Surfshark is quickly gaining reputation as some of the well-rounded VPNs in the marketplace. It’s bought a rising international server community, gives quick, dependable connections, and it is full of industry-leading safety and privateness instruments.
Betternet is a well-liked VPN, due to its above-average free plan and easy consumer expertise. However can it compete with Surfshark the place it issues?
We examined each VPNs’ efficiency, pace, safety, privateness, and way more and in contrast the outcomes side-by-side.
Learn on to see which VPN gained.
Surfshark vs Betternet – Which is finest?
Surfshark is a superior VPN to Betternet in each manner.
Surfshark provides you limitless simultaneous system connections, extra options, and stricter privateness insurance policies – and it prices much less. It has extra bodily servers that run a lot sooner, supplying you with higher streaming high quality and seamless on-line gaming. Surfshark can also be appropriate with extra units.
Betternet solely runs on digital servers, which considerably undermines its pace. It struggles with accessing streaming, and even when linked, you’re restricted to fundamental HD high quality (no 4K).
Should you don’t have time to learn the whole side-by-side comparability, we are able to summarize and comfortably suggest Surfshark over Betternet.
Surfshark Low cost Coupon
Pricing
| No Worth | Surfshark | Betternet |
|---|---|---|
| Cash-back assure size | 30 days | 45 days |
Even with out contemplating the worth you’re getting, Surfshark is a less expensive VPN than Betternet throughout the board.
Surfshark has month-to-month, annual, and two-year plans. You possibly can solely subscribe to the two-year plan as soon as. After that, you’ll be charged yearly. Betternet solely has a month-to-month and yearly plan.
Surfshark’s month-to-month plan prices $12.95, in comparison with Betternet’s $12.99. It’s a four-cent distinction, so we are able to most likely name this even.
Yearly, Surfshark expenses $59.76, equal to $4.98 per thirty days, whereas Betternet expenses $95.88, or $7.99 per thirty days.
Surfshark’s one-off two-year plan gives the perfect financial savings, because it prices the identical because the annual plan ($59.76). Furthermore, this subscription runs for an additional month, lowering the month-to-month price to $2.39. This plan is likely one of the finest offers of any VPN supplier.
Betternet does have a free VPN plan that’s been massively improved not too long ago. It was restricted to 500MB and one system, however now you can join to 5 units with limitless information. The massive caveat is that you just’re restricted to solely 5 server areas within the US as a substitute of the over 115 international locations you get with premium. These servers are additionally usually very sluggish.
The free model is ad-supported, so you’ll be able to anticipate extra monitoring than you’ll discover on different VPNs and many annoying pop-ups.
You possibly can take a look at each VPNs utilizing their risk-free money-back ensures. Surfshark gives 30 days, whereas Betternet supplies 45 days, after which you will get a full refund if you happen to’re unhappy.
Winner: Surfshark
Which has higher options?
| No Worth | Surfshark | Betternet |
|---|---|---|
| Simultaneous connections | 1000 | 10 |
| Complete servers | 3200 | |
| Server areas | 140 | 81 |
| Break up-tunneling | ||
| Obfuscation (stealth) |
To begin with, Surfshark gives limitless system connections on a single subscription. Betternet lets you hook up with solely 10 simultaneous units.
Surfshark can also be supported on extra platforms. Each can be found on Home windows, Android, iOS, and macOS and have browser extensions for Chrome. However solely Surfshark has Linux VPN help and browser extensions for Edge and Firefox.
Surfshark offersCleanWeb, which blocks advertisements, trackers, malware, and phishing makes an attempt. It additionally hasBypasser, a split-tunneling function that enables sure apps like banking to work in your common community, whereas funneling others via the VPN (for instance, torrenting, and streaming). It has an automated kill-switch that disconnects you from the web in case your VPN connection drops and DNS leak safety that forestalls your information from getting by accident uncovered.
Betternet gives a kill-switch, split-tunneling, anti-phishing, and DNS leak safety. You additionally get optimized modes that improve speeds for streaming and gaming. It doesn’t, nevertheless, have an ad-blocker or malware detection.
Surfshark’s browser extensions, Linux help, and extra helpful options give it the sting over Betternet.
Winner: Surfshark
Are routers supported?
| No Worth | Surfshark | Betternet |
|---|---|---|
| Router help | ||
| DD-WRT | ||
| Tomato | ||
| pfSense | ||
| OpenWRT | ||
| AsusWRT |
You possibly can solely set up Surfshark on routers.
Putting in a VPN in your router ensures that each one your units are protected in a single go, even when there’s a restrict on the units you’re utilizing.
However configuring a VPN in your router is advanced and would require some technical know-how. Fortunately, Surfshark has pre-configured routers from FlashRouters. It additionally has an app for AsusWRT routers.
Different appropriate routers embody DD-WRT, Tomato, and OpenWRT-based routers, however these require guide configuration. You’ll most likely want help to do that. So, the excellent news is Surfshark has human brokers out there 24/7.
Winner: Surfshark
What web sites do they entry?
| No Worth | Surfshark | Betternet |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix | ||
| iPlayer | ||
| Amazon Prime | ||
| Hulu | ||
| Disney+ |
Surfshark works nicely with the large streamers: Netflix, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu. It additionally works with community websites like ABC, CBS, NBC, ITV, and Channel 4.
Betternet did not work with Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, ITV, or Channel 4 in our testing however did nicely with the others.
We additionally examined how each VPNs carried out towards strict web censorship, like China’s Nice Firewall (one of many world’s hardest). Surfshark’sNoBorders Mode bought round each regional firewall and authorities restriction we examined, together with accessing content material in China.
Surfshark’s server obfuscation function additionally masks your use of a VPN, which is useful in locations the place VPNs are unlawful, like China and the UAE.
Betternet didn’t work in China and struggled with different restrictions.
Winner: Surfshark
Netflix libraries
| No Worth | Surfshark | Betternet |
|---|---|---|
| USA | ||
| UK | ||
| Canada | ||
| Japan | ||
| France | ||
| Germany |
Surfshark labored a lot better accessing worldwide Netflix libraries than Betternet, which may solely entry US libraries.
Surfshark accessed libraries from 15 international locations, together with the most well-liked ones: the US, UK, Japan, France, Australia, and Italy.
Surfshark can also be a lot sooner than Betternet. Its pace permits you to stream in 4K, HD, or SD. Betternet struggles with 4K, so that you’re higher off streaming in HD.
Winner: Surfshark
Torrenting capabilities
| No Worth | Surfshark | Betternet |
|---|---|---|
| Torrenting allowed? | ||
| Devoted servers? | ||
| Port choice | ||
| Port-forwarding | ||
| Kill-switch |
Surfshark and Betternet each help safe, nameless torrenting.
Surfshark has a extra intensive bodily server community in additional international locations. This lets you decide servers with the fewest customers and quickest obtain speeds.
Surfshark can also be a lot sooner at P2P, averaging obtain speeds of 71 Mbps in our checks in comparison with Betternet’s 28 Mbps.
Neither VPN has devoted torrenting servers. In addition they don’t help port-forwarding or a number of different torrenting options. So we may solely examine speeds right here, and Surfshark took the cake.
Winner: Surfshark
Setup & usability
| No Worth | Surfshark | Betternet |
|---|---|---|
| Android | ||
| iOS | ||
| Home windows | ||
| macOS | ||
| Linux | ||
| Firefox | ||
| Chrome | ||
| Edge | ||
| Safari |
Surfshark and Betternet have automated set up wizards for Home windows, Android, macOS, and iOS. You may as well set up Surfshark on Linux (Debian 11+, Ubuntu 20.04+, and Mint 20+).
Betternet is designed to accommodate newcomers to the VPN world. It has a quick-connect button and an inventory of server areas on the principle web page.
Surfshark’s apps take a bit extra getting used to, nevertheless it gives way more superior options and instruments. The settings are nicely organized and have brief descriptions explaining every one, so it doesn’t really feel overwhelming.
You possibly can toggle on or off options like CleanWeb, the kill swap, Whitelister (the cut up tunneling device), MultiHop (which periodically switches servers to cut back your probabilities of monitoring),Camouflage Mode (obfuscation), andNoBorders Mode.
There’s one downside with Surfshark: it has began bundling a few of its finest options into the Surfshark One subscription, which prices additional. Nevertheless, the options out there on the VPN are nonetheless far superior to the equal on Betternet.
Betternet’s app solely permits you to activate the leak protections, kill-switch, and automated WiFi safety. We admire its simplicity however favor the considerably higher instruments out there on Surfshark.
Winner: Surfshark
Cell options
| No Worth | Surfshark | Betternet |
|---|---|---|
| Kill-switch |
Surfshark’s cell app is smooth, trendy, and imports your configurations straight from the desktop app. Betternet additionally retains its easy, minimalist look that will get you swiftly linked to the perfect server.
On the floor, each present you your connection standing, your present server location, and a fast join button. The underside bar accesses settings, the server checklist, and the options menu.
Surfshark’s cell app has options like MultiHop, Camouflage Mode, CleanWeb, Whitelister, and NoBorders mode – all of which add vital layers of safety to your cell system.
You may as well decide between the OpenVPN and IKEv2 VPN protocols to suit the one which runs finest in your location and system.
Betternet’s app is clear and simple, however Surfshark provides you all of the VPN instruments you want whereas on the transfer.
Winner: Surfshark
Efficiency & pace
| No Worth | Surfshark | Betternet |
|---|---|---|
| ProPrivacy.com SpeedTest (common) | 41.0 Mbps | 18.8 Mbps |
| Server areas | 140 | 81 |
| Complete servers | 3200 |
Betternet depends completely on digital areas, that means there are not any bodily servers in its community. It has over 1,000 digital servers working in 115+ areas around the globe.
Surfshark additionally has some digital servers, however primarily for international locations which have banned VPN use, and they’re clearly labeled as digital. However most of its servers are bodily.
Surfshark’s infrastructure, due to this fact, provides you extra server choices if there’s congestion in a single location, sooner speeds, and higher bandwidth for downloading, on-line gaming, and streaming. Our pace checks confirmed it averaged round 190 Mbps, in comparison with Betternet’s 52 Mbps. Surfshark had a a lot larger most pace at 324 Mbps in comparison with Betternet’s 54 Mbps. That’s a 3x to 6x distinction!
Betternet struggles with 4K streaming. We skilled a number of buffering in our checks and needed to swap to HD for a smoother expertise.
We don’t suggest gaming on Betternet, both, particularly if you happen to’re aggressive. The latency (time taken between your system sending a sign and getting a response) is punishing, and dropped frames make the sport look uneven. You’ll get crushed by players on sooner connections.
Each VPNs supply the WireGuard protocol, a more moderen, sooner, and light-weight protocol that doesn’t compromise safety. Nevertheless, as you’ll be able to see from our take a look at outcomes, Betternet’s community is so sluggish, utilizing WireGuard doesn’t assist a lot.
With its bigger community of bodily servers and sooner speeds, Surfshark outperforms Betternet by a distance.
Winner: Surfshark
Safety
| No Worth | Surfshark | Betternet |
|---|---|---|
| Obfuscation (stealth) | ||
| IPv6 leak safety | ||
| WebRTC leak safety | ||
| PPTP | ||
| L2TP/IPSec | ||
| SSTP | ||
| IKEv2 | ||
| OpenVPN | ||
| WireGuard | ||
| Shadowsocks | ||
| Naked-metal servers? | ||
| Self-hosted DNS |
Surfshark lets you decide from three VPN protocols: OpenVPN (the {industry} normal), IKEv2 (which generally works higher on cell), and WireGuard (a sooner protocol that doesn’t compromise safety).
Betternet has not too long ago upped its safety features. It lets you decide VPN protocols from Hydra (sooner model of OpenVPN), IPSec, or WireGuard, relying on how you employ your VPN.
Nevertheless, Betternet’s free model is ad-supported, so you’ll be able to anticipate it to trace your on-line actions and promote this information to brokers and advertisers. In 2016, it was additionally accused of putting in malware on its apps. Till Betternet permits an unbiased audit, we are able to’t be sure that the apps at the moment are malware-free.
Each VPNs encrypt your information utilizing 256-bit AES encryption. This is likely one of the most inflexible encryption requirements and would take a long time to crack. Encryption protects your information from being seen by hackers and different undesirable third events.
Surfshark additionally gives ChaCha20Poly1305 encryption, a more moderen, sooner normal that works significantly nicely on cell units.
Each VPNs have kill-switches, IP leak safety (that ensures your location isn’t leaked), DNS leak safety, and server obfuscation.
Surfshark pulls forward with extra options likeRotating IP, which regularly adjustments your IP handle and makes you tougher to trace on-line. ItsCleanWeb additional blocks trackers and malware, and Dynamic MultiHop connects you to 2 completely different servers, doubling your encryption.
Winner: Surfshark
Privateness
| No Worth | Surfshark | Betternet |
|---|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | British Virgin Islands | USA |
| Logs connections | ||
| Independently audited? | ||
| Nameless fee choices? |
Your VPN’s base of operation is crucial to your privateness. We favor VPNs based mostly in privacy-friendly international locations that don’t have information retention legal guidelines.
Sadly, each Surfshark and Betternet are based mostly in international locations that may demand your information. Surfshark is in a barely higher place – it’s based mostly within the Netherlands, which isn’t a part of any international surveillance alliance. Nevertheless, pleasant governments can nonetheless make requests to the Dutch authorities to retain or share your information.
Betternet is predicated within the US, which isn’t solely a member of the secretive Five Eyes surveillance alliance, however nearly each different information-sharing alliance on the planet.
The excellent news is that each have strict no-logs insurance policies. On this case, it means they could accumulate some data, however vow that they don’t retailer any that might hint again to you or reveal your on-line exercise.
Surfshark is extra clear in regards to the data it collects, which is simply connection logs. It additionally runs on RAM-only diskless servers, so each time you shut down your session, your data is robotically deleted. Its servers are additionally wiped on a set schedule, so there’s by no means any residual information lingering on them.
Betternet has a obscure and unclear privateness coverage that doesn’t specify what information it collects or the way it makes use of it. It’s been recognized to gather your precise IP handle previously and has a historical past of vulnerabilities that permit attackers infect its apps with trackers and malware. We don’t know if these crucial privateness points have been resolved.
Betternet may have eased customers’ uncertainties by getting independently audited, nevertheless it hasn’t but on the time of writing. Surfshark has been audited by one of many main cybersecurity companies, Cure53.
You possibly can additional bolster your anonymity on Surfshark by paying utilizing cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others.
We hope Betternet makes extra effort to enhance the privateness of their VPN. Proper now, although, we are able to solely suggest Surfshark.
Winner: Surfshark
Customer support
| No Worth | Surfshark | Betternet |
|---|---|---|
| Free trial | 7-days (macOS and cell apps) | Sure – 7 Days |
| Cash-back assure size | 30 days | 45 days |
| Cash-back assure | ||
| 24-hour help | ||
| Dwell chat |
Surfshark’s customer support embarrasses Betternet.
You’ve got 24/7 stay chat with a human skilled for pressing queries. You possibly can alternatively e-book a ticket on the web site or e-mail them. The e-mail help staff often responds inside three hours.
Surfshark’s FAQ web page is complete; most customers can resolve their points by following the directions.
Betternet is fairly skinny in customer support. You possibly can solely search their common database or contact them by e-mail or ticketing. They reply inside three hours too, however on the value you’re paying for the subscription, you deserve higher help.
Winner: Surfshark
Methodology: how we examine VPNs
We take a look at each VPN we assessment utilizing strict standards that we’ve been bettering for a few years. Any VPN we suggest has to fulfill each class we have a look at adequately.
Listed here are a few of the key elements we have a look at in each VPN:
- World server networks: High VPNs have hundreds of quick and safe servers worldwide. This ensures speedy and dependable connections from anyplace.
- Quick connections: The best VPNs could have minimal affect in your web pace, so that you shouldn’t discover a distinction once you flip it on.
- Glorious safety: A VPN should supply (at a minimal) 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak safety, automated kill-switches, and different state-of-the-art instruments.
- Privateness instruments: Extra options like stealth modes, built-in advert blockers, and IP handle rotators will enhance your anonymity and privateness.
- Entry to content material: We solely suggest VPNs that may entry fashionable streaming websites, banking apps, and different typically restricted content material and providers.
- Good worth: VPNs don’t must price so much. Search for inexpensive subscriptions and beneficiant money-back ensures to make sure you get the perfect worth to your funding.
- Person-friendly expertise: The highest VPNs supply easy-to-use apps throughout numerous units, making certain easy setup even for much less tech-savvy customers.
- Buyer help: Our high VPNs present 24/7 stay help with human brokers, intensive data bases, and group boards to help customers promptly and successfully.
- Clear privateness insurance policies: Go for VPNs with strict “no-logs” insurance policies and RAM-only servers in privacy-friendly jurisdictions.
You possibly can take a look at these VPNs your self by following our VPN review process. We’re assured you’ll attain the identical conclusion we did: Surfshark’s higher.
Conclusion
Betternet has come a great distance, nevertheless it nonetheless has a number of work to do.
Surfshark gained each class in our checks, and the truth that it prices far much less is simply the cherry on the cake.
Surfshark is quicker, has extra bodily servers, higher safety and privateness options, and superior customer support. It additionally works on extra units than Betternet.
Betternet’s free plan works nicely sufficient if you happen to’re not a heavy VPN consumer, however its restrict of 5 server areas isn’t sensible for most individuals. Simply go for Surfshark’s two-year plan and thank us later.
You possibly can attempt Surfshark risk-free utilizing its 30-day money-back assure.
If neither of those VPNs has hit the mark, we now have extra head-to-head comparisons so that you can take a look at.
