforms

16/16 sourced

Windows app

apps.windows

native appconfirmed
  • Homepage
    Vendor documentretrieved 08/04/2026

macOS app

apps.macos

native appconfirmed
  • Homepage
    Vendor documentretrieved 08/04/2026

Linux app with GUI

apps.linux_gui

not availableprovider claim

Linux command line

apps.linux_cli

not availableprovider claim

Android app

apps.android

native appconfirmed
  • Homepage
    Vendor documentretrieved 08/04/2026

iOS app

apps.ios

native appconfirmed
  • Homepage
    Vendor documentretrieved 08/04/2026

Android TV app

apps.androidtv

not availableprovider claim

Apple TV app

apps.appletv

not availableprovider claim

Fire TV app

apps.firetv

not availableprovider claim

Browser extension

apps.browser_ext

own extensionprovider claim

Type of browser extension

apps.browser_ext_type

standalone browser proxyprovider claim

Router support

apps.router_support

noprovider claim

Native build for Apple Silicon

apps.macos_arm_native

yesprovider claim

Command line documented

apps.cli_documented

noprovider claim

Simultaneous devices

apps.simultaneous_devices

1 free; premium multi-deviceprovider claim

Usable without an account

apps.no_account_needed

yesprovider claim

Account, pricing and payment

10/17 sourced

Data required at signup

pricing.signup_email_required

We have no source for this criterion.

Account model

pricing.account_model

email as loginprovider claim

Cash by mail

pricing.cash_by_mail

noprovider claim

Monero

pricing.monero

noprovider claim

Bitcoin

pricing.bitcoin

noprovider claim

Lightning

pricing.lightning

noprovider claim

Retail gift cards

pricing.retail_giftcards

noprovider claim

PayPal

pricing.paypal

yesprovider claim

Credit and debit card

pricing.credit_card

noprovider claim

SEPA payment

pricing.sepa

We have no source for this criterion.

Monthly price

pricing.monthly_price

€0.00provider claim

Effective price on the longest term

pricing.effective_price_longest

We have no source for this criterion.

Price change at renewal

pricing.renewal_price_hike

We have no source for this criterion.

Flat pricing without permanent discounts

pricing.flat_pricing

We have no source for this criterion.

Free tier and its limits

pricing.free_tier

Premium promo with free trial; free products historically in Pango familyprovider claim
  • Homepage
    Vendor documentretrieved 08/04/2026

Money-back window

pricing.moneyback_days

We have no source for this criterion.

Cancellation path

pricing.cancellation_ease

We have no source for this criterion.

Usage and performance

3/10 sourced

P2P policy in the terms of service

usage.p2p_policy

We have no source for this criterion.

Streaming unblocking officially advertised

usage.streaming_officially

yesprovider claim

Netflix regions reported

usage.netflix_regions_reported

We have no source for this criterion.

Other streaming services

usage.other_streaming_services

We have no source for this criterion.

Bandwidth cap

usage.bandwidth_cap

cappedprovider claim

Data cap

usage.data_cap

We have no source for this criterion.

Speed measurement references

usage.speed_references

We have no source for this criterion.

Latency and gaming suitability

usage.latency_gaming

We have no source for this criterion.

SMTP and port 25 handling

usage.smtp_policy

Not documented on fetched Betternet pagesprovider claim

Official support in restrictive countries

usage.restrictive_countries_support

We have no source for this criterion.

Support and documentation

5/7 sourced

24/7 live chat

support.livechat_247

noprovider claim

Email or ticket support

support.email

yesprovider claim

Telephone support

support.phone

noprovider claim

German-language support

support.german_language

noprovider claim

Documentation assessment

support.docs_quality

thin or outdatedprovider claim

Self-hosted chat widget

support.selfhosted_chat

We have no source for this criterion.

Self-service account deletion

support.account_deletion_easy

We have no source for this criterion.

Provider website hygiene

3/5 sourced

SSL Labs grade of the website

site.ssl_grade

Aconfirmed

Tracker load of the website

site.cookie_privacy_impact

We have no source for this criterion.

URL of the warrant canary

site.canary_page

noneprovider claim

Length and readability of the legal documents

site.tos_readability

moderateprovider claim

Marketing claims contradicting the provider's own terms

site.claims_vs_reality

We have no source for this criterion.

Something wrong here?

If a value is wrong or outdated, report it with evidence. Every change is reviewed and then appears publicly in the changelog.